Countdown Wednesday: Books and Liars

Posted: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 8:59 PM by Countdown
Filed Under: Blogging the Countdown

Scott or Not: The latest mutation of the vitally important question forced by ex-White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's book excerpt... If he insists he isn't saying President Bush lied to him about the outing of Valerie Plame... But sticks by his statement that the President was quote "involved" in the lie... What exactly did the President do? Hand him a sealed envelope? Our fifth story on the Countdown: four years later and still nobody in the White House has the story straight. We'll get Ambassador Joe Wilson's joins us.

Billo vs. the USO: The Pentagon says a letter to a wounded vet demanding he return some of his military recruitment signing bonus... was a mistake. The USO says Bill O'Reilly's slap at the number and quality of the celebrities it sent to Afghanistan... was also a mistake. Heck -- they've sent Al Franken.
ODDBALL: VA Gov. gets some deer, the Munchkins get a star and a turkey eats one last time.

Push it Real Good: The campaign of Willard Mitt Romney is learning an important lesson in national politics today... when you refer reporters to primary sources for a story... it's a good idea to mention whether those sources... are on the campaign payroll. In our third story tonight, payroll questions plague both Romney and his rival, Rudolph Giuliani. Mr. Romney first...

Tabby Time: Marie Osmond - who is rapidly becoming the Sanjaya of "Dancing with the Stars" - topping our number two story on the Countdown tonight - Keeping Tabs.

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD: Kellyanne Conway, Boone Pickens and Fox News co-host John Gibson vie for tonight's top honors.

Tofurkey: It is, in its way, as startling as the revelation of who Deep Throat was... Or the Abraham Lincoln Association's conclusion that the man probably never did say "You can fool all of the people some of the time..." Our number one story on the Countdown: that 60-year "tradition" of the President "pardoning" a turkey just before Thanksgiving? It's nearly 100 percent... Cranberry Sauce.

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Comments

Guess no updates till monday, maybe.

David Molinero (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 12:38 AM)

True Liberal (I mean the current one, not the old one) –

I hope you notice I’m no longer calling you Phony or False True. I know now that you’re definitely True, whatever that means, either to you or to me. You may not remember this, but a couple of weeks ago, in response to my answer to one of your little puzzles (which I really like, by the way), you told me I was “finally seeing the light” and “starting to make sense.” I gave you a flip answer that I now regret because I didn’t know what to make of your response at the time. Sooner or later, however, your meaning became apparent to me.

Why bring this up now? I’ve been watching your recent posts and exchanges with others about spelling. Having some linguistics background, I was particularly interested in the post with the scrambled words (November 16 3:36 PM), and the responses you got to that. You’re right, of course. If a message is otherwise clear, then spelling is of no matter whatsoever. Spelling is like a switch that is turned on in some people and others not, like math, or languages, or science. My spelling switch is turned on, but some others not so much. I suspect that you have many switches turned on, even if spelling isn’t one of them (and I don’t know that for sure).

I agree that carping about spelling elevates form over substance. Unfortunately, we see too much of that kind of thing here. I’ve even done it to you, on at least one occasion. (Although, in the context of your own pot/kettle remark that preceded my riff on your spelling, I hope you’ll cut me a little slack.) But here’s the point. Your comment that I was starting to make sense contains the same spelling error I had riffed on before. For the life of me, however, I didn’t remember that. Or care. As someone once said, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” After I finally got over my pre-disposition to discount any message coming from “True Liberal,” your message was very clear.

Your mentoring has meant more to me than anything that I ever got from the other “True” because you’ve made me think. I thank you for that. (:

Anomaluminosity (the light is on, and this time someone is home) (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 9:44 AM)

Independent Conservative (Weds, November 21, 2007 12:36 AM)

Thank you so much for your message. I hope it is not buried too far down the threads for everyone to see. If you’re new to us, I hope you will stay. We need your voice, your courage, and your clarity of thought. If you’ve already been here a while, then I hope you will speak to us more often.

