LOSING THE BATTLE, BUT WINNING THE WAR?

Senate Finance Committee votes down two public option amendments

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/29/rockefellers-robust-public-option-amendment-fails-8-15/

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/29/schumers-level-playing-field-public-option-amendment-fails-10-13/

Chair Max Baucus (D-MT), who says he supports the public option, voted against it

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/7485
Baucus: “I Want a Public Option”

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/feature/2009/09/29/public_option_vote/index.html
Chairman Max Baucus, of Montana, voted against both amendments, saying the public option -- because it doesn't have the full support of all 60 Democrats -- would stand in the way of passing a healthcare bill. "The public option would help hold insurance companies' feet to the fire," Baucus said. "But my first job is to get this bill across the finish line." . . . [read on]

What happens next?

The good: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/60683-harkin-says-he-has-the-votes-to-pass-public-option-bill
Harkin says he has the votes to pass public option bill in the Senate

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/the-public-option-lost-today-but-future-fights-could-be-less-daunting.php

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/up-or-down-vote-by-digby-chris-cilizza.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2009/sep/30/congress-healthcare

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/howard-dean-if-democrats-pass-bill-without
Howard Dean: If Democrats Pass a Bill Without a Public Option There's Going to be a Huge Backlash

The bad: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/29/787811/-Public-Option-Outlook-after-Today
[McJoan] One thing that that's clear from today's Finance Committee votes on the public option: Kent Conrad is the problem for the Dems. He provided the cover today for Lincoln, who was virtually invisible, to vote against the Schumer "level playing field" public option that would have done away with Conrad's supposed problem with Rockefeller's amendment--that it was tied to Medicare rates. If that was truly Conrad's big problem with the bill, he should have had no problem with Schumer's bill.

Obviously, he's the anti-public option problem in the Democratic caucus . . .

http://www.slate.com/id/2230938/
[Tim Noah] The Senate Finance committee's vote not to include a "public option" (i.e., a government health insurance program) in its health reform bill came as no surprise, but it was baffling all the same. . . . [read on]

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/First-Reactions-to-Public-Option-Failure-1175

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/afghanistan/happy-hour-roundup-watch-rick-scott-gloat-about-public-option-loss/
Watch Rick Scott Gloat About Public Option Defeat . . .

The ugly: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/nelson-health-care-reform-needs-65-votes-to-be-legitimate.php
Ben Nelson (D-CO): Health Care Reform Needs 65 Votes To Be Legitimate

[NB: What a moron – why not set an impossibly high bar that will make any Dem bill that passes look illegitimate? There aren’t five Republicans who will vote for ANY bill.]

Another moron

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/if-you-take-out-people-who-die.html
[John Ensign, R-NV] Are you aware that if you take out gun accidents and auto accidents, that the United States actually is better than those other countries?" Ensign said. Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) had been citing the health care systems of France, Germany, Japan and Canada as more effective, but with lower costs. . . .

Just your usual political discourse, eh?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/29/787607/-GOP-congressman:-President-Obama-an-enemy-of-humanity
GOP congressman: President Obama an "enemy of humanity"

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/huckabee-attends-rightwing-conference.html
Huckabee attends rightwing conference that tells activists to get their guns ready for ‘Bloody Battle’ with Obama the Nazi

http://www.newsmax.com/john_perry/obama_military_coup/2009/09/29/266012.html
[John L. Perry] There is a remote, although gaining, possibility America’s military will intervene as a last resort to resolve the “Obama problem.” Don’t dismiss it as unrealistic.

America isn’t the Third World. If a military coup does occur here it will be civilized. That it has never happened doesn’t mean it wont. . . .

An outrage, say the Repubs! Why is Obama wasting his time on the Chicago Olympic bid?!??

http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/30/how-dare-he/

Palin’s ghost writer

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/ghostwriter-meet-the-other-rogue-behind-sarah-palins-memoir.php

Bonus item: Heh, heh: the GOP health care plan

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/rep-grayson-d-fl-unveils-gop-health.html
"Don't get sick" . . . [read on]

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

UGLY AMERICANS

Another wingnut conference, and another reminder about the kind of people we’re dealing with here

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/americofascism-by-digby-dave-wiegel.html
“If you look at the classic model for moving to Marxism,” said retired Lt. Gen. William Boykin, who would give the conference’s opening speech, “you look at what every Marxist organization has done, they nationalize. They redistribute wealth. They restrict gun ownership. They then go out and suppress the opposition. And then, finally, they censor the media.”

In his speech, Boykin–who has gotten into hot water for speaking out against Islam while in uniform–begged the audience to pray for their country. “It’s only because of intercessory prayer that we haven’t been hit again since September 11,” said Boykin. “Pray for America for 10 minutes a day. If we can mobilize millions of prayer warriors that can pray for 10 minutes a day, we can open the gates of heaven.”

[Digby] Boykin, of course, is the Delta Force zealot Zelig who became famous for saying that he was fighting the terrorists for Jesus:

Lt. Gen. William G. ‘Jerry’ Boykin, speaking about battle with a Muslim warlord

Yet the former commander and 13-year veteran of the Army's top-secret Delta Force is also an outspoken evangelical Christian who appeared in dress uniform and polished jump boots before a religious group in Oregon in June to declare that radical Islamists hated the United States "because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and our roots are Judeo-Christian ... and the enemy is a guy named Satan."

Discussing the battle against a Muslim warlord in Somalia, Boykin told another audience, "I knew my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol."

"We in the army of God, in the house of God, kingdom of God have been raised for such a time as this," Boykin said last year.

On at least one occasion, in Sandy, Ore., in June, Boykin said of President Bush: "He's in the White House because God put him there."

[Digby] Interestingly, this super Christian is the same guy who went down to Guantanamo and dispatched General Geoffrey Miller to Iraq to "Gitmoize" Abu Ghraib. But then, that would make sense, wouldn't it?

