[Alas Babylon!]

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

[Alas Babylon!]

From FReeper Snugs’ graphics shop, here are last week's winners:

[anita]

Thanks, AB & Good Morning to EveryOne!

I am little upset that Tony Snow chose to appear on MTP (not that he can't handle), because NBC almost has become hostile to the admn. and they(atleast people close to the Prez) should just boycott that network.

[JohnLongIsland]

no schmuckie?

[Enosh]

Hubba.

[AZRepublican]

Hope Tony points out Tim's inconsistencies from his testimony.

[edpc]

I see Penn Jillette will be on Wolf's show. Perhaps he's plugging the show Identity and defying us to choose the politician with a spine.....?

[mathluv]

Well, I will have to watch Tony!!!!! (and I have not watched that network in a looooong time) We need a SnowFlake ping!

[Fishtalk]

Morning AB, All,

Nothing majorly new here this week. Garage door is fixed and hey, I seriously did NOT know that Abstainance on Ash Wednesday meant I couldn't have sex.

Heh. Well it means you can't eat meat but damn that's not the more normal use of that word. The church bulletin said we must abstain on Ash Wednesday and my loyal Catholic self planned to do just that. Though I really wondered why on earth God would care if I made love to my husband, heh.

Husband, not a Catholic, reluctantly bought into the notion that there would be no sex on Ash Wednesday but he really thought the idea of my giving up sex for Lent to be very stupid. Lent lasts 40 days, heh. "Bullshit" was how he phrased it.

Moving on to politics, I am so mad. There was a time when the idea of a U.S. congress actually voting against a military action of the Commander in Chief, be it "non-binding" or not, would be considered an act of treason.

And don't forget, mine one and only Rep in the House of Reps (Delaware being one of the few states with ONE Rep and TWO senators) also voted FOR that non-binding resolution.

And HE'S a REPUBLICAN!

I speak of Mike Castle. My monthly Repub Women's Club meeting is coming up soon and I am going to lambaste Mike Castle. I say he should vote how he wants but he should become a damn DEMOCRAT! Why are the pubbies financing this guy?

[mainepatsfan]

Can Stephie go one week without a frigen celebrity guest?

[dinasour]

     Tony Snow Ping

 

If you want on, or off, the Tony Snow ping list, please FReepMail dinasour.

---

MEET THE PRESS (NBC): White House press secretary Tony Snow.

Tony will be visiting Mr. Potato Head at 10:00am EST. 

[Mo1]

Good Morning

Carl Levin on Fox seems to want to back Biden's idea of rescinding the Resolution of the giving the President authorization in Iraq

[OESY]

Support our (antiwar) politicians. Bring them home now (and replace them)!

[AliVeritas]

Good news from Iraq the Model:
(Excludes the bombing that killed 56 just just reported in Baghdad... duly noted)

Attacks in Baghdad down by 80%
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/

Also from Gateway (in case you missed it):

Iraqi News Reports On The Surge in Baghdad

Iraqi-American Haider Ajina sends the following two articles from the Iraqi media
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/iraqi-news-reports-on-surge-in-baghdad.html


More on Democratic Copperheads & Republican White Flag Wavers
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/more-on-democratic-copperheads.html

In case you missed it:
Pakistani Bomber Blows Up Courtroom in Quetta, 15 Dead
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/pakistani-bomber-blows-up-courtroom-in.html



Courtesy Viking Pundit

Quote of the Day - The Washington Post doesn't hold a high opinion of the man Nancy Pelosi wanted for House majority leader: "Mr. Murtha's cynicism is matched by an alarming ignorance about conditions in Iraq." And here's more from Decision '08 and Q&O.

WaPo:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021601792.html

Decision '08:
http://decision08.net/2007/02/17/washington-post-murthas-cynicism-matched-by-an-alarming-ignorance-about-conditions-in-iraq/

Q and O:
http://www.qando.net/details.aspx?Entry=5460

---

FYI

Islam Summit March 4-5, 2007

Here's the official site for the upcoming Secular Islam Summit in St. Petersburg Florida:

http://www.secularislam.org/blog/SI_Blog.php


Delegates from Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and elsewhere will address secularist interpretations of Islam, the need for Koranic criticism, the state of freedom of the expression in Muslim societies, educational reform.

Speakers include:
Ibn Warraq
Irshad Manji
Amir Taheri
Nonie Darwish
Walid Phares
Wafa Sultan

---

Terrorism in Salt Lake City? II »
February 17, 2007
NY Traitor Indicted for Terror Financing
So many Islamic charities, so many indictments.


