Countdown Wednesday: White House, Up in Smoke

Posted: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:02 PM by Countdown

***Alison Stewart in for Keith tonight***

House of Scandal: Our fifth story on the Countdown: the search for "true facts" uncovers a doozy: The New York Times reporting that Harriet Miers wasn't the only White House lawyer who discussed the handling of those tapes before they were erased. There were at least three others, including Alberto Gonzales.

Polls, Polls and more Polls: In our fourth story tonight, a new poll leaves no doubt about who's leading the Democratic race in Iowa, site of the caucuses 15 days from now. In a significant surprise, the latest Insider Advantage poll puts John Edwards on top, with 30 percent of the vote.
ODDBALL: What a "Charmin" Bride, Dustin Hoffman strikes back

Papa Don't Preach: In our third story on the Countdown: sixteen-year old Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant. The younger sister of Britney, decided, along with their mother, Lynn, to announce that news in the pages of OK! magazine. A decision, which her father Jamie reportedly abhors.

The Perfect Gift?: So our number two story tonight: When cash seems too crass, little decorative three by two inches of plastic does the trick. But with a little news you can use, our correspondent Kevin Tibbles found out a lot of you are throwing away money without knowing it.

Top Viral Videos of 2007: To the top of the Countdown, and a subject dear to all our hearts, and millions of bored office workers everywhere. Viral Video! And for once, we don't have to do any hard slog, time Magazine has done it for us. Compiling it's list of the top clips forwarded to inboxes all around the world in 2007.Starting at number Ten, with someone who had too much time on his hands.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Many many thanks for the timely on-the-spot new thread! And, once again, many thanks to Alison Stewart for hosting tonight. So, is Keith out all week? Guess so, which I guess is OK if he’s having to work next week, which he and other journalists might be doing with the ramped up caucus and primary schedule. Hope he’s enjoying the time off and is spending with people he cares about! Maybe, he’s doing book promotion stuff?

Freddo won’t recall anything about his part in the discussion of the CIA tape destruction. Did the NYT subheadline specifically mention DanaPerino? Why are her panties in a bunch? Sounds like other members of the press were asking her that same question.

Upcoming female chauvenist pig comment...Ah, Richard Wolffe is a sight for sore eyes!! Hubba-hubba!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:10 PM)

Blackwater’s killing animals now?! Well, now maybe something will happen to them. Killing Iraqis is one thing; killing dogs? NO FREAKIN’ WAY!

President Clinton was impeached 9 years ago today? Wow, the way some people talk, you’d think it had just happened last week. Is this a national holiday in Neocon circles?

And, speaking of Neocons but off topic, file this story under "Tommy, We Hardly Knew Ye":
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071220/ap_on_el_pr/tancredo

Not to be too much of a nit-picky English professor, Alison, but there were 9 circles of Hell in Dantes’ INFERNO, if that’s the reference you were trying to make. But, you won't catch me alive or dead near a mall this weekend!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:14 PM)

And, finally, to my fellow Newshole bloggers, the Newshole moderators, everyone who contributes and works for COUNTDOWN, and Keith Olbermann, here are holiday greetings as only I can deliver them, with all due respect and apologies to Mr. C. Moore - ‘Twas less than a week before Christmas, and all through Newshole, all the bloggers are hoping for a stocking with no coal. Their thoughts are posted on the blog with such care in hopes that the moderators soon will be there…

Here are a couple of holiday videos for your viewing pleasure! The first one is of my 4 favorite foul-mouthed little boys from South Park, CO. If you do not "appreciate" SOUTH PARK's humor or object to "dirty" words, DO NOT WATCH THIS! DO NOT SEEK THE...oops...wrong one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR_XN8TNLhY

For a more "traditional" less "twisted" greeting but one of my very favorites, sometimes, when 2 seemingly very different worlds collide, something good and beautiful can happen. This is the classic video of Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing "The Little Drummer Boy": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKTHvW2JcAA

I'll still be blogging here but wanted to send these wishes along before the holidays get really super duper insane. Peace and good health to us all...

