No agenda here!! Reuters fakes Lebanon Photos!

I blogged here regarding a Detroit Lakes Tribune editorial which likened bloggers to "yellow journalists.

Some harken to the days of yellow journalism, when newspapers were firmly on the side of one political group or another — like the historic “We Win” headline on the “Cheers” television show reruns.

As our St. Paul bureau chief, Don Davis, points out in a column, all blogs are not created equal.

The simple truth is, most are not news, and not reliable.

Implying of course, that the MSM is as pure as the wind driven snow:

And neo-conservatives may want to lighten up on their constant attempts to undermine the mainstream media. Believe it or not, most reporters and editors do strive to be accurate, fair and unbiased in their work — regardless of their political views.

and goes on to say

Turnabout is fair play, and the press is certainly not above criticism — mistakes are made and poor news judgment happens.

But continually undermining the mainstream media for cynical political reasons is a dangerous game, and one that we fear could ultimately undermine democracy itself.

Translation: Hey bloggers--we're used to slapping any old story out there and not getting fact checked.

Knock it off.

Well, in the tradition of CBS News and Dan Rather, that paragon of impartiality, Reuters, in its efforts to strive to be "accurate, fair and unbiased," have published some faked photos of Lebanon! From Little Green Footballs:

OK, now things are getting weird.

This Reuters photograph shows blatant evidence of manipulation. Notice the repeating patterns in the smoke; this is almost certainly caused by using the Photoshop “clone” tool to add more smoke to the image. (Hat tip: Mike.)

It’s so incredibly obvious, it reminds me of the faked CBS memos. Smoke simply does not contain repeating symmetrical patterns like this, and you can see the repetition in both plumes of smoke. There’s really no question about it.

But it’s not only the plumes of smoke that were “enhanced.” There are also cloned buildings. (See below.)

Smoke billows from burning buildings destroyed during an overnight Israeli air raid on Beirut’s suburbs August 5, 2006. Many buildings were flattened during the attack. REUTERS/Adnan Hajj (Read the whole thing!)

It would appear that Mr. Nathan Bowe of the Detroit Lakes Tribune should probably look into the mirror of his own profession before casting aspersions on bloggers. Like I said:

Bloggers do nothing to "undermine democracy." Bloggers are a check and balance to media--a virtual town hall. To me, that is the essence of democracy and freedom of political speech.

No, DL Tribune--we don't need bloggers to undermine democracy.

The New York Times has taken that mantle on quite nicely, thank you.

And now you can add Reuters to that list.

***UPDATE***

LGF reports that Reuters issued a statement that they pulled the fake photo, yet LGF finds that Yahoo News still has the photo posted.

***UPDATE*** (8/6/2006, 2:22p CDT)

Beth at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy has Reuters revised photoshop. Reuters says that they apologize for an "improper use" of photo editing equipment. Apparently, someone has now "properly" used photo editing equipment...

I guess, if at first you don't succeed...

MINNESOTA AMBER ALERT!!!

From Here:

Amber Alert Issued for 5 Year Old Minnesota Boy
Posted: Saturday August 5, 2006: 2:15 PM CST


The Brooklyn Center Police Department and the State of Minnesota issued the Amber Alert after the suspect threatened the child's life along with his own.

Andrew Moua , 5 years of age. He's 2 feet 7 inches tall. He's an Asian male weighing 35 pounds with brown eyes and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a Superman t-shirt, sandals and jean shorts. He was last seen Friday when the suspect picked him up.

The suspect is described as an Asian male weighing 135 pounds. He is 5-feet 4-inches tall with brown eyes. The suspects name is Xou Moua and he's 39-year-old.

He was driving a red GMC Yukon sports utility vehicle with a Minnesota license plate number FXN038. The father and mother were never married, according to officials. Police believe the child is in immediate danger.

If you have any information, please call Brooklyn Center Police at 763-503-3200 or dial 911.


****UPDATE****

This Amber Alert has been canceled. I cannot find any more information, but it is my fervent hope that Andrew Moua is back home safe.

Off Base? Since when is the Truth off base?

(Cross posted at Murtha Must Go!)

It would appear that some PA newspapers will go to any length to protect their darling, John Murtha.

