#3
What's the deal with the close-ups? Are they trying to hide his powdered wig? Heck, they don't even teach Thos Jefferson in school anymore. My own preference is replacing him with Edwin Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 04:11 ||
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#1
I do love that ship. I still think Jackie Fisher had the Constitution in mind when he invented the lamentable battlecruiser, he forgot the ironsides part.
#4
The Constitution in Baltimore Harbor has an excellent tour as well. It is now on audio.
I make references to the Tripolitan War every time I run into the "no blood for oil" argument. Protecting American trade is one of the bedrock foundations of the USN.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 16:20 Comments ||
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#5
That would be the Constellation (not the original sister ship to Constituion).
#6
Sorry Ship, I meant Constellation - part of the display covers the controversy about which itteration of Constellation is the one on display. The current thinking is that at least the keel and some other parts were recycled from the original - thirfty colonials.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 22:42 Comments ||
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#1
Very cool! It took 28 questions and two guesses to get it right. I supose I won, but be very afraid, the machines are going to take over the world!! Neo?
#2
It swatted down "pencil" in no time at all. I stumped it on "douche bag". The program would have gotten there if this term was in its database. Got close with catheter. Neat piece of AI work.
On a related note, I'm happy to see that Is John Kerry A Douche Bag? is the second ranked result for the term on Google.
#4
This thing is smart! After the questions it asked me "Does your mother know you are asking me about this?" Seriously. Apparently my 8th grade level maturity shows big. (It guessed 'womb'. Well, that was close - literally. . . .heh)
#6
not too many people would consider a lawn mower a recreational device, and the 'puter didn't either. mark me as victorious over 'HAL.'
"don't make me do that, Dave."
#7
I would guess the computer program uses the past record to predict the current. The algorithm must take your current responses and find the closest match (given the database of all past "players'" series of responses). That match is probably then hooked up with what the past player admitted was the word being thought of.
So, if in the past
A . . B . . F . . I . . # . . % . . A = cat
and
B . . G . . ^ . . I . . & . . Y . . F = dog
A current series of responses like:
B . . @ . . ^ . . @ . . & . . Y . . F = should be dog, again. It is kind of spooky, though. Try this: I stumped it on "sunspots." My guess is a couple more times of someone making their word "sunspots," and it will get "sunspots" every time that's the word.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
09/16/2004 15:36 Comments ||
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#10
WARNING, WARNING
By playing with the computer we are making it smarter. With enough time, it could get smart, and could start observing and acting like SkyNet to protect itself.
It could start to reachhhhhh ouuut and trrry ##%^&))! top pople frrrr m pointtttttttttttting osl dk dkdisla;id. ldod dldo dooooaajdnfidoslssssssidmf d d dl
a
dldl
d;ldl
Via a poster at David's Medienkritic. I'm trying to come up w/a snarky comment and I just can't. I've supposed to rely on them for help??????????????
Attempts by the Ministry of Defence to save money will leave all 232 of the RAF's new Eurofighter/Typhoon aircraft with a gun they cannot fire.
"But it does look ferocious!"
The MoD decided five years ago that it could save £90 million on the £105 billion project by not having a machine cannon in the British version of the Eurofighter... To make matters worse, each individual part of the makeweight's shape also had to weigh exactly the same as the real thing. In short, the cheapest option was to fit the cannon. So all 232 of the RAF's Eurofighter/Typhoon aircraft will be fitted with the gun at a cost of £90 million - but in order to save what is now a mere £2.5 million they will have no rounds to fire... The collapse of the Warsaw Pact led to the aircraft being described as an obsolete piece of Cold War equipment. The Germans immediately cut the number of aircraft they needed, largely because they inherited a lot of fighters from East Germany.
... which were obsolete pieces of Cold War equipment themselves...
The British response was to tie all four partners into a tightly controlled contract in which anyone who pulled out must pay the same amount of money in damages as they would if they took the aircraft. That has come back to haunt Britain, which alone among the four nations has no money to pay for the Eurofighters it ordered and is resisting calls to sign up for its second tranche of 89 aircraft. Maybe instead of banning fox hunting, they should tax it?
<This keeps up, we're going to be lend-leasing again.>
I say, old chap, can you spare a quid for some bullets?
oh, that's how you get on pg. 1!
Posted by: Anonymous2U ||
09/16/2004 10:47:50 AM ||
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#1
...I think the article may be a bit misleading - according to http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/accannons.html , they already have 27mm cannon in service with the Tornado, so they should have lots of ammo on hand. perhaps they're just not funding any extra right now?
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/16/2004 11:56 Comments ||
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#2
Britain has an illustrious ignominious history of crippling their own aircraft designs. For anyone who is interested in the subject, please read Derek Wood's fascinating book, "Project Cancelled."
"The book is interesting and illustrates advanced design thinking of the British aeroengineers of the time and the short-sighted parsimony of some British politicians. It is possible that when the plastic model aircraft companies run low on the prolific "what if..." German designs of WWII, another series of "what if..." model airplane kits could be based on the proposed British designs now resting on the scrap heap of history."
#8
Been there. Done that with early generation F-4s in Vietnam.
If it doesn't have a gun. It isn't a fighter! Missiles are great for long-range. But there's always the up-close 'Furball' and Close Air Support arenas to deal with.
Flying into harm's way without a Vulcan tucked away somewhere is tantamount to suicide.
Jack.
Posted by: Jack Deth ||
09/16/2004 13:32 Comments ||
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#9
Typical Euroweenies. If we shoot blanks, maybe the enemy will get scared and run!
The follow-on model will also include paper mache missiles and bombs.
#10
> #4 Actually, guns in a modern jet are not very >useful. Most (could be all, AFAIK) air-to-air >killing nowadays is done with missiles. The U.S. >had that debate decades ago.
yes we did. the result: our aircraft are equipped with cannon. look up the F4 and how they ended up retrofitting it in 'nam.
#14
When you re-invent the wheel, it's always a good idea to stick with a round shape...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
09/16/2004 14:15 Comments ||
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#15
Howard, every manjack in the RFC may bring their own fine fowling piece along with a bearer if they see fit. Over and unders are of course frowned upon and you are likely to be cut cold if you are so armed.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
09/16/2004 14:23 Comments ||
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Clarification to my post #4:
We had the debate decades ago (I thought in Vietnam, but Google did not turn up a summary quickly and I had to go -- sorry) ...
and the pilots "won" it (i.e. guns were put back, as other posters have commented), but AFAIK, most or all air-air kills are via missiles.
In fact, I would be surprised if there were air-air kills in Vietnam with a gun (anybody have a link or even a story ?)
I don't even know how much strafing (other than a Warthog) goes on in modern combat. I cannot recall any mention in any recent conflict (back to Panama, at least).
So, guns are actually not very useful except in a dedicated ground support role (thinking of the Warthog only; I have never heard of F-14/15/16/18/117 ever being called in for ground support, but look forward to being educated to the contrary), but guns have a certain psychological appeal which is obviously important.
So, the Brit decision is not strange at all.
Posted by: Carl in N.H ||
09/16/2004 15:51 Comments ||
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Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
09/16/2004 16:09 Comments ||
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#19
Carl.
Guns are not very useful until you lack them because then the opponent will rearrange its tactics to exploit your vulnerability. Just like the Zulu warriors exploited the vulnerability of the red coats in close combat at Isandlwhana (Bayonets don't measure against aseghai and shield).
Anyway during maneuvers the Bristish mercenaries of the Quatari air force who flew planes hopelessly outclassed at long range by the F14 (these things can shoot you from over 60 miles), flew in canyons until the Tomcats were near them then surged from the canpon and attacked at close range. If you don't have a gun then every bad guy will have on his cockpit a note telling: "keep the range close and you can slaughter them by the dozen" if you have them he will probably not even try to engage you at short range and it will be missile versus missile.
#21
I don't even know how much strafing (other than a Warthog) goes on in modern combat.
While most definitely not a fighter, may I humbly suggest the AC-130 Spectre?
