Who Murdered 7-year-old Somer Thompson

Another little girl abducted and then murdered. When will we get outraged that this continues to happen.
in reference to:

""Detectives searching for a 7-year-old's killer have interviewed more than 100 sex offenders living nearby, sifted through tons of garbage and combed the well-kept neighborhood where Somer Thompson disappeared.Missing child posters featuring the slain girl's face, framed by her thick brown bangs, still plaster nearly every utility pole along the mile-long route from her elementary school to her suburban Jacksonville home."

World's Most Expensive Embassy in Baghdad Needs $130M of Repairs

This one of Bush's most obscene non-achievements. It was intended for the permanent occupation of Iraq. But like everything done by the previous administration, it was a fiasco.

in reference to:

"It is the world’s most expensive embassy, costing more than $700 million and designed to withstand earthquakes and insurgents. Yet only nine months after being opened, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq is riddled with problems expected to cost more than $130 million to fix.

Nobody praised its architecture when it was inaugurated in January — think Milton Keynes on the Moon. The cube-like structure, topped with razor wire, is the size of Vatican City and features a supermarket and swimming pool. But the 2,000 or so Americans moving in believed, at least, that it would keep them safe and comfortable.

Not so. A report by a U.S. Government inspector-general yesterday pointed to staggering State Department incompetence. The structure, measuring more than 100 acres, and supposedly self- sufficient, is facing an enormous repair bill. Plumbing mistakes, for example, mean that the deputy ambassador has sewage-scented air blown into his residence."
- World's Most Expensive Embassy in Baghdad Needs $130M of Repairs - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Saudi female journalist gets 60 lashes for TV show

Is it any wonder this country is the home of 9-11?

in reference to:

"A Saudi lawyer says a female journalist has been sentenced to 60 lashes for her involvement in a TV show in which a Saudi man publicly talked about sex.
Rozanna al-Yami is believed to be the first Saudi woman journalist to be given such a punishment. The charges against her include involvement in the preparation of the program and advertising the segment on the Internet."
- Saudi female journalist gets 60 lashes for TV show - Yahoo! News (view on Google Sidewiki)

- Related Link:
Saudi Man Jailed for Sex Talk on TV

FOXNews, O'Reilly Transcript (10-22-09): Rove Accuses Obama of "Winging it All the Time"

Read the complete transcript of Bill O'Reilly's interview of Karl Rove. Rove responds to Gibbs criticism of Cheney criticism of the White House:

O'REILLY: The other -- you may be right. It's impossible to know that, but the other alternative would be that President Obama is just not up to making these kinds of decisions. He just can't make them for some reason. Is that possible?

ROVE: Well, it could be, but he made a very good decision on March 27th. I went back and reread that speech. It's available at the White House website. It's a pretty good speech. He makes a very specific case as to why we cannot allow a failed state to re-emerge in Afghanistan. Why support of the effort to defeat the Taliban in al Qaeda is absolutely essential. And America's security interests are bound up in it.

So you would think that he would then follow logically on with making the tactical decision to deploy the additional troops his commander says are necessary to achieve those...

O'REILLY: Well, he will. He will. It's a matter of when.

ROVE: But these guys are winging on. You know, I wrote a column earlier this year saying this White House wings it all the time.

Poll: US belief in global warming is cooling

We can thank FOXNews, the recession, and a campaign of disinformation for these numbers. The evidence of global warming is growing. Only ignorance and sinister corporate interests would account for conclusions.

in reference to:

"Just 57 percent think there is solid evidence the world is getting warmer, down 20 points in just three years, a new poll says. And the share of people who believe pollution caused by humans is causing temperatures to rise has also taken a dip, even as the U.S. and world forums gear up for possible action against climate change."
- Poll: US belief in global warming is cooling  | ajc.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Man shot on New Brunswick street after asking for cigarette

This is the kind of jungle created by dysfunctional individuals walking around with guns. And to think they want to allow people to walk into bars with loaded guns - legally. The worst of all worlds.

in reference to:

"A 56-year-old man told New Brunswick police he stopped another man on a city street to ask for a cigarette, but instead the man shot him."
- Man shot on New Brunswick street after asking for cigarette | New Jersey Real-Time News - - NJ.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

'Another Pre-Existing Condition: Rape'

Christina Turner feared that she might have been sexually assaulted after two men slipped her a knockout drug. She thought she was taking proper precautions when her doctor prescribed a month's worth of anti-AIDS medicine.

