Well, duh-uh…
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military for the first time Wednesday said in a new report that some of the violence in Iraq can be described as a civil war.
In its bleakest assessment of the war to date, a quarterly Pentagon report said that last October through December was the most violent three-month period since 2003. Attacks and casualties suffered by coalition and Iraqi forces and civilians were higher than any other similar time span, said the report.
I’m sure the Times Ed. Board will be happy that they’re being civil.
GOP Senator Says Gonzales Should Be Fired
Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) today became the first Republican Senator to call for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ dismissal, citing the FBI’s warrantless accessing of personal data and the U.S. Attorneys scandal.
Even though Faux-Preznit Bush is defending Gonzales, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) predicted he will be gone within “days.”
http://tinyurl.com/28y79t
Now we just have to stay the course.
1 & 2
Well-struck. Remember, though, that attacking them there is keeping them from attacking us here.
NOW REMEMBER! IT’S NEVER BEEN STAY THE COURSE.
AT LEAST LAST TIME WE CHECKED WITH THE CHIMPANZEE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
IT WAS ADAPT OR SOMETHING. I CAN’T REMEMBER RIGHT NOW.
Mission NOW Accomplished!
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/.....e-subpoena
Leahy Says He’ll Subpoena Rove, Discusses Potential Crimes Involved In Attorney Purge
“It’s interesting, sometimes, when people are sworn in. It focuses their attention a little bit more.”
Hey, I usually don’t do “ctl-c, ctl-v” postings, but I’m wondering what UnionFireDude thinks of his NYC bretheren’s latest take on Giuliani:
Firefighters Union Letter On Rudy Giuliani
March 8, 2007
…Many people consider Rudy Giuliani “America’s Mayor,” and many of our members who don’t yet know the real story, may also have a positive view of him. This letter is intended to make all of our members aware of the egregious acts Mayor Giuliani committed against our members, our fallen on 9/11, and our New York City union officers following that horrific day.
Rest assured, our exclusion of Mayor Giuliani is not about any particular contractual or policy issue or disagreement, nor is it based on his unfriendly relationship with our New York City affiliates prior to 9/11 — which we will document and explain in additional correspondence later on during the campaign. In fact, we invited several candidates with whom we have had substantial disagreement on policy issues because we feel very strongly that our members have the right to hear from all candidates, not just those who tow the IAFF line.
Regrettably, the situation with former Mayor Giuliani is very different. His actions post 9/11 rise to such an offensive and personal attack on our brother and sisterhood — and directly on our union — that the IAFF does not feel Rudy Giuliani deserves an audience of IAFF leaders and members at our own Presidential Forum.
The disrespect that he exhibited to our 343 fallen FDNY brothers, their families and our New York City IAFF leadership in the wake of that tragic day has not been forgiven or forgotten. …
…Nevertheless, Giuliani, with the full support of his Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, decided on November 2, 2001, to sharply reduce the number of those who could search for remains at any one time. There had been as many as 300 fire fighters at a time involved in search and recovery, but Giuliani cut that number to no more than 25 who could be there at once.
In conjunction with the cut in fire fighters allowed to search, Giuliani also made a conscious decision to institute a “scoop-and-dump” operation to expedite the clean-up of Ground Zero in lieu of the more time-consuming, but respectful, process of removing debris piece by piece in hope of uncovering more remains.
Mayor Giuliani’s actions meant that fire fighters and citizens who perished would either remain buried at Ground Zero forever, with no closure for families, or be removed like garbage and deposited at the Fresh Kills Landfill…
…In the first few days immediately after the disaster, Giuliani had said he was committed to the recovery of those lost “right down to the last brick.” We believed him at the time. But, what he proved with his actions is that he really meant the “last gold brick.” …
…The fundamental lack of respect that Giuliani showed our FDNY members is unforgivable – and that’s why he was not invited. Our disdain for him is not about issues or a disputed contract, it is about a visceral, personal affront to the fallen, to our union and, indeed, to every one of us who has ever risked our lives by going into a burning building to save lives and property.
