i think it's great..illuminates the fraud for exactly what he is and what he stands for...
Posted by dennis at August 1, 2005 07:31 AMDamn-it. I knew I should have read less in school. It's the only way to get ahead in the United States these days. That, and being a crook.
Are there problems with recess appointments? Yes and no. If good people are appointed -no problem. When wastes of human DNA like Bolton are appointed -big problem. One of three things will happen: 1)The U.N. shuts Bolton down; 2) Bolton is the force behind WWIII; or 3) this is the official start of lame-duck hunting season in Congress.
The biggest problem with this appointment is that Bolton was contested, the White House obfuscated Bolton's record, and Bolton gets the recess appointment anyway. You don't hear much about the 100 or so other recess appointments made by Bush. Of course, they were not this controversial either. 5 will get you 10 they were the most lackluster appointments that could have been made by any human being. That's the Bushco legacy.
(8/1/05)Toon of the Day: "Abominable, Mean, Unreasonable and Bizarre"
Posted by jjoats at August 1, 2005 08:10 AMThe Bolton appointment is a clear and deliberate move forward in the neocon-game on the Grand Chessboard.
Bolton at the UN should provide us with a good barometer for the impending attack on Iran. Will it be a direct declaration of war, or a continuing escalation of the attacks we've already been carrying out for months? Will it be a nuclear attack in response to a new (possibly staged, possibly provoked) 9/11?
It's their reality and they clearly plan to make some more of it for us to study.
Posted by Michael Miller at August 1, 2005 08:13 AMToday's WSJ on the ISM number:
U.S. factory activity picked up last month, a private research group reported, as new orders and production rose, hiring perked up, and price pressures eased.
The Institute for Supply Management said its July index of manufacturing activity rose to a reading of 56.6 from the 53.8 reading posted in June. Any index reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.
So, manufacturing has recovered.
One concern is that with the nation at full employment and manufacturers ramping up to create inventory, is that we could start seeing larger monthly payroll increases and upward pressure on wages. Remember, the sweet Spot is between 150,000 to 200,000 new jobs every month. And that's what we've been seeing. If we start to see month after month of numbers greater than this, the inflation hawks will start making noise and interest rates will start moving up.
No reason to worry about it at this point, but definitely something to keep our eyes on. For now, lets enjoy the continuation of this lengthy economic upswing.
Posted by muckdog at August 1, 2005 08:23 AMOnce again, the media fails to point out three important things about this recess appointment. They frame it as a political power struggle and fail to frame it about the real key points that occurred as a result of Bush's end around of the process.
One, the administration refused to cooperate and release documents/provide information requested by the Senate for the confirmation process to move forward toward a full Senate vote.
Two, Bolton lied (sworn affidavit) on his application and the State department continued to let that occur until they got called on it with unrefutable proof.
Three, in spite of all that, guess what he got promoted anyway.
The media need to hang the fact that despite being a proven liar, and the administration hiding information from the American public about Bolton, Bush gave him the job anyway.
That's truly what this story is about here and how it should be reported.
Did I mention how much I despise these unethical, amoral, power hungry maniacs and their enablers in the press that allow this to happen without any sort of outrage.
Bright side of this, maybe those indictments will come sooner rather than later and Bolton will be part of the mix. Hubris before the fall....
Nice to see that muckdog is still at war with reality. Some things never change.
Posted by at August 1, 2005 08:35 AMHey, we can't let reality win.
Posted by Matt Davis at August 1, 2005 08:40 AMSo, manufacturing has recovered.
Hey, is that like the same ISM report in 2003 showing MA of 54% when we were losing 60,000 manufacturing jobs a month? I bet none of this is contingent on oil, housing, or shitty jobs paying minimum wage...oops, my faux pas. It is.
Posted by phidipides at August 1, 2005 08:52 AMGov. George Pataki is reportedly going to veto a bill allowing over the counter access to emergengy contraception.
What a dolt. He actually thinks he has a shot at the presidency. He's not even popular in New York.
Hubris they name is George!
Posted by muckcat at August 1, 2005 08:57 AMI keep posting facts and numbers. Where are yours? Do you have anything to offer besides an emotional response?
