Ari on Helen and Jeff Gannon/James Guckert

Brit Hume interviewed Ari Fleischer on Special Report March 8, 2005. I have just finished transcribing it.

[Videotape]:

Helen Thomas: Why then is a family grudge included in official papers States Acquisition on war and peace?

Ari Fleischer: Helen, if you’re referring to, form, an attempt to assassinate a former United States President which Iraq tried to do when former President Bush went to Kuwait.

Helen Thomas: that’s why we’re killing thousands of people in Iraq?

Ari Fleischer: Helen I also think it’s why former President Clinton responded to that assassination attempt with four days of cruise missile strikes against Iraq.

Helen Thomas: People are acting like this is a conversion to democracy by the sword. How can you, I mean, are you going to kill all these people to get democracy?

[Live]:

Brit Hume: That is what daily press briefings were like in the first years of the Bush Administration and that’s pretty much what they’re like today. Briefers come and go, but the press, and some of its prominent members seem to be forever. Why is this? Well who better to ask than the man who, as you just saw endured the slings and arrows for most of President Bush’s first term, his former press secretary, Ari Fleischer, author of Taking Heat the new book about his experiences on the job. Ari, welcome.

Ari Fleischer: Thank you Brit.

Brit Hume: So what causes, in your judgment, the atmosphere, that intensely adversarial atmosphere which has existed for some time in the White House briefing room?

Ari Fleischer: Well part of it is the healthy way every democracy should be carried out with press holding the government accountable and asking the tough questions. But I also happen to think that in the modern media, particularly live TV coverage, it’s almost now become a performance in that briefing room, half by reporters, half by the press secretary, it’s just a new era.

Brit Hume: The briefing, the daily briefing wasn’t always on camera…

Ari Fleischer: And when it wasn’t on camera, even as recently as when Marlon Fitzwater was the press secretary, I think there was a serious conveyance of information, the questions were a little more answerable, and the answers could be given and were given more often. Now it’s often a sense of the press secretary on defense, the press on offense and its almost like there’s a standoff between the two.

Brit Hume: Why not go back to the days when you didn’t broadcast?

Ari Fleischer: That’s a…

Brit Hume: and didn’t allow them for live coverage. You could have made that choice couldn’t you?

Ari Fleischer: That’s an intriguing question. And Mike McCurry who made the decision to help the rolling cables in the nineties by allowing briefings to be covered and covered live. Mike believes that we shouldn’t go back to that era, he said that to me.

Brit Hume: What do you think?

Ari Fleischer: I’m not sure Brit, because on the one hand I think it would lower the tone and result in a more serious briefing. On the other hand, after September 11^th millions of Americans want to tune in to watch what their government is doing and the government should be responsive to that as well. It’s a very hard call.

Brit Hume: I’ve got to ask you about Helen. I sat next to Helen Thomas when I was a White House correspondent for eight years. She was indefatigable, dedicated, but as the questions we just showed from her to you indicated often highly tendentious in her questioning. She was given and has been given to making speeches. But in those days she was the senior wire service reporter for UPI, senior wire service reporter, and had, therefore, some standing to sit on the front row and get the first question in these news conferences and so on. Nowadays she’s not that. And she stopped being that while you were there if I’m not mistaken. She now is a columnist for the Hearst Newspapers.

Ari Fleischer: That’s correct.

Brit Hume: Why did you permit her to keep that front row seat which was almost always front row seats were reserved for people who were there every day, covering the place as a beat for big news organizations.

Ari Fleischer: And Hearst does have another seat in the room for its regular reporter. But Helen is unique, and I think it’s because, Brit, and certainly the way I did it, is because of everything she’s accomplished in her career. I wrote in the book that I think Helen is a legend. And therefore I think she should be and is entitled to that front row seat. That’s the way I treated her at my press briefings. I disagree with her politics vociferously. She disagrees with mine vociferously. And we would clash in that briefing room as you showed. So what. That’s the way it works. She gave her opinions, I gave mine and I never minded hearing her opinion.

Brit Hume: Well, let me ask you about that. Did you do that just to honor her, or did you do that because her behavior which many reporters would regard as out of bounds, expression of opinions, making statements, speeches, argumentation with the briefer as unprofessional. It wasn’t a problem for you?

Ari Fleischer: It wasn’t a problem. Take for example Helen’s position on the Middle East. Helen was very much, she would refer to Israeli occupation, a brutal occupation of the Middle East, of the West Bank by Israel. And President Bush had a very different opinion. So I never minded to state what the President’s opinion was after Helen stated hers. That was my job. But Helen again, she’s entitled to state her opinion and I think every reporter in that room knows that Helen is very opinionated and she’s different from all the other reporters who ask questions. She’s earned it at this point in her career.

Brit Hume: Would it be too much for me to say that she was, that her opinionated ways were in effect useful to you?

Ari Fleischer: I’d like to think that every time I got a question I tried to answer in a way that was useful to what the President was thinking and I would try to answer the questions that way, but Helen’s, Helen’s special. She’s a different case and I happen to like her personally, disagree with her entirely politically.

Brit Hume: What about this current controversy over access to the briefing room? What do you make of all that? I should note by the way for viewers who are not familiar with it, there’s this guy Jeff Gannon, real name Jeff [James] Guckert who works for a very pro conservative, [video clip] there’s a picture of him now posing a question, in a briefing he got a famous question of the President. He’s had a somewhat checkered background it seems. Wasn’t always a journalist, some argue he’s not now. Yet he was able to gain access by a series of day passes to that briefing room. What about that?

Ari Fleischer: Well, I think the whole thing was rather odd and also unique. And by that I mean I think that the White House has had a long tradition of having a relatively open process for who is defined as a reporter. Much more open than the House and Senate and as a result you’ve had a history of colorful characters left and right in that room. And in his instance, as long as he didn’t work for the political party and it turned out he did not work for the Republican party even though his newsletter, his web page was called GOP USA.

Brit Hume: It’s called Talon News but run by GOP USA.

Ari Fleischer: But the problem I’ve got, is once the White House press secretary, a government employee, starts defining who is and is not a journalist, where do you draw the line in that room. There are several liberal reporters in that room who work for talk radio, for other outlets. Helen, as we just talked about, she largely just gives her opinion these days and none really ask questions anymore. There are a couple identifiable conservatives. Should the White House press secretary have the right to kick them out because they’re ideological. I don’t think that’s healthy for government or for journalism. That’s why I say I think this is unique. I think this is a special case, with someone very odd. And certainly in terms of people’s private lives, it’s up to organizations, media organizations, if they don’t like the private lives of their employees, they should deal with it. The government shouldn’t be in the business of looking into the private lives of reporters in that room.

Brit Hume: Last question. How’s the book doing?

Ari Fleischer: Well apparently it’s doing great. That’s what my publisher tells me and it’s really, it’s a look inside the White House to let people know what President Bush is like, in private, behind the scenes in the West Wing. It’s also a real examination of the media, question of are they biased. What’s it like to be the press secretary standing at that podium as a human piñata every day.

Brit Hume: Ari Fleischer, pleasure to have you. Good luck with the book. Congratulations.

Ari Fleischer: Thank you.

Welcome PoliPundit Readers!

Dinosaur Blog

Non Sequitur 3/7/05 - This is just too funny... (Click link for bigger)

Happy Birthday Dad

Dad would have been 71 years old today. He died September 4, 2002 of esophageal cancer. We miss you Daddy. This photo of him was taken circa 1954.

