Sunday Morning Talk Show Thread 19 February 2006

As always, soliciting FReeper comments, observations, and opinions.

Does any of y'all have the winner's list from last week?

Sorry, but I do not.

Good morning, AB. Gosh, I think I am one of the first!

Just Fox for me, as usual.

From a look of the list - doesn't appear to be any Cheney attackers...

Fox has the best lineup....

I want to hear what Simpson has to say; don't care about Feinstein no matter who else is on.

Good morning and thanks AB.

Russert suffering from "CHENEYMENTIA"on NBC - "Bush is losing momentum with his party, his approval ratings are tumbling and fast becoming a lame duck"

Meanwhile, in the Real World, just last week:

The Patriot Act - which Reid bragged killing was not dead. 96/3 voted to keep it Alive.

Tax Cuts - Divdend tax-cut, Capital-gains tax cut extension.

January housing starts soar near 33-year high.

Retail sales up above expectations.

Stock market - DOW steadily up above 11000.

Ben Bernanke - unknown even to republicans - until Bush brought him as Fed.Gov, then moulded to his thinking as WH econ.advisor & placed as Fed.Chief with unanimous consent, takes over.

Roberts & Alito customary walk over at Supreme Court footsteps after ceremonial swearing-in.

Republican Fundraisers Off to Fast Start

Bush raises 3.1 million for Florida Republicans in 28 minute talk/fund-raiser meeting on friday.

Bush's Chat With Novelist Alarms Environmentalists - NYTimes headline.

Rove seeking Federalist Society's advice for ........................... YES!

L a m e - D u c k - i n d e e d.

Guess Biden's ghost writer has the flu...

And what? No Chuckie Shoe-Muck Schumer? Hmmm...

You have to be EFFING kidding me?!?

So "Gov't Response to Katrina (how did Bush screw up)" is the top story on all shows this week -- the ENTIRE hour on Timmah's show (good to know I can skip entirely)

Not quite more Chaney-TV (though I'm sure it will be talked about during the 'roundtables'), but WTF are the stories on Iran or Gore or the CONTINUING muslim riots (12 more dead yesterday), the Sadaam tapes and/or WMD talk from Iraqi officials, etc...

I am so disgusted with the MSM and PressCore...

Here 's it.

Morning all; I've got a new computer that is still in the process of being set up so I'm having trouble posting my usual graphics.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

07:00 AM EST
C-SPAN, Washington Journal
Borzou Daragahi , Los Angeles Times

07:45 AM EST
Garance Franke-Ruta , American Prospect Magazine
Carrie Lukas , National Review

08:45 AM EST
Open Phones

09:00 AM EST
Guantanamo Bay
Thomas B. Wilner

09:30 AM EST
Violence in Sudan
Khidir Haroun Ahmed , Sudan

C-SPAN

09:00 AM EST
Guantanamo Bay
Thomas B. Wilner

09:30 AM EST
Violence in Sudan
Khidir Haroun Ahmed , Sudan

LAST WEEK'S WINNERS......

(Comments are MNJohnnie's)

10. Anita. She only had a few posts before running off, but they are well worth reading. #9. For the second week Russert on MTP site calls it "Domestic Spying controversy". And Mehlman calls Russert's bluff. #25. Go USA - Be Proud -Tammy Bruce reflects our moment to be proud. #112. Before taking leave today (have to leave for NY), here 's this Sunday's Media Nuggets. Every Freeper should ALWAYS make time for Anita nuggets!

9. Tom Guy. #33. I remember little Tommy crying that he didn't know anything about any Shadow Government just after the 9-11 attacks. Then someone reminded him that, as Majority Leader, he was standing in the middle of the Shadow Government.] #39. MTP Rep. Harmon: "I support the program, but I don't know whether it is legal..." huh? Right on TG! Dems are making remarkable incoherent display of themselves this Sunday. #65. MTP Sen. Roberts: Every President has authority by The Constitution -- that rises about anything Congress can pass -- when protecting the national security. [That needs to be repeated loud and long every time the Dems cry about the President breaking the law.]. Also 18, 82, 94, 103, 129.

