No real surprise here, but Drudge is apoplectic over the new rumors swirling around the beltway like water down a toilet: that Hillary Clinton will be Ketchup Boy's choice for a VP running mate.

Official Washington and the entire press corps will be rocked when Hillary Rodham Clinton is picked as Kerry's VP and a massive love fest will begin!

So predicts a top Washington insider, who spoke to the DRUDGE REPORT on condition he not be named.

"All the signs point in her direction," said the insider, one of the most influential and well-placed in the nation's capital. "It is the solution to every Kerry problem."

"There are three issues that this campaign will be decided on-- national security, health care, and the economy, not necessarily in that order."

"Kerry believes that no one is better on national security than he is, he served in Vietnam after all, so he has that covered and the suggestion that he needs to strengthen the ticket with someone who has national security credentials is dismissed as foolish."

The insider continues: "The Democrats feel like health care is the domestic issue. But how to make it the dominant topic of conversation-- break through war and terrorism? Hillary Clinton."

If the pantsuited ice queen makes the ticket, Teresa Kerry might want to up the amount of life insurance she has on Ketchup Boy, lest an Arkancide catch her unawares.

After all, she does want to "take things away from you on behalf of the greater good."

Posted by: mhking at 06:35 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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My appearance on last night's Hannity & Colmes (sans Hannity) went pretty well.

Alan Colmes was the lead host; Sean Hannity's out on vacation this week. Oliver North was sitting in for Sean.

For those that know me, you know that the media (both "new" and "old") is in my blood. I've worked in the broadcast realm (mostly in radio) off and on for more than twenty years. And while I insist that I have a "face for radio," I keep stirring the stick around in the embers of television from time to time.

Fox's news studio is in a relatively small office space in the Georgia Public Broadcasting center in Midtown Atlanta, near Georgia Tech. I pulled into the garage and aftering being passed through security, came on into the office.

Jack, the producer who was there for my last FNC appearance a couple of months ago, remembered me, so we ended up chatting while I got miked up and all.

The studio is a tape archive room, with a painted "Fox Atlanta" mural in a frame on one wall. This serves as the backdrop for anyone on camera. The camera is a robotic affair, controlled from FNC in New York. High-powered lights are also controlled from the New York studios.

Once I got situated, there was more small talk, this time with the folks in New York, so they could get a mike check on me.

Then it was time to wait.

At about 20 after or so, I heard Alan intro me and the in-studio guest, Ron Daniels. I still have no idea what he looks like -- the monitors in the studio were turned away from me so that I wouldn't be tempted to look at them and away from the camera.

Back and forth the conversaation went, certainly longer than the last time I was on Hannity & Colmes.

Predictably, co-host Alan Colmes, along with Daniels tried to drag Iraq into the conversation. But unlike last time, I didn't allow myself to have my cage rattled, and I didn't allow them to drag me into the deep waters of somewhere that I was unprepared to go.

"That is immaterial to the conversation at hand," I retorted.

And with that, I brought the conversation back on point: whether or not Kerry truly enjoys support from black America.

My counterpoint? That black America hates George Bush so much that they'd vote for the local dog catcher, just as long as he wasn't George W. Bush. And that John Kerry is simply the dog catcher of the moment.

The point I didn't get to make was that much of black America does not care about John Kerry, let alone know anything of him. If anything, Kerry is the pandering white guy of the moment, passing through black churches and smiling as if that would be anything special. Black America hates George Bush far more than it likes John Kerry. This is underscored by the lack of support Kerry received from blacks during Primary season. Most blacks supported Wesley Clark, Dick Gephardt and Howard "The Scream" Dean.

One thing I could agree with Daniels on is that there is a realistic possibility of many blacks becoming so disgusted with BOTH sides that they may not come out to vote at all.

If the Democratic party has fooled themselves into believing that Kerry enjoys this broad-based support from black America, they're fooling themselves, and ultimately, it'll come back and bite them in the ass. Just not with George W. Bush.

Anyhow, far too quickly, the segment was over. I got some verbal jabs in ("What about personal responsibility?"), but remained at a disadvantage by being in a remote studio in Atlanta as opposed to sitting in place with the other guest and the hosts.

I hope I came across well.

Posted by: mhking at 03:12 AM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
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1 Oooh, goshdurnitall, missed it! If I'd known beforehand . . .

Posted by: Lola at June 30, 2004 03:33 AM (V1eTE)

2 You did great! I'm also glad that you brought up Maynard Jackson. Back when I lived in Atlanta I admired Mr. Jackson, and truly feel that the Democratic Party officially became the "party of fund-raising" (and no longer a "party of ideas") when the Clintons made McCauliff chairman. I'm sure this was a huge disappointment to Mr. Jackson.

Posted by: Fausta at June 30, 2004 03:44 AM (WhoVr)

3 You came across very well. I noted that you were more aggressive this time. Unfortunately, you really have to be against hosts that do that stuff every night. Your opponent was definitely weak. For my first appearance on FOX (I anticipate that it WILL happen), I hope to have weak opposition as practice for the heavy hitters. Appearances on FOX: a great resume enhancement. You make the Brotherhood proud!

Posted by: La Shawn Barber at June 30, 2004 03:47 AM (Qa+f/)

4 Michael, I missed the show, but I wish they would fly you into New York and let you fill in for Sean once in a while. I'm sure Alan would love it! It sounds like you did good. Keep it up.

Posted by: Stacey at June 30, 2004 03:53 AM (Unfen)

5 I caught the re-run. Very impressive!

Posted by: Juliette at June 30, 2004 04:59 AM (1KHmB)

6 Very nicely done...my wife asked me before the segment if they were going to let you talk this time. You came across as cool under fire and I loved it when you brought the discussion back on topic.

Posted by: King of Fools at June 30, 2004 05:04 AM (ktIW6)

7 I was going to catch the rerun and completely forgot amid a tortuous post - blame Ambra. ;-) I have to ask, but suspect there's a good post somewhere that explains in detail: we know how much black America hates George Bush, but why?

Posted by: Chris at June 30, 2004 05:19 AM (9VCzx)

8 I suspect that will end up being the subject of a new P21 article that seems to be trying to work it's way out of my addled brain. Give me a week or so to stew on it (I'm trying to work my way through planning a family reunion for next week while we speak as well).

Posted by: mhking at June 30, 2004 05:21 AM (tgIqB)

9 You did very well, Michael! Sorry Sean wasn't around, but Ollie did a pretty good job. I respect Alan Colmes, but sometimes I want to smack him. :-) Last night was one of those times.

Posted by: Bonnie at June 30, 2004 06:28 AM (HPclh)

10 I thought you did very well and did not let Ron or Allen push you around. It amazes me the that Ron continues to argue that even though the Democratic Party does not support the ideals and beliefs of the majority of mainstream and middle class black america - we should stay subservient to a party that looks to keep us on the welfare line of modern voluntary servitude. And what was that crack about the 3 C's? How long did it take for him to think that up?

