Air America is in trouble.
No, I'm not talking about its dismal ratings, tiny network, nor its dearth of sponsors. I'm not talking about its lackluster group of personalitites, nor the embarrassingly boring and misguided substance of its broadcasts.
This from Drudge:
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED APRIL 27, 2005 09:01:25 ET XXXXX
AIR AMERICA RADIO INVESTIGATED AFTER BUSH 'GUNSHOTS'
**Exclusive**
The red-hot rhetoric over Social Security on liberal talkradio network AIR AMERICA has caught the attention of the Secret Service, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
Government officials are reviewing a skit which aired on the network Monday evening -- a skit featuring an apparent gunshot warning to the president!
The announcer: "A spoiled child is telling us our Social Security isn't safe anymore, so he is going to fix it for us. Well, here's your answer, you ungrateful whelp: [audio sound of 4 gunshots being fired.] Just try it, you little bastard. [audio of gun being cocked]."
The audio production at the center of the controversy aired during opening minutes of The Randi Rhodes Show.
"What is with all the killing?" Rhodes said, laughing, after the clip aired.
"Even joking about shooting the president is a crime, let alone doing it on national radio... we are taking this very seriously," a government source explained.
Developing...
______________________________
Have you ever listened to Randi Rhodes?
Have you ever had dental work without novocaine?
Apparently, Air America has crossed the line from tasteless to criminal.
The Dems got all bent out of shape about Tom DeLay supposedly threatening judges and provoking violence against them; yet they find the sound of shots being fired at the president amusing.
Such is the moral relativism of the Democrats.
Such is the utter lameness of Air America.
___________________________
By the way, while checking Air America's website this morning, I found this poll:
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist rallied against the judicial filibuster in a church. Was that inappropriate?
--No, I love it when religion bleeds into government.
--Yes, we are visibly eroding the separation of church and state.
I didn't bother to check the poll results. I would guess the liberals overwhelmingly support religion bleeding into government, based on the way Al Gore and John Kerry talk.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Smart Move
GOP to Reverse Ethics Rule Blocking New DeLay Probe
January Change Led Democrats to Shut Down Panel
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2005; Page A01
House Republican leaders, acknowledging that ethics disputes are taking a heavy toll on the party's image, decided yesterday to rescind a controversial rule change that led to the three-month shutdown of the ethics committee, according to officials who participated in the talks.
Republicans touched off a political uproar in January by changing a rule that had required the ethics committee to continue considering a complaint against a House member if there was a deadlock between the committee's five Republicans and five Democrats. The January change reversed this, calling for automatic dismissal of an ethics complaint when a deadlock occurs.
Democrats rebelled against that and other changes -- saying Republicans were trying to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) from further ethics investigations -- and blocked the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, as the ethics panel is officially known, from organizing for the new Congress.
Republicans on the committee say they will launch an investigation of DeLay's handling of overseas trips and gifts as soon as the impasse over the rules is broken.
_______________________________
This makes sense.
The Democrats are benefiting from shutting the Ethics Committee down. It's time to get it moving again and let DeLay's actions be judged.
Taking this issue away from the Dems will be far more helpful to Republicans in the long run than any political losses they might take as a result of giving into the Dems' demands.
January Change Led Democrats to Shut Down Panel
By Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2005; Page A01
House Republican leaders, acknowledging that ethics disputes are taking a heavy toll on the party's image, decided yesterday to rescind a controversial rule change that led to the three-month shutdown of the ethics committee, according to officials who participated in the talks.
Republicans touched off a political uproar in January by changing a rule that had required the ethics committee to continue considering a complaint against a House member if there was a deadlock between the committee's five Republicans and five Democrats. The January change reversed this, calling for automatic dismissal of an ethics complaint when a deadlock occurs.
Democrats rebelled against that and other changes -- saying Republicans were trying to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) from further ethics investigations -- and blocked the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, as the ethics panel is officially known, from organizing for the new Congress.
Republicans on the committee say they will launch an investigation of DeLay's handling of overseas trips and gifts as soon as the impasse over the rules is broken.
_______________________________
This makes sense.
The Democrats are benefiting from shutting the Ethics Committee down. It's time to get it moving again and let DeLay's actions be judged.
Taking this issue away from the Dems will be far more helpful to Republicans in the long run than any political losses they might take as a result of giving into the Dems' demands.
New Excecution Deadline for Hostages in Iraq
By Laura Chiriac in Bucharest
Wednesday, 27 April , 2005, 08:40
The kidnappers of three Romanian journalists held in Iraq on Tuesday set a new ultimatum for their execution, hours after the employer of two of the hostages announced they were still alive.
