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Old Yeller - Al Gore

Leno: I saw Old Yeller on TV yesterday – Al Gore.

(Videotape, May 26, 2004),
(In His shrill put on Southern tone )
Al GORE:

(Loud) We simply cannot afford to further increase the risk to our country with more blunders by this team.

(louder) Donald Rumsfeld ought to resign immediately as the chief architect of this plan.

(Loudest) Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, the intelligence chief Stephen Cambone all ought to resign immediately. Our nation is at risk every single day Rumsfeld remains as secretary of defense.

(Scream) Condoleezza Rice ought to resign immediately. She has badly mishandled the coordination of national security policy.

(Dean Scream) This is a disaster for our country, and they are responsible along with the president and vice president.

(Weird Gore Scream) President Bush's utter incompetence has made the world a far more dangerous place.

Joseph Farah: Wow! Thank God for the electoral college. Had the Constitution called for direct election of the president of the United States, a clearly mentally unstable man would be sitting in the Oval Office right now.

MR. RUSSERT: What did you think of Al Gore's tone?

REP. PELOSI: We all have our own style in all of these things, and I think that he has reached the level that many of us have... and there has to be a change.

So I share the frustration that he has. But I would say once you're calling for the resignation of all those people, it's about the president of the United States.

And I want to say one thing about the president, which also provoked me to say what I said. (Bush held her down and forced her to say these Things-)

Pelosi on May 20: "Bush is an incompetent leader. In fact, he's not a leader. ...He's a person who has no judgment, no experience and no knowledge of the subjects that he has to decide upon. ...He has on his shoulders the deaths of many more troops..."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Gore mentally unstable

“Weird Al” Gore

Democrats unleash Gore on Bush

Worst President or Are the Goreocrats Just Nuts?

Pelosi: I Showed 'Great Courage' Bashing Bush

The text of Al Gore's speech

MEET THE PRESS - Transcript Sunday, May 30, 2004

Saddam's Files Show 'Direct' 9/11 Link

Newly uncovered files examined by U.S. military investigators in Baghdad show what is being described as "a direct link" between Saddam Hussein's elite Fedayeen military unit and the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001.

NewsMax: Ahmed Hikmat Shakir, who attended a January 2000 al-Qaida summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the 9/11 attacks were planned, is listed among the officers on three Fedayeen rosters reviewed by U.S. probers, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

"Our government sources, who have seen translations of the documents, say Shakir is listed with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel," the paper said.

Saddam's Fedayeen has been identified in previous reports as the group that conducted 9/11-style hijack training drills on a parked Boeing 707 airliner at the south Baghdad terrorist camp Salman Pak.

In a post obtained through Saddam's Mukhabarat intelligence service, Shakir was stationed at the Iraqi Embassy in Kuala Lumpur at the time of the 9/11 planning session.

Also in attendance were 9/11 hijackers Khalid al Midhar and Nawaz al Hamzi, who were piloting American Airlines Flight 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon.

Ramzi bin al Shibh, the operational planner of the 9/11 attacks, and Tawfiz al Atash, a high-ranking Osama bin Laden lieutenant and mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, were also at the meeting, the Journal said.

When Shakir was arrested in Qatar on Sept. 17, 2001, he was carrying phone numbers of the 1993 World Trade Center bombers' safe houses and contacts, as well as information relating to Operation Bojinka, a plot devised by trade center bomber Ramzi Yousef that became the blueprint for the 9/11 attacks.

The Qataris released Shakir after a brief detention and he fled to Jordan, where he was re-arrested. Inexplicably, however, the CIA signed off on his release after Amnesty International complained.

"He was last seen heading home to Baghdad," the Journal says.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

U.S. finds documents tying Saddam's man to al-Qaida

Leno

I saw Old Yeller on TV yesterday – Al Gore.

A fiery Al Gore called for the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice and CIA Director George Tenet. Bush was furious. He said to Gore today, "Hey, who elected you president?!”

John Kerry has a new 757 jet to use while he campaigns for president ... did you see it on the news? This is a really cool plane. In the event that Kerry starts speaking, oxygen masks fall from the ceiling to keep people awake.

Kerry told reporters it’s not his plane, "It belongs to my wife."

On "American Idol,” Fantasia Barrino beat out Diana Degarmo. "American Idol” – sounds more like "The Sopranos,” doesn’t it?

"American Idol” received a record 65 million votes. 65 million votes! And today Bush and Kerry both started singing lessons.

A lot of people voted twice. Today John Kerry said he actually voted for Diana before he voted for Fantasia.

Security officials in Iraq say that a number of suicide bombers there are detonating prematurely. The bombs are going off before they even reach their target. And the problem is ...?

Gas prices are supposed to be the highest of the year this weekend, almost three dollars a gallon in Beverley Hills. In fact, gas was so high, today on the freeway I saw someone carpooling with Omarosa.

MTV has announced plans to launch the first gay cable TV channel. The first? What do you call Bravo and Lifetime? It’s the third at best!

According to a new study, men who drive Porsches are the most likely to have extramarital affairs. Do you know who has the least affairs? Guys who ride the bus. There’s nothing happening there.

Webb: 'Should George Bush Get The Death Penalty? I Say Yes'

Talon News, Jimmy Moore: Despite maintaining his innocence by claiming he never called for the death of the president or anyone because he is opposed to the death penalty, the audio copy of Webb's show proves otherwise.

During the 10:00 p.m. hour last Tuesday night, Webb was speaking in an angry tone regarding the Iraqi prison abuse story when he began his death penalty remarks against Bush.

After declaring Bush being guilty of committing a "war crime," Webb compared the president with death row convicts in Texas.

"So, I say if this man has committed a war crime, let's let George Bush get the final justice that he has meted out as Governor of Texas, let him face the death penalty for the war crime he has committed," Webb contended.

Declaring that administering the death penalty to the president "is constitutional," Webb included other Bush administration leaders in the list of those who "should get the death penalty," including Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney."

Webb then asks his listeners a question and quickly answers it for himself.

"[S]hould George Bush get the death penalty? I say yes," Webb exclaimed.

Despite Webb's attempt to take the attention off of his apparent death threats against Bush, the outrage towards him and his statements continues to spread across the country.

Webb Attacks Conservative Media After Being Exposed for 'Death Penalty' Remarks Against Bush

Webb began his attacks against "Talen [sic] News or whatever it's called" by stating "just because we have web sites, doesn't make us 'publishers.' But some people take their little 'online account' a bit too seriously."

"I guess anything goes for these people who couldn't publish a Jr. High newspaper, let alone be handed the keys to a little hometown 'news' site on the Internet," Webb scowled.

Dismissing "reactionary right wing garbage" as "pretty insignificant," Webb maintains that the media has become too overrun by conservatives.

Then, in a rant about conservative web sites, Webb refers to them as "little girls" who "toss a hissyfit over someone who disagrees with anything" that is not conservative.

Since Talon News first began exposing the incendiary remarks made by him last week, Webb claims he has been receiving "death threats, vulgar, hate mail" about his comments.

Webb said he needs to get back to work to "overturn" the Bush presidency and to continue looking into "issues of injustice, abuse, constititional [sic] exploitation and foul play committed by this administration."

People who are concerned with Webb's comments should contact Entercom Communications Seattle Market Manager Kevin McCarthy at 206-726-7000.

The Secret Service may be contacted by calling 202-406-5708 and the Federal Communications Commission can be reached at 888-835-5322.

Letterman

It’s fleet week here in New York City. 4,000 sailors are visiting New York City. And this is a neat idea. One of them gets to be the new Jennifer Lopez fiancé.

Good news. Crime is down in New York City. The bad news is that it’s our number one industry.

I can tell that crime is down because it’s been months since I’ve been on the subway and had to yell, "Isn’t someone going to do something?!”

Conan

The big finale for "American Idol”... But whoever replaces Reuben Stoddard has some very big pants to fill.