Only later did she learn that she had made herself all but uninsurable.
- source: http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/E1-DO7UtkKs/-Another-Pre-Existing-Condition:-Rape

Key House Committee Votes to Create Consumer Agency

Lets hope it doesn't end up being another SEC. Which did nothing to prevent the fraud on Wall St. that gives us the likes of Bernie Madoff.

in reference to:

"A key House panel voted Thursday to create a new federal agency to police financial products offered to U.S. consumers, advancing a key part of the White House's proposed overhaul of financial rules.
The House Financial Services Committee voted 39 to 29 to create the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, which would have broad reach to examine and punish companies ranging from one-room payday loan stores to huge banks like Bank of America Corp.
Lawmakers made several significant changes to the White House's original proposal during a week of debate, particularly in response to intense lobbying from business groups. For example, they voted overwhelmingly to exempt automobile dealerships from any scrutiny by the new agency, a major win for dealerships that rake in high fees from auto financing. That change may not make it into any final version of the legislation."
- Key House Committee Votes to Create Consumer Agency - WSJ.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Clinton cites nuke worry; panel fears bio attack

We've already been attacked by biological weapons. The Anthrax attacks were carried out by al Qaeda. The problem is that the clueless FBI hasn't realized it yet. Which increases the likelihood that it will happen again. But this time it might kill hundreds, if not thousands, rather than the handful that died right after September 11th.

in reference to:

"Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday warned of dire consequences from the spread of nuclear weapons, while a special U.S. panel asserted that the more worrisome and urgent threat is terrorists attacking the United States or its allies with biological weapons."
- My Way News - Clinton cites nuke worry; panel fears bio attack (view on Google Sidewiki)

Kidman: Hollywood probably contributes to violence

Finally someone in Hollywood admits that the industry is a cesspool. The film and entertainment industry are prime culprit in the amount violence we face in our society. Whatever happened to social conservatives on this topic. They used to be outspoken.

in reference to:

"Nicole Kidman conceded Wednesday that Hollywood has probably contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak sex objects.
The Oscar-winning actress said she is not interested in those kinds of demeaning roles, adding that the movie industry also has made an effort to contribute to solutions for ending the violence.
Kidman testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that is considering legislation to address violence against women overseas through humanitarian relief efforts and grants to local organizations working on the problem.
Asked by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., if the movie industry has "played a bad role," Kidman said "probably," but quickly added that she herself doesn't."
- My Way News - Kidman: Hollywood probably contributes to violence (view on Google Sidewiki)

Cheney accuses Obama of 'libel' against CIA interrogators

I bet Cheney doesn't sue. Or anyone else, for that matter. Because then the true would come out. And the torturers, and their supporters, will look pretty bad. If I were Cheney I would keep my mouth shut. All he does bring attention to his miserable administration. And I'm sure Republicans want Cheney to disappear.

in reference to:

"Cheney accuses Obama of 'libel' against CIA interrogators"
- Cheney accuses Obama of 'libel' against CIA interrogators - The Back Story - Washington Times (view on Google Sidewiki)

New Unemployment Claims Rise More Than Expected to 531,000

This might not be happening if this government concerned itself with job creation directly. Rather than supporting the trickle down theory of economics. Which believes that stuffing the faces of the rich that what ever falls off the table will go to the rest of us. If something isn't done soon the Congress and President will have to deal with an angry American people. Whom are seeing their tax dollars going to propping up the very same people that brought near disaster to the economy, causing the losses of millions of jobs.

in reference to:

"The number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week,
after falling in five of the past six weeks, as employers remain reluctant to hire even with the economy showing signs of
recovery.The Labor Department said Thursday that new jobless claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 531,000 last week,
from an upwardly revised 520,000 the previous week. Wall Street economists had expected only a slight increase, according
to Thomson Reuters."
- New Unemployment Claims Rise More Than Expected to 531,000 - Political News - FOXNews.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Gov't will Cut Executive Pay at Bailed Out Companies

This shouldn't have gotten to this point in the first place. The emphasis should have been on getting the money back with interest. If these banks and firms want to pay themselves ridiculous salaries go ahead. As long as we get repaid. But this government, is the pawn of big business. They will do that which is best for Wall St., not Main St.

in reference to:

"The White House's executive pay czar, Kenneth Feinberg, is expected to announce executive pay cuts at seven of the largest companies receiving significant federal bailout money – cuts that would slash top salaries by 90 percent, reports CBS News"
- TARP Watchdog: Execs Can't "Party on Like It's 2007" - Econwatch - CBS News (view on Google Sidewiki)

ABC Video: Exercise Makes you Smarter

Up to 10 percent. Right after the exericse. And doesn't require running a marathon. Moderate to vigorous.

