After the Party, What's in Store for Rove, Bush, Rice, Cheney

Jail Cells or Speaking Engagements?

From ThinkProgress.org

Last Friday, police in Des Moines, Iowa arrested four people who attempted to make a citizens’ arrest of former top White House aide Karl Rove, who was in town to speak at a GOP fundraiser. A retired minister and three members of the Des Moines Catholic Workers community were cited for trespassing. However, according to a press release, the judge presiding over the case praised their efforts:

[Mona] Shaw was the first called before Polk County Fifth Judicial District Associate Judge William Price.After entering her plea, the judge asked Shaw,

“Mamn, what were you doing at the Wakonda Country Club?”

“I was attempting to make a citizen’s arrest of Karl Rove, your honor,” Shaw answered.

"Well,” the judge looked up and said, “it’s about time.”

A few questions to ponder about the fate of our wonderful administration after January 20, 2009:

Cheney received $20 as a "retirement package" from Halliburton. So what will be his "retirement package" from the vice-presidency?

What does it cost a company to put a famous name on its list of "advisory board" members?

Will George finally have his dream of becoming a CEO of a successful oil company for a change?

Will Condaleeza Rice turn to teaching? Is it possible that she might become dean of the Department of Political Science at a well-known university filled with "Skull and Bones" members?

War Crimes Anyone?

Philippe Sands's new book The Torture Team reveals the falsity of White House claims that the push to introduce torture techniques came from interrogators in the field. Sands demonstrates that the decision to use techniques like waterboarding came from the top, and tracks the elaborate scheme to make it appear that the practices began with a request from Guantánamo.

According to sources close to the global political scene (certainly closer than most of us are), the Bush Administration along with former Cabinet members, will not be charged with war crimes by the United States. That possibility lies with other countries, however. Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rove, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, Gonzales could wind up in the Hague on two counts: approving torture against the terms of the Geneva Convention or purposeful aggression. The subjects of Vice President Cheney's meetings have included topics such as how to instigate a war with Iran.

Every American who is not satisfied with "putting it all behind us" and who wants to see accountability should start asking questions NOW. The administration is surely taking advantage of the campaign and media to hide from the public any form of conflict of interest. After all, the American public has a lot to worry about: the economy, Iraq, the economy, Iran, the economy, China, the economy and now Russia/Georgia. No one will notice if Bush gets a few "advisorships" or seats on Boards of Directors, if Cheney mulls going back to Halliburton or accepts speaking engagements as a spokeman for the NRA.

This administration has lied to the American public about major actions, policies and laws. So what's to stop them from profiteering a little?

Just a thought.

"Bewitched" Bothered and Befuddled

Befuddled
Originally uploaded by Hilly_Blue

Marion Lorne had a stunning career which was eclipsed by her character of "Aunt Clara" in the TV series "Bewitched". Aunt Clara had a collection of doorknobs and would sometimes swipe one or two that struck her fancy.

Lorne made her American film debut in "Strangers on a Train."

She was invariably cast as the slightly aristocratic but befuddled character.

She won a posthumous Emmy for her portrayal as Aunt Clara.

Bush and His Religion: "We Can't Be Stopped"

"Once A Religion Takes Over In A Society, It Can't Be Stopped"

So spoke George Bush to Bob Costas in his NBC interview at the Olympics. He didn't say "Once Religion Takes Over" but "Once A Religion Takes Over." Does GWB know anything we don't? Is Pat Robertson going to take over China?

Of course, to Bush, Buddhism doesn't count as a religion (it's precepts are waaaay beyond his comprehension). As we stated before, only 4% of China's population is "Christian." Of course, Bush said other very stupid things during the interview, but this phrase struck me as some kind of warning to China: "Our missionaries are terrorists - they're armed and dangerous. They're going to convert you and you'll stay converted!" In other words, missionaries aren't just "holy rollers", they're "holy steamrollers."

Bush may be a Recontrustionist after all.

Just a thought.

The Diplomatic Dimwit Has Struck Again! And in a Chinese Church!!

