Saturday night with the Pixies

Here's a little change of pace for the weekend. All politics and no fun makes CTBlogger a dull daddy.

Speaker Amann pulls a hat trick

Wow, this guy made the headlines three times on this blog. He really is Joe Lieberman's buddy.

CTBlue has the details regarding the latest round of silliness from Speaker James "Arrogance of Power" Amann.

Ugh, is it 2008 yet?

Everyday sunshine!

She's gone!

In honor of this great moment, I present this oldie but goodie.
Guess she'll have to go back to feeding The Norwalk Hour with hitpieces or maybe she can get a gig on Sean's site...Lord knows he needs the help.

World Aids Day

December 1st is World Aids Day, a oppurtunity for people across the world to work together and fight this deadly disease.

AIDS doesn't care about your race, gender, sexual orientation, or social status...it's an equal oppurtunity killer. This country (and world) is still paying the price for the inaction (and ignorance) of the Regan administration and the view of many during that time that AIDS was a gay disease (may God have mercy on those who did that).

Although we all know better, due to our continued inaction, this disease is STILL killing people at an alarming rate with the hardest hit being children in Africa. Christy Hardin Smith at FDL pointed to a BBC article that does into detail about the suffering in Arfica.

n the countries hardest hit by AIDS economic growth has declined by half a percent every year between 1992 and 2004, the ILO report reveals. Worst affected is sub-Saharan Africa where the loss is higher - point seven percent. AIDS is killing the workforce. In 2005 three point four million people of working age died of the disease, this year that figure is expected to be four and a half million.

The effect is two fold. The economy becomes sluggish, growth drops, there's no energy for initiatives that will create new jobs. At the same time young people, many below working age lose their parents and are forced to work to survive. Often in dangerous and low paid jobs. For girls especially, that can mean the sex industry. Young people now account for half of all new HIV infections, what's more most young people with HIV don't even know they carry the virus.

She also pointed to an extermely painful article in the New York Times that details the people in Africa who are at the highest risk of catching the disease. It's very hard to get through but it's worth the read.

Thirty miles outside this down-at-the-heels seaside town, Justin Betombo tends his vanilla plants and cheers the local soccer team as if he had not a care in the world. And in fact, what was once his greatest worry has been almost magically lifted from his shoulders.

In the local prosecutor's office, a file filled with accusations that he had sodomized his 9-year-old niece has vanished.

Mr. Betombo was arrested in 2003 after the girl, Kenia, said he had savagely assaulted her. The police obtained his confession, which he later recanted, and a doctor’s certificate that Kenia had been sexually violated, rendering her incontinent and anorexic. Twice they sent the case file to the prosecutor.

There matters ended. Mr. Betombo attended one hearing in the prosecutor's office, but Kenia’s parents say they were not told about it. The records are nowhere to be found. And Mr. Betombo walked away a free man. Kenia's parents, distressed by what they saw as a travesty of justice, asked that her name be published, hoping that her case would set an example.

Among sub-Saharan Africa's children, such stories are disturbingly common. Even as this region races to adopt many of the developed world’s norms for children, including universal education and limits on child labor, one problem - child sexual abuse - remains stubbornly resistant to change.

[...]

Increasingly, African nations are openly acknowledging the problem, partly because AIDS has made children more likely to fall ill or die from sexual abuse. Campaigns against abuse are under way in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya, Sierra Leone and elsewhere.

The impact is apparent in Zimbabwe, where a child rights group estimates that at least 2,000 child rape victims have died of AIDS since 1998. "Literally for the first time in Zimbabwe’s history, child abuse is no longer a taboo subject," said James Elder, a Unicef spokesman.

That said, the response is minuscule compared with the extent of abuse, said Pamela Shifman, a child protection specialist at Unicef headquarters in New York. “We see huge numbers of girls affected," she said. "These crimes are still treated as the fault or the problem of the victim."

We can do so much to stop the spread of this disgusting disease...watch this video to find out one way you can help right now.



Learn more by clicking here. While you're at it, please make sure to join (RED) and help save a child's life.