in reference to: Raising Your IQ on the Treadmill - ABC News (view on Google Sidewiki)

Experts Worry as Population and Hunger Grow

This is the price of globalism. International capitalism had an orgy and left out the great vast population. Now that this system has nearly collapsed, the poorest in the world now suffer even more. This issue isn't overpopulation. The ultimate solution is education. The immediate solution is investment in these countries. That was supposed to be what the World Bank was for. Investment should create industries that provide jobs. Those industries should then have markets, thus leading to trade. None of that is being done other than in China, and a few others.

in reference to:

"Experts Worry as Population and Hunger Grow"
- Food Experts Worry as World Population and Hunger Grow - NYTimes.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Video: Dylan Ratigan: Big Banks Using Our Money to Pay Themselves Large Bonuses

Dylan Ratigan is one of the very few media personalities denouncing the looting profiteering going on with Wall St. This video shows how. You can watch Ratigan every weekday at 9am on MSNBC.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

World failing to dent heroin trade, U.N. warns

And it's only going to get worse. It price to pay for a failed war in Afghanistan because all these years were spent fighting in Iraq. Now it's too late to stem the tide. So not only do we have to worry about Jihadist terrrorism but also narcotrafficking. This means before too long drug wars will be breaking out just as in Mexico, and just as in happened in America in the 1980s. And no one in this country is addressing this. No one.

in reference to:

"World failing to dent heroin trade, U.N. warns"
- World failing to dent heroin trade, U.N. warns - CNN.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Woman recants story of West Virginia abuse

The system failed again. If true, innocent went to jail. But what about the press? Why didn't they ask questions? Are were they convicted by the press? And why did these people plead guilty? Were they coerced? This is the Duke case all over again. And again it was white people falsely accused. The press is quick to believe false allegations. The converse has been also true as well. This is example of a failed criminal justice system that does not work. It is also a product of racial division, and people willing believe that racial violence occurred even when its made up. We should be more skeptical and ask questions next time someone cries wolfe.

in reference to:

"A 22-year-old woman whose claims that she was abused in a trailer in rural West Virginia in 2007 helped send six people to prison now says she made up the story, her lawyer said Wednesday."
- Woman recants story of West Virginia abuse - CNN.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Keith Olbermann 'Countdown' Transcript (10-20-09)

Complete transcript. Excerpt below:

SEN. HARRY REID (D), MAJORITY LEADER: We are learning toward talking about a public option.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OLBERMANN: Why the endless pussyfooting around? Our guest: Congressman Anthony Weiner.

Medical bankruptcy: We`re going to let people go broke trying to save their children from things like cystic fibrosis. At least we can make it easier for them to file for bankruptcy to save families, like the Burns, who are getting 60 collection calls a day in the E.R. because they could not go bankrupt past enough.

We`re joined by the chairman of the Senate subcommittee on administrative oversight, Sheldon Whitehouse -- to whom Elizabeth Edwards also testified.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, JOHN EDWARD`S WIFE: I sit in a chemotherapy chair once every few weeks and listen to people wondering how they`re going to pay for the kinds of care that they -- that they need in order to stay alive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OLBERMANN: The White House versus the evil empire: Now, two fronts are open. Press Secretary Gibbs on how FOX noise differs from news networks. "You and I should watch sometime around 9:00 tonight or 5:00 in the afternoon."

But the less obvious influence of FOX`s opinion shows has side doors through which to push phony news stories onto their supposed non-opinion shows and then into the real news media. Like, all the TV networks get together to do special theme weekend dramas and sitcoms on volunteering. Or, as Lonesome Roads put it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GLENN BECK, FOX NEWS HOST: It`s almost like we`re living in Mao`s China right now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

OLBERMANN: Uh-huh?

And the reality show Richard Heene was publicity-stunting in hopes of getting, he had already written a theme song.

(MUSIC)

OLBERMANN: Michael Musto on the American family Heene.

All that and more -- now on COUNTDOWN.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is fantastic!

(END AUDIO CLIP)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OLBERMANN: Good evening from New York.

The day after a new poll confirmed not only that do most Americans want a public option, but that most Americans want a public option even if not a single Republican would vote for it.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is asked about the public option -- and in our fifth story tonight: He gets cute about it while Americans are going bankrupt, dying.

But first, the new poll as Reid, Senators Chris Dodd and Max Baucus continued to hash out with the White House whether the Senate`s final health care bill will or will not include the public option. A new "Washington Post"/ABC News poll echoes the findings of an earlier one from Daily Kos/Research 2000 that we had discussed on this news hour, namely, Americans want a public option. Fifty-seven percent, more than elected Mr. Obama, want a public option; 36 percent, more than one out of three Americans, strongly want the public option.