Next week for charity purposes a man is going to swim the length of the Hudson River. The money raised will go towards treating all the diseases that he will pick up while swimming the Hudson River.

Michael Jackson is considering moving to somewhere in Africa – then he found out that the country of Chad is not a little boy.

Kilborn

Tom Ridge urged all Americans to go back to their normal daily routines. So prepare yourself for some really bad jokes.

A study has found that people that smoke, drink and eat red meat – are generally more happy.

PLAY KERRYOPOLY TODAY (CLICK HERE)

Kennedy Mocks Kerry; Daley Tells Kerry to Stop the Hatred

Massachusetts' senior U.S. senator pretended to be on the phone with his protege and said, "Yes, John. Whatever you say, John," one eyewitness revealed.

One prominent Democrat lawmaker told the Boston Herald: "People are kicking the [expletive] out of Kerry over this. I can't find anybody who thinks this is a good idea."

You know that Sen. John Kerry is in trouble when even his close ally Sen. Teddy Kennedy is ridiculing him.

Daley to Kerry: Stop the Hatred.

And you know Kerry is in trouble when a hard-core Democrat pol tells him to stop being so hateful and disrespectful.

Kerry made a comment to some union employees that the Bush administration was a bunch of corrupt liars.

Oops! He's done it again.

Kerry, in what he supposedly thought was an off-the-record conversation with reporters, said after President Bush's fall from his bike last weekend, "Did the training wheels fall off?"

Five-term Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who had a similar injury years ago, jabbed Kerry for his sneering attitude toward the president.

President Bush, of course, made no ugly comments after Kerry recently suffered falls while bicycling and while snowboarding.

"To Daley, Kerry's remark symbolized a hate-filled brand of politics the mayor has long despised," the Chicago Sun-Times reported today.

"You see too much hate. And I'll tell you one thing - hate will turn on people. ... When hate gets in politics, it's a very, very dangerous aspect."

No word yet on whether Democrats around the country, including members of such hate groups such as Moveon.org, have hung their heads in shame.

Still, trash talk flourishes

Anger Is The Only Thing Democrats Have Been Offering

Webb: 'Should George Bush Get The Death Penalty? I Say Yes'

Democrats unleash Gore on Bush

Kilborn

John Kerry just got a $10 million 757 for travel for his campaign. If you have a 757 do you really need to be president?

The 757 weighs 30 tons and can land on the fence.

Conan

”Shrek 2” made $128 million in its first week. In a related story John Kerry has asked Shrek to marry him.

Leno

John Kerry met with Ralph Nader last week. Both sides of every issue were discussed. And then, Nader spoke.

First Kerry fell off his bike, and now Bush fell off his. Can’t we get a man who can pedal a bicycle and be president at the same time?

Here’s an amazing story - in a medical first a baby boy was born with sperm that was frozen 21 years ago. They named the boy "Ice Cube.”

White Castle announced they are thinking about coming out with a veggie burger. Veggie burgers at white castle, hey, how ‘bout coming out with a beef burger? Why don’t you try that?

A 45 year old man in Germany was arrested after he ran over to a neighbors house and forced them to stop redecorating their home at gunpoint.

He pulled a gun on them and made them stop redecorating. Finally, somebody doing something about all this makeover crap. How many are with this guy? Enough is enough!

Anger Is The Only Thing Democrats Have Been Offering

For Democrats, it's good vs. evil

Jennifer Harper (WT): The Democrats are talking trash these days, lobbing the left wing's frantic and often melodramatic insults at the Bush administration.

Christine Iverson (RNC): There is no longer a distinction between the rhetoric used by people on the left fringe of the Democratic Party and the rhetoric used by the leaders of the Democratic Party.

"This is the same vitriolic stream of political hate speech we've seen since the Democrat primary began. Anger is not an agenda, but anger is the only thing Democrats have been offering the American people. And it's going to backfire."

But the Democrats are forging ahead.

Sen. Tim Johnson: How sweet it's going to be on June 2 when the Taliban wing of the Republican Party finds out what's happening in South Dakota.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy: Shamefully, we now learn that Saddam's torture chambers reopened under new management — U.S. management.

Such talk is "anti-American slander," according to Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby yesterday..."ignored by the mainstream press and Democratic establishment."

Ralph Nader also got in on the act, calling President Bush a "messianic militarist" and "an out-of-control West Texas sheriff." Mr. Nader also suggested the president be impeached for purportedly lying about the Iraq war.

There could be a price for all this rudeness.

"Voters know the Democrats are angry," said the RNC's Miss Iverson. "But they don't know what they're for — and that's going to turn off moderate and undecided voters in a general election."

Meanwhile, sundry journalists trotted out Nazi themes and overblown comparisons.

ESPN, Hunter S. Thompson wrote that the prisoner-abuse images were worse than "the foulest atrocities of Adolf Hitler."

The public, indeed, has its limits.

When novelist E.L. Doctorow criticized Mr. Bush in the name of "responsible citizenship" during a college commencement address Sunday, he was booed by the audience.

Still, trash talk flourishes.

Ted Kennedy's anti-American slander

Webb: 'Should George Bush Get The Death Penalty? I Say Yes'

Democrats unleash Gore on Bush

SELF-DEFEATING HATE

Media should stop bashing America

WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY?

(Sent to Us By Ed and Norma Bzdyk)

The following appeared in the Durham, NC local paper as a letter to the editor.

Liberals claim President Bush shouldn't have started this war.

They complain about his prosecution of it.

One liberal recently claimed Bush was the worst president in U.S. history.

Let's clear up one point: President Bush didn't start the war on terror. Try to remember, it was started by terrorists BEFORE 9/11.

Let's look at the "worst" president and mismanagement claims.

FDR led us into World War II.
Germany never attacked us: Japan did.
From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost,
an average of 112,500 per year.

Truman finished that war and started one in Korea.
North Korea never attacked us.
From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost,
an average of 18,333 per year.

John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict in 1962.
Vietnam never attacked us.
Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire.
From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost,
an average of 5,800 per year.

Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent.
Bosnia never attacked us.

He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing.
Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
Over 2,900 lives lost on 9/11.

In the two years since terrorists attacked us,
President Bush has liberated two countries,
crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida,
put nuclear inspectors in Lybia, Iran and North Korea without firing a shot, captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.

We lost 800 soldiers, an average of 400 a year.
Bush did all this abroad while not allowing another terrorist attack at home.

Worst president in history? Come on!

The Democrats are complaining about how long the war is taking, but...

It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound. That was a 51 day operation.

We've been looking for evidence of chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.

It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Teddy Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick.

It took less time to take Iraq than it took to count the votes in Florida!!!!

Our military is GREAT! PASS IT ON.

Thanks, Ed and Norma Bzdyk Of Milledgeville Ga.

The Army Of Men That Love Death, As You Love Life

Dealing in Death-The West is weak because it respects life?

Steven Stalinsky: In the war on terrorism, major battles from early Islamic history serve as inspiration for those fighting against the West.

As al Qaeda associate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi beheaded American Nicholas Berg in Iraq last week, he asked:

"Is it time for you [Muslims] to take the path of jihad and carry the sword of the Prophet of prophets?... The Prophet, the most merciful, ordered [his army] to strike the necks of some prisoners in [the battle of] Badr and to kill them... And he set a good example for us."

"As for you, Bush, dog of the Christians, anticipate what will harm you... And you will only get shroud after shroud and coffin after coffin slaughtered in this manner."

Another chapter from early Islamic history — serving as a lesson for today's Muslims at war against the West — is the concept of the love of death.

This originated at the Battle of Qadisiyya in the year 636, when the commander of the Muslim forces, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, sent an emissary with a message from Caliph Abu Bakr to the Persian commander, Khosru.

The message stated: "You [Khosru and his people] should convert to Islam, and then you will be safe, for if you don't, you should know that I have come to you with an army of men that love death, as you love life."

