I have pushed to put the preview thread together a little earlier this time because we are in a winter storm warning here in Memphis for tonight. The predictions are getting worse throughout the day, leaning towards a significant amount of ice and sleet. The last couple of times that has happened we lost power and, with it, the Internet for several days.
If that happens I may not be able to reply to this thread or participate in the Sunday thread by as early as late tonight or tomorrow morning. That wouldn't be a tragedy for anyone but me, except that I've been tentatively asked to fill in this week on the awards stuff for ABs thread.
Lame as my attempt at that noble task might be, I hope everyone will bear with me if it just ain't possible to get on and read the posts. let alone give them the thorough analysis they deserve.
In the meantime, have at it here and let's see if we can dig out any pre-show info that will help us see what the old media is trying to do to us before they do it.
Holy smokes. What an extraordinary effort, Phsstpok!
If you have a ping list, could you add me to it? I want to sit idly by each week and be gobsmacked all over again at your expertise and dedication!
If you would like on or off of the ping list for this preview thread for the Sunday Morning talk shows please FreepMail me
This is great! Thank you for all your hard work putting this together!
CNN
I think you're correct about Jane Harman. IIRC she had been fairly supportive until a week or 2 ago when all the Dims had been on the bash Bush about NSA bandwagon and she felt the *need* to jump on board, either because she was pressured or didn't want to be left out. I heard on the radio that since the briefings all of the Dim congresscritters have kept their mouths shut and have kept quiet, including that Bush is breaking the law. Saxby will keep her in line (in a very gentleman sort of way).
The Merry Trio from across the pond -
I don't recall 3 foreign ministers being on a show like this before and found it curious. I think your guess may be a good one. I'm not sure about Germany, but it's clear that France and the UK have a lot of troubles w Islamists. This includes the issue of the new 'Human Rights Council'
I've read/heard a couple of other things lately that could also be potential topics for them (depending on how Wolfie wants to go)some of the articles below cover more than 1 topic:
1) The first thing that came to my mind was Iran. A vote was made to take the issue to the Sec Council and France has actually been sounding off about Iran
France Steps Up Pressure on Iran's Nuclear Activities
VOA News ^ | February 16, 2006 | Lisa Bryant
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1580301/posts
Walking into a trap?
The Washington Times ^ | 2-13-06 | William R. Hawkins
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1577739/posts
Russia, France Oppose Iran's Atomic Plan
AP via Yahoo! ^ | Tuesday, February 14, 2006 | ALI AKBAR DAREINI
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1578365/posts
"Germany expressed disappointment that the Iranian-Russian talks had been postponed because the European powers considered the Russian plan a viable solution. Germany, Britain and France have been negotiating with Iran but have failed to persuade it to abandon enrichment."
Australian diplomat says UN is rotten
Sydney Morning Herald ^ | 16 Feb 06
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1579569/posts
2) Who will replace Kofi at the UN (may be too soon for them to start this discussion in public, but Bolton has started it at the Sec Council):
Bolton Launches Talks on Replacing Annan (Best. UN. Ambassador. EVER!!!)
Newsday ^ | 02/17/2006 | AP/Edith M. Lederer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1580322/posts
In line after Annan
The Washington Times ^ | 2-14-06 | Thomas P. Kilgannon
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1578417/posts
3) UN Reform (may include procurement fraud and/or Oil for food scandal, though I don't suppose France wants to touch that w a 10-ft pole)
GOP strategy elicits cheers (Bolton targets UN reforms)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1577102/posts
Bolton Lives Up to Tough Rep with CPAC Address
NewsMax ^ | 13 February 2006 | Dave Eberhart
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1577283/posts
UN fraud inquiry launched
The Australian ^ | February 15, 2006 | From correspondents in the United Nations
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1578603/posts
US handling of UN reform angers developing nations
ABC News/Reuters ^ | Feb. 17, 2006 | Irwin Arieff
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1580910/posts
4) UN and Guantanamo
UN inquiry demands immediate closure of Guantanamo
Telegraph ^ | Febuary 13 2006 | Con Coughlin
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1577341/posts
U.N. Inspectors Declined Guantanamo Visit, Officials Say
American Forces Press Service ^ | Feb 14, 2006 | Gerry Gilmore
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1578612/posts
UN alleges torture at Guantanamo
Reuters ^ | 2/17/06 | Richard Waddington
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1579624/posts
5) Iraq's WMD and the Saddam Tapes
Kofi Annan says Saddam's WMD admission irrelevant, we should just "move on"
Feb. 16, 2006 | FNS transcripts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1580130/posts
EXCLUSIVE: The Secret Tapes -- Inside Saddam's Palace
ABC News ^ | February 15 2006 | BRIAN ROSS and RHONDA SCHWARTZ
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1579207/posts
6) And just for fun - from Scrappleface :-)
U.N. Tables Iran Nukes, Debates Cheney Threat
Scrappleface ^ | 2006-02-16 | Scott Ott
Posted on 02/16/2006 8:30:39 AM PST by Tarkin
(2006-02-16) — The United Nations Security Council today tabled discussion about how to react to Iran’s ongoing nuclear weapons development in order to take up debate on what to do about U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney’s recently disclosed weapons capabilities.
“We don’t really know whether Iran is making a bomb, or just making cheap abundant electricity,” said an unnamed Security Council spokesman. “But we have hard evidence that Dick Cheney is armed and dangerous.”
