Are we dead yet?
By John Amato Monday Feb 18, 2008 12:01pm
Oh, No! It's the FISA Overtime Clock from the Heritage Foundation...Ahhhhhh. Watch out for the Hannity graphic right next to it. It's coming.
...But because Congress hasn't given Bush exactly the new bill that he demands, certain interested parties are having hysterics. Unsurprisingly, The Corner is, once again, Vapors Central. Lopez offers Bush's radio address on the subject today: "At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning a new attack on America." Even though Bush already has the power to spy on anyone, anywhere, because he doesn't have the new bill he insists upon, no one will be able to stop it -- and you're going to die...read on
Mark Steyn is as usual---a huge wankadoodle.
Glenn Greenwald: This is one of the most bizarre propaganda dramas ever, even when weighed against other Bush Terrorism propaganda dramas of the past. There is one reason, and one reason only, that the Protect America Act expired. Its name is "George W. Bush."
Oh my god.
Watch out everyone becuase Osama Bin-Goldstien is coming to get you!
Waaaaaahh...
Uh........be on alert for Republican staged attack on America.
These assholes are making our country into a bunch of chickenshits. Whatever happened to ”Land of the free. Home of the brave?”
New slogan for the United States of America: “Be scared. Be very scared!!”
OMG NO!! The sky is falling!!! (So said Pravda/Fox News)
Those Republicans SO love giving blow-jobs to the Telecoms. Hopefully the Dems won't.
Can we have Bush committed yet? He's the most insane and deluded President ever!!!
Captain Kangaroo @ 5:
The Republicans don't like people being either free or brave, the Republican voters are so scared you could just about tell them any BS you want and they would believe it out of fear!
Wait. Why doesn't Bush get this thing taken down? Doesn't he realize what the Heritage Foundation is doing? Doesn't he see what this really is? A invitation to all the terrorists out there trying to kill us to make phone calls! My god! They are going to all make phone calls now, we are actually telling them when they can use the phone. OH NO!
Looks like they took it down. Hannity is still there, but there is a "First Principles Series" box there now.
Guess they got the hints they looked like fucktards.
The thing is the government can aready spy and look and peek and arrest. All they have to do is go to the FISA court and get a rubberstamped warrant. They can even get the warrant after the fact!!
Fuck you Sean Hannity!!
My new bumper sticker that was cool 10 years ago......"No Fear"
At least the retards corrected the spelling of 'Extention' [sic] on their terror-graphic.
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/02/16/protecting_us/index.html
Fear is the tool of the devil. These Rethugs are shameless tools.
What if bush had gotten the bill without the amnesty in it and vetoed it, would we be dead yet?
meegbear @ 10:
Ah.....I love that word.......fucktards
For 45 years (since 11/22/63), the executive branch of the U.S. government has worked assiduously at feeding lies and distortions to the American People. Each administration has learned propaganda lessons from prior administrations.
What we have with Bush is the chickens coming home to roost. Americans, in all their comfort, have allowed the lies to be published to the point where the president feels justfiably secure in flat out, hands down lying.
And if we Americans don't stand up and demand an end to the lies, they surely won't stop after 1/20/09.
So the war in Iraq and Afghanistan were for nothing? The only thing protecting America was the telecoms? Well, who the hell knew?
Has the terrorism color alert been raised?
Captain Kangaroo @ 11:
I like Feingold's proposed amendment that would allow oversight by congress. There are a few, like Feingold, who take their oversight responsibilities seriously. I think having to go to the FISC discourages the executive branch from making inappropriate spying requests, even if their requests are granted the vast majority of the time.
pissed off patricia @ 18:
More precisely, the only thing protecting us was the telecoms' immunity from lawsuits.
Shouldn't it have bee a PAA countdown clock?
But then again, when has the Heritage Foundation ever gotten their facts right!
where is the dem-capitulation countdown clock???
It's Midnight Ravings Time!
Are we dead yet?
I know something smells bad.
If they made a mens cologne that smelled like a meatball sub
Would I want to eat myself?
Run!!!!!Hide!!!!!!!Put youe head between your legs!!!!! ,Lion's & Tiger's & Bears!!!!OOOOOOOOO-Noooooooooo.