Posted by: Oliver Kellman at June 30, 2004 08:19 AM (NCrYl)

11 I'm so mad that I missed it. My website was mad too. It went down this morning as a result. In true idiot fashion, I watched Fox News at the wrong time (Pacific Standard). Hopefully I'll catch it in re-run. I'm sure you were great. It's a real skill to be able to effectively come against monkeys in a short period of time, staring into a camera on national television.

Posted by: Ambra at June 30, 2004 10:52 AM (xs5ha)

12 I had never seen you before (other than here at your site) and thought you did a good job, all things considered. I could see you were frustrated with that little so-and-so Colmes stepping on your time and trying to steer the conversation, but you were exemplary in staying calm and on-topic. Sadly, though, the whole thing reminded why I generally don't watch such shows. There's no time for any substantive debate; it's just a few quick jabs and then off to commercial and change subjects entirely for the next segment. I honestly don't know how you have the patience to put up with all of it just for the opportunity to maybe score a sound bite. Good job.

Posted by: Alan S. at June 30, 2004 01:39 PM (t8Vze)

13 I just found your website a few days ago, and love it, and so I was eager to watch you last night. Then like a total idiot, I was blogging while you were on. So I checked to see when the rerun would be and it was at 1:00 am. I made some lovely hazelnut coffee and blogged on until 1:00 am. I remembered this time, and watched and was pleased to see that you speak very eloquently and have a nice camera presence; you seemed cool and collected. I wish you could have been actually in the studio because I agree with you that you were at a bit of a disadvantage by being in a separate studio. Maybe next time. Anyway, good job!

Posted by: Kris at June 30, 2004 03:05 PM (M1h04)

14 Michael, I will put the first $20 in to fly you to New York next time they want you on the show at FOX. I bet we could come up with enough to fly you and get a pretty good room for you to stay in. R

Posted by: randall22000us at July 01, 2004 04:50 AM (9UkJL)

15 Man...again with the TV! Remember the rest of us little folk when you get your own show, my friend! Nicely done. Doing the blogosphere proud.

Posted by: Jared at July 02, 2004 10:29 AM (IZmGb)

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Former Presidential candidate Al Sharpton, relatively quiet on the national scene since dropping out of the race for the White House, has a new job.

Sharpton will host SpikeTV's I Hate My Job, due to premiere this fall on the cable network.

"I like the concept of trying to have people discover their purpose in life, and not have the world define them or settle for less than who they want to be just to pay their bills," Sharpton said Tuesday.

"I'm the working man's (Donald) Trump," Sharpton said. "He brings people into the penthouse. We bring them into the house."

Since leaving the Presidential race, Sharpton has entertained a number of offers, including a possible talk show, as well as accepting an offer to become a commentator for CNBC. Sharpton cut his television chops with a guest host spot for NBC's Saturday Night Live earlier this year.

Posted by: mhking at 01:37 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Well, let's do it again.

I'm set to be on Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes tonight in the 9:15 segment. The subject this time around is Ketchup Boy's "lack of diversity."

Darryl Fears has a piece in this morning's Washington Post where he discusses "concerns" among black America with John Kerry's lack of outreach among blacks in America.

"You pick up the paper . . . and you see a picture where he's surrounded by all whites," Ronald Walters, a University of Maryland political scientist who helped run two presidential campaigns, said of Kerry. "That's sensitive to black Democrats. It raises questions about the lack of blacks and Hispanics in his inner circle."

"What [Democrats] usually do is wait until the last minute and try to stir up interest in the black community, which would be a serious mistake," said the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta and current chairman of the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda. "They tend to take us for granted."

There is a fundamental perception that conservatives not only hate minorities, but are actively seeking to do away with them. This perception is fostered by half-truths, innuendo and outright lies by those on the left, and the simple fact that the right has neglected to counter those stories and lies.

And of course a lie told enough times becomes truth in effect if not in fact.

Historically, all truth, wisdom and knowledge in black society came from the pulpit. One's minister was (and still is) held in highest regard among the black community. By extension, every and anyone who is invited to speak in that same pulpit is accorded the same measure and level of respect. Because of that, many of the "civil rights professionals" and black intelligensia who have pushed their views on blacks in America, have done so and been able to do so from the pulpit, lessening the chances that their statements, whether true or not, would be challenged.

Conservatives in general and the GOP in particular has ignored those statements and speakers. And when combined with historic missteps during the Civil Rights era, a picture has been created that paints conservatives as an evil "boogieman" who would rather turn back the clock on black progress than to extend a hand of friendship.

When someone like myself shows up, who can see beyond the veil of the half-truths and innuendo painted by the man in the pulpit, we are derided as heretics and heathens. Names like "uncle tom" and "lawn jockey" are hurled our way. It's easy when using the power of raw emotion to not only imply that there is a hatred of blacks on the part of conservative blacks (it ain't true), but then to use that emotion to create a hatred of conservative blacks who have supposedly "sold out" their souls to the "white devils" in exchange for "a few pieces of silver."

But I digress. There's plenty more time for that conversation. Just not right now.

I am supposed to be on opposite Ron Daniels, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Daniels says that while Kerry is not quite doing enough, blacks are supported by the Democratic party far more than the Republicans do or would. [shrug] So what else is new. New day, different mouthpiece.

I'm just hoping that I don't get beat up again by Alan Colmes like I did last time. I'm supposed to be at their Midtown Atlanta studio tonight at around 8:45 for the 9:15 appearance.

Anyhow, that's on Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes, tonight.

I'll have a debrief online here after the fact (don't I always?). I'll see you then...

Posted by: mhking at 10:32 AM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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While Bubba continues his "rock-star tour" of bookstores across the nation, his wife, the junior Senator from New York, is with him, getting as much face-time as possible.

Yesterday, in San Francisco, while Bill Clinton signed books at the Book Passage bookstore, Hillary Clinton headlined an appearance of woman Senators for US Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who is up for reelection this year.

The "pant-suited one" told the crowd, who had just ponied up $10,000 a head to attend that the tax cuts of the Bus Administration would be a thing of the past under the Democrats.

"Many of you are well enough off that ... the tax cuts may have helped you," Sen. Clinton said. "We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

Just damn.

Posted by: mhking at 09:57 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Still no solid word on whether or not the video that Al Jazeera ran earlier today, showing a blindfolded man actually was missing US G.I. PFC Keith Maupin of Batavia, OH.

Al-Jazeera aired a video showing a blindfolded man sitting on the ground, identified as Maupin by a statement issued with the footage. Al-Jazeera said that in the next scene, gunmen shoot the man in the back of the head, in front of a hole dug in the ground. The station did not broadcast the killing.

Posted by: mhking at 05:29 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Michael "I'm so famished I could eat a truck tire" Moore is registered to vote simultaneously in both New York City and his home state of Michigan (and of course, The Smoking Gun is there...).

Last I checked, you could only be legally registered in one place to vote.

"I am an Independent," the filmmaker told reporters. "I'm not a member of the Democratic party."

Which is not exactly correct.