If you’ve been here a while, you already know I slept through the Booleans, but I believe I can say I take a positive approach, most of the time. Self-reflection is always good, even though the mirror may crack sometimes. Thanks for making me stop to think.

Anomaly (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 10:05 AM)

Posted Wednesday? Then by Monday, there should be approximately 800-1000 bloggings on this one, a third of which will be by the "Swift Sheep for Dubya". I can hardly wait to see how 'baaaaaaaaaaa-D' they are.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 1:47 PM)

Countdown.

Seriously...

Boycott, yea? (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 3:22 PM)

Americans of late have undergone a disturbing transformation. The way America looks at things, as well as the way Americas is looked at, has changed dramatically. While most of these changes aren’t inherently positive or negative, there is one telling transformation that stands out among the rest. No longer do the American people answer the call of citizenship as they did in years past. In a democracy this is terrible news.
In a democracy the common citizen, not the political establishment, makes the primary decisions that govern our nation. When the populace fails to reach a decision, a decision is made for them. When a decision is made on behalf of the people instead of by the people, then by definition the democratic process has failed.
A democracy is delicate. In fact, it seems to be the most delicate form of government there is. More than any other political system devised by man, a democracy relies on the fact that all people are inherently good, and can be trusted with matters of importance.
However, this delicate situation can be changed instantaneously. In fact, all it takes is a small handful of truly driven people to take control of any government. When those people are driven by corrupt motives, then democracy becomes threatened, not only in America, but everywhere.
The greatest threat to democracy doesn’t come from some abstract threat of terrorism or from some great war against an unseen enemy. Democracy’s greatest threat comes from the inside. The true threat to democracy comes from the darkest uncharted regions of the human mind, the places where selfishness and jealousy breed like mad in the safety of their subterranean lair. The battle for democracy is fought by the same people who make democracy a reality-the citizens.
Therefore, it is up to the good citizens of this nation to come to the realization that the war to save democracy is being waged not in Iraq of Afghanistan, but in their own minds. It is up to the common man to pick up the sword of justice and the shield of human rights. It is up to the common man, now more then ever, to defend themselves from themselves.

Gil Wildridge, Daytona Beach, Fl. (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 4:21 PM)

The Case for Dylan (and Cate) –

Well, Countdown, here comes the meddlesome woman again with yet another celebrity riff. This time – Bob Dylan – for the new movie, I’m Not There. Here’s the case (nothing more required) --

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

But now having seen the movie, I think I also have to make a case for Cate Blanchett – by far the best of the six people who played Dylan. The way I figure it, "when you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose ...."

Nobody feels any pain
Tonight as I stand inside the rain
Ev'rybody knows
That Baby's got new clothes
But lately I see her ribbons and her bows
Have fallen from her curls.
She takes just like a woman, yes, she does
She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does
And she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl.

Anomaly (with no direction home, like a complete unknown ... ) (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 5:59 PM)

Sunday morning 10:00

0 Comments

David Molinero (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 9:55 AM)

Off topic from Wednesday's show, but I would like to send thoughts of strength and compassion to Rep. Julia Carson. My representative in Congress, Julia Carson, has released a statement this Sunday morning that she has terminal lung cancer. I met her a few years back the day before Thanksgiving at, of all places, a nail salon. She was sitting right next to me, and we talked about what to do with all the leftover food. She is extremely personable, funny, and has never fogotten where she came from. Here is a link to the announcement in the Sunday morning INDIANAPOLIS STAR:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/LOCAL19/711250402

My heart goes out to her and her family.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 10:26 AM)

Unnamed sources claim that upon hearing the Munchkins got a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Dubya instinctively knew that Al Gore would get one too, and immediately sent Karl Rove to Silver Lake to begin preparations for a Tinsel Town-Style Media Blitz (Among other things). This will insure "The Madness of Faux King George", the movie starring Dubya as himself, will get him a Star, also.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 11:36 AM)