About Lieberman's petty cash

Don't think we've forgotten about you Joe.

It's just a matter of time until everything behind the 387,000 in petty cash you dished out on the streets in the days leading up to the primary comes to light.

From Tim Targaris at MyDD

Following up on Matt's post, I called the FEC to inquire about their progress into the FEC investigation surrounding the $387,000 Joe Lieberman spread around the streets of Connecticut days before the primary. Essentially, the investigation continues and no one will be able to learn about its progress until it is completed.

Unless ... Joe Lieberman gives permission to add transparency to the elongated process.

Until then, only two people receive updates about the progress of the investigation: Tom Swan (who filed the complaint) and Joe Lieberman. Unless both parties give permission to open updates to the public, speaking about it is illegal. When it concludes, it will be assigned an FEC number and become searchable on fec.gov.

We have all the time in the world...

Speaker James Amann lies exposed by CTBob

This is a picture of a Speaker who looks threatened

Well, it didn't take too long to expose the lying liar named James Amann.

As I stated earlier, Speaker James Amann decided to do some lying damage control regarding his now famous "I'll crush them" comment and make it seem like the bloggers ambushed them and to WTIC's Diane Smith's credit, she didn't let Amann get away with that lie (how can Amann claim that bloggers don't respect his privacy WHEN HE WAS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE. How can he talk about bloggers as video papparazzi when HE'S LOOKING RIGHT INTO THE CAMERA FOR OVER 20 minutes).

Look, this is Bob's big day so I'll let him break it all down (including the ENTIRE 20+minute video). I'll just add that people like Joe Lieberman and James Amann are just arrogant and think they can get away with saying any lie they want to the media. Unlike Lieberman, Amann is just so slpooy with his lies that you almost feel bad when a little ol' blogger is able to make the third most powerful person in COnnecticut look like a complete fool.

It's just great to show YET again why People-Powered Media (PPM) is so important and why you CAN NOT TRUST what you read in the mainstream media and the mindless spin you get on certain local radio talk shows.

Can't wait to hear what you have to say now Mr. dishonest Speaker.

PPM baby!

James Amann whines to WTIC about his "I'll crush them" comment

Oh, this is just too much.

Seems like Speaker of the House James Amann was on WTIC trying his best to spin his experience with the bloggers.

It is simply amazing how Amann spins the whole "I'll crush them" episode to give the impression that he was ambushed by bloggers when anyone who has seem the video knows that this ws not the case.

Let's take this one step at a time...

First off, after LOSING THE PRIMARY to Ned Lamont (making him the official Democratic nominee for Senate), Joe Lieberman was NO LONGER running as a Democrat. He was now considered a candidate running under a new political party called Connecticut for Lieberman.

Unlike the entire leadership of the Connecticut Democratic Party, it seems like Amann obviously didn't understand the importance of party unity if the Democrats had any chance in capturing all the state Congressional seats.
I wonder if you would have tried that crap if Richard Blumenthal ran against Joe Lieberman and beat him in the primary...I think not. This was about an outsider like Lamont beating a member of the "club" and you couldn't stand it. Instead of doing the right thing and stepping down as Speaker before throwing you "support" behind you man, you chose to spit in the face of the entire Party and don't think anyone will forget (or forgive) you for that.

Second, Ned Lamont's candidacy against Joe Lieberman wasn't exclusively because of Lieberman's Iraq war stance. Unlike other Democrats in Congress who supported the war, Democrats in Connecticut who supported Lamont in the primary disliked Lieberman because he has continuously undermined the Democratic Party. People like Amann like to defend his choice to support Lieberman using the "one issue" excuse which is clearly not the case (just like the rationale behind getting rid of Amann in 2008 will not solely be because of his unwavering support for Lieberman).

Third, how can Amann can talk about a private moment when he was right after a press conference? It's not like bloggers are following politicians into the bathroom pressing them on questions. It was Amann who arrogantly turned around and opened his mouth and uttered the "I'll crush them" comment...no blogger forced him to utter those words.

