Dante News Wire: Sep 13, 2007

Thursday, September 13, 2007

What Kind of Person Calls Himself 'Progressive'?

So what kind of person has to label himself "Progressive?" Obviously somebody
who believes he (or she) understands real progress better than the rest of us.
Because if you are a Progressive it implies that everybody else, let's face it,
is a Regressive, or maybe just a Stagnant. It's a smirky, self-flattering way of
saying you're a lot better than the rest.

There is a solid point to be had here.

Michelle Malkin » Hillary was warned about Hsu; Update: Clinton campaign wants to re-purpose the dirty money:

"The campaign is refunding $850,000 to [Hsu’s bundled] donors, viewing
the money as tainted. Yet the campaign is also risking another public relations
mess by saying that it would take back the money if it clearly came from the
donor’s bank account, not from Mr. Hsu or another source. The risk is that Mrs.
Clinton will appear to want more cash no matter whether it was once colored by a
disgraced donor. The campaign will try to get most of the donors to give the
money back right after the refunds, said a senior Democratic strategist who
advises Mrs. Clinton’s campaign. “That’s the plan,” the strategist said."

This really is a bad plan, it puts into question the commitment that Hilary has towards assuring that money in her campaign is clean. It also makes it sound like she is running low on cash, which she shouldn't be. The boldest part of returning the money in my book is the statement to the media and the rest of the country that she is strong enough that she doesn't need it. She doesn't need dirty money, because she has enough supporters, giving that money back and not taking it right back again would have been a message of how solid she is financially and politically. What she is doing, is shooting herself in the foot.

News Hounds: Unbalanced Hannity & Colmes Analysis of Bush Speech: Three Republicans, One Democrat.:

"FOX News bias was blatantly on display during Hannity & Colmes’ discussions
of President Bush’s speech last night (9/13/07). The guest roster was grossly
unbalanced. Three Republicans, one Democrat. But even with that lopsided
line-up, the FOX News producers evidently felt the need to give Republicans a
few extra boosts along the way."

That might be because all the democrats were over on MSNBC. Honestly though, I think that objectivity is a goal that I aim for. Not in the sense that I will not express an opinion on a matter, everyone who reads this blog knows that I do that. Not even that I will balance that opinion with an equal amount of time to another opinion. I attempt to give space to all voices.

This post isn't about me though, it is about Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. Fox News has the right to run whatever programing it wants, and to have the guest speakers that it wants. I am not going to speculate as to why there was only one democrat, a party that has scorned the channel. What I would suggest is that if you don't like the coverage of news that you are getting from Fox, change the channel and watch MSNBC, which had plenty of Democrats and Olberman doing coverage.

Amazon.com: Power to the People: Signed Edition: Books: Laura Ingraham

Amazon.com: Power to the People: Signed Edition: Books: Laura Ingraham

What does this term power to the people mean? It is used by both sides, but does it mean the same things to both sides, and if so why can't there be more agreement.

I think for the left it means that people have the right to regulate businesses interests. The left believes that the threat to liberty comes from corporations that use and abuse power. That is why they are so focused and concerned about money flowing into politics. They want the government to limit the ability of media companies to how large of a portion of a market they can own because they fear that the media corporations will use control of this resource for its own ends and not that of the people.

On the right it means that people have the right to buy products from the best seller, for the best price. It means that people have the right to go into and conduct business without the government interfering with regulations. It means that people have the right to own what they work for without the government taxing it away to give it to someone who doesn't work. The right believes the threat to liberties comes not from business but from government. They don't fear the power of business to buy and sell, because they don't believe that this is a controlling function. They believe that peoples rights are violated when the government takes money from tax payers and gives it to either their supporters or big government agencies.

The truth I believe is that business do use their market leverage to its own advantage, and sometimes that means to the disadvantage of the people. There is a check for this that isn't used as strongly as it could be. Also government abuses the power that is given to it, to seek advantages from some groups at the cost of others. There is a check for this to, which is also not used as strongly as it could be.