The skin cell to t cell transformation unfortunately has one small problem. Ah, the devil is always in the details. The genes they are manipulating to provoke this conversion also seem to be proactive in cancer cells. Maybe they can call in Benny Hinn to cure the cancerous genes.To date, all I've ever seen Benny cure is an over abundance of cash in his poor followers bank accounts but there is always a first time. I've always been fascinated with the televangelist' rabid pursuit of two things, money and sex. Even Jim Bakker's career is undergoing a revival( pun intended ).I'd be happy if just one of them could come up with a cure for hubris. That, however, would mean they would have to cure themselves first.

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 12:34 PM)

Wednesday night - thread goes up - no updates

Thursday - holiday - you're excused, but MSNBC programming is rehashed rerun crime/predator documentaries instead of news programming.

Friday - while the other news channels have news, MSNBC chooses to do predator and prison documentaries rerun dozens of times. Guys, if you want people to seriously think of you as a news network, it helps to have news. This ISN'T a holiday.

Saturday - NO UPDATE

Sunday - NO UPDATE

I found myself watching CNN since Thursday if I wanted TV news. Even Faux Made-Up News was on live. Hard to establish a news reputation if you consistently serve up rehashed infotainment rerun off NBC. It might be cheaper, but it gives cable services like Comcast additional reasons to move you to their more expensive digital tier or drop MSNBC from their line-up altogether.

No wonder the NeoCons took over this country when we only have crap news available. Stuff doesn't just happen Monday thru Friday on non-holidays.

Get your act together, and not just on this flimsy excuse for a blog.

Sue - disgusted in West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 2:56 PM)

Hey Countdown -- Did you really say that Billo is the Frank Burns of journalism? I can’t figure out how I missed that, except maybe I was too busy trying to wrap my mind around the image of Billo getting an eight-minute dressing down. Well, I probably wouldn’t have had much to say about it, anyway, except that you’re probably overrating Billo a little bit.

But now that you remind me -- Alan Alda. Ummmm. Alan Alda. Guys who still know how to operate. (:

Anomaly (always operating in the dark) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 6:57 PM)

… As for McKellan, his book is not sworn testimony, so it really is irrelevant…. Kevin of NJ (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 8:02 AM)

Kevin -- I’m curious. Are you saying that, if people are not under oath, then it isn’t important that they tell the truth? If so, I’m surprised to hear it. After all, you’re never under oath here. Are you saying that we have no reason to believe you are telling the truth? And that you have no fundamental obligation to tell it? Hmmmmm.

Since McClellan was Mr. Bush’s spokesperson, but rarely under oath at press conferences, then by extension, are you saying that we have no reason to believe he (or his boss) was ever telling the truth -- or should have been? Hmmmmmm.

Seems like a pretty low standard to me. I can’t believe you really mean it.

Anomaly (thinks truth is always relevant) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 7:24 PM)

"In fact, I think Richard Wolffe would be--uh--not so nerdy in certain areas--just like the nerds in the books." Immortal Cougar (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:55 PM) Hello??! I can't say that I've heard of that series of books, but...wow! The imagination reels at the possibilities, and I've got a hell of an imagination! ;D

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 9:43 PM)

Krista -- I picked up a couple over the weekend. (Who would believe this might interest me? Probably backwater boy, anyway.)

I promise to provide a FULL report, although I can’t guarantee the Whippersnapper will post it. At least maybe he/she will get a kick out of it.

Anomaly (always imagining the possibilities) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 7:34 PM)

The Big Giant Head rapping the U.S.O. is too much. I do feel sorry for the troops who only got to see him and Toby Keith . Poor guys bad country music and the factually challenged Big Giant Head. I wonder how much he charged any of the soldiers whose books he signed.