We have heard from some affiliates that Giuliani’s campaign is beginning to reach out to our locals, looking to build support. If you are contacted by Giuliani, Von Essen, or a representative of the Giuliani campaign, we hope you will say not just, “No,” but, “Hell no.” And please let the IAFF Political Affairs Department know about it by calling (202) 824-1582.
Please share this correspondence with your membership. Thank you.
OFF TOPIC QUESTION.
Roger Rabbit. Calling Roger Rabbit! Those Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits, the ones that went extinct through diminished fertility due to inbreeding, they were Right-Wing, right? Specifically, were they related to Kissin’ Cousin Rudy G?
@ 7
I read that “Firefighters Union Letter On Rudy Giuliani” last week on another board, where lots of New Yorkers post. I have YET to read a New Yorker (or former New Yorker) that thinks fondly of Giuliani, frankly – whether it’s his heavy hammered methods running the city, banishing hotdog stands so people would do restaurants (said it’s expensive @ lunch hour), or his many mistresses/snarly personal life.
But then on TV night before last, the commentator said something to the effect that nationally the “First Responders” are backing Giuliani. Huh? I THOUGHT Fire Dept is considered one of the MAIN First Responders. So, I too will be interested in what UnionFireDude has to say. I don’t plan to vote for the man, since anyone who can’t manage his many wives and mistresses without it becoming a constant public spectacle …. well…. still curious to see what UnionFireDude has to say.
@ 7 was doing the cut&paste,
but here is the link for the Fire Fighter letter:
http://www.firefightingnews.co.....leID=27125
The entire letter is a humdinger and quite interesting, especially the part about their perceptions of once recovering the gold, silver and other assets of the Bank of Nova Scotia – THEN quickly yanking the recovery help.
“BREAKING… Iraq in civil war!”
Clinton Sees Some Troops Staying in Iraq if She Is Elected
WASHINGTON, March 14 — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton foresees a “remaining military as well as political mission” in Iraq, and says that if elected president, she would keep a reduced but significant military force there to fight Al Qaeda, deter Iranian aggression, protect the Kurds and possibly support the Iraqi military.
In a half-hour interview on Tuesday in her Senate office, Mrs. Clinton said the scaled-down American military force that she would maintain in Iraq after taking office would stay off the streets in Baghdad and would no longer try to protect Iraqis from sectarian violence — even if it descended into ethnic cleansing.
Good luck Darfor under a Clinton Admistration but hey they let 2 Million people die in Rowanda under their watch and she is leading the dems in the polls.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03.....6m6NXvnOHg
John Edwards (faggot…just kidding) falls to third place in his home state behind Clinton and Obama.
Among Democrats, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton led Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, 36-25 percent. Seneca native and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards had 20 percent, an 11-point drop from December’s poll.
http://news.greenvilleonline.c.....c_edw.html
Yes, rob. Of course , rob. Your right, rob. Who’da thunk, rob? Everything’s been great under Bush , rob. Bush is a genius , rob.
$6 billion in cash, rob. Not a problem , rob
Jesus, rob, could you just shut your trap and go away?
No one gives a shit about waht you think, anyway.
Re: 14. sure I will, as soon as you send me the $6 Billion in cash you are talking about or is that just another liberal dream?
Headless, I usually don’t share what I think on here. I just link to the facts that blow up your fantasies.
Yes, the letter is out. IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger has had a problem with Rudy for quite some time. This isn’t from the FDNY though, this is from the IAFF. That is different. The International is our umbrella organization and we have many local unions that comprise our International.
As far as what I think… I think that Schaitberger is a very effective and political savvy Union leader and is doing what he thinks is best from a Union stance. It should be noted, that the Uniformed Firefighters Association (http://ufalocal94.org/) actually endorsed President George Bush in 2004, while the IAFF endorsed Sen. Kerry.
Back on point though, many of my brothers and sisters across the Country have already contributed to Rudy, as well as Sen. McCain, Sen. Clinton and almost any other Presidential candidate. While the IAFF may endorse 1 particular candidate, the individual Unions are allowed to endorse who they believe will be the most effective. After the IAFF endorsed Sen. Kerry, Schaitberger freely admitted that between 40 and 45% of the membership was upset with his endorsement and didn’t agree with it.
