only digby>>

LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 26, 2008  3:15 PM |comments}

Military blocks photos of us dead>>

This is the ten thousandth story done about this. It makes the headlines for a minute and then it goes away. This has been the most sanitized war in American history. And yet, for all the stories no one seems to be doing anything about this horrific injustice to our soldiers and the American people, which pisses me off...I'm just saying.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 26, 2008 10:39 AM |comments}

the love fest for obama>>

Carrie Buddoff Brown has a piece on Politico "Foreign Leaders Thrill To Obama." You get the gist. Here's my  thought...makes me wonder if all these leaders don't all see Obama as a pushover, someone they can manipulate and control. This unilateral love-fest for Obama seems all too suspicious to me, which is all I have to say.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 26, 2008 10:30 AM |comments}

did bo snub the troops because no photo-op allowed>>

Looks that way. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 10:40 PM |comments}

big!>>

Bloomberg, Schwarzenegger and Ed Rendell urged both the Republican and Democratic national committees to adopt pro-infrastructure planks in their party platforms.

“America’s highways, bridges, tunnels, and mass transit have fallen behind. The same is true for our levees, schools, ports, courthouses and water delivery systems. Our economy and environment are suffering because we cannot move goods and people efficiently – we need a strong federal commitment to tackle this problem,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “We have always come together as a nation to solve our biggest problems and I am confident that if both parties make infrastructure a top priority we will rebuild America with the pride and ambition that reflects the unlimited potential of our people.”

“The principles we are advocating will help our nation be more competitive in the global economy, ensure our environmental sustainability, enhance our citizens’ quality of life and improve public safety,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “They are good public policy and make sound business sense.  We need to invest more in our infrastructure and those investment decisions need to be based on merit, not politics.”

LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 5:00 PM |comments}

Dems replace delegate who Switched support to mccain>>

Hm. A party delegate, me thinks, hasn't a right to vote Republican. Therefore, this is the right move by the Party. On the other hand, independents who supported HRC have every right to vote however and for whomever they choose. Just saying. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 4:00 PM |comments}

BO foreign policy advisor brzezinski>>Brzezinski: Mcin Backers Want WWIV

Never a fan of Jimmy Carter's National Security advisor, a guy not too keen on Israeli, like Carter, now has his own opinions on the problems in Afghanistan. Why does BO have this guy advising him in ANY capacity?

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 2:45 PM |comments}

Guard confirms late night encounter with john edwards>>
 

Now a legitimate story?

LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 2:35 PM |comments}

FUN>>

Bobby Kennedy Jr. and family are teaming up with This Old House veteran Bob Vila to build their dream environmentally friendly home. Sounds like a fun season. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 1:58 PM |comments}

FAMILY?

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 1:04 PM |comments}

politics in the 21st century>>

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is offering Obama a warm welcome on the day of their meeting, in an interview with the conservative daily Le Figaro.

"Obama? He's my pal," the president told Le Figaro.

Welcome to the new world: Buddy Politics.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 12:57 PM |comments}

Israeli paper publishes prayer bo left at wailing wall>>

"Lord,

Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins and help me guard against pride and despair.

Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just.

And make me an instrument of your will."

Nothing here about protect the U.S.A. Glad to know he knows he's a sinner and that he needs guarding from his pride. But he suffers from despair? Hm.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 12:53 PM |comments}

Weird>>

A criminal complaint has been filed by two reporters in the John Edward's National Enquirer Story. Still not sure this is worthy of reporting but the story gets curiouser and curiouser day by day. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 25, 2008 12:00 PM |comments}

QUote of the day>>

“…Tomorrow his tour takes him to France. In a scene Lance would recognize, a throng of adoring fans awaits Senator Obama in Paris – and that’s just the American press.” -- Senator John McCain

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 8:33 PM |comments}

so...the national Enquirer runs a smutty>>

story alleging that John Edwards has a "love child" with a certain filmmaker who had worked on his campaign. The story filters into the web but not much attention is paid to it. But moment by moment the question becomes: Why isn't anyone picking up on this story? Even Byron York of the prestigious The Hill is asking...about a story from the rag of all rags? Come on, folks.  If you think there is truth there, investigate. But respond as truth to the rag? What is happening to journalism?

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 5:41 PM |comments}

Not everyone is happy about the berlin pitch>>

Here's a passage being dissected and criticized:

"The terrorists of September 11th plotted in Hamburg and trained in Kandahar and Karachi before killing thousands from all over the globe on American soil."

When in Rome, say what the Roman's want to hear. Isn't that what BO is all about? No surprise here. He's a global kinda fella, that's what he always says.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 5:08 PM |comments}

leave it to terry mcauliff>>

McAuliffe Touts Kaine for V-P in Fairfax Talk

by Nicholas F. Benton  

"McAuliffe was adamant in his recommendation of Kaine as the Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee Tuesday, although he stressed to the News-Press after his speech, which included an informal half-hour question and answer period, that the ultimate choice will be Obama's very personal one.