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007

Re Toby Keith: so right you are, Bill. An executive in Nashville who refused to speak on the record once said that Garth Brooks went farther on less talent than anyone he'd ever seen. Frankly, he had not at that point seen Toby Keith. Gotta say though, Orally and TK are quite possibly the most nauseating acts who could be inflicted on the troops. And before anybody who thinks TK is a great singer goes apeshit, I have done my homework in his music, I am not impressed with him (or the Dixie Chicks, either), and it's only my opinion. Period.

Immortal Cougar (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 7:44 PM)

My, my, where are my manners? Welcome back, all. I missed all of you, so to sublimate my sorrow I mainlined turkey and dressing, watched Mike Rowe and Dr. Brady Barr (both of whom have indisputably blue eyes), and blogged at another site under an assumed name. One does what one must.

Immortal Cougar (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:06 PM)

Just now watching THE SIMPSONS. KO, since I can't believe it takes twenty people to make you look good, I can only assume it took twenty animators to make you look--uh--I'm peeking through my fingers. Great voice, though. Maybe if I close my eyes--

Immortal Cougar (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:11 PM)

FNiA -- Fumbledemic, fumblepocalypse. Fumble-icious. And a whole week to riff on it. What could be better than that?

Killer instinct? What backwater boy apparently thinks I have. If only he knew.

The Simpsons --

Oh, no ... I may be one of those “content thieves.”

A team of 20 people to keep you from looking like a swamp monster? Who knew? I wouldn’t have guessed more than 10. (:

Anyway, it looks like money well-spent to me. From now on, I’ll watch the commercials. I promise.

Anomaly (what's wrong with looking like a swamp monster?) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:17 PM)

Immortal Cougar (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:11 PM) Hey...I'm watching the SIMPSONS, too! I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting Keith to appear quite the way he did, but, and just one clue here, WPITW fans will absolutely get a kick!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:28 PM)

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 9:52 AM)

Steve -- As you may already suspect, in addition to French (a post-college class) and the Booleans, I slept through Latin (too much chanting), medieval history (too much genuflecting), and confirmation class (too much self-flagellation). I did read Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles, which provided a pretty good look at the Middle Ages. Beowulf, Chaucer, and things like that were more along my line. That at least forced me to be aware of French, Latin, and history, but thankfully not the Booleans. When would we have discussed them, anyway? (Oh, no, does this mean I also slept through computer programming? THAT explains a few things.)

Ahhh, Chaucer -- music to my ears, especially after a glass of ice-9 (and especially now that I can’t have Erik Satie anymore).

Whan that April with his showres soote
The droughte of March hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veine in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flowr;

Anyway, I always wonder how much pain and suffering has been caused in the name of religion (not much in Chaucer, anyway, unless you count “pain” of a different kind). Thank you, as always, for giving it colorful context. You’re right, of course. What Bush did to bring on the Iraq war wasn’t much different from what Constantine did. And Henry VIII wasn’t much different from Britney Spears.

Anomaly (born during the droughte of March, or the Ids of Murk, whatever) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:36 PM)

Let's leave that one unlisted or I'll get BLACKlisted at this board. Friends?
Immortal Cougar (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:00 PM)

You’re kidding, aren’t you? That won’t get you blacklisted on THIS blog. Good thing, too.

Do you suppose they could bottle triptophan? Like ice-9, really, without the ice. Better for these cold northern winter nights.

Anomaly (all I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 8:50 PM)

And...if Keith being featured on the SIMPSONS tonight wasn't enough, the repeat episode immediately following was one of my all time favs and a very appropriate follow-up! It was the SIMPSONS take on FOX and the FCC after anchorman, Kent Brockman, swears on the air. The scene with Lisa and Kent in the Simpsons basement a la GOOD NIGHT & GOOD LUCK is absolutely priceless.

