Today’s Top Stories:

Cindy McCain’s Fourth of July Surprise

and

Rumors of Bozo’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated

The GOP and the media have a problem with Obama being determined to end the war. The State Dept. is abusing its power by spying on celebrities.
The White House has a problem with detainees being freed, if proven guilty.

NYT Editorial:

“Unless Congress closes a gaping hole in the law against war profiteering, companies ripping off taxpayers in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars may never be fully prosecuted. This is because the latest conflicts are not declared wars.” 7/4

Here is real, audacious hope (video) not the ersatz stuff that’s been peddled of late. This is a speech by Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mark Begich. He takes what has lately become a controversial stand even within the Democratic Party: he promises to support and restore the Constitution and prevent government interference in the lives of law-abiding citizens. There’s no nuance or parsing here. After the recent disillusionment on the Presidential front, it’s heartening to see that there really are Dems out there who are not the captives of lobbyists and wormtongued campaign consultants.

Tequila @ 2:

The GOP and the media have a problem with Obama being determined to end the war. The State Dept. is abusing its power by spying on celebrities.
The White House has a problem with detainees being freed, if proven guilty.

Even guilty by reason of tortured confession?

My politician money is now going straight to anti-FISA pols. Not a dime to Obama. Whether he wins or not, we need more and better Congresspeople. I expect Obama will get plenty of cash of the telecoms.

Has anyone heard tom hartman take on Dinesh D’souza?
Dinesh had written a nasty editorial about Michelle Obama and Tom ripped him apart..it was classic….it hapened on Monday I think.

FBI Gets Into the Business, Officially, of Race, Religion and Ethnicity Profiling. 7/3

Although President Bush has disavowed targeting suspects based on their race or ethnicity, the new rules would allow the FBI to consider those factors among a number of traits that could trigger a national security investigation

ben @ 7:

Has anyone heard tom hartman take on Dinesh D’souza?
Dinesh had written a nasty editorial about Michelle Obama and Tom ripped him apart..it was classic….it hapened on Monday I think.

dinesh d’souza? the journalistic counterpart of the governor of La?

Kathy @ 6:

My politician money is now going straight to anti-FISA pols. Not a dime to Obama. Whether he wins or not, we need more and better Congresspeople. I expect Obama will get plenty of cash of the telecoms.

he appears to be taking on the calculating ways of the clintons, which made many people uncomfortable.

Judge Appointed by Poppy Bush Says Junior Broke the FISA Law: “A federal judge in California said Wednesday that the wiretapping law established by Congress was the “exclusive” means for the president to eavesdrop on Americans, and he rejected the government’s claim that the president’s constitutional authority as commander in chief trumped that law.” 7/4

Naomi Klein on Disaster Capitalism: State of Extortion 7/14

Once oil passed $140 a barrel, even the most rabidly right-wing media hosts had to prove their populist cred by devoting a portion of every show to bashing Big Oil. Some have gone so far as to invite me on for a friendly chat about an insidious new phenomenon: “disaster capitalism.” It usually goes well–until it doesn’t.

NRA Plans $40M Fall Blitz Targeting Obama 7/3

Elizabeth Holtzman: Impeach Bush Now 7/4

According to a top aide, John McCain recently endorsed George W. Bush’s right to wiretap American citizens without court approval, despite the clear requirements of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Clearly, McCain has learned nothing from the past seven-plus years of Bush/Cheney assaults on the Constitution.

More troubling is that he doesn’t seem very worried that his position will generate serious criticism. And apparently it has not. The lack of public outcry points to the likelihood that too many Americans are either confused about a President’s prerogatives or have been persuaded by the years of Bush’s constitutional abuses that a chief executive has the right to violate the law or subvert the Constitution in other ways.

McCain’s position and the response to it demonstrate how much the Bush Administration has damaged public understanding of the system of checks and balances that lies at the heart of our democracy. The framers believed that unchecked power, including unchecked executive power, was the greatest threat to our liberties, but too many citizens today perceive that danger as unreal.

Cointel: My bad. The heat again. I love global warming in Cali, since the bad air gave me the added bonus of bronchitis. [My specialist claims it’s the weight, but I was heavier a few years ago than I am now.] Anyway, I meant “innocent”.

Hundreds of Billions of Our Taxpayer Dollars, Thousands of Lives, and Our National Infrastructure Crumbling, All to Subsidize the Profiteering of the Bush/Cheney Oil Swindlers: “Bush administration officials knew that a Texas oil company with close ties to President Bush was planning to sign an oil deal with the regional Kurdistan government that ran counter to American policy and undercut Iraq’s central government, a Congressional committee has concluded.”