People have the power, you don't have to give them the power. The check for corporations is that consumers choose not to purchase products from companies that they don't like. Either the company will be forced to change its ways, or it will sink. The check on government is that voters have the ability to vote politicians that are not executing their will out of office. Leaders who do not listen to the voice of the people are soon replaced. The problem isn't power to the people, the people are power, they are like batteries. However just like batteries they are only powerful when plugged in, too many Americans are blind to the choices that they make as consumers and make no choice as voters.

Austria Foils Another Terror Plot

Townhall.com::Blog: Austria Foils Another Terror Plot

"The jihadists are swinging and missing, but the threat these plots represent
remains real and growing. The most astonishing thing about American politics six
years after 9/11 is its deep indifference in many places to the realities of
this network and the necessity of fighting it with tools such as the recently
amended FISA."

Terror is a threat that we continue to face, it is a threat that doesn't come from out involvement in the middle east, or Israels long war for survival. Where it comes from is the ideology of Islam that states that the Muslim faith should be spread to the edges of the earth. There are millions of Muslims that believe in living in peace with their neighbors. There are a few thousand that believe that they must either convert, subject or kill their neighbors. It is the second group that fuels terror.

We can leave the gulf, pull out of Iraq, but that will not stop or weaken the threat. Fresh from the success of Iraq, terrorist will push into Europe with their attacks. Pushing to end freedoms that are a part of our western lifestyle. The freedom of speech is only an example, they are already moving to suppress speech against Islam. With the success in Iraq, they will have the base and the power to target their enemies, critics of Islam with more than harsh words. They want to kill those who disagree with them, and they will if they can.

Liberal Bloggers are Nazis and Terrorists, Don'tcha Know?

Media Matters for America, for example, has detailed coverage of Bill
O'Reilly's despicable comparisons of The Daily Kos to Nazis, David Duke and the
Ku Klux Klan, and more on his Fox News program The O'Reilly Factor. (See too, my
Bill O'Reilly Hate Tour.) Jeffrey Feldman of Frameshop today urges us to contact
the Wall Street Journal about yet another, more sophisticated smear job against
the progressive blogosphere.

I think that it is time to retire this language. This is something that is being done by people on both sides of the issues. It is similar to that song by Bob Dylan, which talks about how everyone is claiming that god is on their side. In this instance, people who make these claims are not only claiming that the devil is on the opponents side, they are claiming that they are the devil. The evils on the holocaust are perhaps the most evil of all humyn acts in recent history. To compare the activities of any member of a functioning democracy to that is to belittle the crime that the Nazis committed. Websites may say things that you don't agree with, they might threaten to cut off funds, they may support ideas that you believe are wrong headed. Presidents have different views on the world than you, the media covers news in a way that you don't think is balanced, politicians are not as responsive to the needs of the public as you believe that they should be.

These are first of all not crimes in this country. Second of all, websites are not placing people into ovens, presidents are not running internment camps, and the media doesn't force you to consume the product that it delivers. There are real crimes that have taken place, what we see most often is disagreements, that can be worked out through discussion. That discussion does not happen though when either or both sides resorts to name calling, slander and baseless comparisons to crimes so vile there is honestly very little that can be compared to them.

CNN looks into 9-11 “white plane” mystery

The CNN story gives too much air time to the Truthers for my tastes, but it’s
not hard to see why. In the absence of having every single thing about that day
explained, conspiracy theories arise among the paranoid and narcissistic. And
the government has no long-term interest in acknowledging that the E-4B was sent
up, why it was sent up or who might have been on board. In telling our citizens
every single thing about what the E-4B might have been used to do on 9-11, we
would also be telling our enemies quite a bit more about that plane’s roles and
capabilities than would be prudent.

I think it is time to stop giving Truthers air time in the name of balance and fairness. Would we give air time to someone who claimed that the holocaust wasn't real? The truth has been settled, and while there are some that will never believe it that doesn't mean the nation owes them our attention any longer. Let them disappear into the hills.