This is Amann's true self coming to the surface and he knows it. There are many other examples of Amann's sharp tongue throughout the primary (hey James, remember the comment you made about Lamont supporters at the Clinton rally in Waterbury). For the Speaker of the House to make it seem that the bloggers somewhat ambushed him when it was he who blew his top is simply dishonest and outrageous.

For those who haven't seen the video, take a look. Listen to his tone of voice before his "I'll crush them comment."

Again, this is our Speaker of the House.

Three words: Arrogance of Power.

Hopefully come 2008, the people of Milford will have an alternative to this "Democrat." One of Ned Lamont's last stops on his campaign was in Milford and if that crowd was any indication, Amann should be concerned, very concerned about a true progressive candidate challenging him in the general election. There are plenty of reasons to give Amann the boot besides what he did to the party in supporting Lieberman (his stance regarding civil unions is a great start).

For more information on James Amann, click here

UPDATE: Readers on MLN are unloading on Amann's comments from today.

Heard Jimmy on WTIC this morning discussing his infamous "I'll crush them" moment. He was going on about how public figures never have a private moment anymore and have to constantly be on guard for bloggers with cameras. Diane Smith, to her credit, said "But this was just after a press conference, not in a private setting like at a wedding or restaurant."

He also discussed how he rationalizes continuing to support Holy Joe after the primary. He said even though he is allegedly a leader of the party, he is not bound to follow the party "in lockstep". He then said "if I want to continue supporting a fellow Democrat I shouldn't be run out of the party" Uh, Jim, Holy Joe isn't and wasn't a Democrat at that point. He was the CFL candidate and its unseemly for the Democratic Speaker of the House to be supporting him. I wonder how he'll free when the members of his caucus use this excuse when he tries to strong arm them into something. Party loyalty will ring hollow coming from him.

Go CT Bob - to quote another famous moron - "Bring it On!!!"


[...]

I remember the whinging about scary bloggers with cameras over the summer, too. After that time that CTBob caught me on video asking Barbara Boxer questions at one of his campaign photo-op events, even Colin McEnroe made a comment about bloggers being stalkers or "ambushing" political figures.

That pisses me off. It's not like CTBob or CTBlogger or Spazeboy ever followed Lieberman into the bathroom and fired questions at him on camera while he was using the urinal. Nobody "stalked" Barbara Boxer or "ambushed" her at her private home or walking out of her hotel room. These were public events. Characterizing video bloggers in such a manner not only demeans the people who are doing the righteous work of speaking truth to power, but also trivializes the very real danger of the crime of stalking.

[...]

that nagging suspicion that your excuses just didn't land the way you wanted them to, Jim Amann, is why you have to keep discussing it again and again, hoping you'll get it right and somehow it will land differently.

This was not about getting caught in private. This was not about being caught saying something that you didn't intend to be overheard. Otherwise, being careful about papparazzi would apply.

This was not only an answer to a question (which you could have declined to answer, recognizing you're your own worst enemy), but it involved your run back up the steps to repeat your ill-advised answer to a comment while the cameras rolled. Did viewers of the video miss your request to make your threat off the record? No, I think not.

Anyone who watches the video can see that this guy wasn't messed with. He messed with himself.

All I can say about this "fellow Democrat" stuff is that I am very, very sorry that the Sharon Ferrucci challenge of his party status didn't end with Joe on the street. It only got worse from that moment on, as he realized he could say whatever he wanted with impunity and get away with it. The Dem party and its big tent got played.

[...]

How much newspaper and flourpaste does it take to make an Amann float?

2008: Dump Amann.

Rummy first, Cheney next?

Sweet!

Gingrich: We must restrict free speech online to stop terrorists

George Orwell would be proud.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich yesterday said the country will be forced to reexamine freedom of speech to meet the threat of terrorism.

Gingrich, speaking at a Manchester awards banquet, said a "different set of rules" may be needed to reduce terrorists' ability to use the Internet and free speech to recruit and get out their message.

"We need to get ahead of the curve before we actually lose a city, which I think could happen in the next decade," said Gingrich, a Republican who helped engineer the GOP's takeover of Congress in 1994.

