Misleading = Lying

So apparently Drudge stated in the title of an article that Mrs. Plame was not undercover when she was outed, and then links to an article which explains that she, in fact, was. He's since fixed it, but only after misleading hundreds of site viewers.

Kids Died When Bush Lied, Too

I'm updating during my hiatus/vacation mainly out of spite, I'll admit.

Although there is beaucoup evidence that the war in Iraq was always a goal for the Bush administration, and proof that he lied to go to war, the conservative media has downplayed the thing to the point of making any concerned person with legitimate complaints look un-American. These kinds of forced opinions are an old trick of the Right - remember back when they had people believing John Kerry was the 'most liberal senator in the Senate'? Anyone who's ever even of Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer or Joe Biden can tell you that that, colloquially, is a crock of crap. Or what about during the Clinton years, when conservatives bloviated and opined (thanks, Mr. O'Reilly!) that Kosovo was such a horrible, horrible tragedy? Nevermind that every president since LBJ has abused the War Powers Act. Remember Grenada? Probably not. The Conservatives would never make their dear, beloved Reagan out to be a bad guy. So now Bush is abusing his power and taking the country to war (the Senate voted to go to war to 'disarm Saddam Hussein of WMD'. None have been found), and sources like the Downing Street Memo, which I am sorry to say has no connection to the "liberal media" as it is from Britain, are showing that Bush has been pushing for war with Iraq ever since the beginning.
Of course, even if Bush is killing people left and right for no good reason, it's still the democrats that hate Freedom.

Democracy Bonds

This is the text of a mass e-mail sent out to Democrats.org members. Please read it and click on the links to contribute.

Dear Nigel,

In these troubled days for our country, Americans are tired of this rubber-stamp Republican leadership forcing its will on the country. People are ready to stand up for the nation's best ideals, and it couldn't come at a more important time.

This administration and its Republican lap-dog Congress think they have a mandate to reverse much of the progress we have fought so hard to achieve.

Under Howard Dean's leadership, Democrats are fighting back. Our party is energized, and ready to fight for our values on every major issue. I can't overstate what an effect it has here in Washington knowing that, all across the country, Democrats are standing with us.

Now we have a chance to send another powerful message to President Bush and the Republican Congress. As the first half of 2005 comes to a close, we can show our strength with a last-minute surge of grassroots support that matches the Republican special interest payoffs.

Show your support by making a donation to the Democratic Party today:

https://www.democrats.org/contribute

This is about more than just sending a message. It's about making sure the Democratic Party is stronger and more effective than ever before. It's about competing in all 50 states so that Democrats across the country have the same strong voice.

Howard Dean is showing us the way with his comprehensive plan to get there. Your support right now will make us stronger in every region of the country. You'll help us compete with Republicans in every race, at every level.

Please join Howard Dean and me by sending your immediate support:

https://www.democrats.org/contribute

The stakes couldn't be higher. We know what President Bush and the Republican Congress have to offer. You and I and the Democratic Party can change all that and restore America's ideals.

Thank you for doing what's right for America.

Sincerely,
Senator Ted Kennedy

Firebrands

I can't help but read the columns of some of the more inane pundits, like Coulter, Hannity, O'Reilly, or Malkin, without mixed felings. On the one hand, I know (with at least a little certainty) that they're fully aware of how stupid they sound. They're there for two purposes: to blow off hot air, and to give the less-intelligent (and pseudo-intellectuals) ammunition for their beliefs. On the other hand, it's hard not to take personal offense when they say things like "Liberals are stupid" or "if you don't hate Bill Clinton and everyone who labored to keep him in office, you hate your country" (both are actual quotes.) The reaction they're hoping for is anger, blind anger, and for some idiot to lash out so they can make it look as if people who don't agree with them are of course stupid and immature. (Example: Ann Coulter's pie episode.)

So if you ever find yourself reading something that makes you furious, please don't act on it. In fact, if you can't put it in the proper perspective, don't read it at all.