Tequila @ 15:

Cointel: My bad. The heat again. I love global warming in Cali, since the bad air gave me the added bonus of bronchitis. [My specialist claims it’s the weight, but I was heavier a few years ago than I am now.] Anyway, I meant “innocent”.

you did nothing wrong, IMHO. I know what you meant. I read through your message. Trust that you’re getting through and that no snark or swipe was aimed at you.

What would Zeus do? @ 4:

Here is real, audacious hope (video) not the ersatz stuff that’s been peddled of late. This is a speech by Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mark Begich. He takes what has lately become a controversial stand even within the Democratic Party: he promises to support and restore the Constitution and prevent government interference in the lives of law-abiding citizens. There’s no nuance or parsing here. After the recent disillusionment on the Presidential front, it’s heartening to see that there really are Dems out there who are not the captives of lobbyists and wormtongued campaign consultants.

He’s an Alaskan first?

I guess i was looking forward to hearing about a Democrat who was running for a seat in the United States Congress.

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 17:

Tequila @ 15:

Cointel: My bad. The heat again. I love global warming in Cali, since the bad air gave me the added bonus of bronchitis. [My specialist claims it’s the weight, but I was heavier a few years ago than I am now.] Anyway, I meant “innocent”.

you did nothing wrong, IMHO. I know what you meant. I read through your message. Trust that you’re getting through and that no snark or swipe was aimed at you.

BTW, sorry for the weather doing what it’s doing out there. 1,000 fires? YIPES!!!!!

Irresponsible Journalism Alert: The Washington Post 7/4

It took more than four months, but something finally beat out the Vicki Iseman story for its sheer chutzpah and utter irresponsibility.

The culprit is this piece from the Washington Post,which alleges that Barack Obama received a “discount” on his 30-year home mortgage when he purchased his house in Hyde Park in 2005. Obama’s mortgage rate was 5.625 percent; the Washington Post cites databases stating that the average rate on comparable properties was 5.93 percent.

So Obama’s rate was 30 basis points better than the average. However, the amount of the loan and the nature of the property are not the only factors that determine a mortgage rate. Another major consideration is the creditworthiness of the borrower. According to current rate quotes from myFICO.com, a borrower with very good credit can expect a mortgage rate about 30 basis points better than someone with pretty good credit, and a borrower with excellent credit can expect about a 50 basis point discount.

Unless the Washington Post has access to Obama’s FICO score — and unless it has rented an apartment to him, it probably doesn’t — it is missing a pretty important piece of information on what Obama’s mortgage rate ought to have been. What was Obama’s FICO score? I don’t know, but considering that…

* Obama had just gotten a $2.27 million book deal from Random House — about $1 million more than the value of the mortgage.
* The Obamas each had exceptionally secure jobs that paid them a combined annual salary of about $500,000 per year.
* The Obamas had just sold their condo, on which they had realized a $137,500 profit.
* The Obamas were prominent public figures whose political futures depended in part on maintaining a reputation for responsibility and trustworthiness.
* The Obamas are known to be relatively thrifty and have no credit card debt but substantial savings.

…I would think that the Obamas were exceptionally creditworthy. So indeed, Obama received a “discount” — the same discount that any borrower in his position would have received.

Cointel: Yeah, I’m in the southern part of the state, but the smoke’s occasionally clogged the air here pretty badly over the last year. I even saw a friggin’ red sky once a few months ago! I’m actually starting to feel sorry for some of the evacuees as much as the firemen, even though the evacuees deliberately chose to live in homes situated next to vulnerable brush.

xoites defends Constitution @ 18:
Yo!

White House Suppresses Key Global Warming Document

$2 TRILLION BENEFIT: As first revealed by the Detroit News, an advanced model used by the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) foundthat iincreasing fuel economy standards by 4 percent a year would have a net benefit to society of $1.4 to two trillion dollars by 2040. The benefit is strongly tied to the price of gasoline. Using the latest estimates from the Energy Information Administration, the EPA study assumed that gasoline prices would get no higher than $3.50 a gallon. Those figures are already outdated, as gasoline prices have reached an average of $4.09 a gallon, and oil prices are nearing $146 a barrel. With higher gasoline prices, the benefits of high carbon dioxide standards would be even greater. Consumers are responding already to the spiking price by moving away from gas guzzlers. Detroit automakers have suffered hard sales declines: “Ford Motor was down 28 percent in June, General Motors was off 18 percent, and Chrysler dropped 36 percent.” Toyota likewise fell 21 percent. Only Honda Motor, with its fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles, saw any sales gains.

