I was looking through key names in Bob Woodward's book "Play of Attack". There are several paragraphs that have jumped out that I just wanted to share.

First off...I wonder how many American's know this

In early January 2001, before George W. Bush WAS INAUGURATED, Vice President DICK CHENEY pass a message to outgoing Secretary of defense, William S. Cohen, a moderate Republican who served in the Democratic Clinton Administration. "We really need to get the President-elect briefed up on some things." Cheney said, adding that he wanted a serious "Discussion on IRAQ and different opitions." The President-elect should not be given the routine, canned , round-the-world tour normally given in-coming presidents. TOPIC A SHOULD BE IRAQ...Cheney had been Secretary of defense during George H.W. Bush's presidency, which included the 1991 Gulf War, and he HARBORED A DEEP SENSE OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS ABOUT IRAQ."....Cohen, who was leaving the Defense Department in 10 days, believed that the new administration would soon see the REALITY about IRAQ. They would not find much, if any, support among other countries in the region or the world for strong action against Saddam, which would mean going it alone in any large-scale attack. (jump to)......On the 17th DAY OF THE BUSH PRESIDENCY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, RICE chaired a principals committee meeting that included CHENEY, POWELL, and RUMSFELD. CIA director JOHN E. McLAUGHLIN substituted for TENET. The purpose was to review the IRAQ POLICY....and consider how intelligency collected could be increased on IRAQ'S suspected weapons of mass destruction.

Clearly Cheney was obsessed with finishing the business with Saddam and Iraq. Thus becoming rich with all the money he would make off his Haliburton stock. Always follow the money. TOPIC A was IRAQ in what would be the BUSH ADMIN. IRAQ was discussed before Bush was even sworn in as the New President of the United States. On or about Jan. 20th, 2002 this happened.

At the White House State Department, ARMITAGE received a call from WH communtications office saying that they had compiled a 33 page document called "Apparatus of Lies" on Saddam's propaganda. They wanted him to unveil it in public. CARD'S White House Iraq Group (WHIG's-Woodward knew all about the WHIG's and wrote about them a lot in his book)was planning a big rollout of speeches and documents to counter Saddam and the growing international anti war movement. Millions had marched in European, Arab and Asian capitals. ARMITAGE read through the document and thought, WHAT BULLSHIT! It was mostly old stories and Saddam's lies stemming from the 1991 Gulf War period, with no clear rationale about why the administration might go to war in 2003. If the United States were to go to war with every regime that told lies, there would be nothing but war. ARMITAGE told the White House, "THIS IS AWFUL. I'M NOT GOING TO TOUCH IT....ARMITAGE was finding it harder and harder to keep from being sucked into the White House's PROPAGANDA APPARATUS.

One Saturday, Janurary 25, LIBBY gave a lengthy presentation in the Situation room to RICE, HADLEY, ARMITAGE, WOLFOWITZ, DAN BARTLETT and MICHAEL GERSON. Though she had formally left the White House staff KAREN HUGHES was there. KARL ROVE was in and out of the meeting. Holding a thick sheaf of paper, libby outlined the latest version of the case against Saddam. He began with a long section on satellite, intercept and human intelligence showing the efforts at the concealment and deception. THings were being dug up, moved and buried. No one knew for sure what it was precisely, but the locations and stealth fit the pattern of WMD concealment. He began each section with blunt conclusions-*Saddam had CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS*, was producing and concealing them; his ties to *BIN LADEN'S AL QAEDA NETWORK WERE NUMEROUS AND STRONG.* "As Powell was preparing for his Presentation (to the UN). Cheney called Powell. Colin, the VP said, look carefully at the terrorism case that Scooter (the now 5 count indicted one-heh) prepared. Give it a good look.

Sure, Dick, Powell said. He generally used the VP's first name when they were alone. Cheney was not ordering him or trying to direct him. It was just a request to take a serious look.

I was just surfing around the world newspapers and found some kinda disturbing information about Tamiflu.