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:24 PM)

I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream …

Chinese Fortune Cookie (Starry Night Edition) (Vincent Van Gogh) (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:31 PM)

#4 - All of those polls are fake.

R. NorCal (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:55 PM)

Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good ...

Chinese Fortune Cookie (Mohandas Gandhi Edition) (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:56 PM)

Anyone see what a sick bastard Huckabee's son is? How could he have raised such a monster?
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/70939/

R. NorCal (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:57 PM)

Anna Molly,

All these politician backwater country boys and girls (Huckabee, Thompson, the two Clintons) have inspired me to tell you my favorite CM Cry In Your Beer song. Here it is:

"She Got the Money, I Got the Clap" (Cement City Cowboys, ca 1981).

Good for a laugh, mais non?

Pud Laguna Niguel CA (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:17 PM)

#5 – “True facts” from anyone associated with this administration? O J Simpson has a better chance of being elected president in 2008 that “we the people” have of getting one ounce of truth or facts out of George W. Bush and his administration of draconian thugs!! Of course Harriet Miers and Gonzo were involved in the two-year discussions!!

In addition, it is no surprise that David Addington, five-deferment Dick’s then counsel was involved in the two-year discussion; it also it sheds light on his promotion to Cheney’s chief of staff post Libby’s conviction!! Then there’s John Bellinger, the National Security Council's top lawyer, of course he had to be involved!! In addition, it is my unconditional belief that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Karl Rove not only knew and condoned the use of torture; they were fully aware of the tapes and the handling of them. I also maintain they were the dominant figures in the decision to subsequently erase them!!

Two years of discussions? That information alone is significant!! The discussions took place between 2003 and 2005!! With the 2004 presidential election looming, these cutthroat ruffians had one choice, destroy all evidence; they had violated US laws, the Geneva Conventions and International Treaties!!

In addition, the White House response to the New York Times article is ridiculous!! First, the White House press secretary’s offices stated The New York Times’ “inference that there is an effort to mislead in this matter is pernicious and troubling.” Next, they stated, “we are formally requesting that NYT correct the sub-headline of this story." Yeah, good luck on that one!! Finally, they proceeded with their "no comment" policy would continue.

I suggest if the White House, via President Stupid, is demanding the New York Times “correct the sub-headline for the story,” the White House “comment” on their role in the two-year discussions of the tapes, the handling of them and the erasure of them!!

DISGUSTED!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:36 PM)

I'm nowhere near Rich Enough to Flush Gold down a Toilet. Ewww.

David Molinero (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:48 PM)

John Edwards is leading today; Hillary Clinton was leading yesterday and Barack Obama was leading the day before!! Howard Dean was leading up until the day of the caucuses in Iowa; he not only lost, he didn’t even place second!!

I will say that John Edwards must win Iowa if he stands any chance of continuing in this election. Both Clinton and Obama can afford to lose, Edwards cannot. In my opinion, an Edwards’ victory in Iowa will help Clinton much more than Obama; it will certainly slow the momentum Obama’s been enjoying in my opinion!!

Clinton is still ahead in New Hampshire, but it’s very close; she’s in a tie with Obama in South Carolina, yet still maintains her lead in all national polls!! If Clinton doesn’t win Iowa, she’s without doubt in a better position with an Edwards’ victory than an Obama victory. If Obama wins Iowa, he’ll take that momentum right into New Hampshire then South Carolina. Clinton’s far ahead of Edwards in both New Hampshire and South Carolina!!

I still maintain in the end, Clinton will win Iowa; just as many friends told me John Kerry would win Iowa in 2004!! I told them they were crazy, Dean was too far ahead!! Oops, anything can happen!!

PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:51 PM)

Was Dana Perino channeling Alexander Haig? The White House = Dana Perino? I realize that technically the press secretary is the official mouthpiece of the White House, but, if she thinks she is the only one in the White House giving out information, either openly or anonymously, to the press, then she is delusional. Then again, she didn't know about the Cuban Missile Crisis, so why should it be surprising that she doesn't understand the relationship between the press and the White House and the extent to which anonymous sources provide information to the media?

