Morning Must Reads: Conflation

What did I miss?

Flooding crisis continues in Pakistan.

“’The scale of the response is still not commensurate with the scale of the disaster of almost unprecedented magnitude,’ said Martin Nesirky, the spokesman for the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, reading a statement from the humanitarian affairs office. ‘This is a catastrophe that continues to unfold.’

The United Nations, which had been saying that as many as six million people needed some manner of emergency assistance — shelter, food, drinking water or medical care — estimated that figure could reach eight million.”

Also, Too:

[Pics from orbit over Pakistan, before and after the flood]

And:

[One hundred three views from ground level]

GM readies for their IPO.

“‘A successful I.P.O. will be even more evidence that the steps the government took in 2008 and 2009 were good for workers, good for Michigan and good for the nation,’ Senator Carl Levin, Democrat of Michigan, said in a statement. ‘I’m optimistic this success story is going to keep getting better.’

The offering has the potential to be the second-largest in United States history, after that of the credit card giant Visa, which raised more than $19 billion in March 2008.”

Howard Dean caves, buys into this August’s right-wing faux-trage.

“‘I’ve gotta believe there has to be a compromise here,’ Dean said during a radio interview. ‘This isn’t about the right of Muslims to have a worship center, or Jews or Christians or anybody else to have a place to worship, or any place around Ground Zero. This is something we ought to be able to work out with people of good faith’[...]

Dean said that after having met so many objections, the center should be moved somewhere else, but that this should be done with the cooperation of its organizers.”

Dunno if you missed it Adam, but your link to the unlikelihood of the Park51 project to see completion links instead to Ezra’s post on Romney’s job-creation proposal.

You missed that I, like millions of others, go to work 5 days a week. That business are sitting on cash and are waiting for me to spend my money before they will spend theirs. At the same time they are telling me that they must retrench, reduce my benefits, lay-off workers etc., all in an effort to maximize profits.
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I know the argument, they are the risk takers, they make the economy, create the jobs, etc.. If true why are asking me to spend my money, take the risk to go in debt for their product and, they are sitting on the cash waiting for me to jump in, while laying us off? Where is their risk?
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Give them a break so they can sit on more cash.

I like DoctorGovernorChairman Dean but he is so ill informed on this issue that I expect some “clarification” today.

TPM interviews one of the authors of this August’s right-wing faux-trage.

“[Gellar] claims that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is not a ‘secular’ Muslim and believes he has radical ideas. She said disagreed with President Bush’s administration for sending Rauf abroad, and protested the decision at the time. Geller said she believes Rauf said one thing in the United States and was telling the Arabic press he does not agree with interfaith dialogue. She also opposes the mosque within the Pentagon.”

Also, Too:
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[I guess Rauf is a radical...if you consider all Muslims radical]

“FBI officials in New York hosted a forum on ways to deal with Muslim and Arab-Americans without exacerbating social tensions. The bureau wanted to provide agents with “a clear picture,” said Kevin Donovan, director of the FBI’s New York office.

Brought in to speak that morning — at the office building located just blocks from Ground Zero — was one of the city’s most respected Muslim voices: Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. The imam offered what was for him a familiar sermon to those in attendance. ‘Islamic extremism for the majority of Muslims is an oxymoron,’ he said. ‘It is a fundamental contradiction in terms.’

It was, by contemporaneous news accounts, a successful lecture.

Flash forward six-and-a-half years, and Feisal Abdul Rauf occupies a far different place in the political consciousness. The imam behind a controversial proposal to build an Islamic cultural center near those same FBI offices has been called “a radical Muslim,” a “militant Islamist” and, simply, the “enemy” by conservative critics. His Cordoba House project, meanwhile, has been framed as a conduit for Hamas to funnel money to domestic terrorist operations.”

“The last combat troops have left Iraq. Some 50,000 U.S. military personnel and an army of private contractors remain.”