Janet @ 7:
But not denuded.
the fucktards are at it again... geebus!
MM @ 19:
Is it still used? I don't recall hearing about it since terra was defeated with the Iraqi splurge.
Well . . uh . . we are going to die, ya know. So at least they got that right.
Captain Kangaroo @ 5:
That's not a new slogan, Captain. We've had that since 9/11 9/11 9/11...
Dahgrostab'ph-r-i @ 2:
perhaps ill be safe if i join the mossad!
ConcernedCanuck @ 30:
GO to the Fox home page, it's there in all its glory!
Current Threat Level
February 19, 2008 — The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow.
The U.S. threat level is High, or Orange, for all domestic and international flights. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines.
While there continues to be no credible information at this time warning of an imminent threat to the homeland, the department's strategic threat perspective is that we are in a period of increased risk. The National Intelligence Estimate cited heightened activity overseas and we're mindful of the recent arrests in Europe. There has also been an upward trend in propaganda tapes and messages coming from Al Qaeda and affiliated networks over the past year.
Recommended Activities
All Americans should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately.
Everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency.
LOL
I don't see it on fox, either. man, how I am gonna know how long i've been dead :(
Why did it feel like a little part of my soul died when I went to the Heritage website?
Now, I got a headache...
Herr dubyah was spying on Americans prior to 9/11....how well was he able to protect us?
Blue Lensman @ 31:
Give me liberty or give me death.
I personally am getting more and more scared. Not from the terrorist but from a false flag operation that kills hundreds maybe even thousands of people. It would put the United States on a direct path to permanent Fascism. The US would take away more and more rights and I don't think we would ever get them back.
The statement should be " somewhere in America a bunch of lawyers are going to unravel the conspiracy unwhich this all has happened"
That is why the regime is afraid it will be out in the open on how they have spied on ALL the citizenry.
And anyway I bet even when we were under this travestry there were groups that are/were planning ill against us in and out of the country.
Let's assume for a moment these massive class-action lawsuits against the telecoms proceed and the courts find that people experienced actual harm to be paid damages for. Who do you think would be left holding the bag? That's right, those court costs and damages will be passed right on to consumers. Worse yet, because lawyers will skim their customary 30% off the top, it will effectively be imposed as a regressive tax, harming the least among us more. Aside from clogging up the courts and enriching lawyers, suing the pants off a person or corporation accomplishes nothing in the end when they can just turn right around and charge the public for a new pair.
FOX is State Sponsored TV @ 4:
So the GOP can say " See! I told you so. I wouldn't be in the least surprised.
And isn't ironic, don't you think?
It's like ignoring a presidential daily briefing in August about Bin Laden determined to strike in US.
It's like using 9/11 as a pretext to invade Iraq.
It's like 10 billion dollars in no bid contracts.
Who would've thought... it figures.
peaceful easy feeling @ 43:
So you think we should just let them commit crimes with no repercuusions. You sir are a dunce or a troll.
ConcernedCanuck @ 35:
Does Europe have a color coded threat level system ?
I mean they have had their share terror and they don't go thru what we as americans do.
The system is to keep you scared and compliant
Sean Hannity Military Service Clock - Still at zero.
This is a president who has inspired hate, sparked anger, instilled fear and paranoia in the hearts of American citizens -- all the darker angels of our nature. I think our nation died a little when he strutted on that navy ship in his borrowed flight suit trying to impress us with bravery he didn't possess.
Every thing he touches turns to ruin. Hope, love, kindness, generosity, empathy -- all of the good things in the world -- shrink away from him. This is a man who has already died on the inside. And he clings to us with a smirk on his face and a frantic grasp, hoping to drag us into his metaphorical grave with him.
Other than these qualities, he's the greatest president ever and the bestest policies I ever seen!
Dr. Matt @ 39:
was he wandering if wed catch on to his participation in 911?