National Geographic Channel - In The Womb

This is a photo of a seven month fetus, part of a National Geographic Channel Special In The Womb, to be shown Sunday evening at 8 pm Eastern/9 pm Pacific. How can anyone look at this and not see a baby? This is one photo of six they have at the site, as well as a preview of the show. I know what I'll be watching Sunday evening...

Large Mammals

We are now Large Mammals in the TTLB Ecosystem. This photo was found via Google Images here. UPDATE: I'm the one on the left. (Jeff) The idea came from Ann Althouse.

We Are Periodicals

In Declan McCullagh's interview with Bradley Smith at C-Net there is an editor's note (top of page 2): (Editor's note: federal law limits the press exemption to a "broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other periodical publication." ) (emphasis mine) We are periodical publications. Sometimes we publish several times a day, sometimes just once a day, or once a week. Our "periods" aren't defined like the weekly publication of Newsweek, or the daily publication of the Chicago Tribune, but we do, indeed, publish "periodically". Bloggers should be covered under the Press Exemption. We are press. We self-publish with varied periods, that's all. Others on McCain/Feingold (with links to even more): Anchoress Michelle Malkin La Shawn Barber Pajama Hadin Say Anything See also the Captain's Open Letter below.

The Captain's Open Letter to the Senate

Ed Morrisey at Captain's Quarters has posted an open letter that he sent to all 100 Senators. Unfortunately, some got bounced back because some Senators only allow contact through a form on their website or only from their constituents. He's asking that we copy and paste his letter and with an introduction of our own, send it to both Senators from your home state. He's hoping that we will be able to reach all 100 Senators this way. Here is the letter:

To the honorable Senators McCain and Feingold, et al:

I have read with considerable dismay the effect that your recent lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission, upheld by Judge Colleen Kollar-Ketelly, will have on political speech on the Internet. I write a political media-watchdog blog, Captain's Quarters, which enjoys a not-insubstantial daily readership. No one pays me to do this; I operate my site and write on topics purely from personal convictions and a deep desire to improve the world around me and make the nation stronger. I can unequivocally say the same about my many colleagues in the "blogosphere", both liberal and conservative.

Now we understand from Bradley Smith, one of the FEC commissioners, that your lawsuit forcing them to regulate speech on the Internet will have the effect of turning our efforts into in-kind contributions, especially when we provide hyperlinks back to candidate sites for referencing their positions and excerpt text from their on-line documents. Hyperlinks allow our readers to check our references to ensure our accuracy and context, and perform the hygienic task of holding our politicians accountable for their campaign practices. All of this not only should fall under the protection of the First Amendment, but it should be the primary reason for the First Amendment -- to protect and encourage free political speech and foster genuine debate.

Your legislation and the accompanying lawsuit that forced the FEC to regulate Internet political speech threaten all of that. If my links to political sites such as Georgewbush.com and Johnkerry.com counted as contributions and I was forced to accept responsibility for the cash value that the FEC designated to them, I would have been charged with several misdemeanors and possibly felonies, as I provided many such links during the past election cycle. During this cycle, my blog published over 680 essays on the presidential election. In fact, I linked to Senator Kerry's site four times as often as President Bush's site, which would have meant to the FEC that I was a major contributor to his campaign -- when in fact I opposed Senator Kerry and supported President Bush. These regulations would have forced me to retain the services of a full-time accountant and retain an attorney to understand when and where I overcontributed. At the very least, the burden of proof would be on me to make the FEC believe that my blog does not constitute in-kind contributions subject to the limits imposed on both hard and soft money contributions.

The effect of this would have been to force me to shut down my blog, or convert it to something else. In fact, it would have caused me less legal heartache to convert my site to a porn blog and do nothing but post hard-core pictures all day long. In the twisted environment of the McCain-Feingold Act, that kind of website would enjoy greater First Amendment protection than my political speech, a result for which every single Senator should feel shame and outrage.

Each of you should read the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend, and reflect on the unequivocal language of our forefathers:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

We may debate about the effect of unregulated cash on our electoral system, but if this new FEC effort comes to pass, the only people debating will be the corporate-owned media and the politicians. The rest of us will have been effectively bound and gagged, unable to contribute in any way thanks to the efforts of those who fear their own constituents. You can be assured that none of us in the blogosphere will fail to recognize those who do not act to defend our rights to free and unfettered political speech, and regardless of political party, none of us will rest until those voices of repression are stripped of office by the voters they hold in such low regard.

I, for one, will not be daunted by your attempts to stifle us. My many friends and colleagues on both sides of the political aisle stand as ready as I to defend the Constitution. We demand a hearing on McCain-Feingold, with open testimony before the press and our colleagues, and we demand action to reform or repeal this dangerous and un-American muzzle on political speech.

We await your response, sirs.

Edward Morrissey Captain's Quarters

Mine have been sent. (Obama and Durbin). Update: I received an auto-reply from Barak Obama almost immediately. It thanked me for contacting him by email and suggested I go the the website and use the webform there. That is how I sent it in the first place.

Critics Say Utah Targeting Illegal Aliens Because They Are Foreigners

The AP reports that Utah has passed a bill requiring undocumented workers illegal aliens to turn in their drivers' licences for a "driving privilege" card. Activists are upset about this, and one "compared the legislation to the marking of Jews during the Holocaust."

The card, according to the bill passed Wednesday by the Legislature, could not be used as identification to board a plane, open a bank account or obtain a driver's license in another state. It would have to be renewed annually and would be a different color than Utah's regular blue driver's license and be printed with the words "FOR DRIVING PRIVILEGES ONLY - NOT VALID FOR IDENTIFICATION." ... Leo Bravo, of the Hispanic Center of Cache Valley in northern Utah, argues that the measure singles out undocumented workers because they are foreigners. ... "I thought he would be good for the community," said Bravo, who supported [Utah Governor Jon] Huntsman for office. "You remember the time of the Jews and Nazis? They were marked. I hope he doesn't betray me."

Mr. Bravo, the measure doesn't single out illegal aliens because they're foreigners (which, of course, they are), it singles them out because they're illegal.

Never Gray

USA Today has a new commercial out. Have you seen it? A man in a hotel, getting the newspaper from the hallway, locks himself out of his room. He is in a state of undress. He wraps the newspaper around himself and proceeds to the front desk, getting looks from everyone. During this USA Today prints on the screen: Never Dull Never Tedious Never Miss a Day Never Gray Sounds like a (not so) subtle dig at the NYT...

Dan Rather's "Greatest Hits"

Via Powerline: Media Research Center has a list of Dan Rather's "Notable Quotables", showing his liberal bias dating back to 1995... Here's the first:

“The new Republican majority in Congress took a big step today on its legislative agenda to demolish or damage government aid programs, many of them designed to help children and the poor.” — Leading off the March 16, 1995 CBS Evening News.

Now read the rest.

New Blogger On the Block

There's a new blogger on the block - OpiniPundit. Good stuff there. Check him out.

Get the Clock

PoliPundit has written code and made it available to all to get the clock posted at the top of this page. John Kerry told Tim Russert on Meet the Press that he would sign his Form 180. He still hasn't done it. We're waiting....

Helen Thomas

At the White House Press briefing today regarding the resignation of the Lebanese Government Helen Thomas goes waaayy off topic: (Q is Helen Thomas):

Q Has the President ever issued an order against torture of prisoners? And do we still send prisoners to Syria to be tortured?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President has stated publicly that we do not condone torture and that he would never authorize the use of torture. He has made that --

Q But has he issued an order?

MR. McCLELLAN: -- statement very publicly, and he's made it clear to everybody in the government that we do not torture.