Up to and including not only calling a spade a spade, but calling anything a spade!

This from the Towanda, PA Daily & Sunday Review:

Sherwood off base with ugly criticism of opponent’s backer

Republican Congressman Don Sherwood’s rebuke of his Democratic colleague, Rep. John Murtha — who, in the Scranton area Thursday, renewed his criticism of President Bush’s handling of the Iraq war — was an uncalled-for low blow.

In a statement released by his campaign, Mr. Sherwood, R-Tunkhannock Township, said Mr. Murtha’s criticism of the war gives hope to terrorists and their allies who “want us to walk away from the fight.” He added, “The message of despair voiced by Jack Murtha is not the message I’ve heard from Pennsylvanians who have fought in Iraq.”

Again--the truth. Off base? I don't think so. As a matter of fact, I think Don Sherwood hit a bloody grand slam with that statement. And yes, sometimes the truth is ugly.

Here's more from this Murtha resuscitation piece:

An unapologetic lightning rod in the national debate over Iraq, Mr. Murtha used a luncheon fundraiser for Mr. Sherwood’s opponent in the November election, Chris Carney, to reiterate his position that President Bush and his backers in Congress mishandled and mischaracterized the war and need to be held accountable.

Pushing for the election of more Democrats to the House, which is controlled by Republicans, the 16-term Johnstown Democrat also said he would do his best to see that Mr. Carney lands a seat on the House Appropriations Committee if he defeats Mr. Sherwood, who currently holds a seat on that powerful committee. (I direct your attention here--ed.)

But, it was Mr. Murtha’s criticism of the president, not his backing of Mr. Carney, that drew Mr. Sherwood’s ire. “There is nobody who talks to the military more than I do,” Mr. Murtha said, “and they are all saying the same thing — this war cannot be won militarily.” (I direct your attention here--ed)

You know, I'd certainly like to see the list of folks in the military that Murtha regularly talks to, and, if there actually is a list, to do some corroborating between what they actually tell Murtha and what Murtha says that they say. Murtha has yet to provide that list. Has ANYONE in the MSM asked him to do so, or do they merely accept all of his drivel as gospel?

Mr. Murtha, who has been calling for a pullout of troops from Iraq since last fall, may or may not be right. But his opinion, decidedly informed, is his opinion, and he has every right to express it.

Yes, he has every right to express an opinion. But he has NO right to be shielded from just criticism of his ill-formed, irresponsible, and seditious rhetoric.

Indeed, he should be praised for having the courage to stand up at a time when few others in government would.

First of all, no other elected U.S. official had the brazen disregard for our troops, their safety, and their mission to go so far as to give aid and comfort to their enemies. Second, I wouldn't call it courage. The term courage should be applied to soldiers who are currently in harms way, selflessly performing their noble mission despite the dangers involved. Far from being courageous, Mr. Murtha's actions and rhetoric were and are the product of shameless, Machiavellian, and ruthless political ambitions--which he will stop at nothing to attain--even if it entails throwing fellow Marines under the bus as a means to his ends:

Should Democrats take control of the House in November, Murtha has said he will run for majority leader and most likely will seek to cash in all of his political "chits."

(Apparently, among other things, those "chits" include freely and unfairly tarnishing the image of fellow Marines, not to mention giving aid and comfort to their enemy.)

The puff piece editorial continues:

That’s why we think it was irresponsible of Rep. Sherwood to accuse Rep. Murtha, a decorated Marine officer who served in Vietnam, of giving hope to terrorists and their allies for expressing what many saw as a thoughtful view on a pressing issue that can only benefit from increased public debate.

Question: What was so "thoughtful" about Murtha's call for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, back in November of 2005? What was so "thoughtful" about Murtha's assertion that they should be re-deployed to, of all places, Okinawa?

Remember Murtha's "coming out" party on November 17, 2005?:

Murtha: 'U.S. Cannot Accomplish Anything Further in Iraq Militarily; It is Time to Bring the Troops Home'

And what has happened since that statement on 17 November, 2005? Only another in a series of three free and high turnout elections that was certified and internationally-endorsed, which established a permanent government in much less a time frame than it took to establish our own here in the U.S.! Not to mention the offing of a major, bloodthirsty dirtball terrorist icon. If one needs to see progress that our men and women in uniform are making everyday in Iraq, one needs only to check here. Often.