The kidnappers have given Bucharest until 13.00 (GMT) on Wednesday to announce the withdrawal of its 860 troops from Iraq in order to save the journalists' lives, Al-Jazeera television reported.
The Arab satellite news channel said it had a video showing the hostages with their hands tied, and setting the new deadline for Bucharest. An earlier ultimatum expired on Tuesday.
Prima TV reporter Marie-Jeanne Ion and cameraman Sorin Miscoci were seized in a Baghdad suburb on March 28, along with Romania Libera correspondent Eduard Ohanesian.
...In Tuesday's broadcast, Al-Jazeera played soundless extracts showing the three journalists and a fourth hostage, a US-Iraqi businessman, Mohamed Munaf, kidnapped at the same time as them.
According to Al-Jazeera, Munaf appealed to US President George W Bush to intervene to save his life. Romanian media have identified Munaf as the journalists' guide in Iraq.
From the Washington Post:
Hundreds of Romanians and Arabs gathered downtown the Romanian capital calling for the release of the three journalists, hours before a deadline set by the kidnappers for the pullout of Romanian troops from Iraq. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
...Romanians demonstrated by the hundreds in Bucharest and other cities Tuesday. Carrying posters saying "Freedom" in Romanian, English and Arabic, they stood in silence in Bucharest's University Square. The rally continued late into the night, with supporters pledging to remain there until the hostages are freed.
Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu appealed to Romanians to be calm.
"Please trust that Romanian authorities are making all efforts to bring them (the hostages) home safely," he said.
______________________________
These tapes are absolutely heartbreaking.
Condoleezza Rice reiterates that we don't negotiate with terrorists. Romania does not appear to be ready to capitulate. In the meantime, we are treated to these deeply disturbing scenes on Aljazeera.
There is still no new information about Jeffrey Ake, the American from LaPorte, Indiana, being held hostage in Iraq since April 11.
I pray the terrorists spare all their lives. I pray for their families.
One more thing: I think it would be appropriate for Ted Kennedy to make a statement about the barbaric methods of these terrorist kidnappers.
I would like to see him mark the anniversaries of the exeutions of hostages by Iraqis, rather than harping on Abu Ghraib.
Of course, he says nothing, because condemning terrorists doesn't score political points.
Wednesday, 27 April , 2005, 08:40
The kidnappers of three Romanian journalists held in Iraq on Tuesday set a new ultimatum for their execution, hours after the employer of two of the hostages announced they were still alive.
The kidnappers have given Bucharest until 13.00 (GMT) on Wednesday to announce the withdrawal of its 860 troops from Iraq in order to save the journalists' lives, Al-Jazeera television reported.
The Arab satellite news channel said it had a video showing the hostages with their hands tied, and setting the new deadline for Bucharest. An earlier ultimatum expired on Tuesday.
Prima TV reporter Marie-Jeanne Ion and cameraman Sorin Miscoci were seized in a Baghdad suburb on March 28, along with Romania Libera correspondent Eduard Ohanesian.
...In Tuesday's broadcast, Al-Jazeera played soundless extracts showing the three journalists and a fourth hostage, a US-Iraqi businessman, Mohamed Munaf, kidnapped at the same time as them.
According to Al-Jazeera, Munaf appealed to US President George W Bush to intervene to save his life. Romanian media have identified Munaf as the journalists' guide in Iraq.
From the Washington Post:
Hundreds of Romanians and Arabs gathered downtown the Romanian capital calling for the release of the three journalists, hours before a deadline set by the kidnappers for the pullout of Romanian troops from Iraq. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
...Romanians demonstrated by the hundreds in Bucharest and other cities Tuesday. Carrying posters saying "Freedom" in Romanian, English and Arabic, they stood in silence in Bucharest's University Square. The rally continued late into the night, with supporters pledging to remain there until the hostages are freed.
Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu appealed to Romanians to be calm.
"Please trust that Romanian authorities are making all efforts to bring them (the hostages) home safely," he said.
______________________________
These tapes are absolutely heartbreaking.
Condoleezza Rice reiterates that we don't negotiate with terrorists. Romania does not appear to be ready to capitulate. In the meantime, we are treated to these deeply disturbing scenes on Aljazeera.
There is still no new information about Jeffrey Ake, the American from LaPorte, Indiana, being held hostage in Iraq since April 11.
I pray the terrorists spare all their lives. I pray for their families.