The council will consider a variety of responses, from economic sanctions against Mr. Cheney, to a stringent inspection protocol with all weapons placed under U.N. seal, and 24/7 video monitoring.
“Of course, we cannot rule out a military response,” the source said. “We must keep our options open in dealing with what has quickly become the biggest weapons issue of our time.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1579752/posts
ABC - Georgie Boy
I probably won't watch this show. I cannot stomach Katrina Van de Evil the communist. The Pubbies and the President won't get any help from Cokie or George Will.
FNS
Bayh will try to come off looking like a 'reasonable' person. FReepers from his state have repeatedly said, don't be fooled by his talk and demeanor.
Timmy and David 'I'm too good to be true' Gre-gore-y will play off each other to bash anything Bush, Cheney and Admin related. Watch Timmy's demeanor speaking w Davey and Maureen v.s. other guests. Hopefully, Mary will pretend they are her husband and give all of them one of her royal slapdowns. Paul Gigot will probably support Mary.
Not sure if it's too soon for this and if it's reached the Dims talking points or not, but since Hitlery and Schmucky are sponsoring a bill to ban foreign companies from operating ports in our country, wouldn't be surprised if the Dims bring this up and how they're doing better than Bush on National Security (he doesn't care about our ports, this is terrible, blah, blah, blah)
UPDATE 3-US Democrats plan bill to block Dubai port deal
Reuters ^ | 2/17/06 | Jeremy Pelofsky and Caroline Drees
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1580889/posts
Uproar over U.S. ports (excellent editorial)
The Washington Times ^ | 2/17/2006 | Staff
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1580421/posts
Lawmakers Urge Greater Review of UAE Firm's Deal to Run Six U.S. Ports
www.foxnews.com ^ | Thursday, February 16, 2006 | Sharon Kehnemui Liss
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1579832/posts
Dubai ports takeover prompts backlash
Finacial Times(UK) ^ | 2/16/06 | Stephanie Kirchgaessner and Edward Alden
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1580111/posts
I'm posting now as I may have to be somewhere Sun. If not, I'll try to see you on the Sun thread :-)
As you say they listen to FR - so listen and instead of blaming President Bush - (and btw - please call him President Bush and stop calling clinton, President clinton) - for Katrina.
1. Please explain just when the Federal Government is to responds to a State emergency. Does the Federal Government respond immediately or MUST the Federal Government respond when the Governor request the aid of the Federal Government. Please state how many times President Bush call LA Governor letting her know aid was there - before the storm hit.
2. Please explain why the lot full of buses remained unused - by chance was that during the time the mayor was in Texas enrolling his kids in school and buying a new home for his family.
3. Please explain why lots are full of trailer park homes in Arkansas - who requested their purchase, why Arkansas, and why are they not used and still in Arkansas. There is a story there and I want to know the whole truth.
Maybe the sappy Peggy Noonan could make a comment on this!
-bump-
Frist may hit on "DEM obstructionism" in the Senate as the reason the USA PATRIOT Act is not renewed. I don't know if the asbestos bill will come up. That issue is real old too - Congress has attempted legislated programs to administer asbestos claims for a decade or more (notes aren't handy - could be 30 years of attempts to craft legislation).
On the NSA terrorist surveillance meme, the general thrust will be "Congress is going to 'do something,' but it doesn't know just what, just yet." Many options are being bandied about, and neither party is going to permit President Bush the comfort of just having the program "be accepted" without further talk, etc.
The Katrina meme is complex too, but no matter whether one takes the Lott approach (make FEMA a separate department, not under DHS), or retain the current management structure, all directions lead to MORE Federal government. Make that "more and better," they'll promise.
The Whittington shooting meme is an example of how superficial the media is, and how the public isn't able to take itself where the media doesn't go.
I wonder if Iran will come up, or the impending flurry of activity when SCOTUS announces a decision on either the Padilla or Hamdan case. Graham might be asked about Congressional intent in the Detainee Treatment Act.
Overarching meme - WH is secretive, infused with cronyism, and incompetent. Iraq will be used to reinforce, but Iraq won't be the major tool.
The Sunday Morning Talk Shows - Lineup By: Mark Kilmer · Section: Other Politics
For Sunday, February 19, 2006Meet the Press (NBC): Host Tim Russert will talk to Homeland Security Secretary Mike Chertoff.
FOX News Sunday: Host Chris Wallace has Senators Lindsey Graham and Evan Bayh to discuss Birdshot-gate and Katrina. Former Senator Alan Simpson, Republican of Dick Cheney's home State of Wyoming, will be on to discuss the veep.
Face the Nation (CBS): Host Bob Schieffer chat with Senators Bill Frist and Babs Boxer, bringing in Elizabeth Bumiller (New York Times) to help him ask questions.
This Week (ABC): Host George Stephanopoulos will chat with Chertoff then with Senator Joe Lieberman and Chairman Tom Davis of the House Katrina Committee.
Late Edition (CNN): Host Wolf Blitzer will have Chertoff, Senator Saxby Chambliss of the Senate Intel Committee and Dem Rep. Jane Harman of House Intel. Plus, of course, his usual cast of thousands.
-----Why can't I see anything notable coming from Russert and Chertoff? It will be interesting to see if Evan Bayh, thinking ahead to 2008, will continue his slow crawl toward hysteria. We haven't heard from Saxby for a while, and it will be interesting to see where Harman comes down this week.
The review of the shows will be live here at RedState.com tomorrow at some time around 2p ET.