Take these guys with you:

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/memory-against-forgetting/

I guess Rauf is a radical…if you consider all Muslims radical
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The problem here, grape, is that such a worldview is sadly common. I mean…hell, remember Keith Ellison, upon his election, had to go on national TV to ‘prove [he's] not working for the enemy’? That was some years ago, and arguably the environment for Muslims has only worsened.

Did I miss paying themselves millions for passing the risk on to me, and paying themselves millions for no longer working there?
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I know it is not criminal but……………

A chart of the effects of an extension of Bush tax cuts, by income group:
http://taxvox.taxpolicycenter.org/blog/_archives/2010/8/17/4607042.html

via Daily Dish

I find myself agreeing with Maureen Dowd. Must be a full moon.

“So look where we are. The progressive Democrat in the White House, the first president of the United States with Muslim roots, has been morally trumped by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, two moderate Republicans who have spoken bravely and lucidly about not demonizing and defaming an entire religion in the name of fighting its radicals.

Criticizing his fellow Republicans, Governor Christie said that while he understood the pain and sorrow of family members who lost loved ones on 9/11, “we cannot paint all of Islam with that brush.”

He charged the president with trying to turn the issue into a political football. But that is not quite right. It already was a political football and the president fumbled it.”

And the problem with relying solely on private charity for relief is…

“Four in 10 charities experienced falling donations in the first five months of the year, compared to the same time a year ago, as the number of donors declined, individuals gave less and corporate gifts and private grants were smaller. A smaller three in 10 experienced an increase in contributions, according to a survey released this week by GuideStar USA, Inc., which collects information on nonprofits. Donations remained about the same for 28% of charities.

Demand, meanwhile, continued to surge. Some 63% of respondents reported rising demand for their services compared to 6% who said demand fell and 29% who said it stayed the same.”

Some detail on job losses.

“Most of the job losses at the end of last year took place at the smallest firms, underscoring how small businesses are lagging in the recovery.

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees accounted for 61.8% of all job cuts in the private sector in the fourth quarter, the Labor Department reported Wednesday, while they created 54.1% of new jobs. Small companies employ roughly 29% of all workers.”

Howard Dean and Harry Reid:
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They are conflating their opinions in hopes that those on the far left fringes come to their minds, release their insane ideas and resign themselves to the fact that the Ground Zero Mosque will not only destroy their precious Democrat Party, but stop all chance in hell of either of them ever being elected into office ever again.
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I love Howard Dean and Harry Reid. 2 of the 3 stooges!!
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Enjoy!!
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On a second note, does anyone else notice how quickly names change for both Muslims and Democrats when negative press involves words they use.
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Take for example Cordoba House, when it was alledged this name referred to the Muslim conquest of Iberia (Spain) from about 100 AD to 700 AD, the great and powerful Imam has quickly changed the name to Park 51. No Democrats who are in agreement with building the Mosque refer it to its old previous name of Cordoba House. Now they in unison refer to it as Park51. Hmmmm
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Then when Progressive has become known to mean a subversive group within the Democrat Party, a quick name change and denial by those on the left, now they create a new name for themselves. Liberals…….Oh, that’s not really a new name is it?
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I believe one day Liberals and Muslims will run out of names. But then again, they are very good at coining new names and ways to explain exactly who they are, most of them are teachers, historians, and people in charge of our schools and universities. I guess coming up with new names is not that difficult after all. The pressure is just on the rest of us to define who they are, what they stand for, and that nothing really changes by a name change. It’s still the same old crap they have spewed for over a 100 years.

“I believe one day Liberals and Muslims will run out of names.”
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Well, there is always them damned arabic numerals to fall back on.
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Betcha ya didn’t know that anyone who has ever written an algebraic (oh, noes, another arabic word!) on a blackboard IS SECRETLY A MUSLIM TERRORIST AMERICA HATER!
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Sorry guys, I just had to extend the line that Rusty drew…

Oops. It’s thursday.
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All Stop.