One more thing: I think it would be appropriate for Ted Kennedy to make a statement about the barbaric methods of these terrorist kidnappers.
I would like to see him mark the anniversaries of the exeutions of hostages by Iraqis, rather than harping on Abu Ghraib.
Of course, he says nothing, because condemning terrorists doesn't score political points.
Teddy Celebrates!
Once again, Ted Kennedy goes off the deep end. (I mean that metaphorically, of course.)
Excerpts from Drudge:
STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON ANNIVERSARY OF ABU GHRAIB SCANDAL
The sad anniversary of the Abu Ghraib torture scandal is now upon us. It's an appropriate time to reflect on how well we've responded as a nation.
The images of cruelty, and perversion are still difficult to look at a year later. An Iraqi prisoner in a dark hood and cape, standing on a cardboard box with electrodes attached to his body. Naked men forced to simulate sex acts on each other. The corpse of a man who had been beaten to death, lying in ice, next to soldiers smiling and giving a "thumbs up" sign. A pool of blood from the wounds of a naked, defenseless prisoner attacked by a military dog.
These images are seared into our collective memory. The reports of widespread abuse by U.S. personnel were initially met with disbelief, then incomprehension. They stand in sharp contrast to the values America has always stood for-our belief in the dignity and worth of all people-our unequivocal stance against torture and abuse -- our commitment to the rule of law. The images horrified us and severely damaged our reputation in the Middle East and around the world.
Personally, I think leaving a woman to drown is cruel and perverted. In my view, since we are discussing sharp contrasts, I find Ted's finger-wagging sermon condemning torture to be in sharp contrast with his torturing of Mary Jo Kopechne.
Kennedy goes on:
Top officials in the Administration have endorsed interrogation methods that we've condemned in other countries, including binding prisoners in painful "stress" positions, threatening them with dogs, extended sleep deprivation, and simulated drownings.
I certainly do not endorse torture. I do find it ironic that Ted is complainging about "simulated drownings." How can he say those words with a straight face? Why doesn't someone tell him to stop talking about drownings? It's bad imagery for him to use.
He directly attacks President Bush:
Many of us were struck by the rhetoric in President Bush's Inaugural Address. "From the day of our founding," he said, "we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth." Many of us would like to work with the President to develop a foreign policy that advances these important values. But rarely has the gulf between a President's rhetoric and his Administration's actions been so wide. It is simply not possible to reconcile his claim that "America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies" with the barbaric acts that have been committed in America's name.
We must not allow inaction to undermine two bedrock principles of human rights law that we worked hard to establish at Nuremberg: that higher officials cannot escape command responsibility and lower officials cannot excuse their actions by claiming that they were "just following orders."
These are extrememly strong words, charging Bush with responsiblity for barbaric acts. Kennedy then speaks of Republican support for torture.
...Torture became something that Americans of all political affiliations agreed never to do.
...It is clear beyond a doubt that we cannot trust this Republican Congress or this Republican Administration to conduct the full investigation that should have been conducted long before now. We've had enough whitewashes by the Administration and Congressional Committees.
And he blathers on about the restoring America's standing in the world. Ted just can't give up on Abu Ghraib. He marks the anniversary of the scandal with a long-winded statement. If he is so concerned about torture, why wait for today, the anniversary, to make it an issue?
I'm not clear. Does today mark the day when the story broke? Is today when cable news jumped on it? Whatever, this must be a first--reflecting on the anniversary of headlines and lead stories.
Will this be commemorated annually from now on? Will it become a federal holiday? Will it mean another three day weekend?
Excerpts from Drudge:
STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON ANNIVERSARY OF ABU GHRAIB SCANDAL
The sad anniversary of the Abu Ghraib torture scandal is now upon us. It's an appropriate time to reflect on how well we've responded as a nation.
The images of cruelty, and perversion are still difficult to look at a year later. An Iraqi prisoner in a dark hood and cape, standing on a cardboard box with electrodes attached to his body. Naked men forced to simulate sex acts on each other. The corpse of a man who had been beaten to death, lying in ice, next to soldiers smiling and giving a "thumbs up" sign. A pool of blood from the wounds of a naked, defenseless prisoner attacked by a military dog.
These images are seared into our collective memory. The reports of widespread abuse by U.S. personnel were initially met with disbelief, then incomprehension. They stand in sharp contrast to the values America has always stood for-our belief in the dignity and worth of all people-our unequivocal stance against torture and abuse -- our commitment to the rule of law. The images horrified us and severely damaged our reputation in the Middle East and around the world.