Posted by muckdog at August 1, 2005 09:02 AMYour "facts and numbers" are "lies and distortions" 100% (hey that is a number) of the time. When you are proved to be 110% (another number) full of shit every time you post, you have 0 (yet, another number) credibility.
Posted by at August 1, 2005 09:08 AMFrom an earlier thread: "Clinton didn't appoint anyone through the recess option." On contraire, according to the Washington Post (yeah I know Neocon Central) Bush has made 106 recess appointments and Clinton made 140. If anything Bush has some catching up to do. I think it’s poetic to end the Democrats fishing expedition when they are at recess to go fishing. Now begins the great search for people who don’t like the Judge Roberts and things he might have done or ways he might have voted. I also want to apologize for my terrible spelling of late. I usually write in word and paste, but I have been working on my laptop and neglected to spell check first (lazy).
Posted by Cyber Sarge at August 1, 2005 09:08 AMI have been working on my laptop and neglected to spell check first (lazy)
Well, allow me to tout Mozilla Firefox, with the Googlebar extension. Among other goodies, googlebar allows one to spell-check forms for misspellings. Really, since you can get another extension that allows Firefox to pretend to be IE (so "IE-only" sites will play nice), the only reason one should ever need IE again is for sites with ActiveX controls--and there are GOOD reasons not to run ActiveX, anyway.
But Sarge, it's not the spelling that gets to us. It's your backward ideas.
Posted by Matt Davis at August 1, 2005 09:16 AMWhy do I get the feeling that most of Clinton's recessed appointments were because the government was shut down or something reasonable like that. Bush's are because he wanted to appoint racists warmonger Daniel Pipes to the US Institute for Peace and because he wants to appoint rage-o-holic Bolton to the UN.
Posted by at August 1, 2005 09:24 AMAll that and a law student.
It's a wonder you're not studying for patent bar, Matt!
-The patent attourney's IT monkey
Posted by idiosynchronic at August 1, 2005 09:28 AMHey, The Daou Report is featuring Pessimist's post from this morning. Neat.
Posted by Matt Davis at August 1, 2005 09:28 AMNotice that while I quoted the Wall St. Journal (which quoted economic numbers and stats), the anonymous poster replied with emotion (yet again). That usually happens when somebody is losing an argument and feeling frustrated and angry.
You have no facts to back your point of view. You're in a position of requiring FAITH to believe what you do.
I'll have to go see what the angrybears are saying. They've been getting it wrong for awhile now. They were saying that higher oil prices cause inflation. Guffaw.
Posted by muckdog at August 1, 2005 09:30 AMNobody gives a shit Muckdog, we ALL know that you are a liar and a fraud. If you quoted something that said 2+2=4 you would would try to use it to prove that 2+2=5.
Posted by Mock Dug at August 1, 2005 09:36 AMgeorge pataki
sam brownback
bill frist
presidential hopefuls...ain't that a hoot..really that's funny stuff
Posted by dennis at August 1, 2005 09:45 AM"he wants to appoint rage-o-holic Bolton to the UN." Of course he wants to appoint Bolton to the un that's the whole point. The President gets to appoint his people to the jobs he wants, it's part of the constitutional process. If the Senate fails (to vote) then he has the right to go forward without them. If the Democrats in the Senate were so worried about prestige they should have allowed a vote. Be the bigger man (or woman) stand up for the U.S. But I guess they are more concerned with partisan politics than the prestige of the un. Of course I don’t feel the un has any prestige left and maybe they should worry about earning some. BTW did anyone send Voinovich a box of Kleenex? He must be blubbering in his pillow this morning.
Posted by Cyber Sarge at August 1, 2005 09:46 AMWow once again using the "Well Clinton did it too" defense. I thought these bozo's hated Clinton and thought he was a pure evil moron, yet they continue to use him in defense of their God Bush at every chance they get. How stupid is that comparing the evil one with their God. Yes, that evil moron Clinton thought there was wmd's so it's okay that God Bush believed it. Yes that evil moron Clinton recess appointed people too so it's okay that God Bush did it too.