Mid Hudson News:
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/Alistari_arrest-17Feb07.html

In the latter half of 2006, Alishtari accepted payment to discreetly transfer these funds, believing that they were earmarked for Pakistan and Afghanistan. He believed that the funds were being sent abroad to support a terrorism training camp in Afghanistan by funding the purchase of equipment such as night vision goggles. One of these transfers, which is also the subject of the international money laundering charge in the indictment, relates to his transfer of $25,000 from a bank account in New York to a bank account in Montreal, Canada, with the intent that the funds be used to provide material support to terrorists.

------
From Senate Minority Leader McConnell, via NRO's The Corner:

Today we are being asked to do something entirely different. The majority party in the Senate wants to vote on a resolution that condemns the President’s plan and which “disagrees” with Gen. Petraeus, who said before he left for Iraq that additional troops are an “essential” part of achieving our goal. They are doing this three weeks after voting, without dissent, to send Gen. Petraeus on this mission. And they are doing it in the form of a non-binding resolution that will have no practical effect on our conduct of the war.

Americans have a right to demand why the U.S. Senate has not yet taken a clear stand on what most of us believe to be our last, best chance at success. So let us be clear at the outset of this debate about what’s going on today, about what Republicans are fighting for today. Republicans are fighting for the right of the American People to know where we stand. If you support this war, say so. If you don’t, say so. But you cannot say you are registering a vote in favor of our troops unless you pledge to support them with the funds they will need to carry their mission out.

Yet this is precisely what the Democratic majority would have us do today. They demand that Republicans cast a vote in favor of a nonsensical proposition that says: “We disapprove of the President’s plan to deploy more troops to Iraq, but we support the members of the Armed Forces who are serving there.” A vote in support of the troops that is silent on the question of funds is an attempt to have it both ways. So Republicans are asking for an honest and open debate. And we are being blocked at every turn...

...Let those of us who support the President’s plan to win in Iraq say so. Let those of us who oppose it say so. But we will not be forced to vote for a resolution that says we support the troops but does not ask us to seal that pledge with a promise to help them carry out that mission in the only way they can — funding their mission.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NDNlYzU4OWVhYjk2YjAxYWMzNWQ5YzAxYjQ2MzQ4YzY=

------

In case you missed it:

Cowards Give Up on GIs - & Give In To Evil

Ralph Peters says it all.....'this may be the most disgraceful
congressional action since the Democratic Party united to defend slavery'

http://lucianne.com/threads2.asp?artnum=324354

Clinton Gives War Critics New Answer on ’02 Vote
Clinton rolls out a new response to those demanding
contrition. Advisers cringe and believe this is turning point for her

http://lucianne.com/threads2.asp?artnum=324457

Why the Iraq war is turning into America's defeat
Your Sunday Steyn
http://lucianne.com/threads2.asp?artnum=324456

Baghdad offensive cuts sectarian death toll
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2007-02-18T081421Z_01_COL822742_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsArt-R2-Today-3

Teachers are the quiet heroes of Baghdad
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2015678,00.html

Battle between ‘crock’ McCain and 'weird' Giuliani
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1400642.ece

FBI Works to Counter Kitchen
Sink Bomb
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,252619,00.html

Dem's Disgrace
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02172007/postopinion/editorials/dems_disgrace_editorials_.htm

Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration
At Army's Top Medical Facility
A major WaPo hit piece on the Army's Walter Reed Hospital

http://lucianne.com/threads2.asp?artnum=324446

Head of US Army's Walter Reed hospital
acknowledges outpatient complaints
Knowing WaPo hit was coming, Walter Reed's
commander answers back

http://lucianne.com/threads2.asp?artnum=324454

Tough times for Peter Ragone: Mayor's press
secretary has mayor's scandal, plus his own
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/18/RAGONE.TMP

Laugh of the Day:

Assad, Ahmadinejad vow to cooperate
against US, Israel
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1170359880046&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Meanwhile...