Personally, I think leaving a woman to drown is cruel and perverted. In my view, since we are discussing sharp contrasts, I find Ted's finger-wagging sermon condemning torture to be in sharp contrast with his torturing of Mary Jo Kopechne.
Kennedy goes on:
Top officials in the Administration have endorsed interrogation methods that we've condemned in other countries, including binding prisoners in painful "stress" positions, threatening them with dogs, extended sleep deprivation, and simulated drownings.
I certainly do not endorse torture. I do find it ironic that Ted is complainging about "simulated drownings." How can he say those words with a straight face? Why doesn't someone tell him to stop talking about drownings? It's bad imagery for him to use.
He directly attacks President Bush:
Many of us were struck by the rhetoric in President Bush's Inaugural Address. "From the day of our founding," he said, "we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth." Many of us would like to work with the President to develop a foreign policy that advances these important values. But rarely has the gulf between a President's rhetoric and his Administration's actions been so wide. It is simply not possible to reconcile his claim that "America's belief in human dignity will guide our policies" with the barbaric acts that have been committed in America's name.
We must not allow inaction to undermine two bedrock principles of human rights law that we worked hard to establish at Nuremberg: that higher officials cannot escape command responsibility and lower officials cannot excuse their actions by claiming that they were "just following orders."
These are extrememly strong words, charging Bush with responsiblity for barbaric acts. Kennedy then speaks of Republican support for torture.
Never before has torture been a Republican versus Democrat issue. Instead, it's always been an issue of broad consensus and ideals, reflecting the fundamental values of the nation, and the ideals of the world.
...Torture became something that Americans of all political affiliations agreed never to do.
...It is clear beyond a doubt that we cannot trust this Republican Congress or this Republican Administration to conduct the full investigation that should have been conducted long before now. We've had enough whitewashes by the Administration and Congressional Committees.
And he blathers on about the restoring America's standing in the world. Ted just can't give up on Abu Ghraib. He marks the anniversary of the scandal with a long-winded statement. If he is so concerned about torture, why wait for today, the anniversary, to make it an issue?
I'm not clear. Does today mark the day when the story broke? Is today when cable news jumped on it? Whatever, this must be a first--reflecting on the anniversary of headlines and lead stories.
Will this be commemorated annually from now on? Will it become a federal holiday? Will it mean another three day weekend?
Melody Townsel and Joe Biden: Kindred Spirits
Important Melody Townsel revelation--PLEASE DISSEMINATE
DISSEMINATION UNDERWAY!
(No wonder Biden took such a liking to Melody.)
DISSEMINATION UNDERWAY!
(No wonder Biden took such a liking to Melody.)
Poor, Poor, Pitiful Jane
On April 22, Jane Fonda was Bill Maher's guest on Real Time.
Transcript Excerpts:
FONDA: I've been on the road for two-and-a-half weeks, and hundreds of Vietnam veterans have crossed my path at the various events and book signings, and they've been fabulous. [applause] You know, they've—
MAHER: Yeah.
FONDA: --they've been friendly and welcoming. And they have forgiven me. And so there are some who are stuck back there and – but most are not.
MAHER: Yeah, it really is on them at this point, isn't it, if somebody can't get over something in 35 years.
FONDA: Well, you know, the problem is we've never come to terms with the war. You know, generally, the revisionism that started during the Reagan Administration has been bought into by a lot of people in this country, and it's prevented us from learning the lessons that we were supposed to learn from the war.
Fonda blames Reagan for a revisionism that keeps Americans from understanding Vietnam and some vets from forgiving her. Yeah, that makes sense.
FONDA: And – and so they blame the anti-war movement and people like me for losing the war. It was a war we couldn't win, and five administrations knew that and sent men over there to die in spite of it. [applause]
MAHER: Yeah. And I think what they would say is, “Yes, but that's something different than going to the country that was fighting us, however wrong the war would be. And I think you've acknowledged that yourself.
FONDA: No. Hunh-huh, no. I went to North Vietnam . There were only 24,000 American combat troops in South Vietnam when I went in 1972, and the Nixon Administration was lying to the American people, and men were dying as a result. And I went to expose the lies and stop the bombing of the dikes, which, according to Kissinger, would have caused about 200,000 people to starve. I am proud that I went. About 300 people had gone before me to North Vietnam , Americans. The thing that I apologized for was sitting on an anti-aircraft gun.
Again, Fonda apologizes for sitting on the gun. NOTHING ELSE.
