Liberty Watch

I'm Shocked, Shocked, To Hear That There's Corruption In Nigeria And Dick Cheney Was Right In The Middle Of It

Posted on 07. Dec, 2010 by grady

Former Vice-President Dick Cheney has been charged by Nigerian prosecuters with bribery and related charges. These revolve around the multi-billion dollar construction contract for a liquified natural gas plant won by Haliburton's off-shore (and thus unhindered by pansy-ass US bribery laws) subsidiary Kellog,Brown & Root while Cheney was the CEO of Haliburton. In an unsurprising developement, it turns out that decision may have been influenced by millions of dollars in bribes paid to Nigerian officials out of a highly illegal off-books slush fund controlled by the afore-mentioned KBR.

You'll also be unshocked to hear that Cheney, the quintessential hands-on, detail oriented, nothing happens without my okay kind of guy that he is, knew nothing of any of this chicanery. Millions of dollars went missing off the books he was required to know and sign off on, but he had no clue. At least that's what the SEC decided. (I might point out that this is the same agency that found nothing wrong with Bernie Madoff's little operation.) Somehow the Nigerians dare to think they know more about corruption than SEC staffers who genuflect at the feet of the CEO class. Who do they think they are?

New Worst Job In DC; Joe Biden's Press Secretary

The phrase of the year in DC, rather than waterboarding or WMD's, might well be, "What the Vice President meant to say was..."

"UFO's are an interesting phenomena that deserve further study, but he has never seen one, nor has he been probed like a drunken coed at a TKE frat house."
"Jet contrails that last for hours are an interesting metorological effect involving ice crystals, not a secret Pentagon program to drop Swine Flu virus from the sky."
"Jody Foster is a great actress an his new haircut is called a Mohawk, not "The Travis Look".

Overheard in the halls of The State Dept.

Posted on 15. Jan, 2009 by grady

"He quit? Richardson withdrew just because somebody said he MIGHT be corrupt? What a pussy! If Bill and I had let shit like that get in our way, we'd still be in Little Rock.

Statements removed from Hillary Clinton's acceptance speech as Secretary of State by her staff

Posted on 18. Dec, 2008 by grady

I felt I had to accept President Obama's offer of this job. If I had not, that traitorous dog Bill Richardson might have gotten it. Yo! Bill! Commerce? Seriously, Commerce? HA! How does my ass taste, punta?
I come to this post fully aware of its history and importance to our republic, including the fact that I will be fourth in line of presidential succession. Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Byrd. Not that I'm thinking about that. Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Byrd.
We all know it's only a matter of time before I break these pathetic weaklings to my will. We could have done this the easy way, but NOOOO, you had to make it hard.
And their little dog, too.

Is This A DOJ Job Interview Or A Tryout For Hell's Softball Team?

Posted on 13. Aug, 2008 by grady

"What is it about George W. Bush that makes you want to serve him?"

This is the question allegedly asked by Asst. Attorney General (and obcessed fan of the Big W) Monica Goodling when interviewing applicants for, not political posts, but career (in theory nonpartisan) jobs. This is being seen as perhaps, just maybe, a little over the line, but I have a different view.

Man, that's just fucking creepy. I can't imagine going for a job interview and being asked that question unless it was with, oh I don't know, let's see, maybe SATAN!!! Or Yog-Sothoth or Jim Jones maybe. I could see Squeaky Fromme asking that as you applied for a position in the Manson Family.

"What is it about Bill Gates that makes you want to serve him?" (Actually, that may be a question at MicroSoft).

But the President of the United States? That's just so wrong. People working for the US government may or may not serve at the pleasure of the President (meaning that he can fire them at any time for any or no reason), but they're not supposed to be serving him. They're supposed to be serving the people of the nation.

The whole neocon movement, for a bunch of people who claim to care so much about the original intent of The Constitution, just don't seem to understand it at all.