Umm, btw, during most of Clinton's tenure as Democratic president, the republican party was in the majority in Congress so it was easy to block nominees they didn't like.
Yes, but now a Republican president Bush still with a republican majority congress was unable to push through Bolton's nomination the old fashioned way, by actually being cooperative and earning it. That's the difference.
Yes, Here was one of the more controversial nominees Clinton made from the same article you quote.
_Roger Gregory, 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, December 2000. He was later re-nominated by Bush and confirmed by the Senate.
Posted by emal at August 1, 2005 09:47 AMYou'd have to give an example rather than just another emotional outburst. I just keep reporting the numbers. They are what they are. Sorry if they're contradicting your faith.
Are you saying that the ISM number today was wrong? What's your number?
Are you saying that the GDP isn't in the mid 3% range? What's your number?
Are you saying that the economy hasn't been adding a monthly average of 150,000-200,000 jobs the past year? What's your number?
Posted by muckdog at August 1, 2005 09:52 AMI and EVERYONE else here says that 150,000 to 200,000 McJobs does not count as a real growing economy, MoronDog.
Posted by Mock Dug at August 1, 2005 09:55 AMThen you would be wrong. I have numbers and you don't. End of story. Nice try.
Lets move on.
What's going on with Air America? Lots of links and goings on at the following: (I like the Al Frankin pic!)
Air Deadbeat: The Saga Continues.
Posted by muckdog at August 1, 2005 10:09 AMManufacturing...you mean like bombs, guns, ammunition, humvees,and other broken down military equipment? Or is it and all those mc hamburgers that they wanted to be reclassified as manufacturing?
Posted by at August 1, 2005 10:12 AMHey anonymous, don't point out things like that. MoronDog has NUMBERS! Here are some more numbers for you MoronDog, 2 323 23123456 123412345612 12596868238256 68928349869283 289586829869689286681 they mean nothing, just like your numbers but I am sure you will come up with some bullshit excuse based on them. And Centrist you also are an idiot. Maybe you should get together with MoronDog and between the two of you, you might just have a single functioning brain.
Posted by Mock Dug at August 1, 2005 10:17 AMHey, Mary....just a thought, but I think Bush keeps his figure in pretty good shape, overall....you know, jogging and bike riding (when he's not falling off, that is) and such. So he's probably got a decent figure, at least compared to a lot of other congresspeople. So if he wants to "stick his figure up to the world," there probably wouldn't be THAT many objections, in relative terms.
The idea gives me gas personally, but hey, that's just me. ;o)
Posted by Phenobarbarella at August 1, 2005 10:36 AMCentrist, you whiny hypocrit all you ever do is post about how "funny" democrats are because you think you know better than everyone else even you your "centrist" approach is a joke. Mock Dug is just beating you at your own pathetic game and you just don't like it.
Posted by Lev Sedov at August 1, 2005 10:41 AMYes, your hypocracy runs rampant around here. Glad we settled that. And your "wow look at me I am a self rightous centrist; my way is right and you are all wrong" view is hilarious maybe you should look in the mirror when you call others "young and brain washed" since you seem to be too naive to realize that I am not a Democrat.
Posted by Lev Sedov at August 1, 2005 11:11 AMWTf centrist? Talk about a leap of faith here, but what did I expect from you.
No, I am saying a republican president with a republican majority still needed a recess appointment to get their guy through. The democrats were in the minority then too and guess what they didn't need to fight the same majority congress back then to get their way for their guy and their party.
But since you seem to think that the republican Congress was the reason for the economic prosperity during Clinton's era here's my response to you. Again this is using your claim as noted above and using your logic here.
We have two very different economies from Clinton to Bush. The only variable that has stayed constant is a republican congress during both a good and a bad economy. Then that means another variable must be the cause for the change in the economy. So what variable did change during that time? Yup you guessed it, a different president. Therefore using your logic, since our economy sucks right now for the average middle and working class stiff and the only variable to have changed is that the presidency switched parties and hands,then most likely that variable is the one that is responsible for the economy. You just made a very strong case that the variable known as the president is mostly responsible for the economy. Clinton was responsible for the good economy and Bush was responsible for the shitty economy...again this is using your simple logic.