FONDA: --Air Force, Marines, sailors. I had spent a lot of time with soldiers and listened to them, and knew their stories, and knew their wives, what their wives had to say. It's why I made “Coming Home” later, because I knew a lot about what was going on. It was servicemen that got me into the war. What I heard from them made me understand that that war was different than the war that my father had fought, the Second World War.
MAHER: Yeah. What about the war that's going on now? How valid a comparison point is Vietnam , do you think, to what's going on in Iraq ?
FONDA: Well, the similarity is that – based on lies. American men, and in this case, men and women—[applause]—are being sent into harm's way based on lies. This is – Vietnam was based on lies and deceit. And, you know, none of us like bullies like Saddam Hussein, you know. Not a good guy at all. There were other ways of getting rid of him, and I would be all for that. But we didn't have to kill 100,000 innocent women and children and innocent men—[applause]—in order to – in order to do that.
MAHER: But we're there now. And, yes, I agree, they lied like the thieves they are, to get us into that war. But don't you think there's something more hopeful that may be going on there now than was ever possible in Vietnam ? Can't some good come out of bad? Even a lying – I mean, some people would say you have to lie to get people into any war.
FONDA: No, the – no, I don't agree with that. Something may come out, but I fear very much that it's – that we've laid the groundwork for an increase in terrorism. We have prepared a fertile ground for recruiting terrorists in Iraq , where one didn't exist before we went in there. We still haven't gotten Osama bin Laden. You know, there were other ways to do it.
In effect, Fonda is stating that our military has not accomplished anything of value in Iraq. She dwells on the innocents killed in the fighting, but ignores the mass murder, the mass graves, the brutality and suffering of Iraqis under Saddam Hussein's regime. She ignores the fact that for fourteen years the dictator refused to comply with UN resolutions and relief for Iraqis was nowhere in sight.
Fonda says there was a better way. Exactly what would that be? It's that same John Kerry "I have a plan" gibberish.
She believes Iraq was not a recruiting ground for terrorists before the war. How inexcusably naive!
FONDA: I don't believe in the Christianity that says one thing and then goes and kills innocent people and tries to rob women of their fundamental human right to control their reproductive lives, or deny people of the same sex their right to be married and have relationships—[applause]—and is judgmental and narrow-minded, and angry and vengeful. That is not the Jesus Christ that I believe in. And there's a lot of people like me out there. [applause] [cheers]
What? Fonda has reconstructed Christianity to feed her massive ego and fit her political agenda.
If she believes Jesus is pro-abortion, she is pathetically misguided.
It's hard to be angry at someone who is so messed up. I pity her.
Transcript Excerpts:
FONDA: I've been on the road for two-and-a-half weeks, and hundreds of Vietnam veterans have crossed my path at the various events and book signings, and they've been fabulous. [applause] You know, they've—
MAHER: Yeah.
FONDA: --they've been friendly and welcoming. And they have forgiven me. And so there are some who are stuck back there and – but most are not.
MAHER: Yeah, it really is on them at this point, isn't it, if somebody can't get over something in 35 years.
FONDA: Well, you know, the problem is we've never come to terms with the war. You know, generally, the revisionism that started during the Reagan Administration has been bought into by a lot of people in this country, and it's prevented us from learning the lessons that we were supposed to learn from the war.
Fonda blames Reagan for a revisionism that keeps Americans from understanding Vietnam and some vets from forgiving her. Yeah, that makes sense.
FONDA: And – and so they blame the anti-war movement and people like me for losing the war. It was a war we couldn't win, and five administrations knew that and sent men over there to die in spite of it. [applause]
MAHER: Yeah. And I think what they would say is, “Yes, but that's something different than going to the country that was fighting us, however wrong the war would be. And I think you've acknowledged that yourself.
FONDA: No. Hunh-huh, no. I went to North Vietnam . There were only 24,000 American combat troops in South Vietnam when I went in 1972, and the Nixon Administration was lying to the American people, and men were dying as a result. And I went to expose the lies and stop the bombing of the dikes, which, according to Kissinger, would have caused about 200,000 people to starve. I am proud that I went. About 300 people had gone before me to North Vietnam , Americans. The thing that I apologized for was sitting on an anti-aircraft gun.
Again, Fonda apologizes for sitting on the gun. NOTHING ELSE.
FONDA: --Air Force, Marines, sailors. I had spent a lot of time with soldiers and listened to them, and knew their stories, and knew their wives, what their wives had to say. It's why I made “Coming Home” later, because I knew a lot about what was going on. It was servicemen that got me into the war. What I heard from them made me understand that that war was different than the war that my father had fought, the Second World War.