New York City Board of Elections records show that Moore, 50, registered to vote in Gotham in 1992, checking off "Democratic" as his party affiliation (below you'll find a copy of his original registration form). He listed his address as the swanky Upper West Side building where he owns a multimillion dollar condominium (Moore's office is on West 57th Street). The filmmaker's New York registration remains active, though he has not voted since an October 2001 Democratic runoff election.

Now here's the good part: Moore is simultaneously registered to vote in Michigan, where registrants aren't even given the option of party affiliation (so he's not an Independent there either). According to Antrim County records, Moore registered last April from his lakefront spread in northern Michigan, where he reportedly splits his time (he transferred his drivers license to Michigan from New York around the same time, though Moore has a Volkswagen Beetle registered from his Manhattan home).

Posted by: mhking at 10:13 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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Behind the Christian Science Monitor's quiz, I earned the rating of "Realist."

Realist
RealistsÂ…

• Are guided more by practical considerations than ideological vision
• Believe US power is crucial to successful diplomacy - and vice versa
• Don't want US policy options unduly limited by world opinion or ethical considerations
• Believe strong alliances are important to US interests
• Weigh the political costs of foreign action
• Believe foreign intervention must be dictated by compelling national interest

Historical realist: President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Modern realist: Secretary of State Colin Powell

Posted by: mhking at 09:15 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Iraq is now sovereign. By now, you know all the details, but here's how President Bush found out -- while seated next to British PM Tony Blair at the NATO meetings this morning.

Posted by: mhking at 08:47 AM | Comments (53) | Add Comment
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1 Thanks for collcting these here. The handshake photo is nice. Two other things to note: Bush doesn't seem to care much for the bottled water, and apparently (ashtray) the smoking laws in Turkey are a sight looser than the ones in the US.

Posted by: chthus at June 28, 2004 11:54 AM (yzE6v)

2 Great photos. Great day.

Posted by: Guy S. at June 28, 2004 12:14 PM (f6cjG)

3 Seeing Dr. Rice's hand-written note is inspiring. In education, this is what we call a "primary source document," and it just means seeing the real thing. I wonder who's writing is at the bottom-left (possibly Rumsfield's?). It does not appear to be the same handwriting; rather, it seems to be an editiorial comment added by someone who carried the note.

But I concur: LET FREEDOM RING!

Posted by: Speedy at June 28, 2004 02:13 PM (VRu+G)

4 Look at the Sharpie in GWB's left hand. Look at the writing in bold black ink on the note. There's no doubt in my mind who wrote that.

Posted by: Stephen at June 28, 2004 04:59 PM (50+Tu)

5 Outstanding. I had seen the letter, but not the photos. Thank you for this.

Posted by: Tanya at June 28, 2004 05:09 PM (dFevM)

6 Speedy, read the note again. It says reign, not ring. As in rule. Ok, either would be appropriate, and if W spells the same way he pronounces some words ... you may be right.

Posted by: Drew at June 28, 2004 05:49 PM (jaQmt)

7 The bold Sharpie was written by Bush, and it is "Let Freedom Reign!" Bless Bush and Blair...

Posted by: ishmael at June 28, 2004 06:17 PM (yzJ0V)

8 Great photo montage. It speaks far greater than any "Mission Accomplished" sign; it's a sign of a job well-done.

Posted by: Simon at June 28, 2004 09:01 PM (UKqGy)

9 Coolness. Now wait for the Leftists to accuse Bush of lying when he said the handover would come on 30 June. Think I'm kidding? Remember when he made his secret trip into Baghdad for Thanksgiving? The craphounds in Big Media asked him if he thought it was right for him to have lied about his plans and to have sent out false flight ID info en route. You can't write stuff like that. You just have to wait for a dhimmicrat to "feel" it out.

Posted by: Toby Petzold at June 28, 2004 10:58 PM (3UNGF)

10 Quite cool, indeed. And Bush actually can spell, althought the dhimmicrats will no doubt claim Condi or Rummy gave him the note with his response already on it. Or they will simply ignore the facts altogether, and claim that he actually mispelled it "rain "riegn" or whatever. The facts won't matter, never have to the intellectual bullies on the left. It's the joke they can sell that counts. Look at Fahrencrap 911

Posted by: Stu at June 29, 2004 02:05 AM (2yiPr)

11 if only I lived in a real democracy and could vote for one of them German politicans ALL avoid them and their courageous policy as they were radioactive you can vote for communism and AGAINST Bush and AGAINST Turkey but not for Iraqi freedom here it seems like my fellow countrymen want to be 'worthy' successors of their fascist grandfathers the Spaniards at least had a choice and didn't by far all chose to surrender (people in Madrid didn't at all!) In Germany, I NEVER got asked if I was in favour of the European Etatism or treason against our former allies (though Germans should have learned that the friendship of England and America is worth more than the approval of some fascist thugs) I just can stay at home, it's sickening

Posted by: ch.speicher at June 29, 2004 02:50 AM (K7jV5)

12 I found you via ITM in the comments. Thank you thank you! I was looking all over the net for those pics. Good job.

Posted by: Lydia at June 29, 2004 07:31 AM (eHYqW)

13 You've done an excellent job, Michael!

Posted by: Fausta at June 29, 2004 08:35 AM (WhoVr)

14 GREAT pics! Thanks for posting them.

Posted by: Bruce at June 29, 2004 08:41 AM (KfwQ6)

15 Love your site!

Posted by: Kris at June 29, 2004 08:52 AM (M1h04)

16 Who's the guy in the upper right corner? I'm thinking he's really pulling the strings and the two guys in front are just his puppets. BTW, why didn't they let SOS Colin Powell in on the note, like they did Rummy? Anyhoo, it just goes to prove the 6/30 schedule for the turnover was unrealistic. ;-) Two reasons to shoot fireworks on the upcoming 4th.

Posted by: ACE at June 29, 2004 09:35 AM (Ar9aL)

17 Oops. Looking again, it appears Rummy handed the note to GWB. Still wonder if CP doesn't feel like he was left out of a private note passing. Perhaps he was busy conducting business, and needed to listen at the moment.

Posted by: ACE at June 29, 2004 09:39 AM (Ar9aL)

18 Nice sequence, Michael!

Posted by: Pat Curley at June 29, 2004 09:42 AM (XQEqy)

19 Judging by the way his face changed colors, do you think our President might be choking back tears? Hell, I am just looking at the pictures! Great, wonderful photos.

Posted by: harbormaster at June 29, 2004 10:32 AM (G2E8E)

20 There are rumors circulating, that one "pretz," in fact, RULERULEZZZZZZZZZZ~~~~~~~~~~~. But I don't usually buy into hearsay and speculation...

Posted by: Quaid at June 29, 2004 02:33 PM (tegcd)

21 Oh, deletings, yay! Anyway, on topic, those pictures made my day, I gotta come here more often.

Posted by: Quaid at June 29, 2004 02:35 PM (tegcd)

22 I work in DC, and this just makes me PROUD to be an American, and proud to have this man as our President. Just PROUD!