This account is recited in today's Muslim sermons, newspapers, and textbooks.

The Muslim loves death and [strives for] martyrdom." Saudi Sheikh Abd Al-Muhsin Al-Qassem in Al-Madina added:

"The Jews preached permissiveness and corruption, as they hid behind false slogans like freedom and equality, humanism and brotherhood... They are cowards in battle... they flee from death and fear fighting... They love life."

President Bush referred to this concept:

"On a tape claiming responsibility for the atrocities in Madrid, a man is heard to say, 'We choose death, while you choose life.'... It is a mindset that rejoices in suicide, incites murder, and celebrates every death we mourn."

"We do love life... We believe in the values that uphold the dignity of life, tolerance, and freedom, and the right of conscience."

"This way of life is worth defending. There is no neutral ground ...in the fight between civilization and terror, because there is no neutral ground between good and evil, freedom and slavery, and life and death."

"A man named Berg was put to the sword; tomorrow, it could be the Arab nation torn asunder by the same savagery."


Leno

"Shrek 2” made $104 million this weekend. That is the most money taken in on one weekend since John Kerry’s honeymoon.

I heard today that John Kerry and President Bush may be getting together soon. The bad news, it’s to ride bicycles together.

Bush’s bike accident was different from John Kerry’s accident: Bush fell when he tried turning too hard to the right; Kerry fell when he kept switching gears.

First Kerry, now Bush, you know if Ralph Nader could just stay away from sporting equipment for the next 4 or 5 months, he could win this election by default.

A ship carrying 4000 Hyundai automobiles sank after colliding with an oil tanker. Hyundai officials calculate the loss of cars at over $3,000.

The creator of the hit show "The O.C.” Has been slapped with a lawsuit by two writers who claim they originally came up with the idea for the show. Yeah, I remember that idea. I believe it was called "Beverly Hills, 90210”.

We also have Ashlee Simpson on the show tonight. Jessica Simpson’s little sister. That must be nice for her having a big sister to help with homework.

Letterman

This is "Fleet Week” here in New York. 4,000 sailors are visiting the city this week – and one of them gets to be J. Lo’s new fiancé.

Do you have cicadas? Those things are brazen. Today a group of cicadas made a dozen naked cockroaches form a pyramid.

Over the weekend President Bush fell off his bicycle. That happened to John Kerry too. The only thing Clinton ever fell off of was an intern.

Convention as Farce - Kerry’s delay tactic

NRO-Jim Geraghty: During a long campaign, a lot of good and bad ideas get tossed around, and some of them are destined to regrettable. Putting Mike Dukakis in a tank. Walter Mondale promising to raise taxes.

The plan for John Kerry's non-nomination nomination may someday be remembered on that list of infamy.

Democrats are publicly saying it's a great idea — to delay the acceptance of his nomination as the Democratic party's man for the White House.

Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign Manager Ken Mehlman: Only John Kerry could be for a nominating convention, but be against the nomination. This is just the latest example of John Kerry's belief that the rules are for other people, not for him.

BOSTON (AP): Boston business owners and residents reacted angrily when police announced plans to close nearly 40 miles of major roads around Boston's FleetCenter, site of the convention.

"It's going to make a mockery out of the nomination process for the Democratic Party," Boston City Councilor James M. Kelly told the Globe.

He predicted "frustration and anger" among city residents and convention delegates who find, on top of traffic jams, that their part in history has been taken from them.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino advised Kerry to "Do what everybody else has done in the past. Just do it. Just get it done."

The Washington Post's David Broder: "What's going on is money, money, money, I have to say that we used to blame Republicans as being the party where money really drove everything.

It's the Democrats that are allowing money to drive everything. They moved up the primary campaign dates so that they could have more time in the spring to raise money.

It is ridiculous. They are destroying institution after institution of political significance by this preoccupation with chasing money."

William Safire, called the plan "the stupidest move that John Kerry could possibly make."...Can you imagine John Kerry getting up and saying, 'Thank you for that nomination. I'll accept it in a month'? It's going to ring hollow.

The Washington Post, "Convention As Farce," mocked the concept with dry humor: "We do look forward to his non-acceptance speech."

The television networks are now asking serious questions about just why the networks should even bother to cover the convention, if it's just a four-day party.

Wall Street Journal write that the Kerry plan exposes two truths: that the party conventions are now little more than free advertising vehicles, and campaign-finance limits are a monumental farce.

The press has spoken. What will it be, Senator, the media or the money?

Meet The Press Transcript for May 23

Ken Melman: If the networks go along with this scheme and cover the four nights of the Democratic Convention as a political rally, which does not produce a nomination, we will demand four nights of coverage of our rallies there."

John Kerry: I approve of this message– if I had just one

Kerry Flip-Flops Yet Again on Abortion

Pro-abortion groups and other Democrats immediately started screaming after Kerry said Wednesday that he was open to nominating pro-life judges.

Handlers quickly issued a statement that Kerry would not name anyone to the Supreme Court who supported abortion control.

"He is sending a very confusing message," Eleanor Smeal, president of Feminist Majority, complained today.

Kerry being Kerry, this is not his biggest episode of flip-flopping on abortion. Like Al Gore and Dick Gephardt before they developed ambitions for the White House, he once opposed abortion wrongs.

Although his campaign claims he was always pro-abortion, he said when running for Congress in 1972:

"It's a tragic day in the lives of everybody when abortion is looked on as an alternative to birth control or as an alternative to having a child. I think that's wrong. It should be the very last thing if it has to be anything, and I say that not just because I'm opposed to abortion but because I think that's common sense."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Flip-Flops:

Benedict Arnold Flip-Flop

Slate: If You Don't Like Kerry's Views, Just Wait a Week


War Hero - and Waffling Windbag

KERRY'S NEW 'FLIP' FLAP OVER ANTI-ABORT COURT

More Kerry Car Troubles: 'Purple Heart 3' Vanity Plate

Kerry Flip-flops on Missing WMDs

Videotape Contradicts John Kerry's Own Statements Over Vietnam Medals

John F-ing Flip-Flop on Death Penalty

Creepiest Kerry Flip-Flop Yet

Kerry Says He Voted For & Against Troop Funding

The Great Ping-Pong Scam

CCCs: Counterfeit Christians In Congress

Mark Crutcher-WorldNetDaily: Recently, 48 Democrat members of Congress signed a letter railing against Catholic bishops who say that pro-abortion politicians should be denied Communion.

The person with the most to lose...is John Kerry. As the most high-profile of the "personally opposed" cowards, he is the one most often identified by the bishops as being unfit to receive the sacraments of the Catholic Church.

The problem is the belief that the unborn child is a living human being is a biological fact. That means they have as much right to live their life as anyone else.

Let's cut to the chase here. The people who signed this letter, while claiming to be opposed to abortion, are not as enlightened as they would have you believe.

They are gutless. After all, there is no basis for being opposed to abortion other than the belief that it takes the life of an innocent and helpless baby.

The bottom line is that this letter-signing deal is just part of The Great Ping-Pong Scam America's preachers and politicians have been pulling since the day abortion was legalized.

Ping is when the pro-life movement goes to the church and asks them to help do something about the abortion holocaust. We are politely told that because abortion is a political issue, the church shouldn't get involved.

Pong is when we go to the nation's politicians and ask them to help do something about the abortion holocaust. There we are informed that because abortion is a religious issue, politicians shouldn't get involved.

This slimy strategy has served both groups well for over 30 years. But now, when a few Catholic bishops get serious about their clerical responsibilities, the CCCs (Counterfeit Christians in Congress) are worried that if this spreads, The Great Ping-Pong Scam won't work anymore.

In the 1960 campaign, many American's were in a lather over the possibility that if he were elected John Kennedy would just be a puppet of the Vatican.

That raises the question: Why isn't anyone expressing this concern about John Kerry?