"Public health authorities in Asia and Europe are reporting Rare but serious psychaitric reactions, up to and including suicide, in children who have been given the drug Tamiflu to treat normal influenza."

I am wondering how long this drug has been on the market? I would guess with a lot of people running scared all over the world lots of them have probably been poping these pills whether they are sick or not. Who knows what really is going on in Asia? I do know we (America) is so far down on the waiting list, I believe someone on Nighline said we will not be prepared for Avian Flu anytime soon. Perhaps 3 years and even then we won't have anywhere near the medication needed and even then they aren't even sure Tamiflu will treat Avian Flu (Bird Flu)

Well, here on the blogs we sign Petitions for a lot of things? I have signed a lot of them this past year. I have Boxer wanting me to sign things about one a month (I always sign my Senator Boxers petitions.) Kerry, it seems like he writes me daily with one (I've almost stopped opening his emails, kidding John)..even one of my hero's John Conyers makes my day when he sends me a petition to sign (instantly..I sign it, I don't even need to read the ones he sends me, I find the dotted line and proudly sign.) I have signed them in front of Supermarkets, at street fairs. Sometimes even at the park. Well this is my turn to put out a petition. I am very distressed. One of my favorites here at BoomanTrib has announced that she is leaving. I have spent many hours blogging with her. We all know her simply as Catnip. She started me off and introduced me to live blogging events over at Dkos and then here. I can't even mention how many live committe meetings, Bush Nominees, Major Speechs, anouncements, whatever, Catnip was always there as my/our guide, hostess to her diaries, organizer and Hero.  

Just watching CNN and Ed Henry reports.." Questions being raised that a REPUBLICAN SENATOR leaked the classified info about the (Bush/Cheney) Torture prisons around the world to the Washington Post last week. Belief was that the CIA had leaked the info, now CNN reports that Senator Trent Lott believes a Republican Senator leaked the info. The details were discussed last week at Tuesdays Republican only Senate lunch that was behind closed doors.  VP Cheney was in attendence.  There was lots of discussion by Sen. John McCain to tighten up the anti torture standards. Lott says after the meeting a lot of what was discussed was in the Washington Post story.

Lott added "We can't keep our mouths shut- *We've met the Enemy and THE ENEMY IS US.*

[Promoted by susanhu.] Life is sweet... check this out ... I am saving room on my office wall for all of the Repug Mug shots..

"A Texas court issued a warrant Wednesday for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to appear for booking, where he is likely to face the fingerprinting and photo mug shot he had hoped to avoid."

"Bail was initially set at $10,000 ... " More below:

I directed a show a couple of years ago....It was a revue of Randy Newmans songs..A lot of it dealt with where he grew up...New Orleans, Louisiana. The south during a difficult time...the songs show what a political man Mr. Newman is...Based on what's been going on down in New Orleans, LA., Alabama, and Mississippi..I just wanted to share some of Mr. Newmans Prophetic Lyrics...I don't think he would mind...
           LOUISIANA
What has happened down here is the wind have changed
Clouds roll in from the north and it started to rain
Rained real hard and rained for a real long time
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline

The river rose all day
The river rose all night
Some people got lost in the flood
Some people got away alright
The river have busted through cleard down to Plaquemines
Six feet of water in the streets of Evangelne

CHORUS
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tyrin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away

President Coolidge came down in a railroad train
With a little fat man with a note-pad in his hand
The President say, "Little fat man isn't it a shame what the river has
  done
To this poor crackers land."

Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tyrin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away
Louisiana, Louisiana
They're tryin' to wash us away
They're tryin' to wash us away

another one......REDNECKS

Last night I saw Lester Maddox on a TV show
With some smart-ass New York Jew
And the Jew laughed at Lester Maddox
And the audience laughed at Lester Maddox too
Well, he may be a fool but he's our fool
If they think they're better than him they're wrong
So I went to the park and I took some paper along
And that's where I made this song

We talk real funny down here
We drink too much and we laugh too loud
We're too dumb to make it in no Northern town
And we're keepin' the niggers down

We got no-necked oilmen from Texas
And good ol' boys from Tennessee
And colleges men from LSU
Went in dumb - come out dumb too
Hustlin' 'round Atlanta in their alligator shoes
Gettin' drunk every weekend at the barbecues
And they're keepin' the niggers down

CHORUS
We're rednecks, rednecks
And we don't know our ass from a hole in the ground
We're rednecks, we're rednecks
And we're keeping the niggers down

Now your northern nigger's a Negro
You see he's got his dignity
Down here we're too ignorant to realize
That the North has set the nigger free

Yes he's free to be put in a cage
In Harlem in New York City
And he's free to be put in a cage in the South-Side of Chicago
And the West-Side
And he's free to be put in a cage in Hough in Cleveland
And he's free to be put in a cage in East St. Louis
And he's free to be put in a cage in Fillmore in San Francisco
And he's free to be put in a cage in Roxbury in Boston
They're gatherin' 'em up from miles around
Keepin' the niggers down

...SAIL AWAY (Think of the Africans being lured into coming to America from the Slave Traders.)

In America you'll get food to eat
Won't have to run through the jungle
And scuff up your feet
You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day
It's great to be an American

Ain't no lions or tigers-ain't no mamba snake
Just the sweet watermelon and the buckwheat cake
Ev'rybody is as happy as a man can be
Climb aboard, little wog-sail away with me

Sail away-sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Sail away-sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay

In America every man is free
To take care of his home and his family
You'll be as happy as a monkey in a monkey tree
You're all gonna be an American

Sail away-sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay
Sail away-sail away
We will cross the mighty ocean into Charleston Bay

last but not least...BIRMINGHAM

Got a wife, got a family
Earn my livin' with my hand
I'm a roller in a steel mill
In downtown Birmingham

My daddy was a barber
And a most unsightly man
He was born in Tuscaloosa
But he died right here in Birmingham

CHORUS
Birmingham, Birmingham
The greatest city in Alabam'
You can travel 'cross this entire land
But there's no place like Birmingham

Wife's named Mary
But she's called Marie
We live in a three room house
With a pepper tree
I work all day in the factory
That's alright with me

Got a big black dog
Whose name is Dan
Lives in my backyard in Birmingham
He is the meanest dog in Alabam'
Get 'em Dan.

more lyrics can be found at RandyNewman.lyrics

Last night I went to the Cindy Peace vigil in Studio City, Calif. It was a couple of miles from my home. It was Awesome. We took over a busy intersection all four corners and lined the streets..Ventura Blvd & Laurel Cyn. There were over 400 people there. News crews.. Local and National, kids, younger people, older people, lots of Moms and Grandmothers, American flags, Peace sign Flags, A Huge CINDY SHEEHAN banner, many small banners and signs saying PEACE, NO WAR,...Stand up for Peace. We love you Cindy. It was a sea of white lights..flickering candles everywhere. There were even people handing out candles. It was such a warm feeling. All the cars that were driving by were honking, yelling, people hanging out of the tops of their sunroofs yelling PEACE, We Love Cindy. A man was handing out "9-11 dollar bills"..they were larger than a regular dollar bills but looked exactly like the real thing

I spent about 20 minutes writing a comment on a diary entitled "What the hell happened to my party" by PeteyP. I checked back to read a few other diaries and cruise the Trib and the diary was deleted. I'm not sure if it was deleted by Mgt...or the author. I just want to state my opinion as someone who spent a good 20 minutes working on a comment in regards to Susanbohu's (who I adore) comment and just an over all (long, very long) comment on my thoughts about the Democratic party/blogs/people/life. When people delete diaries I wish they would think about other people who have spent time, enery, creativity, emotion, and the fact that they even went to the dictionary and looked up how to spell some fucking words. It is NOT COOL TO DELETE DIARIES. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH  

                Cross posted at Dkos

     My sister has been married to this guy for about 20 years. I love my sister. She has 2 amazing son's..straight A students, really smart kids. Because of her and my Nephews I have put up with her husband, their Father, for way to long. Well, Today was Father's day. So there I am over at my sisters house with the Family again.
     Cut to: Father's Day maybe about 14 years ago, my rightwingnut Brother in Law used to go on and on about Howard Stern and how funny he was..."You gotta listen to Howard Stern..he is a riot..You will love him", I think not, I think, I am not a racist or sexist and I appreciate a different kind of humor, I ignor him.

     jump with me and my wingnut bro in law.