So in order to stop the terrorists, we should throw away the right to free speech?

...and people wonder why I've had it with Republicans.

Genghis copycat?

There is no substitute for the original but a decent analysis nonetheless.

Explain to me again why this person won the election?

Out of touch.

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman Monday tamped down expectations that the Iraq Study Group will provide a template to halt the deteriorating situation in Iraq, as he remains skeptical of what is expected to be its key recommendation — direct talks with Iran and Syria.

[...]

Baker, for several weeks now, has emphasized the wisdom of America talking to its foes as it tries to stabilize Iraq. "It’s not appeasement to talk to your enemies," he said on the ABC news program, "This Week."

But Lieberman doesn’t follow that logic.

"I am very skeptical of the value of having direct discussions with Iran and Syria about how to do better in Iraq," Lieberman said. "The notion that the road to peace or stability in Iraq is through Damascus or Tehran is puzzling to me."

[...]

Lieberman favors a role for the Sunni Arab countries, such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt "to help with the economic and political reconstruction of the country."

He said Vice President Dick Cheney was right to consult with Saudi Arabia and President Bush should meet with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Jordan this week. "I think those are the right places to be because those are more natural allies for us," he said.

I guess Joe didn't realize where a majority of the 9/11 hijackers came from...and I just just see Sunni-nations handling the situation in Shite controlled Iraq.

After all the lies and dirty tricks Lieberman did during the campaign, why does anyone take anything this man says seriously?

Draft Bob...

dump Amann.

Democratic aides not feeling the Joementum

Don't look at me, I voted for the True Democrat.

From the Raw Story

Democratic aides are upset that Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, who won reelection as an independent, has hired a former GOP spokesman who has also worked for the Christian Coalition and other conservative organizations, according to a Capitol Hill newspaper.

"Senate Democratic aides are a tad nervous about Sen. Joe Lieberman (Whatever-Conn.) hiring a former GOP spokesman to be his new communications director," Mary Ann Akers writes for Roll Call. "Especially those working for potential 2008 Democratic presidential contenders."

RAW STORY reported last week that 52-year-old political pundit and activist Marshall Wittmann, who formerly served as a senior fellow at the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), as a legislative director for the conservative Heritage Foundation, and as communications director to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), had been hired as Lieberman's new senate communications director.

"Several Senate Democratic aides say they’re uneasy about the notion of Lieberman’s new communications director, Marshall Wittmann, sitting in on their weekly press secretary meetings," Akers reports for Roll Call.

The aides have good reason to be nervous about the king of Bull Whittman. With the prospects of a laughable McCain/Lieberman 2008 ticket, I'd be nervous to have a known leaker and buddy of McCain sitting in on Democratic strategy meetings.

It's easy...do not trust Joe Lieberman or anyone on his staff.

CNN John Roberts: Iraq is a mess

When will people wake up to the reality in Iraq and start demanding that the troops come home?

Longer than World War II...

with no end in sight.

The war in Iraq has now lasted longer than the U.S. involvement in the war that President Bush's father fought in, World War II. As of Sunday, the conflict in Iraq has raged for three years and just over eight months.

Only the Vietnam War (eight years, five months), the Revolutionary War (six years, nine months), and the Civil War (four years), have engaged America longer.

[...]

Bush says he still is undecided whether to start bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq or add to the 140,000 there now.

He is awaiting the conclusions of several top-to-bottom studies, including a military review by Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Expected soon, too, are recommendations from an outside blue-ribbon commission headed by former Secretary of State James Baker, a Republican close to the Bush family, and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, an Indiana Democrat who was one of the leaders of the Sept. 11 commission.

The President who was so decisive when he took us into this war that he didn't listen to anyone but himself and Cheney now doesn't know what to do and is looking for cover by waiting for word from his "advisors."

Here's some advice George (and Joe), GET OUT OF IRAQ NOW. Leave the future of Iraq to the Iraqis and BRING THE TROOPS HOME.

Worse President in history.