Bush's Idea For Diplomacy and Peace in the Middle East

Is Bush Positioning Us For A War With China?

I've had to take some time off from the Blog, but I just had to get this little bit in. Honestly, the incredible ineptitude of Bush's foray into "diplomacy" is absolutely outrageous!

"Laura and I just had the great joy and privilege of worshipping here in Beijing, China," he said as parishioners exited to "Onward Christian Soldiers." "You know, it just goes to show that God is universal, and God is love, and no state, man or woman should fear the influence of loving religion."

China allows worship only in officially approved churches such as the one Bush visited with his wife, so millions of people pray privately in house churches to avoid detection. The Chinese government has bristled at Bush's prodding as pointless meddling.

The guy can't read, he can't write, he can't string two intelligible sentences together. The sheer audacity of criticizing a host country during the Olympic Games makes him look like one terrible pun: a Bullshitter in a China Shop. First of all, "Onward Christian Soldiers" - bad choice of hymns. He's militaristic in every way, even when he goes to church.

"God" is not universal. Spirituality may be, his interpretation of God is DEFINITELY NOT UNIVERSAL. "God is love." But Bush's God is NOT love. It's oil. It's big business. Sounding like a late 60's hippie is not going to cover the fact that the Christian concept of a God of love and compassion has never entered Bush's brain.

The Chinese don't fear the influence of a loving religion, just one that wants a theocracy. Bush's clerical cohorts hide behind Christianity as a "loving" religion while hurling hate-filled Bible verses as if they were guided missiles. China hasn't heard such hate speech since Mao.

While the "official" stance on religion is atheistic, Buddhism is definitely predominant and Christianity falls into a minority group. So, Bush's statements actually excluded most of China, taking in only about 4% of the population. He got his buzz-words mixed up again.

Bush is stuck in his fantasy world where "freedom" "democracy" "God" "liberty" are universal truths. They may be, but certainly not in a warm-fuzzy-family-apple-pie way. This is a universal truth:

China owns us.
Don't insult your owner.

Just a thought.

On The Midnight Train to Georgia: Religious Tension As Thick As The Tanks!

Typical Orthodox Church in South Ossetia

As A Religious Stew, It May Be TOO Spicy!

Oh boy, the Christian Right has a conundrum on its hands: evil, secularist Russia is fighting for the separatist South Ossetians of Georgia. Why? Because 90% of South Ossetians are Russian (i.e. citizens with Russian passports) Got that? O.K. Now, the religious mix of Georgians is so pluralistic as to border on the bizarre: besides Georgian Orthodox there are Armenian Christians, Jews, Protestants, Catholics and Muslims (!!) And in the recent past, some of the violence in Georgia has been religion-based.

Wikipedia:

According to the Constitution of Georgia, religious institutions are separate from government and every citizen has the right of religion. However, most of the population of Georgia (82%) practices Orthodox Christianity and Georgian Orthodox Church is an influential institution in the country.

Religious minorities of Georgia include Russian Orthodox (2%), Armenian Christians (3.9%), Muslims (9.9%), Roman Catholics (0.8%), as well as sizeable Jewish Communities and various Protestant minorities.

Despite the long history of religious harmony in Georgia, there have been several instances of religious discrimination in the past decade, such as the Vasil Mkalavishvili Case.*

So, here we have a break-away country - South Ossetia - being supported by traditionally areligious Russia (the religious majority of which is Russian Orthodox), against Georgia which has 10% Muslims, and an amalgam of Christian communities which, of late, have been discriminated against.

Oh my! What's a Right Wing Christofascist to do?

Answer: STAY OUT OF IT!

John McCain wants to scream at Russia and Obama cautions restraint.

Ben Smith of Politico.com pegged it right:

This conflict is an echo of the Cold War, and the two are in postures familiar from that era: McCain thinks the Russians will respond only to strength and threats; Obama puts more stock in diplomacy and nuance.