And the answer is simple. Kerry has made it clear that when his faith and his political ambitions collide, it will always be his faith that he abandons.

That is why America’s Godless Left is perfectly comfortable supporting him. They have ample proof that his Catholic beliefs mean no more to him than Jimmy Carter's, Bill Clinton's or Al Gore's Baptist beliefs meant to them.

The reality is, the Godless Left has never had a problem with politicians who claim to have religious beliefs, as long as they didn't live by them.

As for the rest of us, the questions is: If God can't trust them, can we?

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Georgia Senate Candidate (Mac Collins) Gets Pro-Life Endorsement, Isakson Criticized

Georgia Congressman Mac Collins has garnered the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee, in a move his campaign says shows he is the most pro-life candidate running for the Republican Senate nomination.

Isakson's frequent votes backing abortion has earned him support from the pro-abortion group Republicans for Choice.

Isakson- Counterfeit Christian in Congress?

Kerry Flip-Flops Yet Again on Abortion

Today's Democrats: Corrupting morals, stealing elections, aiding enemies

Kilborn

I just saw John Kerry’s new commercial and he said, "I approve of this message – if I had one.”

Leno

Yesterday we had First Lady Lara Bush on the show. We had all the Secret Service guys here on the set. They’re like 6’2”, wear those suits, they just stand there and don’t smile. It was like a room full of John Kerrys.

Yesterday John Kerry met with Ralph Nader. When those two met it created what is called a charisma black hole.

Have you ever looked at Ralph Nader? Doesn’t he look like a John Kerry that has been in the dryer for a few days?

For the first time ever a lost deer made it all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge. Experts say the deer was either very hungry or extremely gay.

Al Gore has endorsed the global warming movie "The Day After Tomorrow”. Let’s hope that works out better than his Howard Dean endorsement.

The Straight From Baghdad

(This letter sent to Congressman Mac Collin from Duane Underwood, Baghdad, Iraq)

May 21, 2004

Dear Family and Friends:

This is my last letter to you from Baghdad. Because of that, this will mostly address the changes I have witnessed over the past three months.

The biggest change is that we are faced with is a situation more critical than it was three months ago. When I arrived, I saw and felt the enemy in extremely dangerous situations. That time is now a time that is called “normal”. Many Iraqis and others that I work with want it back to “normal”.

The situation has become more critical due to some of the heaviest fighting since Baghdad fell over a year ago. This includes the violence in Fullujah and the intensified uprising of the Coalition forces waging fierce battles upon the Sadr influence.

Through my tenure in Baghdad, I have known some of the American soldiers who have given their lives by clashing with the militiamen whose forces have been responsible for much of the violence.

I have also known Iraqis who have given their lives to gain democracy and freedom. And I have known people from countries other than America who will not be returning to their families.

I have been blessed to have known some of the heroes of today who gave their all to liberate Iraq and free it from terrorism.

The consequences of failing now would be unthinkable. When I first arrived to the Green Zone, I heard the sounds of rockets, mortars, and gunfire, but I still slept at night.

Now there are attacks and deaths every day --it is continuous and relentless—and it is difficult to sleep at night. There is intensification of fighting as the June 30 handover of power to an Iraqi government approaches.

In a land where civilization started, I am reminded that civilization is a veneer that can be penetrated at any time for any of us.

I have seen the worse and the best of human behavior. The worse of humanity has been demonstrated by those who attack us with barbarous maltreatment. I have witnessed also the best of humanity through the Coalition forces who fight for justice and equality for all.

As I leave Iraq, I know there is still corruption in place and realize there is a long way to go. The lasting affects of the good that have occurred over the last three months will surface through the true friendships between Americans and Iraqis.

Even through adversities, my colleagues and I have developed relationships and true friendships with some of the Iraqis which will last a lifetime. These friendships, which appear to be such a small thing, when multiplied will make a positive difference in permanent change.

The following messages I have received will give you an idea of some of the Iraqi’s feelings:

“It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to know you and work with you. You are very special woman. You remind me of my grandmother whom I love a lot. You are full of love for everybody, kind and nice. I hope you will return to your family safe and talk to your granddaughters about us” ,and

“Thanks alot for your consideration. We are learning alot from your workshops and they are really useful. Hope these workshops will continue. I and my staff appreciate your practical and theoritrical support. Please keep nourishing us with resources and ideas.”

I have always heard that War amplifies your true self. The person I have learned the most about is myself. Through deprivation and sacrifice, I have been blessed with a strong spiritual growth. As I walked in the path of history-making events, change has happened in me. I will never really see things the same again.

As I land on the shores of the good ole US of A, I know America and the Middle East will be safer than we were before 9/11. I am anxious to return to my family and friends who have been the foundation of my support.

I will miss my colleagues who are continuing to serve in Iraq, I will miss my new Iraqi friends , I will miss my new friends from other countries, and I will miss the daily feeling of adding value to a free Iraq which is I believe is vital to the future of peace in the world.

I will now read and listen to the media with more interest as the flag of free Iraq is raised, and the Iraqi officials assume full responsibility for ministries of government. I will be with my Iraqi friends in spirit as they elect a national assembly.

I will celebrate with the Iraqis when they elect a permanent government which will mark the completion of Iraq’s transition form dictatorship to freedom! Yes, in a very small way, I feel I have contributed to a world-wide effort. I leave Iraq in God’s hands, and I pray.

Duane Underwood
CPA-Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Baghdad, Iraq

Congressman Mac Collins: I wanted to share this letter from a lady who has been in Iraq for the past few months working for the US Government.

Iraq is a very dangerous place, but as you can see those who are there see and understand the real situation, not what we see on the TV from the media.

Keep our troops and foreign service personnel in your prayers.

May God continue to bless America.

Vietnam Continues To Murder Christians

While Kerry, McCain Alleged to be 'Fast Friends' of Vietnamese Communists

CNSNews-David Thibault: International Christian Concern (ICC) alleges that an Easter crackdown by the Vietnamese government against Montagnard Christians resulted in the deaths of at least 280 people. At least another 26 people are missing.

The Vietnamese communist government's alleged murder of hundreds of tribal Christians requires a response by the U.S. government, but any effort to sanction Vietnam is being blocked by Sens. John Kerry and John McCain, according to a Washington, D.C. human rights group.

King told CNSNews.com: These guys are the fast friends of the Vietnamese and they've blocked any real attempt at reform or punishment for these types of abuses, and so Vietnam continues to get away with murder.

The persecution of the Montagnards allegedly can be traced as far back as the end of the Vietnam War. "They were friends with the U.S. back in the war, so they've just been marked ever since and hated."

Three years ago the Vietnamese government launched a similar crackdown when the Montagnards protested their living conditions and Vietnamese soldiers ended up killing about 400 pastors, he said.

Kok Ksor, president of Montagnard Foundation, Inc.:

"The people can't take any more...sooner or later, we're going to die. But before we die, we have to let the world know."

Aaron Groote, Sen. Brownback's press secretary: We don't want to speculate on the exact number of killings, but there have certainly been substantiated reports of many deaths.

The McCain aide also refused to address the complaint alleging that the senator, along with Kerry, were "fast friends" of the Vietnamese communists.

A telephone call to Kerry's Senate office, seeking comment for this report, was not returned.

King believes there are other steps available for Congress to seek punishment of Vietnam for human rights abuses.

"Whether that's censure, whether that's tariffs, whether that's trading sanctions ... but the point is that [Kerry and McCain] block almost all of these things," King said.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Believers tortured to abandon Christianity

Christians sentenced for prayer, worship

Like Kerry, the media defends McCain With His 'War Record'

Kerry's Meeting With Communists Violated US Law, Says Author

Where's the Outcry Over Anti-Serb, Anti-Christian Attacks?

Conan

Today John Kerry met with Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader. Kerry said the meeting went well until his gun jammed.

Bill Joel is planning to write a series of children’s books. His first one is similar to "The Cat in the Hat”, called "The Car in the Living Room”.

