Dateline London-
Dixie, a ginger-colored cat, disappeared nine years ago and the owners feared she was dead. But surprise!
The cat had a microchip in her and some lady found her and turned her into the human society who called the couple and said,"come get your cat." I suspect that Dixie has used up at least eight of her nine lives in recent years.
The latest scandal to hit the oil/energy market is full of "substance abuse and promiscuity" as government brokers responsible for collecting billions of dollars in federal royalties had sex with energy company employees, and accepted lavish gifts from them.
As if that wasn't bad enough those brokers and energy buddies rigged contracts to favor firms, according to investigators.
TODAY'S THREAD:
What do you think should be done to these people who are taking advantage of their positions? Lock 'em up and throw away the key? Or just give them a pat on the hand and say, "that's a no-no!"
First, Republican campaign manager, Rick Davis, says that reporters won't be allowed to talk with Palin unless they show respect and deference. Deference? I can't think of anyone in American politics, including the President of the United States, whose political backers demand such an outrageous precondition!
Respect and courtesy, perhaps, but then don't we all want that?
Have you ever heard of the Bilderberg Group? I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't. I just ran across them while doing some research and was astounded.
Why? Because this group contains the most powerful people in the Western nations and is so secretive they won't allow any journalists to attending their conventions/meetings. This has been going on since 1954. I think you'll be surprised when you read this column.
TODAY'S THREAD:
Have you ever heard of The Bilderberg Group?
If you want your photo taken with Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, just show up at a California billionaire's compound on September 25th, and be prepared to shell out some big bucks for this Republican fundraiser.
Hey, you can even get a John McCain label pin for a mere $2,500! It seems that Palin's convention speech about "taking on the old politics as usual" was dust in the wind. She's quickly fit right in with the way Washington power brokers do things.
TODAY'S THREAD:
Do you think Palin is really going to be an "agent of change" as she claims?
JetBlue has found a novel way to get people interested in their airlines - put bargain basement deals on eBay and see what the people say.
According to Harla Platt at Northeastern University, who follows the airline industry the bold move will bring valuable "word-of-mouth" advertising. Who needs billboards?
TODAY'S THREAD:
What do you think about this idea?
There's a nationwide group of marijuana legalization advocates that are having a Genetically Modified Marijuana Food Contest. Their hoping someone in our nation's colleges studying biology will be a candidate and possible creator of genetically modified chow.
Okay, it's strange but who knows? It brings up a couple of interesting points.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has a checkered past that is slowly submerging. It's still too early to tell if she's going to be a support for the ticket, or if her past is going to cause troubles for her and the Republican party who so quickly vetted her.
TODAY'S THREAD:
Do you think McCain's hasty pick was because she was a woman, and he felt he needed a woman on the ticket to win?
Bob Woodward's new book, "The War Within: A Secret White House History-2006-2008" has really opened a can of worms with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his staff when they found out that the US was spying on them!
It's a bad time right now, as the Iraqi's are constantly saying they want us out of there. Now, more than ever, our government needs to firm up a date for withdrawal and get out of that country.
TODAY'S THREAD:
What do you think is keeping us from announcing an exact withdrawal date?
By the end of August there were 62 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers. Another 31 cases are still being investigated. It's apparent the strain of years of war are taking their toll on American soldiers who often do two or more combat tours.
TODAY'S THREAD #1
Regardless of who wins the presidency, what do you think the chances of getting out of Iraq in 2009 are?
Researchers are saying that young children today have high levels of chemical fire retardants in their blood. The culprit is called PBDEs, and it's used widely in televisions, remote controls, computers, mattresses, and other products.
These PBDEs are thought to be behind possible brain damage and hyperactivity.
TODAY'S THREAD
The problem is, what can be done about it?
In a victory for Californians, a U.S.District Judge ruled that the feds have been bad boys for picking on medical marijuana patients, caregivers, dispensary owners, and local state and county officials.