MAHER: Yeah. What about the war that's going on now? How valid a comparison point is Vietnam , do you think, to what's going on in Iraq ?
FONDA: Well, the similarity is that – based on lies. American men, and in this case, men and women—[applause]—are being sent into harm's way based on lies. This is – Vietnam was based on lies and deceit. And, you know, none of us like bullies like Saddam Hussein, you know. Not a good guy at all. There were other ways of getting rid of him, and I would be all for that. But we didn't have to kill 100,000 innocent women and children and innocent men—[applause]—in order to – in order to do that.
MAHER: But we're there now. And, yes, I agree, they lied like the thieves they are, to get us into that war. But don't you think there's something more hopeful that may be going on there now than was ever possible in Vietnam ? Can't some good come out of bad? Even a lying – I mean, some people would say you have to lie to get people into any war.
FONDA: No, the – no, I don't agree with that. Something may come out, but I fear very much that it's – that we've laid the groundwork for an increase in terrorism. We have prepared a fertile ground for recruiting terrorists in Iraq , where one didn't exist before we went in there. We still haven't gotten Osama bin Laden. You know, there were other ways to do it.
In effect, Fonda is stating that our military has not accomplished anything of value in Iraq. She dwells on the innocents killed in the fighting, but ignores the mass murder, the mass graves, the brutality and suffering of Iraqis under Saddam Hussein's regime. She ignores the fact that for fourteen years the dictator refused to comply with UN resolutions and relief for Iraqis was nowhere in sight.
Fonda says there was a better way. Exactly what would that be? It's that same John Kerry "I have a plan" gibberish.
She believes Iraq was not a recruiting ground for terrorists before the war. How inexcusably naive!
FONDA: I don't believe in the Christianity that says one thing and then goes and kills innocent people and tries to rob women of their fundamental human right to control their reproductive lives, or deny people of the same sex their right to be married and have relationships—[applause]—and is judgmental and narrow-minded, and angry and vengeful. That is not the Jesus Christ that I believe in. And there's a lot of people like me out there. [applause] [cheers]
What? Fonda has reconstructed Christianity to feed her massive ego and fit her political agenda.
If she believes Jesus is pro-abortion, she is pathetically misguided.
It's hard to be angry at someone who is so messed up. I pity her.
Death By A Thousand Paper Cuts
Is this for real? Are we witnessing a U.S. Senate committee in action or something out of the Theatre of the Absurd?
Ex-employee alleges mistreatment by Bolton
Describes clash over US policy
By Farah Stockman, Globe Staff April 24, 2005
WASHINGTON -- In a new allegation against President Bush's nominee for United Nations ambassador, a woman who worked under John Bolton in the early 1980s has complained that he tried to fire her after they clashed over US policy on infant formula in developing nations.
Lynne D. Finney, now a therapist in Utah, wrote to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday, saying Bolton mistreated her when they worked in the General Counsel's Office at the US Agency for International Development. Her accusation is the latest salvo in a pitched battle over Bolton's nomination.
...Yesterday, Senator Barbara Boxer of California, a Democrat on the committee, distributed Finney's letter to reporters. An aide to Boxer said Democrats will push to include Finney's allegations in the list of claims to be probed.
In the letter, Finney said she was an attorney-adviser in the General Counsel's Office working on policies involving the UN Development Program when Bolton called her into his office in late 1982 or early 1983. She wrote that Bolton asked her to persuade delegates from other countries to vote with the United States to weaken World Health Organization restrictions on marketing of infant formula in the developing world.
Finney said she refused because improper use of the formula can be deadly. For example, mothers in the developing world sometimes mix it with contaminated water or dilute it to make it last longer, humanitarian groups say.
Finney said that Bolton "shouted that Nestle was an important company and that he was giving me a direct order from President Reagan." The Swiss company is among the top makers of formula.
"He yelled that if I didn't obey him, he would fire me," she wrote. "I said I could not live with myself if even one baby died because of something I did. . . . He screamed that I was fired."
...Finney, a therapist who has written about "recovered memories" in childhood sex-abuse cases, said Bolton was not allowed to fire her, but he moved her to a basement office in retaliation. She said that the top USAID administrator at the time, Peter McPherson, came by after the clash to assure her that her career wasn't over.
McPherson, who is now head of the Washington-based Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa, could not be reached for comment about the letter. But in an interview Friday, before Finney's allegations surfaced, McPherson said he could not recall any negative incidents between Bolton and his staff.