Leno

The Olympic committee is telling American athletes not to wave the American flag at this years Olympics because it might be seen as boasting. Other countries can wave their flags, just not us. Which is ironic because of us a lot of these countries would be waving a flag different from what they are now.

Addidas is coming out with a new $250 smart running shoe. This shoe is so smart it makes you spend $250 on it!

Martha Stewart has announced that taping of her show has been postponed. I wonder what happened?

Did anyone buy gas in L.A. today? Premium is almost $3.00 per gallon. Gas is so high that the First Lady’s motorcade was all Mini Coopers.

The First Lady is on the show tonight. I haven’t seen this much security since Snoop Dogg was on the show.

These Secret Service guys are very brave. They don’t laugh. What other job are you asked to take a bullet for your boss? Well other than working at 7-11.

Letterman

Did you see Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson the other night? He threw a perfect game. He retired 27 men in all – which is a record previously held by J. Lo.

Here’s some more baseball news. For whatever reasons Yankee Stadium no longer sells Cracker Jacks. But you still get a prize in the beer.

You can no longer buy Cracker Jacks at Yankee Stadium – but you can still buy crack in the parking lot.

Like Kerry, the media defends McCain With His 'War Record'

Hastert Blasts McCain

"Throughout our history, wartime has been a time of sacrifice. ... What have we sacrificed?" McCain said.

Asked Wednesday about McCain's remarks, Hastert, first joked: "Who? Where's he from? A Republican?"

Then, more seriously, he said: "If you want to see sacrifice, John McCain ought to visit our young men and women at Walter Reed and Bethesda [two Washington area military hospitals].

There's the sacrifice in this country. We're trying to make sure that they have the ability to fight this war.

And at the same time, we have to react to keep this country strong not only militarily but economically... That's my reply to John McCain."

After over 25 years, Kerry and McCain, are still using their "War Records" as an excuse to criticize Bush and our Government.

Like Kerry, the media defends McCain, another vietnam "Hero", and puts down Hastert, "who was rejected for military service because of a bad shoulder."

Hastert Lectures McCain on War, Sacrifice

"House Speaker Dennis Hastert lecturing former POW and Arizona Sen. John McCain about sacrifice and war."

"McCain, who spent five years in a North Vietnamese prison, excoriated fellow Republicans."

"Speaker Dennis Hastert lecturing former POW and Arizona Sen. John McCain about sacrifice and war. McCain, who spent five years in a North Vietnamese prison."

"Hastert, who was rejected for military service because of a bad shoulder."

In the end Hastert, who said nothing about Vitnam, had to apologize to the "War Hero".

Hastert spokesman John Feehery said the speaker "values Sen. McCain's military service, but he disagrees with him on tax relief."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Kerry, McCain Alleged to be 'Fast Friends' of Vietnamese Communists

McAuliffe Gets Snippy About Kerry War Records

Kerry in 1971: 'Our Democracy is a Farce'

Leno

Yesterday in Los Angeles, police found seventy-nine illegal immigrants living together in one house. At first they thought they had stumbled onto a secret Wal-Mart.

The Lakers are now in the conference finals. In fact, sports writers said today the only 12 people that can stop the Lakers now - Kobe’s jury!

Big controversy at the "American Idol” show. Fans say they have lost faith in the voting system. Apparently not all votes are being counted. In fact they’re considering changing the name from "American Idol” to "Florida Idol”.

ABC is reportedly trying to sign Jessica Simpson to host her own variety show next season. ABC says the decision is a real no brainer.

Conan

Big news from my home state of Massachusetts – thousands of gay couples applied for marriage when it was made legal. There were so many couples in the courthouse that a Cher concert broke out.

This week the government of China has announced they have cancelled their plans to put a man on the moon. Their reasoning is that they only deliver within a 100,000 mile radius.

Soup kitchens At Gas Stations

McAuliffe Blames Bush for Gas Prices

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe says the Bush administration is "in the pocket of big oil" and isn't doing enough to hold down fast-rising gasoline prices.

"The price of gas is up about 50 cents a gallon since George Bush took office," McAuliffe said in remarks prepared for delivery Tuesday to the Democratic National Committee. "Already that translates to an extra $499 a year for the average American household."

NewsMax
McAuliffe Blames Bush for Kerry's Failed Tax Increase

Jet-setting Democrat limousine lefties and other self-styled "environmentalists" are always wanting to raise energy taxes to encourage poorer people to conserve... except during an election year, when they'll try to blame others for their own Big Government greed.

Note to McAuliffe: Be sure to remind your fellow eco-elitists of fuel-guzzling Sen. John Kerry's failed effort to jack up the huge federal gasoline tax by 50 cents a gallon, along with his dozen other votes to make gasoline less affordable for the average American household.

Rush
$400 For Tax Cut, Nothing; $400 for Gas, Armageddon!

The local news media is out there interviewing the poorest people they can find at the pumps, getting the man on-the-street testimonials about how tough it is and how impossible it is to live in America this way.

It shouldn't be, and we need to do something about it now like punish Halliburton or blow them up or put them out of business or what have you.

McAuliffe, the Punk: Since Bush took office... this has led to $499-a-year increase in the average cost of living in terms of gasoline for the average American.

Rush: You "average Americans" know who you are. But do you remember when Bush's first tax cut, the tax rebates... Remember what the Democrats said? "Why, you can't even buy a muffler for the 400 bucks the average family is going to get." They pooh-poohed $400, ladies. "$400? Yippee yippee-i-o."

Now, "Why, it's the end of the world! $400, why, soup lines, soup kitchens are going to be sprouting up all over America."

In fact, we could kill two birds with one stone if you gas station owners would put a soup kitchen inside your little hut, where people go to pay for gasoline. Look at the business that you could generate! The new business in America, soup kitchens at gas stations, brought to you by, John Kerry, a man who cares.

Leno

Massachusetts began the first state to marry gay couples today. Though lawmakers say allowing gay couples to get married raises a lot of questions. I can see that. You know such as, does that best man invite both guys to the bachelor party?

Do you do 2 separate bachelor parties? It does raise a lot of questions here.

As you may know, we spent last week at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas where everybody speaks French. I tell you, it’s nice to finally be back in Los Angeles where everybody speaks Spanish.

Agriculture officials are warning the citizens of Florida to be on the look out for giant land snails from Africa. See, that’s when you know we’re too fat in this country, when snails are catching up to us!

It’s bad enough people in Florida aren’t strong enough to punch through a paper election ballot, but now apparently they’re not fast enough to out run a snail!

Congratulations to Gwyneth Paltrow who gave birth to a baby girl named Apple. Gwyneth says looking forward to having another daughter so she can have a "pear”.

Letterman

I am laughing on the outside and crying on the inside. I got a call from Massachusetts this morning – my Uncle Earl is a bride.

Did you see the big Charles Manson movie last night here on CBS? The whole gang was there - Charlie, Susan, Tex, Patricia, Squeaky – no wait that’s the CBS "Early Show”.

Turns out Charles watched the movie in prison – with a few close voices in his head.

WMD: WHAT'S THE MEDIA DOING?

It's not a big warehouse full of WMD's, but it's not nothin' either:

"Gazi George, a former Iraqi nuclear scientist under Saddam's regime, told Fox News he believes many similar weapons stockpiled by the former regime were either buried underground or transported to Syria. He noted that the airport where the device was detonated is on the way to Baghdad from the Syrian border.

George said the finding likely will be the first in a series of discoveries of such weapons.

"Saddam is the type who will not store those materials in a military warehouse. He's gonna store them either underground, or, as I said, lots of them have gone west to Syria and are being brought back with the insurgencies," George told Fox News. "It is difficult to look in areas that are not obvious to the military's eyes."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Sarin, Mustard Gas Discovered Separately in Iraq

Story still developing.....

So come back to CBlountBlogs and look for Updates.