Report: Turkish military assisted Israel in secret raid on Syria

Well, who knows. It’s extraordinary if true, though: not only did they allegedly
provide targeting information but they allowed IAF jets the use of Turkish
airspace and kept it secret from Erdogan, the Islamist-sympathizer prime
minister. Hard to believe they’d go to all that trouble if the target was
nothing more than weapons shipments to Hezbollah. Turkey has nothing to fear
from those and thus no reason to risk Syria’s ire by helping out the IAF. If, on
the other hand, the target was secret Syrian nuclear installations…

This raises some interesting issues. Could this be a sign that countries in the region are making alliances in expectation about a premature withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. Turkey could have struck a deal with Israel to work together inside a post withdrawal Iraq. Both countries would gain by limiting the power of Iran. Turkey has an interest in the Kurdish people that lay on the border of Iraq and Turkey. Israel is concerned about terrorist in Iraq targeting Israel.

If Syria has nuclear weapons, that changes everything.

LEAVE GENERAL PETRAEUS ALONE!!!!!

Ned Would Wipe The Floor With Holy Joe Today

Unfortunately for America, Connecticut voters aren’t casting their votes today
in the Lieberman/Lamont race because if they were, Ned Lamont would win and the US Senate would be rid of the pathological, warmongering narcissist Joe
Lieberman (CFL-AIPAC).

Is Lieberman's stand on the war in Iraq going to cost him his seat when he comes up for election next time. The democratic base is really getting angry about this subject, and he is not in a popular position. He is not a Democrat, and though he could go back to the party at the next election, he may face better odds remaining independent. The question is if Republicans are going to choose to vote for him, some of them are upset about the war as well. Others might be concerned about other policy stands Lieberman has taken.

Grandpa Fred blasts off at golf-cart speed!

Fred Thompson's plunge into the presidential pool -- more belly-flop than swan
dive -- was the strangest product launch since that of New Coke in 1985. Then
the question was: Is this product necessary? A similar question stumped Thompson
the day he plunged.
Sean Hannity, who is no Torquemada conducting inquisitions of conservatives, asked Thompson: "When you look at the other current crop of candidates -- Republicans -- where is the distinction between your positions and what you view as theirs?" Thompson replied: "Well, to tell you the truth, I haven't spent a whole lot of time going into the details of their positions."

Wow, it sounds like Uncle Fred is as lazy as people say that he is. How do you enter a race having not gone into the details of your opponents positions. Either he is lying to us, or he is not taking this race seriously. What would Mandie say about this kind of work ethic?

Conservation Group Shows Escalating Extinction Crisis

The conservation group’s annual Red List of threatened species, published
today, found that the extinction crisis had escalated in the last year with
16,306 species now at the highest levels of extinction threat, equivalent to
almost 40% of all species in the survey.

A quarter of all mammals, a third of all amphibians and one in eight birds on the 2007 IUCN Red List are in jeopardy.

More than 180 species have been added since 2006 to the ranks
of those classified as endangered, critically endangered or vulnerable.

We live on a very small planet, and while I am in no way a Luddite, the environment has to be a concern to us. Some may believe that it doesn't effect us when a species dies, and that may be true that there is no direct effect. There are times in life that you are in a situation where what is legal is different from what is moral. If you see a person drowning in a river, and you can swim out there are help them. There is no legal obligation for you to do so, however you might believe that there is a moral one. I think that the moral responsibility for humynity is to do our best not to destroy the planet and kill off the other species that share this world with us.

BREAKING: Petraeus considering running for president. For real.

The US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, expressed long-term interest
in running for the US presidency when he was stationed in Baghdad, according to
a senior Iraqi official who knew him at that time.

Sabah Khadim, then a senior adviser at Iraq's Interior Ministry, says General Petraeus discussed with him his ambition when the general was head of training and recruitment of the Iraqi army in 2004-05.

"I asked him if he was planning to run in 2008 and he said, 'No, that would be too soon'," Mr Khadim, who now lives in London, said....

If this report is accurate it does put a new light not only on his plans for Iraq, but the report that he recently gave congress. If his concern is a future bid for the White House, he does not want to pull out of Iraq. Americans would elect a leader that won a war, and they have. They will not elect a leader that they feel lost a war.