More: http://washingtonindependent.com/61121/fear-of-fascism-gay-agenda-dominate-conservative-kickoff-for-midterm-elections

http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/28/late-night-a-passel-of-petrified-and-pathetic-pinheads/

More pictures! http://washingtonindependent.com/61131/in-photos-the-how-to-take-back-america-conference

More nuts! http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8514

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/vast-failure-by-digby-norah-odonnell.html

The Europeans, who understand something about Hitler, find it extremely bizarre that anyone here should be comparing Obama with Hitler

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/not_sure_i_understand_either.php

Ann Coulter, bless her heart: http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/coulter-says-its-really-liberals.html
Coulter says it's really liberals comparing Obama to Hitler

A Facebook poll on whether Obama should be assassinated

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/incitement_1.php

Secret Service investigating: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/09/28/secret_service_probing_facebook_poll_on_obama/

Senate Repubs now say they won’t investigate “terror fighters”

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/minority-report-by-dday-very-manly.html

Key document authorizing torture has turned up missing. Nothing to be suspicious about there, huh?

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/09/case-missing-documents

Related: http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/28/dojs-dod-advice-for-cia/

Here’s the latest “rising star” of the GOP – someone who uses calls for torture as an applause line

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=09&year=2009&base_name=the_irony_of_liz_cheney#116801

Virginia gov candidate tries to disavow what he himself wrote

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/bob-mcdonnell-tries-downplay-his-thesis-fo
[Bob McDonnell] McDonnell: No. I think those are a couple of quotes out of a 100-page document, Chris, and what the whole purpose of the, of the thesis was to say, look, families are the bedrock of society. And I think there’s broad agreement on that . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/28/787170/-VA-Gov:-McDonnell-defends-opposing-birth-control

Big day for the public option today

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/robert_reich/2009/09/the-public-option-lives-on.php
[Robert Reich] Tuesday is a critical day in the saga of the public option. Democrats Charles Schumer (New York) and Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia) are introducing an amendment to include the public option in the bill to be reported out by the Senate Finance Committee -- the committee anointed by the White House as its favored vehicle for getting health care reform.

Before you read another word, call and email the Senate offices of Democrats Max Baucus (Montana), Tom Carper (Delaware), Robert Menendez (New Jersey), Kent Conrad (North Dakota), Jeff Bingaman (New Mexico), John Kerry (MA), Blanche Lincoln (Arkansas), Ron Wyden (Oregon), Debbie Stabenow (Michigan), Maria Cantwell (Washington), and Bill Nelson (Florida) -- telling them you want them to vote in favor of the public option amendment. And get everyone you know in these states to do the same. Hell, you might as well phone and email Republican Olympia Snowe (Maine) and make the same pitch. . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/28/787282/-Senate-Finance-Committee-Public-Option-Action

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/60493-public-option-debate-continues-to-divide-democrats-on-healthcare

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/hcan-snowe-still-important-but-in-the-end-the-public-options-up-to-democrats.php

Is this true?

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/reich-political-operatives-in-white.html
[Robert Reich] "Political operatives in the White House have quietly reassured the industries that [the public option] won't be included in the final bill" [read on]

Is Majority Leader Harry Reid helping or hurting the process?

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/28/reid/index.html

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/anonymous-senate-aides-suggest-reid-may-nix-public-option-from-senate-bill/

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/with-60-voting-members-public-option-onus-falls-on-democrats-alone.php

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/reid-spokesman-shoots-down-report-that-hes-nixing-public-option/

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/28/787252/-Reid,-Snowe-and-the-Public-Option:-Whats-the-Real-Story

You heard a lot when Obama’s poll numbers dropped, but you haven’t heard this

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/22/785376/-On-Obamas-Dive-In-the-Polls-And-2010

Obama may REDUCE U.S. forces in Afghanistan

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/world/asia/27military.html

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/days-of-decision-by-dday-mcchrystal.html

Let’s start talking about financial re-regulation

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/09/the-investor-problem.php

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/09/how_about_some_regulation_for_washington.php

A new national push to declare a fertilized egg a “person”

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/planned-personhood-by-digby-heres.html

The Sparkman murder is looking uglier by the day

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/witness_sparkman_was_bound_gagged_and_naked_when_f.php

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8522

Bonus item: Sarah Palin wrote a book in four months: and I’m sure it’s GREAT

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/28/palin_book/index.html
“Going Rogue”

Watch: http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/saturdaynightlive/v/mccain-snl.htm

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

CATCHING UP

I spent the day on a plane yesterday – so still catching up with the news.

Here is an overview of the Sunday talk shows, and some videos of what you (and I) might have missed

Overview: http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/09/the_sunday_shows_in_five_sentences_or_less_6.php

Clinton: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020138.php
Former President Clinton was on "Meet the Press" this morning, and David Gregory asked about the "vast, right-wing conspiracy" and whether it still exists, pursuing President Obama.

"Oh, you bet. Sure it is," Clinton said. "It's not as strong as it was because America has changed demographically. But it's as virulent as it was." . . .

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/clinton-vast-right-wing-conspiracy-now-targe

Sect'y of Defense Robert Gates: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/gates-gitmo-closure-its-going-take-li
Gates on Gitmo Closure: 'It's Going To Take A Little Longer'

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/gates-on-iran-there-is-no-military-option-that-does-anything-more-than-buy-time.php
Gates On Iran: 'There Is No Military Option That Does Anything More Than Buy Time'

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/gates-review-of-afghanistan-strategy-should-take-a-few-weeks.php

Health care: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/draft

More: http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Is Afghanistan Obama's Vietnam?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/opinion/27rich.html

Back to the Fifties. Are we STILL having this argument?

http://washingtonindependent.com/61046/huckabee-in-st-louis-get-america-out-of-the-u-n
Huckabee in St. Louis: Get America Out of the U.N.

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/krauthammer-obama-denigrating-country-un-spe

The right is always bleating about the need to have pilot programs that test their market-based approaches to educational reform. How’s this for a test?

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/27/the-fraud-of-gop-tax-and-school-choice-policy-shown-in-arizona/
The state's Private School Tuition Tax Credits program covers the cost of private education, often for children whose parents could afford to pay it themselves - while allowing affluent families to reduce the amount of income tax they pay into the state's general fund. . . .