8. old_sage_says. #35. Rockefeller is afraid he is a target of surveillance. #54 Harman wishes she was a lot smarter. I hope the voters heard her. #84. I just scratch my head in amazement that our secret programs are being discussed in public. The NYT is pathetic, just plain pathetic, for ever writing stories about the NSA. 120. They aren't whistle blowers. They are traitors and lawbreakers, Timmy boy. An important point to remember as the NSA Leaker story unfolds. The Junk Journalists are trying to obfuscate. There is a proper way to whistle blow. Lt Col Shaffer followed it on the Able Danger information. The NSA leaker committed criminal acts by going to the NY DNC Times. They are NOT "Whistle blowers". #189. If a Dem was in the WH, I would support the President for doing the exact same thing as President Bush is doing now. Also, I honestly believe we would not be discussing NSA secrets in the public. 90, 105, 114, 208, 376.

7. Samantha. Straight talkin' Sama is back! #150 That was a great post about the Meeting with GWB and The House Pubbies, and the Patriot act so-called changes that were not really. The dems got such bad New Media press that they faked it and then caved on the Patriot act, and were certainly pressured because of all the wacky behavior of the radicals about a freaking cartoon... #195. believe that the Big MOney Dems and the Sorass group are not looking forward to Hillary running because the moonbats will vote for her and she will win the Primary with their Support. Hillary may be playing the role of Abused wife who keeps forgiving her sleazy Husband for all his cheating, but I believe he looks like he is half dead most of the time, and that cannot be good for his extracurricular sexual activity...#220. Is it not amazing that the Press wants our Security agencies to jump through all kinds of hoops,Judges,Warrants,Congressional oversight, but they do not want to have to jump through any hoops to print their garbage that they know jeopardizes America and her allies, and they do not care. They will do anything to help the DNC get back into Power, and they have long since even tried to cover up their sinister plans. #234. That is another thing that should concern every citizen. One Publication (the National Journal) publishes supposition Story, and the Buffalo Butt Russert and all his DNC flacks act like it is the Gospel and publicize it like it is a solid,fact checked story when we know that is hogwash. They will push any rumor,any innuendo,even made up stories by Howard Dean, and run with them for weeks or months to try to hurt The GOP and The President. How many real stories like the Swift Boat charges against Kerry and all the scandals involving Hillary, Reid etc do they bury as deep as they can? They are really sick puppies....#206. you were the Black Community that has invested so heavily in the Dirty Dems, and you are going nowhere and have nothing to show for you many decades of support for the DNC would you not sound like a nasty,whining,complaining piece of work? They also see black Republicans getting ahead like Condi Rice, and there are so many more out there and more coming every day, and they are stuck on stupid,and mean,and hateful. They bet the rent Money on the DNC, and all they got was screaming Coward Dean. They have invested so much in the wrong party and they still have an inner city that is racked with Crime,Drug abuse, Pimps, disease, illiteracy, alcoholism, and poor nutritional standards. When they see Black Republicans prosper and offer solutions in their community they are exorcised to the max. Also 309, 317, 479, 493, 501 and 509.

6. Ali Veritas. The Sisterhood of the Link had some doozies this week. Here are Ali's. #20. Hey Ken, you see this one: Iran is prepared to retaliate, experts warn. #21. AB, speaking of Biden and the usual suspects... #52re: Russert and Dash Well... if Russert were a real journalist (or born with anything resembling testicles), he would ask him for his copy of the memo drawn up with J. Rock back when that he recycled (with the help of a locked up memo to himself), that got leaked to the Old Grey Broad. When is Mehlman or anyone going to shove it down the rubes throats that it's not domestic spying? They have to seriously slander their right to call themselves News folk... the ego is the way to go. #70. Burlingame is on http://www.wabcradio.com right now reading what Harman said before vs. now. #73 Sig Weaver? Almost as bad as this... http://areyouconservative.typepad.com/ayc/2006/02/some_things_nev.html
also 75, 87, 92, 101, 106 and 118. Well done!