Edwards responds to Bush's speech

OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE SENATOR JACK REED

SENATOR JOE BIDEN'S RESPONSE TO NUSH SPEECH

Mayor Giuliani Reacts To President Bush's Speech

MIKE HUCKABEE RESPONDS TO BUSH SPEECH

BREAKING DOWN BUSH'S SPEECH FRANK LUNTZ

GEORGE BUSH SPEECH SEPT 13, 2007

Snap Judgment: 'Vogue' Editor Anna Wintour Has A "BBF"

She actually looks cute in this photo. Most of the time she looks like she has spent too much time with Victoria Beckham.

Heard On The Street: So the big rumor going around today about ...

So the big rumor going around today about Rupert Murdoch's plans for the Wall
Street Journal concerns a recent meeting with the paper's top brass, where
Murdoch brought up the name of shiraz-swilling New York Post editor in chief Col
Allan. Whether he was suggesting that Allan bring his particular blend of news
judgment to the paper or merely using him as an example of proper practices
(we're guessing the latter), it may be the best indication yet of the direction
in which Murdoch plans to take the paper. Or maybe not, it's just a rumor! But
try and tell us that you have a hard time actually believing it.
UPDATE: Actually SO MUCH BETTER: Murdoch BROUGHT Col Allan to the meeting! Can you imagine?

I think that the Wall Street Journal could learn something about how to publish a newspaper from the New York Post. That does not mean that it is a good idea for those ideas to take over, or for the editor of the Post to be hired at the Journal. The Journal is really hard to read right now, there must be something that could be done to make it more enjoyable and easy to read. Something that wouldn't compromise its long history of good news coverage.

Lies: James Frey Sells Novel, Lies About That Too

"I have never written a short story in my life," James told Times book reporter
Motoko Rich yesterday when she contacted him about the rumors. "But Mr. Frey
published a short story last fall in a catalog for an exhibition by Malerie
Marder, a Los Angeles-based artist," Motoko reports. ZING.

James Fry is selling a new book, but continuous to live in his own world where truth is relevant to what he thinks it should be. It is hard to say if you are supporting his lies by purchasing the book, he is a novelist after all.

Rebuilding The Brand: Wal-Mart has abandoned its famous smiley-face ...

In its first big push from its new shop, Martin Agency, the Bentonville behemoth
is scrapping its happy-face logo, which has been in use for 19 years, from its
TV spots and trading in its "Always Low Prices" motto for a new one. The new
tagline, "Save Money. Live Better," will be rolled out onto everything from
receipts to shopping bags.

Well it isn't dropping it all together, but you will be seeing less of it. The company is also moving back to a focus on low prices, and saving their customers money. This after a brief attempt to move in on Targets market, which serves a slightly higher income customer base.

Bjork - Venus as a Boy

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn

Orlando Bloom and Penelope Cruz Dating Again?

“When Penelope asked him to help her find a place Orlando didn’t hesitate. He
knew it would be a great opportunity to spend time with Penelope. He would never
pass that up. They have sizzling chemistry and have always loved spending time
together. Whenever they do, things heat up quickly.”

I think that these two make a very hot couple and it will be good to see them together again. Lets hope that this time they don't try and make it a big secret like they did last time. They really went out of their way to hide what everyone knew.

THE GOLDMAN’S DO OPRAH

The father and sister of Ronald Goldman were on the Oprah show today and they
say that by seizing control of the O.J. Simpson book, ‘If I Did It,’ they are
punishing the monster they believe murdered their loved one.

I know that they are the victims family, and they are probably still suffering from the loss. However the whole business with the book, and now going on Oprah is disturbing to me. What are they trying to do, are they trying to get money, publicity - because if that is the case it seems like a poor use of their loved ones memories. If they are trying to convince the world that OJ is guilty, done, everyone believes that pretty much. Something just doesn't sit right with me on this.