And somewhere in this world, someone is thinking about making Pigs fly in the sky. Pigs to be jettisoned and airborned in the sky, and only to splash down its guts and intestines sprawling all across US suburban neighborhood. How about that, Pigs flying the sky, so people be afraid !!! Be very very afraid of Pigs flying in the sky.
peaceful easy feeling @ 43:
this is straight from the GOP talking points...
why not just come and say that you support government-corporate collusion and their efforts to illegally spy on the american public, why go through all the meandering BS?
Dr. Matt @ 39:
And there you have it, the reason Bush is trying to terrorize the country just until he can get out of office and have his ass free of all responsibility for 9/11.
Gotta keep driving the point home: the surveillance program existed pre-9/11, and failed catastrophically - yet it's existence remained secret until after 9/11, and it's existence pre-9/11 not until much later, yet it's existence was justified by 9/11.
Will someone in the House or Senate please make this goddamn point??
Wait, no one's made the obvious Python joke yet? ;-)
As FMD commented over at Greenwald's:
If the nation is really going to be more vulnerable as the result of the expiration of the PAA (Protect AT&T Act), why hasn't Homeland Security's color coded threat level been raised to Magenta or Puce or some such thing?
Ron @ 46:
Dunce or Troll? That is a false choice. Thats like saying your short and you cant reach very high.
ConcernedCanuck @ 35:
Americans should take special notice of any muslims praying and muslims walking suspiciously back and forth in an airplane asking for suspicious seatbelt-extensions. Any one speaking in a foreignsounding language like arabic or farsi might be planning a terrorist attack and should be reported to airport security at once.
BobD @ 34:
Sorry, I'm wrong. On super sunday I was trying to find a station I could tune in that was showing the game (no cable) and on the Maine Fox website I saw the coded alert. It was Orange BTW. It's not there now, guess the game was scary to GW!
And of the HSA website it says we are in orange today. With GW out of the country I thought we would be safer! I still contend that GW is looking for a country that will let him hide out after he gets out of office. He doesn't want to be brought to the Hague, and maybe Charles Taylor will hide him!
tyree @ 50:
Is he asking for immunity for the tapping prior to 9/11? Is that included in the bill, does anyone know?
Ron @ 46:
Conservatives believe that only the "free market" should hold corporations accountable for anything. Because, in their desiccated little minds, money is the only valid source of political power.
Fred @ 48:
His college degree clock is also firmly planted at nil.
RayC @ 41:
The possibility some deranged individual might try to "make history" by taking out Obama is what concerns me. It's hard to conceive of a single worse event which could occur right now. You want to talk about undoing decades of progress in a single blow, that would do it, even more so than another bona fide terrorist attack. Thank goodness the SS is on the job! Secret Service, that is.
unsurebtwilling @ 47:
I am not sure. Good question. I know that as a Canadian, I am yet to hear broadcast continuously on the CBC, or any other network, a terror alert system. Guess people just aren't jealous of our freedom and our healthcare.
RayC @ 55:
LOL, he can't reach a very high level of intelligence.
peaceful easy feeling @ 61:
What would make him more of a target than Hillary? Both have similar platforms and both would be firsts for America. If anything, those evile terrists would be angrier at a female in power, would they not?
MM @ 19:
Yeah, it's now BLACK.
peaceful easy feeling @ 61:
No shit, because the chaos that would cause globally would really set us back... by then America's political climate would turn into Pakistan's.
At least the Secret Service can do their jobs right, if anything. They've got to realize that threat assessment risk.
unsurebtwilling @ 47:
This is all I found
United Kingdom: Like the USA, the UK has 5 levels of alert. They are as follows: low for unlikely attacks, moderate for possible but unlikely attacks, substantial for very possible attacks, severe for highly likely attacks and critical for imminent attacks. The threat level has now been downgraded from critical to severe.
The Netherlands: Things are more complicated here, as there are two systems. One activates special protection for certain economic sectors such as power suppliers, public transport and the civil service. The other defines the degree of risk to the country from terrorist attacks. Both consist of 4 levels. According to the second system, the alerts are the following: minimal, limited, substantial and critical. The current threat level in the country is substantial, and it is expected that this will soon be reduced to limited.
Spain: A simplified system with 3 levels numbered from 1 to 3. For the past year, the level has been set at 3, the most serious, which means that the army may have to act.