Q Well, why do we still hear these stories then?

MR. McCLELLAN: If there are allegations of wrongdoing, then the President expects those allegations to be fully investigated and if there is actual wrongdoing that occurs, then people need to be held to account. The President has made that very clear.

Q Well, do you deny that we still send prisoners to other countries to be tortured? Is that a denial?

MR. McCLELLAN: Judge Gonzales testified previously that we have an obligation not to render people to countries that we know would torture them.

Q He did not rule out torture.

Transcript and link to video available here. Why is this woman still attending press briefings? And look at the second part of the first question... Did we ever "send prisoners to Syria to be tortured?" - Do you still beat your wife? Welcome Opinipundit readers. Welcome American Princess readers.

Lebanon Kicks Syria Out

Via Fox News: Lebanon's Prime Minister says whole government to resign. The Lebanese are rising against the Syrian forces. Prime Minister Omar Karami:

"I am keen that the government will not be a hurdle in front of those who want the good for this country. I declare the resignation of the government that I had the honor to head. May God preserve Lebanon,"

More from Reuter's:

"The people have won," main opposition leader Walid Jumblatt told LBC television after Karami announced the resignation of the cabinet to a parliament session debating Hariri's killing.

Ecstatic protesters, having got their wish for the government's resignation, chanted "Syria out" and "Freedom, sovereignty, independence." Syria has wielded political and military power in its smaller neighbor for decades.

They also chanted "Lahoud, your turn is next," in reference to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud.

Martyrs Square, by Hariri's grave, was a sea of Lebanese flags -- red and white with a cedar tree in the center.

Thousands of protesters watched the debate live on large screens while loudspeakers blared patriotic songs.

Cheers and applause erupted when Karami resigned. In parliament, opposition MPs wearing the red-and-white scarves that have come to symbolize their movement, gave a standing ovation.

Light Posting from kimsch

I've been posting lightly because I received my new laptop on Friday and have been getting it up to speed with all my old software. I also have a paper due tomorrow for my current class, so posting on my part will still be fairly light. I have a brand new Dell Inspiron 6000 with a very nice 15-1/2 screen. It's like an HDTV screen wider than tall, so it's very nice for spreadsheet viewing. I'm getting used to the new Office 2003 software too.

Terri Schiavo Update

Fox News reports that Judge Greer's stay has been extended until 5 pm eastern, Friday, February 25th so that he can have more time to review the case. They also report that the Florida Department of Children and Families is asking to become involved. Michael's attorney is calling it an affront to the court and that it's injecting politics into the court system. Read it all here. Update: The family's website is currently down because of unusually high traffic. They have posted the following there.

The Schindler family are encouraged at the outcome of today's hearing before Judge Greer and are overwhelmed at the public outpouring of care and concern being shown to them and their daughter, Terri Schiavo.

The Schindler family also welcomes the involvement of Florida's Department of Children and Families (the state's health and human services agency) in their investigation into serious and detailed allegations of abuse and to ensure that appropriate care and treatment of Terri and patients like her is being delivered.

We ask that you please continue to think and pray for them and for Judge Greer as he takes this matter under advisement. Terri's life and the lives of many disabled, elderly and vulnerable people in Florida hang in the balance.

Welcome PoliPundit, La Shawn Barber, Pajama Hadin, House of the Dog Readers. Hat-Tip to La Shawn for this link to Matt Margolis' post on Living Wills. Hat-Tip to Michelle Malkin for this link to ProlifeBlogs Terri Aggregator.

Terri Schiavo

Please pray for Terri and her family as they come to a crux in the legal situation. Her husband has been fighting to end her life for the past eight years stating her wish not to continue living in these circumstances. He will not divorce her. He lives with another woman and their children. Terri's parents are willing and able to care for her. They do not believe her husband's claim that she said she would rather not go on. Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation Update: Fox News reports that the appeals court has cleared the way for Michael Schiavo to get his way... Please pray for Terri. The Miami-Herald has the story here. The judge issued an emergency stay until 5 pm tomorrow to allow a scheduled hearing to be held. Update 2: Fox News just reported that the stay has been extended until 5 pm Friday, February 25th. Keep praying. Remember, make your wishes (for end of life and organ donation) known in writing and verbally to as many family members as you can. On my father's death, the only organs that were suitable for donation were his corneas. Two people can see because of him. Welcome La Shawn Barber and Anchoress readers! - Please look around and Jeff has posted on this too - just above, please click on home. hat tip: Musing Minds reader Jeanette

Karl Rove - Evil Mastermind

LGF broke the story of Congressman Maurice Hinchey's (D-NY) remarks in Ithaca, NY on the Future of Social Security. Apparently, in Congressman Hinchey's opinion, Karl Rove was behind the forged documents leading to Ra^thergate. From the LGF transcript:

Congressman Hinchey: "And I said that. In the very beginning. I said 'It's my belief that those papers, and that setup, originated with Karl Rove and the White House.'" Audience Member: "Don't you think it's irresponsible to make charges like that?" Congressman Hinchey: "No, I don't. I think it's very important to make charges like that. I think it's very important to combat this kind of activity in every way that you can. And I'm willing - and most people are not - to step forward in situations like this and take risks."

Even when he doesn't have any kind of proof. Round up of other's musings on this: The Anchoress, Roger L Simon, Powerline, VRWC#1 Member, Polipundit, Betsy's Page, RightWingNews, INDC Journal, Myopic Zeal Update: Brit Hume just mentioned this story in his "Grapevine" segment on Special Report. Update 2: more from GOP and the City: Conspiracy Theory: Rove Planted CBS Docs Update 3: Welcome Confederate Yankee readers (please look around): "A Host of Political Dirty Tricks"

Welcome Mover Mike Readers

Mover Mike, based in Portland, OR has linked to, and quoted from, one of our posts. He's also added us to his blogroll.

Welcome Anchoress Readers

The playhouse post is just a few posts down. Here's a link to go directly there. Be sure to click the link to Edward's SafeBuilding article.

KidSafe Playhouses - Safety First.

Edward, a friend who builds Kidsafe Playhouses for Children, had this to say about his playhouses (scroll down for pictures): Children need a place for imaginative play. It develops creativity, socialization and encourages exploration of ideas. If that place is unsafe and a child gets hurt they will not want to use it (and thus money wasted). Furthermore, play is most developmental if it is interactive with other children. A safe playhouse means a child can invite friends over and all parents can rest easy. Developing friendships and interaction involved is a major stepping stone in the development of the child. My playhouses also encourage parents and grandparents to participate in the play since all are built with an adult door. It is hard to come for “tea” if the only entrance is 4ft tall and only 18 inches wide. Properly constructed playhouses can be used for many, many years. With the adult door it can be used for winter storage. As the child grows it can be a quiet place for a teen to study. When the child finally out grows it, as a young adult, it can become a potting shed, a sewing room or even just a place to display a collection. In fact the dressing up of the playhouse can occur though out its use by children. Imagine a spooky haunted house, or place to hold a child’s thanksgiving feast suitably decorated with corn stalks, Indian Corn, Squash and anything else the parent and child can think of. Maybe Santa’s workshop for a Christmas theme, at 8 x 10 feet (and low to the ground) two strings of holiday lights will do all of the roof edges, windows doors and maybe more. Valentines Day, St Patties and Easter are also possible with in the attention span of child given the small size of the playhouse. However none of this means anything if the playhouse is not designed for children or worse yet not safe for them. Click here for an article Edward wrote for the July 24, 2004 issue of Construction Guide (reprinted here with the Author's permission). If you are interested in the KidSafe Playhouses, leave an email address in the comments and Edward will get back to you. Welcome G as in Good H as in Happy Readers. Belated welcome Anchoress readers. Playhouse Safe Corner Detail Loft Detail 8/18/05 - new pictures here