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 9:13 PM)

Wow...this little tidbit of info should be emailed en masse to "he who shall not be named"'s website. It is Keith Olbermann night on FOX! Not only was he featured on the SIMPSONS tonight, but the episode where he was featured on FAMILY GUY is also being re-run! KEITH IS TAKING OVER FOX - at least tonight! How 'bout that??!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 9:39 PM)

I'd be happy if just one of them could come up with a cure for hubris. That, however, would mean they would have to cure themselves first. gator, stuart,fl (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 12:34 PM)

gator -- I’ve heard that a shot of ice-nine works well for that. Sort of shuts the whole hubris thing right down. I’m working on a delivery system for that in my garage right now. My current problem is how to limit the effect to everyone who doesn’t agree with me, and yet still have someone to talk to the next day. The Witch King of Angmar may be able to help me. He knows how to deliver the mail.

Anomaly (if I had the cure for hubris would it matter that I couldn't spell it?) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 9:51 PM)

WPitNFL -- Hey Countdown -- this begs a VERY big question --

Does the NFL even HAVE a “stupid” policy? I don’t think so. Unless it’s not what YOU seem to think it is. (:

Anomaly (knows stupid when she sees it in the mirror) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 10:03 PM)

#4: The Frank Burns comparison was hysterical, and Sunday Night Football is not the place for KO to get political, much as I enjoy it when he does. However, "Here's the news from Fox" was funny tonight.

Best Persons: Nick Saban. This man makes me want to give back my diploma.

NPR interview: The Cincinnatus reference was nice, though I can't see KO retiring to FNIA.

FNIA: "Do not kick to Hester" = "Do not seek the treasure." Some of us got it even if Collinsworth didn't. I'll gladly volunteer to author the FNIA Cliffs Notes.

The Simpsons: Rather humorous considering that the East Coast had to record either FNIA or The Simpsons, or perhaps both, in order to watch both and probably skipped commercials on one or both.

For the people complaining about updates, I'm glad I don't work for you. I am still on Thanksgiving break from all of my on-call round-the-clock online jobs. It's a blog, not the reactor for a nuclear power plant. ;)

HM, in an ivory tower somewhere (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:06 AM)

FIFTH ATTEMPT TO POST!!

I just knew the loyal Bushies here would find some way to bash Scott McClellan based on his new book, revealing five top White House officials, to include George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Andrew Card, Karl Rove and I. Lewis Scooter Libby were all involved in the leak and cover-up in the outing of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame.

I wanted to wait and read some of the asinine comments I knew would be forthcoming prior to posting a lengthy comment. Oh you loyal “Buffoons” have not let me down!! My favorite so far has been that Scott McClellan was a failure, was fired and he’s just getting back at the Bush Administration and now he's a liar too!! Oh, save it!!

When McClellan gave notice, George W. Bush stated the following, “McClellan had performed a job well done." The two had a long relationship predating the presidency; therefore, nice try to all the trolls here, your excuses are absurd.

George W. Bush further commented by stating, "I thought he handled his assignment with class, integrity. It's going to be hard to replace Scott, but nevertheless he made the decision and I accepted it. One of these days, he and I are going to be rocking in chairs in Texas and talking about the good old days."

“Good old days” President Stupid? It is my sincere hope that those”good old days” are spent sharing a prison cell!!

This rationalization becomes more absurd when one looks at the average time press secretaries serve. One only needs to examine the presidencies of both George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; it is rare a press secretary serves for the duration of a president’s tenure. Tony Snow, one year; Scott McClellan, three years; Ari Fleisher, two years; Jake Siewart, one year; Joe Lockhart, two years; Mike McCurry, four years; Dee Dee Myers, one year.

Therefore, save the “McClellan was fired because he was a liar, incompetent,” etc. etc. etc. He resigned after serving three years, which is longer than any other press secretary under the administration of George W. Bush!!

PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:14 AM)

Though not as handsome as Antonio Banderas, or even Antonio's Jewish cousin, Shecky Banderas

Steve Turner, Hilarious!! I should know better than to have a mouthful of coffee when I read one of your posts..