I'm sure there are more well-versed air phrame phreaks around here who can detail this better than I. Would someone please post the Mirage fighter jet's sordid history? I recall that Britain actually originated the baseline for this craft and then went on to burden it with so many logistical millstones (i.e., must take off using pontoons from choppy ocean surface in a driving hailstorm while under heavy fire and carrying full ordnance package with training pilot in second seat) that it was abandoned. Meanwhile their joint venture partner, France, went on to make it one of the most successfully marketed aircraft in military history. Anyone got the lowdown on this pathetic "project cancelled?"
#22
The EFA was designed with a special emphasis on close range manoeuver, so to delete a gun in a dog fighter is a little beyond me. Remember it was designed with an excellent 27mm Mauser cannon for the bandits that get within 200-1000m during combat. Also it is just not about the number of kills scored with the guns, it is the mere presence of one that forces a revision of tactics by the opponent. Thats my two pence.
#23
In response to post #17
There were gun kills in air to air combat in Vietnam.
Per the book Mig Masters by Barrett Tillman there were 19 air to air kills attributed to the F-8 Crusader and they are broken down as follows:
14 kills using the Sidewinder, 2 using guns only,
1 using Sidewinder and guns, 1 using guns & Zuni rockets (unguided air to ground rockets used for close air support)and 1 no weapons were used (apparently flew him into the ground in a literal
sense)
Also per the book Air Aces by Christopher Shores the following kills were made by aircraft that were not equipped to fire missles:
2 by A1H Skyraiders
1 by A-4 Skyhawk
28+ by F105 Thunderchiefs
That of course doesn't count any gun kills made by the Vietnamese
Posted by: Lurks Often ||
09/16/2004 20:07 Comments ||
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#24
GawdIluvRantBurg.
Great source for a Compleat Education, thanks Lurks et al. And a special "heh" to Zenster and the AC-130 comment.
I guess it is too much to hope for that we have a lurking USAF vet or two to let us know what the current crop of pilots expect to do with their guns. I would love to get some anecdotes on current tactical usage.
Posted by: Carl in N.H. ||
09/16/2004 21:29 Comments ||
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#25
Carl, In the case of the F-22, I think they hope it won't be much since it is supposed to be stealthier than the F-117 and it only has 500 rounds, enough for about 7 minutes of shooting at the slow speed on the M-61.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
09/16/2004 21:38 Comments ||
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From Geostrategy Direct, subscription req'd....
The appointment of an Air Force general to be the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command also has raised new Chinese worries about countering a U.S. strike. Our zoomies will give the Chicoms nights of fitful sleep.
Air Force Gen. Gregory S. Martin is an advocate of the so-called Revolution in Military Affairs strategy that calls for high-technology weapons to defeat enemies. He and Rummy must have a cordial relationship.
"He believes in the concept of going downtown," one U.S. official said. In the case of China, that means using long-range strike weapons to attack key strategic targets deep inside China. Like Three Gorges Dam, once an asset, could be a liability if the PLA gets frisky over Taiwan. I'm sure there is an OPLAN for this little engineering marvel.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/16/2004 5:08:16 PM ||
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#1
I have very mixed feelings about RMA. First of all it makes two very bad assumptions: uninterfered long-range technology viability and endless high quality logistical support far afield. The first assumption is that magnificant, expensive high-tech toys will operate as well as durable machines after extended use, on one hand, and that "information" *as such* has an *inherent* value in war.
*
A helicopter may be far more advanced than a car, but if you had to cross the US several times without mechanical breakdown, which would you choose?
*
Information is only as good as its interpretation, and how that interpretation is applied. For example, the NSA gathers vast amounts of unimportant data every day, brutally sorts through it, then delivers a one-page summary to the NSC, which reports to the far less informed head of the White House.
*
The other assumption, of long term logistical support, is obvious. The US can provide support for a year, perhaps two. But costs of continued support begin to go *up*, not *down*. When you must timetable a war from beginning to end, you start to fight yourself.
Turkey's Islamic-rooted ruling party will press ahead with its plan to criminalize adultery, despite earlier statements that the controversial measure had been shelved, a party member said Thursday. The decision came two days after the party said it was abandoning the plan after protests from women's groups and warnings from the European Union that it could jeopardize Turkey's chances of joining. In retooling its proposal, the party has replaced the word "adultery" with "sexual infidelity," a senior member of the ruling party told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Oh. Well. That's different then...
Posted by: Fred ||
09/16/2004 10:00:30 AM ||
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#2
Funny-does this new "proposal" address the topic of frequency? As the old proposal went, men would be consider adulterers for long-term sexual relationships, women for one-time sex of any kind.
#5
I think Turkey is partially right on this one. We used to have the tort of "alienation of affectons" whereby an abandoned spouse could sue the "other woman." Look at the damage that has been done to the traditional family and, thereby, to society, by sexual infidelity. While criminalization wouldn't work, I say if you help break up someone else's family -- you owe that spouse, and the kids, big-time.
#6
I have never understood spouses who want to sue the "person that broke up the marriage". Of the 3 persons affected by the infidelity, that is unarguably the only person who didn't break a vow. To blame them makes it very convenient for the person who actually betrayed the spouse.
And different standards for men and women, bkderwood? If you can live with that, you're closer to the Muslim philosophy than you think.
I agree with you to this extent, bkderwood: infidelity does great harm to the family.
#7
Where did you get the idea that I had different standards for men and women? The fact that I used one feminine pronoun in one example? The tort always went both ways -- though men were more frequently the defendants.
As for "breaking a vow" -- marriage is a public institution that should be honored by all. If you go after someone else's spouse, you are just as bad as the cheating spouse, particularly if you are trying to lure them into infidelity. If you intentionally do harm to someone's family through behavior unworthy of protection, why should you not pay for the consequences (emotional distress from a broken home)?
#8
Where did you get the idea that I had different standards for men and women? I got it from the Turkish proposal. See #2. It was a general statement, not a slam on you.
As to the rest of your comment, I disagree. Cheaters are the ones responsible for desecrating the public institution of marriage. "Go after someone else's spouse"? What, with a gun? Fidelity is a choice that tests a person's integrity and commitment to their loved one, and their God, if they have one.
"Lure"? This is a word from the scapegoater's holy book. I think there is too much scapegoating going around these days.
As disenchantment with the federal government grows over its failure to tackle rampant unemployment and a sluggish economy, the [National Democratic Party's] popularity has risen to a point where polls suggest it will win nine percent. That score, compared to 1.4 percent in 1999, would be enough to give the party seats in parliament and rattle the German political world. Never again.
Posted by: The Caucasus Nerd ||
09/16/2004 12:33:00 AM ||
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#1
What, they got a new, more attractive hairstyle?
Some part of the increase are protest votes against the mainstream parties, like the LePen votes in France. The rest speaks to the new-found acceptability of bigotry over there. "Again" indeed.
Limp-Dicked Displeasing Antisocial LoserMichael Moore is giving a speech at the Utah Valley State College. The conservative school student leaders are looking for an alternative. At 3pm (MST) an alumni from the Utah Valley State College called up Hannity and told him about how the student leaders at the school wanted a counter speaker to Moore. Hannity challenged Moore to a debate at the school with money on the line. The audience would choose the winner and the money would go to a local charity. The ball in now in Obese Fudge Packer Moore's court and waiting to see if he accepts the challenge.
(Hannity also said he would do it for free while the school reportedly paid Moore $50,000 to speak)
#3
Crazyfool:
Doesn't matter because Moore won't do it. He will not risk loosing even a rigged debate at this point. I'm pretty sure his ego couldn't take it.
#6
What a great microcosm of the current state of partisan politics in this country:
The centerpiece is an apparently decent family man and Bush supporter, come to express his political views, as is is right as a citizen.
He is surrounded by a jeering mob of Democrats.
To his right, in the backward baseball cap, is your classic twenty-something Playground Bully, still clutching the scraps of the sign he tried to tear from the grip of the child on her daddy's shoulders.
Which party are the "liberals" again ?
Posted by: Carl in N.H. ||
09/16/2004 22:02 Comments ||
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#7
The little girl should be thankful that Kerry's Stormtroopers didn't shoot her daddy out from underneath her. John Edwards is right: There are two Americas, the Republican America - a nation of laws - and the Democrat America, a nation of self-satisfied thugs who believe laws only apply to suckers and Republicans. These people should never be allowed in power again.
And they call Bush a Nazi? Looks like Kerry's brownshirts are out in force.