I like my Senator a bit more than Nevada’s
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“Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) is slamming conservative opposition to the Muslim community center project near Ground Zero in New York City — the city where he formerly resided for many years — calling the attacks against it “one of the most disgraceful things that I’ve heard.”
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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/franken-attacks-on-cordoba-house-one-of-the-most-disgraceful-things-that-ive-heard.php

Rusty,
New thoughts on the name Cordoba?
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The mosque [in Cordova, Spain] was indeed begun in the wake of a Muslim conquest—just not the conquest of the Christians. Rather, it was ordered built by the Umayyad emir Abd-ar-Ramman I, probably in part to commemorate his successful conquest of Cordoba in the 750′s, fought against other Muslim chieftains loyal to the rival Abbasid Caliphate, and his successful repulsion of subsequent Abbasid attempts to dislodge him by force throughout the 760′s. This is, incidentally, probably why the Great Mosque—unlike almost every other Mosque in the Muslim world—is built facing south. Usually, Mosques are built facing Mecca, as Muslims are meant to pray towards the holy city. But the Great Mosque is oriented as if it were actually built in Damascus, the original capital of the Umayyads and the city from which abd-ar-Ramman had had to flee in exile when it was conquered by the Abbasids. Damascus is north of Mecca, while Cordoba is much further west. By pointing his Mosque south, Abd-ar-Ramman I was telling his Muslim rivals, “This exile to Iberia is a temporary thing; you may hold Damascus for now, but in the eyes of our god, my family still controls it. Carl Pyrdum
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Owing to the peace which the Christians of Cordova then enjoyed [...] the citizens of Cordova, Arabs, Christians, and Jews, enjoyed so high a degree of literary culture that the city was known as the New Athens. Catholic Encyclopedia
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Still certain that “Cordoba” was a shout-out to Muslim conquest of Christianity?
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http://economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/08/ground_zero_mosque

“Ground Zero Mosque ”
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“On a second note, does anyone else notice how quickly names change for both Muslims and Democrats when negative press involves words they use.”
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You complain about semantics used by Democrats and Muslims, after using the right-wing meme ‘Ground Zero Mosque” for something that’s not at Ground Zero and is not a Mosque.
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Once again, Rusty, your irony astounds.

Thanks for the history lesson, exiled. I knew there was much more to the story than rusty was giving us. But that’s the neo-con way–tell just enough of the story to make it look bad.

Dean supposedly represents the progressive wing of the party. That is an indication of how far is has fallen.

I like your Senator a bit more than all of them put together.

The more things change…
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Halliburton gets letter of intent for Iraq oil
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“Halliburton Co. said on Wednesday that it has gotten a letter of intent from Shell Iraq Petroleum Development BV that would make Halliburton the project manager for developing the Majnoon field in southern Iraq.”
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http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9HM532G3.htm

“When does Fox News’ ugly Muslim bashing become the story?”

“I realize I’m repeating myself from last month when I asked why Fox News’ proud race-baiting hadn’t become the story, but honestly, when the most-watched cable news channel relentlessly depicts moderate Muslims as being part of a murderous cult, that’s news. When it routinely provides a national forum for a hatemonger like Pam Geller who calls the president of the United States an anti-Semite and claims he’s allied with Islamic terrorists, that’s news.

And having the most-listened-to radio talk show host in America claim that Muslims want to worship at a house of prayer in downtown New York City so they can proclaim “victory” over victims of a terrorist attack, that’s news too.

What Fox News, Limbaugh, and the rest of the GOP Noise Machine are doing today in terms of unapologetic Muslim-bashing is a disgrace. How the press is handling the unfolding story isn’t much better.”

Nice story about Ted Olson
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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/fashion/19Lady.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=us

“RGA chairman Haley Barbour gets more money, more power and more good press.”
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I see the link goes to the well known republican hard graders Drudgico.
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That really IS news!

“That is an indication of how far is has fallen”
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Dean or the progressive wing?