Posted by: Jay at June 29, 2004 04:58 PM (txMgl)

23 Ummm, isn't it supposed to be "let freedeom ring?" Yeah, pretty sure it is.

Posted by: eric at June 29, 2004 05:22 PM (q+hyT)

24 Actually I would prefer to see freedeom reign than ring. Although the song refers to freedeom ringing. Oh, yeah Wht exactky is freedEom? PS: ch.speicher, NO, you do not want to live in a real democracy. B/c if you do God help you if you are a minority. Instead you are looking for some type of constitutional republic or something of that nature. And no this is not just semantics, words have meanings, so sayeth the rabbit in the hat.

Posted by: cy at June 29, 2004 06:53 PM (AaBEz)

25 First time I've ever seen this site but thanks for putting up those pics, they are awesome!!

Posted by: 10lees at June 29, 2004 09:41 PM (OQYvj)

26 Mr. President: 12,000 dead, still no weapons, $200 billion wasted, managed to hand off this quagmire two days early. Our job is done - Yay!

Posted by: GetaClue at June 30, 2004 04:14 AM (SI/ba)

27 GetaClue: Perhaps you should follow your own advice and take the time to research before vomiting out your mouth. Let's look at your so-called hit-and-run "points": 12,000 dead? Let's say that figure could be true (I doubt it, but I'll play along). As opposed to Saddam's hundreds of thousands dead, and millions more brutalized? I take it you'd like seeing that hundreds of thousands figure also creep into the millions column. "Still no weapons?" The military has collected enough sarin gas from arsenals in Iraq to kill more than three million people. Add to that the buried jets and missiles found in the desert, and I'd call that a pretty solid set of weapons. What are you looking for, a nuclear warhead? "$200 billion wasted?" Sorry - I don't count that as a waste. A brutal dictator was deposed, a subjugated people given the opportunity to embrace freedom, and a major skirmish in the war on terror has been dealt with to a measure. "hand off this quagmire?" More than a decade of Vietnam with no end in sight was a quagmire. Iraq, top to bottom, has happened in the last 18 months. That don't sound like no stinkin' quagmire to me. And now you're upset over handing control back to the locals two days ahead of schedule? Which do you want? Us to stick around or us to get out? Can't have it both ways. Bottom line, you're pissed at Bush. Fine. Deal with it. Quit making up excuses though.

Posted by: mhking at June 30, 2004 05:09 AM (tgIqB)

28 Duelfer said his inspection team has uncovered bombs filled with blistering mustard gas or the nerve agent sarin.

"We're not sure how many more are out there that haven't been found, but we've found 10 or 12 sarin and mustard rounds," he said. "I'm reluctant to judge what that means at this point, but there's other aspects of the program which we still have to flush out."

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39158

Fact is, they've been found, and when they were manufactured is immaterial.

And in terms of misery, it's obvious you prefer that they remain under tyrannical rule. [shrug]

Anything to justify your hatred of Bush.

Posted by: mhking at June 30, 2004 06:16 AM (tgIqB)

29 Whoever said it was like the "Mission Accomplished" banner is right on -- and we all know what followed after that. Deeming Iraq "sovereign" is like calling Wal Mart a great democratic institution. Stay tuned...

Posted by: tp at June 30, 2004 07:07 AM (iLNA6)

30 Notice how GWB shares the info with TB and doesn't even look in Colin Powell's direction. I'll bet 100 to 1 that there will be a NEW Secretary of State in Bush's second term!!!!!

Posted by: gsv at June 30, 2004 11:15 AM (sbCnX)

31 re: mss I didn't really bother to read your entire post for a simple reason. When somebody starts off a post, saying, for example "Jews were better off under Hitler" at that point I cease to have interest in what they have to say. Admitedly, that was to the end of your strange and bizzare posting, but I also like to skim through first then re-read. That's probably why not too many people are going to respond in depth to what you wrote, because most people are going to glance, then move on. I'm not exactly sure why you wrote that nonsensical piece of garbage. Perhaps it was a form of mental masturbation? Have you considered psychiatric help? I'm being completely serious by the way. -ron

Posted by: ballantrae at June 30, 2004 11:19 AM (l6FPg)

32 Nobody said Iraqis were 'better off' under Saddam ... I posted as I did because I figured the ramblings of mhking and the likes of him (you amongst others) needed to be answered. When you cannot even read through a posting, your critisism kind of isnt all that important really About considering psychiatric help, yes I have seriously considered that, but I belive you and other people like you are beyond help. Go play on the interstate please

Posted by: mss at June 30, 2004 10:29 PM (V+fD/)

33 By the way, I figured that you reffered to this particular sentence: "Iraq is worse off than before the war began, GAO reports" ... its not my words but a report from the link I provided .. and if you did read through it you would find out that it is true ...

Posted by: mss at June 30, 2004 10:33 PM (V+fD/)

34 And the above came from a report by the GAO, General Accounting Office ... even you would trust them, wouldnt you? happy reading: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04902r.pdf

Posted by: mss at June 30, 2004 10:38 PM (V+fD/)

35 mss: There's a certain point when foreign ass-clowns (you're from Norway) like you keep insisting that he can find bullshit to support his anti-Americanism, that I get tired. If you're so damn interested in using fabricated or manipulated data to "prove" your point, get your own damn blog and leave mine alone!

Posted by: mhking at July 01, 2004 02:29 AM (wJSY0)

36 What mhking means by that is: Don't rain on my US of Can-Do-No-Wrong-A fantasy parade. Facts don't work on me. "Foreign ass-clowns" - very nice. Where were YOUR great grandparents born?

Posted by: GetAClue at July 01, 2004 02:57 AM (SI/ba)

37 Thanks for putting words in my mouth. Go find your own damn blog. As for my great-grandparents, Louisiana, Louisiana, Alabama, Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, Alabama and Virginia, respectively. How about yours?

Posted by: mhking at July 01, 2004 03:26 AM (wJSY0)

38 Hmmm. Charged up blog to say the least. Ok, try these on... mss; damn so much to say to you, but I'll try to keep it simple. Your "facts", just as so many have in the past, will mostly end up wrong, as "facts" brewed from opinions, hearsay, and biased reporting generally do. DonÂ’t get me wrong here, there are plenty of counter-argument facts that will also, ultimately prove wrong as well, and that's my point. They're not really facts. You obviously spent a lot of time pulling all that together. Keep in mind though that pulling together a similarly sized list of counter-arguments could be done the same. You wouldn't agree they were the same, but neither would the person with enough angst to produce the counter-argument list. Besides, history will tell us (if we're honest with it) what Bush's leadership will ultimately effect. Of course, it won't be clear then either. So why do you think it is clear now? I suspect, the War in Iraq will effect a much greater impact on our world than what can be said of it right now, by anyone. For instance, I suspect Iraq will ultimately end up much better off than under Saddam, regardless of what conclusion any of us comes to right now. I also believe any attempt to stabilize that area of our world is a step in the right direction, regardless of its current instability. History won't be clear; others will take credit, assess blame, etc. But Bush did something; something he believed in with conviction was the right thing to do. He didn't sit by and pander to the polls. Review the pictures again. Notice Bush is shaking Blair's hand with vigor after getting the news. He's not sighing with relief as your opinions would suggest he'd be doing at such a time. He's proud of his efforts, not relieved to be rid of something. He's a true leader because he acts with conviction and courage. The big picture is worth a thousand words. The little pictures cost a thousand words each and produce only noise.