It's good to see voters get what they asked for, but are the feds going to weasel out of their promise to go along with the new program? Time will tell. For now it's something to savor and a setback to Bush's boys.
Former Atty.Gen Alberto Gonzales resigned last year under fire. Now a fed report says he was improperly-and possibly illegally-storing classified information about two of Bushes administrators. But, the Justice Department refused to prosecute him.
The Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary committee, John Conyers (D-Mich) demanded to know why?
TODAY'S THREAD:
Why do you think Gonzales' case is being dropped?
'I-Witness' founder, Eileen Clancy, was arrested and detained last Saturday by police in what appeared to be a preemptive arrest.
Clancy said that she and her team were surrounded by police in the house they were staying at in St.Paul before they even had a chance to video tape any protests at the RNC. Journalist Amy Goodman was also arrested amid accusations of police brutality. There's been over three times the arrests (342) at the RNC (and it's only half over) compared to a total number of 130 at the DNC. Tear gas has already been used.
TODAY'S THREAD:
Don't you just love how the police tactics with Clancy violated her right to assemble? Why do you think the police are being so aggressive at the RNC?
I wonder what conservatives will say when they find out that Bristol Paline is pregnant out-of-wedlock? Her 44-year-old governor mom says the family is supporting her (isn't that nice, their not going to disown her!).
According to the mainstream media McCain was aware of this little situation, but said it was no problem. Really? What about the conservative family values that neo-cons like to trot out at every opportunity? It should be interesting, as we continue to find things out about Palin (and her family). This comes from not properly vetting a candidate and a lot of Republicans are becoming worried with McCain's pick for veep.
TODAY'S 2nd THREAD:
Some pundits say Palin is giving a boost to the Republican Party. Do you agree with that?
Looks like President Bush will be a no show at the Republican Convention. Most Republicans are actually quit happy with this arrangement as they see him as one big negative.
McCain's campaign is trying to cut new territory for the Elephant Party and show he's a maverick by picking a woman who has less experience in politics than an intern in Washington.
TODAY'S THREAD:
The rumor is Bush is just sitting in his executive chair waiting to give aid to New Orleans and he can't be bothered with something like a silly convention - why do you think he's not attending?
Today's As It Stands, in the Times-Standard, talks about California Attorney General Jerry Brown who has issued an eleven-page directive that is supposed to make life easier for medical marijuana users and California cops.
The only problem with that list is the Feds are already ignoring it. They have in the past, and will continue to ignore anything this state tries to do to carry out the voter's will.
TODAY'S THREAD:
Which one of the presidential candidates do you think might stand up for the will of California voters and grant more state's rights?
Diamonds really are forever. A small company in Switzerland uses ashes of dead people to make diamonds! So much for diamonds just being a girl's friend eh?
The technology for making artificial diamonds goes back to the 1950's when General Electric came up with the idea by subjecting carbon to huge pressure and temperature. There's even a place in Phoenix Arizona, that makes diamonds from hair!
President Bush is telling Americans to "don't worry," and "be happy," this Labor Day Weekend. He has seen signs-perhaps a mystic revelation-that we're doing better these days.
This despite other economic news that shows consumer spending has slowed to a crawl and people are worried.
TODAY's THREAD:
Do you think Bush has had a revelation, or is he just spouting his usual rhetoric?
These two columns have been published in Nolan Chart today:
1) Paranoid police picked the wrong convention to model riot gear!
Anyone with any sense should have known that anti-war protestors will go for the source-the Republican's National Convention. Just who started the wars anyhow?
2)Okay let's just get it out in the open: Playing The Gender Card With Palin.
Everyone on the planet knows that some of Hillary's followers were feminists who were voting on the Gender Card, and that when she lost to Obama they had to go somewhere!
The environment Donald J. Trump grew up in was something out of a mob movie. His wealthy racist father gave him a " small loan " o...