Hmm. Miles of California burning? MSM doesn’t think it’s that important. All day with Obama scandals. You would think there isn’t even two wars going on.

I note that there is considerable outrage, and rightfully so about a judge’s order requiring YouTube to turnover user data. The thread notes that that cell phone user data can and is being used to track individuals. I wonder how many people know about OBD-111?

This is Getting Fun. Since the WH Won’t Let Anyone with Knowledge of Their Illegal Behavior Testify Before Congress, the House Judiciary Committee is Now Threatening Karl Rove with “Inherent Contempt.” To Refresh Your Memories, That means that Capitol Police (as in the real Capitol) Would Seek Rove Out, Arrest Him, and Confine Him in the Basement of the Capitol. We’re Not Joking. 7/4

Hi Cointelpro!

By the way. Reguardless of the facts, if O bama did it it was bad. If McCain didi it it was good. In fact i understand McCain’s mere vicinity causes hostages to be reascued.

P.D. @ 24:

Hmm. Miles of California burning? MSM doesn’t think it’s that important. All day with Obama scandals. You would think there isn’t even two wars going on.

well, they even read to you whatever the papers are saying about Obama.

Tequila @ 2:

The GOP and the media have a problem with Obama being determined to end the war. The State Dept. is abusing its power by spying on celebrities.
The White House has a problem with detainees being freed, if proven guilty.

I have always reckoned that a proportion of the Gitmo detainees will eventually end up as US residents,
if they are freed and no other country will take them then the only place for them is mainstreet USA as residents and eventually citizens.

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 26:

This is Getting Fun. Since the WH Won’t Let Anyone with Knowledge of Their Illegal Behavior Testify Before Congress, the House Judiciary Committee is Now Threatening Karl Rove with “Inherent Contempt.” To Refresh Your Memories, That means that Capitol Police (as in the real Capitol) Would Seek Rove Out, Arrest Him, and Confine Him in the Basement of the Capitol. We’re Not Joking. 7/4

If it is indeed the Capitol Police and not the Seargent At Arms. Rove is in trouble. The Capitol Police are some serious badasses.

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 19:

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 17:

Tequila @ 15:

Cointel: My bad. The heat again. I love global warming in Cali, since the bad air gave me the added bonus of bronchitis. [My specialist claims it’s the weight, but I was heavier a few years ago than I am now.] Anyway, I meant “innocent”.

you did nothing wrong, IMHO. I know what you meant. I read through your message. Trust that you’re getting through and that no snark or swipe was aimed at you.

BTW, sorry for the weather doing what it’s doing out there. 1,000 fires? YIPES!!!!!

I blame the Californian Republicans, esp their goose stepping governor.

xoites defends Constitution @ 27:

Hi Cointelpro!

By the way. Reguardless of the facts, if O bama did it it was bad. If McCain didi it it was good. In fact i understand McCain’s mere vicinity causes hostages to be reascued.

wll truthfully, if mcC*nt did anything wrong it’s understandable and you’re taking it the wrong way. BTW, haven’t tasted his barbecued pig yet? what are you waiting for. Have some KKKoolaid with it! Really quenches the thirst.

Besides, what do you believe, me or your lying eyes and ears?

xoites defends Constitution @ 30:

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 26:

This is Getting Fun. Since the WH Won’t Let Anyone with Knowledge of Their Illegal Behavior Testify Before Congress, the House Judiciary Committee is Now Threatening Karl Rove with “Inherent Contempt.” To Refresh Your Memories, That means that Capitol Police (as in the real Capitol) Would Seek Rove Out, Arrest Him, and Confine Him in the Basement of the Capitol. We’re Not Joking. 7/4

If it is indeed the Capitol Police and not the Seargent At Arms. Rove is in trouble. The Capitol Police are some serious badasses.

Yes serious bad asses, witness their arresting the Code Pink grannies for merely reading the Constitution aloud in a DC park.

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 32:

xoites defends Constitution @ 27:

Hi Cointelpro!

By the way. Reguardless of the facts, if O bama did it it was bad. If McCain didi it it was good. In fact i understand McCain’s mere vicinity causes hostages to be reascued.

wll truthfully, if mcC*nt did anything wrong it’s understandable and you’re taking it the wrong way. BTW, haven’t tasted his barbecued pig yet? what are you waiting for. Have some KKKoolaid with it! Really quenches the thirst.