I hope someone kicks the living shit out of that guy and send him to the hospital for a few weeks. He will probably go back and brag about how he ripped up a sign from a vicious 3 year old for weeks. Yup that makes him a big man.....
#9
Yeah, the left has gone so shrill and so violent that they cannot tolerate any one who dares to disagree with their central thesis: Bush = Hitler.
I generally don't like people using their kids in political demonstrations. I hate it when I see the moonbats dragging their kids along to the demos. And of course, nothing is lower than the the way the Palestinians use their kids for propaganda and pro-Jihad indoctination. What this guy did is not as bad but still, he shouldn't be taking his kids to Kerry rallys and holding Bush signs. Sorry, that's how I feel.
Of course that doesn't make the behavior of the people that tore up the signs and made the 3-year-old cry any less despicable. I'm glad they got busted on camera looking like the world's biggest a$$40l3s.
Posted by: John in Tokyo ||
09/16/2004 23:06 Comments ||
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#10
John in Tokyo, consider for a second the outcry that would accompany this picture if the little girl had been holding a Kerry sign and the thugs had been Bush supporters. I live in San Diego, one of the saner parts of California, but many people here are afraid to display Bush/Cheney signs on their cars or property because of the inevitable vandalism perpetrated by Democrat brownshirts. (and, yes, in California brownshirts is a more accurate description than blackshirts).
#12
Typical Union man. He is proud to be a union man. He does exactly what his union bosses tell him. In short a goon from the goon squad. When those dumb sons of bitches get in my face I relish telling them to FOAD. He clearly is enjoying himself. Which I am sure the DNC is proud to see plastered all over the WEB.
Have you ever wondered what the point of an adult wearing their baseball cap backwards for no apperent reason is. I can only think of one reason to announce to everyone "I am a dick weed." So the caption should include "I am a dick weed and I support Jon Kerry."
#13
The simian goon is a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
They are famous for their in-your-face tactics at political rallies, and boast about the reputation of their "Black and Tan Gold" Army.
Their e-mail address for political material is Politics@IUPAT.org
The U.S. Navy released documents Wednesday contradicting claims by Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry that all of his available military records have been released. The Navy, responding to a Freedom of Information Act request from the legal watchdog group Judicial Watch, also referred interested parties to Kerry's campaign web site for government military documents. Navy Personnel Command FOIA Officer Dave German wrote in an e-mail to Judicial Watch that the Navy "withheld thirty-one pages of documents from the responsive military personnel service records as we were not provided a release authorization." Release the docs Jon. We want to at least here about the mystic hat, and the flying puppy. . .
A "release authorization" would have to come from Kerry filling out and signing a Standard Form 180, something he has yet to do. A Standard Form 180 would authorize the complete release of all his military records. Judicial Watch filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in August to obtain Kerry's military records. What form 180?- John Kerry
The official U.S. Navy response was received by Judicial Watch on Wednesday, the same day that Kerry told syndicated radio and MSNBC TV host Don Imus that "We've posted my military records that they sent to me, or were posted on my website. You can go to my website, and all my -- you know, the documents are there." When Imus pressed Kerry as to whether all of his documents were in fact included on the campaign website, Kerry responded, "To the best of my knowledge. I think some of the medical stuff may still be out there. We're trying to get it. Imus - I thought you were my friend. . .
"We released everything that they (the Navy) initially sent me," he added. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said the Navy's correspondence confirms that Kerry has not been forthright in releasing his military files. "It's written confirmation from the U.S. Navy that there are additional documents from Kerry's service record that have yet to be made publicly available," Fitton told CNSNews.com. Fitton called the Kerry campaign's contention that all of the candidate's military files have been released, "wrong."
That's a polite way of saying he's lying...
"They (the Kerry campaign) are either ignorant or misleading us. The simple solution is to authorize the release of all records related to his service," Fitton said. German in a letter dated September 15, also referred Judicial Watch to Kerry's campaign website for more information on Kerry's military records. Where are they John? At a Kinko's in Brookline, MA?
"Numerous responsive U.S. Navy service record documents, as well as service record documents not subject to disclosure requirements under the FOIA, may be accessed at" the Kerry campaign's website applying to his military records, wrote German. "Right now we are in the 'Alice in Wonderland' situation, where the U.S. Navy is telling us to go to a campaign Internet site to get government FOIA documents," Fitton said. "I am not aware of any other instance where [a government agency] told us to go to a political website for documents. It's not a reliable repository of government documents."
In additional correspondence with Judicial Watch dated Sept. 15, the Navy stated that it did not have a copy of Kerry's Discharge Certificate (DD Form 256N), adding that the Navy did not keep files of the certificate in its records. German wrote in a letter dated Sept. 15, "A copy of an honorable discharge certificate (DD256N) is not placed in the U.S. Navy Service record when issued." Jerome Corsi, co-author of the best-selling book "Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry," told CNSNews.com the he was "surprised" the Navy did not have a copy of Kerry's discharge file. I have a copy, why don't you. Let me get to the Kinko's in Brookline. . .
"That means [Kerry's] got it," Corsi said. "It goes against his contention that he has released everything that is in his possession, because certainly that form is in his possession." Corsi believes that the Navy's official response proves that "it's Kerry who is blocking the release of the [military] documents and nobody else." "What's Senator Kerry got to hide?" Corsi asked. "By not releasing these files, he is creating the impression that there is something there he doesn't want anybody to see. What is it?" Maybe there IS something to the CIA man's hat? Who knew?
Judicial Watch is also awaiting the U.S. Navy's response to its inquiry regarding Kerry's "Silver Star with combat V." The citation appears in Kerry's DD214 military form on his website, but according to military officials, no such medal exists. "Kerry's record is incorrect. The Navy has never issued a 'combat V' to anyone for a Silver Star," said a Naval official to reporter Thomas Lipscomb in an article for the August 27th Chicago Sun Times. According to the Sun Times article, "Naval regulations do not allow for the use of a 'combat V' for the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration the Navy awards. None of the other services has ever granted a Silver Star 'combat V,' either." Those pesky medals...
EFL
A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to find and make public by next week any unreleased files about President Bush's Vietnam-era Air National Guard service to resolve a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed by The AP. U.S. District Judge Harold Baer Jr. handed down the order late Wednesday in New York. The AP lawsuit already has led to the disclosure of previously unreleased flight logs from Bush's days piloting F-102A fighters and other jets. And from those flight logs we will determine??? Another fishing expedition! I bet they find that during one flight "Lt Bush made an unsafe turn to the right (or left) but managed to correct and bring the aircraft under control and made a marginal landing." And exactly what would that bunch of ballyhoo tell us? How well Lt Bush was pilot on one flight? THESE PEOPLE (LLL) ARE DESPERATE!
#3
Who do you have to talk to start articles of impeachment? Or better yet, two affadavits that the judge is doing this in an attempt to undermine the country and it's an act of treason.
I'm rapidly reaching the point where I think all liberal moonbats need to skinned alive, rolled in salt and then broken on the wheel and put up on display.
#4
Does anyone know what comes after "unhinged" 'cause that's where the Left is right now.
Posted by: Rex Mundi ||
09/16/2004 19:34 Comments ||
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#5
Silentbrick: That's going WAY too far. There's no reason to put them on display.
Rex: I'm afraid the next step is "violent".
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
09/16/2004 19:49 Comments ||
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#6
RC: I'm thinkin' the same thing. Just before, and then after the election depending on how close it is.
Posted by: Rex Mundi ||
09/16/2004 20:02 Comments ||
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#7
I haven't read the opinion, but I'm guessing that the judge was able to issue this order only because Bush has signed the form 180 and authorized the release of all of his records. Since Kerry hasn't done so, it's unlikely that we'll see a similar order from another court in response to any actions seeking Kerry's records.
Just spoke to another one of Dubya's squadron mates from the 111th. He passed on the Question of the Day for Mrs. Knox: You said that Mr. Bush got into the National Guard on the basis of preferential treatment "...because there were a lot of other boys in there the same way." Does that include your son, Ted, who joined the squadron in about 1972?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
09/16/2004 2:25:42 PM ||
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WOW! Now that was broadside! I thought that interview was a lot like a lawyer leading a witness. I can only hope that when I 86 I can remember a Memo I wrote when I was 51. Hell I can't remember one I wrote last month.