Posted by emal at August 1, 2005 11:13 AM"Mock Dug,
Your intellect is to over powering."
Er, methinks there might be a "glass houses" comment that could be inserted here. But hey, whatever floats your bell. Or rings your boat. Or whatever.
The bottom line on the Bu$hCo-era agonizing watch over leading (and trailing) economic indicators has mostly been like the proverbial rearranging of the chaise lounges on the Lido deck of the Titanic, because of one large, looming overlooked item: the deficit/debt.
That's the enormous elephant in the room that very few are talking about. But it sure is beginning to smell a lot like elephant shit in here. In the famous Quayle/Bentsen veep debate in 1988 (the one that featured the "Senator....you're no Jack Kennedy" quote), my favorite line was one which flew under the radar for the most part. At one point, Tom Brokaw (who was one of the people asking the questions) turned to Bentsen and said something like "you and Governor Dukakis claim you'll usher in a new era of prosperity, but wouldn't you agree it's fair to say that in the last eight years under Reagan and Bush, this country's enjoyed an era of prosperity not seen since the end of World War II?" Bentsen's response is as spot-on today as it was then. Without missing a beat, he looked Brokaw in the eye and said "you let me write $200BN a year worth of hot checks, and I'll give you an illusion of prosperity, too." By the time he left office, Reagan had tripled the national debt ($900BN to about $2.7TN, since you seem to like numbers.
But Dubya's budget deficits make Reagan's look like the tip you leave at Denny's, and we're rapidly losing our ability to simply grow our way out of recessions because the national debt is assuming self-sustaining proportions. We had an opportunity, at the end of the Clinton years, after eight straight years of economic expansion, to make some serious inroads on the debt, and get on a better financial footing. But no. We had to have tax cuts for the rich at the same time as not one, but TWO different wars. The old "guns AND butter" line comes to mind.
I actually believe that's part of Dubya's team's plan: starve the beast. But I think that the actual situation is even better described by a different old line: Republicans are the party that campaigns on the premise that government doesn't work....and then gets elected and proves it."
Posted by Phenobarbarella at August 1, 2005 11:35 AMAnother posting hijacked by the revolting trolls---what exactly does the Bolton recess appointment have to do with US manufacturing jobs, and our handicapped, doomed economy?
As to Bolton, it would appear that the Glorious leader "repects" the Senate's constitutional advise and consent role, as long as the Senate operates as a rubber stamp for every nominee. Otherwise, it's "Fuck You". (and the 51% of the populace you represent)
And by the way, right wingers, the theory of the constitution is NOT that the president has an absolute right to have every nominee confirmed, which seems to be another misapprehension of basic American constitutional democracy that our fabulous proto-authoritarians slept through in high school.
Posted by euzoius at August 1, 2005 11:59 AMPhenobarbarella - thanks for the heads up. Obviously I need to read my posts a couple of times, especially when it's first thing in the morning. :-)
Posted by Mary at August 1, 2005 12:26 PMIt seems to me, that after visiting this bullshit website, that there are way too many HOURS wasted pissing, moaning and slandering.
Are you bloggers employed? Are you doing your posting on the company's nickel? I find it hard to believe that you are gainfully employed. If you are at work, my message to you is:
Get the fuck back to work you lazy fucks! If I were your boss and found out about all of your wasted time, I'd fire your ass in a heartbeat!
Posted by mef at August 1, 2005 12:35 PMHey Mef, you're posting in the middle of the day. Are you on company time?
Posted by Judith at August 1, 2005 12:50 PMeuzoius is struggling with the definition of "open thread," but we'll let that pass today. He also says the theory of the constitution is NOT that the president has an absolute right to have every nominee confirmed. So let me ask:
Should his nominee get a vote?
Phenobarbarella talks about the deficit, totally ignoring the impact 9/11 has had on our budget. You must've missed that. I think the prescriptions for seniors was a bad move, and that'll saddle the children with more debt than ever because it's encumbered into the budget and will grow faster than inflation.
We could grow our way out of the debt if government expenditures were one-time things, like wars, the energy bill pork, and the like. But new social programs are a killer. So we probably agree on the latter.