5. Maica. 93. Harmon: I wish I'd been smarter about the legal underpinnings of the program. We go into those briefings alone. We can't consult legal experts about FISA. (Playing the victim card. Lovely) I used to respect Harmon, but she has been using this excuse for months. The first time I heard her say it, I thought "uh-oh, she spoke too candidly for her own credibility." But now that she continues to use this excuse, I say "Get over yourself." #98. Repeating for later readers: I wish that Roberts would mention that the FISA court of appeals said this about the program: And then the Court of Review did one more thing, something that has repercussions in today’s surveillance controversy. Not only could the FISA Court not tell the president how do to his work, the Court of Review said, but the president also had the “inherent authority” under the Constitution to conduct needed surveillance without obtaining any warrant — from the FISA Court or anyone else.... #139. NSA program = Intelligence gathering to PREVENT an attack by enemies.
FISA law = Evidence gathering when there is an assumption that a crime HAS already been commited Chalk and Cheese #473Very disingenuous of Russert to use this clip. President Bush was addressing the Patriot Act, which has nothing to do with the NSA Intelligence gathering program. Russet[sic] and other dems want people to be confused about FISA, NSA intelligence gathering and the Patriot Act provisions. The President's words in Buffalo:...snip. also127, 143, 210, 243, 250, 264, 288, 381, 390, 464, 477, and 521.

4. Bahbah. #46. Roberts is trying to be accurate and correct the record, but he's being too nice. Hoekstra on the other hand is very strong. 60. Timmy gets into semi-hysterical mode asking if the President didn't just (wrongfully) set aside FISA. #76 Okay, so Daschle was willing to give the President authority to get the terrorists abroad, but not here in the US. Unbelievable. #79. Doesn't Daschle realize how he sounds? That is always their problem. Anything to get Bush no matter how they sound or how contradictory they are. #89 Jane says the members who are now getting briefed are all responsible. That isn't true. Oh, and she says the leak came from the Administration. 109 Good grief, Timmy just called it domestic eavesdropping AGAIN! Actually, Tim is coming off as pretty stupid when he is just trying to be duplicitous. FGS, I understand what the legal underpinnings are for the President to conduct this NSA activity as part of a war and preventing another attack on the US, but Tim can't figure it out. So he's trying to be sneaky, but he is just coming off as dumb. #123 The VP did not authorize leaks. He authorized Libby to talk about a program, not to reveal secrets about it. He was not told to disclose authorized information. #161 "I'm trying to think up drinking games to go along with this" Don't use "domestic spying." You'll end up under the table. #173 "He's letting Daschle get away with bald faced lies and he's not calling him on it." Roberts does suggest that the dems need memory pills, which was kind of cute, but what he is really doing, if you think about it for a minute, is calling them liars without actually saying it. #177. Why do Dems think the Constitution provides no authority to the president and everything he does needs to go through congress? Because when they say that there are 3 co-equal branches of government, they don't really believe it. They can't stand the fact that the President has powers under the Constitution that they can't touch. Also, 12, 85, 117, 128, 133, 149, 154, 161, 194, 249. 262 and many many more.

And the top 3? Well you will just have to wait for Snugs and the Ribbons now won't you.

LAST WEEK'S WINNERS......

(Comments are MNJohnnie's)