60th Anniversary

Via Real Clear Politics: From Opinion Journal Iwo Jima: The famous battle offers lessons for us 60 years later. BY ARTHUR HERMAN

From WWII Magazine Iwo Jima: Its Heroes and Flag : A young naval officer and the flag he rescued from obscurity made history. By R.C. House

Blogswarming SS Reform

Conservative in Texas had some thoughts about grassroots support for SS reform after hearing the results of a poll on the radio that indicated popular support is declining. He emailed David Limbaugh with his idea and David has some thoughts on this as well. David says:

It seems to me that bloggers, by definition, are a grassroots phenomenon. But they are like grassroots on stilts because their work is immediately published and potentially explosive in terms of its ability to reverberate to the corners of the earth instantly and efficiently. Some might argue that the very notion of a concerted blogging effort is counterintuitive, since one of the best attributes of bloggers is their independence. But they don't have to sacrifice their independence to become part of an organized effort with whose goals they happen to agree.

Link to the White House's page on SS Reform here. Link to the WSJ article here. (Subscription required. I don't have one so I don't know exactly what it says). Update: link to USANext , Building a Legacy of Freedom for Families

President Bush Signs Class-Action Fairness Law

In the first bill signing of 2005, President Bush signed Class-Action Fairness into law. Full text of the remarks are here.

Overall, junk lawsuits have driven the total cost of America's tort system to more than $240 billion a year, greater than any other major industrialized nation. It creates a needless disadvantage for America's workers and businesses in a global economy, imposes unfair costs on job creators, and raises prices to consumers.

We have a responsibility to confront frivolous litigation head on. I will continue working with Congress to pass meaningful legal reforms, starting with reform in our asbestos and medical liability systems.

Iowa Supremes get it right

Via Fox News: The Iowa Supreme Court decided today that Illegal Aliens do not have the right to get driver's licenses in the State of Iowa.

Mark Hunacek, an assistant attorney general, said federal courts have concluded there is no constitutional right for illegal aliens to have a driver's license.

"We conclude the state's licensing scheme is rationally related to the legitimate state interest of 'not allowing its governmental machinery to be a facilitator for the concealment of illegal aliens,' " the court said.

Blog Name Change

Since Jeff has joined me, this isn't just Kim's Thoughts and Observations anymore... Now it's Musing Minds. URL is the same...

And the Patriot Act is too invasive???

Hybird cars are a bad thing ... at least for state gas tax revenues. Apparently those cars that use less gas and are better for the environment are not so good for revenue... Now they want to install GPS in your car to track how many miles you've driven and tax you some more... GOP Bloggers brings our attention to a story on CBS News from Monday regarding a per mile driven tax that is being tested in Oregon and considered in California.

States Mull Taxing Drivers By Mile "Drivers will get charged for how many miles they use the roads, and it's as simple as that," says engineer David Kim. Kim and fellow researcher David Porter at Oregon State University equipped a test car with a global positioning device to keep track of its mileage. Eventually, every car would need one.

Having the state government know where I am at any time? Uploading that information through the gas pump every time I fill up? Getting penalized for travelling during rush hour?? Perhaps this would slide down the slippery slope to penalize me for driving on city roads, for short trips (such as taking my child to pre-school - 2 miles one way)?

More On the First Amendment

Sneaking Suspicions has a story on the two Baltimore Sun journalists who were frozen out by Maryland Governor Erlich. They have sued because Governor Erlich issued a memo telling staffers not to speak to them. Under the First Amendment they do have the right to ask me questions. Under the First Amendment I do have the right to not answer their questions. It seems to me that many journalists feel that the First Amendment means that I have to answer their questions... These two found out otherwise... Go read it. Hat tip: Instapundit

MSM - No special rights to not testify

Beldar has a most excellent analysis of the DC Circuit's decision in the Judith Miller contempt case. Beldar's scorecard on the DC Circuit's Plame decision today: Prosecution 34, Journalists 0: Go read it all. Beldar also mentions Orin Kerr's post on The Volokh Conspiracy: DC Circuit on Blogging and the Reporter's Privilege.

Judge Sentelle pointed out some of the difficulties of applying such a privilege in light of the blogosphere:

Perhaps more to the point today, does the privilege also protect the proprietor of a web log: the stereotypical "blogger" sitting in his pajamas at his personal computer posting on the World Wide Web his best product to inform whoever happens to browse his way? If not, why not? How could one draw a distinction consistent with the court's vision of a broadly granted personal right? If so, then would it not be possible for a government official wishing to engage in the sort of unlawful leaking under investigation in the present controversy to call a trusted friend or a political ally, advise him to set up a web log (which I understand takes about three minutes) and then leak to him under a promise of confidentiality the information which the law forbids the official to disclose?

Go read the rest.

Reese Schonfeld CNN Co-Founder

Reese Schonfeld, CNN Co-founder just said on Neil Cavuto that CNN caved to pressure and "fired another one, like Arnett, without the goods." I don't know if there's going to be a transcript at Fox News. He also said that Eason Jordan said what he said "to protect journalists". JohnnyDollar'sPlace has a transcript from an interview with Reese Schonfeld earlier today on Fox & Friends. Here's a piece from the earlier interview:

DOOCY: Right. So here's a guy who had made those comments in the op-ed piece a couple of years ago, and really stirred up a hornet's nest. And now he says this. Did he really have much of a job over there? I mean, was he a guy who was a marginal character and they said, it's not worth the heat? SCHONFELD: I thought they had marginalized him after that. I'm surprised that he got to speak at Davos. I mean, they should have learned enough not to send him out and let him open his mouth anywhere. You know, CNN, the Confused News Network.

Bold mine.

It just gets sicker

I always thought the Mary Kay Letoureau/Vili Fualauu story was sickening - but this just takes the cake. Fox News reports that they have set a wedding date.

"It's been long overdue," said Noel Soriano, a longtime friend of the family who confirmed Sunday that they will marry this spring. "It's going to be fabulous, seeing them get hitched finally."

No. It's just sick.

McAuliffe's Sad Farewell

PoliPundit links to Byron York's description of Terry McAuliffe's "Farewell Tribute" last Thursday night. Byron says, "How do you pay tribute to a man whose main legacy was losing elections?" It reads like a parody but it's true. Almost, almost feel sorry for the man. Can't wait to see what the new guy will do.

Like the Terrorists Using Civilian Shields

From Guest Blogger Jeff: (cross posted at PoliPundit) Last night I watched CNN’s Aaron Brown do a very solemn piece about Lynne Stewart, the lawyer who was convicted of assisting her client conduct terrorist activities. The solemnity did not appear to be based on the alarming fact that a US attorney would threaten her fellow citizens this way, but on the punishment that Stewart faced for her crimes. CNN’s piece made particular mention of the fact that she faced many years in prison and further noted that Stewart had children. It is completely revolting (though not surprising) that CNN would focus on her loss, given the hundreds of children in recent years who have learned of their parents’ death at the hands of terrorists, perhaps the very terrorists Stewart assisted. What was further revolting was the “thought provoking” discussion CNN attempted to raise about how Stewart was prosecuted using video taped evidence of her meetings with her client. CNN showed Stewart, apparently a victim herself, giving a tearful and impassioned speech to the press about the evils of government denying its citizens the right to counsel, without in any way scrutinizing what Stewart was saying. The problem is there is no thought provoking issue here. Solicitor and client privilege does not extend to communications in the furtherance of a criminal activity. This isn’t cutting edge, ground breaking jurisprudence either, but a longstanding rule of law. The foundations of this rule are not simply based on the policy that a lawyer must not be shielded from his or her own criminal activity, but are based on protecting the sanctity of the solicitor and client privilege itself. If the privilege is allowed to become a tool for committing wrongs its very existence is threatened. Lawyers who abuse the privilege do so with the knowledge that they are jeopardizing others’ right to effective legal assistance in the future. That Lynne Stewart would continue to tearfully proclaim the sanctity of the very privilege she was threatening, like the terrorist hiding behind civilians in the battlefield, shows just how much she has become like her clients. That CNN would, to any degree, portray her as a victim of the justice system shows just how far CNN’s leanings have become like those of Stewart and her clients.

