Greenwald:

As much as anything else, that is what this scandal is about -- GOP House Leaders prancing around as the Protectors of our nation's children from Internet Predators while, at the same time, apparently knowing that there was such a predator in their midst. And they not only failed to do anything about it, but they actively worked to conceal the behavior (by, as noted below, ensuring that all Democrats -- including even the Democrat on the House Page Board -- were blocked from learning about these accusations). As Hastert put it at the top of his Press Release (emphasis in original): “At home we put children first, and Republicans are doing just that in the House.”...read on

Wonkette:

Is it still a Hate Crime?

Ann Arbor student and official Fark photoshop subject Justin Zatkoff wasn’t actually beaten silly by leftists, blacks, militant homosexuals, pansies, hippies or violinists. He was clobbered by his own “friends,” who hate him.

That’s what police in Ann Arbor have finally revealed about last weekend’s pathetic incident, which a Michigan website frequented by campus conservatives claimed was some kind of retribution for his political views. But no, it was just retribution for him being a a drunken asshole around his high-school buddies. Next martyr, please!

This is a topic near and dear to my heart. So much of what I've done in my professional life is to raise and cultivate brand loyalty that it's not hard to recognize the Republicans' efforts to do the same with their own particular take of right-wing thinking.

Over the last few decades, the Republicans have been able to indoctrinate such brand loyalty that people vote against their own interests and demonize those who do. While there's no question that our short term goals should be to restore the balance in government in '06 and '08, we will only face these problems again unless we think long term as well.

Alternet:

For nearly 30 years, ultraconservatives have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in young people and built an infrastructure that initiates young people into the radical right movement through campus activism, leadership training and career development. Their investments have paid off. The radical right wing now controls the executive and legislative branches of government, and it's only one seat away from complete dominance of the Supreme Court.

If progressives want to achieve the same sort of political success that the radical right has enjoyed for the past two decades, we're going to have to do more than focus on the next round of elections and pay lip service to engaging young people. We must make a serious, long-term investment in our next generation of progressive leaders. Young people provide a vital infusion of ideas, energy and passion to the progressive movement right now, and their commitment to continued activism and leadership is critical to building a progressive future. Read on...

Keith reports on Bob Woodwards new book 'State of Denial: Bush at War Part III.' It sounds like it's going to contain alot of interesting tidbits mostly having to do with Bush administration secrecy and dishonesty when it comes to the Iraq war. Keith plays a short clip for Woodwards upcoming appearance on 60 Minutes where he says that the military commanders are telling him that 2007 will be worse than 2006; completely contrary to what the Bush administration says in public. Can we really afford to "stay this course"?

Download | play - WMV Download | play - QT

Bay Buchanan was on the Situation Room earlier today downplaying the book saying that it contains nothing new. Carville was right there to remind her that conservatives/Republicans certainly haven't been saying that the Iraq war is a disaster like the book suggests. I think the entire Bush cult is in a "state of denial." Hopefully the voters aren't.

(Guest Post Mike L.)

Larry Johnson channels his inner Foxworthy with a twist.

What sort of mindset does this remind you of? This country is in total meltdown.

"What we've got is a failure in society, whether it's in Mount Pleasant with yuppie parents or whether it's on the East Side with poor crackhead parents," Shirley said Friday. "We pick up stray animals and spay them. These mothers need to be spayed if they can't take care of theirs. … Once they have a child and it's running the streets, to let them continue to have children is totally unacceptable." Deadbeat dads might ought to be sterilized as well, he said

(hat tip Bring it On)

The nuggets are pouring in.

It describes how, on July 10, 2001, CIA Director George J. Tenet met with his counterterrorism chief, J. Cofer Black, at CIA headquarters "to review the latest on Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda terrorist organization. Black laid out the case, consisting of communications intercepts and other top-secret intelligence showing the increasing likelihood that al-Qaeda would soon attack the United States. The mass of fragments made a compelling case, so compelling to Tenet that he decided he and Black should go to the White House immediately."

Tenet called Condoleezza Rice, then national security adviser. "For months," Woodward writes, "Tenet had been pressing Rice to set a clear counterterrorism policy... that would give the CIA stronger authority to conduct covert action against bin Laden.... Tenet and Black hoped to convey the depth of their anxiety and get Rice to kick-start the government into immediate action....read on

No wonder Tenet freaked when the attacks came. He knew all along something big was happening, but couldn't wake these people up.

georgia10 has a nice round up from the WaPo column.

Habeas corpus has been but a memory for quite some time and the murderers of Democracy are systematically destroying what it means to be American...but put the responsibility where it belongs....and thanks again

CorrenteWire: According to whitehouse.gov. Bush was against torture before he was for it

Discourse.net: A company with a death wish...

HOLY CRAP: Orrin Hatch's song for Reverend Moon...House passes measure to chill establishment-clause lawsuits....With the Party of Dobson...is Bush's "just a comma" remark another coded message to the religious right?

Andrew Sullivan: I can't remember linking Sully before, but anytime a rightie comes to his senses, it's worth noting

World O' Crap: Malkin goes...er..Malkin

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) took to the floor today to deliver a scathing indictment of the Bush administration. From the August 6th PDB to the bogus intelligence given to us by Curveball -- an alcoholic whose assertions turned out to be 100% false and whom we based our entire case for war on -- Dorgan let's it fly.

Download | play -WMP Download | play - QT (Audio fixed)

(guested by Mike L)

Boehner objects because he hasn't seen the resolution. Hmmm. Might it be because your hands are a bit filthy regarding the Foley Sex scandal cover-up?

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The clerk reads the resolution calling for an ethics investigation into Foley - Republicans boo Nancy when she asks for a recorded vote. With a huge sex scandal brewing--they boo Nancy. I think they should take a long look in the mirror.