HM, sprung from the ivory tower for the holidays (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:05 PM)

A Whitehouse fire. Be still my beating heart. Could it be possible the devil has come to claim his own?

A pregnant Spears. It must be something in the genes. Or is it someone in someones jeans? Can these girls say birth control? Is there a third sister? I want something to look forward to. But I ask you seriously, does anyone really care that this family is so very non functioning? Makes you wonder about the parenting they recieved.

So Harriet Miers had company regarding the knowledge of the tapes disposal. No surprise there. The only one without knowledge was the window cleaner. Amazing. Everyone knew, a judge said do not destroy, they did it anyway. Anyone believing this bunch of criminals will ever be prosecuted raise your hand. Go ahead do it. If your alone no one will know.

And in case anyone is wondering why the Democrats seem to be at a loss to find a spine try this. Could it be possible that when Bush began spying on Americans SIX MONTHS before 9/11, could he have spied on the members of the other party? And what did he learn that makes him able with a 25% approval rating, and Cheney's 9%, that allows them to still retain control? Not an original theory. But I am sticking to it.

Otherwise I will have to believe that the cowardly Democrats, despite a mandate by the people still cannot find a way to do anything and make it stick, and are simply stupid.

carol h. San Francisco, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:18 PM)

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:00 PM)

Bravo, gator. The best part is no extradition. I’m willing to pay any amount of money not to get these jokers back again. Goodbye, Dubai, don't cry.

Anna Molly (Sent Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:43 PM)

#1. Anybody in front of a TV finds too much time for their hands. #2. It's almost cheaper to give the Clerk twenty bucks not to mention gift cards. #3. There goes her Nick TV Show and that Lear Jet she was gonna buy him. #4. The latest poll says that only thirty per cent of the polls are correct. #5. Send them all the complete "Perry Mason" DVD collection, at the Prison.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:04 AM)

Hmmm...Cheney's office catches fire the same day Vladimir Putin is named "Person of the Year" by "Time" magazine. Connection?

Seriously, has Dana Perino's glue started to melt?

Ian Crawford, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:49 AM)

Here we go again. Some headlines above in Pica and some in the regular font. And zero comments to boot. Wakie wakie Countdown.

I'm also angry at the House for passing the no-strings 70 Billion dollars that Bush asked for. Why can't they just say NO?

Scandal after scandal for this administration and Dems sit on their hands. No impeachment, not much oversight. Just keep on handing President 24% whatever he asks for. That's the way to maintain that majority you guys just got! Make the voters want more and more of this.

For the first time ever, I'm going to seriously comment on Spears. I have no respect for Brittany, but now I wonder how much of that is her fault. Her 16 year old sister, Jamie, pregnant and her family flaunting it in a glossy tabloid and pre-selling the baby pictures for a cool million bucks. It may not be Brittany's fault. Or Jamie's (although she may be feeling left out of all the publicity that big sis has been getting and feel the need to do something to get attention for herself).

It may be 100% how they were raised and by whom. The family ought to be ashamed of themselves. Boasting teen pregnancy and profiting over it? Where oh where is Child Protective Service. There is clearly a 16 year old girl who needs a guardian and protection from her greedy biological parents.

Brittany may be beyond hope and help at this point.

Interesting story on gift cards. This may be why they are EVERYWHERE. A serious profit making industry within an industry. There ought to be a law against deadlines, fine print, exceptions, etc. Don't hold your breath expecting Congress to do anything about it.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:05 AM)

Pity the Jamie Spears story didn't break in time for Tuesday night's show (they spilled it on Abrams) so Alison could make a trifecta of saying "so five minutes ago." I immediately ran to the old LP pile in search of "Papa Don't Preach" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." So two decades ago.

I appreciated A's handling of the story, though wish a better guest was chosen than that faux-comedian trying to look "serious." Rather too much like Rush when he used to attempt the Sunday morning talk-shows but quickly discovered he was outclassed six ways to...

Mo Hammond, Cairo IL (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:22 AM)

LIAR, LIAR, WHITE HOUSE TYPE FIRE!!!

Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor!!!