Posted by muckdog at August 1, 2005 12:53 PMJudith
Ohhh, you'r a clever little girl aren't you?!?! No, I'm not on company time. I have enough respect for my employer, and a good enough work ethic NOT to piss away my life bitching about politicians every fucking day at work.
You must be a ball fire at all the cocktail parties, what with showing off your vast knowledge of meaningless drivel that no one really gives two shits about.
Posted by mef at August 1, 2005 01:00 PM"This post is too important to leave vacant any longer, especially during a war and a vital debate about UN reform," Bush said on Monday during a joint public appearance with Bolton, whom he said had "my complete confidence".
"America has now gone more than six months without a permanent ambassador to the United Nations. So today I've used my constitutional authority to appoint John Bolton to serve as America's ambassador to the United Nations."
Bolton's appointment comes at a time when the world body embarks on a debate about sweeping reforms, including adding permanent members to the UN Security Council.
"Ambassador Bolton will work to build on that progress by helping the UN continue to find effective new ways to match its good intentions with good results," said Bush.
"I am prepared to work tirelessly to carry out the agenda and initiatives that you and Secretary [of State Condoleezza] Rice direct. We seek a stronger more effective organization, true to the ideals of its founders, and agile enough to act in the 21st century," said Bolton.
"It only diminishes John Bolton's validity and leverage to secure America's goals at the UN," Kerry said in a statement. "This is not the way to fill our most important diplomatic jobs."
Posted by Judith at August 1, 2005 01:02 PMMef, well I am clever enough to figure out how people are able to post during the day. Evidently you are not.
Posted by Judith at August 1, 2005 01:05 PMMef sounds a lot like Michelle.
Posted by Judith at August 1, 2005 01:08 PMJudith
huh??? you mean you're clever enough to figure out how to fuck the company that puts food on your table, and I can't? hmmm i'm ok with that!
Hey asshole. Wrong again. I am clever enough to figure out a way to take early retirement at 62 and my time is my own. You on the other hand, admittedly work.
You still aren't clever enough to figure it out.
Posted by Judith at August 1, 2005 01:14 PMmef,
Thanks for your input. You can be on your way now seeing as I'm sure you have plenty of other more important things to do.
Thanks again.
Have a great day!
Posted by muckcat at August 1, 2005 01:22 PMJudith
Calm down missie! I guess I'm too stupid to figure out all the double-talk that goes on at this site...why not just tell me that you're an angry, 62-year old (possble lesbian) that has a husband with a good paying job so you don't have to do anything but waste your important time blogging on this website?
You're probably some desperate, marginal, real estate agent with a lot of time on her hands. Or possibly a bored housewife who needs a good lay in order to relax.
I don't know, but good luck to you and your cause, whatever it may be. Try not to be so angry.
Love
MEF
fuck my boss; i like to post on his dime. money's pretty good, too. better report me, mef; you seem the narc type. the company doesn't put food on my table; i do. if they want to fire me, they can go ahead. i got mad skills that, at least today, i don't even have to use! (15 years freelance) think i'll go out and smoke a joint and then piss in the water cooler.
oh, how i wish i was a drone living in awe/fear of my employer like mef. i imagine he has a picture of the boss over his bed.
Posted by benjoya at August 1, 2005 01:24 PMyeah, i guess we won't hear from MEF any more. he's a working man. gotta go contribute to the economy no doubt. *sigh* whatta man!
Posted by benjoya at August 1, 2005 01:29 PMbenjoya
Can you say "loser" You've proven my point, thanks!
Muckcat,
You're right, I've pissed away far too much time with these idiots. Adios Amigos
I'm gonna go have some serious monkey-sex with my wife!
Later
Posted by mef at August 1, 2005 01:32 PMyou still here? get back to work, you slacker.
Posted by benjoya at August 1, 2005 01:34 PMMef, wrong again on all counts.
Since you are not clever enough to figure it out, let me give you the answer, and then get back to work Michelle.
Retired people
Students
Freelancers
Business owners
Professors
Anyone with a laptop can post during lunch or breaks.
This is just the short list, but I'm sure you get the gist.