"He's a man of strong views, but he listened to people that worked for him," McPherson said.
I can just picture Barbara Boxer distributing this latest "proof" that Bolton is a nutjob to reporters.
Who is really the nutjob here?
From Lynne Finney's website:
On Home Page:
New discoveries in quantum physics, psychology, and spirituality are revealing ways to create wonderful new realities. It's estimated that more than 14 million people have already become enlightened or Self-realized. Some are visible but most lead ordinary lives. Each time someone reaches Self-realization, it affects the collective Mind. Things are heating up. Like popcorn, we are all popping faster and are reaching enlightenment at a rapid rate. At times, it may be challenging to keep your faith and to realize that God/Love/Truth/Beauty/ Universe/Light/ Spirit/Energy/your true Self are in control and all is well. Go inside in silence and know that it is true. All the answers you need are inside you.
You are spirit, energy, light, consciousness, a divine creation, powerful beyond imagining, perfect, and part of all that is. I can only offer insights from my journey to help you remember what you already know. All answers and healing come from the infinite power of your own mind. My intention is to help you overcome limiting beliefs and discover who you really are - and have fun along the way.
On About Lynne:
Lynne spent many years clearing out limiting beliefs and self-defeating patterns from the past and learning forgiveness, compassion, connection with our inner power,and Self-realization. She discovered a life-changing truth: that everyone and everything in our lives is a gift designed to bring us to enlightenment. One of her main messages is that no matter what has been done to you or what you have done, you can heal. There are no exceptions. In fact, you are already pure, healed, and whole - a divine spirit. You are atoms and molecules, tiny particles spinning around, more space than matter, strings of energy. How can energy be sick or injured? Go inside and realize who you are. All the answers you need are inside.
...When she began recovering memories of having been abused by her father, Lynne went back to graduate school to earn a masters degree in clinical social work and became a psychotherapist, in order to heal herself and others. For many years, she studied the most effective psychological and spiritual techniques for overcoming challenges, such as trauma, illness and pain, and for healing and transformation.
During her recovery process, Lynne began to have spiritual experiences that opened her to new perceptions of reality. She studied the scriptures of many religions, explored the teachings of spiritual masters, and emerged from a world she perceived as hell into a world of miracles. She now works to help others out of suffering, into their true power, and to realization of their true Selves.
...Lynne is finishing a new self-help book, The Zen of Pain, about techniques for transcending pain and finding the gifts it brings. She is also writing a novel and children's book.
She still finds time to play in Utah's mountains.
_____________________________
Is the account of Lynne Finney, a New Age specialist in recovered memories, to be taken seriously?
Do you think Voinovich feels comfortable with Lynne "Like popcorn, we are all popping faster and are reaching enlightenment at a rapid rate" Finney? Does she pass his "kitchen test"?
It should be noted that Finney contacted the committee. Was Finney's memory of Bolton's allgeded abuse over twenty years ago conveniently recovered while she was playing in the Utah mountains, with hopes of shining the spotlight on herself?
Is Finney credible? I have no way of knowing whether her account is true and neither do the senators on the committee. That doesn't keep Boxer from scurrying to hand out the latest disparaging "facts" on John Bolton.
The Dems' "death by a thousand cuts" strategy might work. They are hoping the stories of Melody Townsel and Lynne Finney will cut deep enough to damage Bolton.
In my opinion, these are superficial paper cuts.
Republicans need to boost their blood platelets and coagulate to support President Bush's nomination--NOW!
Ex-employee alleges mistreatment by Bolton
Describes clash over US policy
By Farah Stockman, Globe Staff April 24, 2005
WASHINGTON -- In a new allegation against President Bush's nominee for United Nations ambassador, a woman who worked under John Bolton in the early 1980s has complained that he tried to fire her after they clashed over US policy on infant formula in developing nations.
Lynne D. Finney, now a therapist in Utah, wrote to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Friday, saying Bolton mistreated her when they worked in the General Counsel's Office at the US Agency for International Development. Her accusation is the latest salvo in a pitched battle over Bolton's nomination.
...Yesterday, Senator Barbara Boxer of California, a Democrat on the committee, distributed Finney's letter to reporters. An aide to Boxer said Democrats will push to include Finney's allegations in the list of claims to be probed.
In the letter, Finney said she was an attorney-adviser in the General Counsel's Office working on policies involving the UN Development Program when Bolton called her into his office in late 1982 or early 1983. She wrote that Bolton asked her to persuade delegates from other countries to vote with the United States to weaken World Health Organization restrictions on marketing of infant formula in the developing world.
