;)
The Commentariat -- Nov. 16, 2012
Paul Krugman: "... the most dangerous zombie [idea] is probably the claim that rising life expectancy justifies a rise in both the Social Security retirement age and the age of eligibility for Medicare. Even some Democrats -- including, according to reports, the president -- have seemed susceptible to this argument. But it's a cruel, foolish idea -- cruel in the case of Social Security, foolish in the case of Medicare -- and we shouldn't let it eat our brains." Krugman explains why, then writes, "This should be a red line in any budget negotiations, and we can only hope that Mr. Obama doesn't betray his supporters by crossing it." ...
... ** E. J. Dionne takes a clear-eyed view of what the election means for both parties. CW: Read the whole column, but one point I hope President Obama reads: "A longing for balanced budgets is not what drove [Democratic] voters to the polls."
CBS News: "CBS News has obtained the CIA talking points given to U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice on Sept. 15 regarding the fatal attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, four days earlier. CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan says the talking points, which were also given to members of the House intelligence committee, make no reference to terrorism being a likely factor in the assault, which left U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead." CW: as if we ever doubted it, the whole GOP Benghazi hyperventilation factory has been a sham & a scam. ...
... Apparently there are CIA talking points & CIA talking points. CNN: "A source told CNN that Petraeus knew almost immediately that it was the work of a loosely formed militia with members sympathetic to al Qaeda.... The former CIA director also is expected to tell the congressional committees that he did develop unclassified talking points in the days after the attack but had had no direct involvement in developing the ones used by Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations."
Josh Rogin of Foreign Policy: "Republicans skip Benghazi hearing; complain about lack of information on Benghazi. This week, a number of Republican senators have strongly criticized the administration for failing to properly explain the circumstances surrounding the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi. Some of those senators failed to show up for a briefing on the attack Wednesday.... Although [Sen. John] McCain [R-Az.] had time to speak on the Senate floor and on television about the lack of information provided to Congress about the attack, he didn't attend the classified briefing for senators Wednesday given to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, of which he is a member.... Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), another Homeland Security committee member who was on television complaining about the lack of Benghazi information, also did not show up for the Wednesday hearing. Paul did a CNN interview from the Capitol building Wednesday in which said he had questions about the anti-Islam video, the lack of Marines in Libya, and diplomatic security. At one point he says, 'I don't know enough of the details.'" ...
... Hunter of Daily Kos: "McCain's response to a reporter asking him why he missed the meeting in order to demand a meeting was to have a considerably impressive meltdown."
... Dan Amira of New York: "Five of eight Republicans on the committee failed to show up, including John McCain.... We guess even McCain is embarrassed by how that turned out, because he was even more crotchety than usual when a CNN reporter asked him about it today.... Yes, being called out on your own bullshit can be quite upsetting":
CW: don't know what all the fuss is about. There are no cameras in secret hearings. Who could possibly expect media hogs McCain & Paul to go to dark in favor of, you know, doing their jobs? ...
... Here's a good post from Alex Pareene of Salon, slugged, "John McCain and his sidekick, Lindsey Graham, are determined to get to the bottom of an entirely made-up scandal."
... Dave Weigel of Slate: "The current round of Benghazi hearings are closed, and senators are not allowed to talk about what occurred inside them. 'You'll have to read the New York Times to find out,' joked Marco Rubio this week. McCain wants public, select committee hearings, which have been accurately described as 'Watergate-style.'" ...
... Paul Waldman of American Prospect: "So what's going on here? I can sum it up in two words: scandal envy. Republicans are indescribably frustrated by the fact that Barack Obama, whom they regard as both illegitimate and corrupt, went through an entire term without a major scandal.... Benghazi may not be an actual scandal, but it's all they have handy."
Nobody died in Iran-Contra. -- John McCain ...
... Dennis G. of Balloon Juice: "We all know that McCain is a bitter, angry old man and perhaps the sorest loser in the history of American politics, but that does not obscure the fact that at his center he is an ignorant, lying asshole. At least 30,000 folks died as a result a direct result of the Contras and their war in Nicaragua. The Iran-Contra funded covert project spilled over into El Salvador where another 75,000 people lost their lives and to Guatemala where CIA funded death squads helped helped to push the body count to over 200,000. The Iraq-Iran war that Team Reagan was funding with the scandal added another 450,000 to the count." ...