LI man arrested in air rage case
A spirited debate on presidential politics aboard an Alaska-bound airplane has turned into an international incident, and left a Huntington Station retiree locked up in a Canadian jail on criminal charges, authorities said yesterday. Michael Husar, 58, was arrested Friday after allegedly having an alcohol-induced bout of air rage aboard a Northwest Airlines flight to Anchorage, which was diverted to Winnipeg, Manitoba, because of the incident. Uh-huh... Foreign jail for maybe 2 years? One less Kerry vote in NY. Kerry is down in his lead there. Needs every vote he can get...
Husar boarded Flight 849 in Minneapolis on his way from New York to visit some friends in Alaska, his wife, Linda, said yesterday. Officials said Husar, a supporter of Sen. John Kerry, was engaged in a discussion on the upcoming presidential election with a woman seated next to him - a President George W. Bush supporter - when she became turned off by his belligerent attitude and complained to the flight staff. The woman also did not like that Husar would touch her leg and shoulder when he spoke to her, authorities said. Corona said Husar had "had a few drinks." No touching!
#9
#3 Sounds he got into a debate with Alaska Pauline.
Alaska Pauline would have been polite and nonconfrontational. If this hothead became too obnoxious, Alaska Pauline would have said, "OOPS! Sorry!" and a cup of boiling hot coffee would have decended upon his crotch. End of story.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/16/2004 15:49 Comments ||
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#10
Why did the Air Marshall get involved? If they were supposed to keep a low profile in the case of the 14 Arabs mingling around the lavatory, why did they get involved here?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
09/16/2004 15:56 Comments ||
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#11
Perhaps Kerry supporters are considered a bigger threat?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
09/16/2004 16:08 Comments ||
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#12
If they were supposed to keep a low profile in the case of the 14 Arabs mingling around the lavatory. . .
Noor Mehaha from Syria went to the Sycuan Tribal Casino.
Today Bush leads Kerry in the polls by 88 electorial votes. On Sept 8, beginning of Rathergate, it was Kerry 264, Bush 222, tied 52. Thanks Dan. This is a good page to bookmark. It is updated almost daily.
#1
It also had Kerry ahead till 4 days ago. Try this and this also. They have converged. In the past with different methodologies, they have diverged.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
09/16/2004 14:02 Comments ||
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This is a different predictor, also with a map, and generally more pro-Bush in character. It is also much less prone to "mood swings" like the linked predictor:
Kerry
California 55;Connecticut 7;Delaware 3;District of Columbia 3;Hawaii 4;
Illinois 21;Maine 4;Maryland 10;Massachusetts 12;New Jersey 15;
New York 31;Rhode Island 4;Vermont 3;Washington 11 â Total 183
I usually disagree with Cohen, but I usually read his stuff to get a contrasting opinion to my own. He's not a koolade drinker, like his WaPo colleague, Colman McCarthy. When his opinion coincides with my opinion, we're usually talking about something pretty close to a certainty...
...The demonization of Bush is going to cost John Kerry plenty if it hasn't already. It so overstates the case against Bush that a levelheaded listener would be excused for thinking that there isn't one in the first place. It squeezes the middle, virtually forcing moderates to pick which bunch of nuts they're going to join. It's hard to know whom to loathe more -- religious zealots who would censor my reading and deny me the fruits of stem cell research or fervid hallucinators who belittle Saddam Hussein's crimes (or even Sept. 11) and wonder, in the throes of perpetual adolescence, whether the assassination of the president would not amount to a political mercy killing. It's all pretty repugnant.
But some of us cherish moderation, recoil from conspiracy theories and would like, if possible, to stick to the facts. We may dislike Bush's policies, but we do not vitriolically hate the man, think he stole the election or blame our own country for the crimes of Sept. 11. We are the proud Purples -- once the royal color, now the tattered banner of common sense.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/16/2004 1:02:36 PM ||
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religious zealots who would censor my reading
I, for one, am tired of this canard. If you look at the main thrust of speech codes, thought control and censorship in this country, it emanates from the PC left.
Do some blue-haired Lutheran ladies get their knickers in a knot about that evil satanic boy Harry Potter and try to push him off the shelves at the public library in Enid, Oklahoma? No doubt. But not a one of them has gotten their claws into our nation's university system.
#3
Deny you the fruits of stem cell research? Let's review the facts: (1) no one opposes the use of adult stem cells -- which have led to dozens of cures and scientific breakthroughs; (2) no one has banned experiments with embryonic stem cells, which despite countless experiments have not led to a single cure; (3) private industry has shown no interest in funding embryionic stem cell research because it does not look very promising; (4) embryonic research is a polite term for killing human babies; (5) taxpayer dollars should not be used to kill human babies.
#5
Speaking as a fellow purple, the above discussion shows why a majority of centrists will vote against Kerry. I don't care much for religious types, but they don't pose anything like the threat to my family's security that Mikey Moore and his crowd do. The difference between the right's wackos and those on the left is like the difference between an obnoxious rap star and a murdering gang leader.
Being a suvivor of prostate cancer I can only plead with folks to get your PSA levels checked by a compentent Urologist. 40 is not to early to start checking. He was only 55. I was 51.
Last week, independent analysis cast doubt on claims made by two prestigious information-gathering organizations. One incident you are probably familiar with. The community of bloggers presented credible evidence that documents used by CBS to support a news story about President Bush's national guard service were forgeries. The second instance, though potentially as important, received far less attention, at least in the English language media. Professors Roberto Rigobon of MIT and Ricardo Hausmann of Harvard University presented credible evidence that the results of the Venezuelan recall election, declared clean by the Carter Center, had been systematically altered.
Initial commentary on the CBS story has focused on the blogosphere versus big-media. An even wider underlying dynamic becomes apparent when the Bush documents and the Venezuelan recall are considered together. The story is not just about the output of bloggers; it is about the inputs that analysts are able to utilize. The analysis of Charles Johnson that cast doubt on the authenticity of the Bush documents was made possible by the existence of pdf-format document sharing. Professors Rigobon and Hausmann analyzed election returns at the polling center and machine levels. They compared the returns to results from exit polls and the signature gathering phase of the referendum, and found effects not consistent with a fair election. Their timely analysis was possible because of the Internet's ability to transfer large, quantitative data sets.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: tipper ||
09/16/2004 11:12:21 AM ||
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What is this "Internet" you speak of, wise man? What does it do?
EFL and Hat Tip to VodkaPundit
The best thing financial consultant Johnny Khamis heard out of New York was that you don't have to agree with the party to be a Republican. Democracy is funny that way. A little Reason and Logic goes a looooooonnnnnnnngggggggg way.
It seems a lot of other Arab-American Republicans heard the same message. A new poll shows them switching from John Kerry back to Bush just since the Republican National Convention. They remembered that they too are Capitalists. I must confess. I am a Capitalist as well.
The switch could re-elect Bush. Arab-Americans number the margin of victory in several key states. They represent 5% of the vote in Michigan, 2% in Florida, 2% in Ohio and 1.5% in Pennsylvania. Perhaps they decided to jump down from the burning roof. Seems the fiddler wasn't nearly as entertaining as they once thought.
Posted by: Dragon Fly ||
09/16/2004 7:51:59 AM ||
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Jump from the burning ship indeed....
The Arab-American voters will go with whomever will benefit them financially.
Posted by: jawa ||
09/16/2004 9:07 Comments ||
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#2
that and maybe they are realizing that Kerry is a wacko, megalomaniac with a lucky hat - and it scares them.
#6
This artical specifically states Arab-Americans and not Muslim-Americans. I would say the the majority of Arab-Americans until recently were Christians fleeing persecution. The next big wave was Iraqi Muslims fleeing persecution. Both groups have little reason to be upset with Bush.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 04:22 ||
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"We talked about him getting his flight physical situation fixed." He noted that the memo said Mr. Bush "says he will do that in Alabama if he stays in a flight status." "Even if you take the documents at face value and said that they were authentic, you can tell by one of the memos where it said that he talked to Bush about his flight exam. We obviously interpret that as he was working with his commanders on the very issue as to whether he needed to take it or not. He obviously ended up not taking it because he was not flying," Mr. Bartlett said.