As far as what I personally think, I think that this letter is a mistake. Firefighters have a reputation and we are very politically active. We pride ourselves in not engaging in Negative Political ads or commentary. While this letter isn’t completely negative, I believe that it has the possibility of pointing us down the wrong (Negative)path.
The Presidential Forum was a first for the IAFF. The IAFF should have included all candidates and controlled their memo leaks. The memo that was pasted here, is actually the second one. The first one was an internal memo that was very negative. It was leaked after Rudy accepted the invitation. Following the leak of the original internal memo, Rudy canceled and cited campaign scheduling conflicts. This was a travesty. It would have been the perfect time to confront him on the issues that Harold has with him.
For those of you ho are interested, go to;
http://www.iaff.org and you can watch the webcast of all of the presidential candidates who attended the forum.
I know firefighter locals where the majority of the members are republican. Just because we are Union, doesn’t mean that that is the only aspect we make our decisions on. Many members are very religious (Run into a burning building, fall through a floor or have a HEP C patient spit in your face, and you become religious quickly). While I personally am a Republican, I also recognize that many members of my party aren’t doing my union any favors. I also recognize that contrary to popular belief, not all democrats are labor allies. So what do I think… While the IAFF will not endorse Rudy, I think you will have Union Firefighters and locals endorsing him. I also think that the IAFF may surprise many people for their endorsement for 2008.
Media Blackout, first dems tell dems to avoid Fox News now it the Colbert Report. Isn’t free speech grand under the socialist party.
Emanuel tells freshmen to avoid Stephen Colbert
http://thehill.com/leading-the.....03-14.html
umm, off topic goldy-kins but where is your post about the new york times slamming al gore’s theories about global warming?
what? you think if you don’t bring it up no one will notice?
re. 15: That’s a lie, rob. You are a deluded, humourless freak, without a clue.
You talk like you are some kind of a winner, but you are a huge loser.
re 16: Isn’t it time for you to go polish your engine?
Actually Lucy, I am on a Truck, not an Engine. And no, it isn’t the C shift duty this month, but nice try.
Hey, how’s that Supply and Demand Hoax working out for you?
Re: 19 , Headless must long for the days of the liberal echo machine. It really isn’t a “lie” though Headless. If you want to meet tonight and give me the $ 6 billion you are hallucinating about you will never here from me again. Deal or no Deal?
Headless, I know that Socialist, Communists, Nazis ,Jihadis and people on horsesass don’t like dissent but get used to it this is America. By the way this is Washington and we have (Gasp!) Initiatives too.
I usually don’t share what I think on here.
AND IT’S A GOOD THING YOU DON’T. YOU COULDN’T HANDLE THE SHELLACKING.
people on horsesass don’t like dissent
BRING IT ON ROBTARD – ONLY BE HONEST ABOUT THE SOURCE: LIMBAUGH, MURDOCH, SCAIFE, ETC.
where is your post about the new york times slamming al gore’s
POOR GHOST CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REPORTER’S STORY AND AN A EDITORIAL.
Re: 23. Hi Libtard, if you can read look at 17: The Hill, 13: The Greenville Times and 12: The New York Times. Now take another toke and try and find Lucy’s head because she is a mess without it.
John Edwards (faggot…just kidding)
HEY ROBTARD: HERE’S A RIGHT-WING MARINE BUDDY FOR YOU.
PIERRE LABRANCHE
LMAO!!!
Now take another toke
WHAT’S YOUR POISON OUT THERE IN THE HINTERLANDS ROBTARD?
CRYSTAL METH? THAT’D EXPLAIN YOUR BRAINDEAD DEBATING STYLE.
SORRY ROBTARD. I’M LUCKY IF I GET IN A COUPLE OF BEERS IN A WEEK. JUST TOO BUSY TO BOTHER.
It’s good to see that YOS LIBTARD is “laughing his ass off” at a gay marine. In my opinion he is a Marine. If you have a problem with him being gay you should tell him…in person. I will mourn at your grave.
It really is evident that liberals just don’t like gay people.
ROBTARD YOU ARE SO FREAKING DENSE. I AM LAUGHING MY ASS OFF AT YOU!!!