All this has been and continues to be accomplished BECAUSE we are there militarily. If Murtha had had his way, Zarqawi would still be alive, and the progress made through free elections and the installation of a permanent, Iraqi-elected government probably would never have occurred. But then again, Murtha is no stranger to wanting to leave those we fight for high and dry-- with disastrous short- and long-term results (Does Murtha's proud record of his role in policy in Lebanon and Somalia ring a bell?).

In fact, the war is going poorly and Americans in general, polls show, do not approve of the president’s handling of it. What’s more, two of the Pentagon’s most senior generals told Congress on Thursday that the surge in sectarian violence in Baghdad in recent weeks raises the possibility of Iraq descending into civil war.

“I believe that the sectarian violence is probably as bad as I have seen it,” Gen. John Abizaid, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, said, adding that the top priority in Iraq is to secure the capital, where factional violence has surged in recent weeks despite efforts by the new Iraqi government to stop the fighting. President Bush last week approved an increase in the number of U.S. troops in Baghdad.

The commanders’ concessions about the threat of a civil war came just three months before congressional elections in which Bush administration policy in Iraq looms as a defining issue, especially in light of growing opposition at home.

So, we cut and run when the going gets tough? Did we cut and run from Iwo Jima? Did we cut and run after Normandy? After Midway?

If Murtha was around then and had his way, we would most likely today be practicing the goose step, the Jews would be more or less extinct, and your Aunt Martha and Uncle Bob may very well have ended up as a bar of soap and lampshade ensemble in some commandant's quarters. I guess we can thank GOD that Murtha (and his other fellow travellers) weren't in a position of power back then. And the fact should not be ignored that Murtha had the moxie to actually accept an award from a group that gave over $600,000 to our soldiers' enemies in Fallujah, and who label our soldiers "killers".

Finally,

Mr. Sherwood, of course, also is entitled to his own opinion. But, it sounds as though he is the one who is off base, not Mr. Murtha. In any event, the words he chose and the tone of his attack on Mr. Murtha raise an undeserved ugly specter, which is most unfortunate.

A parting question for the editorial staff at the Review:

Where was the Daily and Sunday Review when Murtha chose his tone and words when he, without evidence, and without even so much as a hint of due process, rushed out to label fellow Marines "cold blooded" killers?

(Filed under Murtha Must Go!, the fifth column)

Are red strates or blue states more racist?

Some damning information... and Minnesota doesn't look too good.

In honoring the brave who gave their all...

A press release from an organization near and dear to my heart:

Families United urges fast track for bill to protect fallen heroes; Gold Star families urge passage
August 03, 2006
Families United press release

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- Families United today thanked the sponsors of a bill to safeguard the honor of fallen service members and urged its members and all Americans to contact their representatives in Congress and demand they pass the bill as soon as possible.

"On behalf of 42,000 Families United members from across the country, I'm calling on all Americans to insist that Congress pass this vital bill immediately," said Chuck Larson, founder of Families United and a veteran of the Global War on Terror. "The memory of brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice has been abused by radical activists, who disgrace our fallen heroes and their families. This bill will preserve their honor."

If enacted, the Fallen Heroes Protection Act (HR 5772), sponsored by Rep. Charles W. Boustany Jr. (R-LA) and cosponsored by 23 others, would prohibit the names and likenesses of fallen service members from being used in political demonstrations or for commercial purposes, and in any instance where the service member's family did not offer explicit permission.

"No one should have to endure the grief of seeing their son, their brother, or their daddy, who gave his life for our freedom, exploited by those who would use his name and his face for disgusting political stunts," said Gary Qualls. Mr. Qualls is the father of Marine LCPL Louis W. Qualls, who saved the lives of 21 Marines and 37 Iraqi National Guard troops before falling to insurgent fire in the Battle of Fallujah.

Anti-war groups have emblazoned the identities and images of fallen heroes beneath anti-war slogans on t-shirts, which are then sold, despite the complaints of Gold Star families. The "Gold Star" designation is given to families who have lost loved ones in combat.