... CW: McCain was a Member of Congress during Iran-Contra & actively supported the Contras, including belonging to an organization that "was part of an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America" & that illegally supplied the Nicaraquan Contras. Nobody died? McCain busied himself making sure people did die.
CarrollAnn Mears of NBC News: "A House Foreign Affairs hearing on 'Benghazi and Beyond' quickly turned into a shouting and accusations forum." Thanks to Jeanne B. for the link.
Jillian Rayfield of Salon: "The entire GOP leadership has signed a pledge to 'oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.' The Tea Party group Americans for Prosperity, which is backed by the Koch brothers, sent out a press release Thursday marking the election of House GOP leadership with a reminder that they had all signed." CW: President Obama should ram the Koch pledge down the throats of the GOP leadership. There is little downside to batting at billionaires -- or their toadies.
Philip Elliott of the AP: "Less than two weeks after Republican nominee Mitt Romney came up short in his bid to unseat President Barack Obama, the next class of GOP presidential hopefuls is laying the groundwork for bids of their own."
James Hohmann of Politico: Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico (R) "expressed disdain for Romney's claim this week on a conference call that Obama won reelection because he offered 'gifts' to minorities and younger voters. 'That unfortunately is what sets us back as a party -- our comments that are not thought through carefully,' she said."
Scott Lemieux of Lawyers, Guns & Money explains politics -- and human nature -- to Glenn Greenwald: "Ineffectual opposition tends to be ineffectual." Via Jonathan Bernstein.
Hamed Aleaziz: Fox "News," still swiftboating John Kerry. "The Swift Boat claims are no more true now than they were in 2004, when Republicans like like Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) immediately came to Kerry's defense and slammed Swift Boat’s ad." With video. CW: let's see if Grumpy McCain comes to Kerry's defense now that McCain has become the Crotchitiest Man in the Senate. It's been a great couple of days for failed GOP presidential nominees, hasn't it? What an outstanding couple of citizens. ...
... Ah, Steve Kornacki of Salon noticed the Co-Chairs of the Sore Losers Club, too. "McCain's various self-reinventions as a politician are best understood as acts of sore loser-dom.... His reputation took a hit in '08, but he had an opportunity to restore it in defeat. Instead, he's behaved like an embittered partisan warrior. And so far, it's an example that Romney and Ryan are following." Read the whole post.
... Meanwhile, Fox "News"'s resident fake Democratic feminist Kirsten Powers calls President Obama a "sexist" for defending Susan Rice, Ed Kilgore reports. CW: why Powers failed to mention that black people stick together, I don't know. It's very important to reinforce the idea that the whole administration is "foreign" to Real America. John McCain can't do everything, you know.
Ernesto Londoño of the Washington Post: "The Pentagon has launched a sweeping review into misconduct by senior officers, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced Thursday, a rare undertaking at the nation's largest bureaucracy, beset by recent high-profile scandals involving the brass.... The effort could shed light on whether the multiple deployments in a decade of war, which have exacted a well-documented toll on an all-volunteer force, also are afflicting those in command." ...
... Jonathan Landay of McClatchy News: "The CIA said Thursday that it had opened an 'exploratory' investigation into the conduct of former director David Petraeus, who resigned after admitting to adultery, on the same day that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered the military services to review ways to strengthen ethics standards 'that keep the military well led and well disciplined.'" ...
... Mark Hosenball & Andy Sullivan of Reuters: "Classified material kept by the woman who conducted an affair with former CIA Director David Petraeus predates their liaison and does not come from the spy agency, sources briefed on the investigation told Reuters on Thursday." ...
... Kathy Finn of Reuters: "Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday defended the Justice Department's decision to hold off informing President Barack Obama of an investigation that eventually caused CIA Director David Petraeus to resign." ...
... Eric Schmitt of the New York Times writes an overview of the most recent developments in the Petraeus Affair & Congressional "investigations" of the Benghazi attack.
Greg Jaffe & Anne Gearan of the Washington Post write a compelling profile of Paula Broadwell, the little engine who couldn't quite. This interview of the reporters in good, too:
Jill Kelley, Sleazier than She Looks. (Who thought that was possible? Meow.) Brian Ross of ABC News: "A New York businessman who discussed a multi-billion-dollar Korean business deal with Jill Kelley said the Tampa woman at the center of the Petraeus scandal told him Gen. Petraeus had arranged for her to become an honorary consul for South Korea and promote free trade, and then asked him for $80 million to complete the deal.... Another source told ABC News that Petraeus had asked Kelley to stop throwing his name around." Thanks to contributor Diane for the link. CW: sorry, Jill. Looks like there will be no big payoff for all your generous "charity" work. Kaching kaput.