Reading through people's comments, I have a question for David Molinero. What exactly are you trying to convince anyone of?? I see you putting out increasingly provocative statements and cut-and-pastes, like a little kid poking at something with a stick.

Here's a hint sir, if you want to provoke a genuine dialogue with people on this blog, then try to stick with blog topics as they relate to current affairs. If you want to initiate discourse, try having an original idea (eg. not from one of your NeoCon pundits that has already been dispproved multiple times), that isn't just the same old crusty NeoCon blather.

What we see now, comes off as a pathetic attempt to instigate negative responses..if this is how you get your "jollies," like the other folks we consider to be "trolls," then I say look in the mirror before you tell us yet again that we are wrong in our beliefs.

LT in MD (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 6:49 AM)

Seems like a pretty low standard to me. I can’t believe you really mean it.

Anomaly (thinks truth is always relevant) (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 7:24 PM)

No you are missing the point. Media obsession with excerpts from books has led us to playing out judicial issues and proceedings over the airways. We need to take pause and let it play out. So you are advocating starting impeachment proceedings over a book. That is scary. If you want to drag Mckellen in front of a committee, I am OK with that. Keith is just using a book from someone he loathed previously because he can use it against Bush. If the book said Bush knew nothing about it, you wouldn't hear any mention of it. Credibility is questionable when the author's main motivation is $.

Kevin of NJ (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 8:00 AM)

When have I ever advocated invasion of a county because of how they treat their women. My complaint is that NOW, and other women groups will not say a thing about how women are treated in these countries, and if anything, their members will cheer and appalled people like the President of Iran. If we can change how women in these countries are treated, then we can change the dynamics on the War on Terror. David Molinero (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 12:22 AM)

Mr. Molinero -- (1) Frankly, I can’t remember anymore, so I’ll concede you never advocated invasion for that reason if you concede it wouldn’t be a very good idea. And if you do, I promise to stop riffing you about it. (2) I don’t keep up with NOW much any more, but I’ve never heard any NOW member speak out IN FAVOR of oppression of women in other countries, nor have I ever heard a single NOW member “applaud” the President of Iran. I don’t know where you get your information about NOW, but I doubt that it’s from NOW. (3) You do make at least one valid point -- we would change the dynamic on the war on terror if we could change the way women are treated in third-world countries.

However, my question for you is whether we change the way that women in “these countries” are treated BEFORE we kill them, or after. (Or do you think we haven’t killed any women in Iraq?) Because it seems to me it doesn’t do much good afterward. And if you say before, then our present strategy of “invade first and ask questions later” doesn’t exactly serve the purpose. If you’ve got a better idea, let’s hear it.

Anomaly (always looking for a better idea) (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 8:36 AM)

I see nothing occurred here over the holiday. No updates. Better just wipe the current threads clean and start over.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 8:50 AM)

Glad to see that the public has spoken, and refuse to pay money to watch this POS movie.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11252007/gossip/pagesix/de_palma_iraq_flick_bombs_582058.htm

Kevin of NJ (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 10:53 AM)

Why did Bush rush the building of the Iraq Embassy?

How can we forget the arrogance of what this administration has deliberately done to insure that our troops/military are going to be involved in Iraq for an indefinite period of time?

The Iraq war has already been allowed to continue for longer than WWII. During this amount of time, it has allowed this administration to build military bases and also to build the largest, costly Embassy in the middle of the Iraq war which is/will require continued protection because of the fighting still going on, without any end in the near future. Is there any wonder why President Bush is always "smirking" when he has committed our country into an indefinite period of war. This should upset Congress and the people, causing some type of repercussion toward this administration by pointing out the "got-you" that this administration has gotten our country into by trickery and false pretenses. The American people have been badly mislead and there has been a lack of respect shown to our volunteer military, by this administration.