Third
Phsstpok.
The official keeper of the Saturday Pre-Thread show shows us why. 151. Predictions and comments prior to watching the shows: Great Stuff! 157. These are links to recent articles about this weeks guests that I think might give a clue as to why they have been invited on this week's shows. 158. MTP is just starting here. I'm trying to think up drinking games to go along with this. Say, take a drink (would have to be a bloody mary this time of day) every time Tom Daschle says "I'm deeply saddened." 169. I want to scream at Roberts! He's letting Daschle get away with bald faced lies and he's not calling him on it. "I hate to have any conflict with my good friend Tom Daschle but I seem to think that maybe I might remember, um, something maybe a little bit different." GAG!!!! #253 Danny Ayalon, Israeli ambassador to the United States, has been having multiple joint appearances with Nabil Fahmy. I think the current dovish Israeli government is trying to promote a particular faction within the PA, even some parts of Hamas, and this guy represents the PA side of that equation. "We can do business with some of them." Here are a couple of articles that gave that impression. Israeli, Palestinian diplomats face off on future of peace process (CNN International)Rattling the cage: Panicking over Palestine (Jerusalem Post, Israel). #293. whistleblower told the NYT about the domestic spy program (putting to bed the lie told by Harmon that the WH leaked). Harmon is being Clintonian. The whistleblower traitor who illegally revealed this program to the NY Slimes was almost certainly employed in the CIA or State Department, perhaps even a clintonista in the Pentagon. That means they work for the executive branch of government, not the Congress or Courts. That equals "the administration." It's like what the meaning of "is" is. #321. Disgraced and impeached judge because he took bribes Alcee L. Hastings? Racist thug Alcee L. Hastings? That Alcee L. Hastings? Oh, yeah, we can trust the demonrats on this committee. What bothers me is that the Republicans would let this clown within a mile of any information that actually matters to the security of this country. 99,187, 232, 298, 302, 306, 332, 322, 383, 419, 422, 442, 463, 496, 510, 513, 514 And dozens of others. Well done!

Second
Peach
Another formidable performance by Passionate Peach. Was on a trajectory for the #1 Slot but had other commitments and had to duck out early this week. 68. I wish that Roberts would mention that the FISA court of appeals said this about the program:And then the Court of Review did one more thing, something that has repercussions in today’s surveillance controversy. Not only could the FISA Court not tell the president how do to his work, the Court of Review said, but the president also had the “inherent authority” under the Constitution to conduct needed surveillance without obtaining any warrant — from the FISA Court or anyone else. Referring to an earlier case, known as Truong, which dealt with surveillance before FISA was passed, the Court of Review wrote: “The Truong court, as did all the other courts to have decided the issue, held that the President did have inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence information. . . . We take for granted that the President does have that authority and, assuming that is so, FISA could not encroach on the President’s constitutional power.” http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1576697/posts 74. Daschle: That was a pivotal moment. What should be the scope of the president's authority. We said he could take action abroad, not in the US. WELL good, Tim. We've got terrorists living among us, but certainly let's not give the president the authority to go after THEM. 78. Harmon: I remember those efforts to change FISA and the president asked for changes in FISA, which we gave him under the Patriot Act. Yeah - the Patriot Act which you Democrats want abolished! #83. Roberts: Suggests everyone take a memory pill. (He has a pill bottle!) e asked - do we need to change the law? It's outdated and requires a stack of document filing. Some people said maybe we can just put a line in here but you can't do that. Russert: If you believe the president had the authority to do this, use all necessary means, why not go to Congress and say the president needs the authority to do domestic eavesdropping? Uh - Maybe because they ALL leak! Hello? Roberts: He already has the authority. #126. Thanks! Russert reading the ONE article that was written by the National Journal saying the VP told Libby to leak Plame's name. Russert: Should there be an investigation in this. Roberts: We don't know if that info was declassified. Why don't the Republicans have the talking points on this which is that Libby's lawyer says that report in the National Journal is 100% false? The WH needs to hire freepers to run their PR campaign. LOL #326 She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus, college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over." Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA." The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!" The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican Party." 488. There was an article today about the potential of prosecuting a sitting Senator. It can be done, but the tone of the article made it sound like there isn't the stomach among our weenie Republican Congresscritters to prosecute a senator. Something about a constitutional crisis. If I could find the article, I'd like it.#3, 15, 31, 34, 36, 38, 40, 43, 53, 64, 68, 74, 91, 104, 110, 113, 122, 132, 134, 141, 329, 488, 508, 523, 533, 538, 626, 632

LAST WEEK'S WINNERS......