Santa Baby

However, Vanessa has a bigger issue to worry about, the sex video. A forty-five
second clip that is predicted taken by a phone-camera has now erupted online
dubbed 'Open Me First'. The clip shows Vanessa sitting in front of a Christmas
tree wearing only a Santa hat, pasties to cover her breasts and a red thong with
mistletoe decoration. Slowly Vanessa took off her 'attributes' one by one and
murmured "I want Santa come up my chimney because I've been a good little girl
this year.' at the end of her 'striptease'.

Are things going to heat up for Vanessa, and the rest of us. Is there really more material waiting off sea to come ashore and disturb the peace. How long is Disney going to stand behind its star. The original photos broke the story, then there were the photos to her boyfriend before that. Now a rumor of a video. This could spell trouble for Vanessa. Or it could mean that she is trying to get away from Disney and she is releasing more materials because the first didn't do the job.

Or maybe this is all just a joke... Vanessa Hudgens Sex Tape is a Joke

Where The Hell Is Doherty?!

Kate Moss was seen leaving a pub in London with her new dude, Jamie Hince. I
guess this means Moss and the Doherty really are done. But where the hell is he?
Everyday I look for him and nothing! Did he kick the bucket and nobody told me!
I'm about to attach an 8-ball to a pigeon and send it off. I'm getting worried.

Could the long nightmare of their relationship be over at last. How long did it take, all these years for the continuous train wreck to come to an end. Kate is a beautiful womyn, she should be able to find a nice man for herself.

Another Freak out Film - Now he is a media Whore

LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE! pt.1

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Sorry I know that I shouldn't be encouraging him. Does he understand he is endangering Britney's life by saying that he will kill himself if anything happens to Britney.

Various Reviews of Britney's VMA Performance

What a dork, LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE OR YOU'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ME... Isn't that what you said. Looks like people are taking you up on that offer. When this guy leaves, maybe he can take Britney with him, they can amuse themselves on an island some where.

MTV bans P Diddy’s commercial

The ad for P Diddy’s new fragrance needs some heavy editing before it can be
aired. MTV execs are demanding a number of changes to the raunchy
commercial.

This isn't the first time that he has trouble with ads for his products. It is hard to image what would be so bad that MTV wouldn't air it.

Oh Hey, Lauren

My old roommate used to watch this show, and I had a huge crush on this girl. I love her hair, she is just so hot... yummy.

Lindsay Lohan’s New Dude Already Blabbing

Although I’ve heard nothing about it until now, some dude named Tony Allen
popped up claiming to be Lindsay Lohan’s new “special friend,” or whatever the
hell the kids are calling that shit nowadays.

Tony told Extra he met Lindsay at the Cirque Lodge in Utah, where they were both being treated for addiction issues. He claimed to be “great friends” with the actress.

First of all she looks like a hooker in this photo. Lindsay, girl I think you are great but the smoking thing needs to stop, and the matching of those shoes with jeans just makes you look cheap.

What I really wanted to say, is that it is sad that people who pretend to be her friends are so willing to sell her out for a greasy buck. Her real friends wouldn't do that.

Sullen And Bloated Sean - Buzzfoto

Sullen And Bloated Sean

Halle Berry Today - Buzzfoto

Halle Berry Today

City Council Approves ‘Larry King Square’

The City Council voted Wednesday to rename the block “Larry King Square” in
recognition of King’s 50 years in broadcasting.

Congrats to Larry, that is a long time to be on TV.

Best Night Ever

Photographs Really Don’t Get Much Classier Than This One

What brings these two together, a porn convention. Honestly though this reminds me of beauty and the beast.

Alyssa Milano Gets “Earl” Gig

Alyssa Milano, known for her starring roles on “Who’s the Boss?” and “Charmed,”
has signed up for multi-episodes on “My Name Is Earl,” co-starring Jason Lee.
Milano will appear in the role of Billie Cunningham, a woman inspired by the
karma-seeking ways of Earl to clean up her act. Her stint begins in October.

I used to think she was so hot when I was younger. She is a strong actress and she should do well on the show.