Besides, what do you believe, me or your lying eyes and ears?

Didnt McNasty use to do BBQs onboard his ship !?

xoites defends Constitution @ 30:

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 26:

This is Getting Fun. Since the WH Won’t Let Anyone with Knowledge of Their Illegal Behavior Testify Before Congress, the House Judiciary Committee is Now Threatening Karl Rove with “Inherent Contempt.” To Refresh Your Memories, That means that Capitol Police (as in the real Capitol) Would Seek Rove Out, Arrest Him, and Confine Him in the Basement of the Capitol. We’re Not Joking. 7/4

If it is indeed the Capitol Police and not the Seargent At Arms. Rove is in trouble. The Capitol Police are some serious badasses.

they are not the ones with jurisdiction. It will have to be the Seargeant at arms. I also believe that there is no jurisdictional restriction, since they serve Congress. Jonathan Turley made a few points of information on KO’s show. I’ll try to dig it up.

ferrofluid (Obama 08) @ 34:

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 32:

xoites defends Constitution @ 27:

Hi Cointelpro!

By the way. Reguardless of the facts, if O bama did it it was bad. If McCain didi it it was good. In fact i understand McCain’s mere vicinity causes hostages to be reascued.

wll truthfully, if mcC*nt did anything wrong it’s understandable and you’re taking it the wrong way. BTW, haven’t tasted his barbecued pig yet? what are you waiting for. Have some KKKoolaid with it! Really quenches the thirst.

Besides, what do you believe, me or your lying eyes and ears?

Didnt McNasty use to do BBQs onboard his ship !?

actuall, they were at at least one of his homes. they really happened and the arizona press refuse to participate.

ferrofluid (Obama 08) @ 33:

xoites defends Constitution @ 30:

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 26:

This is Getting Fun. Since the WH Won’t Let Anyone with Knowledge of Their Illegal Behavior Testify Before Congress, the House Judiciary Committee is Now Threatening Karl Rove with “Inherent Contempt.” To Refresh Your Memories, That means that Capitol Police (as in the real Capitol) Would Seek Rove Out, Arrest Him, and Confine Him in the Basement of the Capitol. We’re Not Joking. 7/4

If it is indeed the Capitol Police and not the Seargent At Arms. Rove is in trouble. The Capitol Police are some serious badasses.

Yes serious bad asses, witness their arresting the Code Pink grannies for merely reading the Constitution aloud in a DC park.

Yes, they do arrest protesters. They have to if they want to stay hanging with their crew.

Seriously, if a Capitol Police Officer told me to get out of his way and i had no reason not to i would jump!

What the Hell? Almost no reporting of the flood which destroyed our farmland. California burning. Limpballs saying the people are SO MUCH better than then the Katina victims because they weren’t begging for water. What an outrage! The flood victims were better prepared! New Orleans was slammed by a Catagory 5 Hurricane! What the Hell!

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 35:

xoites defends Constitution @ 30:

CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Democratic Party Victory Over SCLM and DIEBOLD! @ 26:

This is Getting Fun. Since the WH Won’t Let Anyone with Knowledge of Their Illegal Behavior Testify Before Congress, the House Judiciary Committee is Now Threatening Karl Rove with “Inherent Contempt.” To Refresh Your Memories, That means that Capitol Police (as in the real Capitol) Would Seek Rove Out, Arrest Him, and Confine Him in the Basement of the Capitol. We’re Not Joking. 7/4

If it is indeed the Capitol Police and not the Seargent At Arms. Rove is in trouble. The Capitol Police are some serious badasses.

they are not the ones with jurisdiction. It will have to be the Seargeant at arms. I also believe that there is no jurisdictional restriction, since they serve Congress. Jonathan Turley made a few points of information on KO’s show. I’ll try to dig it up.

I was afraid of that. I wonder how many decades or centuries it has been since the Seargent at Arms made an arrest?

Fun and games with FISA, no reason for retroactive immunity for scumbag F-word telcos.

Though the ruling does not directly consider this question, it does hint at how Walker, who was appointed by George Bush Sr., would be likely to rule on the merits. If FISA provides a real and binding limit on the surveillance power of the executive, after all, then it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the NSA’s secret program of warrantless surveillance was indeed illegal. “If we get standing,” predicted Eisenberg, “we win.”

But Kurt Opsahl, an attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation who is litigating those cases, notes t