(Comments are MNJohnnie's)

Seattle Conservative
FIRST

Another Fromidable performance! #49 "Did I read that right? Condi Rice and Howard Dean? ....this should be interesting." It would be REALLY interesting IF they would put them on together, however, Howie has refused to go on any show w Ken Mehlman and I suspect the same holds true for any R, or, at least any in a position of power. They'll probably do the usual thing and put the Pubbie on first and then Dr. Demento, that way the Pubbie doesn't have a chance to rebuttal his insane remarks. #81. LOL! Roberts just said everyone here needs to take a memory pill - Do we need to change this law? Don't tell me it wasn't there. #88. "Yeah - the Patriot Act which you Democrats want abolished!" And, now there were 3 little changes made in the Patriot Act and the Dims say everything is ok and they'll vote for it. The Dims are only going to vote for it because of the polls. #124 Oh cripes, Timmy keeps referring to it as 'Domestic Eavesdropping' Hoekstra and Roberts doing a great job. Why don't the Pubbies mention a couple of things: 1. Keep hitting home it is NOT domestic eavesdropping (as some have done). 2. Why do they keep talking about FISA? ...snip....... #140 The President didn't need to and IMHO should not have gone back to Congress. These Dims are power-hungry - - must keep Congress appraised, we're co-equal branches of government, need far more agressive oversight (Daschle) blah, blah, blah. #156 Jane says the members who are now getting briefed are all responsible. That isn't true" Yeah, right, they're all responsible. I agree w you Bahbah. Current composition of the full committees, who will all now be briefed...snip.. #168 "I don't think she'll pull it off this time is what I'm saying here." I tend to agree w you FT, however, the teflon couple seems to continue to escape everything that comes up, even when there seems to be 'proof', so nothing would surprise me. She definitely has a very well-oiled machine behind her. This is a long article, but IMO an interesting read: #196 "Russert reading the ONE article that was written by the National Journal saying the VP told Libby to leak Plame's name." "Why don't the Republicans have the talking points on this which is that Libby's lawyer says that report in the National Journal is 100% false?" Because then they wouldn't be able to supporty their guy - -the 'prosecutors' prosecutor'. Wonder what's going to happen when this comes back to bite the MSM and Fitz in the behind (as usual, probably nothing - they'll just ignore it and switch to another bash Bush story). Snip.... #225 Thanks. Yes, that's amazing to me, too. What's even more amazing is that some libraries are fighting requests by the FBI to review records - - and, they're very proud of their stand (misplaced pride IMO). Wish someone would remind the staff at these libraries that we the people pay their salaries through our hard-earned tax dollars and we want ourselves and our families to be safe (both from the porn and from potential terror attacks). If they want to play politics, let them get on Soros or moveon's payroll. Otherwise, sit down, shut up, and get out of the way. #268 Rockefeller is afraid he is a target of surveillence The traitorous bastard should be afraid, very afraid." Yep. Though I suspect he'll get away with it - -it was someone on his staff, don't you know. If it were a Pubbie, you know what would happen, both in Congres and in the MSM. Jed Babbin: Rockefeller IS the source of the leak on the NSA wiretaps..will he take a polygraph? John Batchelor program..WABC radio Also, 56, 62, 142, 148, 181, 200, 202, 204, 283, 318, 324, 330and gobs and gobs and gobs more. Another Formidable display of Freeping this Sunday!

I should have said on the last three posts above that almost all of the comments were the winning posters themselves, with any addidtional comments from MNJohnnie.

Just to clear it up.

Is that the deaths in Libya or the twelve in Nigeria (including 2 or 3 children and a priest), and the 15 Christian churches burned down? Yeah, it's about the cartoons.

Some good discussion on the preview thread, which was posted Friday night. We have been under a winter storm warning and I rushed it a bit just in case we lost power.