I’m sure you will be SHOCKED to learn that the theocratic right’s calls for First Amendment rights of religious freedom don’t quite extend to everyone

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/for-me-but-not-for-thee-by-digby-lets.html

Uh-huh. The right-wing noise machine doesn’t get ENOUGH media attention

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/curious_reasoning.php

Bonus item: When reporters tweet

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/27/wapo-tries-to-silence-its-twits/

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

THE POLITICS WE HAVE

I’ve held off on this, because the early stories weren’t clear, but it is looking more and more like that census worker’s death in Kentucky was an act of anti-government hatred

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020125.php
[Steve Benen] Then authorities revealed this week that a noose was found around his neck, and that he was hanging from a tree, his feet touching the ground. The word "Fed" was scrawled across the 51-year-old census taker's chest, according to the Clay County coroner.

Officials said Sparkman's body was found with his Census Bureau identification card taped to his head. An AP report added that he was "naked, gagged and had his hands and feet bound with duct tape." . . .

More: http://www.samefacts.com/2009/09/watching-conservatives/terrorism-in-kentucky/

Hate whipped up by people like this: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/25/bill-sparkman-hate-crime/

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/26/144653/894

More paranoid lunacy from Bachmann: http://washingtonindependent.com/61037/bachmann-in-st-louis-defund-the-left-beware-one-world-currency

And you thought I was exaggerating when I said Glenn Beck was mentally unstable

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/26/785371/-Glenn-Beck,-high-as-a-kite

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/26/16258/6816

For fun: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/countdown-snl-spoofs-glenn-beck

The real story about ACORN

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/rachel-maddow-show-truth-about-lies-about
Rachel Maddow breaks down who is behind the smears against ACORN and why, and how dishonest the reporting has been by the right wing media on the topic. . . .

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/jeremy-scahill-acorn-got-pennies-compared

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/barack-obama-is-acorn-by-digby-susie.html
[Susie Madrak] ACORN is just the new wingnutspeak code for the 'N' word. . . . [read on]

Our stupid politics

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/26/786408/-Whats-Better-Than-Joe-Wilson
[Greg Sargent] This morning, national Republicans blasted out a new fundraising email, signed by none other than Joe "you lie" Wilson. To be expected, perhaps. But now the plot has thickened: Dems have just gone out with their own email that also raises money off Joe Wilson — by pointing to the fact that Republicans are raising money off him. Got that?

[BarbinMD] Now maybe I'm crazy, but I'm guessing that a fundraising email about something being accomplished -- say for instance, "Health Care Reform With Public Option Passes!" -- would inspire a lot more people to donate rather than this schoolyard one-upmanship.

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2009/09/facts-are-stupid-things_26.html
[Atrios] Facts Are Stupid Things. And it's so hard to get the Villagers to be aware of them. Robust public plan is popular and cheaper. . . .

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/brief-observation-by-digby-reading.html
[Digby] Reading through this NY Times poll, one can only conclude that there is a hard core 30 percent of people in this country who are just against anything they think the Democrats and Obama are for. It doesn't even have to make sense. Fine, no surprise. These are the same people who thought George W. Bush was an [un]appreciated genius.

But even more clear is that most people don't have a clue about the details of anything. . . . [read on]

I hope he’s right

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/schumer-gop-obstructionism-makes-public-option-more-likely-not-less/
Schumer: GOP Obstructionism Makes Public Option More Likely, Not Less

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020132.php
[Steve Benen] This NYT piece is ostensibly about Democratic divisions over the details of health care reform -- headline: "For Democrats, Cracks in a United Front" -- which isn't especially interesting. The article, however, actually raises some interesting angles.

Most notable is the new-found optimism on the left about the prospects for a more ambitious reform bill. It's largely a foregone conclusion that the Senate Finance Committee will wrap up this upcoming week, approving a bill that generates no (or almost no) GOP support, but fails to meet liberals' expectations. But as the legislation moves to the floor, progressive lawmakers and their allies "expect to be able to shape the final product more than they had hoped just weeks ago."

What's changed? . . . [read on]

Action alert: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/25/786460/-Public-Option-Action

And, no, the Republicans have no alternative, and don’t seem to think they need one

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020128.php

More on that Kyl/Stabenow confrontation yesterday: is it ACTUALLY the Republican position that people should be able to limit their insurance only to services they think they might need, as opposed to buying into a net pool that benefits everyone?

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/26/144653/894
[Digby] At first glance, it would seem that Kyl is saying that anything that applies to women and not men, such things as uterine cancer,breast cancer, child birth etc, should not be in the universal package of benefits because John Kyl doesn't need it and therefore, shouldn't have to pay for it. But it's actually something different.

It's true that health insurance that covers women's reproductive health is a little bit more expensive for men, who will not personally use it. . . .

But this is really about something different. John Kyl (and people like Ashton Kutcher, who famously said he shouldn't have to pay for fat people because he isn't fat) apparently believe that they can predict the future and should only have to pay for the things from which they personally might suffer. It would be really neat if we could do that, but it's not how the world --- or insurance --- works. [read on]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/sen_kyl_on_health_care.php
[Josh Marshall] With Sen. Kyl pointing out that men have no interest in having insurance cover child birth, no doubt women will note that they have little interest in covering prostate and testicular cancer. And surely men will get back into the act and want to get out of under the cost of covering breast cancer, which very few men get. Indeed, you can see how everyone should probably insist on special customized insurance policies which cover the ailments they plan on getting and avoid paying for the ones they don't. As long as everyone plans well and makes good predictions everyone should be able to save a lot of money.

Hilarious: Kansas Republican tells a lie about health care reform so ridiculous and absurd that even the attendees at his own town hall meeting start laughing at him

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/26/785216/-LOL-@Todd-Tiahrt,-RKS

Obama: Fonzie or Richie?

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/more-fonzie-less-richie.html

Obama: tortoise or hare?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/opinion/26blow.html

Obama: Fascist or Stalinist?

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/rncs-steele-feeds-obama-communist.html

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/funny-no-one-got-upset-when-children.html

You’ve heard about Obama’s declining poll numbers. People don’t like him anymore! But what about the Republicans? (Hint: their numbers are worse)

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/will-media-ever-report-how-low-poilling

Will the GOP make a big comeback in 2010? Don’t bet on it

http://www.samefacts.com/2009/09/campaigns/8689/

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=09&year=2009&base_name=the_woes_of_congressional_dems

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/the-sunday-show-line-ups-22.php
• ABC, This Week: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Former President Bill Clinton; Gov. David Paterson (D-NY); Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA).