However, the fact that he proposed Kaine over his own candidate and long-time friend, Hillary Clinton, suggested that he knows the Clinton option is off the table."

Not good news for HRC's backers who are still clinging to their brand of hope.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 5:03 PM |comments}

New bi-Partisan ethics comittee formed>>

Not sure what I think of this...other than to say that these kinds of things often lead to trouble. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 4:55 PM |comments}

bo's berlin speech on first read>>

Brilliant...and still I remain suspicious.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 1:40 PM |comments}

why germany>>

I am curious as to why BO picked Germany for his big speech. I'm sure there are political reasons, but I don't get them. After courting Jewish voters, a traveling to Israel to smooth things over with a skeptical Jewish crowd, next stop Germany? There are still many who have skeptical feelings about Germany. Then BO and Co. issue the above campaign poster with its German-Euro feel, reminiscent of that unmentionable German we would all rather forget. Seems like BO is sending out mixed messages. I'm just saying.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 12:03 AM |comments}

the NY Times Roger Cohen posts today>>

one of those rare columns that touches the heart so deeply that you know after reading it you will never be quite the same.

As my novel MAMBO! A Conversation with the Gods finally makes it out of the womb, a novel borne of my time as a war correspondent in the jungles of Central America, a time when I saw the unimaginable and at once witnessed the best of human nature, Cohen's piece was timely to my own life as he was speaking to his days reporting from war-torn Bosnia.

I implore you to take the time to read Mr. Cohen's column, and have a look at MAMBO! A Conversation with the Gods.

There are some things we all should never forget.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 11:02 AM |comments}

It is surely getting ugly in the blogosphere>>

Those who once supported HRC and now support BO, those who won't support BO and those who are somewhere in the middle are hurling accusations at each other like a bunch of schoolyard kids. "You Republican!" "You're REALLY a Republican!" "She was a whore!" "I used to like her but now!" "I'll never go back to HER website!"

If the Democratic Party thinks it hasn't created a nightmare with it's complete disregard for Hillary Clinton's supporters and it's continued tone-deafness on what is only a bad situation getting worse, just start reading some of the comments on the left-wing blogs.

I posted a comment on one of those blogs the other day and was accused of being a Republican mole.

Gimme a break!

But I am of independent mind though politically I tend to lean left. I am NOT a partisan, as others are, voting blindly along party lines even as they readily admit that the candidate the Party has selected isn't quite up to the job. On the other hand, for those of you who would like to know, I can't remember ever having voted for a Republican, although that's not to say I wouldn't or won't.

The Democratic Party thinks all of these unhappy Dems will get over their anger at how the Party treated HRC and her supporters in time for the fall voting.

I think they are wrong. And I think that the Democratic Party will suffer great damage if strident voices such as the voice of Nancy Pelosi, Donnie Fowler and others don't change their tone.

The Party needs to offer those that feel that the Party has lost its way a real peace-offering, and SOON! They might start with assuring that HRC will be placed in nomination. It's unlikely that BO's ego will allow her to be his running-mate.

Or Denver just might wind up looking a whole lot like 1968, something Barack Obama should want to avoid.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 24, 2008 9:43 AM |comments}

he Fine line of pandering vs lying>>

LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 5:29 PM |comments}

art of the day>>

Obama Shaman:

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 5:29 PM |comments}

CAUGHT>>

It seems that Rep. Robert Wexler who represents a South Florida district has been caught fudging on his true address. Wexler, the man with the quick tongue who worked so effectively for his candidate Barack Obama during the faceoff with the DNC for the Florida delegate vote, actually lives in Potomac, MD. He apparently has been using his in-law's address as his own in Florida. Unfortunately for Wexler, he can't live at the aforementioned address. He's not old enough. Kudos to Bill O'Reilly for doing his homework. Here's more. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 2:17 PM |comments}

Republicans for Obama>>

LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 1:42 PM |comments}

since when did cocky become presidential>>

Some seemed to be confused these days by the definition of looking presidential. Let's start with BO .. and the press.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 1:39 PM |comments}

troubling times>>

What's behind the White House dropping its objection to the new housing bill? Troubling times. Maybe things are worse than we think. Tush doesn't cave easily, we all know.  LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 12:34 PM |comments}

bo meets with palestinian pres>>

Sobering_...

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 9:26 AM |comments}

CHUTzpah>>

What a way to get elected President of the United States. Unseemly. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 23, 2008 9:12 AM |comments}

give it to him katie>>

Katie Couric goes after BO tonight on the CBS Evening News over BO's resolute stand on the surge. Here's a portion. Give it to him, Ms. Couric.