IF YOU HAVE NO PROBLEM CALLING JOHN EDWARDS THE “F” WORD THEN WHAT CHOICE WORDS WOULD YOU USE WITH CPL SANCHEZ TO HIS FACE?
HYPOCRITE!
C’MON ROBTARD. HE EVEN USED A FRENCH STAGE NAME. PULL AN O’REILLY ON CPL SANCHEZ!!
SORRY ROBTARD. I’M LUCKY IF I GET IN A COUPLE OF BEERS IN A WEEK. JUST TOO BUSY TO BOTHER.
YOS LIBTARD, quit your lying everyone that has ever logged into this post sees how busy you are. You are always here instead of out “Being to busy” It should take you less than an hour a week to go re up for unemployment. If you are going to lie at least make it not so laughable!
WHATEVER YOU SAY ROBTARD. I’VE GOT TO GET AN EARLY START TOMORROW. I’LL LEAVE YOU TO DISCHARGE WHATEVER’S LEFT OF YOUR PENT UP WHATEVER.
RE: 30, I said I was kidding although I would like to say a few choice words to the “Breck Girl” to his face. I guess one question I would ask is how come you didn’t volunteer and serve in the military John Edwards? Another would be, what kind of “Beach house would Jesus have?
I wouldn’t call him a faggot though and you would be running for your life if you called a marine a faggot. He may be gay but I doubt if he is a pussy like you.
Re: 30, you are laughing at me because Sanchez is gay and a Marine? I guess that would only make sense to a liberal.
Re: 33 must be allot of competition at the millionaires club these days.
I have to leave now too though, I would like to congratulate the Seattle liberals on their vote on the death trap viaduct though. You voted to do absolutely nothing. It reminds me of the liberals in congress and the Iraq war. Good job!
So the pretend firewoman thinks Rudy will get firefighter union endorsement? That fucking asshole didn’t even have the stones to show up at the event. Rudy is a coward who didn’t have the guts to fight in any war himself, who didn’t have the guts to work out his wedding vows with two wives, who didn’t have the guts to run against Hillary Clinton, who didn’t have the guts to admit that 9.11 deaths were largely his fault due to a poorly run citywide emergency communications system.
Not a fucking chance Rompin Rudy gets fire union endorsement. Not a chance.
RES,
Damn, do I have to write at the 3rd grade level for you too? Are you really that illiterate? I said…
“While the IAFF will not endorse Rudy, I think you will have Union Firefighters and locals endorsing him. I also think that the IAFF may surprise many people for their endorsement for 2008.”
You are an idiot. Yes, Rudy will get individual Union endorsements, just like President Bush did (Oh yeah, the IAFF gave money to Congressman Reichert, and the WSCFF and other local unions endorsed Reichert). The IAFF will issue their endorsement and I believe that that will be a surprise. Why? Because when they endorsed Sen. Kerry, Howard Dean was way ahead in the polls and hadn’t imploded yet.
Can you understand now, or do I need to get a 3rd grader here to interpret the big words for you?
I’d just like to thank UnionFireman for the clarification. I’d heard of there being some friction between Giuliani and the police and firefighters’ unions prior to 9/11, but this business since then was more or less news to me. I think there was some reporting on limits being placed on fighterfighters’ time spent working at the site, but always figured that was partly out of concern for their own safety, and to make sure there were enough resources available to deal with other possible emergencies. As to the first of those concerns, I understand that a great many of those who responded on 9/11 and survived, and/or worked at “ground zero” have subsequently experienced mysterious respiratory ailments, so that concern would certainly have been justified.
On the other hand, I’ve read some articles expressing the concern that the rubble was disposed of in sufficient haste that some remains and evidence may have been lost.
All things considered, I still think everyone involved in the response and the search/recovery/cleanup did a stupendous job. An unprecedented response to an unprecedented challenge.
Thanx from me too UnionFireman for clarifying! I figured there was more to the story, behind the scenes.
@21 Union Fireman – It was I that stated the supply and demand hoax. Now that the price of gas is rising out of sight and gas taxes are staying steady, I hope your enjoying yourself.