Diaries :: Chamonix's diary :: :: Trackback ::

 Father's Day about 7 years ago. The Brother in Law again..."There is this great guy on the radio...You gotta listen to this one...Remember when I told you about Stern...This guy is totally different...he really calls people out. He is gonna help change this country..Give him a listen, he will change your outlook on everything. His name is Rush Lim.." He mentions the Radio channel he is on, I humor him and say "Great...ok..maybe I'll give him a shot". Lying through my teeth as I am already well aware of this anti-christ...I have no interest in anything this moron has to say, let alone recommend. The only thing we have in common is my sister and my two nephews.

     About 4 years ago. You guessed it...him again... Me "Hey..Happy Father's day" Him "Ok..Ok...This guy is IT..There is this news channel called Fox News. I know..I know..You watch local and National Network News and maybe sometimes CNN, I know you are a democrat, but this station may change your life...It's Fair and balanced & Totally patriotic. They love America. You'll see Bush is gonna be a uniter, not a divider. They are always breaking news and really trying to bring the world together. There is this show called "The O'Rielly Factor", he is awesome..he really calls people on their shit. His show is a No Spin Zone, He'a an Independent...all truth and facts..You gotta watch him...I swear, if you don't like this guy..I will never recommend anyone ever again..." Me: " I heard about Fox News...they are totally one sided and far from Fair and balanc....."  "Just watch this guy, he really stands up for Americans"

    Father's Day 2 years ago..."Hey...I know you don't like Bush...and you think this war is illegal but you'll see they are gonna find those WMD's, Sadam was in bed with Osama they planned the whole thing together, they're all terrorist, he was involved in those planes that brought down the twin towers and he gassed hundreds of thousands of his own people...Our soldiers are fighting for Freedom..You can't say anything Bad about our President and country during a Time of War. Anyway..remember that fair and balanced network I told you about..It has really taken off and they have this guy named Sean Hannity...If you just give him a couple of shots, just watch a couple of his shows and I swear you will understand what I have been trying to tell you for years. You are on the wrong side. He really gets to the truth. He makes me proud to be an American." Me leaving, muttering under my breath..."What an Asshole, He lives in a fucking dreamworld, I can never go back to my sisters house and I must kidnap my Nephews in order for them to have a chance in this life"

     Today.....Father's Day...I am asked to bring dessert..I dread the thought of going. I have decided to just ignore the ass. I will talk to my Dad, Nephews, Sisters and just treat my brother in law like he isn't even there. Luckily, he BBQ's the meat so he isn't around much...it is a harmless evening. Nothing political comes up, we eat, talk about how everyone is doing and it's over..I say Goodbye, wish them all a Happy Fathers Day.

     As I am leaving and going out to my car...Here he comes...The Brother in Law. Oh God!!!! I can't, I just can't put up with this ignorant ass, I swear this is it. I don't even care about my sisters, nephews, or even my dad. I have decided it is time for the dam to break wide open. I don't care if I am never invited back to my sisters again. If he brings any political shit up I am gonna bust him. I have 20 years building up inside of me. So, he comes over to my car and says...."Hey..I didn't have a chance to talk to you much tonight..I just wanted to let you know...there is this great radio station here in LA..it's new..it's on channel 1150...it's called Air American...These guys have really made me think...I have totally change my mind....Even though I now think all politicans are crooks....I cannot believe how I have been brainwashed the last 20 years. Once I had a place to go to, to listen to, to hear the other side...I was really able to see things clearly...that President of our needs to be in Fucking Jail, along with the other Republican Crooks in the Senate. If they fucking think I am giving them my Son's to fight their illegal oil war they have another thing coming. Do you know about the DSM and how Bush lied and fudged the intelligence to force us into war way before he went to the UN with those lies.  I will pack up and move to Argentina or Spain before I'll let my sons die in Bushs war. And do you know about this Bolton guy that they want to place into the UN for the US? What a fucking Idiot. He hates the UN. Do you know what happened this past election in OHIO? Do you know about this Attorney General named Gonzales who supports Torture? Do you know about Dick Cheney and the Halliburton kickbacks, do you know.........."