Bonus item: Those poor Republicans just don’t get the Internet

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/carlyfornia
“Carlyfornia”?

Heh heh: http://www.carlyforcalifornia.com/default_flash.html

http://www.carlyisdreamin.com/

Extra bonus item: the other Great GOP Hope in California

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/26/AR2009092600923.html
Though [Meg] Whitman seeks to lead one of the biggest and most troubled governments in the world, when it comes to politics, she has been -- to put it kindly -- an absentee citizen for much of her adult life.

The Bee article examined Whitman's voting record in California and in the other states where she has lived since becoming eligible to vote. The Bee said that Whitman had voted infrequently in the past half-dozen years and that it could find no evidence she was even registered to vote before 2002. . . .

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

JUSTIFIED DOUBTS

Oh, you mean THAT nuclear site

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/world/middleeast/26nuke.html
President Obama and leaders of Britain and France accused Iran on Friday of building a secret underground plant to manufacture nuclear fuel, saying the country has hidden the covert operation from international weapons inspectors for year . . .

More: http://washingtonindependent.com/60932/has-iran-actually-violated-any-specific-international-obligations-here

Afghanistan doubts

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/09/joe-bidens-afghanistan-doubts.php
Joe Biden’s Afghanistan Doubts

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/24/obama-finally-facing-real_n_298393.html
Obama Finally Facing Reality in Afghanistan

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/afghanistan/another-poll-finds-opposition-to-troop-increase-in-afghanistan/
Another Poll Finds Opposition To Troop Increase In Afghanistan

MoveOn.org issues a strong anti-war email

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/moveons-email-calling-on-obama-to-exit-afghanistan/
Dear MoveOn member,

U.S. policy in Afghanistan has reached a pivotal moment. President Obama is poised to make a critical decision about the Afghanistan war in the next few weeks. And there’s a big debate happening right now about what to do . . . [read on]

Back to the Bush years?

http://washingtonindependent.com/60836/obama-administration-says-it-doesnt-need-a-new-law-to-keep-holding-prisoners-indefinitely
Obama Administration Says It Doesn’t Need a New Law to Keep Holding Prisoners Indefinitely

http://washingtonindependent.com/60841/gitmo-closing-may-be-delayed
Gitmo Closing May Be Delayed

http://washingtonindependent.com/60671/state-secrets-critics-slam-new-obama-policy
State Secrets Critics Slam New Obama Policy

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/25/crazy-pete-hoekstra-obama-must-torture/
Crazy Pete Hoekstra (and his side-kick, John Shadegg) lives up to his nick-name with this op-ed today in the right wing Washington Times.

He argues that the increased fatalities in Afghanistan stem from a lack of intelligence. And from that claim, he argues that Obama has to abandon the Army Field Manual--basically, he's calling for a return to the torture regime implemented by the Bush Administration. . . .

http://washingtonindependent.com/60833/documents-suggest-detainee-abuses-by-defense-department
Documents Suggest DOD Failed to Probe Alleged War Crimes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/25/AR2009092503745.html
Republicans on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said Friday that they will no longer participate in an investigation into the Bush administration's interrogation policies . . .

More: http://washingtonindependent.com/60963/gopers-pull-out-of-senate-intel-committees-cia-torture-investigation

What people want

http://crooksandliars.com/node/31549
New CBS/NY Times poll: 65% of Americans want the Public option

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/25/poll-public-option-more-popular-than-health-care-reform/
A new New York Times poll shows that the public option is still a good 20 percent more popular than health-care reform in general. . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/25/786348/-Public-Option-Popular-in-Blue-Dog-Districts
Public Option Popular in Blue Dog Districts

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/poll-even-republican-voters-favor-the-public-option.php
Poll: Even Republican Voters Favor The Public Option

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/25/786321/-Winning-the-argument
Congress Daily reports new CBO estimates show a strong public option would save an additional $85 billion compared to a weak one . . .

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/09/public-option-revisited

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020119.php

Who cares what people want?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/25/786299/-Baucus-delays-public-option-amendments
Yesterday, Jay Rockefeller and Chuck Schumer said they planned to push the public option during today's Finance Committee health care markup session -- but today, Max Baucus says there simply isn't enough time. It'll have to wait . . .

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/25/prospects-for-a-public-option-on-senate-finance/
Prospects For a Public Option From the Senate Finance Committee . . .

Damned if you do. . .

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/public-thinks-gop-doesnt-want-compromise-but-wants-obama-to-keep-trying-anyway/
[Greg Sargent] There’s a truly weird disconnect underlying public opinion right now: Americans are overwhelmingly convinced that Republicans are not pursuing a bipartisan health care compromise in good faith, but the public wants Obama to keep trying to find common ground with them anyway. . . .

Meanwhile, from the GOP – crickets

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/09/cantor-healthcare
Politico's Glenn Thrush talks to Republican congressman Eric Cantor about the lack of a GOP healthcare plan 100 days after they promised to provide one . . .

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/poll-three-fourths-of-republicans-say-congressional-gopers-havent-explained-their-health-care-plans/
Poll: Three-Fourths Of Republicans Say Congressional GOPers Haven’t Explained Their Health Care Plans

Sigh

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/opinion/25krugman.html
[Paul Krugman] So, have you enjoyed the debate over health care reform? Have you been impressed by the civility of the discussion and the intellectual honesty of reform opponents?

If so, you’ll love the next big debate: the fight over climate change. . . .

Meanwhile: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402602.html
New Analysis Brings Dire Forecast Of 6.3-Degree Temperature Increase

I haven’t been expecting much from Obama in the way of education reform – but this even disappoints me

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092403197.html
To the surprise of many educators who campaigned last year for change in the White House, the Obama administration's first recipe for school reform relies heavily on Bush-era ingredients and adds others that make unions gag.

Standardized testing, school accountability, performance pay, charter schools -- all are integral to President Obama's $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" grant competition to spur innovation. None is a typical Democratic crowd-pleaser . . .