Support up five points since the Republicans went on a town hall rampage against the public option on August. The numbers strongly opposed is down four points.

And bad news from Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, to whom Mr. Obama and Mr. Reid have granted considerable say in this process in hopes of winning her vote, despite her opposition along with every other Republican to the public option -- most Americans would rather have a public option than Senator Snowe`s vote for a plan without a public option. Fifty-one percent preferring a totally partisan, Democratic-only bill; only 37 percent of the country is saying, no sacrifice the public option to win some kind of bipartisan support.

And to all those who treat as axiomatic, the notion that Americans consider health care reform too much government, this wake up call, only 42 percent of the country thinks it`s too much. Fifty-five percent, the clear majority, say it is just right or not enough.

Nevertheless, when Mr. Reid was asked today whether talks are leaning toward a public option, he first joked that they are leaning about a public option -- whatever that was supposed to mean -- and then that they are leaning toward talking about it.

Rachel Maddow Show Transcript (10-20-09)

Complete transcript. Excerpt below:

MADDOW: Is what we`re witnessing in this one race in Upstate New York -- is it the tea party movement flexing its electoral muscles? Is that how we should see this?

WEIGEL: It absolutely is. The Dick Armey-Newt Gingrich split, I think, it`s the most telling thing about this race. Dick Armey has been aligned with the tea party movement since the inception, since they split - - since conservatives reject the Republicans who voted for TARP.

And I -- "The Weekly Standard`s" role is the most interesting part to me, though, because this is a magazine that nine years ago was backing John McCain for president as a sort of center-left challenge to the Republican Party. Now, they are backing the third party, the conservative candidate, and it`s in alignment with the tea party movement. They`re saying that the Republican Party must not be allowed to come back to power with moderate candidate. They must -- if they come back to power, be pure candidates approved with Dick Armey`s rubber stamp and with the right statements on card check and ACORN and all the other litmus tests that have been created over this last year.

MADDOW: What are the forces that are weighing in against the Republican Party from the right here? There`s Dick Armey. There`s "The Weekly Standard." It seems to me like there aren`t a lot of local divisions that parallel the national division here. It sort of seems to me like this is a who`s who of national conservative movement figures coming in and kind of big-footing this race.

WEIGEL: Well, that`s the way -- that`s the way it looks. I mean, in D.C., I remember when Scozzafava was announced as the candidate, and the first Republicans I talked to said it`s over. The Republican activists who knew about this said it was over.

But in the district, tea party activists are just working the phones getting local Republicans to diss her. The chairman of the Oneida County Republican Party spoke to one of the original tea party organizers, this guy, Michael Patrick Leahy and said, "I`ve already written the race off. We lost this from the get-go. The conservative party can`t be allowed to run our situation."

It`s a very organic fight. I mean, as much as national conservatives are organizing around this, the tea parties have always, you know, pounded their chests about independents and not Republican Party pawns. And this is the -- this is the most extreme case you`ve seen of that. They`re willing to make a Republican go down with the ship, locally and nationally, if it proves the conservative movement is independent.

MADDOW: Well, what do you think the national waves of this would be? I mean, local Republicans in this district thought they needed a moderate Republican to win in this district. If conservatives -- whether they`d be local, as you point out, or national, as we`re also seeing -- if conservatives force that moderate Republican candidate out of the race who local Republicans chose, what`s the -- what are the ripples? What`s the impact nationally?

WEIGEL: Republicans are pretty confident that they`ve going to win the Virginia governor`s race. They`re going to sweep in Virginia, they think. So, they are ready to spin the day after the election that conservatism won.

If a Democrat picks up that seat in New York, they`re going to say, "Well, look at the conservative vote plus the Republican vote. And then look at Bob McDonald in Virginia and maybe look at this election result in Maine."

I mean, they view this as almost a free vote because if a Republican wins the race, all people who endorse the conservative party candidate tell me they are ready to go and mount a primary challenge to her. She`d be spending 10 months as an incumbent member of Congress, getting beaten up by Michelle Malkin, by Dick Armey, by all these people, having trouble getting Republicans in Congress to endorse her.

I mean, the message -- this is not so much a campaign about electing a congressman. It`s part of the cause. In the run for 2010, they`re willing to throw this Republican under the bus if it makes the point that the Republican Party cannot be allowed to send moderate liberals, supporters of abortion rights to Congress.