Iran Will Produce Evidence That US Was Behind Zahedan Blasts!
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/iran-will-produce-evidence-that-us-was.html

For more info on all the unrest in Iran:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/another-bomb-blast-police-insurgents.html

Messiah (scrap that, Mahdi) Slips in Palmetto State
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/father-of-salt-lake-mall-killer.html

From the wonderful Right Wing Nuthouse

WAPO SLAMS MURTHA’S “SLOW BLEED THE TROOPS” PLAN
http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2007/02/17/wapo-slams-murthas-slow-bleed-the-troops-plan/

In case you missed the Anti-Military comic:
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/02/15/san-fran-board-oks-anti-militarism-comic-book-for-public-high-schools/

And the 'not to be missed' intro from the author:
http://www.addictedtowar.com/prevap.html

In case you missed Rep. Eric Cantor's video outlining the context of historic House debate on America's national security and the defeatist democrats:

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/democrats-not-al-qaeda-bring-america-to.html

In case you missed this also:

Polio Vaccine Doctor Blown Up For Spreading Vulgarity!
(yep, for giving the vaccine that would 'sterilize them' sheesh... 7th century indeed)

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2007/02/pakistani-doctor-blown-up-for.html

New ITB Video: Confusion on Capitol Hill
Must See:

http://www.inthebullpen.com/archives/2007/6139

Fun for the commercial breaks:

Je ne parle pas francais

A would-be hijacker was subdued in the Canary Islands when the pilot realized he didn't speak French:
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2007/02/17/pilot_foiled_hijacker_with_passengers_aid/

Along the way, speaking to the hijacker, the pilot realized the man did not speak French. So he used the plane's public address system to warn the passengers in French of the tactic he was going to try: brake hard upon landing, then speed up abruptly. The idea was to catch the hijacker off balance, and have crew members and men sitting in the front rows jump him, the Spanish official said.

The pilot also warned women and children to move to the back of the plane in preparation for the plan , the official said.

It worked. The man was standing in the middle aisle and he fell to the floor, dropping one of his two pistols. Flight attendants then threw boiling water from a coffee machine in his face and at his chest, and some 10 people jumped on the man and beat him, the Spanish official said.

Ouch. Boiling water on top of a beating? That's Walker Texas Ranger justice.
-----
Allahu Oinkbar

Sunday marks the start of the Chinese new year. And it just so happens 2007 is the “Year of the Pig“. Aside from Michael Moore considering it an honor to be recognized for a whole year, the islamonutjobs are sure to enjoy 365 days dedicated to the other white meat.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h57/texasrainmaker/Pig-Smile1.jpg

http://www.texasrainmaker.com/2007/02/18/allahu-oinkbar/

[AliVeritas]

Incoming Baathists causing trouble in Sweden?
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2007/02/swedens-iraqi-connection.html

[AliVeritas]

re: links

BTW, the ITV/In the Bullpen Video has graphic images.
Forgive me for not stating same.

[shrinkermd]

Senator Levin, and by inference the rest of the Democrats, have decided the war is lost in Iraq. No matter what they will not admit the possibility of victory. Besides that they cannot even give thanks to the President for negotiating a multilateral North Korean effort.

The Democrats have politicized foreign policy. For better or worse issues of war and peace will be the principal debate for 2008. The party that can make their case clear to the American public will achieve overwhelming victory.

It is time for us to enjoin the conflict with patriotic fervor. If this war is lost, we will begin a long retreat and dissolution and be replaced by one or more of the emerging Asian tigers.

Chris Wallace and Fox News Sunday did a good job interviewing Senator Levin. Thanks!

[fkabuckeyesrule]

It was neat to see Tony Snow on sunday morning TV again.

[MNJohnnie]

Yes, 1988 his VERY LAST State of the Union he did that.

And despite the President's calling them out, IN HIS LAST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, Congress simply ignored the President and continued to send his successors the exact same sorts of bills.

[Darth Republican]

In honor of the man who made it possible for us to sit and write on this thread without getting up to turn off the voices of George and Timmy and Bob and Chris (and their guests) when they get too annoying.

As the article says, a moment of silence (or 'Mute') is in order.

Inventor of the TV remote dies

By SHANNON DININNY, Associated Press Writer
Sat Feb 17, 7:52 AM ET

BOISE, Idaho - Hit the mute button for a moment of silence: The co-inventor of the TV remote, Robert Adler, has died.

Adler, who won an Emmy Award along with fellow engineer Eugene Polley for the device that made the couch potato possible, died Thursday of heart failure at a Boise nursing home at 93, Zenith Electronics Corp. said Friday.

read more

[MNJohnnie]

It's worse when a Republican does it because that gives the Democrats political cover - i.e., "bipartisanship." All the news reports are now saying "a bipartisan" resolution.

On the initial cloture vote a few weeks ago, 46 Democrats and 2 Republicans voted for the Democrats. 1 Democrat and 47 Republicans voted against the Democrats Iraqi Resolution. AP, which is the primary new source for both Published and Broadcast news, ran their story as "Republicans block Bi- Partisan Iraq Resolution" No matter what happens in DC the US "News" Media will simply censor out any facts that do not validate their preconceived political dogmas.