... AND the Petraeus Affair brings to mind this explanation of the Theory of American War by the late, great Freudian military analyst George Carlin. Thanks to contributor Jack Mahoney for the link:
... And that brings to mind the story of Ali Abbas, a then-12-year-old Iraqi, who, as Joan Walsh of Salon wrote, "lost 15 relatives, including his parents and three siblings, as well as both of his arms, in an errant missile strike on a Baghdad suburb.... He's got burns all over his body, some of them are infected, he's in constant pain, and he's had to be moved from hospital to hospital thanks to looters.... When [CNN] anchor Kyra Phillips interviewed Ali's doctor in Kuwait..., [he] explained that ... Ali told reporters he ... he hopes no other 'children in the war will suffer like what he suffered.' Phillips seemed shocked by Ali's apparent inability to understand we were only trying to help him. 'Doctor, does he understand why this war took place? Has he talked about Operation Iraqi Freedom and the meaning?'" It's easy to forget or ignore the warmongering media. Luckily, we get constant reminders, like Andrea Mitchell last week, hyperventilating over the fall from grace of the god Petraeus. (In fairness, I have to admit, I'm not entirely into Carlin's explanation. It doesn't for instance, explain Phillips' & Mitchell's cheerleading.)
Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar of the AP: "After two years of political battles and a Supreme Court case, many if not most states are expected to tell the federal government Friday if they're willing carry out a key part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. [Since Republican governors sat on their hands in hopes of an Obama defeat,] Thursday evening, the Obama administration responded to a request for more time from Republican governors by granting states a month's extension, until Dec. 14." The article includes a map to let you know where your state stands.
Local News
Jillian Rayfield of Salon has the story of a pink-colored man named Charlie Webster, who is "the outgoing Chairman of the Maine Republican Party." Webster is sleuthing for "possible instances of voter fraud on Election Day, because 'dozens' of black people voted in some precincts, but 'nobody in (these) towns knows anyone who's black.'" Webster went on to say, "I'm not talking about 15 or 20. I'm talking hundreds. I'm not politically correct and maybe I shouldn't have said these voters were black, but anyone who suggests I have a bias toward any race or group, frankly, that's sleazy."...
... CW: it's not clear to me how Webster determined these mystery voters were black because I don't think you have to put your race on voter registration forms. Well, maybe in Maine. BTW, President Obama won the state of Maine 387,794 to 290,437, give or take a few, so by 97,000-odd votes. I'm just thinking those alleged "hundreds" of blacks "nobody knows" couldn't have tilted the election either way. In fairness, math is not a GOP thing.
News Ledes
Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. (Actually, President Obama is wishing Speaker Boehner a happy birthday.)Washington Post: "In a display of bipartisanship unseen since the GOP captured the House in 2010, Republican and Democratic leaders met for more than an hour with President Obama at the White House. They emerged unified, with a message of reassurance for nervous taxpayers and investors -- though intense haggling over the shape of a deal is yet to come."
Politico: "Former CIA Director David Petraeus testified Friday morning that the CIA knew that the Benghazi attacks were a terrorist attack and not a spontaneous demonstration, and he denied that his sensational extramarital affair had any impact on his testimony." The Washington Post story, which relies largely on an interview of Peter King (R-N.Y.), is substantially different from the Politico report. According to King's interpretation, Petraeus testified he gave Susan Rice different information than what she told the American people. ...
... The AP found a staffer more reliable than King: "Ex-CIA Director David Petraeus has told Congress that references to militant groups Ansar al-Shariah and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb were removed from the agency's draft talking points of what sparked the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya. A congressional staffer says Petraeus testified in a closed-door hearing Friday that the CIA's talking points did name those groups. Petraeus told lawmakers he wasn't sure which agency replaced the groups' names with the word 'extremist; in the final draft. But he said he allowed other agencies to alter the talking points as they saw fit without asking for final review, to get them out quickly." ...
... Finally, the New York Times report, published several hours after the other reports, reads to me as most accurate (though the Politico report, published earliest, is fairly consistent with the Times report).
New York Times: "President Obama opens a new round of deficit-reduction negotiations with Congressional leaders of both parties Friday morning at the White House, his bargaining hand strengthened by re-election but with time running out for a deal to avoid economy-rattling tax increases and spending cuts at the turn of the year."