60

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020123.php
Massachusetts Republicans hoped an 11th-hour lawsuit might prevent Paul Kirk from joining the Senate. That didn't work out. . .

Birther infomercial running in southern tv markets. Let’s see: raising doubts about Obama’s legitimacy as President, check. Nativist, paranoid dog whistles, check. Southern exposure, check. But racism has nothing to do with it, r-i-i-i-g-h-t

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/new_birther_infomercial_running_in_seven_southern.php
Gary Kreep of the United States Justice Foundation says his group will decide soon on a second buy for the 28-minute program . . . [watch]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/a_fool_and_his_money.php

[NB: Yes, Gary Kreep, no kidding]

Crazy lady Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has some stiff competition for the wacko award

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020121.php

But does he have his own action figure? http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/michele-bachmann-action-figure-now-available-for-3495.php

Bonus item: Yeah, yo momma, Jon Kyl!

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020117.php
Igor Volsky reports today that Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) has been pushing an amendment to "prohibit the government from defining which benefits should be included in a standard benefit package." Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) noted that basic maternity care ought to be required.

"I don't need maternity care," Kyl replied. "So requiring that on my insurance policy is something that I don't need and will make the policy more expensive."

Interrupting him, Stabenow added, "I think your mom probably did." . . . [read on]

More: http://www.samefacts.com/2009/09/watching-conservatives/real-men-dont-have-mothers/

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/sen_kyl_on_health_care.php

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

MAKE IT WHILE YOU CAN

Will we get truly progressive health care reform?

No: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/politics-without-politics-by-digby-gene.html
[T]he odds of Obama's signing what the New Republic's Jonathan Chait correctly calls "one of the towering social reforms in American history" appear excellent. Ending the game of health insurance roulette that keeps workers unsure their coverage will actually exist when they need it, and fearful of losing their jobs lest illness or injury lead to bankruptcy, would be a significant moral achievement.

Chait, however, also thinks progressives should shut up and accept a deeply flawed bill. . . . [read on]

Yes: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/surprising_confidence.php
Sen. Schumer and Sen. Rockefeller seemed surprisingly confident that the health care bill will contain a real public option . . . [read on]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/sherrod-brown-rahms-wrong-on-public-option-chances-in-senate.php
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was "wrong" when he appeared pessimistic about the chances of a public option making it through the Senate.

"We'll get enough votes," Brown said . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/24/786130/-Schumer-and-Rockefeller:-There-Will-be-a-Public-Option

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/24/786063/-Blue-Dog-Public-Option-Opposition-Fading
Blue Dog Public Option Opposition "Fading"

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/24/blue-dog-co-chair-opposing-a-public-option-not-a-top-priority/
Blue Dog Co-Chair: Opposing a Public Option Not a Top Priority

The Senators we have

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/they-can-do-it-by-digby-so-in-this.html
So, in this mornings committee, Kent Conrad and John Kyl had a dust-up wherein Kyl bravely defended the elderly from the Democrats who are angling to take away their medicare . . .

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020102.php
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), the Senate Budget Committee chairman and a member of the unsuccessful Gang of Six effort, raised a few eyebrows this week with a message for his "progressive friends."

Conrad, a consistent opponent of the public option, wanted liberals to know "government-run programs" aren't necessary to lower costs and expand access. . . . [read on]

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/stooge-d-nd-by-dday-sherrod-brown-sez.html
[Dday] Brown should go have a talk with Kent Conrad (D-ND). Ezra Klein just did, and I don't know how he got through it without banging the telephone against his ear until it hurt. That Conrad displayed an unconscionable ignorance, as well as an arrogant belief in his own falsehoods, would be normal if he were a teabagger attending a town hall. That he's a Democratic United States Senator fills me with nothing so much as fear. . . .

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/monopoly-money-by-digby-just-shoot-me.html
Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), a Republican member of the Finance Committee who was part of negotiations that produced the pending healthcare bill, said that insurance companies are supportive of the legislation as it stands. . . . [read on]

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/demint-obama-puts-our-troops-at-risk-by.html
DeMint: Obama ‘Puts Our Troops At Risk’ By Working On Health Reform

http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/23/the-republicans-and-health-care-they-snooze-you-lose/
Primarily concerned about delaying the passage of any significant health care reform, [Jim] Bunning [R-KY] added an amendment to the Senate Finance Committee bill that would provide the CBO with "final legislative language to determine precisely what provisions cost". . . . [read on]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/video/2009/sep/24/healthcare-senate-republicans
Michael Tomasky looks at some of the tactics Republicans are using to delay the passage of US healthcare reform legislation . . .

We saw this under Clinton in 1994: if you have the Presidency and the Congress and don’t use it to enact good policy when you have the chance, it gets taken away from you. Squabbling Democrats better wake up to that fact

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/nate-silver-gop-in-good-shape-to-take.html
Nate Silver: GOP "in good shape" to take back the House

Military policy under Obama and Robert Gates

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-10/ff_smartlist_gates
Gates has turned out to be neither a caretaker nor merely the guy tasked with cleaning up the mess Donald Rumsfeld made of the Department of Defense. Instead, Robert Gates has emerged as the most radical secdef in generations, upending the politics of national security, scrapping the traditional ways gear gets to troops, and defying the military-industrial complex. . . . [read on]

Bad news about climate change

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_sc/us_sci_big_melt
NASA data: Greenland, Antarctic ice melt worsening

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/09/climate-change-even-worse-you-think
Climate Change: Even Worse Than You Think

The death of a Census Bureau worker in Kentucky (with the word “Fed” written on his chest) might have been a manifestation of anti-government hatred, may have been a suicide, or may have been something else. It’s too soon to tell

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/23/232711/619

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/census_worker_found_dead_in_kentucky_--_what_do_we.php

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/fbi_sparkman_was_found_touching_ground_not_hanging.php

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/uncategorized/suicide-not-ruled-out-for-dead-census-worker-he-was-in-contact-with-the-ground/

Gee, didn’t we just go through this in Minnesota?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/massachusetts-gop-seeking-injunction-to-stop-senate-appointment.php
Massachusetts GOP Seeking Injunction To Stop Senate Appointment

Remember all those lengthy interviews with Al Gore after the 2000 election, and with John Kerry after 2004? Because we really need to know what the election loser has to say about the person who defeated them

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/stephanopoulos-defends-having-mccain-on-abc-yet-again-no-apologies/
Stephanopoulos Defends Having McCain On ABC Yet Again

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020103.php

More and more conservatives are beginning to wonder if having an emotionally unstable advocate for their views is really helping

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020105.php
BECK FACES BACKLASH -- FROM THE RIGHT . . .