North Korea - Has Nukes, No Talks

Fox News reports that North Korea is now claiming that they have nuclear weapons and will not return to six party talks anytime soon. The North Korean Government claim that they need them for self defense against " what it considers an increasingly hostile United States." There has been no independent verification of North Korea's claims. hat tip: Command Post

Prince Charles to Marry

Prince Charles is going to marry Camilla-Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle on April 8th. The Fox News story points out that:

Last year, a poll indicated that more Britons support Prince Charles marrying Parker Bowles than oppose it. Thirty-two percent of respondents to the Populus poll said they would support Charles if he remarried, while 29 percent were opposed. Thirty-eight percent said they didn't care and 2 percent had no opinion.

Four Year Olds

President Bush was just on Fox News. I asked my four year old who that was on TV. He said, "That's George Bush". I asked him what was George Bush's job. He answered, "Guarding the country!". That's pretty good for a four year old! I wasn't quite sure if he said "guarding" or "guiding". Each is correct. I'm just not sure if he knows what guiding means.

Recipricocity

Conservative in Texas left me a comment and mentioned that he'd blogrolled me. I've blogrolled him. Nice site. Stop by and look around.

Prickly City

Yesterday the Chicago Tribune didn't print the Prickly City comic. This is a comic with a conservative viewpoint. The paper published Bizzaro in its place with the following notice:

• “Today’s Prickly City does not meet the Chicago Tribune’s standards of fairness. Please enjoy this substitute.”

The Prickly City comic from yesterday can be viewed here. You decide. Update: The Chicago Tribune prints Doonesbury every day. (I meant to put this in when I first posted this)

The Budget & the VA

Being a service-connected disable veteran I am very interested in the VA portion of the budget. The Washington Times yesterday had an article on the budget. I excerpt the VA portion here:

VETERANS AFFAIRS Spending: $33.4 billion, up 2.7 percent The president's plan would raise medical care spending from $21.6 billion to $22.4 billion, as well as upping funding by $240 million on inpatient care for veterans with problems related to mental illness, including alcohol and drug use. After four years of increases in the agency's budget, Mr. Bush wants veterans to start picking up more of the tab. He asks veterans who have the highest incomes among those seeking VA health care and who do not have service-connected illnesses or injuries to pay a $250 annual fee. Mr. Bush also wants to increase prescription drug co-payments for such veterans from $7 to $15 for a 30-day drug supply. More than 2 million veterans could be affected. The fees make up much of the increase in medical care spending. Mr. Bush has made similar requests in previous budgets, only to be soundly rejected by members of Congress. But the environment is different this year with new House and Senate veterans affairs committee chairmen, at least one of whom has been supportive of the president's efforts to focus resources on certain veterans.

This seems very reasonable to me. Of course, as a service-connected disabled veteran, I wouldn't have to pay the $250 annual fee. I don't have co-pays for meds relating to my disability, but I do have the copay for meds that aren't related such as Flonase. The above points out that more than 2 million veterans could be affected. That's could be affected. I would believe that most of the wealthier vets, or those without a service-connected illness or disability don't use the VA system for health care anyway. Captain Ed has more on this here.

The Diplomad is leaving...

It is with heavy heart that I remove Diplomad from my blogroll. They are leaving... (via Powerline). Powerline says:

The Diplomad debuted in August 2004 and made an immediate impact. It sounded too good to be true: "A Blog by career US Foreign Service officers. They are Republican (most of the time) in an institution (State Department) in which being a Republican can be bad for your career -- even with a Republican President." Republicans in the State Department? I would have thought that it was easier to find a unicorn. Yet in post after post, The Diplomad provided a proudly pro-American insider's perspective on breaking events around the world.

The Diplomad says:

The Chief Diplomad urges all of you to read the very well written brother sites at Daily Demarche and New Sisyphus (maybe they'll let us put up an occasional posting.) We've heard that our Republican cousins over at USAID might be starting a blog, too, so keep an out eye for it. The Diplomad says good bye and thanks.

Goodbye and God Bless you Diplomad, we'll miss you...

Groundhog Day

It’s February 2^nd again. It’s a lovely, sunny day here just like in Punxsutawney, PA where Punxsutawney Phil has run back into his house signaling six more weeks of winter. Let’s look at this:

• The first day of spring this year is on March 20^th. Palm Sunday.
• There are 26 days left in February.
• There are 7 days in a week.
• 20 + 26 = 46
• 46 / 7 = 6.57

hmmm... Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter… there are 6.57 more weeks of winter… Who’da thunk it???

More Hostages

Apparently the terrorists in Iraq have kidnapped an action figure named Cody and they have the picture to prove it. (Via Polipundit). I have found four more pictures of hostages... Elmo, Blue, and Barney Troll Boots and Dora (actually Dora looks to be having a Barbara Boxer hair day) American Contractor: Bob Builder