OUCH! That has to hurt. CBS goes down over memos that, if true, actually prove Bush discussed this with his superiors. So now CBS is in the postion of begging us to believe the president. Bwahahahhahaa
#3
Rather is hanging his hat on the testimonial by the secretary. Several things that have come up to discredit her:
1. Killian's son points out that she was primarily the Administrative Assistant to the Unit Commander not to his father the Ops Boss although she did do typing for all the officers in the shop.
2. She is previously quoted as saying that she didn't remember anything specific about paperwork concerning Bush.
3. Usually, CYA paperwork is secret documentation that is kept to document a disagreement with your boss when your boss has overruled you. Having your boss's secretary type up that flavor of CYA paperwork would seem to be a very poor choice.
4. In her conversation with Drudge her animus for all the rich kids is apparent. She seems to lump them together as a group out of which GW is remembered as a polite young man only to be hated for because he is of the wealthy class - yet she remembers typing up all this documentation about this young man that didn't stand out. Her memory seems to have been injected with a heavy dose of whatever Michael Moore is prescribing in his "documentary."
If I were going to question her to ascertain her believability, I would ask her specifically about procedures. Either she is a confidant of generals or she is an Admin Assistant who every one respects and is polite to. For example, Killian's son points out that orders to report for flight exams come from the Officer in Charge of the Medical Unit not the Unit Commander. Asking her to describe that type of procedure would be a valid way of divining to what extent her assertion that Bush violated procedure should be believed.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 16:46 Comments ||
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Posted by: Adam ||
09/16/2004 02:00 ||
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"Clothing is wonderful, but let them go naked for a while, at least the kids," said Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. "Water is necessary, and then generators, and then food, and then clothes."
LOL - she's great fun - for Republicans
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/16/2004 7:55 Comments ||
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#2
She's a looney...
Posted by: jawa ||
09/16/2004 9:08 Comments ||
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Love those bured stories about Lefties. Of course if Laura Bush had said that the MSM would be saying "Ivan WHO? Dan WHO? Laura Bush advocates naked children running in the streets and refuses to send aid fast enough!!!"
Posted by: Chris W. ||
09/16/2004 9:22 Comments ||
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#4
Oh history repeats itself again:
Marie Antoinette: âLet them eat cake.â
Results: Peasants take over France.
Theresa Kerry: âLet them go naked.â
Results: Democrats suffer at pollsâ¦AGAIN!
#5
Translation: Hurricane Teresa visits Hurricane Aid Center. Tells them how to do their job.
And to think she may be our first bitch Lady...
Of course if Laura (who has class) had said it the MSM would be all over it for weeks. And Dan Rather would produce documents proving she avoided combat in Vietnam.
EFL from Ratherbiased.com. Hattip to Neal Bortz. The link includes the full text of an ambush interview that Rather did in 1988 to try to derail George HW Bush's presidential campaign. Evidently the interview was so offensive that Walter Cronkite commented that he would have canned Rather over it. I have included only the intro. The transcript is at the link as well as the video:
The interview lasted approximately nine minutes. Before the interview was a six-minute piece on what Rather thought was Bush's role in Iran-contra. When CBS had requested to do an interview, it asked, "Part of our early coverage of the 1988 presidential election has been a series of candidate profiles produced for 'CBS Evening News.' We purposely saved your profile for last. Dan Rather is very interested in your profile, and has decided to do it himself." Iran-contra did not appear to be the subject. Watch the interview.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 4:32:04 AM ||
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Yes, RaTHer unfair....
Posted by: jawa ||
09/16/2004 9:09 Comments ||
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This portion of the ambush came up on a radio show today:
"BUSH: This is not a great night, because I want to talk about why I want to be president, why those 41 percent of the people are supporting me. And I don't think it's fair...
RATHER: And Mr. Vice President, if these questions are --
BUSH: ...to judge my whole career by a rehash on Iran. How would you like it if I judged your career by those seven minutes when you walked off the set in New York? [Note: Rather actually was in Miami and he was off the set for six minutes. See Bizarre.]
RATHER: Well, Mister...
BUSH: ...Would you like that?
RATHER: Mr. Vice President...
BUSH: I have respect for you, but I don't have respect for what you're doing here tonight."
There is speculation that Rather has held a personal dislike for the Bush family due to the highlighted quote. From my standpoint, I can't see that Rather could have developed any more of an animus than he already had for Reagan's VP - probably the real root of hatred.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 16:28 Comments ||
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Lovey HowellTeresa Heinz Kerry, encouraging volunteers as they busily packed supplies Wednesday for hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean, said she was concerned the effort was too focused on sending clothes instead of essentials like water and electric generators. "Clothing is wonderful, but let them go naked for a while, at least the kids," said Heinz Kerry, the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. "Water is necessary, and then generators, and then food, and then clothes."
"And while they're nekkid, they can eat cake!"
Heinz Kerry stopped by a market in the heart of Brooklyn's Caribbean community, where she spoke French with Haitian vendors and shook hands with volunteers busy packing food, clothes and other relief supplies to be shipped to several Carribean islands hit by Hurricane Ivan. Her husband's campaign donated water, blankets and first aid kits. "I think it's important we help all the kids we can," Heinz Kerry said.
Ivan swept through the Caribbean last week, killing more than 60 people and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr., president of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and coordinator of the market's relief effort, said the visit helped make difficult days a bit brighter. "It's a major boost for us and the community to show we have someone on a national level concerned with what's happening in the Caribbean region," Hastick Sr. said. Supporters gathered on the sidewalk shouted "We love you," and "Good luck" as Heinz Kerry made her way to a waiting car. I know what she was trying to say, but, does she know how this sounds?
Posted by: BigEd / Mark Espinola ||
09/16/2004 1:01:02 AM ||
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Moonbattery from the Head Moonbat. WTFO?
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/16/2004 1:08 Comments ||
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#2
What a team!
We have Senator light weight as Veep.
We have Senator flip-flop as the Pres.
And we have Teresa who gets away from her handlers telling people to run naked in the streets.
Posted by: Douglas De Bono ||
09/16/2004 1:12 Comments ||
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....I'm with Big Ed on this one - for once, she meant well, but still screwed it up.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/16/2004 1:19 Comments ||
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#4
I knew it! I knew it! She is an alien.
I can't imagine a human uttering that stuff.
Well, ok, she may be possessed...
(Granted, on the Drudge pic, she looks like a vampire, but I don't believe in vampires anymore).
#6
He spoke French? Haitians don't speak French. AFAIK they speak creole. Creole is derived from French but both are as mutually incomprehensible as French and Latin or English and Saxon.
If he spoke French then my guess is that the whole thing was staged and the Hatitian vendor was either not Haitian or not just a mere vendor.
#7
You just can't make this shit up, but I'll keep trying:
"Water is necessary, Perrier if you please, and then champagne, and a good manicurist, and then generators, and then a languidly delicious and sensual full-body massage, and then a Rolls-Royce, and then food, and then clothes, if it's the season."
#11
Why, AzCat? She is shallow, incoherent and often vulgar. No reason to expect something different or more of her, just because she had a feeble chance to become a first lady.
#19
I can't get past the image of my almost-4-year old running from the bathroom after getting out of the tub, my wife or I running after him, holding on to his scooby-doo briefs and a T-Shirt. ERIC come back here!
With his presidential campaign faltering, the last thing Sen. John Kerry needs is publicity linking him to a dubious lawsuit filed by one of his top financial backers that seems intended to silence a prominent Iranian pro-democracy organization. But unfortunately for the Democratic presidential nominee, that's what's coming his way.
Posted by: TS(vice girl) ||
09/16/2004 12:33:57 AM ||
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"Now, Mr. Nemazee's lawyers are demanding that the student group's attorneys provide information on communications between Mr. Pirouznia and Bonafsheh Zand-Bonazzi, another prominent Iranian pro-democracy activist, whose ailing, elderly father has spent much of the past year in jail for having the temerity to criticize the regime."