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

STRANGE DAYS

Pulling the “trigger”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/white-house-trying-to-pave-the-way-for-triggers-with-outside-groups.php
White House Trying to Pave the Way for Triggers with Outside Groups

More: http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/white-house-privately-trying-to-sell-progressive-groups-on-trigger/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-lux/triggering-a-democratic-c_b_295954.html
Triggering a Democratic Civil War

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/here-comes-olympia-snowe-trigger

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/queen-commands-no-public-option-you

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/23/785626/-White-House-Looking-for-Snowe-Deal
White House Looking for Snowe Deal?

Snowe job

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/23/785528/-Snowes-True-Colors
Snowe's True Colors

Grassley too: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/michaeltomasky/2009/sep/23/chuck-grassley-healthcare-mandate

The last GOP/Dem “centrist” group did so well in forging a bipartisan compromise on health care that a new one has formed, including some of the same people. Lucy and the football all over again – this time the Republicans are really, really serious about working across the aisle

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/23/785527/-Beware-of-Gangs

Massachusetts picks a replacement for Kennedy

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/23/kennedy_kirk/index.html

Getting to 60: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020052.php

Let’s see: Obama and Qaddafi both gives talks before the UN. Which does Fox News think is the bigger story?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/23/785536/-What-Fox-highlighted-after-90-minutes-of-Qaddafis-rambling

http://tpmtv.talkingpointsmemo.com/?id=3478495

New book gives a glimpse inside the Clinton WH

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/22/branch_book/index.html

I agree: what a lousy, distorted excuse for a newspaper lede

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/23/785155/-Associated-Press-Wins-Major-Award
[AP] The Democratic-led Congress' determination to do something about health care this year has slowed legislation affecting the safety of almost every traveler in America. . . .

Sarah Palin, Big Thinker, gives a speech in Hong Kong

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/does-sarah-palin-realize-how-bizarre.html
"bizarre"

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/09/palin_controversial_at_home_controversial_abroad.php
"brilliant"

Watch: http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/09/video_palins_closed-door_speech_in_hong_kong.php

Glenn Beck gives an interview

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-name-is-glenn-and-im-paranoid-weirdo.html
"I used to be a real social liberal but that’s only because -- I don’t mean to offend anybody here, well, what the heck, I will anyway --I was an alcoholic . . ."

http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/22/glenn-beck-finally-goes-too-far/
Yet another bizarre example of Glenn Beck's need to be provocative even when it makes no sense: He declares that John McCain would have been a worse president than Barack Obama. . . .

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/glenn-beck-sorry-way-it-was-phrased-when-asked
Glenn Beck Sorry for "The Way It Was Phrased" When Asked About His "Obama is a Racist" Comment

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/22/scarborough_beck/index.html
Scarborough: Glenn Beck is bad for conservatism

Tin-foil hats

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/gop-rep-same-sex-marriage-is-part-of-push-for-socialist-society.php
GOP Rep: Same Sex Marriage Is Part Of Push For Socialist Society

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/22/785288/-GOP-congressman:-Same-sex-marriage-is-socialist

Bonus item: Hilarious . . . . and yet vaguely disturbing

http://tpmtv.talkingpointsmemo.com/?id=3470647

More: http://tpmtv.talkingpointsmemo.com/?id=3476199

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/brain-bleach-alert-tom-delay-shakes

http://lafiga.firedoglake.com/2009/09/22/late-night-delay-embraces-feminine-side-on-dancing-with-the-stars/

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/resurrection-tom-delay

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

DOXA

Yes, the Pentagon plays politics too

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/09/21/the-mcchrystal-report/
[Joe Klein] Today's Bob Woodward scoop regarding General Stanley McChrystal's report about the status of the war in Afghanistan is both unsurprising and provocative. McChrystal's assessment was about as expected. . . .

What's provocative about the report is that it was leaked to Woodward--a serious breach of conduct by someone, possibly in the military (or a supporter the military's position). This was an effort to lobby a quick decision on troop strength--which the military wants, so that it can begin planning the 2010 fighting season in Afghanistan. But a quick decision is not a good idea right now. . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/21/784707/-Pentagon-Seeks-to-Force-Obamas-Hand
Pentagon Seeks to Force Obama's Hand

http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/21/mcchrystals-afghanistan-report-leaked-attempts-to-push-obama-to-escalate-war/

http://washingtonindependent.com/60365/more-on-the-box-mcchrystals-report-puts-obama-in

http://washingtonindependent.com/60216/now-that-the-mcchrystal-strategy-review-has-leaked

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/09/the_president_held_hostage.php

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/09/hillary-clinton-afghanistan

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/mcchrsytal-asks-more-troops-obama-mul

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/21/AR2009092103161.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/opinion/22herbert.html

Fear of 51

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/why-democrats-dont-want-to-pass-a-51-vote-health-care-bill--and-why-that-has-liberals-fuming.php
Why Democrats Don't Want to Pass a 51-Vote Health Care Bill--and Why That Has Liberals Fuming

How sad: remember when Obama was a visionary politician who exploited the Internet in all sorts of clever ways? Now he’s just another politician demonizing the “blogosphere”

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/09/21/philosopher-president

Let’s see: start with a conclusion – George Bush was a good President. Now, how do you get there?

http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/21/ross-douthat-george-w-bush-was-a-good-president/

David Brooks: Limbaugh and Beck own the GOP

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/david-brooks-problem-republicans-rac

Shameful: Rick Perry and Mitt Romney decide it’s useful to join the Cleon Skousen fan club too

http://washingtonindependent.com/60224/rick-perry-mitt-romney-and-w-cleon-skousen

The GOP knows they can utter flat, easily refuted lies and not get called on them. Politics is so much easier that way

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/john-boehner-claims-he-never-called-presid

Why can’t Fox News keep people’s party affiliations straight?