When shreading documents just takes too long???

Talvenada, Phila., Penna. (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:35 AM)

Unnamed sources claim that Dubya's agenda in Israel or 'IZ-REAL' as Dubya says it, begins in Tel Aviv, where he plans on buying an "Elvis, Schmelvis" Yarmulke at the Tel Aviv Hard Rock Cafe. The next stop will be in Jerusalem, at, as he puts it, "...the NUH-TIV-UH-TEE Whatchamacallit.." where he will drop a tenspot in the can. After telling the Israelis and "PHIL-UH-STINNY-UNZ" to "Do that DEM-OCK-RUH-SEE Thingie", he will visit Gaza, where he will buy Laura a Burkha from 'Victoria's Burkhas', before returning to the US.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:45 AM)

It seems that to many republicans/corporatists the concept of fairness is perceived as unnecessary regulation. Indeed, to them it seems fairness is a step
down from a favored perch of those living off of trusts/
interest. Why take a step down to fairness when they do not have to. If a fair election where all voters have the same access and votes counted gets in the way of getting their guy elected, limit the access to and
and the counting of voters unlikely to vote the corporatist way. Fairness, smairness! After all, fairness is merely a concept of the menials ( the middle class etc.) and as such should be dragged and dropped to the recycle/trash bin wit such other non
trust serving notions as a fair days pay for a fair days work, social security, pensions, habeus corpus,
American Corporations keeps jobs in America, one man one vote, separation of powers etc. In short, the new
corporate global aristocracy in our country sees anything which
will lessen a dividend or keep a trust fund from growing as much this year as last year as profoundly
unthinkable. At this time, in this place in our country their unthinkable overwhelmingly trumps fairness for the rest of us. If we complain about all of we are accused of verbal class warfare and envy, but when they by the course of their actions cause
fairness to be left out of the equation for the majority of America and indeed cause class warfare,
who cares if it is fair or in the long run practical?
Envy is not only not the reason for objecting to this
unfairness, it is not even in the top twenty

Chris Morrow (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 2:14 AM)

OMG Burning down the house; is it possilbe someone set the fire to burn all those requested documents. This just in:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071220/ap_on_go_co/cia_videotapes;_ylt=AhI9aTKshFfwobEpnQ0drCEGw_IE.

Love your new hair style A.S.

TW, Worthington, Ohio (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 3:01 AM)

Well kiddos, I'm taking a break from here until after Christmas-too much to do!

I want to wish you all the happiest of holidays, and I really do wish you ALL peace in your heart and homes. Please keep my bro, SIL and all of our troops, no matter where they are, in your prayers. I know from my own deployments that being away from family during the holidays can sometimes be extremely difficult. I'll leave you with one of my favorites songs that we sang at church growing up:

Let there be Peace on Earth

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth,
the peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father,
brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother,
in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment
in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.

Jamie, Lago Patria, Italia (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 4:47 AM)

A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.

Chinese Fortune Cookie (Mohandas Gandhi Edition) (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 7:52 AM)

After watching Huckabee's Christmas commercial and hearing his disingenuous explanation of the bookcase cross, I am more convinced than ever that he is potentially one of the most dangerous people who has ever sought the presidency. People who use "God's Will" as their rationale for their behavior are, from the outset, absolving themselves from personal responsibility from their actions. To use his "logic" it was God's will that Dubya lie and manipulate the American people so that we could invade Iraq. We've had 7 years of this stone age bloodletting. I think the world needs a little break from our good "Christian" Republicans.

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 9:39 AM)

KO - you gonna be off all week? merry christmas

barb the bureaucrat in albany (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 9:41 AM)

Gee, a fire in the executive building near Cheney's office. I guess he forgot to close the door when he returned from his daily conference with his boss "downstairs". That brimstone stains like the dickens, too.

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 9:57 AM)

To all my fellow bloggers,
Although I have not contributed to the blog lately, ( the craziness of the Christmas season) I do read the blog everyday and enjoy the views and brilliance of the writers here. I don't think it necessary to rehash what someone else already said ( better than I could have).
I did want to take a moment to wish all of you a safe, healthy and happy Christmas. It has mended my spirit at times to log on here and see how much you guys care about the country. It gives me hope and I thank you, all my new friends, for that. God bless you and God bless all our servicemen and women.