"The pleas of Gold Star Families for these shameless activists to stop dishonoring our loved ones have been ignored," added Qualls. "They're blatantly dishonoring and disrespecting our fallen heroes and their families, who deserve nothing but pure honor and pure respect."

Contact your Member of Congress today to urge passage of HR 5772!

Find your Congressman here.

Find your Senator here.

(Filed under Heroes)

Oh, where do I begin?

I love Detroit Lakes. I vacation there often during the summer--it's my home away from home. But even within the friendly small-town confines of Detroit Lakes, there still lie elitist newspaper editors:

The mainstream media gets beat up all the time with attacks on the “liberal press,” but for some truly biased reporting, check out the Web logs, or “blogs” on the Internet.

Some harken to the days of yellow journalism, when newspapers were firmly on the side of one political group or another — like the historic “We Win” headline on the “Cheers” television show reruns.

As our St. Paul bureau chief, Don Davis, points out in a column, all blogs are not created equal.

The simple truth is, most are not news, and not reliable. They are someone’s opinion, often not even an informed opinion.

I've never regarded this blog (or any other blog on which I write) as anything else. I have an agenda:

"A CONSERVATIVE educator's foray into the world of the blogosphere."

The title of my other blog, Murtha Must Go!, clearly states an agenda--right at the top of the blog. I make no bones about it. Unlike newspapers, the purpose of this blog is not to "report" the news. The purpose of this blog is to give my opinion regarding news and other events. I have never fancied myself as impartial, nor have I ever claimed to be in any my screeds. I am a pundit.

But Davis says there are some good political blogs in Minnesota, including some that are beating the mainstream media to the news.

Recently, for instance, the Minnesota Public Radio blog (www.publicradio.org/columns/minnesota /polinaut ) reported some interesting information:

“WCCO-TV’s public file says the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has purchased $403,425 in television ads during the last month of the election. The 271 ads will run on the daily newscasts, Oprah, the soaps and the NFL pre-game shows.”

On the last day of filing for elective office, Davis says several blogs ran updates, including some live from the hallway outside the secretary of state’s office. “Bill Luther is filing right now,” one blog proclaimed.

Blogs have been common for about five years, becoming increasingly popular among political commentators, candidates, parties and journalists. But Davis warns you must do some research before believing what you read.

As you should with everything you read. Too bad the MSM doesn't do adequate research before printing their drivel. Also, does the name Jayson Blair have any meaning?

The state’s best-known political blog may be Michael B. Brodkorb’s “Minnesota Democrats Exposed.”

It’s the one that got the mainstream media interested in Rep. Matt Entenza’s investigation of fellow Democrat Mike Hatch. Some credit Brodkorb with knocking Entenza out of the race.

Brodkorb is a former Republican Party employee who now works for couple of GOP-oriented organizations (including the Mark Kennedy campaign). He has a knack for getting incriminating documents. Of course, he only posts the ones that would hurt Democrats, so readers must keep that in mind and not expect an unbiased report.

Of course you shouldn't expect an unbiased report from MDE. Thus the name! Michael Brodkorb is quite up front regarding his agenda. But at the same time a heck of a lot of savvy people have come to the unfortunate realization that one should never expect an "unbiased" report from the Detroit Lakes Tribune, or from any other newspaper. They all bring their biases into the story, how they word the story, and what stories they choose to print or not to print. But you'll never get them to admit it. The overwhelming majority of bloggers, on the other hand, are very much up front about their biases. They tell you right up front, rather than hiding behind a cloak of "impartiality".

While journalists generally stick to certain principles, such as trying to bring readers both sides of a story, bloggers are under no such obligation.

Apparently, neither are those whom you call "journalists." under any such obligation.

So for people wanting to get news from blogs, Davis warns, it’s reader beware.

It's a two-way street, bud...

And neo-conservatives may want to lighten up on their constant attempts to undermine the mainstream media.

Believe it or not, most reporters and editors do strive to be accurate, fair and unbiased in their work — regardless of their political views. And there are liberals, moderates and, yes, conservatives, in all newsrooms.