I am not a lawyer but it sounds as if the pro-mullah plaintiff is demanding a court-ordered fishing expedition as a means of extortion against the defendant. Doesn't sound kosher to me.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 3:51 Comments ||
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"...Iran also presents an obvious and especially difficult challenge. Our relations there are burdened by a generation of distrust, by the threat of nuclear proliferation and by reports of al Qaeda forces in that country, including the leadership responsible for the May 13th bombings in Saudi Arabia.
But the Bush administration stubbornly refuses to conduct a realistic, non-confrontational policy with Iran, even where it may be possible, as we witnessed most recently in the British-French-German initiative.
As president, I will be prepared early on to explore areas of mutual interest with Iran, just as I was prepared to normalize relations with Vietnam a decade ago. Iran has long expressed an interest in cooperating against the Afghan drug trade. That is one starting point. And just as we have asked that Iran turn over al Qaeda members who are there, the Iranians have looked to us for help in dealing with Iraq-based terrorists who threaten them. It is incomprehensible and unacceptable that this administration refuses to broker an arrangement with Iran for a mutual crackdown on both terrorist groups."
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 4:07 Comments ||
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#3
Is the mutual interest equation:
We won't confront your nuclear and radical religious "business as usual" and you guys be our friends? Sounds like a deal made in heaven Paris.
Run for your lives, LLL moonbats, the whole shithouse just went up in flames:
Documents allegedly written by a deceased officer that raised questions about President Bush's service with the Texas Air National Guard bore markings showing they had been faxed to CBS News from a Kinko's copy shop in Abilene, Tex., according to another former Guard officer who was shown the records by the network. The markings provide one piece of evidence suggesting a source for the documents, whose authenticity has been hotly disputed since CBS aired them in a "60 Minutes" broadcast Sept. 8. The network has declined to name the person who provided them, saying the source was confidential, or to explain how the documents came to light after more than three decades. There is only one Kinko's in Abilene, and it is 21 miles from the Baird, Tex., home of retired Texas National Guard officer Bill Burkett, who has been named by several news outlets as a possible source for the documents. *snip sanitized rehash of Burkett's looney career. At this point, we only have the word of the retired Guard officer who was shown the docs just before the broadcast, but it should be simple to verify the transmission from Kinko's fax logs.
See also: Rather now has doubts.....
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy ||
09/16/2004 12:32:02 AM ||
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*sound of impact*
Question for our members versed in such things: Can LTC Killian's family sue or charge Burkett if it is indeed determined that he made this stuff up?
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
09/16/2004 0:36 Comments ||
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There is also the Kinko's security camera (if they have one). Smile Mr Burkett.
#3
Since deliberate fraud is culpable, the family would seem to be able to recover for the mental anguish and inconvenience caused by having to deal with these charges.
There is still the question of whether the source could be charged with forging a military document, a criminal offense.
That these were putatively intended for Killian's personal files may not be a defense since they were supposedly made on military time and are relevant to military business, including, but not limited to, the selection of the Commander in Chief.
#4
Ya' know, I never really expected, or dared to hope, that we would have a "Hitler suicide" moment in the struggle against the authoritarian-left media, but this could well be it.
It isn't just the MSM that is going down over this, it is the entire left-activist cultural empire.
Their 40 year reign of cultural terror is coming to a dramatic and supremely satisfying end.
I swore 30 years ago that I would live to see the treasonous media bastards pay for their betrayal. Praise Heaven and the blogosphere, it has come to pass.
The dead of Tet and An Loc and Khe Sanh and a thousand other places are avenged and they can rest in peace.
#6
Actually if they turn out ot be "genuine" then Burkett is chargeable under several violations of privacy laws and the USAF Regualtions regarding retention of personal files past the departure of the AF Person subject of those files.
In other words, if they were bad docs, Burket is hosed for fabricating them and perpetrating a libelous fraud. If they are genuine then he violated a lot of laws and UASF regs, and will come under severe penalty.
Either way it goes, if he is the one, then he is screwed.
#7
LTC Killian's will have to wait in line. This is a deliberate attempt to influence a federal election. Now granted no one seems to pay much attention to election laws in this country, but whoever put this one together needs to be put away and for a lot longer than Martha Stewart.
Posted by: Douglas De Bono ||
09/16/2004 1:14 Comments ||
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One addition, Burkett has an active "standing account" at that Kinos and the clerk contacted there remembers him being in Tuesday of last week.
Starting to see the smoke, just waiting for enough of it to clear to see the barrel of the gun.
#10
There is one discrepancy, CBS claimed that they were sitting on it for some weeks. May have been a device to add more "credibility".
If Burkett as a source of forgeries is confirmed with the timeline that the Kinko trail seems to suggest, then CBS ought to change its name to C-BS, mandatory, or the FCC license should be revoked.
ROPMA dictates an O-5 officer Mandatory Separation Date as the first day of the month after the month in which the officer completes 28 years of commissioned
#12
For 9 months now our President has been beaten to death with bullshit, Enviro, School, Health care (God help us), National Guard, Hitler, Liar, Cheater,.......
This man has done more for our country than the last 10 presidents. Including FDR.
My lord warned me of such creatures.
I say LOCK&LOAD!! Sheethead and Commie Pinko season started early!!
#13
Lex, the obvious motive was to put Kerry in the White House. Beyond that, there is no solid connection. The American Spectator said that an inside source at the DNC had claimed that the DNC had the docs in hand for several weeks wondering what to do about them, then passed them along to CBS. That could still turn out to be the case, since we don't know that they were faxed directly to CBS from Kinko's.
#14
Long Hair Republican, next time you will be saying he has done more for America than Ronald Reagan (who must be part of those last ten presidents) and more for the GOP than Abraham Lincoln.
#23
Been following this and loving every minute of it in between new classes.
Check and mate, you leftist bastards.
BTW, Michael Moore's going to be speaking in my area in a few weeks. I'm thinking of going with a few of my friends and asking him some nasty questions . . . send me any suggestions you might have, and I'd be happy to post a synopsis afterwards.
Posted by: The Doctor ||
09/16/2004 11:16 Comments ||
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#24
All the best conspiracies have cut-outs, Shipman. It's de rigeur...
#26
LGF has an excerpt from KMC Live (news media?) who has talked to someone at Kinko's. They stated Burkett has a "standing account" there and has been in as recently as last week. It just gets more and more entertaining every day!
Posted by: Dar ||
09/16/2004 13:45 Comments ||
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#27
Under US law, it is not possible to libel a dead person.
Posted by: Steven Den Beste ||
09/16/2004 14:03 Comments ||
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#30
Phone records. Do they know when that "document" was faxed? All that has to be done is pull the Abilene Kinko's phone records to verify. A number on the record that points to a connection at CBS HQ would be "Rather" incriminating....
#31
The estate CAN sue and for any number of torts.
True, but the ability of the estate to do so is generally a statutory result (through a Survival of Actions law) and is in derogation of the common law, is state specific, and I cannot think of a case where the estate was permitted to sue for damages presently being done to the reputation of a now dead person (as distinguished from the reputation, say, of the personal representative of the estate). Said less technically, the dead cannot be defamed.
HOWEVER, the family of this man probably can sue for a number of other torts, like:
EXTREME AND OUTRAGEOUS CONDUCT â EMOTIONAL DISTRESS: Extreme and outrageous conduct is conduct that is so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, that a reasonable member of the community would regard the conduct as atrocious, going beyond all possible bounds of decency and utterly intolerable in a civilized community. Such outrageous conduct occurs when knowledge of all the facts by a reasonable member of the community would arouse that personâs resentment against the defendant, and lead that person to conclude that the conduct was extreme and outrageous. (Colorado Jury Instruction 23:2)
#34
In the sound bites I heard from Rather last night, Dan portrays the authenticity of the memos as still only "disputed" not wholly discreditted. I still think that a call to the post master to verify whether the PO box on the memos is valid is justified. If the PO Box doesn't exist or was not used by the Texas Guard, then the documents are demonstrably forged. Contacting the post master is an endrun that would be very difficult to block and would result in a decisive victory.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/16/2004 16:15 Comments ||
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#35
Anyone think of sending something to PO Boxes with a return recipt and seeing who picks up the mail?
#36
As I said earlier, I think lawsuits in general in this sort of case are a bad idea.
Rather has lied, he's been caught, we were lucky he tried something really stupid this time, and he's badly damaged his credibility, CBS's credibility, and to a lesser extent, the credibility of other press organizations.