The only way we can leave Iraq is to "throw away" all of the construction that we have done for providing our own occupation in Iraq. Just look at the conversations taking place about bringing our troops home. Is it all a "farce" for most of the candidcates, running for election, to even talk about bringing our troops home? Here we have another play with words. Redeploying the "combat troops" when there is a war going on all around the Embassy. Who is going to protect the Embassy and the military bases without coming into contact with the "enemy forces"?

carl brackin, Georgetown, TN (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:05 AM)

Anomaly (must go now, time for turkey, REALLY) (: (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 10:07 PM)

Got any new news? It had long been known that Siria, Libia and Saudi Arabia provide foreign fighters to the insurgents in Iraq.

How about what Dems have been devided over all week-end, violence is down in Iraq?

David Molinero (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:20 AM)

Ok fellow posters, haven't you heard? GE is trying to save some money here. That's why they moved from Secaucus NJ to 30 Rock, and also why they don't pay Keith's staff to work weekends. Ever. For any reason. No matter how mad you all get.

I'll bet there were hundreds more posts than what you see here--most too foul to print!

Pumpkin Pie Hater (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:22 AM)

I found out about the NPR interview over at ERT's website. It's all stuff Keith has said before, nothing new. Keith, if you're going to do interviews, throw some meat out there for us once in a while, will ya?

Keith flying business class? I can't see it. First class all the way, baby.

Tired of Turkey Already (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:28 AM)

Off topic..but answers the burning question..what color are Keith's eyes? They're blue.
Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, November 22

If you're talking about the older photo I think you're talking about, it has been retouched. His eyes aren't blue. Stare at them intently the next time you see him on the screen......and you can see that they are brown with the slightest hint of hazel. You might also notice that Keith's right eye is the tiniest bit lighter than his left. Either that, or the lighting in that studio is really messed up.

R. NorCal (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:36 AM)

Scottie said he was forced to spread lies to ensure the invasion of Iraq to privatize it's oil illegally and to deliver the head of Wilson's wife on a silver platter. Scottie is a liar. People with integrity resign. They leave and they give their reasons publicly for leaving and return to be honest and successful in their communities. "Good soldiers" who intentionally lie so others may be killed and pillaged will get their due. They used to be placed in stockades so the public could have their way with them. Lying, murdering oil pirates Scottie and all you ever had to say was NO. Just say No Scottie and be a real man. Men are judged by how low they stoop to help a child, not by melting their faces off with white phosphorous to control the second largest oil reserve on the planet. respectfully submitted. happy hunting Scott!!

doomed (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:45 AM)

Trent Lott resigning by the end of the year?!?!?!?

No further comments except that "it's not for health reasons" and "pursuing other options."

In the absence of facts, anyone got a good rumor or (better yet) a conspiracy?

A. Wrightwing Conspiritor, Commonwealth of Denial (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:47 AM)

Is there some sinister cosmic significance to Trent Lott's decision to resign, or is he finally just doing a favor to his party and the country at large? If so, I applaud him. If not, bah humbug.

Immortal Cougar (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:48 AM)

There are 421 days until the end of this regime on 1/20/2009
There are 406 days until the end of this Congress on 1/5/2009 ???
There are 344 days until election day -- 11/4/2008

The first Caucus/Primary hasn't happened yet! Evaluate ALL the candidates and think wisely before you vote.
And we are counting down.

"The insult is the last refuge of the out-argued"
-- John 'Birdman' Bryant

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:02 PM)

Anomaly (one more, I just couldn't help myself) (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 10:20 PM)

I knew I shouldn’t have gone there but since I did under the influance of a little tequila – there were several different areas of CT in the Navy back in the day when I was there. I’m sure things have changed substantially since then. I was a CTO – an operator we operated, sent and received secure communications from various sources, also tracked by electronic signatures various ocean going vessels from different countries. There were other disciplines within the CT area, including interpreters (CTI), ditty chasers (listened and recorded intercepted morse code) CTR, and others. My favorite duty was Edzell Scotland, love the Scots, fun and friendly people – especially the women…

scott henderson nv (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:08 PM)

Hey backwater boy –

I need to apologize to you. Really. This has been bothering me all weekend, and I don’t want it to wait until you reply to me, if you ever do. Please don’t think I meant anything pejorative when I called you “backwater boy.” If I had meant it to be pejorative, I would have used all caps. (I won’t demonstrate.) If you really knew me, you know that calling people names is just not my style. But, for reasons we have already discussed, I don’t feel comfortable calling you “Pud.” (Although I suppose that shouldn’t really matter, since you chose the name.)