Turnabout is fair play, and the press is certainly not above criticism — mistakes are made and poor news judgment happens.

But continually undermining the mainstream media for cynical political reasons is a dangerous game, and one that we fear could ultimately undermine democracy itself.

Oh spare me the drama already! Bloggers do nothing to "undermine democracy." Bloggers are a check and balance to media--a virtual town hall. To me, that is the essence of democracy and freedom of political speech.

No, DL Tribune--we don't need bloggers to undermine democracy.

The New York Times has taken that mantle on quite nicely, thank you.

(Filed under First Amendment Assaults, the fifth column)

Yes, Virginia...there is sanity left in this world..

Well, it took an election year, but finally the United States Senate has come on the side of sanity.

They walked away from the brink of insanity to what could have been this:



And instead did the right thing for once and saved the Mt. Soledad (San Diego) cross:

By Dana Wilkie
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

5:30 p.m. August 1, 2006

WASHINGTON – With a speed and decisiveness that surprised some, the Senate on Tuesday approved a plan to transfer the land beneath the Mount Soledad war memorial to federal control in an effort to avoid a court-ordered removal of the cross that stands there.

The Senate's unanimous vote sent the cross-transfer plan to President Bush for his expected signature. It creates what some consider an entirely new dynamic in the 17-year effort to save the cross, but which others say is a hopeless attempt to preserve a symbol on city land that courts have said unconstitutionally favors one religion over others.

“Obviously we're delighted,” said Charles LiMandri, an attorney advising a group of Soledad cross supporters. “I think even the more liberal side of the Democratic party has to recognize that there is widespread, grassroots support for preserving veterans memorials in general, and the Soledad cross in particular.”

As one could have predicted, the secular Taliban is not happy:

James McElroy, the attorney representing atheist Philip Paulson – who first sued to remove the cross on the grounds it amounts to an unconstitutional preference of the Christian religion over others – said the bill is “still unconstitutional.”

“I guess the Senate has a short memory,” he said. “You've got a local issue here. What business does the federal government have getting involved?”

When the cross in question is part of a war memorial, dedicated to veterans who have fought for freedom for our nation, it becomes a national issue, scumbag!

The legislation would preserve the 29-foot-tall cross on Mount Soledad by vesting title to the memorial in the federal government and having the Secretary of Defense administer it. The Department of Defense would manage the monument. The Mount Soledad Memorial Association, a private group that built the current cross in 1954 to honor Korean War veterans, would continue to maintain the site.

“Today's vote represents a significant step forward,” said El Cajon Rep. Duncan Hunter, the Republican who joined his two GOP colleagues from San Diego to write the cross-transfer legislation, which passed the House late last month. “The action taken by both the House and Senate reaffirm the overwhelming desire of the San Diego community to keep the memorial exactly where it has proudly stood for over 50 years.”

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, who has fought to keep the cross atop 800-foot-high Mount Soledad, said through spokesman Fred Sainz that he was grateful for “the resonance” with which the Senate spoke on the issue.

“I think that the Senate was able to put political correctness aside for a moment and understand this truly is a war memorial,” Sainz said. “The fact there that a cross is part of it is an issue that senators of all religious faiths were able to come to terms with and accept.” (Read the whole thing)

I have long decried the propensity for the liberals in the Senate to side with the secular Taliban, But one has to congratulate them when they finally do something right.

Even if they were scared shitless of doing otherwise during an election year.

(Filed under secular taliban)

Never--I mean NEVER piss off the wife...

Man--it hurt just watching this...



I mean--did she really have to do that to the laptop?

Nancy Pelosi at Farm Fest?

It would appear that only a short while after attacking Michelle Bachmann for bringing in the "divisive" Karl Rove for a fundraiser and criticizing Bachman needing for bringing in support from outside Minnesota, Patty Wetterling is bringing in that wondeful uniter from Congress, Nancy Pelosi--to none other than farm fest!

Can you imagine the mega-millionaire, elite liberal Nancy Pelosi on a farm, trying to hobnob with and relate to people from what she and other liberal elites term, "flyover country"?

Heh... I can just see her attempt now....