Bush appears to be gaining in the polls throughout this whole situation. I doubt suing is necessary, and think it would not be helpful, if it gave the appearance of Those Nasty Rethuglicans Trying To Supress The Truth Again.
CBS has made fools of themselves. We should let them continue to do so.
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
09/16/2004 18:24 Comments ||
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#37
(Argh; I should have written: "...if it gave the appearance that those nasty rethuglicans are trying to suppress the truth again...")
Anyway, I do think that there is one group who might both have a strong case in a lawsuit, and for whom a lawsuit might be a good idea: CBS's stockholders.
Or maybe it would be a better idea if everyone just shorted the stock.
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
09/16/2004 18:32 Comments ||
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Edited for the conclusion
Mr. Rather and his CBS bosses are sticking to their story, despite the growing evidence on the other side, leaving unanswered the biggest question of all: Who perpetrated this apparent fraud on CBS and the American voters? As journalists who sometimes go out on a limb ourselves, we'd have thought Mr. Rather's first recourse would not be to get mad but instead to double- and triple-check his sources. That Mr. Rather isn't disclosing those sources, despite the damage to his reputation, raises the possibility that they are connected to the Democratic Party or the Kerry campaign. If that is true, then Mr. Rather would be revealed not just as a dupe, but also as the willing vehicle for a political dirty trick.
In any case, there's no question that CBS is feeling the heat--and that it felt it far more quickly and intensely than it would have 20 years ago. None of this is to suggest that the liberal media are dead, much less that conservatives now dominate the press corps. The traditional media remain important if diminished; liberals are trying to make inroads into talk radio (Air America) and cable news (Al Gore's prospective network), and there is no shortage of left-wing bloggers. All of which is to the good. The Rather episode shows that a competitive media marketplace serves the cause of truth, and does so with impressive speed. It also reminds us of the dangers of arrogance and complacency--temptations from which none of us, regardless of ideology, are immune.
Posted by: badanov ||
09/16/2004 12:17:52 AM ||
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Looking now like it was Burkett in Texas for the source of the documents.
#3
I would attribute it to malice, but attribute its failure to stupidity.
Posted by: Phil Fraering ||
09/16/2004 0:52 Comments ||
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#4
From what I have heard, Burkett has suffered a nervous breakdown, and either encephilitis, or some other tropical disease he picked up in Panama. He may not be in his right mind.
Posted by: Ben ||
09/16/2004 6:36 Comments ||
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#5
Ben, yes, he has the best qualifications for a wonderful scapegoat.
Posted by: jawa ||
09/16/2004 9:10 Comments ||
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#7
not just cBS but the entire MSM. It's called "goodwill". They chucked the generally accepted belief that what they wrote could be trusted as being factual, albeit biased. NYT, LAT, WAPO, CNN, BBC, NPR now have equal status with respectable bloggers in pjs.
#8
Funny thing is that Dan Rather still acts as though people still believe him. He had a belief that something was wrong with Bush serving in the guard. Unfortunately (for Dan) after many investigations the sum results is a great big goose egg. All the OFFICIAL documents support that Lt. Bush trained, drilled, and was HONORABLY discharged without any incidents. Now we are supposed to look at Kerryâs OFFICIAL record and accept them (nothing detrimental there), but Bushâs records are supposedly sanitized, changed, forged, and incomplete. Now all of a sudden they unearth some silver bullets that confirm all the LLL myths concerning Bushâs service in the Guard. I was in the military and let me tell you that these âmemosâ were not the way a Commander did business. Commanders DO NOT keep secret files or memos about personnel. First off it is ILLEGAL to keep a secret file on ANY subordinate or anyone else for that matter. Second, Commanders donât initial official memorandums, they are signed (with the official signature block) . And official âWritten Orderâ would have been signed by both the Commander and Lt Bush. Otherwise how do you know that the Commander did make Lt Bush aware of the order? Killian son alluded to this fact when he was interviewed. Clearly these âmemoâ were written by some who thinks they know something about military correspondence. Dan was given veggie burger that looked like red meat, I hope he chokes on it! P.S. I hope the Killian family sues CBS for attempting to portray Col Killian as a tool of politicians.
#10
Anonymous 4021, I wouldn't say nothing, but I think it's just one more fairly large drip in a steady drip, drip that is eroding MSM.
In this instance, the effect may be more internal than external and thus less apparent. Heart rates at Viacom have to have increased as they considered downside scenarios of what Gunga Dan could be geting them into. Viacom's in this to make money and GD doesn't. Sumner Redstone doesn't want to hear about Congressional investigations, especially as Congress has a BIG hand in how profitable Viacom's very profitable cable business is. I'll bet the leash tightens on most news organizations as a result.
Posted by: Mrs. Davis ||
09/16/2004 11:27 Comments ||
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#11
As Dan "crafted" his questions toward desired responses last night with Killians 86 year old secretery, I could only view her comments as if they were coming from some lady you might find pulling the nickle slots at some casino in Atlantic city. She is probobly a niceold lady, but Dan has tied his credibility to her memory from 35 years ago... Sorry Dan. You can not be believed.
#12
Viacom has been extremely hurt by this. "Goodwill" can be given an actual dollar value and the price of CBS' just bottomed out. Considering that the MSM is bleeding revenues and has been for some time, the spectacular loss of "believablity" by the legacy media - combined with changes in technology changing how information is distributed - they can't EVER get back what they just lost. It's gone in one spectacular act of sabotage - poof!
It's a MAJOR loss, it goes in the "loss column" and attempts to rebuild it will be met with skepticism, increased risk and massive competition from the new media, who can do it cheaper and better.
60 Minutes and Dan Rather are dead. In his act of suicide, he took a big chunk of Viacom's stock down with him. Only question now is will Viacom cut their losses and move to newer and more profitable ventures, or will they keep putting new bells and whistles on the buggy and try to convince us why it's so much better than those new fangled auto-machines.
#13
Dan isn't dead and neither is the Left's hold on the media. We fought the Cold War and defeated the Soviets only to turn on our TV's or go to a schoolboard meeting and realize that Communism-lite is alive and well. Whatever fuels the Communist/Socialist will to power is more like Bela Lugosi in the original Dracula movie. Sure you put a stake in his heart, but he comes back in the same or some other form in a thousand new movies. We need to realize that we need Van Helsings and lots of them. We can't turn our eyes away from evil, be it Islamofacism, Communism or whatever the next coming attraction.
#14
What 2B said. Redstone's a money guy. The only real value in the CBS News asset is the snob value of the prestigious logo and its legacy. Which are now seriously diminished. I think it's not unlikely that the wall streeters are now being told to run their valuation models and call their contacts in order to put a price tag on the CBS asset. Who knows, maybe Soros would make a play if the price is low enough.
#15
This could be the final straw that tips the Viacom camel fully into the cable/radio business. You could make a good shareholder value argument that now's a good time to put CBS on the block. Before it loses ninety percent of its market value.
#16
It was only a matter of time before CBS would self destruct. If they really thought that millions of educated Americans bought their BS it explains their stupidity. I think they really thought there sophmiric style of journalism worked. Fortunetly the News caring public doesn't settle for BS. But you can't really blame Dan, because all his friends sing the same tune. It just became his reality. As it turns out the King has no clothes on afterall.
I am a student of international affairs and a political news junkie. I have a pretty good idea of what's going on in the world, so it's not me I'm worried about.
It's the American voter.
They're getting snookered. They're being misled — again. They're being told that things are getting better in Iraq, when clearly they are getting worse. They're being told we're going after "terrorists" in Iraq, when in fact we have created their largest and most successful recruiting office. They're being told there will soon be elections in Afghanistan, yet not being told that the Bush administration is failing to get the international community to fulfill its promises to protect the polling places. They're still being told that there was a connection between Osama Bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, Saddam Hussein, and Sept. 11, when there is no credible evidence to back up that claim. They are being told that resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is a high priority for the Bush administration, when it has been on a distant back burner for many months. And they are still being told that if we "stay the course", freedom and democracy will magically start springing up all over the Middle East, when the truth is that America is so disrespected in that neighborhood that anything we touch is destined to go sour.