Posted by: PilotMelch at July 01, 2004 05:07 AM (8j6Jl)

39 QUOTE>: "mss: There's a certain point when foreign ass-clowns (you're from Norway) like you keep insisting that he can find bullshit to support his anti-Americanism, that I get tired." mhking, your actions encapsulate the attitude of the typical angry conservative upset at and "tired" of people attempting to expound logical thought about an international issue. That's right, I said "international." As in, d'you ever consider that America isn't king? Your ignorant tirade points out exactly what is wrong with the mindset of some of you conservative Americans today: outright arrogance, intolerance, and a certain Messiah complex. I think the "anti-Americanism" you speak of is a response against the pompousness and maverick, go-at-it-alone, damn-the-world attitude that, in particular, this administration has undertaken. That's not just "anti-Americanism." It's "anti-assholism." Assholism pretty much describe our heavy-handed approach to foreign policy. I love how anyone critical of American foreign policy is easily written off as unpatriotic or anti-American, as if the American way is immediately synonymous with "correct." Political points aside, get off your high horse. This is about courtesy, sans political agenda or rhetoric. Evidently, you cannot find anything better to do or anything more intelligent to say than to insult people within the international community. Show some respect and stop acting like an American "ass-clown" would. And yes, whether you like to think of this way or not, your great-grandparents were "foreigners" and "immigrants" once, in some shape, way, or form. Chances are they probably came from Europe... chances are, maybe somewhere high up your family tree you've got a dash of Scandinavian blood. Get with it; maybe a little History 101 is in order.

Posted by: thedevious at July 01, 2004 04:36 PM (blcG6)

40 First off, I like my high horse; it's my blog, I can sit up here if I damn well please. Secondly, it seems that the most vocal opponents from other countries are upset because we won't follow the rules as they say they should be followed. I'm sorry. I didn't get the rulebook in the mail. And while it's being mentioned, I have no desire to RTFM. Thirdly, my historic ancestry? American Indian,as well as ancestry from England, Scotland, France, Spain & Morocco. I'm sure there's other aspects to my "muttdom" in there as well. And that being said, you want to talk about courtesy? Fine. You don't waltz into someone else's home and insult the host. This blog is my fucking home, idiot. You're a goddamned guest! And you damn well better not shit on the rug while you're here! You don't like it, get the fuck out and go write on your own godddamned blog! And to everyone else, excuse the foul language, but some people don't seem to understand rational conversation.

Posted by: mhking at July 01, 2004 05:09 PM (xJrkd)

41 mss, You are a derelict, a bum, a vagrant. You are trespassing. How would you like it if someone came onto your property, defecated on the lawn, and refused to leave? Find whatever tiny shred of decency you possess, and get out and stay out.

Posted by: movinghand at July 02, 2004 02:26 AM (6xT1f)

42 I am visiting this blog for the first time. I recently got a copy of Salam Pax The Baghdad Blog and found a link that took me here. As this is very obviously an american blog with a reasonably evident pro dubya slant i will try to tone down my own general views. mhking, since i and many other people i know (I am British by the way) hold strong feelings of dislike towards the United States in general and the Dubya Administration and make no bones about it, i have no personal problem with americans disliking europeans. however please perhaps bear this in mind. While America is undoubtedly both the worlds military and economic superpower and as a result it's foremost state internationally it may perhaps be pertinent to point out that America in its current form is merely a former european colony. Europeans who emigrated built the country up to what it is today. George Washington was i believe British by ancestry and i have heard half the FBI is or was Irish. Your NASA space program was succesful initially because of the technology and knowledge that the nazi rocket scientists of The European Civil War part 227 brought over. The man who delivered you the atom bomb was German, as was the designer of the P-51 Mustang. Idiocy is not merely an american trait. God knows there are enough morons in britain -mostly in the cabinet and 10 downing street- but it seems to me and many others British, French, German, Canadian, Italian etc that Americans seem to show a wilful need to accept everything they are told by the govt. Over here many of us would check teletext before believing an announcement by Blair that Manchester United had won a match against the local pensioners representative side. The thing however that pisses Europeans off more than anything else is the "we can do everything by ourselves so the rest of you can F off" attitude. You go around with your guns blazing, ignore advice from those who have been there, seen it and done it all before and then act hurt and surprised when what we said would occur comes to pass. Lastly is your blog meant to be a place of sensible discussion where opposing views are welcomed and considered rationally, or a place of deluded self indulgence where any contrary view is to be stamped out. Much like a theocracy such as Iran or dictatorship such Saddam.

Posted by: Nick Saunders at July 02, 2004 06:03 AM (Ps+We)

43 Nick, you are certainly far more polite than the last bit of rabble that came through here. Please don't misunderstand me - I hold no grudge against Europeans or people from other countries around the globe. And while I certainly understand a measure of the hatred felt by people for the Bush Administration and those who support it (see my other entries regarding my appearance on Fox News Channel this week to discuss that very issue among black Americans), I am a staunch supporter of the war on terror. I'll be the first one to say that there are some miscues here; everyone involved is human, and certainly there are a share of mistakes that can be pointed to after the fact all the way around. The US government is not "all knowing" and certainly not necessarily one that can be completely trusted, but given the intel that they have been able to accumulate on the terrorist threat to this nation, I feel comfortable acceeding to them on that note. I don't completely agree with all the steps that the Bush Administration has taken overall; I think there are domestic issues that the Administration has ignored. Certainly the terrorist threat has taken precedence, but better addressing fiscal management of the home front is important as well. The Patriot Act, while well intentioned, is heavy-handed at best; and it is certainly cast a pall on civil liberties here. Safeguarding the sovereign border to the south is an issue, as is dealing with the sheer size of governmental bureacracy. It ain't a perfect ballpark by any means. All that being said, one of the major issues that I (and many other conservatives) have with folks from overseas looking down at us is that rather than offering constructive criticism, they step up with a "holier than thou" attitude that implies that we are a lesser group of people merely because as a people we are arrogant (admittedly so), boorish & loud (sometimes overly so), nationalistic (very), and at times stand-offish (especially when told that we CAN'T do something). You mention "advice" from those who "have been there" -- but when it is given politely, please note that it is taken in the spirit with which it is given. When it is tossed down like a challenging gauntlet (i.e., France's attitude), it is also taken with the spirit with which it is given. We don't take well to being "told" what to do -- especially when we know that we can do things ourselves. Though many people would like to say that we have "gone it alone," there is a concerted coalition of many nations who feel that we are on the right path. The United Nations, on the other hand, feels otherwise, though their resolutions are the very ones that started this mess! Apparently they feel that while they can lord over a problem, they feel that they are the only ones who can resolve said problem. Add to that people both in this country as well as outside it, who have no problem with folks who support the Bush Administration being shot, blown up or otherwise maimed physically, and brutally excoriated verbally -- simply for disagreeing with their point of view to begin with. 9/11 was the catalyst that started this current global battle, and while Saddam's regime was not directly involved with the events of that day, there is no way that it can be denied that the Iraqi regime of Saddam was involved with terrorist states across the globe. Many folks who despise this President (for whatever reason) feel that they can declare open season here. And while I welcome all views, both those who agree with me as well as those who dissent, I won't stand still and allow someone to verbally beat on me in my own home. I get enough of that elsewhere. All of that being said, welcome to my humble blog. I appreciate your polite discourse. And while we obviously disagree with some points, you're more than welcome to do so. I'm glad you're here.