::::::cartoon bubble appears:::::::
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.
.
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From a MN GOP press release:

Jet-Setting Liberal Elite Nancy Pelosi Campaigns at Farmfest, Set to Raise Big Money for Wetterling

“When I heard that a jet-setting liberal elite like Nancy Pelosi was going to be at Farmfest, I thought it had to be a misprint. About the only farm products Nancy Pelosi is familiar with are the wine and brie served at her lavish San Francisco fundraisers.

“By bringing in Pelosi to help her raise big money, Patty Wetterling once again demonstrates how out of touch she is with the common sense residents of the Sixth Congressional District.”

- Ron Carey, Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota

-heh... yeah, Nancy Pelosi fits right in with the values of the conservative MN 6th CD like a jihadist would fit in at a Lutheran churchlady social.

(Filed under elections, moonbat adventures)

Doggy in Deep Doo Doo...

From here:

This is an undated handout photo issued by Wookey Hole Caves Wednesday Aug 2, 2006, of the security guard Greg West and his dobermann Barney who went on the rampage. A 40,000 pound (US$75,000 euros 58,000) teddy bear formerly owned by Elvis Presley was one of the bears destroyed when the guard dog which was supposed to protect it went on the rampage Tuesday . The rare Steiff bear, named Mabel, was due to form the centrepiece of an exhibition at Wookey Hole Caves near Wells, England. The bear was bought at auction in Memphis, Tennessee, by Somerset aristocrat Sir Benjamin Slade and had been loaned to the collection, a Wookey Hole spokesman said. (AP Photo/Wookey Hole Caves, Ho)

Man--and they're posing for pictures afterward.

Heh. Looks like Sir Benjamin Slade got screwed by the pooch to the tune of $75 large.

SO WHERE ARE THE HURRICANES???

From here:

Tropical storm Chris approaches hurricane strength

Last Updated Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:23:34 EDT

CBC News

Weather forecasters said Wednesday that tropical storm Chris could reach hurricane strength in the eastern Caribbean by Thursday. (Read the entire story)

Folks... note the name. Tropical Storm Chris.

As in "C".

As in the third letter of the alphabet.

In other words, Chris is only the third named tropical storm of the season. No hurricanes. Zip. Zero. Nada. And this is already August 2nd.

The first named storm of 2006 season was tropical storm Alberto, which struck Florida in mid-June before plowing north past North Carolina's Outer Banks. It was blamed for one drowning.

Tropical storm Beryl followed, causing some damage on the New England seaboard and dumping heavy rain on Atlantic Canada.

Ooooohhh... so Like I'm quaking in my toque, eh?

Even the chicken littles at NOAA were having dire predictions about this year:

NOAA PREDICTS VERY ACTIVE 2006 NORTH ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
Residents in Hurricane Prone Areas Urged to Make Preparations

May 22, 2006 — NOAA today announced to America and its neighbors throughout the north Atlantic region that a very active hurricane season is looming, and encouraged individuals to make preparations to better protect their lives and livelihoods. May 21-27 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. (Click NOAA illustration for larger view of Hurricane Katrina aftermath in Biloxi, Miss. Click here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)

During a news conference at the NOAA National Hurricane Center, Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson noted, "Preparation is the key message that President Bush wants to convey during National Hurricane Preparedness Week. The impact from these storms extends well beyond coastal areas so it is vital that residents in hurricane prone areas get ready in advance of the hurricane season."

"For the 2006 north Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could become 'major' hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher," added retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. (read the entire article)

To give you a better perspective on things, I direct your attention to this:Okay, even if compared with the total average hurricanes during the years 1886 and 2000, we've still got a ways to go. So where are the hurricanes? Where are the dire doom and gloom chicken little predictions that unless we signed Kyoto, we'd be getting more numerous and severe hurricanes, year after year? Last year, we had 27 named storms, 15 of which became hurricanes. By their logic, we should at least have 28 named storms this year!

Remember Germany's criticism of Bush for not signing Kyoto?