Couric: But talking microcosmically, did the surge, the addition of 30,000 additional troops ... help the situation in Iraq?

Obama: Katie, as … you've asked me three different times, and I have said repeatedly that there is no doubt that our troops helped to reduce violence. There's no doubt.

Couric: But yet you're saying … given what you know now, you still wouldn't support it … so I'm just trying to understand this.

Obama: Because … it's pretty straightforward. By us putting $10 billion to $12 billion a month, $200 billion, that's money that could have gone into Afghanistan. Those additional troops could have gone into Afghanistan. That money also could have been used to shore up a declining economic situation in the United States. That money could have been applied to having a serious energy security plan so that we were reducing our demand on oil, which is helping to fund the insurgents in many countries. So those are all factors that would be taken into consideration in my decision-- to deal with a specific tactic or strategy inside of Iraq.

Couric: And I really don't mean to belabor this, Senator, because I'm really, I'm trying … to figure out your position. Do you think the level of security in Iraq …

Obama: Yes.

Couric … would exist today without the surge?

Obama: Katie, I have no idea what would have happened had we applied my approach, which was to put more pressure on the Iraqis to arrive at a political reconciliation. So this is all hypotheticals. What I can say is that there's no doubt that our U.S. troops have contributed to a reduction of violence in Iraq. I said that-- not just today, not just yesterday, but I've said that-- previously. What that doesn't change is that we've got to have a different strategic approach if we're going to make America as safe as possible.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 5:58 PM |comments}

rough words from mac for bo>>

“This is a clear choice that the American people have.  I had the courage and the judgment to say that I would rather lose a political campaign than lose a war.  It seems to me that Sen. Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign,” McCain said in Rochester, New Hampshire today around the same time Sen. Obama was speaking with reporters overseas.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 5:38 PM |comments}

JEWS NOT FOR JESUS OBAMA>>

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 1:38 PM |comments}

This from david gergen and point well-made>>

“…Barack Obama made the first mistake of his trip, in my judgment, in releasing a statement in which he said exactly what Maliki had said in those conversations. We have a long tradition in this country that we only have one president at a time. He’s the commander in chief and the negotiator in chief. I cannot remember a campaign which a rival seeking the presidency has been in a position negotiating a war that’s under way with another party outside the country.”

– David Gergen, CNN’s AC 360, July 21, 2008

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 1:21 PM |comments}

the american electorate should be outraged>>

According to the New Hampshire Union Leader presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain was greeted by only one reporter when he arrived in the Live Free or Die State while BO was accompanied by the entire rest of the media on his overseas trip. Both candidates should be covered equally. We must be an informed electorate. If not, we risk another GWB. It doesn't matter what your party, as an American you are entitled at least to that.

 
MAC's new ad on the media's love affair with BO

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 1:11 PM |comments}

Not quite Minola blanicks or hightops>>

For those who have it all...

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 9:33 AM |comments}

fake interviews>>

Andrea Bitchall, the doyenne of the liberal media is not happy about the staged interviews being performed by BO on his overseas trip. She waxed quite eloquent on the subject on MSNBC's hardball last night and even went so far as to say "we don't know the truth about the trip." Well, will wonders never cease. Truth from an NBC correspondent.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 8:31 AM |comments}

BO REVEALS HOW HE'll handle his opposition>>

Well, now we know. Barack Obama is exactly like George W. Bush. He is unable to admit when he's wrong or nuance cleverly his way out of mistakes. The issue is the surge. No right-thinking person can deny it has been successful. Yes, there's more do, but the violence is way down and the parties are starting to work together, which was the goal of the surge. But asked about it and BO did his ritual hem and hawing when he didn't have the right answer, and instead of moving the issue forward made it an us (DEMS/BO) against them (REP/MAC). This is ego-centric politics as usual. No surprise. And no hope here, either.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 22, 2008 8:23 AM |comments}

colin powell advising bo?>>

If true, is anyone really surprised?

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 21, 2008 8:57 PM |comments}

hillraisers donated less than $20,000>>

to BO in June. That's how it should be. For one, until BO REALLY makes an effort to help retire HRC's debt, why should HRC's people help BO. Second, her Hillraisers are HRC's ass-in-the-hole. If she wants the Number 2 spot, they're her ticket to get there. As much as BO can raise on the net, he needs the BIG MONEY, and HRC's people are the BIG MONEY! Hold out for Hill, is what they need to do. Money talks!

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 21, 2008 8:45 PM |comments}

Is Mac going to reveal his veep this week>>

According to Bob Novak, the answer is yes so that MAC might take some of the steam out of BO's foreign trip's press coverage. Sources close to MAC say it could be Romney. Stay tuned.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 21, 2008 8:30 PM |comments}

DURING LARA LOGAN'S CBS interview with Bo>>

He said the following: "One of the shifts in foreign policy that I want to execute as president is giving the world a clear message that America intends to continue to show leadership, but our style of leadership is going to be less unilateral, that we're going to see our role as building partnerships around the world that are of mutual interest to the parties involved," he said. "And I think this gives me a head start in that process."

