It has seemed pretty obvious to me for a long time that those in charge at the EPA, and some of the bozos making decisions at NASA, are not only firm believers in scratching the backs of the Bush/Republican campaign donors but also have a strong belief in "intelligent" design. The Bible and Bucks always outweigh logic and ethics with these people. They'll always smugly respond to Waxman's questions knowing that god and money are on their side. Patriots every single one of them.

Posted at April 23, 2008 3:09 PM in response to Survey: Half of EPA Scientists Complain of Political Interference, Waxman to Investigate

I think we are upset but just as in WW2 Germany most people feel powerless to do anything. How many letters can you write to Congress if they turn a deaf ear to this? How do you get a country on board for war trials when they're worried about losing their jobs/health insurance/homes. When they're trying to pay for fuel to get to work only to have the money they make not stretch far enough to buy the food they need.

This whole administration and the war they started has asked nothing of the American public other than to trust them. Most of the public did and now when they finally wake up and realize what was really going on they're just too tired and perhaps stunned to believe that it all happened in this country. Remember, most high school graduates and many college grads have no concept of world, let alone US, history. That's how this bunch of demagogues were able to get and maintain power.

So I don't believe that because rational people are speaking calmly about this means they aren't "Mad as hell and don't want to take it anymore."

But let's be honest, most people are just hoping these people go away and a new administration comes in all shiny and new. It's typical of the US mindset.

Posted at April 11, 2008 5:32 PM in response to Berkeley Law Dean: Yoo Was Not The Decider

Ja, und Yoo vas just ein gut soldier.

Posted at April 11, 2008 3:41 PM in response to Berkeley Law Dean: Yoo Was Not The Decider

Sorry, about that. I didn't know he was Korean. Either way, he doesn't have both oars in the water when it comes to understanding human nature and the limits of decency

And thanks for the bit of first hand information about him. I always wonder why people from the pasts of some of these characters never step forward to say "I knew him/her when and...they'll never change."

Posted at April 2, 2008 1:52 PM in response to Today's Must Read

I just wonder if Yoo would have had a different view of torture and Presidential rights if he'd been born into a Japanese family that had suffered from WW2 relocation instead of being Chinese? You have to wonder what leads a person down a path such as the one he's taken. There's something very very wrong with this man.

And I can't help but envision him in a WW2 German or Stalinist uniform. Able to justify anything. Did he cheat in high school and college in order to justify the outcome of his grades? Is there anyplace where he draws a line?

Perhaps "Professor" Yoo should sit out some of his own classes and take a few ethics classes. I've heard they teach some good ones at UC.

Posted at April 2, 2008 12:23 PM in response to Today's Must Read

I'm personally tired and disgusted with how those whose job it is to use language to convey messages to the public have become more and more like immature giddy 12 year old boys who have just discovered the 10 dirty words.

Once upon a time journalists, especially those who used the public airwaves, had some integrety, were capable of censoring their thoughts so that the words they used didn't pander to the other 12 year old boys during recess.

Shuster is just another in the line of faux journalists who are more interested in face time, having their ego's stroked, listening to themselves blather, and then high-fiving each other because they made "news" instead of reporting it.

Of course what's worse are those in the public that grew up with this sort of behavior and find it acceptable. Once there were people like Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Ernie Pyle, etc. who showed respect to their audience even if they detested those they were reporting on. Their opinions mattered because they had integrity.

Shuster is nothing more than another pimple on the behind of what passes for American culture. As far as I'm concerned all three cable news channels could go off the air and the country would be a much better place. I'm sick of pandering and immature behavior. It would be nice to bring the stocks back and allow these hollow heads to be put on public display without the protection of their cushy studios. It's their insulation from those they report on that allows them to continue.

Shame on Shuster. Shame on those who hired him. Shame on those who defend him.

The Clintons have nothing to do with this anymore than Tiger Woods had anything to do with the pathetic excuse for a sportscaster on the golf channel, or the women basketball players had to to with Imus. These "journalists/entertainers" are wholly responsible for their juvenile language. Broadcast news continues to be for entertainment purposes only.

A person should feel shame when they behave like this, but they don't. When caught they say they're sorry but even that is faux shame. Nobody in this country ever feels shame. Everything can be explained away. Well shame on us for that.

Posted at February 9, 2008 6:01 PM in response to Hillary To NBC: Fire David Shuster

I'm personally tired and disgusted with how those whose job it is to use language to convey messages to the public have become more and more like immature giddy 12 year old boys who have just discovered the 10 dirty words.

Once upon a time journalists, especially those who used the public airwaves, had some integrety, were capable of censoring their thoughts so that the words they used didn't pander to the other 12 year old boys during recess.

Shuster is just another in the line of faux journalists who are more interested in face time, having their ego's stroked, listening to themselves blather, and then high-fiving each other because they made "news" instead of reporting it.

Of course what's worse are those in the public that grew up with this sort of behavior and find it acceptable. Once there were people like Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Ernie Pyle, etc. who showed respect to their audience even if they detested those they were reporting on. Their opinions mattered.

Shuster is nothing more than another pimple on the behind of what passes for American culture. As far as I'm concerned all three cable news channels could go off the air and the country would be a much better place. I'm sick of pandering and immature behavior. It would be nice to bring the stocks back and allow these hollow heads to be put on public display without the protection of their cushy studios. It's their insulation from those they report on that allows them to continue.

Shame on Shuster. Shame on those who hired him. Shame on those who defend him.

The Clintons have nothing to do with this anymore than Tiger Woods had anything to do with the pathetic excuse for a sportscaster on the golf channel, or the women basketball players had to to with Imus. These "journalists" are wholly responsible for their juvenile language. Broadcast news continues to be for entertainment purposes only.

A person should feel shame when they behave like this, but they don't. When caught they say they're sorry but even that is faux shame. Nobody in this country ever feels shame. Everything can be explained away. Well shame on us for that.

Posted at February 9, 2008 5:53 PM in response to Hillary To NBC: Fire David Shuster