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/upbeat-piece-fox-news-converts-uber

Fox whines that Obama skipped their Sunday show – then turns around and brags that they cover Obama less than the other networks do

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/21/784799/-Fox:-Were-the-only-place-you-wont-see-Barack-Obama

Bonus item: I suppose this is what “Values” means to them – tell your kids lies in order to scare them into “good” behavior

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/coburn-aide-if-boys-knew-porn-will-turn-them-gay-they-wont-want-playboy.php

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

NUKES

What are we trying to do in Afghanistan?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/20/AR2009092002920_pf.html
The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan warns in an urgent, confidential assessment of the war that he needs more forces within the next year and bluntly states that without them, the eight-year conflict "will likely result in failure” . . . [read on]

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2009/09/mcchrystals-report

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/21/35734/0088

http://firedoglake.com/2009/09/20/mcchrystals-power-play/

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/20/15256/3825

Obama’s big plans on reshaping our nuclear defense

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/20/21259/6002

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/20/784569/-A-Very-Pragmatic-ProposalThe-Obama-Administrations-New-Approach-To-Missile-Defense

Evidence that Iran ISN’T trying to develop nukes?

http://www.juancole.com/2009/09/newsweek-us-intelligence-finds-no.html

ACORN: the target of a highly focused campaign by the right

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/purpose-driven-ratfuck-by-digby-i.html

You can’t dismiss the recent racially tinged attacks on Obama as overreactions against his current policies: the fact is, they started at the very beginning, and they’ve been woven into how the GOP has dealt with him all along

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/opinion/20rich.html

Michael Steele, bumbling head of a party that says constantly we shouldn’t interject race into every political issue, goes ahead and does just that

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/steele-injects-race-into-obamas-request-that-paterson-not-run.php
Asked about this morning's New York Times story that reports Obama has asked unpopular and struggling Gov. David Paterson (D-NY) not to run in the 2010 Democratic primary, Steele said:

I found that to be stunning that the White House would send word to one of only two black governors in the country not to run for reelection.

Looking somewhat stunned himself, Schieffer asked Steele, "Well you don't think he's asked him not to run 'cuz he's black?"

Perhaps sensing that he'd once again said something he shouldn't have, Steele backtracked. . .

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020027.php

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH

What’s next for the Baucus bill? Five hundred and forty-three amendments to sort through

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/19/784261/-Baucus-Debacle-Amendments

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/now-sausage-gets-made-more-500-amendm

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/19/three-public-option-amendments-submitted-for-baucus-bill/
Three Public Option Amendments Submitted For Baucus’ Bill . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/17/783373/-What-should-Senate-Finance-Dems-do

Where do they roll out these idiots to read the weekly script against Obama’s socialist . . . blah . . .blah health care proposal? For these anonymous back-benchers, it's a chance to get some rare national exposure -- so of course they're happy to recite the same lies, repeated over and over . . .

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020021.php
[Sue Myrick, R-NC] "Under the government-run healthcare system they have in Canada and the United Kingdom, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get those tests so quickly.... When it comes to life-threatening diseases like cancer, delay could mean death." . . .

"Replacing your current healthcare with a government-run system is not the answer.” . . .

"These so-called healthcare reform bills have different names: a public option, a co-op, a trigger. Make no mistake, these are all gateways to government-run healthcare." . . .

"And for seniors, expect massive cuts to Medicare; which is unacceptable under any circumstances."

More on the effort of former CIA heads to squelch a Dept of Justice investigation

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/cover-up-for-god-and-country-by-digby.html
[Digby] Can someone tell me what kind of arrogance would lead someone to write a letter like this . . . [read on]

More: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/09/19/cia/index.html

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/19/cia-oigs-wild-parsing-about-what-was-depicted-on-the-torture-tapes/

A glimpse into Sonia Sotomayor’s legal thinking: she questions treating corporations as individuals (with “rights,” etc) – a founding principle of current corporate law. The Right, predictably, goes ballistic

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/respects-corporate-form-by-dday-i.html
Judges "created corporations as persons, gave birth to corporations as persons," she said. "There could be an argument made that that was the court's error to start with...[imbuing] a creature of state law with human characteristics." . . . [read on]

Fox News declares war on its 24-hour news buddies, CNN and MSNBC. Doesn’t look like a smart move to me

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/cnns-rick-sanchez-to-fox-you-lie.html
CNN's Rick Sanchez to FOX: You lie

Watch: http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/9/20/05953/1019

Let’s see if I’ve got this right: accusing conservative whites of racism is vicious divisive politics – but accusing a black president of racism is acceptable mainstream commentary

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/brit-hume-says-crying-racism-means-y

Glenn Beck’s “Tree of Revolution”

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/glenn-beck-out-his-tree-demands-rest

Who is Cleon Skousen – and why should you care?

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/09/16/beck_skousen/

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/glenn-beck-chases-far-left-radicals

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/the-sunday-show-line-ups-21.php
• ABC, This Week: President Barack Obama.

• CBS, Face The Nation: President Barack Obama

• CNN, State Of The Union: President Barack Obama; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

• NBC, Meet The Press: President Barack Obama; House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Bonus item: Who’s crying now?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/19/quote_of_the_day.html
"The biggest bunch of crybabies I have dealt with in my 30 years in Washington."

-- Chris Wallace on the White House not granting Fox News Sunday an interview with President Obama.

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

SCENES FROM THE CIRCUS

Former Directors: leave the CIA a-l-o-o-o-n-e!

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/ex-cia_directors_to_obama_shut_down_torture_probe.php

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/18/cia_doj/index.html

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2009/09/former.php

http://washingtonindependent.com/60059/cia-directors-tell-obama-to-reverse-holders-inquiry-flub-basic-facts

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/poppy-bush-not-joining-other-dcis-opposing-investigation-of-w-bushs-torture/
[Emptywheel] Note that these men are asking the President to intervene in a DOJ investigation. . . . [read on]

What the DOJ said

http://washingtonindependent.com/60087/doj-defends-torture-probe
"The Attorney General works closely with the men and the women of intelligence community to keep the American people safe and he does not believe their commitment to conduct that important work will waver in any way. . . ." [read on]

What the DOJ did

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/18/AR2009091802510.html
Inquiry Into CIA Practices Narrows

Closing Gitmo: not as brave and bold as it seems?