New York Times: "Egypt launched a remarkable diplomatic initiative on Friday after a night of ferocious Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and militant rocket fire toward Israel, sending its prime minister to show support for Palestinians in the beleaguered enclave. The move prompted Israel to agree to a temporary, though flawed, cease-fire even as it sent armored vehicles toward Gaza and called up reservists for a possible invasion." ...
... Reuters: "Egypt opened a tiny window to emergency peace diplomacy in Gaza on Friday, but hopes for even a brief ceasefire while its prime minister was inside the bombarded enclave to talk to leaders of the Islamist Hamas movement were immediately dashed." ...
... Washington Post: "A temporary truce between Israel and Gaza militants during a Friday morning visit by Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil quickly crumbled as Palestinians continued to lob rockets across the border and Israeli aircraft responded with renewed airstrikes." Update. New lede: "... lobbed rockets as far north as Jerusalem...."
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Reader Comments (18)
I find Krugman's piece incredible even in today's world. It has been well established for a long time that the increase in life expectancy is almost entirely do to the increased chances of surviving childhood. The main reason for this is vaccines and antibiotics. The numbers our brainless politicians are using have as Krugman points out very little to do with life expectancy after age 66. This information is not hard to find. I wonder if any of these politicians have ever heard of Google. We can solve the entire issue if they can figure out how to type the words 'Life expectancy' and look at this totally unheard of thing called Wikipedia.
This reminds me of one of my favorite little things on 40's on XM radio where they say 'you can find us on Facebook but wait we don't know what this Facebook thing is'. Of course it is no longer 1940 except on the radio and in some brains.
Nobody died in Iran-Contra. -- John McCain ...
This sleazy little quote is a direct view into McCain's cold black heart, yet can be seen as being analogous to a larger symptom. He says nobody died in Iran-Contra because the only people worth living through war in his eyes are Americans. I can't say for certain that zero Americans died in this scandal, I imagine some did while undercover playing mercenary G.I. Joe. But the mountains of dead bodies produced from this scandal don't count in McCain's eyes because they come from Banana Republics and the Central Americans still carry indian traits from their ancestors.
I wouldn't be surprised to still find warmongers in the U.S. claiming the genocide of Native Americans never happened and there is certainly no blood on the hands of the white man.
This quote is just a further look into the embedded racism that proliferates within the U.S. It's indirect but right in your face.
Why do you think these psychopaths are so eager to start new wars? Because each war is against colored folks and their lives are meaningless to them. In the Iraq war, only 4,488 (according to antiwar.com) people died. The American soldiers. The rest are just statistics.
This is Kipling's "White Man's Burden" reborn again Evangelist-style.
Safari, to your point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzrQSba-1k4&ytsession=C2wstky11mIbJyIUWOmw2gH9rR7i0D2uNtfo17Nl3rdrkpLmYON0V5_LWtl4E2xZZTXMNttfo_kdiMY8rSVchu4kXRJC5aloJvPDxIoFfEV9qBp7mbVR2y4UG4Z-tFSRP5MbFmqCzEYsN3kBRwuisfEh8jxWYTO2x6KGLAggUgtIpSxGHGJb9e8IYadJB-ITOcV3HrgAtH_wE-XeXPzd1Ngu6fTO75M4N1c01EZ7bkU
CSpan had coverage of Connolly and Ackerman putting down the Republican saber rattlers. It was a sight to behold––a sweet melody to me ears.
I also caught Piers whatshisname interview with John McCain. Wow! our grouchy old man was all smiles, was laughing, rather manically, I thought, –––all this fuss over a little back and forth with a journalist, he said, that's what they do, you know, follow you around, try to get information––sometimes I give it to them, other time I tell them to take a hike. But what about you not attending the meeting? whatshisname asked. It was just a mistake in scheduling––now he's laughing and saying the democrats love to make mountains out of molehills. Yep, that's what we do, you confused, bitter son of a bitch!
Re: I'm a relevant elephant; Many comments past I mentioned the opinion of a retired Air Force intelligence man of John McCain, "shouldn't, couldn't fly a paper plane." "Son of an admiral, son of...."
Old man wisdom comes from looking back at your life and accepting the character flaws of your own as well as others. Without that self awareness there is no wisdom. Chances are McCain will continue to see his sterling character in the mirror and never get wisdom.