“Dean supposedly represents the progressive wing of the party. That is an indication of how far is has fallen.”
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Actually, Dean was traditionally a centrist as governor of Vermont. That he “supposedly represents the progressive wing of the party” is an indication of how far right the country and the Democratic Party have fallen, especially since the embargo of liberal voices from mainstream news sources and the development of the Limbaugh/News Corp lie machine and fact-free corporate journalism. Either way, shame on him for feeding this particular right-wing treason.

shepherdwong it is truly frightening. Basically, the only choice we have now is between two right-wing parties or staying home.

I am sure Exiled you can come up with as many sources to tell your tale of history on the Iberian Peninsula as I can too.
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Here is a military history of this same time period. Unfortunately it does not discuss Cordoba by name, but it does give one a great picture of how this area was indeed conquered by Muslims.
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http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/medieval/articles/muslimhorde.aspx
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But, the basic point is the fact Muslims have a long and storied history of conquest, and a subsequent conversion of their newly captive people. There is no doubt about that down through the ages. Anyone who would refuse to acknowledge that fact is either in denial (not the river in Egypt), or they have other motives which are not as honorable. Which do you choose Exiled.
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With most things in life, names have significance. The name of your child for example. The names of the various places we live. And in this case, the name of the Mosque which was located at the heart of the newly conquered Muslim lands in Spain.
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I will not dispute that both Christians and Muslims are guilty in these time periods of continuous conquests and subjugation of those they conquered as a result. I will now dispute with anyone that Christians as a whole no longer have this practice as part of their religion or beliefs. I cannot say the same about Muslims I have known, talked to and read about. We may not see warring bands of screaming men coming across the hills like Attila the Hun in pursuit of their captives, but we are seeing the influx of Muslims to traditionally non-Muslim countries by the millions. Perhaps they are indeed seeking out a better life for their families. We can only hope. But, there also seems to be a concerted effort to again divide and conquer in the name of Allah. The same as we have seen through history with Muslims since the early 6th Century.

I feel your pain, Derek. The fact of the matter is, since the first caveman craved to lead his cave, political choices are always the choice of the lesser of evils. You’ll still have that choice in November, whether you choose to see it and make it, or not. It would be a shame if you didn’t since I mark you as one of a minority in this country who’s capable of doing it right most of the time.

shepherdwong I had one foot out the door when the DLC arrived. They lost me when they supported the Iraq war, regained a little hope when Obama arrived and probably lost me for good when he picked the members of his administration. Consider me a lost cause.

Rusty, that was a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection. Overruled.
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Seriously, I don’t disagree with anything you’ve stated there. I just don’t use that as a justification for opposing the community center.

You should have been there for DOMA and NAFTA. Bill Clinton was still the best choice available and now the alternate is much, much worse.

500 Words: It’s a helicopter.

Derek, the first national election I had the opportunity to participate in was the 64 election between Johnson and Goldwater. I was already against the Vietnam war but supported the Johnson domestic policy. Who do you think I voter for? Since that time, I have always had to chose the lesser of two evils.
I worked hard on the McGovern campaign but was left with Humphrey and Nixon. Who do you think I voted for? What has history taught us about the Nixon victory.
I would love to be a purist but our nation cannot afford to turn itself into an exclusively Republican nation.

Al Franken has more integrety in his little comedic finger than almost all of his Senate colleagues. When his career is over, I sure hope he writes a book about the “big fat idiots”.

apr2563 I’ve been working outside the country for quite a while now and have decided to apply for a new citizenship. If successful, I promise to keep my mouth shut.

A very big factor in this equation, grape, is the uncertainty of small business owners about their liability with implementation of HCR. No one knows yet, exactly what that liability will be. If you employ 50 or more employee’s, the cost is extemporaneous and potentially, unaffordable. Business owners I know, say adding new employee’s is out of the question until answers are forthcoming. Did this probability NEVER occur to democratic law makers, determined to push this law through at any cost? Well, one thing we know for sure, it is keeping the cap tightly sealed on any new hiring.