Update #1

Bush administration officials told Fox News that mustard gas was also recently discovered.

Read the Weapons of Mass Destruction Handbook (Click Here)

Swift Boat Vets Accuse Kerry of Vietnam Photo Fraud

Eleven out of a group of 19 Vietnam Swift Boat veterans pictured in Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign literature demanded on Monday that he stop misrepresenting them as supporters.

"Many of us don't want to be included in that picture because we have a rather unsavory feeling about this fellow," Kerry boatmate Bob Elder told radio host Linda Chavez.

"We regard the fact that he rallied the American public against his fellow comrades in arms as basically a betrayal of all of us."

Elder, Shumadine and nine others have banded together in a group they call "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," which includes more than 220 Vietnam veterans who served in Kerry's unit.

Of the remaining six veterans pictured in the photograph, "one is deceased and three do not wish to be involved in any manner; only two of the 19 are believed to support Kerry," the group said in a Monday press release.

"His use of a photograph with his 18 comrades with knowledge that 12 of them condemn him ... is a complete misrepresentation to the public and a total fraud," Shumadine added.

In an open letter to Kerry included with the press release, the group said: "We did not give permission for you to use a photo including our image, nor do we support you. ... We join our fellow Swiftees who believe that someone who heaped scorn and lies on his own unit for his personal political gain is not fit to be Commander in Chief."

Leno

This Sunday John Kerry is coming to Vegas to give a speech and campaign. John Kerry giving a speech…..finally, something exciting to do in this town!

As you might have heard? Courtney Love says she once escorted John Kerry to a concert. John Kerry once went out with Courtney Love? And he questions President Bush’s judgment.?

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was fined $800,000 for violating an antitrust rule. I believe he paid the fine with the interest accrued on his wealth during the time it took me to tell this joke.

Welcome to Las Vegas, the only city in America where nobody is on a low-carb diet. "Buffet! Buffet!”

Tonight’s our last night in Las Vegas which is a good thing because half our staff is hung-over and the other half is in jail. Thanks, it’s fabulous. Just bailing out drunken stagehands and producers that jump into the fountain!

I saw an embarrassing incident down in the casino today. I saw a guy from Florida standing in front of a video poker machines trying to cast his vote for president..

Michael Berg Blames Bush After Kerry's Phone Call -Update #2

When John Kerry called Nick Berg’s Father, what did John Kerry say to Michael Berg?

Before Kerry’s call.

MICHAEL BERG, NICK BERG'S FATHER: That's really what cost my son his life, was the fact that the United States government saw fit to keep him in custody for 13 days without any of his due process or civil rights.

After Kerry's Call.

BERG: Nicholas Berg died for the sins of George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld. The al Qaeda people are probably just as bad as they are.

We are still working on this time line.

AMERICAN MORNING -Aired May 13, 2004 - 9:00 -10:00 ET

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR stated that Sen. John Kerry had called the father of Nick Berg.

Meanwhile Back to Arkansas.

WALLACE, CNN:... John Kerry was in Arkansas, he was talking in an interview to a Little Rock reporter and he volunteered the information that he had spoken to Michael Berg in conveying his outrage about what happened to his son.

After Kerry had spoken to Michael Berg.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After three days of silence and seclusion, Nick Berg's father emerged. There were no tears, instead forceful accusations.

BERG: Nicholas Berg died for the sins of George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld. The al Qaeda people are probably just as bad as they are.

BERG: I would like to ask George Bush a question. I would like to ask him if it's true that al Qaeda offered to trade my son's life for the life of another person.

After Kerry heard Michael Berg's statement and knowing this may backfire on him.

WALLACE, CNN:...The national press corps was following up and asking John Kerry about that. He said, No, no, no, it's private, I'm not going to talk about it. A reporter said, But you just talked about it in an interview. He said, No, it's private.

Meanwhile back at CNN.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN: When we spoke to Michael Berg this morning, we asked him, "Has anyone from the U.S. government gotten in touch with you?"

And the father said he's only heard from one U.S. Senator. (Sen. John Kerry)

WOLF BLITZER REPORTS-Aired May 13, 2004 - 17:00 ET

WOLF BLITZER, CNN: Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says he's spoken with Nick Berg's father, Michael. Kerry says America needs to do a more effective job of winning the war on terror.

Meanwhile Kerry realizes he has his pedicured foot in his mouth again.

WALLACE, CNN: A spokesman for John Kerry saying, It is private, but indicating he thought that Michael Berg or the family reached out to John Kerry. (In other words, Michael Berg called Kerry. Another Flip Flop for Kerry.)

NEIL BOOTZ May 14, 2004 9:00 ET

SORRY, MR.. BERG. BUT YOU'RE OUT OF LINE

CBLOUNTBLOGS May 15.2004 3:00 ET

Our Researchers and Analysis sent emails to CNN, asking "what did Kerry say to Michael Berg?"

ON THE STORY CNN: Aired May 15, 2004 - 10:00 ET

MALVEAUX, CNN: Maria, do you think this has become political in some ways? Because I had heard that Senator Kerry spoke with the father of Berg. Is there a sense that there are players here who are using this tragic death for their own gain?

There is just no imaginable way to understand the grief of Michael Berg. We are willing to give him a pass. But, should we give Kerry a pass?

Story still developing.....

So come back to CBlountBlogs and look for Updates.

Update #1

The Berg dilemma

"John Kerry put in a condolence call to Michael Berg. Kerry, "He feels let down by those who should have been protecting his son."

Michael Berg,..is a proud member of ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), a Stalinist sect that regards the Democratic Party as part and parcel of the colonialist, imperialist, racist, war-mongering monstrosity that is America.

Not the best sidekick for a candidate trying to become Mr. National Security.

Update #2

Lessons Unlearned-Bush Beheaded Nick Berg

Ben Johnson: Like Berg, some on the Left have outrageously blamed the Bush administration for Berg’s beheading – not figuratively but literally.

One poster at the leftist Daily Kos website insisted, “As soon as I heard about this, I knew it was a setup by the Bush Administration."

Indymedia,“I'm sure it's a CIA operation.”...“i’m quite sure the killing of nick berg was an cia action.”

Pravda printed, “Could N. Berg’s Execution be Fake?”

Gentle poet tells us, "it wasn’t Bush – it was the filthy Jews."

Portland Indymedia bizarrely connected Berg’s beheading to the passage of a tax cut bill through the Senate.

The best tribute a father could pay to his son’s memory is to stop apologizing for those who killed him, associating with those who revile him and antagonizing those who seek to avenge him.

Seymour Herst, You Are Wrong Again

Sly Sy at it Again

Joel Mowbray: In a piece titled “The Gray Zone,” Hersh lays the blame for the scandal at the feet of Rumsfeld, who expanded a secret operations unit into Iraq.

Hersh leaves little doubt as to his personal conclusions: “Rumsfeld’s decision embittered the American intelligence community, damaged the effectiveness of élite combat units, and hurt America’s prospects in the war on terror.”

“Pentagon’s operation... encouraged physical coercion and sexual humiliation of Iraqi prisoners in an effort to generate more intelligence about the growing insurgency in Iraq.”

All of which sounds quite damning until the reader gets to the obligatory disclaimer.

"Rumsfeld may not be personally culpable...The former intelligence official made it clear that he was not alleging that Rumsfeld or General Myers knew that atrocities were committed.”

Did the media read Hersh’s piece very closely? The answer would seem to be “no,” because there are many questions that any semi-conscious reader would want answered before making any conclusions.

Even more troubling is that there are more than 25 quotes attributed to “former intelligence officials” and only five to current officials anywhere in government. And all, save for one public official, are anonymous.

Readers, and the media at large, would be wise to consider Hersh’s credibility in past stories.

Throughout the War on Terror, Hersh has been leading the charge of the anti-war left. In November 2001, the muckraker painted a bleak picture, leading the casual reader to believe that the U.S. might lose the campaign. The Taliban was toppled the next month.