Finney said she refused because improper use of the formula can be deadly. For example, mothers in the developing world sometimes mix it with contaminated water or dilute it to make it last longer, humanitarian groups say.
Finney said that Bolton "shouted that Nestle was an important company and that he was giving me a direct order from President Reagan." The Swiss company is among the top makers of formula.
"He yelled that if I didn't obey him, he would fire me," she wrote. "I said I could not live with myself if even one baby died because of something I did. . . . He screamed that I was fired."
...Finney, a therapist who has written about "recovered memories" in childhood sex-abuse cases, said Bolton was not allowed to fire her, but he moved her to a basement office in retaliation. She said that the top USAID administrator at the time, Peter McPherson, came by after the clash to assure her that her career wasn't over.
McPherson, who is now head of the Washington-based Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa, could not be reached for comment about the letter. But in an interview Friday, before Finney's allegations surfaced, McPherson said he could not recall any negative incidents between Bolton and his staff.
"He's a man of strong views, but he listened to people that worked for him," McPherson said.
I can just picture Barbara Boxer distributing this latest "proof" that Bolton is a nutjob to reporters.
Who is really the nutjob here?
From Lynne Finney's website:
On Home Page:
New discoveries in quantum physics, psychology, and spirituality are revealing ways to create wonderful new realities. It's estimated that more than 14 million people have already become enlightened or Self-realized. Some are visible but most lead ordinary lives. Each time someone reaches Self-realization, it affects the collective Mind. Things are heating up. Like popcorn, we are all popping faster and are reaching enlightenment at a rapid rate. At times, it may be challenging to keep your faith and to realize that God/Love/Truth/Beauty/ Universe/Light/ Spirit/Energy/your true Self are in control and all is well. Go inside in silence and know that it is true. All the answers you need are inside you.
You are spirit, energy, light, consciousness, a divine creation, powerful beyond imagining, perfect, and part of all that is. I can only offer insights from my journey to help you remember what you already know. All answers and healing come from the infinite power of your own mind. My intention is to help you overcome limiting beliefs and discover who you really are - and have fun along the way.
On About Lynne:
Lynne spent many years clearing out limiting beliefs and self-defeating patterns from the past and learning forgiveness, compassion, connection with our inner power,and Self-realization. She discovered a life-changing truth: that everyone and everything in our lives is a gift designed to bring us to enlightenment. One of her main messages is that no matter what has been done to you or what you have done, you can heal. There are no exceptions. In fact, you are already pure, healed, and whole - a divine spirit. You are atoms and molecules, tiny particles spinning around, more space than matter, strings of energy. How can energy be sick or injured? Go inside and realize who you are. All the answers you need are inside.
...When she began recovering memories of having been abused by her father, Lynne went back to graduate school to earn a masters degree in clinical social work and became a psychotherapist, in order to heal herself and others. For many years, she studied the most effective psychological and spiritual techniques for overcoming challenges, such as trauma, illness and pain, and for healing and transformation.
During her recovery process, Lynne began to have spiritual experiences that opened her to new perceptions of reality. She studied the scriptures of many religions, explored the teachings of spiritual masters, and emerged from a world she perceived as hell into a world of miracles. She now works to help others out of suffering, into their true power, and to realization of their true Selves.
...Lynne is finishing a new self-help book, The Zen of Pain, about techniques for transcending pain and finding the gifts it brings. She is also writing a novel and children's book.
She still finds time to play in Utah's mountains.
_____________________________
Is the account of Lynne Finney, a New Age specialist in recovered memories, to be taken seriously?
Do you think Voinovich feels comfortable with Lynne "Like popcorn, we are all popping faster and are reaching enlightenment at a rapid rate" Finney? Does she pass his "kitchen test"?
It should be noted that Finney contacted the committee. Was Finney's memory of Bolton's allgeded abuse over twenty years ago conveniently recovered while she was playing in the Utah mountains, with hopes of shining the spotlight on herself?
Is Finney credible? I have no way of knowing whether her account is true and neither do the senators on the committee. That doesn't keep Boxer from scurrying to hand out the latest disparaging "facts" on John Bolton.
The Dems' "death by a thousand cuts" strategy might work. They are hoping the stories of Melody Townsel and Lynne Finney will cut deep enough to damage Bolton.
In my opinion, these are superficial paper cuts.
Republicans need to boost their blood platelets and coagulate to support President Bush's nomination--NOW!
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