This pretty much proved it for me. When it hits this close to home it really makes you think....American has had it...It is all down hill for Bush from now on. Trust me..My Brother in Law was Archie Bunker. He has changed. He has turned on them. He was not a swing voter. He was not an undecided voter. He was a Republican. Things have gotten so bad, that they all want a way out. They are done with Bush, his war and the Republicans. They had their chance, they blew it. If you could have heard my Brother in Law go off on the Schiavo thing you wouldn't have believed it. "Fucking President flies back on our fucking dime, to sign a bullshit bill that doesn't mean shit, to save a woman, who didn't even want to exist in this state(PVS) in the first place. Now they are coming into our bedrooms and telling us how and what to do with our lives. And what's with this fucking religious stuff"  

We must not let up. We must continue to fight. We are doing it. Even if we change one person a day, I will keep on going. This is a man who I never thought till his last dying day, would go to his grave believing Bush and the Republicans and their Bullshit and pathetic lies. If he can cross over anyone can. Keep fighting the good fight...They are going down...fast and hard.

WTF is going on in California...This is getting scarey. I cannot believe how many times the earth has been moving out here lately. This one was centered in San Bernadino....I am just not liking this one bit. Wonder if Diane101 felt it..she lives closer to the Epicenter...Going back to watch CNN...WOlfie is covering it.....Use this as an Earthquake open thread if you want....

Ok..I received this email today...I copied some of it...It is from someone that I knew about 12 years ago's Mother (the mother is probably about 48 and lives near St. Louis.) I worked with this womans daughter on a show for about 3 months. I haven't seen or spoken to these people since. I have no idea how she even got my email (but as you will read..she, alone, needed to send it to 1000 people.) They have no idea what my life style/ religion is...They basically know nothing about me. I guess Dobson's troops are getting stronger by the day. Mass emailing their own grass roots organization. These people are really trying to make America a Christian Nation. I just cannot believe the scare tactics they use with unintelligent people in middle America. (The following is part of the letter)  

type in your name, then send to everybody you know.
> > >    Dr. Dobson is going on CNBC to urge every Christian to get
involved.
> > >   I hope you will think about signing this and  forwarding to all your
> > >family and friends.
> > >
> > >    Dr. James Dobson, with Focus on the Family, pleads for our  action.
> > >   An organization has been granted a Federal Hearing  onthe same
subject
> >by
> > >the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in  Washington, DC.
> > >   Their petition, Number 2493, would  ultimately pave the way to stop
> >the
> > >reading of the gospel of our Lord  and Savior, on the airwaves of
> >America.
> > >They have 287,000 signatures to  back their stand! If this attempt is
> > >successful, all Sunday worship  services being broadcast on the radio
or
> >by
> > >television will be  stopped.
> > >
> > >   This group is also campaigning to remove  all Christmas programs and
> > >Christmas carols from public schools! You as  a Christian can help!
> > >   We are praying for at least 1 million  signatures. This would defeat
> > >their effort and show that there are many  Christians alive, well and
> > >concerned about our country. As Christians we  must unite on this.
Please
> > >don't take this lightly. We ignored one lady  once and lost prayer in
our
> > >schools and in offices across the nation.  Please stand up for your
> > >religious freedom and let your voice be  heard.
> > >
> > >   Together we can make a difference in our  country.
> > >
> > >   Please press "forward," CLEAN UP THE  MESSAGE (delete prior email
> > >addresses), and forward this to everyone you  think should read this.
> >Now,
> > >please sign your name at the bottom (you  can only add your name after
> >you
> > >have pressed "Forward" OR cut and paste  the text). Don't  delete any
> >other
> > >names, just go to the next  number and type your name. Please do not
sign
> > >jointly, such as Mr. &  Mrs. Each person should sign his/her own name.
> > >Please defeat this  organization and keep the right of our freedom of
> > >religion. When you get  to 1,000 names on this list, please e-mail back
> >to:

My Response:

Please don't ever send me shit like this ever again. James Dobson is one of the most hateful, evil men to walk the earth. Please research him and his organisation....take a look at how he feels about gay rights/civil rights and many other issues that are important for American. He constantly wants to change or break laws so we can be ruled by his religion and his church. Hilter had similar beliefs. I believe in separation of Church and State...which is written into the Constitution of the United States. I have a God that I pray to and I am not interested in Dobson trying to make all Americans pray to his God. He is a pathetic human Being.  I have spent the last year working to bring down Bill Frist, Tom DeLay and the other Republican Puppets of Dobsons and his bullshit hateful group Focus on the Family. This organization and Dobson are Hatefilled people. Please Wake up. They recently had a TV telethon to get rid of the filibuster in the Senate to try and take away all of the rights the minority party has in regards to selecting Judges in our country. Please read both sides of the argument in regards to this man and his organisation and if you still believe in these people and the BS Propaganda they preach please keep it to yourself and don't ever send Propaganda like this to me ever again.   Thank you,    

"These Dobson people are big, and you can see what they are up to. They are working their way through middle America...yup..all the red states and battleground states and spreading stuff like this..."our poor kids can never sing christmas carols again..."  Just thought this might light a fire under a few butts here at the Tribune...Next time we need to make calls to our Senators..think of this email..It will continue to inspire me to fight Dobson, Frist, DeLay, the Chimp and the entire bunch of Lying Crooks in the Repub party.
     

I know Bush's Federal Judge choices are disgusting to many of us, pathetic to most, activist to many. One already got through (Owen from Texas). I am not sure what's going to happen, because of the Mod Squad 14 backroom deal, with Brown from California or PRYOR who used to be the Attorney General of Alabama, and for the time being is sitting on the 11th Circuit(Bush back doored him one night, but his time is running out, now Bush must make him legit and lifetime..yikes). A lot has been mentioned about Brown from California, so I am gonna use this diary to toss out some Facts about PRYOR...Are you with me....here we go.....

1. PRYOR called Roe v Wade- "The Worst Abomination of Constitutional Law in HISTORY"

2. PRYOR filed an Amicus Curiae brief challenging a unique Texas Statue Prohibiting possession of firearms by Individuals, subject to a temporary restraining orders in DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES. Alabama had no similar statue.

(Cross posted with Daily Kos)

        I just received a "Thank You" letter for my donation in regards to the South Asia Tsunami Relief and other Unmet Needs. MSF aka "Doctors Without Borders" is an amazing organization, they are often the first relief org. to arrive at the scene of an emergency and the last to leave. They go into the most remote and dangerous parts of the world. They also speak out against human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law that it's teams witness while providing medical relief.
     

OK...So I was raised a catholic..yup....baptised, confirmed, went to CCD, church, sometimes 3 times a week. I still have memories of the smell of the strong incense the priest swayed back and forth during some of the special services. I especially liked midnight mass on Christmas eve..not because of the mass, for me it was all about getting to stay up late in hopes of seeing St. Nick (Santa). I remember any red light in the sky...my Mom or Grandma said "There is Rudolph". Rudolph=Church?.
        I thought it odd that some of the priests that I looked up to, on some occasions..like the church fair and several pot luck dinners..would get blitzed...drinking one to many beers and acted like fools. My Irish priests always had a way of drinking a little to much and saying things I questioned. I think it was around the time I was about 12 or 13 . Things began to change.