In April 2003, Hersh attacked the military capabilities of ground forces in Iraq (blaming, guess who, Rumsfeld). A week and a half later, Saddam’s regime was no more.

The worst that the article actually alleges... is that Rumsfeld expanded a program that, unbeknownst to him, spiraled out of control.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

THE GRAY ZONE

Pentagon Denies Rumsfeld OK'd Abuse

Seymour Hersh's Latest Investigative Report

Lynndie England: I Wasn't Ordered to Abuse Detainees

Michael Berg Blames Bush After Kerry's Phone Call

When John Kerry called Nick Berg’s Father, what did John Kerry say to Michael Berg?

Before Kerry’s call.

MICHAEL BERG, NICK BERG'S FATHER: That's really what cost my son his life, was the fact that the United States government saw fit to keep him in custody for 13 days without any of his due process or civil rights.

After Kerry's Call.

BERG: Nicholas Berg died for the sins of George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld. The al Qaeda people are probably just as bad as they are.

We are still working on this time line.

AMERICAN MORNING -Aired May 13, 2004 - 9:00 -10:00 ET

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR stated that Sen. John Kerry had called the father of Nick Berg.

Meanwhile Back to Arkansas.

WALLACE, CNN:... John Kerry was in Arkansas, he was talking in an interview to a Little Rock reporter and he volunteered the information that he had spoken to Michael Berg in conveying his outrage about what happened to his son.

After Kerry had spoken to Michael Berg.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After three days of silence and seclusion, Nick Berg's father emerged. There were no tears, instead forceful accusations.

BERG: Nicholas Berg died for the sins of George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld. The al Qaeda people are probably just as bad as they are.

BERG: I would like to ask George Bush a question. I would like to ask him if it's true that al Qaeda offered to trade my son's life for the life of another person.

After Kerry heard Michael Berg's statement and knowing this may backfire on him.

WALLACE, CNN:...The national press corps was following up and asking John Kerry about that. He said, No, no, no, it's private, I'm not going to talk about it. A reporter said, But you just talked about it in an interview. He said, No, it's private.

Meanwhile back at CNN.

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN: When we spoke to Michael Berg this morning, we asked him, "Has anyone from the U.S. government gotten in touch with you?"

And the father said he's only heard from one U.S. Senator. (Sen. John Kerry)

WOLF BLITZER REPORTS-Aired May 13, 2004 - 17:00 ET

WOLF BLITZER, CNN: Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says he's spoken with Nick Berg's father, Michael. Kerry says America needs to do a more effective job of winning the war on terror.

Meanwhile Kerry realizes he has his pedicured foot in his mouth again.

WALLACE, CNN: A spokesman for John Kerry saying, It is private, but indicating he thought that Michael Berg or the family reached out to John Kerry. (In other words, Michael Berg called Kerry. Another Flip Flop for Kerry.)

NEIL BOOTZ May 14, 2004 9:00 ET

SORRY, MR.. BERG. BUT YOU'RE OUT OF LINE

CBLOUNTBLOGS May 15.2004 3:00 ET

Our Researchers and Analysis sent emails to CNN, asking "what did Kerry say to Michael Berg?"

ON THE STORY CNN: Aired May 15, 2004 - 10:00 ET

MALVEAUX, CNN: Maria, do you think this has become political in some ways? Because I had heard that Senator Kerry spoke with the father of Berg. Is there a sense that there are players here who are using this tragic death for their own gain?

There is just no imaginable way to understand the grief of Michael Berg. We are willing to give him a pass. But, should we give Kerry a pass?

Story still developing.....

So come back to CBlountBlogs and look for Updates.

Our Media, In Damage Overdrive

Brent Bozell: The arrival of the Iraqi prisoner abuse story shows what Jim Wright once called "mindless cannibalism" can overtake the media’s war reporting.

While reporters murmur about the White House trying to do "damage control," they do not describe their own activity, best defined as "damage overdrive."

There is nothing sicker than to see the Katies and Matts clucking about how these pictures will do us great damage around the world – and can we show them to you again, for the fifty-seventh time, for the fourteenth straight day?

Does America have the "right to know," to see every image of smiling American morons at Abu Ghraib?

When a vicious mob shot four American contractors, mutilated them, burned their corpses, dragged them through the streets, and hung body parts from bridges. Like the prisoner-abuse story, this was the ugliness, the horror of war.

But in this case, most in the media determined the public did not have a right to see the pictures.

Now the networks are back on Iraq, babbling endlessly, passing moral judgment, touting their own moral authority. They have none. They tout the "right to know" as they exploit the right to sensationalize and propagandize.

The media’s concern for America’s image is no match for their power lust to rid Washington of Donald Rumsfeld, and – they dream – eventually President Bush as well.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Boston Globe: A series of errors on lewd images

'Boston Globe' Ombud on Sex Photo Mistake

Bad Journalism: The Chain of Command

Editor sacked over 'hoax' photos

Leno

According to our latest intelligence, Osama bin Laden is living somewhere in Pakistan, but the Pakistani authorities say they have no idea where he is.

Oh shut up! Do you believe that? I mean if a 6’5”guy with five wives and 40 kids moved next door to you, wouldn’t you notice?

Welcome to Las Vegas. I tell you I had a bad night last night. I dropped $500. Not in the casino. I bought a few postcards, some gum and a bottled water at the gift shop.

There’s a lot going in town – in fact the other night, I saw a great heavyweight fight last night. Two women at the buffet over a glazed ham.

The unemployment rate in Vegas is among the lowest in the country. But every kind of job is available here. I mean who else is hiring pirates, Roman gladiators, Egyptian chariot drivers you can’t get those jobs in other cities.

Letterman

It’s an exciting night here in the Ed Sullivan Theater. The entire balcony is full of ex Jennifer Lopez fiancés.

Cloak-and-dagger world of opposition research

Joshua Green: This year's presidential campaign is already shaping up to be even more negative than the last. That's no accident. Our correspondent looks at the cloak-and-dagger world of opposition research—the updated version of "dirty tricks."

The elite purveyors of "personal destruction"—whom Clinton both feared and employed—have become the leading lights in the low-lit world of opposition research.

Maligning an opponent, even with his own words and deeds, is a tricky business; voters take a dim view of "negative" politics, and are liable to punish the campaign carrying out the attacks rather than the intended target.

To avoid backlash, campaigns have become much more careful about attacking their opponents. Shrewd politicians can exploit this anger and still engage in hardball tactics.

Digging the Dirt(a BBC documentary)provides a rare glimpse of how political operatives have learned to use the media to get around this problem, by creating a journalistic black market for damaging stories.

The 'operatives' have a sophisticated understanding of the media and have the ability to manipulate the reporting of political news.

A decade ago opposition research was largely the domain of college kids. Today it is a profession run by seasoned investigators.

Republicans are particularly adept combatants. Moreover, in John Kerry they have the advantage of an opponent who is largely undefined in the public's thinking.

Democrats may not have been successful using research against Bush, but they have fared much better deploying it against each other.

One prominent Democrat has already fallen victim this year— Howard Dean...the attack was orchestrated within his own party.

By the time Gore endorsed him, on December 9, Dean's victory in the upcoming primaries seemed assured.

That same week Ben Holzer... arrived with Chris Lehane in Washington, D.C., for a series of visits to the major television networks, newspapers, and newsmagazines.

They toted a three-ring binder that contributed as much as anything else to Dean's rapid demise.

The Clark campaign had classified the stories in it as singles, doubles, triples, or home runs, based on the damage they were expected to inflict.

The Front-Runner’s Fall - The Dean implosion

To make a very long story short...Ben Holzer and Christ Lehane are oppersition researchers for Sen John Kerry.

Opposition research will be the key, and hidden, factor in this year's campaign.

