The NO-CARB Diet for 2004

NO C-heney
NO A-shcroft
NO R-umsfeld
NO B-ush

and "Absolutely NO RICE!"

Only For Seekers Of Wisdom And Truth

Have you ever suspected that maybe one of the following has stretched the truth a tiny bit?
President Bush
Vice President Cheney
ultra-far-right-wingnut Members of Congress
Fox News personalities

What was your first clue?

The Center for American Progress today launched a comprehensive Claim vs. Fact database that documents statements from conservatives like the above, and compares those statements to the facts. Each fact is sourced, and in many cases includes a web link directly to that source.

Excuse Me, Mr. President, But Your Ooopsies Are Showing

Results of latest CBS/NY Times poll

31% - the Administration has a clear plan to turn over power in Iraq
32% - Bush has a clear plan to rebuild the country
32% - Iraq was a threat that required immediate military action last year (lowest ever)
40% - the president's approval rating on handling foreign policy
41% - The president's approval rating on handling Iraq
41% - the war increased the threat of terrorism against the U.S.
46% - Bush's overall approval rating
47% - the U.S. did right taking military action in Iraq (lowest support since the war began)

The only positive numbers were on negative issues:

53% - uneasy about Bush’s handling of international crisis
71% - the Administration’s policies have worsened the U.S.’s image in the Arab world

God's 2¢ worth

NEW YORK—Responding to recent events on Earth, God, the omniscient creator-deity worshipped by billions of followers of various faiths for more than 6,000 years, angrily clarified His longtime stance against humans killing each other.

"Look, I don't know, maybe I haven't made myself completely clear, so for the record, here it is again," said the Lord, His divine face betraying visible emotion during a press conference near the site of the fallen Twin Towers.

"Somehow, people keep coming up with the idea that I want them to kill their neighbor."

"Well, I don't. And to be honest, I'm really getting sick and tired of it."

"Get it straight. Not only do I not want anybody to kill anyone, but I specifically commanded you not to, in really simple terms that anybody ought to be able to understand."

// posted by NeoN

Now There's A Plan

"We need to stop declaring war on things - Poverty, Drugs, Terror - we're getting our ass kicked"
-- Jon Stewart

Bush Misleads Seniors On New Drug Cards

BUSH MISLEADS SENIORS ON NEW DRUG CARDS

Less than a year ago, President Bush promised Americans that he would "provide seniors with a drug discount card that saves them 10 to 25% off the cost of all drugs, so they'll start seeing savings immediately" on their medications (1). But, as the program launches next week, experts have concluded that the cards don't guarantee seniors any savings at all (2). Additionally, instead of admitting this, the President used millions in taxpayer money to promote the cards through television ads - ads that government regulators later said were misleading.

As the New York Times reports, the White House plan locks seniors into the cards they initially choose, then allows the card sponsors "to change their prices on a weekly basis," thus never guaranteeing any benefit at all (3). Instead of telling the seniors the truth when this reality became apparent, the President used tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds to air television ads promising that the drug cards will save seniors money. Some of the ads even used fake reporters in an effort to trick viewers into thinking they were watching objective news (4). The General Accounting Office soon concluded that the ads contained "notable omissions and errors" (5).

Then things start getting really ugly. There's a tangled web of alliances, investments, campaign donations involving Bush and the CEO of (surprise!) a company that deals in prescription "discount" cards. Read all about it.

Sources:
1. President Bush Calls for Action on 38th Anniversary of Medicare 07/30/2003
2. New Drug Card Called Passport To Confusion Hartford Courant, 04/25/2004
3. Feds will keep drug discount on the up and up Wichita Eagle, 12/11/2003
4. Publicity Campaign Under Scrutiny ABC News, 03/15/2004
5. Bush Medicare Reform Bill Become a Nightmare for GOP Miami Herald, 03/19/2004

What If Bush Wins?

Irony-Free Zone Violation

In a Supreme Court hearing today, Justice Antonin Scalia warned about opening presidents to snooping outsiders and worrisome lawsuits...

"Are You Safer Now?"

It's Spring, When A Young Man's Thoughts Turn To, um, Sneezing

WebMD has some great tips on surviving allergies. Learn how to minimize nature's effect on your health by allergy-proofing your home. Also find out which medications work best.