Posted by: mhking at July 02, 2004 06:40 AM (tgIqB)

44 mhking, I've tried to access your site since my last entry and I've been getting "404 Forbidden" messages. Hmmm, a bit odd, is it not? I'm intelligent enough to take a hint. Banning someone (myself) from your site for expressing my fair opinion and to have my voice heard is laughable. Is this the Conservative Club, No Intelligent Opposition Permitted? Apparently it is. I thought, out of my own sheer ignorance, that since this is a blog with a space for the public to comment, I would be able to put in my two cents without being barred and viciously lashed out at with a string of barbaric expletives. How do I feel about people who agree with your standpoint? Fine, just fine, more power to them. I just take offense at disparaging statements made against "foreigners," which all Americans at one point in their ancestry were. (Myself included.) My problem is that if there are dissenters in the crowd(myself being one of them) why shut our voice out completely? If I'm not being reasonably, please, by all means, tell me so. YOU are entitled to your opinion; but I have problems with insulting foreigners -- that's like the pot calling the kettle black. A petty point, maybe, but a point that needs to be clarified.

Posted by: devious at July 02, 2004 08:33 AM (blcG6)

45 And mhking, no bad blood meant... I'm just sticking up for others. So if I had intentionally offended you along the way, I apologize. I continue to stand by my points. But because you specifically requested it, I'll leave your site alone.

Posted by: devious at July 02, 2004 08:39 AM (blcG6)

46 devious, When you comment on someone's blog you are a guest. People with intellectual class, when they are guests, remain on their best behavior and do not insult their host. Jerks take the opposite track. Jerks are not invited back for return visits. If you think you're being treated unkindly, go somewhere else or start your own blog. For five bucks a month, you can be a web publisher too. If reading this blog so upsets you, don't read it.

Posted by: Ted at July 02, 2004 04:39 PM (TktTy)

47 can't argue with that mhking. i'd agree with the vast majority of your post actually. Nice to be able to talk to some more sensible Americans online. Most of the ones i have come across are the idiots who post such discourse As "kill the dirty arabs" etc. To be fair i guess most people in europe are only exposed to media interpretations fornm one source or another, the internet and american tourists although i find the americans i know personally to be lovely people. I just don't like it when the mormon ones try to convert me i like my caffeine and alcohol and weed.

Posted by: Nick Saunders at July 03, 2004 08:05 AM (Tyikr)

48 Michael, just for giggles do a Yahoo search for "let freedom reign". Some guy called "Carpetbagger" (oh, the irony!) thinks Bush is a Nazi (suprise, suprise - and why I say search and don't bother to link). Meanwhile the #1 hit is to a rabbi's column (irony #2!).

Posted by: The Black Republican at July 05, 2004 08:10 AM (9VCzx)

49 I linked directly to this page and read through the thread. I then went to the front page and caught a glimpse of your photo. I can't believe you're an adult!!!! From the way you we're arguing I could have sworn you were a teenager. I guess blogging is the easiest way to eternal youth... at least mentally. On this whole subject, I would imagine that until we start to see pieces of the Iraqi Department of Health or Education on eBay, we will not believe that ALL of this is really about making money. As for the start of all of this, once again please do not kid yourself to think that this only began on September the 11th, 2001. Perhaps that is when most people started paying attention to what is going on outside our borders, much like myself, but with the slightest effort, one can see that this goes back a long way and is extremely complicated. As for who started it, its impossible to say, but perhaps this little analogy will help. What if China parked it's ass in south western texas and started pumping oil. Even if the american government had invited them in, do you honestly think that Joe and Bubbba would sit by and watch this happen. They would be pissed! Just look at what the reaction to job outsourcing is. Americans dont like foreigners messing with their shit. Neither does bin Laden. The only real threat to our freedom and democracy is comming from legislation put in place by our own fearless leaders. As for THE WAR ON TERROR (sorry for the caps, its just such a grandios title is deserves the caps)... its unwinable and will disapear from the comon lexicon much as THE WAR ON DRUGS and THE WAR ON COMMUNISM that were of such importance a decade back. bleh... to each their own but by dropping daisy cutters on Baghdad, the US has stirred up a hornets nest that wont be soon forgoten. C'est domage.

Posted by: cire at July 06, 2004 10:35 AM (i04Nx)

50 I am not very impressed with a majority of comments I read about this historic event. I think it is sad that a number of you left wing liberal thinker only contribution to history is making smartass comments on the internet hoping to get some attention. Most of you will discredit my statement because I am a Soldier who is trained to just agree with the bush policy.....but with that said I have seen the Berlin Wall before it fell walked thru both East and West Berlin. I have seen how politics affects the everyday lives of people......I drove over the euphrates and tigris river along with the 101st Airborne Division. I have seen a country in a sad condition and lived among the people and talked with them and tried to understand their perspective......I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of history rather than sit back on the sidelines and seeing others distorted viewpoints and thinking that they understand something that most really don't......step away from the computer....put the mouse down.......get involved! "ask not what your country can do for you.... ask what you can do for your country" JFK

Posted by: John at February 24, 2005 09:18 AM (wsegj)

51 Forget WMD's, forget the need for their oil, forget removing a brutal dicator... this is about the beginning of a bringing of a "New World Order" and soon to be an Antichrist. We are in a quest for global dominance and this is the first step. Years down the road you will have a world economic system, a world police, and a world religion that your kids and grandkids will suffer through. Was 9/11 configured and constructed by "illuminist" to bring about this change? I wouldn't put anything past it. We are all having are rights slowly and methodically taken from us step by step. The bible speaks of famine, wars, nation against nation, increased magnitude of earthquakes, tsunamis/floods, disease, increased crime, terror, hatred among ethnicities, hatred. You might say, hasn't all these things been happening in the past? The answer is yes, but not to this degree and as extreme as we are seeing today. You see and hear about sick and unsual things these days... pedophiles, the killing of pregnant woman, beheadings of men, racial violence re-escalating, etc... the list goes on. Honestly why wouldn't Iraqi people fight back? they are not as ignorant as we think they are... They know about how we raped and enslaved Indians to recieve this beautiful country. They know how we enslaved africans, humiliated them, and left them oppressed in are American ghettos for them result in violence and poverty only to be dealt down in their family cycle. They know how we raped and ravaged Africa for their resources. They know how we covertly coup governments who dont favor in are policies. They just think they are the next in line. I know most wont believe this "New World Order" is coming about and if they do, they might think its a good thing. Well my friends, remember when you are growing old or when your soul is watching your kids and grandkids going through a living hell brought by this "New World Order" and the Antichrist himself.