Larry Birkhead Gets Reality Show

The still unnamed reality show project is under development at the E! network.
It will focus on Larry and baby Dannielynn’s life after Anna Nicole Smith’s
death, according to a TV insider.
“Larry’s on the verge of signing with E! for a show that could be on the air by next spring,” a Hollywood source told The NATIONAL ENQUIRER.

I think that this guy has been taking lessons from Joe Simpson, they could co-author a book together, The Idiots Guide to Making Money Off Your Kids. The show will sell though, hell if it is on the internet I will probably even watch it.

Britney & Kevin Hold Meeting With Their Lawyers

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (September 13, 2007) — Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
spent their son’s birthday having a little get-together — but this was no
party.Federline and his lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, reportedly met with
Spears on Wednesday at the Century City offices of her attorney, Laura Wasser.

Maybe they can reach a settlement before this all goes to court and they tear each other apart in front of the whole world. There are some who would like to see a court battle, yes it would provide some great headlines, but it really would damage their family and the kids. They really should settle.

Kid Rock Talks Tommy Lee Incident & Marriage To Pam

“I’ve never gotten more emails in my life from people that were proud of
me,” he told the morning show hosts. ” It started off with Jenna Jameson’s
email, ‘thank God somebody did that’ blah, blah all the way to like friend’s in
Nashville — Martina McBride’s husband and their daughters, like ‘Kid Rock! We
love you.’ That was great. I was like ‘Wow!’ I didn’t know what to make of
it.”

Kid is telling his side of the story, he claims that many people have been positive about what he did. He also says that contrary to reports it had nothing to do with Pamela.

'Idol's' Advice For Britney

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (September 13, 2007) – In the wake of her performance on the 2007 Video Music Awards last Sunday, Britney Spears has had an offer of career help from an unlikely source – the “American Idol” judges.
“We’ve decided that we’re all going to collectively manage Britney,” Simon Cowell told a press conference earlier this week.

Someone needs to take care of her, and I think that Simon can whip her ass into shape to get her career back on track. Her career can come back, but she needs to get to work, and she needs to work hard.

Reese and Jake Doing the On-Again, Off-Again Thing

"They seemed like a couple." However, the next day, each left separately for
different coasts, so it's anyone's guess as to the status of their relationship
at the moment. But, Us reports that there still might be hope yet for these
two.
"They're a rocky couple," says one insider. "It would not be a shock if they got back together."

It is the rocky ones that are the most passionate...

Evan Rachel Wood Is Defensive

I think people really get off on seeing someone fail. No one is waiting for me
to say something smart. An actress is stupid--that's the best news. It's on CNN.
People tell me I'm immature, and Britney's crotch is on CNN. Who the hell is
immature?

Uhhh Marilyn Manson is, because he is dating a teenager, and he dumped one of the most beautiful womyn in the world to do it. Oh yeah, so it Britney.

While Britney Is In Hiding… Buzzfoto

While Britney Is In Hiding…

Jon Stewart to host Oscars

Jon Stewart has been announced as the Oscar host for 2008. "I'm thrilled to be
asked to host the Academy Awards for the second time because, as they say, the
third time's a charm," Stewart said. The 80th annual Academy Awards will be held
on February 28 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. "Jon was a terrific host for
the 78th awards," producer Gil Cates said Wednesday. "He is smart, quick, funny,
loves movies and is a great guy. What else could one ask for?"

I like Sarah Silverman but I think that Jon will do a much better job. He is more entertaining and he is a better comedian. Sarah's act relies a little too much on vulgarity for my taste.

Six Held In West Virginia Torture Horror

SEPTEMBER 11--A black West Virginia woman was sexually assaulted, stabbed, and tortured while being held captive by her white abductors, one of whom told her,
"That's what we do to niggers around here." The 23-year-old victim was freed
Saturday after cops responded to the home of Frankie Brewster for a "welfare
check on a female that was reportedly being held against her will." When cops
arrived, Brewster claimed she was the only one home, but then the victim limped
to the door and said, "Help me."

This is just a sad story, it is something that I will never understand how people can do this to other people. They look like the whole family has been sharing a speed ball to me.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

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