Anyway, in order to talk to you, and respond to things you say to me, like “I daresay you want to kill me” (also not my style), I need to be able to call you something. As I already explained to Immortal Cougar, I got the idea from your own previous post to me. No other reason. I want you to know that. If there’s something else you would prefer to be called, let me know. But please, don’t go away on my account. That’s not my style, either.

It seems like I’m always apologizing to you, backwater boy. My apologies in advance, from now on.

Anomaly (why is it that “sorry” seems to be the hardest word?) (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:11 PM)

WOO-HOO - TRENT LOTT RESIGNING!!

"If the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years either." - Trent Lott

While disgracefully suggesting segregation would have been a better way for our country to go at Thurmond’s 100th birthday celebration in 2002, when I separate the sentence from Lott and his implication, it bluntly describes “we the people” versus the administration of George W. Bush. Perhaps if BushCo had followed the advice and direction of the UN, other nations and “we the people”, he would not have attacked a sovereign nation who did absolutely nothing to provoke us!! Indeed, “we wouldn’t have had all these problems over all these years either”!!

GOOD RIDDANCE TO GARBAGE - CIAO LOTT!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:13 PM)

Not only was Keith on Simpsons last night, but the repeat showing of Family Guy at 9:30 was the one with him in it when Lois runs for mayor.

Adelaide, told you his eyes were blue, CA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:23 PM)

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Sunday, November 25, 2007 12:34 PM)

Guess what, so do Embryonic Stem Cells cause cancer. Not a single treatment with Embryonic Cells had been formed that doesn't involve cancer.

Other Stem Cells are already used in treatment safely with-out concerns of cancer.

David Molinero (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:27 PM)

Keith totally trivial but yoyr keeping tabs wasn't exactly accurate on I HAVE A BIG EGO Shatner. As my son is thanks to me(Sigh) a Star Wars and Star Trek "geek', he set me straight on Thanksgivng about Shatner and the new movie.
Leonard Nimoy was brought out of retirement to play the older Spock, as Vulcans live for hundreds of years.The story takes place when Kirk and Spock met at the academy. Now Kirk was killed off in "Generations".Shatner wanted to do the movie. Nimoy reallly pushed for his friend (yes the one cast member who could remain friends with Shatner).JJ Abrams decided to work in a cameo for Shatner. He declined. Now he is complaning he isn't in the movie. He was offered a cameo.No other of the surviving characters from the original Star Trek will be in it,just Nimoy.

Adelaide, told you his eyes were blue, CA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:41 PM)

A short, interesting read:

What's That Sound? Why It's the Further Lowering of the Bar on Iraq
by: Arianna Huffington

A quote from the article:

"So as you see the administration and the GOP presidential candidates give high fives to each other and declare "mission accomplished" this week because only 30-50 American soldiers are being killed every month, it's worth remembering (because the media have apparently already forgotten) that the purpose of the surge was never military. Opponents of the surge were not skeptical that it would pay military dividends. They were skeptical that the surge would magically translate into political success."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/whats-that-sound-why-it_b_74042.html

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 12:45 PM)

A. Wrightwing Conspiritor, Commonwealth of Denial (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 11:47 AM)

Yes, the news is that in order to pursue his future career in “lobbying” in one year, he must resign by the end of this year!!

If he stayed post end of this year, law requires the jerk would have had to wait two years to begin his new calling!

DISGRACEFUL, NOT SHOCKING!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 1:16 PM)

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