He has been given accolades for his "new thinking." Except there's nothing new here. Wasn't this Bill Clinton's modus operandi?

Everything old is new again.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 21, 2008 2:04 PM |comments}

not a pretty story>>

NY Times rejects MAC editorial. Media-bias getting out of hand, me thinks. Read the submitted story and the NY Times excuse for playing editor with a presidential candidate's submission, particularly since it was submitted in response to the candidates' rival editorial. LINK

Also, at the same time that this little tidbit came to light, American's are polling that they believe there is extreme bias pro-Obama in the media. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 21, 2008 1:55 PM |comments}

payback is hell>>

The New Yorker writer, Ryan Lizza, whose story was the subject of the infamous satirical-cover -or-not applied to be on the press junket accompanying BO on his overseas adventure, and was turned down. Oh, those Chicago politicians...they do play hard.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 21, 2008 8:37 PM |comments}

dirty little secret>>

Mr. 'I can bring the world together' is globe-trotting, but without the international press along for the ride...because? because...because!

LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 20, 2008 4:19 PM |comments}

if you didn't see al gore on meet the press>>

take a look. It is a reminder of what a horrible mistake the U.S. made in it's choice of president, and a warning of another mistake we might be close to making in electing the "adorable" one to run the US. Gov't rather than the qualified one. Read and weep for what might have been. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 20, 2008 4:13 PM |comments}

This tidbit from the al- Maliki interview>>

SPIEGEL: How short-term [a period of continued US troop presence]? Are you hoping for a new [security] agreement before the end of the Bush administration?

MALIKI: So far the Americans have had trouble agreeing to a concrete timetable for withdrawal, because they feel it would appear tantamount to an admission of defeat. But that isn't the case at all. If we come to an agreement, it is not evidence of a defeat, but of a victory, of a severe blow we have inflicted on al-Qaida and the militias. The American lead negotiators realize this now, and that's why I expect to see an agreement taking shape even before the end of President Bush's term in office. With these negotiations, we will start the whole thing over again, on a clearer, better basis, because the first proposals were unacceptable to us.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 20, 2008 4:08 PM |comments}

I wonder>>

Just how much BO's "talking" overseas tour is costing the American tax-payer? Imagine if he had foregone what he says is not a political tour and called world leaders on the phone. I imagine that Senators have unlimited long distance. No? I say this as I add a story to my OKUSOBOKA FUND page on the devastating effects of the global food crisis on women in Africa. I think of all the money being wasted during this interminable campaign. Check out the story and donate to the OKUSOBOKA FUND while you explore the page. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 19, 2008 6:36 PM |comments}

al-maliki agrees with bo on timed withdrawal>>

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki tells a German outlet that he'd like to see troops leave "as soon as possible, as far as we are concerned." He then added: "U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama is right when he talks about 16 months." Does this mean McCain is f**ked on the Iraq issue his one major strong suit? LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 19, 2008 2:59 PM |comments}

A NYT's ALERT That BO Arrived in Afghanistan?>>

Just a little over the top? I'm beginning to actually feel sorry for John McCain. With a media so obviously in the tank for Obama, MAC doesn't have a chance. Recall, for those of you who object to my assessment, that on McCain's recent trip to Iraq, there was nary a report, and surely not an entourage of network anchors traveling with him.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 19, 2008 10:06 AM |comments}

mccain airs first negative ad>>

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 18, 2008 4:10 PM |comments}

is this true>>

A company associated with HRC's top presidential campaign advance staff has purchased a website domain that hints of a 2012 presidential bid for the vanquished senator from New York. HRC2012.com was bought by the Markham Group on June 8, according to whois.com.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 18, 2008 2:17 PM |comments}

shameful>>

Wounded veteran Max Cleland received ugly treatment from Barack Obama recently, and it turns out even heroes who have lost limbs fighting for our freedoms are expendable in the Obama world if it is to BO's political advantage. This story brings tears to my eyes. LINK

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 18, 2008 12:52 PM |comments}

bill clinton heading back to africa>>

As he keeps up his global initiative, Bill Clinton won't be stumping for BO for a while at least. But I like the headline most and find it interesting. No more can headlines read Clinton...now, with HRC's elevated status, headlines have to be more specific. If nothing else, Hill, you changed that.

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jayne | July 18, 2008 12:25 PM |comments}

Repubs go after michelle o again>>

_{Posted by: Halli Casser-Jaynefont | July 17, 2008 8:15 PM |comments}

Jesse Jackson and BO - uh o>>