The Wisdom Of The Average American Voter

Posted on 08. Mar, 2008 by grady

I am a believer in universal sufferage, I really am, but once in a while you run across something that makes you question your most basic beliefs. This email sent to Wonkette and published by them makes one wonder if the Founding Fathers were correct in limiting the vote to the propertied classes. Stanley O.
Date: Fri, Mar 7, 2008
Subject: Who are the Real Monster, Wonektte?
THE REAL MONSTER is John McCAN'T. Now we know the facts and you are ot going to liooka t them are you. Here we have the man:
* It is FACT that John McCAN'T is from Vietnamese DEscent.
* It is FACT that JOhn McCAN'T has a baby that is NOT from Veitnam, therefore, the baby is NOT HIS.
* It is FACT that John McCAN'T is an equal war.
* IT is FACT That the media (WONKETTE) Doesn't want this FACT to be known and makes up gibbeirsh fro heis slave dolar. More FANTASY than FACT is the media whore lullaby. Therefore, WONKETTE you are the whore's cunt
Hilory Clinton has RODHAM POWER. Tomorow nows the truth, but you forget it for today. Typical Whore STUNT. Good Luck, slime media. I suppose you think a woman writes this now a white man has to support John McCAN'T??? Why??? Because of God's made similarity? THnak you I'll stay this way. Barock Obama has it wrong: No, John McCAN't! No, MAN OR CUNT? CUNT! Forget FANTASTY for ONCE. Look at FACTS.
Stanley O.
Washinton District fo Columbia

Yikes!

Man if that don't make you want to limit the people voting, I don't know what will. And you can bet it will only get crazier.

What The Hell? You Mean It Might Matter?

Posted on 10. Feb, 2008 by grady

Apparently the North Carolina primary, dispite its May date, it going to count. That means I must come up with a real reason for my vote. It's possible my lone vote might determine the next occupant of the Oval Office.

I'm not used to this. My vote in the primary has always been a throwaway I could use to signify my disagreement with the choice already made. Bill Bradley in 2000. John Edwards in 2004. That won't work this time.

But, really, my decision was made 2 or 3 years ago, I forget when exactly. There was a Constitutional Amendment bill up for vote in the Senate to change the 1st Amendment so that it would not prohibit prosecution of people for "Desecrating The Flag". Sen. Clinton voted for this amendment.

Now we must understand that the bill itself, much less the amendment, had zero chance of passage. Her vote was meaningless. It was meant as a sop to the far right when she (inevitably) ran for President. You could practically see the wheels turning in her head. When they accused her of not loving the US like they did, she could point to that vote.

I've been around the block. I've been around local politics all my life. In my childhood I ran vote totals from the courthouse to party headquarters and I came of age fighting Jesse Helms' Congressional Club. I know damn well that you must protect your right flank always.

But, still...

Any Constitutional Amendment that stifles our right to free speech in order to protect a piece of cloth that is the symbol of that right is just so wrong on so many levels that I cannot believe anybody that would even consider voting for it really understands what this nation stands for. I just cannot get past that vote.

I will vote for Obama.

Naomi Wolf's 10 Precursors To Facsism

Posted on 21. Nov, 2007 by grady

Invoke a terrifying internal and external enemy
Create a gulag
Develop a thug caste
Set up an internal surveillance system
Harass citizens' groups
Engage in arbitrary detention and release
Target key individuals
Control the press
Dissent equals treason
Suspend the rule of law.

Blackwater would seem to be the thug caste and Gitmo is cleary a gulag. Presidential Signing Statements declaring Bush will not enforce the laws as written by Congress seem to fit #10. I seriously worry that, if a Democrat wins in 2008, they may try to end American democracy and stay in office. Scary stuff.

Liberty Watch Archive - Posts before August 2008

Posted on 28. Jul, 2007 by grady

July 28,2007

Last weekend President Bush underwent a routine colonoscopy. Doctors found and removed 5 polyps from Bush's colon and a pre-cancerous growth on Joe Leiberman's nose. (Yeah, I know, but it was just sitting there and I hadn't heard anyone else do it.)

May 1, 2007

Two items caught my eye today.

President Bush today visited Central Command, also known as Centcom. to get a first-hand briefing the officers directing the war in Iraq. Did he fly into Bagdhad? Mosul? Kirkuk? Oh Lord no. We can't risk America's best and brightest in someplace as dangerous as Iraq. No, the war is being directed from the dangerous retiree filled streets of Tampa at McDill Air Force Base. Just off the Dale Mabry Highway and a short drive from Raymond James Stadium and Buccaneers NFL action in the fall, Centcom is also located within easy access of the Gandy Blvd. bridge to St Petersburg and a day at the dog track or a Devil Rays baseball game at Tropicana Field. McDill AFB also boasts a private beach jutting into Tampa Bay and the officer's mess is said to be world class. I've heard rumours that some officers directing the Iraq War occasionally sample the nightlife in the Ybor City section of Tampa, but most think that part of town is WAY too dangerous.