Posted by Judith at August 1, 2005 01:38 PMthat's all you got? what was that, 2 minutes?
Posted by mef's wife at August 1, 2005 01:40 PMyes, i'm a loser who avoids work by commenting as opposed to mef, who avoids sex with his wife by commenting. she must be a real looker.
Posted by benjoya at August 1, 2005 01:45 PMok sorry
not sure what the michelle thing is all about but...
oh yeah, i love the freelancer category. just like benjoya???? he/she/it is a real good contributor!
i'm still gonna go have monkey-sex with the wife though! you ought to try it sometime.
i'm still gonna go have monkey-sex with the wife though! you ought to try it sometime.
okay, but i go first.
Posted by benjoya at August 1, 2005 01:48 PMmef's gonna leave any minute now. he's got bigger fish to fry. guess we won't see him for another couple minutes.
how can we miss you if you won't go away?
Posted by benjoya at August 1, 2005 01:52 PMi'm still gonna go have monkey-sex with the wife though! you ought to try it sometime.
Do you make her take her teeth out?
And does she wash up before hand? I mean after pickin' up after you all day she must be plenty filthy.
Anyway, enjoy!
Posted by snark at August 1, 2005 01:54 PM"HEY MF, GET OFF THAT DAMN COMPUTER AND GET BACK TO WORK. I'M NOT PAYING YOU TO POST ON SOME BLOG."
Posted by Mef's BOSS at August 1, 2005 01:56 PMMef, what are you doing? Making me side with the lefties here? I (like others here) am employed and yet find time to post here. I am a Database Analyst and in betweens calls I have time (and inclination) to engage in a spirited dialogue with my fellow Americans. They have every right to their opinion and I can’t stand people like you who automatically lash out at others. You give Neocons a bad name. Damn now I fell proud and unclean at the same time. Must be what it’s like to be a Libertarian?
Posted by Cyber Sarge at August 1, 2005 02:13 PMDamn now I fell proud and unclean at the same time. Must be what it’s like to be a Libertarian?
Bwaaaaa! Okay, that one made me laugh. Like most libertarians I've met.
Posted by idiosynchronic at August 1, 2005 02:56 PMNEWS FLASH! Just heard on the radio of a way that the Senate can stop the recess appointment of John Bolton. All they have to do is call for a floor vote in the Senate when it comes back. I bet the Democrats can't wait until the next session so they can quickly call this for a vote and stop this abuse of power. Whew I fell better, I thought for a moment there wasn't a way out of this.
Posted by Cyber Sarge at August 1, 2005 03:38 PMWait till W makes Recess appointments to SCOTUS. Won't that make you happy.
What's this new story about our friends at Air America? http://www.nysun.com/article/17846
No wonder AA wants to drop a cool $800K to make the story go away. Without all this "kids" money AA wouldn't be on the air today. Way to go AA, taking benefits from the kids.
When will the NYTimes and Post pickup on this?
Posted by peter at August 1, 2005 05:49 PMWait till W makes Recess appointments to SCOTUS. Won't that make you happy.
That would be fucking awesome. A Justice who has to retire after 17 months, instead of standard Article III lifetime tenure? Sign me up.
Posted by dj moonbat at August 1, 2005 06:00 PMRussian military freezes out ABC
Yea, I might be a little pissed also if you gave air time to a terrorist that targets children. But what do you expect from a liberal media that's sympathetic to the terrorist cause anyway.
Posted by Centrist at August 1, 2005 06:47 PMBut what do you expect from a liberal media that's sympathetic to the terrorist cause anyway.
Aw, Centrist, if you want someone to come play, just ask. You don't have to skulk around muttering, "hey moonbats! I just said something stoopid, don't you want to 'debate' me?"
It's undignified.
Posted by iamcoyote at August 1, 2005 06:57 PMOnce again Centrist proves that he is a reactionary shit bag, not a "centrist."
Posted by at August 1, 2005 07:45 PMOnce again Centrist proves that he is a reactionary shit bag, not a "centrist."
That about sums it up.
Centrist, do the people that operate that website that you link to know that you are making them all sound like jackasses over here?
Posted by muckcat at August 2, 2005 06:27 AM