Frederick Sweeney, Brooklyn (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:13 AM)

Secrecy is the province of the weak and cowardly. Their actions must be kept hidden because their motives always wither in the light of exposure.

If no one ever said this, I'm saying it now. It describes Dubya and Dick perfectly.

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:54 AM)

Okay, who's got the Dana Perrino Countdown Clock, 'cause I think it's winding down. Does "how dare you impugn my reputation" immediately precede the shocking revelation that the WH has been feeding misinformation to La Mouthpiece, or have a left out a step?

And will she shatter, melt down, go up in flames, resign "to be with my family"...

Wrightwing@out-n-about.com (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:00 AM)

11:17am and no update.

update (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:18 AM)

Fire at the White House complex? Wonder what files or tapes are burning.

L. Moore, King City, CA (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:28 AM)

I'll have to admit when I saw the pictures of Cheney's office with smoke pouring out the windows, I wondered what evidence tapes he was burning.

JoAnn Moundsville WV (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:29 AM)

News Hole, where are you? Update, please.

Hello - Is Anybody Out There? (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:42 AM)

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined ...

Chinese Fortune Cookie (Transcendentalist Edition) (Thoreau) (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:46 AM)

Huffington Post Thursday - Iraq: The Real Cost of War Can't Be Ignored by Gov. Bill Richardson

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gov-bill-richardson/iraq-the-real-cost-of-wa_b_77556.html

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:47 AM)

#5: Is there anybody else besides me who suspects that the fire that took place in the office building across the street from the White House will ultimatly end up being blamed for the destruction of evidence linking the president and vice-president to the destruction of evidence about waterboarding or a decision to cover it up? Could Cheney have been in the room gleefully tossing files and dossiers on the fire?

#4: Great news! Hopefully Edwards gets some momentum from this poll and the voters see him as a sensible alternative to Hillary and Barack. The more I see of Edwards the more I'm convinced that he cares more for the working man and woman than any of the other candidates.

Samuel, Lincoln, NE (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:52 AM)

GWB has circumvented the Constitution with signing statements over 1100 TIMES! That's almost TWICE as many times as all of the other presidents COMBINED.
-- junebug

There are 397 days until the end of this regime on 1/20/2009
There are 382 days until the end of this Congress on 1/5/2009
There are 320 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.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:22 PM)

Here's your spit-take moment from Bush's press conference this morning:

"My hope, of course, is that Russia is a country that understands there needs to be checks and balances."

HM, sprung from the ivory tower for the holidays (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:29 PM)

For all you right of center "values voters" -- you've been had. Yet another example of how the Republicans are against the middle class (that means you). Union contracts are what gave union members and THE REST OF WORKING CLASS AMERICA a forty hour work week, a living wage and benefits. But you go ahead and think that abortion, gay rights and racism are important, the billionaires will be laughing at you all the way to the bank.

Regulatory Assault On Unions
by Faiz Shakir, Amanda Terkel, Satyam Khanna, Matt Corley, and Ali Frick
LABOR -- December 20, 2007

http://www.americanprogressaction.org/progressreport/2007/12/pr20071220

Quote from article:
"In 1992, former Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-GA) urged Labor Secretary Lynn Martin to direct OLMS to significantly increase union reporting requirements because it would "weaken our opponents and encourage our allies." The Bush administration followed suit, revising the so-called LM-2 reporting form, resulting in a "radical increase in paperwork requirements placed on unions." "

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:30 PM)

The other day, when President Bush declared himself a liberal for the second time in recent memory, he told us how well his plan for helping average Americans had worked -

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071217-2.html

No doubt, this was also part of Mr. Bush’s master plan:

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/bear-reports-steep-but-expected-4th-quarter-loss/index.html?hp

"ear Stearns reported a steep loss for its fourth quarter, its first ever in its eight-decade history, exceeding analysts’ fears about how much the investment bank would suffer from subprime mortgages bets. The investment bank said it lost about $854 million, or $6.90 a share, for the fourth quarter, compared to a profit of $563 million, or $4 a share, for the same time last year. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News had expected a loss of $1.82 a share. Bear Stearns also said it had written down $1.9 billion of its holdings in mortgages and mortgage-based securities, up from the $1.2 billion it had anticipated last month. As a result of its disastrous results, Bear Stearns said its management will not receive bonuses this year."