By neglecting environmental protection, America’s president shuts his eyes to the economic and human damage that natural catastrophes like Katrina inflict on his country and the world’s economy. ...many Americans have long been unwilling to follow the president’s errant environmental policy. Indications are multiplying that Bush has more than Katrina’s headwind blowing in his face... . When reason finally pays a visit to climate-polluter headquarters, the international community has to be prepared to hand America a worked out proposal for the future of international climate protection. The German Government stands ready. (Translation of quote by Richard Bartholomew)

Or for that matter, rocket scientist Cindy Sheehan?

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, who was camped outside President Bush's Texas ranch for the past few weeks, says Hurricane Katrina is all President Bush's fault, insisting that the president is "[now] heading to Louisiana to see the devastation that his environmental policies and his killing policies have caused."

And let's not forget that paragon of knowledge and virtue, Robert Kennedy Jr:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Bio

08.29.2005

“For They That Sow the Wind Shall Reap the Whirlwind”

As Hurricane Katrina dismantles Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, it’s worth recalling the central role that Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour played in derailing the Kyoto Protocol and kiboshing President Bush’s iron-clad campaign promise to regulate CO2.

Right now the only "whirlwind" to be reaped is the remnants of the hot air still floating about that emanated from doom and gloomers during the 2005 season, trying to make political hay while the hurricanes flew in a year that was an anomaly at best. According to Kennedy and the rest of the enviro-whackos, we should have been blown off the face of the earth by this part of the season, New York City should be an underwater museum, and we should have already been experiencing hurricane Omega-squared.

So where is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. now? Where are the chicken littles at NOAA, who think they can predict global warming weather catastrophes for generations into the future, but can't even predict weather with any degree of accuracy within a mere three months into the future?

Where are the hurricanes?

(Filed under enviro-whackism)

Retroactive abortions?

Could it be that So hellbent are they in their disregard for life and in perpetuating their "sacrament" of abortion, that they are willing to perform retroactive abortions?

ABORTION CLINIC

Mystery of dead fetus deepens

Hialeah police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to see if a fetus found at an abortion clinic was alive or dead at birth.

BY ELIAS LOPEZ AND STEPHANIE GARRY

elopez@MiamiHerald.com

An autopsy of a fetus found in a biohazard container in a Hialeah abortion clinic was performed by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office on Saturday, but the results may not be known for several days or possibly weeks, police say.

The autopsy was carried out a day after Hialeah Police Chief Rolando Bolaños ordered the clinic, A Gyn Diagnostic Center, 3671 W. 16th Ave., closed in connection with a possible homicide. It's unclear whether the fetus was born dead or alive.

''The medical examiner is conducting tests and taking tissue samples,'' said Lt. Ralph Gracia on Saturday.

``Right now, it is totally dependent on what they say. I'm just glad we found the child's remains.''

The fetus is believed to belong to an 18-year-old who told police she gave premature birth to the boy while waiting to see a doctor at the clinic on July 20. She was 23 weeks pregnant -- within a week of the legal limit to have an abortion.

On the same day, police received a tip about the birth at the clinic, but found no fetus after conducting a search of the offices.

On Friday, after receiving another anonymous tip, police searched the clinic again and recovered the fetus believed to belong to the 18-year-old.

They also interviewed the teenager, who told them that clinic workers sent her home after a doctor examined her. She was not identified by police.

An attorney representing one of the clinic owners and a clinic employee said no crime was committed and that her clients are fully cooperating with investigators.

''My clients run an abortion clinic. It's a legal business,'' said Regina DeMoraes-Millan, who said the 18-year-old had an abortion at the clinic without any complications. (Read the whole thing)

Goebbels would have been envious of that statement.

What goes around comes around--eh Jack??

(Cross posted at Murtha Must Go!!)

Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Ev'ryone you meet

-John Lennon-

...and it appears that Congressman Jack Murtha, in his haste to play judge, jury and executioner without the benefit of due process for those who fight for our freedoms, is about to get a taste of what "instant karma" is all about:

A Marine Corps staff sergeant who led the squad accused of killing two dozen civilians in Haditha, Iraq, will file a lawsuit today in federal court in Washington claiming that Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) defamed him when the congressman made public comments about the incident earlier this year.

Attorneys for Frank D. Wuterich, 26, argue in court papers that Murtha tarnished the Marine's reputation by telling news organizations in May that the Marine unit cracked after a roadside bomb killed one of its members and that the troops "killed innocent civilians in cold blood." Murtha also said repeatedly that the incident was covered up.