Beheading Is a Wake-up Call to the Terrorists' Evil Nature

Wes Vernon, NewsMax.com

Sen. James M. Inhofe: In the videotaped beheading of 26-year-old Nick Berg, Americans need to see this face of evil for themselves,...because people tend to weaken, and they don’t know the nature of the monstrous foe that wants to kill Americans “until they see something like this.”

We’ve seen it before. We saw it with the Wall Street Journal reporter [Daniel Pearl]. But, “Never since Adolph Hitler have we seen anything like this.”

That is why this war on terror “is so important,” and the only way to keep this from happening in the future to more and more people — and maybe many, many people — is to win this war against terrorism.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

The Sacred Muslim Practice of Beheading

After Berg's Beheading, Kerry Condemns American 'Arrogance'

Kerry Views Iraq Abuse Images, Blames Bush

Leno

Because so many people get heart attacks, the big, high class casinos are now equipped with sophisticated defibrillators. At the cheaper casinos downtown they just drag you across the carpet and touch your finger to the doorknob.

It’s hard to do current event jokes here because people in Las Vegas don’t care what’s going on in the rest of the world while they’re here. Like today I mentioned those naked guys with the hoods over their heads that were chained to the beds and someone asked me "Where is that? At Caesar’s?”

Today Kobe Bryant plead "not guilty” in a Colorado courtroom. You he’s been going back and forth so much between his trial and playing basketball that now when Coach Phil Jackson calls him off the bench he says, "Will the defendant please rise."

It’s reported that Jennifer Lopez is engaged once again, this time to singer Marc Anthony. It was his turn. You know what they say-7th time is the charm.

Arab Media Play Down or Ignore Beheading

NewsMax: Arab media reacted cautiously Wednesday to the videotaped beheading of an American civilian by Islamic militants in Iraq, with some newspapers conspicuously playing it down or even ignoring it.

The biggest pan-Arab satellite television channels broadcast an edited version of the gruesome video, not showing the killing of Nick Berg.

In one of the most explicit displays, Kuwait's Al-Siyassah daily ran a photo of a masked militant holding up Berg's severed head.

"We were winning international sympathy because of what happened at Abu Ghraib, but they come and waste it all," said Abdullah Sahar, a Kuwait University political scientist.

Mustafa Bakri, editor of Al-Osboa weekly newspaper in Egypt, said Berg's death would only hurt efforts to expose American offenses against Iraqis."Such revenge is rejected,"

Bakri said of the execution. "The American administration will make use of such crimes just to cover their real crimes against Iraqis."

Newspapers in Syria, where the government controls the press tightly, did not report it at all.

In many Arab newspapers, the beheading received less display than the news of America's imposing sanctions on Syria and the killing of six Israeli soldiers in Gaza City

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Arabs Divided Over Beheading of American in Iraq

Hamas Displays Israeli Soldiers' Remains

American Beheading in Iraq Stirs Deep Reactions

U.S.: We'll Get His Murderers

CBlountBlogs
We are so outraged, it is hard for us to cover this story. We will let others do it for us.

Air America Host Calls for Bush assassination

NewsMax: Comparing Bush and his family to the Corleones of "Godfather" fame, Air America host Randi Rhodes reportedly unleashed this zinger during her Monday night broadcast: "Like Fredo, somebody ought to take him out fishing and phuw."

Rhodes then imitated the sound of a gunshot.

In "Godfather II," Fredo Corleone is executed by brother Michael at the end of the film.

Has the Secret Service launched a formal investigation into the Rhodes knee-slapper, as it normally does when the president's life is threatened - even jokingly?

New York Daily News
Liberal radio is airing bad jokes and worst taste

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld "ought to be tortured." President Bush should be taken out and shot.

Those are a few nutso nuggets from the hosts of Air America Radio, which calls itself the new liberal voice. I tuned in, expecting to hear sober policy analysis mixed with glee over President Bush's political pickle.

Instead, I got 10 hours of rancid venom directed at the President, Rumsfeld, Rush Limbaugh, the Catholic Church and anyone else the hosts felt like slamming.

If you're a card-carrying lib who likes crude sex jokes and a cartoonish echo chamber, Air America is for you.

Of Franken, "The church was a day-long obsession, as was Limbaugh. He is an "awful man," "a pig" and "a Nazi."

Ryndee Carney, GM's manager of marketing communications,.. said the station was ordered to "cease and desist" yesterday, and added: "GM will not advertise on any Air America affiliates."

The Limerick Lady

Shirley J. Bailey

Photos surfaced of late
That'll generate more hate
I suppose
The image it shows
Is open to debate !!!

Rather than torture-it's shame
Arabs don't want a dame
Seein' 'em nude
C'mon dude
Gettin' info is the aim !!!

Might help to see a mystic
Why arabs have gone ballistic
Nary a word
Was ever heard
On abuse by "Saddam Sadistic" !!!

Bush appeared on TV
Two arab networks, you see
He said, "No excuse
For such abuse"
Then gave an apology !!!

Kerry and dems have conspired
To get Don Rumsfeld fired
Sick to his tummy
Bush stands by "Rummy"
Frankly, they're makin' me tired !!!

Qaeda Leader Beheads U.S. Civilian in Iraq

My name is Nick Berg, my father's name is Michael... I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah," said the bound man, adding he was from Philadelphia.

The masked men then pushed the 26-year-old American to the floor and shouted "God is greatest" above his screams as one of them sawed his head off with a large knife then held it aloft for the camera.

"This shows the true nature of the enemies of freedom," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. "They have no regard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. We will pursue those responsible and bring them to justice."

In case the world needed a reminder of why America is waging its War on Terror, it got one yesterday.

We just finish looking at the al-Qaeda web site.To Watch Video (Click Here)

We are so outraged, it is hard for us to cover this story. We will let others do it for us.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Video Show Beheading of American

The Beheading of an Innocent

Images of an Execution

Will We See Beheading of Nick Berg?

What Cruel, Sick Bastards

Arab Media Play Down or Ignore Beheading

Senator 'Outraged at Outrage' in Iraq Prison Case

Left Will Blame Terrorist Savagery on Bush

New Ads Have Kerry Playing 'John of the Jungle'

The Insider: The newest $25 million John Kerry advertising buy includes film of a young Kerry, rifle in hand, strutting through a Vietnamese jungle village in full field regalia.

Boston journalists who have seen it are guffawing. When Kerry has shown them this footage over the years he described it as a "re-enactment" staged by Kerry with a Super-8 home-movie camera. Others say the original shots may have been part of his defense for an anticipated court martial.

Kerry says in his latest ads: "I enlisted because I believed in service to country." Let's see, that and because his draft board had turned him down for a playboy year in France and he was about to be drafted to go to Vietnam as a common soldier.

Reminding everyone he had prepped at Fessenden and St. Paul's, and was tapped Skull and Bones at Yale, for Pete's sake, he opted like any elitist to enter the Navy as an officer candidate.

Then the ads say that Kerry "joined John McCain to find the truth about POWs and MIAs in Vietnam." What he did in fact was to have the committee records shredded to prevent the truth from being known that the United States knowingly left POWs behind in Communist hands.

The Kerry ads even claim that the Massachusetts senator cast the "decisive vote" in the 1993 deficit-reduction bill - a vote which in fact was cast by Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska.

Teresa Heinz Kerry says in the ads: "John is the face of someone who's hopeful, who's generous of spirit and heart." Of which an insider observes, "Kerry has a face right off a Toulouse-Lautrec poster from the Moulin Rouge."

And, Teresa, if he is "generous of spirit and heart," why do his income-tax returns for the year you married him show that with a taxable income of $126,179 in 1995 he made charitable contributions of zilch, nada, zero ... not one red cent? In 1991 it was the same.

This guy is a stiff.

Watch Kerry's ad "Lifetime" (Click Here) and laugh

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Kerry Bus-Ted: Kerry’s Canadian Bus Highlights Hypocrisy, Eh?

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Kerry Uses Iraqi Prison Scandal in Fundraising, Speeches