President Bush today vetoed an Iraq War funding bill that included a hard date to begin withdrawing US combat forces and then addressed the nation on live TV. Statements edited out of the President's speech;

We cannot allow the war to be directed from 6000 miles away by politicians on Capitol Hill. It must be directed from 6002 miles away by politicians in the White House.
To set a date for withdrawal is to set a date for defeat. It is imperative that that date be pushed back two years so another President can be blamed.
Some people say we don't really have a strategy in Iraq, but that's just wrong. Our strategy is to duck and weave until January 2009 and then leave the mess to someone else to clean up. It's pretty simple really. I don't know why people find it so hard to understand.

Apr 27, 2006

Overheard at Scott McClellan's White House farewell party.

Yeah, Tony, it all seems so easy now, but just wait until your OWN PEOPLE, people you thought were your FRIENDS, LIE right into your freakin' FACE.
Yeah, that's right, Rove, I'm looking right at you. Say hey to Scooter for me. Lyin' bastards.
Five minutes, just five minutes, me and Helen Thomas in a locked room, that's all I ask.

UPDATE- Nov 21, 2007. The first excerpts from Scott McClellan's book are starting to come out and prove me to be a visionary, except he also blames Bush, Cheney, and Card. I watched McClellan's reaction when the whole Plamegate thing started to unravel and I knew he had been lied to and was pissed about it. Nice, though, to be so clearly proved right.

04-16-2006

Statements removed from Karen Hughes' speeches by pointy headed Liberal State Dept. weenies.

Some people say the US is at war with Islam, but that is just silly. We are at war with Muslims. I hope this clears up any confusion.
Some people say the US wants to take over your country, but that's just silly. We want to install a government that will do exactly what we tell them to. I hope this clears up any confusion.
Don't make us come over there and open up a can of democracy building on your ass. I hope this clears up any confusion.

Aug 25, 2006

I could not care less about Pluto but I am shocked and dismayed that 2003 UB313 will not receive planet status, thereby depriving us forever of the chance to make jokes about Planet Xena. C`mon, a planet full of black leather bustier wearing warrior princesses? Talk about creating interest in science! I DEMAND A RECOUNT!!!

Aug 30 2006

Taxes, I note, have virtually no bearing on someone who is not currently earning an income but living off incomes earned generations ago by better men than he.
Ann Coulter She`ll say this about Lincoln Chafee, someone she detests, but she sings another tune when it comes to the inheritance tax. Coulter has the firmly held political views of an alley cat.

12-21-2006

For anyone who says there's no difference between Dems and GOPs, Check out the band for Nancy Pelosi's installment party. You have got to be freakin' kidding me. Please Join The House Democratic Leadership & The House Democratic Caucus For a Celebration Concert Honoring Speaker Nancy Pelosi With Special Musical Performances by Tony Bennett, Carole King, Wyclef Jean And Your House Band Featuring Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, Bruce Hornsby, Warren Haynes, Mike Gordon, and Special Guests. Tell me you would ever see that line-up at Dick Cheney's place.

01-20-2007

In a delicious piece of irony, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said recently that criticism of his government by the Bush White House and Sec. of State Rice "helps the terrorists". I guess Tony Snow is a closet freedom-hater who doesn't support the Iraqi troops in the field and Condi Rice is secretly hoping the terrorists win. If we have learned one thing from the Bushies in the last six years, it's that criticism is disloyal and unpatriotic.

03-04-2007

Former Vice President (or as he puts it, "I used to be the next President of The United States." Pause. "That's not funny.") Al Gore is catching hell for having a ridiculous power bill while telling everyone else to reduce their carbon footprint. Now, wait a minute. Dude hasn't had a steady job since Jan. "01, but still seems to have plenty of money. He has a steady stream of visitors. And his power bill is 10 times what it should be. Holy Crap! AL GORE IS GROWING POT IN HIS BASEMENT!!!
This explains so much. The obsessesion with enviromentalism. The munchie driven weight gain evident at the Oscars. It all makes sense. And where is the biggest pot-head festival of them all? Right down the road in Manchester Tennesee. When was the first Bonnaroo? A few months after The Supreme Court ruled on Bush v. Gore. Coincidence? I THINK NOT! Poor Al is obviously dealing with this devastating setback by DROWNING HIS SORROWS IN A CLOUD OF THE CHRONIC. Brother Al, believe me, we all feel your pain.