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/09/15/bagram/index.html
[Glenn Greenwald] It's now apparent that the biggest sham in American politics is Barack Obama's pledge to close Guantanamo and, more generally, to dismantle the Bush/Cheney approach to detaining accused Terrorists. . . . [read on]

How Big Pharma got just what it wanted from the Baucus bill

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/18/baucus-keeps-up-his-end-of-secret-phrma-deal/

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/coinkydink-by-dday-ryan-grim-has-been.html

Here’s how bad Baucus’s bill is: too conservative for Olympia Snowe (R-ME)!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/snowe-wants-key-health-care-measure-strengthened-before-she-supports-baucus-bill.php

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2009/09/subsidies-taxes.php

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/robert_reich/2009/09/why-olympia-snowe-should-vote.php

Bad faith

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020003.php
McClatchy ran this piece from the Kaiser Family Foundation's Eric Pianin and Julie Appleby, who noted that Republicans have rejected a proposal filled with Republican ideas. . . .

Can it be fixed?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020005.php

What will happen next?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/a-roadmap-to-the-health-care-fight-ahead.php

The new GOP line: don’t let accusations of racism stop you!

Roy Blunt: http://washingtonindependent.com/60073/roy-blunt-dont-be-intimidated-by-people-calling-you-racists

Mike Huckabee: http://washingtonindependent.com/60027/huckabee-obama-critics-arent-racist

Rush Limbaugh: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/rush-limbaugh-we-need-segregated-buse

If everybody’s a racist then nobody is: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/he-saidshe-said-who-can-say-by-digby.html

Here’s why the GOP needs to deflect the racism charge: you don’t want people going around calling things like this racist

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2009/09/18/monkeys/index.html
[Mike Madden] Former House Republican whip Roy Blunt was a featured speaker Friday afternoon at the Values Voter Summit, and he had a little parable to share with the crowd.

Conservatives shouldn't get too upset about the way liberals have taken over Washington since President Obama won election, he said. "We've got a reason to explain why we believe in the kind of America we believe in," Blunt said. "You know, you can't control everything there is in life that you'd like to control."

And then he told a little story about a group of British soldiers who found themselves posted in a quiet part of India in the late 19th century or the early 20th century. It was, Blunt said, a "very lush, very quiet, very peaceful, very uneventful part of India."

So the soldiers decided, without much better to do, that they'd build a golf course in the jungle. And then the story got weird.

Almost from the day the first ball was hit on this golf course something happened they didn't anticipate: monkeys would come running out of the jungle and then grab the golf balls. And if it was in the fairway, they might throw it in the rough. And if it was in the rough, they might throw it -- they might throw it back at you! And I can point to great and long detail about how many things they tried to eliminate the monkey problem, but they never got it done.

So finally for this golf course and this golf course only, they passed a rule and the rule was, you have to play the ball where the monkey throws it. And that is the rule in Washington all the time.

Yes, you read that right: the point of the story was that like British golfers, conservatives in Washington have to play the ball where the monkey throws it.

The kind of people they are: Nancy Pelosi expresses concern that right-wing hate speech could lead to violence. The GOP thinks this is just a terrible thing for her to say

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/09/republicans_denounce_pelosi_fo.html

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/republicans-reject-pelosis-call-to-shun.html

Scenes from the Values Voters circus

http://washingtonindependent.com/60103/values-voters-ride-tea-party-momentum

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/the_right-wing_circus_comes_to_town.php

Heh: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/09/fox_enters_the_heart_of_darkness.php

The highlight: Last year’s keynote speaker was Newt Gingrich, Big Ideas guy. This year’s?

http://washingtonindependent.com/59998/carrie-prejean-thanks-you-for-supporting-her
“I may not have won the crown that night. . . I know the Lord has such a bigger crown waiting for me.”

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/feature/2009/09/18/values_voter/index.html

For all those wackos who fear socialism and Big Gummint: take the pledge!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/18/783895/-The-Teabagger-Socialist-Free-Purity-Pledge
I, ________________________, do solemnly swear to uphold the principles of a socialism-free society and heretofore pledge my word that I shall strictly adhere to the following . . .

Scenes from the Texas Board of Education

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/tx_board_ed_member_minorities_be_thankful.php
TX Board Of Ed Member: Minorities Must Be Thankful To 'The Majority' For Giving Them Rights!

Charles Krauthammer questions Obama’s honesty. Charles Krauthammer!

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_09/020011.php
Fox "News" getting worse and worse

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/business/media/19fox.html
The hostility between the Fox News Channel and its television news competitors, usually barely submerged, exploded into open recriminations Friday over a newspaper advertisement in which Fox accused its competitors of missing the story of the so-called antitax protests in Washington last Saturday. . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/18/784044/-Fox-caught-on-tape-manufacturing-dissent
Media Matters has obtained video showing a member of the Fox News production crew stage-managing a 9/12 protest crowd for a Griff Jenkins live shot . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/17/783676/-The-world-according-to-Fox-News
President Obama gave a great speech Thursday about his plan for health care reform, but unlike CNN and MSNBC, Fox didn't think it was worth covering. . . .

http://www.americablog.com/2009/09/fox-says-f-word-on-air.html
FOX says the f-word on the air

Is Rush getting a little jealous of all the attention Glenn Beck is soaking up?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/catfight-by-digby-beck-vs-limbaugh-beck.html

Time cover story: and what a pathetic excuse for reporting it is

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/dear-time-magazine-about-subscriptio

http://mediamatters.org/blog/200909180007

Reality, or satire? Sometimes you just can’t tell

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/glenn-beck-chases-far-left-radicals

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/pre-beck-beck-by-dday-uncanny.html

Bonus item: The inside scoop on how the Joe Wilson “You lie” outburst happened

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/09/18/behind_the_outburst.html#031392a

Extra bonus item: Bidenisms

http://www.slate.com/id/2228872/

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***