Murtha argued that the questionable deaths of 24 civilians were indicative of the difficulties and overpowering stress that U.S. troops are facing. The congressman, a former Marine, has been a leading advocate for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq.

In the court filing, obtained by The Washington Post, the lawyers say that Murtha made the comments after being briefed by Defense Department officials who "deliberately provided him with inaccurate and false information." Neal A. Puckett and Mark S. Zaid, suing for libel and invasion of privacy, also wrote that Murtha made the comments outside of his official scope as a congressman.

Telephone calls yesterday to Murtha's office in Washington were referred to his district office in Pennsylvania, and calls there were not returned. A Marine Corps spokesman declined to comment yesterday on the Haditha investigation or the lawsuit.

The suit could have interesting legal ramifications because Wuterich and the other members of his squad have not been charged and have not received any official investigative documentation about the Nov. 19 incident. A Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation is expected to determine possible charges this summer, said officials familiar with the case.

Zaid said the filing is designed partly to force Murtha to disclose what information he received from the Defense Department and the Marine Corps commandant to form his opinion, essentially trying to speed up the discovery process in a potential criminal trial.

"This case is not about money; it's about clearing Frank Wuterich's name, and part of that is to identify where these leaks are coming from," Zaid said in an interview. "Congressman Murtha has created this atmosphere that has already concluded guilt. He's created this environment that really smells, and he's the only one who has done that."

The move by Wuterich is rare, as statements made by members of Congress generally are protected under the "speech or debate" clause in Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution. But legal experts said the clause grants immunity only for what lawmakers say in legislative proceedings and does not apply to news releases, speeches and other public comments.

Rodney A. Smolla, dean of the University of Richmond Law School and a libel expert, said yesterday that Wuterich would have the burden of proving that he is innocent and that Murtha's statements were false, but he added that the quotations appear to be actionable in court. He said the suit shows that Wuterich probably thinks he did nothing wrong.

"Part of the subtext of this is it's a showing of confidence and a preemptive strike of sorts," Smolla said. "The congressman's statement does not sound as if it is merely hyperbole or opinion or name-calling. Instead, it conveys the idea that the Marines violated professional standards and perhaps the law."

Wuterich, through his attorneys, has maintained his innocence and has said that the Marines killed two dozen people that day because they were engaged in a firefight with suspected insurgents. He told his lawyers that he and other Marines used grenades and rifles to clear two houses they thought were hostile. Another Marine's detailed account of the incident, obtained by The Post, corroborates Wuterich's version. (emphasis added)

Donald Ritchie, associate historian in the Senate Historical Office, said that such defamation suits happen from time to time but that they tend not to go anywhere because of the constitutional protections members have. He said the most famous case was in 1979, when the Supreme Court ruled that Sen. William Proxmire (D-Wis.) was not protected when he made defamatory statements to constituents in a newsletter. (READ THE WHOLE THING)

So eager was Murtha to score political brownie points with the leftist power brokers of the democrat party, so eager was Murtha to further his political ambitions, even to the point where he would willfully sully the reputation of fellow corpsmen, that his "big fat mouth" engaged before there was even a trial, or even before there were official charges!

One thing's for sure--Murtha's gonna have some 'splainin' to do when he gets on that stand, and it ain't gonna be pretty.

Yep, what goes around certainly comes around. Murtha is not only going to find that out now, but karma will certainly find Jack P. Murtha come November's elections.


(Filed under Murtha Must Go!, the fifth column)

In an overwhelming response of support...

Turnout was good at a recent Jean Fracois Kerry fundraiser in Iowa:


(Filed under moonbat adventures)

Right Roots--support the right stuff!

Captain Ed and other prominent conservative bloggers have started Right Roots, a clearinghouse for contributions to U.S. congressional and senate campaigns. Among the campaigns being supported are some near and dear to my heart, including the Bachmann v. Wetterling campaign, and--sigh-- the Murtha v. Irey campaign! This is a great answer to the left "net roots" campaign and may just help put our folks out on top. I'll have a link on the sidebar shortly.