Derek: I am not suggesting you keep your mouth shut. I understand your disgust with the centerists. What country are you thinking of as your next home?
France who is busy tossing out Gypsies?
Great Britain now in the hands of the Tories?
Italy run by one of the biggest oligarchs?
I am intersted.
On another thread, I posted an imaginary US if all of the left immigrated to other countries. What would America be like when run by the corporists and Christianists? Where would the Centerists run to hide?
What kind of culture would we have left?
Keep giving us heck Derek!

A very big factor in this equation, grape…
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I’d say it was low demand and, as it was stated in the linked article, because access to credit is tight instead of some nebulous ‘uncertainty’ about HCR.
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The ‘uncertainty’ you mention shouldn’t affect those businesses employing under 50 people, yes? Yet that’s where a majority of the job cuts are being made. You’ll have to make up something else, Earl.

“I’d say it was low demand and, as it was stated in the linked article, because access to credit is tight instead of some nebulous ‘uncertainty’ about HCR.”

The good doctor has never met a partisan lie he needed to be able to prove.

Jon Stewart does his brilliant impression of Glen Beck. This time it is the $1,000,000 Newscorps (Fox News) cotribution to the Republican Governor’s Association.
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/18/jon-stewart-glenn-beck-n_n_687162.html
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Watch Beck’s convuluted conspiracy diagrams and Stewart’s ability to just show the truth.

NewFree, You still haven’t answered my question from yesterday:
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Do you support moving the venue for Glenn Beck’s rally from MLK’s “I have a dream” speech venue, as it is very offensive to many Black Americans?
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I know your moral compass may have gone haywire when confronted with this question. But it has a simple yer or no answer – considering you are going to be an accessory to this by attending the said rally.

Canada.

Derek: Wonderful choice. I lived on the Canadian border for a number of years. It was in Oroville, Washington, next to eastern British Columbia. There was much commercial and friendly interaction. The Canadians are wonderful to know. It is a great and beautiful country.

Yes I love it. I’m in Toronto, kind of a big city guy, and they allow left-wing parties to exist here so if I get in I will no longer have to share a party with the likes of Lieberman or Reid.

Derek: Head to the nearest pub and have a pint on me.
I worked in a tavern in Oroville. That’s where I really got to know Canadians. I love they have 3 day holidays every month. Strong unions.

Bb-b-but I thought the problems small businesses had was with credit!
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Quite a lot about that on TV yesterday.
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Is Earljr1 talking about a recession happening on some other planet?
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Maybe he mistook that little red one with the thin atmosphere for this one…

nebulous uncertainty? surely you jest. NO ONE, knows today just how high those expenses will be. If you think this does not put a brake on new hiring, then you have lost touch with reality. Put yourself in their position, would you proceed blindly and hope for the best? Not likely. This is not a partisan lie, it is simply a statement of fact.

NewFree, You still haven’t answered my question from yesterday:

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You still haven’t apologized for your basic incivility you displayed on your first approach to me. Until that apology comes through, I will never responde to any question you may have or direct at me.
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Exiled:
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As you said, “I just don’t use that as a justification for opposing the community center.”
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That is great. You have every right to your opinion on this matter as I do and now over 70% of my other fellow Americans.
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People are basically smart enough to know when something isn’t right. When asked about where the money to build this mosque is coming from, all we get from the Imam and his wife is “no comment”.
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I can say that I will provide a “community center” filled with puppies and rainbows, but that doesn’t make it true.
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This Imam and his group have a track record. We have exposed that track record, and it points towards more fundamental Muslim terrorism. To permit this to go forward is a direct slap in the face of those who died on 9/11. The disrespect towards the families of those now dead Americans is also another slap to the face.
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Yes, they have the right. They are within the constitutional bounds to buy, build and erect whatever type of mosque / community center they want to build.
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BUT, and the big big BUT is simply, is it the right thing to do? Does it promote tolerence and respect?
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If this Imam and his wife truly wanted to bring about a new era of enlightment, they would have recognized these facts immediately and offered to withdraw from this site and worked with those who opposed it to see where an appropriate site could be located.
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Instead they have dug their heels into the ground, and basically thumbed their nose up at all of the objections.