Senator, I don't care what you did or did not do thirty-five years ago, and I don't give a hoot if Lt. Bush never showed up for National Guard service. All of that are ancient history and a huge and dangerous distraction for those who will cast their ballots in November.
I know the "average" American voter can't afford to spend hours and weeks studying the issues.
For better or worse, about all a politician can try to do is to get their attention. And, like it or not, that means using the fewest possible words to talk to the voters in a way that is direct, honest and, most important of all, unambiguous. Enough nuance: The voters aren't getting it!
I know you're in a tough spot, having voted to give the president the authority to take us to war. And then saying you would have done it again if you knew then what you know now. You've made your job tougher still by saying you're going to "internationalize" our effort in Iraq, when you must know that there is not the remotest chance this will happen.
What the American voter needs to know is what you would do now, in Iraq and elsewhere, and exactly your plan to get us out of the mess Bush got us into.
No one else can do this job. You wanted to be the candidate, and now you're there. You are running in the most consequential election since the Great Depression. How it comes out will decide the direction of the United States for generations to come. Only you are in a position to influence the result.
You and your advisors need to figure out how to do that and how to do it now. Because it will soon be too late.
William Fisher has managed economic development programs in the Middle East for the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development, and served in the international affairs area in the Kennedy administration.
NEW MOVEON.ORG AD SHOWS U.S. SOLDIER IN 'SURRENDER' POSITION
NARRATOR: "George Bush misled us into war with Iraq, sending poorly equipped soldiers into battle. He said 'Mission Accomplished,' yet almost every day more soldiers die."
CHYRON: "Over 1,000 U.S. Soldiers Killed"
NARRATOR: "Going it alone, George Bush has spent $150 billion dollars, money we need for schools and health care."
CHYRON: "$150 Billion"
NARRATOR: "Now, facing a growing insurgency, he has no real plan to end the war. George Bush got us into this quagmire. It will take a new president to get us out. MoveOn PAC is responsible for the content of this advertisement."
CHYRON: "Quagmire;" MoveOn PAC Disclaimer
Funny how the shadow of the soldier shows nothing but torso and head, no arms. Trying to portray US soldiers this way tends to irk Americans.
#3
If Kerry doesn't disavow these fools, and Mikey along with em, then the implosion of the Democratic Party will not be far off. Back to the pre-DLC McGovern era.
#5
I think this is more likely a picture of a US soldier showing some captured people what to do. Although not real common, this posture is used to show enemy combatants what to do. Moveon is seriously distorting what is happening.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
09/16/2004 17:13 Comments ||
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#6
That is an infrantry signal for "enemy in sight" as I recall.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a former general, may win Indonesia's presidential election on Monday on pledges to fight terrorism, cut corruption, and create jobs. Yudhoyono, who pushed President Megawati Soekarnoputri into second place in the first round of voting in July, increased his lead to about 29 percentage points, according to the latest opinion polls, published as the two candidates entered the final day of a three-day formal campaign.
Yudhoyono, 55, is seen as tougher on terrorism in a country where three high-profile car bomb attacks -- the latest last week -- killed more than 220 people in two years. Megawati, 57, who brought economic stability in her three-year term, is criticized for failing to reform the legal system and stem corruption, steps needed to woo investors and create jobs for 40 million unemployed. ``Megawati has been asleep at the switch,'' said Robert Appleby, chief investment officer at ADM Capital in Hong Kong, which has $1.2 billion invested in Indonesian and other Asian debt. ``Indonesia needs a leader with a firm hand.''
In a poll by Lembaga Survey Indonesia, carried out after last week's bomb in Jakarta, Yudhoyono is leading Megawati with 61.3 percent to 32.7 percent. The survey of 1,200 respondents in 32 provinces has a 3 percent margin of error. In a survey between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9 -- the day of the bombing -- by the Washington-based International Foundation for Election Systems, Yudhoyono is leading Megawati by 61.2 percent to 29.3 percent. The poll of 2,000 respondents in 32 provinces has a 2.2 percent margin of error.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
09/16/2004 3:02:38 AM ||
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A gang of armed men opened fire indiscriminately on five police officers near the Johannesburg International Airport, seriously injuring one officer. According to police, the officers were conducting "special crime prevention duties" near the airport on Wednesday night when they were attacked. North Rand police spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman said the drama began when the officers came across a suspicious looking man walking near the C gate on the airport outer perimeter. "The officers confronted the man, searched him and were just about to take him to the police station when five men driving in an old blue Toyota opened fire with an AK-47 at the police officers, who returned fire," he said.
Beginning of NCAA dhimmitude?
A University of South Florida women's basketball player who wanted to wear Islamic clothing on the court quit the team on Wednesday. Last week, USF had asked the NCAA for an exemption to its uniform policy to allow Muslim convert Andrea Armstrong, 22, to wear long pants, a top with long sleeves and a scarf during games.
... and curly-toed basketball shoes...
In a letter Wednesday to coach Jose Fernandez, Armstrong said she was leaving the team because she didn't want the uniform issue "to cause further distraction." Armstrong first said last week that she had left the team and lost her athletic scholarship after Fernandez told her she could not wear religiously mandated clothing during practices or games.
"How the hell y'gonna shoot baskets with a veil, fergawdsake?"
In a meeting Friday with Armstrong, university officials and a representative of Council on American-Islamic Relations, officials agreed that the team would accommodate her Islamic attire and reinstate her scholarship. The university also agreed to work with the NCAA on the scarf issue. Appeasement Central
But Fernandez said Armstrong requested a meeting with him Wednesday and left the team. "I offered her an opportunity to think further on her decision, and she assured me the decision is final," Fernandez said. Armstrong, a senior forward from Lakeside, Ore., played one season with the Bulls after transferring from Kansas State University. CAIR spokesman Ahmed Bedier said Armstrong had not been prepared for the onslaught of attention, including hate messages, that she received. "She wanted to put her team first, after her faith, and she didn't want to be the center of the controversy," he said.
Actually tried to shoot baskets with a headscarf on, did she?
Religion and sports have intersected elsewhere. At Towson University in Maryland, star player Tamir Goodman, an Orthodox Jew, wore a yarmulke on the court and did not play on the Jewish Sabbath. At the Olympics in Greece, several female athletes wore head scarves.
We were all impressed by the Bahrain water ski team...
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/16/2004 12:51:41 PM ||
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#2
Has she gone along with the Islamic opinions on women drivers as well?
I'd be curious how the Islamic clothes affect her game. Its very possible that she never would have made the team in the first place if she'd worn the clothes before she got the scholarship.
#6
Riddle me this-how does a person concentrate on her game when all the while in the back of her head she is wondering if too much of her forearm is showing. Some women are their own worst enemies.
#8
"She wanted to put her team first, after her faith, and she didnât want to be the center of the controversy," he said.
Bullshit. If the team came first, Armstrong (or whatever her name is now) either wouldn't have brought it up in the first place, or simply quit outright without asking, to avoid the possibility of the issue being publicized. She did neither, which tells me that Mr Bedier is full of crap.
#9
A women's b'ball team called the "Bulls"? And Gertrude told me you couldn't play baseball with two mitts....
Posted by: Alice B Toklas ||
09/16/2004 16:42 Comments ||
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#10
Somebody ought to ask the Muslim chick if it has EVER dawned on ANY Muslim, ANY time, within the last 1400 years that perhaps, JUST perhaps, it's now time for Muslims to make an accomodation with Western Civilization?
Posted by: Mark Z. ||
09/16/2004 17:54 Comments ||
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#12
Another smart person surrenders their intellect and full potential in exchange for mere orderliness and formality masquerading as a religion.
Remember kids, even smart people if they are desparate enough will do any stupid thing that promises a quick fix to solve their problems.
Let me see, she probably admires islam because it has an answer for everything and a rule for everything that you do. I'll bet she also sees that the world would be a much better place if everybody just realized that we just need to surrender our liberty and then all the messiness of human life as we know it would just disappear.
Something like that. We'll never be rid of utopians nor crazy schemes and causes designed to make the world perfectly orderly but also stagnant and uncreative and obsessed with mass obdience over individual conscience and the death of art and the forcing underground of all kinds of nasty nasty criminal practices etc etc.
But hey at least on the surface everything in islamatopia will look great!
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Vs.