Posted by: be aware at October 04, 2005 02:11 AM (FoLP2)

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Posted by: lxhua at October 11, 2011 10:48 PM (svkH3)

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WCPO-TV/DT Cincinnati is reporting this hour that unconfirmed reports from inside Iraq indicate that captured G.I. Matt Maupin, captured in early April may have been decapitated by terrorists in Iraq.

9News heard nothing about the status of Pfc. Matt Maupin, 20, since this videotape a released a week after Maupin was taken hostage.

Then, just after 5 a.m. Monday, 9News received a phone call from ABC News saying Maupin had been executed. At this hour, the military-family spokesperson said he has no official confirmation on Maupin's status.

ABC News employees told 9News there is a videotape of Maupin being shot in the back of the head, but 9News has not seen that videotape.

That's right. This is only playing out what started when Islamic terrorists kidnapped and murdered Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. And they want nothing short of the extermination of the Western way of life.

Unfortunately, there are too many people who are putting their collective heads in the sand and denying the evil that these cretins represent.

It's time to drop the leash and let the dogs of war loose. It's time to battle the uncivilized world with means that they appear to understand.

"I've come to chew bubble gum and kick ass....and I'm all out of bubble gum."

That quote was a tongue in cheek bit from the John Carpenter cult classic They Live. It's time to employ that mindset in reality.

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This past weekend, Jesse Jackson called for a Constitutional Amendment to abolish the Electoral College.

The Gypsy prefers the mob-rule style of government where the presidential election is conducted in a fashion not unlike the vote for the next American Idol.

"We need an amendment ... to make sure every American has a right to vote individually and directly for the president, not through the Electoral College," Jackson said. "The idea of an Electoral College is an aristocratic idea that you can't trust the people."

The general idea was that all power would not be consolidated in the hands of any one person or group of persons. In time, the nomination of those electors shifted (by default) from the state legislators to the populace.

Obviously Jackson, along with everyone else who continues to bitch about the 2000 vote in Florida flunked their high school US History course. I won't even get into those idiots ("AlGore," he said under his breath) who are supposed to be Constitutional scholars, who in turn completely ignore the intent of the founders or the language of the law.

I realize that The Gypsy needs some "face time" but perhaps he could go back to getting in good with Ketchup Boy. After all, Kerry seems to still need some guidance in the "spiritual edification" department.

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As I am wont to do every few weeks (or at least until I can get myself a seat on the Council), the Watchers' Council has their regular "gig"....

As you may or may not already be aware, members of the Watcher's Council hold a vote every week on what they consider to be the most link-worthy pieces of writing around... per the Watcher's instructions, I am submitting one of my own posts for consideration in the upcoming nominations process.

Here is the most recent winning council post, here is the most recent winning non-council post, here is the list of results for the latest vote, and here is the initial posting of all the nominees that were voted on.

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Al Jazeera ran video of two new hostages today; one a Pakistani civilian, who has been a driver for an American company in Iraq. The second, a blindfolded man in fatigues, and tenatively identified as a US Marine Corporal who was born in Pakistan, and was reported missing last week.

The U.S. military could not immediately confirm that a Marine had been abducted, but the video shown on the Al-Jazeera network showed a card identifying the man by a Pakistani name and as an "active duty" Marine. The man had a trimmed mustache and his eyes were covered with a white blindfold.

Al-Jazeera said the militants demanded the release of all Iraqis "in occupation jails" or the man would be killed. The group claimed it infiltrated a Marine outpost, lured the man outside and abducted him.

The U.S. military confirmed that a Marine named Wassef Ali Hassoun had been missing from his unit for nearly a week. It said it was unclear if he had been taken hostage, but Hassoun's name was on a Marine "active duty" identification card shown by militants in the videotape aired by the Al-Jazeera network.

Time to turn the Marines loose. Just take the chains off. Screw the PC hand-wringers...

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Al Qaeda terrorists tied to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi have kidnapped three Turkish nationals in Iraq and they have threatened to behead them in 72 hours if Turkey does not withdraw their workers from Iraq.

The kidnapping victims were seen in a video shown this afternoon on Al Jazeera, crouching before three gunmen.

This crap is getting old. Patience among all for this crap is wearing thin.

The report of the abduction came hours before President Bush was to arrive in Turkey for a NATO summit, which will focus on winning the alliance's help in establishing security in Iraq.

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(Call your local newspaper. Get Day By Day running daily! Damon'll thank you for it. In his own way...)

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Retiring US Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) will be speaking at the Republican National Convention in New York later this summer.

The speech will be on Wednesday night of that week, and come 12 years after delivering the keynote speech at the 1992 Democratic National Convention that nominated Bill Clinton for his first term in office.

The announcement of Miller's speech at the GOP convention brought a sharp rebuke from fellow Democrats, including US House member John Lewis (D-GA).

"I think he has sold his soul for a mess of pottage," Lewis said, a reference to a speech Miller gave 40 years ago in which he argued that President Johnson was abandoning his Southern roots by pushing some civil rights issues. Pottage is defined as a thick soup or stew of vegetables.

Bobby Kahn, the chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party, said he wasn't surprised.

"Maybe I'll switch to the Republican Party so I can speak at the Democratic Convention and bash Bush," Kahn said. "It makes about as much sense."

Kahn was a top aide to Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, who appointed Miller to the Senate following the death of Miller's predecessor, Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell.

"I advocated his appointment," Kahn said of Miller. "He said he would be independent and he was for a while, but he hasn't been lately. He's been in lockstep with the Republicans and I don't know what's happened to him. It's really kind of sad."

Miller, who is retiring in January, has voted with Republicans more often than his own party and has been a key sponsor of many of Bush's top legislative priorities, including the Republican's tax cuts and education plan.

In May, Miller spoke at the Georgia Republican convention and criticized Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry as an "out-of-touch, ultraliberal from Taxachusetts" whose foreign and domestic policies would seriously weaken the country.

"I'm afraid that my old Democratic 'ties that bind' have become unraveled," Miller said.

Miller's recent book, "A National Party No More: The Conscience of a Conservative Democrat," is now a national best-seller. In it, he assails members of his own party, including Clinton.

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A new translation of the Bible, called Good As New: A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures, from former Baptist preacher John Henson makes some significant changes in the Holy Scripture in the name of modernization.