See, Mr. Bush’s plan was pretty subtle. Rather than lifting up the downtrodden, he thought that, if he could just get the subprime mortgage market to collapse, rippling throughout the economy, then we could all share the pain. Look, even investment bank management is feeling the pain this year -- no bonuses. So sad.

George Bush – Foreign policy visionary, master military tactician, economic guru, and champion of the downtrodden.

If only we didn’t have term limits.

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:31 PM)

All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better ...

Chinese Fortune Cookie (Transcendentalist Edition) (Emerson) (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:41 PM)

12:50pm, still no update.

update the blog please (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:50 PM)

What did I say about Neither Reps, Nor Dems want Secured Borders?

They only Proved me Right as they Gutted the Border Fence in the Budget.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5392133.html

As I said, they will delay the Border Fence, now with Talking, doubtlessly with more Talk to follow, until People Forgets about it, and then, No More Border Fence. Just what the Dems & Reps, Congress & The White House, and Big Business want.

An Endless Flood of Cheep Laborers coming in with Drug Runners and Who Knows Who Else to do us Harm in the Mix.

David Molinero (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:55 PM)

Here’s a little something for everyone that doesn’t think cultures that tolerate violent images cultivate violent actions –

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/12/20/mortal.kombat.ap/index.html

“Two teens have been charged with killing the 7-year-old sister of one of them by beating her with imitations of moves from the "Mortal Kombat" video game, prosecutors said. Lamar Roberts, 17, and Heather Trujillo, 16, were charged as adults on one count each of felony child abuse causing death, state prosecutor Robert Miller said in court documents released Wednesday and filed a day earlier. According to a police affidavit, the teens were baby-sitting Trujillo's half-sister, Zoe Garcia, on December 6 while the girl's mother was at work. Zoe lost consciousness and stopped breathing after the teens hit, kicked and body-slammed her, imitating moves used in the video game, the document said…. An autopsy showed she had a broken wrist, more than 20 bruises, swelling of the brain, and bleeding in her neck muscles and under her spine, the affidavits said.”

Sure. Just like the omnipresence of guns has absolutely nothing to do with gun crimes. Guns don’t kill people, and neither do violent video games.

But they don’t help, either.

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:09 PM)

President Stupid gave his end of the year BS conference today; just like after all his others; I felt an urgent need to vomit. When questioned about the CIA’s destruction of the torture tapes in 2005, Draco-In-Chief changed into his broken record costume!! He stated that he “personally did not know about either the existence of the tapes or their destruction until he was briefed earlier this month by CIA Director Michael Hayden.” (Excuse me; I need a brief recess while I regain my composure)

Okay, I’m back; he then proceeded with the same handicapped excuse we’ve been given each time he’s been caught with his pants down (Larry Craig has nothing on George W. Bush)!! Half naked, he stated, “He will reserve judgment about his administration's destruction of CIA interrogation tapes until several inquiries are finished.”

Sure you will President Stupid, just as you stated with Valier Plame outing!! SHUT UP; you are a serial liar!!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22340917/

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:10 PM)

News Hole, Do you have any idea how to run this blog? I guess the best thing to do is to boycott. Bye.

John Scully Denver Co. (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:16 PM)

New name for NewsHole BlackHole of Countdown.

Texashogfan (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:18 PM)

News Hole, update the blog please.

thank you (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:41 PM)

Did Dick Channey torch his own office to hide evidence about the destruction of CIA torture tapes, or did he torch his own office to destroy the really good torture tapes that he just could not bring himself to destroy the first time?

Don, WI (Sent Thursday, December 20, 2007 1:44 PM)

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