Safety First With Children

By Guest Blogger Edward A couple were looking over a playhouse I'd just built for their daughter and both used the term "sweet". She was charmed by the Victorian aesthetics, while he had just noticed some construction detail. Even though I have been doing this awhile (20 years) both usages are still music to my ears. Neither noticed "safe". Mostly because safety comes from what is not there; no sharp corners, no splinters, non-toxic finishes, sturdy ladders. I am proud of my designs and I keep costs down by using materials efficiently, but I am truly most concerned about safety. Since they are for children, child safety is paramount. Unfortunately, there are no state or federal safety standards for playhouses. What we have here is a compilation of many sources, plus the aforementioned 20 years covering the things they missed. A comment about these sources. Two of the more useful sources have been the United States Army Corps of Engineers play area inspection and maintenance program for base child development centers and the Canadian Esbensen Playground Safety Checklist. Building for the present and the future - "Adorable", "delightful", "enchanting" and even "cute" are all terms I hear from clients when asked what they want in a playhouse. The little secret is that the play houses are built for kids, including the kid in all adults. This is not a bad thing because kids grow and their needs change, and eventually move out on their own. A properly designed playhouse can accommodate all of these needs if some time is taken early in the design process. If you think about a "detached studio" with some fantasy architecture you've got the idea. Think in terms of a place for an adolescent to read or a teen to study or a grandmother's very own studio for crafts, writing or even a garden shed. While there are lots of options; think about a dream house that is too much (cost and effort) in full size, but lots of fun in miniature. Or a "vanity" playhouse, one designed to mimic the main house. Thinking about the future makes sense. Roofs - If the roof edge is less than 7' (seven feet) corners should be rounded. Don't even think about metal drip edges. The corners made by metal drip edges can make an absolutely nasty cut in the scalp of a child running around the playhouse. Radius the corner and use vinyl drip edge. When notched with a series of v shaped cuts, vinyl will bend around the corner. The roof sheathing should be half inch or thicker. This is not for strength, but to prevent nails from penetrating the sheathing and protruding into the interior. Using three-quarter inch roofing nails will also help. This is especially important for playhouses with lofts. Safety tip for the roof installer. The short roofing nails will cause bashed thumbs if you try an hold them between your thumb and index finger. This might be how you hold other nails and a purple thumb might be a badge of honor, but there is a better way. Hold the nail between the index and middle fingers with the head on the pads of the fingers. Lay the back of your hand flat on the roof and drive the nail. It won't hurt (as much) if you miss and the nail will go in straight with less chance of misses. While we are talking about roofs, I only use full soffits. Yes it is slightly more expensive, but the playhouse looks better, it is easier to paint and reduces the places for wasps to nest. Air flow - playhouses need adequate ventilation to prevent heat built up, even if insulated, the small space can heat quickly. Soffit and roof vents make sure that there is always some air movement. If the playhouse is later insulated they are already in place. Windows - The windows are second only to doors in difficulties. The wrong size is visually problematic. The wrong materials can make them hard to open, reducing ventilation or dangerous in some cases. Most of my playhouses are eventually insulated, so I use commercial vinyl windows with insulated glass. They are visually clean, have screens and about the same price as making a small custom window. The smallest stock single hung windows are about 24" wide by 30" tall. This is a little over-sized, but unless it is a vanity playhouse where the proportions would be ruined, over-sized windows make a playhouse light and airy, literally. They let in more natural light and the larger openings let in more air. I avoid barn sash, although they are awfully cute, the glass is only single strength and there are complications to the installation. Likewise, I avoid casement windows for two reasons. First, they are hard for children to operate. Second, they open outward, right into the path of a running child. If budget or proportions dictate building windows, the glass should be tempered safety glass or Plexiglas. Homemade (shopmade) windows should be hinged to open inward and mounted to lay flat against the wall. Screen can be stapled over the opening before the exterior trim is screwed on. A hinged window is better in this case because it is hard to build windows that open upward easily, but come down slowly. A window that drops down is a breakage and pinching hazard. Hardware - Hardware such as window latches , drawer pulls, door knobs, etc. need to be selected carefully. Make sure that metal edges are aren't too sharp and hinges and latches operate smoothly. A door latch that has to be slammed to close is an accident waiting to happen. Doors - the best playhouses have two doors. The prominent one for child play on the front. A second adult access door can be built unobtrusively in the back or side. This lets you supervise and play with your children. It also permits future or winter use for storage (bikes do well to winter in a playhouse). The adult door can be constructed of the siding material or a real pre-hung exterior door. The child door should be proportioned to the playhouse. A Dutch door is often a good choice. It added ventilation when the top is opened and can be fun. The exterior latch should be attached to the lower portion and the top hooked from the inside to the bottom. This way the top can opened and latch operated if needed. While you're considering doors, think about an entry landing of some sort. It could be a full porch or deck. It could be as little as patio pavers or even just an area of pea gravel. It should be something to catch the mud of little shoes. It will also keep the front of playhouse from becoming a mud pit. Foundation - Keep the playhouse close enough to the ground to discourage weeds and children crawling under it. It should be high enough to permit drainage and to keep the floor from rotting. While you're at it geofabric (weed-stop) and gravel should extend two feet in each direction beyond the footprint of the play house. While not strictly a safety issue it keeps rain dripping off the roof from turning the perimeter in to mud channels. Ladder and Lofts - Lofts should have safety railing. The railing can be solid or with spindles. Spindles should be spaced no more than 4" apart to keep heads from being trapped. Ladders or stairs should be well constructed and sufficient for adults. Angled ladders are easier to climb. If using a ladder for loft access, opt for a removable one with hooks that anchor it when in place. This way, it can be stored until the children are old enough to climb safely. The loft should be equipped with some sort of handholds to ease the transition from the ladder to the loft (or more importantly the transition from the loft to the ladder). If the floor is of plywood an excellent handhold is a hand-sized oval (4" wide by 1") cut right in the floor and sanded smooth. Most of my loft floors are made of 1x6 pine, varnished with the edges rounded over. With proper spacing the gaps become the hand holds. Also, any dirt tends to fall to the first floor, where it is easier to sweep up. Stairs should be equipped with a hand rail and no steeper than 45˚. Stairs with a landing can make use of the space by making a "cubby" under the landing. Pad any openings shorter than your child is tall with carpet scraps. Splinter hazards - wood is one of the best materials with which to build. However wood has splinters and while they can not be avoided altogether there are some things that can be done to minimize the risks. Exposed wood should be sanded, sealed or painted. Check that nail and screw holes are filled. Screws are especially notorious for raising splinters around the head of the screw when it is driven too deeply. Power drivers make it easy to over drive screws. Run your hand over any screw just driven. If you can feel the wood forced up, knock down the splinters with some sand paper. Interior wood can be painted or for the luxury playhouses dry wall can be installed and finished. Materials, Paints and Finishes - Different materials have different toxicities. Some panel sheets are manufactured with urea formaldehyde glue. The smaller the wood fibers, the more glue used in manufacture. Newly manufactured panels can be stacked to let air circulate for a few days and let most of the fumes evaporate. Exposed surfaces should be painted. Hint, paint the panel BEFORE you use them and it will make the interior easy to paint. Also, it will let paint fumes escape (just TRY to keep kids out their THEIR new play house while you're painting the inside). Use a low-odor paint if possible to finish the interior (you've already painted the panels, right). Siting (playhouse placement) - Depending on your child's age you may want to consider building in a spot that is within sight and hearing range of the main house. If there is to be some distance consider an intercom. In any case, shading from the afternoon sun will make it the most useful by keeping it from over heating. The shading can be from the shadow of the main house or a convenient tree, but in neither case close enough that one could access the roof. While this article has not addressed how to build a playhouse, it should help guide you. Two rules of thumb, can what I am building support me and is there any way a child could get hurt building it this way. Any no's to the first question and it is not strong enough, any yes'es to the second and I have to figure out a safe way to build it. Remember, if it is not safe, there is no point in building it.

Election Reform

In order to have real election reform I suggest we take the following steps:

• Purge all voter rolls everywhere, requiring everyone who is eligible to re-register.
• Require immediate verification when a motor/voter registration is received by the county (or whatever governmental entity is responsible for registrations).
• eliminate same day registrations. Local and Primary Election days are scheduled. Federal elections are always on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
• Require that "snowbirds" be registered at the address the IRS uses for taxes. If they are at their other residence at the time, they can vote absentee.
• Eliminate "provisional" ballots. Every voter registration card should have the registered voter's name, polling place with address, and all relevant "districts" printed on it. You then have your card that tells you exactly where you need to go to vote.
• Require photo ID. It's not really that difficult. Most DMV's will issue a "state photo ID". And don't you need one to cash a check anywhere anymore?
• All polling places should be prepared for 100% turnout to minimize the "lengthy line" problem.
• Mail out a sample ballot ahead of the election. Some newspapers print them, but they can be hard to find or incomplete. Also, an undeliverable sample ballot will indicate a problem.

Any more ideas?

Kerry was Consistent!

He voted against Condi before he voted against her. Here's the complete list... Akaka (HI) · Bayh (IN) · Boxer (CA) · Byrd (WV) · Dayton (MN) · Durbin (IL) · Harkin (IA) · Jeffords (VT) · Kennedy (MA) · Kerry (MA) · Lautenberg (NJ) · Levin (MI) · Reed (RI)

Passion gets 3 Oscar nods

The Passion of the Christ was nominated for three Oscars: Cinematography, Makeup, and Original Score. Michael Moore's Farenheit 9/11 was Shut Out!