Some names are changed (St. Peter becomes "Rocky," Mary Magdeline becomes "Maggie," Aaron becomes "Ron," Andronicus becomes "Andy" and Barabbas becomes "Barry"), as are Biblical concepts (to baptize becomes "to dip," salvation becomes "healing" or "completeness" and Heaven becomes "the world beyond time and space" and the Son of Man, as Jesus describes Himself in scripture, becomes "the Complete Person").

But what is more disturbing is the change in conceptual meaning that results from some of the wholesale changes.

Here, according to the London Times, are a few sample passages:

Mark 1:4

Authorized version: "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

New: "John, nicknamed 'The Dipper,' was 'The Voice.' He was in the desert, inviting people to be dipped, to show they were determined to change their ways and wanted to be forgiven."

Mark 1:10-11

Authorized version: "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from the heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

New: "As he was climbing up the bank again, the sun shone through a gap in the clouds. At the same time a pigeon flew down and perched on him. Jesus took this as a sign that God's spirit was with him. A voice from overhead was heard saying, 'That's my boy! You're doing fine!'"

Matthew 26:69-70

Authorized version: "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, 'Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest."

New: "Meanwhile Rocky was still sitting in the courtyard. A woman came up to him and said: 'Haven't I seen you with Jesus, the hero from Galilee?" Rocky shook his head and said: 'I don't know what the hell you're talking about!'"

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

KJV: "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."

New: "Some of you think the best way to cope with sex is for men and women to keep right away from each other. That is more likely to lead to sexual offences. My advice is for everyone to have a regular partner."

1 Corinthians 7:8-7

KJV: "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn."

New: "If you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated."

But there's something inherently and fundamentally wrong with making these kinds of wholesale changes to the Bible.

All I could imagine when hearing of "Rocky" was Sylvester Stallone screaming "AAAAADRIENNEEEE!!!!!"

I'll stick with my New International Version, thank you very much...

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1 I was wondering who was "Bullwinkle."

Posted by: McGehee at June 25, 2004 03:45 AM (BCOpM)

2 I'm more of a King James or a New Jerusalem Bible person.

Posted by: Fausta at June 25, 2004 04:05 AM (WhoVr)

3 The only Bullwinkle I could think of was Samson (played by Sly Stallone of course).

Posted by: King of Fools at June 25, 2004 04:30 AM (ktIW6)

4 And I'm more of a RSV, Apocrypha included, kind of person.

Posted by: Lola at June 25, 2004 06:13 AM (V1eTE)

5 Michael, it seems you and I are on the same wavelength this morning. I blogged about this as well, although I missed the 'Rocky-Stallone' parallel. Very smooth.

Posted by: Stacey at June 25, 2004 07:12 AM (Rj61u)

6 Nothing is sacred anymore. OT: Nice new banner, Mr King.

Posted by: Madfish Willie at June 25, 2004 07:56 AM (eYi52)

7 King James, red letter, black leather cover, zipper with the cross on the zipper. Although I can stand the RSV.

Posted by: Cobb at June 25, 2004 08:14 AM (4doCD)

8 NIV, KJV, or NKJV. I preferred Red Letters. But for more indepth study...the Amplified Bible is Hot.

Posted by: Ambra Nykol at June 25, 2004 09:26 AM (xs5ha)

9 For me, NKJV or NIV. My favorite Bible with my notes scribbled in the margins is a MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, hardbound. My NIV is for reference when I want to see another rendering of the text.

Posted by: La Shawn Barber at June 25, 2004 10:58 AM (Qa+f/)

10 I've got a NKJV that I carry and use to study with; She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed has a NIV Study Bible that I gave her a few years ago. At church, the scripture readings during the service are from either the RSV or NIV (I can never remember which - though I think it's the RSV).

My mom and dad gave Mitchell & Jasmine Bibles this spring when we started going back to church regularly; Jasmine's is Zondervan's Teen Bible, which (if memory serves) is a RSV, and Mitchell's is a "Bible for Boys," (complete with articles about all the "cool stuff" in the Bible, like "the grossest things people ate" [rolling eyes] -- I guess anything within reason to get younger kids interested in the Word) from Zondervan, and it's definitely an RSV edition.

I'd like to get my hands on a RSV study bible so that I don't have to glom onto Rachel's when I want to compare and contrast the texts.

Ah, well...a step at a time...

Posted by: mhking at June 25, 2004 11:28 AM (WVWWM)

11 Those new verses are a parody or a joke, right? Hard to be sure these days.

Posted by: Amy Ridenour at June 25, 2004 06:14 PM (JJhRX)

12 Ten to one the rewritten Annunciation reads, "Congratulations! It's a boy!"

Posted by: R.W. at June 26, 2004 09:33 AM (AmXrd)

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US Senator Ernest Hollings (D-SC) wrote a guest editorial for the State newspaper in Columbia, SC this week, where he referred to Americans as infidels.

In the war against terrorism, we’ve given the terrorists a cause and created more terrorism. Even though Saddam is gone, the majority of the Iraqi people want us gone. We have proven ourselves “infidels.” With more than 800 GIs killed, 5,000 maimed for life and a cost of $200 billion, come now the generals in command, both Richard Myers and John Abizaid, saying we can’t win.

Heretofore, the world looked to the United States to do the right thing. No more. The United States has lost its moral authority.

Instead, here's a man who doesn't care about those same fighting forces. He's more concerend with fostering his hatred for George W. Bush and the Administration. So much for "leadership" from one of the senior members of the Senate.

Just damn.

Posted by: mhking at 05:03 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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While using profanity on the floor of the Senate when it is in session is against the rules of the Senate, technically, the body was not in session. Today was the day for the "class photo," when all of the members of the Senate are assembled for a group photograph.

The story, which was recounted by several sources, goes like this:

Cheney, who as president of the Senate was present for the picture day, turned to Leahy and scolded the senator over his recent criticism of the vice president for Halliburton's alleged war profiteering.

Cheney is the former CEO of Halliburton, and Democrats have suggested that while serving in the Bush administration he helped win lucrative contracts for his former firm, including a no-bid contract to rebuild Iraq.

Cheney's office has said repeatedly that the vice president has no role in government contracting and has severed all financial ties with the Texas-based oil services conglomerate.

Responding to Cheney's comment, Leahy reminded him of an earlier statement the vice president had made about him. Cheney then replied with profanity.

Posted by: mhking at 03:58 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Nader & Cummings before yesterday's meeting

Nader stormed out of a Capitol Hill meeting in which members of the Congressional Black Caucus told him to abandon his bid for the White House. The chairman of the group, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), refused to apologize for a meeting that Nader publicly described yesterday as abusive.

"Some of them used very abusive language," Nader told National Public Radio host Tavis Smiley during his morning program. "Congressman [Melvin] Watt of North Carolina used such abusive language until I could hardly believe what he was saying."

"We could understand his right to run, but we were just convinced after the meeting that this was just about Nader," Cummings said. "First of all, he can't win, but he can be an aider and abettor of four more years of President Bush's regressive leadership."

It's pretty pathetic when a grown man begs, ain't it?

Posted by: mhking at 10:56 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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