France: its system – pompously named Vigipirate – is divided into 4 levels. These are represented by 4 colours, in order of increasing severity: yellow, orange, red and scarlet. The threat level is currently set at red, the level intended to prevent serious attacks.
peaceful easy feeling @ 43:
How about we just all the way around just have the Government pay for the settlement directly? That way, they'll still get the feeling that they are bailing out the Tele-coms, and not clog up the courts.
Rusty Shackleford @ 59:
appropriate use of quotation marks around "free market".... myths need to be put in quotes
TIME FOR CHANGE. GOBAMA!!!!
ConcernedCanuck @ 64:
A deranged individual going after Obama, not a terrorist organization. Don't mix the two.
Anyone who was alive when our cities were burning back in the 1960s probably understands my point.
Samson- @ 69:
Exactly.
Rusty Shackleford @ 59:
Thus, if they take money away from the poor and middle class, those groups will no longer have power.
Great moniker by the way: "Are you my friend Hank? Or are you my new friend "Rusty Shackleford"?
galmud @ 56:
You forgot your [snark] tags.
ConcernedCanuck @ 67:
Why the need for the editorial comment? One meaning of the word pirate in French is hijacker or to hijack. Vigipirate in a combination of the words vigilance and pirate. How is that more pompous than "Homeland Security"?
ConcernedCanuck @ 64:
If we're only talking about "deranged individuals", you could argue that McInsane is just as likely of a target. Raising the spectre of assassination is just another brand of fear mongering.
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 75:
Still better than Vagipirate. One meaning the female reproductive organ and the other is the word for hijack in French. Thus, be on the lookout for hijacked vaginas.
The knuckleheads couldn't risk an assassination of Obama and turn him into a martyr. They engage in character assassination now.
Blowing off all the strawmen and ad hominems in reply to peaceful easy feeling @ 43.
Without disputing any of the facts of the telecom immunity case, my only point is the tort system doesn't changes behaviors of either people or corporations when the punishment can just be passed along as part of the cost of doing business. Some people are hell bent on punishing all corporations financially, seemingly without consideration for who is ultimately bearing those costs. I'm advocating the current system needs to be overhauled so that actual progress is made on these issues, because right now there's a lot of churn but little forward motion.
This is insane. So going back to the old way of doing things -- in which the intelligence agencies could spy on anyone for up to 72 hours before they had to get a rubberstamp FISA court order -- will get us killed. I thought we were fighting THEM over THERE so we didn't have to fight THEM here? Is the president admitting that the war in Iraq is a waste?
I remember when deranged individuals back in the burnin', riotin' 1960s assassinated some white men, including a president.
So, because we were so skeered, we stopped electing white men.
What a bunch of nutters
MM @ 19:
They only use that in the heat of a presidential election. Wait until after the primaries are over.
And THAT'S what we old-school folks call TREASON.
When costs are passed on to consumers, they "vote with their feet."
Except, apparently, the costs of tort suits. They are immune from that "rule" of the "free market." When a company passes on those costs, the consumer can make no choice!
"Free market" propaganda is fun. You can arrive at any conclusion you want by picking where you stop your "analysis."
All the corrupt Reslugs and Faux Noise are desperately stumbling over each other to cover up the criminality of Boy George and the phone companies who broke the law for the moron.
Blue Lensman @ 76:
Although there was no specific threat, it's clearly more than a specter when Obama was assigned SS protection earlier in his candidacy than any person before. And I seem to recall this was put in place because Obama himself requested it. It's not fear-mongering at all, but rather a tangible threat our political leaders have to take seriously.
Hannity is turning in a huge Blimp, just like his fairy good friend Blimpaugh.
Rusty Shackleford @ 85:
Not on essential services for which demand is inelastic and providers few due to the high cost of the infrastructure, e.g. telecom.
I truly believe that if Bush gave a speech and said chickens for dinner would fall from the sky at 3:00 today The true republican sheeple would be sitting in there lawn chairs w/there Wal-Mart bags waiting for that bird to fall and when it didnt they would just say "Well damn I guess they just didnt have enough to go around.......
Nancy, are we IMPEACHING yet???