NRO changes URL for Geraghty's TKS

The URL has changed for Jim Geraghty's TKS (formerly The Kerry Spot): TKS http://www.nationalreview.com/tks/tks.asp

Some thoughts...

Newdow: One of his reasons for continuing with his suit against prayer at the inauguration is that listening to a prayer will "force him to accept unwanted religious beliefs." How exactly does hearing a prayer force anyone to accept anything? I have been to a bar mitzvah, spent the entire time in a synagogue, listening to prayers. I wasn't converted to Judaism, nor forced to accept anything. Boxer & Botox: They voted against Condi. Botox said he was making a statement, he had to "vote his gut". It's amazing how Boxer so conveniently forgot that the resolution contained at least seven reasons to go to Iraq.

BOXER: Well, you should you read what we voted on when we voted to support the war, which I did not, but most of my colleagues did. It was WMD, period. That was the reason and the causation for that particular vote.

Joint Resolution here. Biden: He insulted Condi by suggesting that she would hold a grudge against him in the future if he didn't vote for her now.

If they taught math...

Kellipundit reports that 6th grade math scores are steadily declining in Newton, Mass. It seems that the school district is teaching anti-racist multicultural math.

In 2001 Mr. Young, Mrs. Wyatt and an assortment of other well-paid school administrators, defined the new number-one priority for teaching mathematics, as documented in the curriculum benchmarks, "Respect for Human Differences - students will live out the system wide core of 'Respect for Human Differences' by demonstrating anti-racist/anti-bias behaviors." It continues, "Students will: Consistently analyze their experiences and the curriculum for bias and discrimination; Take effective anti-bias action when bias or discrimination is identified; Work with people of different backgrounds and tell how the experience affected them; Demonstrate how their membership in different groups has advantages and disadvantages that affect how they see the world and the way they are perceived by others..." It goes on and on.(/snip)

Gee, and I thought math was 1 + 1 = 2 and 2 x 4 = 8...

Golden Globes - Ann watched so we don't have to

Ann Althouse watched so we don't have to. Ann Althouse Live-blogged the Golden Globes last night. I'm glad I didn't watch.

"Life and Death of Peter Sellers" wins. Actually, it did have the best clip. Three boring producer guys make their way to the stage while we hear the record "What's New Pussycat?" Speech: booooorrrrrinnnnngggggggg.

Condolences

The Anchoress' brother, "S", passed away this morning. She and her family have my condolences and prayers.

Cat Blogging

Dodger's sleeping but Bitsy looks interested... (not photoshopped - my Mother bought me the book [review {BlogFlog} to follow])

Suffering through living

Joe Carter at Evangelical Outpost is posting on the Dutch Euthanasia decision by the Royal Dutch Medical Association that doctors ought to be able to help those "suffering through living" to have doctor assisted suicide. There will always be utterly selfish people who think that suicide is the way out of any trouble they're in. They don't think through to all the trouble that they leave behind. This seems to give those who would commit suicide some kind of validation of their selfish determination to end their life. "Oh, you lost your job and can't pay your bills? I diagnose suffering through living. Here's a presciption for something that will end your suffering by ending your life." Depending on your particular views of an afterlife this might end your suffering, or it might be only the beginning... Drew at Darn Floor wrote on this a while ago and I linked to his post in this post of mine. One of the commenters (Mark O) on Joe's post reminds us of Romans 5:3-5

³Not only so, but we^[a] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Teddy on Barak

As seen on Special Report with Brit Hume yesterday (paraphrased, but accurate): Teddy Kennedy - the new senator from Illinois - Osama bin Ladin I mean Osama Obama, Oh, Obama.

Change of Template

I have heard from a couple of people that they couldn't read my blog in Firefox (everything was squeezed down the left side) so I changed the template. I have also downloaded and used Firefox to check that it is now readable. You can download Firefox for free here.

2004 deduction for Tsunami Donations by end of month

Direct Link to The Captain's campaign. As of 7:30 am CST 1/13/05 the total is $34,223.16! From the News & Observer in NC (last three paragraphs of story):

Taxpayers may be able to deduct donations to victims of the South Asian tsunami if contributions are made to tax-exempt U.S. charities. But these organizations must have "full control and discretion over the use of such funds," according to the IRS. Donations to individual victims or foreign charities that do not qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code cannot be claimed. Taxpayers making donations through Jan. 31, 2005, to aid tsunami victims will be able to claim deductions on their 2004 tax returns under legislation the House and Senate cleared Thursday for President Bush's signature. Otherwise taxpayers would have to wait until 2006 to claim a tax deduction for tsunami contributions made this month.

So donations made to help The Captain with World Relief Day can be deducted on your 2004 taxes. Keep those donations coming... Other stories on this site related to Tsunami aid: US aid $350 million and counting - Updated Another way to help with Tsunami Aid Watch out for Tsunami Aid Fraud

Rather's rather lame response

The Anchoress has Dan Ra^ther's ra^ther lame response to the "Report" (via TKS [formerly known as The Kerry Spot]). I agree that it's lame, about as lame as his "apology".

Lest anyone have any doubt, I have read the report, I take it seriously, and I shall keep its lessons well in mind. Dan Rather

Of course the Report didn't find any evidence of political bias, and that's what he's really interested in.

Side by Side Analysis of Swift Boats-Rathergate

Lorie over at Polipundit has an excellent post on the massive differences between how the MSM covered Ra^thergate and the Swift Boat Veterans. Click here for More Thoughts on Ra^thergate. In an earlier post (Nov 22) here I noted: Newsweek's Periscope on Unfit for Command In Newsweek's Persicope section, page 9 there is a short article by Susannah Meadows about the all the political books that used to be on the front tables at the bookstores. In this article she says: "Even the conservative imprint Regenery isn't giving up yet on O'Neill's book [Unfit for Command], the now largely discredited attack on Kerry's military service. The publisher is planning to market its remaining copies as the book that brought the candidate down." (emphasis mine). Is it largely discredited because the liberals say it is? I still haven't seen any proof of its being discredited. Haven't seen Kerry's records (still hasn't signed the Form 180) proving that what John O'Neill says isn't true. The MSM has always just dismissed the Swift Boat Veterans out of hand, yet even after 5 years of "investigation" Mary Mapes could never come up with anything valid about her accusations about President Bush. Yesterday on Fox News they had a regular DNC hack, Jenny. She keeps drinking that kool-aid. She repeated the line that Bush has never come out and said he wasn’t awol and he’s never said he didn’t get special treatment and the questions raised about his service are still valid... She never mentions that Kerry never signed the 180, that he hasn't answered any of the questions that still hang over his head...

Death by Committee - Redux

Drew at Darn Floor has a new post about the Dutch and physician assisted death. I wrote about the Groningen Protocol and my disabled daughter here. Drew has written about an English assisted suicide law and now the Dutch are considering assisted suicide for "people who may not be ill, but consider themselves as 'suffering through living.'" Drew's last paragraph:

When someone feels his life is not worth living, it falls to us -- fellow members of the human race -- to show him that his life has value. It is abhorrent and repulsive that anyone -- but especially doctors -- would inform someone in despair that, no, his life is not worth living and he ought to just kill himself.