Sunday Morning Show *Preview* for 2/19/06 (not the live thread)

It does include the list of links I found with either articles by or articles that provide info on the guests that might help explain why they were invited and what spin the shows are trying to put on their topics this week. Here are my predictions of the memes for each show:

Fox News Sunday (Chris Wallace)

Memes:
- As usual it looks like Fox is reversing the main meme of the other shows: the usual suspects (Dems/MSM) are trying to blame the grown ups for a natural disaster
- The MSM are out of their tiny minds, particularly CNN for lashing out at Brit Hume and Fox for the Cheney interview
- They are giving Evan Bayh a platform for trying to run right of George Bush on IRAN
- They are giving Lindsey Graham a platform to audition as John McCain's VP candidate, therefore he will take the Democrat talking points on NSA and repeat them, ad nauseum

NBC Meet The Press (Tim Russert)

Memes:
- The killer meme this week for the dinosaur media is "Katrina was all Bush's fault™" and he ruined a perfectly good government bureaucracy (DHS/FEMA) by appointing bad people (meaning Republicans)
- There is a secondary meme dealing with the VPs hunting accident
  - Dick Cheney is too ~~dangerous~~ ~~evil~~ ~~a bad man~~ ~~lying~~ ~~hiding~~ ~~up to something~~ just lucky the guy didn't die
  - The White House is being mean to the press

CBS Face The Nation (Bob Schieffer)

Memes:
- Since there are no topics posted I'm guessing, based on the guests:
  - the GOP agenda and Bill Frist distancing himself from GWB (in preparation for running for President)
  - Barbara Boxer is the attack dog for several "out there" angry Democrat memes right now:
    - Bush wants to rape the environment (oil drilling)
    - Bush has caused all of the trouble in the Middle East (Iraq) while ignoring the real trouble in the Middle East (Iran)
    - Repeating the second main meme of the Dems this week, Bush has ruined a perfectly good government bureaucracy (DHS/FEMA) by appointing bad people (meaning Republicans)
    - Bush should be impeached

ABC This Week (George Stephanopoulos)

Memes:
- Strike 3 for dinosaur media on marching off the cliff in lock step: Bush ruined a perfectly good government bureaucracy (DHS/FEMA), at least when the Democrats, primarily Joe Lieberman, proposed it, by appointing bad people (meaning Republicans)
  - their use of Tom Davis, a Republican, to carry the water on this is at least novel
  - there is also a subtle attempt to rehabilitate Joe Lieberman by giving him a platform to attack the Bush administration over Katrina to help him overcome his handicap of being in favor of the war in Iraq
- Dick Cheney is literally dangerous to you and me (Katrina vanden Heuvel and Cokie Roberts will double team on this one)
- The Bush White House is a war with the poor downtrodden media (Katrina vanden Heuvel has been giving speeches to this effect)
- The Bush White House is stupid and doesn't know the Constitution forbids his NSA program (George Will has been on this rant)

CNN Late Edition (Wolf Blitzer)

Memes:
- Four separate memes this week
  - Reinforcing the primary MSM/Dem meme of "Katrina was all Bush's fault™," particularly appointing bad people to DHS and FEMA
  - The NSA program is too illegal (giving Jane Harman a do-over for messing up on MTP last week)
  - The Europeans are the smart ones, appeasing the Islamists (this is a guess, no specific support)
  - Even retired Generals say that Bush messed up in Iraq

Seattle Conservative (as usual) provides some excellent links and excerpts in post #17

malia has some very good questions for the shows in post #19 (I didn't think to ask if they were actually sent)

MNJohnnie posted a great question in #21 which I gather was sent to be posed to David Gregory and, if asked, it will absolutely nail him.

All in all I think it was a good thread. I know I got lots of stuff that I hadn't thought of.

I love cspan, no room for the hearings last week, but plenty of time for liberal causes. I wonder if the program on Sudan will deal with how many christians have been killed by muslims?

Heh... you can try to get in and ask.

I was half tempted to call in and ask the Syrian guy if he knew about the WMD's that were moved to his country according to several sources including ex-Iraqi military officers.