"Duh, what's a 'nuance'? Sounds kinda foreign to me!" says your friendly local Right Wingnut. I have prayed that Obama would have an opportunity to show us that he is more of a diplomat than McCain and here it is, kids. The difference is clear: McCain believes in "cowboy diplomacy" and Obama puts stock in real diplomacy. The approach to foreign policy: McCain will take an aggressive posture and in the case of Iraq, will want us to stay in Iraq, even if the Iraqi government doesn't want us there.

*Human Rights Watch Memorandum to the U.S. Government on Religious Violence in the Republic of Georgia August 29, 2001

The victims are primarily Jehovah's Witnesses, Pentacostalists, Baptists, and members of the Assembly of God, also known in Georgia as "non-traditional" worshippers. The evidence indicates that many of the attacks have been led or organized by Vasili Mkalavishvili, a priest from Tbilisi who has been deposed by the Georgian Orthodox Church, and his followers. Religious violence is now also perpetrated by people who have no apparent connection with Mkalavishvili, including members of nationalist organizations, church clergy, and those who are simply neighbors of so-called non-traditional congregants.

The War on Tabloid Trash Escalates!

It's One Thing To Read Them,
But Another Thing to Actually Believe Them!

My favorite tabloid headline:

Bigfoot's Baby Found Abandoned On The Grounds Of Neverland Ranch!

Yes, I bought it just for the endless amusement it would engender, but today I saw another one of those "Brave Last Days" headline (this one about Annette Funicello) and became angry: what kind of person photographs someone against their will and in terrible circumstances and sells it to a weekly publication? And what kind of publication would print it?

Years ago, comedienne Carol Burnett sued The National Enquirer for falsely stating that she was drunk at a particular party. She won the suit and donated the damages to charity. That's class. Burnett took a stand and, to my knowledge, was never mentioned in The National Enquirer again.

Today, Elizabeth Edwards also took a stand against the tabloids. Again, the offending tabloid was The National Enquirer. Implying that her husband John Edwards could be having an affair would be one thing, but publishing blurry photographs and stating that he fathered a "love child" without actual evidence is another. If possible, I wish that a fund would be collected to help Elizabeth Edwards sue The National Enquirer - and ruin them in the process.

Yes, that's a completely bad-assed tone coming from me, but I can no longer stand in line at the supermarket and see those ridiculous headlines. All I can think of is that the people who purchase them and believe them in any way don't have lives of their own to live.

I know, paparazzi and second-rate editors have to eat. I just wish they didn't have to do it based on the misery of celebrities. Remember who led Princess Diana to her death. Just a thought.

They are BOTH tabloid victims!

Obama and the Strange Backlash of White Supremacists

"He'd Be A Visual Aid"

By The Associated Press
08.08.2008 9:01am EDT

(Pearl, Miss.) They’re not exactly rooting for Barack Obama, but prominent white supremacists anticipate a boost to their cause if he becomes the first black president. His election, they say, would trigger a backlash - whites rising up, a revolution of sorts - that they think is long overdue.

He’d be a “visual aid,” says former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, in trying to bring others around to their view that whites have lost control of America. Obama’s election, says another, would jar whites into action, writing letters, handing out pamphlets rather than sitting around complaining.

And already people are lining up for assassination attempts:

By Jennifer Vanasco
08.08.2008 9:00am EDT

(Miami, Fla.) A man who authorities said was keeping weapons and military-style gear in his hotel room and car appeared in court Thursday on charges he threatened to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Raymond Hunter Geisel, 22, was arrested by the Secret Service on Saturday in Miami and was ordered held at Miami’s downtown detention center without bail.

A Secret Service affidavit charges that Geisel made the threat during a training class for bail bondsmen in Miami in late July. According to someone else in the 48-member class, Geisel allegedly referred to Obama with a racial epithet and continued, “If he gets elected, I’ll assassinate him myself.”

So the reasoning is...vote for Obama so you can assassinate him. Kinda makes you wish George Bush was black.

Sorry, I got carried away with the sentiment.

The article from AP continues to state that White Supremacists aren't really considered a threat to the nation because there are, at most, 200,000 of them. But 200,000 people with guns could mean a LOT of VERY dead people.

Just a thought.





When I saw this, I shook my head in agreement so much, it nearly fell off!