Mapes Fired

CBS has finally released their report on Ra^thergate. Three executives and Mary Mapes have been fired. CBS version of the story here. Andrew Heyward and Dan Ra^ther have escaped further action. The Anchoress has the text of Les Moonves' memo to CBS employees Michelle Malkin has a post on the connections between Mary Mapes, Col. David Hackworth, Ra^thergate and Abu Ghraib

(CBS) Four CBS News employees, including three executives, have been ousted for their role in preparing and reporting a disputed story about President Bush’s National Guard service. The action was prompted by the report of an independent panel that concluded that CBS News failed to follow basic journalistic principles in the preparation and reporting of the piece. The panel also said CBS News had compounded that failure with “rigid and blind” defense of the 60 Minutes Wednesday report. Asked to resign were Senior Vice President Betsy West, who supervised CBS News primetime programs; 60 Minutes Wednesday Executive Producer Josh Howard; and Howard’s deputy, Senior Broadcast Producer Betsy West. The producer of the piece, Mary Mapes, was terminated. The correspondent on the story, CBS News anchor Dan Ra^ther, is stepping down as anchor of CBS Evening News. “We deeply regret the disservice this flawed 60 MinutesWednesday report did to the American public, which has a right to count on CBS News for fairness and accuracy,” said CBS President Les Moonves. The panel said a "myopic zeal" to be the first news organization to broadcast a groundbreaking story about Mr. Bush’s National Guard service was a key factor in explaining why CBS News had produced a story that was neither fair nor accurate and did not meet the organization’s internal standards. The report said at least four factors that some observers described as a journalistic “Perfect Storm” had contributed to the decision to broadcast a piece that was seriously flawed. "The combination of a new 60 Minutes Wednesday management team, great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network’s news anchor, competitive pressures, and a zealous belief in the truth of the segment seem to have led many to disregard some fundamental journalistic principles," the report said.

On Fox News this morning Jim Pinkerton highlighted the phrase: "great deference given to a highly respected producer and the network's news anchor" indicating that this means Ra^ther really, really wanted this to be true and to go forward with it. The CBS report also states that “the Panel cannot conclude that a political agenda at 60 Minutes Wednesday drove either the timing of the airing of the segment or its content.” Mary Mapes was also faulted for a clear conflict of interest by coordinating with Joe Lockhart of the Kerry campaign. They have decided that further action against Ra^ther is unnecessary because he has already stepped down and will no longer be the news anchor come March. Fox News has a report as well here. pdf of the 234 page report is here.

Amber Frey - Cashing In

Amber seems to be cashing in on the tragedy of Laci and Connor. This is sickening. Now she's "written" a book and is making the rounds to promote it. Got to extend those 15 minutes of fame (infamy) as long as you can.

M-Law's 8th Annual Wacky Warning Label Contest

And the Winner is... A disposable toilet brush that states: "Do not use for personal hygiene." Read the rest. (Via Overlawyered)

La Shawn asks: Social Security Reform As Reparations?

From La Shawn's Blog: Social Security Reform as Reparations?

“Would liberals support Social Security reform if they thought of it as reparations for blacks?” Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, asks a question I’d never thought of asking white liberals. Yet it seems so obvious. Liberals support “reparations” and any other idiotic idea complaining blacks come up with. I’ve always argued that blacks are receiving reparations: welfare, entitlements and all manner of skin color preferences.

She concludes with:

I want the power to use my own initiative, motivation and creativity in choosing how, when and where to invest the money I earn. But we live in an era where the government knows what’s best for us, right? Attention Washington: Keep the criminals out of my neighborhood and away from me and family, protect us from terrorists and illegal aliens bankrupting the system, and I’ll be just fine. Jack part of my salary for various state duties, if you must, but let me and my brain come up with our retirement plan. Get off my back and out of my pocket.

Ditto.

Save The Portraits!

What is it with dicators and their portraits? Are they so narcissistic that they must see themselves everywhere? Captain Ed points us to a story about civil defense orders signed by Kim Jong Il himself directing the movement of his many portraits and busts to secure areas in underground bunkers if the U.S. attacks.

Watch out for Tsunami Aid Fraud

Michelle Malkin has a copy of a spam letter that looks as if it were copied from the infamous Niger letter.

My name is Marco Nula; I am a victim of the recent Earthquake followed by the Tsunami that wrecked our whole society of Banda Aceh Province in Indonesia resulting in painful death of my Parents. My Late Father Mr. Alfredo Nula is from Paramaribo in Suriname (South America) and my Mother from Banda of Aceh Province in Indonesia, they got married in Suriname because Indonesia like Suriname was a colony of The Netherlands, but they moved to settle in Indonesia when my Sister and I were born and because Indonesia has better economy than Suriname, but my Sister and I was away in School in the Capital Jakarta when this sorrowful incidence happened to my late parents and all other Families affected by the Quake and the Tsunamis all around Sumatra and Aceh Province. ...

Read the rest. Updated: From two previous posts: Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters has designated January 12th World Relief Day (direct link to the Captain's Campaign. As of 7:30 am CST on 1/13/05 it's at $34,223.16! ) and Donald Sensing at One Hand Clapping forwards a request from Chief Wiggles for Relief Kits that are easy to assemble and FedEx will pick up for free.

Saudi Cleric Blames Christmas for Tsunami

Saudi Cleric Muhammed Al-Munajjid in an interview blamed the tsunami on Christmas. Memri has an excerpt of an interview with him (with video clip #452 [no permalink to video]):

Al-Munajjid: The problem is that the (Christian) holidays are accompanied by forbidden things, by immorality, abomination, adultery, alcohol, drunken dancing, and… and revelry. A belly dancer costs 2500 pounds a minute and a singer costs 50,000 pounds an hour, and they hop from one hotel to another from night to dawn. Then he spends the entire night defying Allah. Haven't they learned the lesson from what Allah wreaked upon the coast of Asia, during the celebration of these forbidden? At the height of immorality, Allah took vengeance on these criminals. Those celebrating spent what they call "New Year's Eve" in vacation resorts, pubs, and hotels. Allah struck them with an earthquake. He finished off the Richter scale. All nine levels gone. Tens of thousands dead. It was said that they were tourists on New Year's vacation who went to the crowded coral islands for the holiday period, and then they were struck by this earthquake, caused by the Almighty Lord of the worlds. He showed them His wrath and His strength. He showed them His vengeance. Is there anyone learning the lesson? Is it impossible that we will be struck like them? Why do we go their way? Why do we want to be like them, with their holidays, their forbidden things, and their heresy?

Why would this "punishment" be given to all the children who lost parents and all the parents who lost children? The people who lost everything they owned? The people who have to worry that they might starve or be stricken by disease after surviving the tsunami? All those who aren't Christian (many more than are in that part of the world)? Why indeed would God "punish" those celebrating the birth of His Son? And if the tourists were celebrating New Year's Eve why "strike" on Christmas - 6 days before? Update: Welcome Daou Report readers! Update 2: Welcome Friends of The Anchoress!

Previously Linked Posts - Bumped

My post linked by Lorie at Polipundit and Byrd Droppings is here if anyone's looking. Darn Floor has a related post here. Hugh Hewitt linked to this post which is linked to this one. Happy New Year!

Another way to help with Tsunami Aid

Donald Sensing at One Hand Clapping points us to another way to help with tsunami aid. Relief Kits "Recipes" for the "Fill A Plane" Campaign

However, cash donations remain "most effective" way to contribute Chief Wiggles (aka Army Chief Warrant Officer Paul Horton), who founded Operation Give while serving in Iraq, just announced he has arranged for free FedEx relief flights to aid tsunami victims.

Cash donations are still the best bet and The Captain has designated January 12th World Relief Day.

Happy New Year

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous new year!