What a monumental waste of time conducting hearings on Benghazi, not to mention a twisted and craven use of the death of Ambassador Stevens. It's real clear that Republicans, whether through pure partisanship, a special hate relationship with the President or just plain seeking the stage "don't need no stinkin' facts" to come to a conclusion about the deaths in Benghazi. Its in line with their disdain of facts about all other subjects.
McCain has to be on medication to control his erratic behavior. He's always been an out of control asswipe ( I'd wager a conduct disorder from childhood) but he's a thin mint away from babbling in the corner. Lord, I hope he's not armed. Good thing he's a little guy with semi-unworkable arms.
The guy I volunteered for, Ami Bera won his seat (announced today), another House seat for Dems! Lungren (R) was a longtime occupant of the House. I suspect Bera is not as progressive as I'd like, but it could be the caution of campaigning. Got both Clinton and Fluke to come and appear with him. Little background - he's a 2nd generation Indian and a physician. Was county health officer for a stint, Kaiser doc, no previous public office. Married to an African American physician and they have a teen daughter. Lost in 2012 by a few points to Lungren. Redistricting this time. DCC spent $'s on his campaign. I have to say my volunteering was a LOT of data entry and driving canvassers - I am way too cranky to be let lose on Republicans either over the phone or in person..
Oh Lord. Talk about leading with the wrong head. The South Korean "honorary" consul deal. Kelley trying to broker a free trade deal and wanting 80m while dropping Petraeu's name.
http://news.yahoo.com/businessman-jill-kelley-asked-80m-bragged-petraeus-connection-234313690--abc-news-topstories.html
Safari,
My sentiments exactly, re: the increasingly irrelevant John McCain who, when questioned by a CNN producer as to why he skipped a meeting that could have provided him with the information about Benghazi he claims has been denied him--loudly and incessantly in front of cameras--screamed "Who are you to question me?"
I'll tell you who he is senator.
He's an American citizen and you, you little shit, are his goddam employee, so shut the FUCK UP and answer his question you little Jiminy Cricket Napoleon pipsqueak motherfucker.
Okay, now I feel better.
Jack, love the Carlin clip. RIP George, we miss you, brother. Oh what Carlin could have done with the Rat.
@Akhilleus, et al. McCain uses CNN & all the Sunday talkshows to spout his nonsense, but he doesn't think he should have to actually answer to them for said nonsense. Obviously, that "offensive" Tom Bennett -- the reporter who "ambushed" Senator Grumpygeezer -- is not in a league with David Gregory, who would never blindside one of his trustworthy "gets" with something as tawdry as journalism.
If McCain isn't bad enough, the networks are worse. Even when McCain tells a CNN reporter to STFU, CNN's "biggest" show, as P. D. Pepe tells us, turns right around & books him as a featured guest. As long as the networks are booking McCain once a week & Gingrich & Noonan nearly as often, no one should take them even remotely seriously.
And, yes, Charlie Rose is still as relevant as "Between Two Ferns." I can hardly wait till he has his favorite guest on again -- Tom Friedman.
Marie
Marie,
PD was entirely correct to refer to Piers Morgan as Piers whatsisname. Another hack. Maybe not on the level of Fluffy Gregory who, by this time, can identify all his regular guests by pictures of their feet with which he has become intimately familiar, having licked most of them clean.
But Morgan is still a hack, a Murdoch dummy who defended Sir Rupes during the phone hacking scandal. "Oh, rubbish, he would never do such an underhanded thing, and if he did, it couldn't have been all that bad..."
Asshole. His CNN celebrity interviews are all of a piece with his work as a "judge" on shows like America's Got Talent. Really? Seriously? Could you see Ed Murrow or Walter Cronkite appearing as hosts on game shows? Luke Russert, sure. He could be the host of "I Earned My Way Here, Assholes".
But no public servant is above being questioned about something serious. If the guy had come up and asked McCain when was the last time he beat his wife, McCain would have every reason to tell the guy to get lost, but a question about a subject McCain personally has been making a big deal out of? Sorry. He doesn't get to do that then go on Piers whatsisname and make a joke out of it.
Fuck him. Another Republican Loser.
But what else can expect from a guy who calls his wife the C word and a strumpet, in public, in front of of reporters.
Maverick? More like JustaDick.
Yet another wonderful gift from the Bush Administration!
A new scan for Alzheimers is now widely available, BUT because of the Bush Administration's implacable hostility to stem cell research, we are years behind in treatment. Thanks, George!
Here's the link to the new scan:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/health/for-alzheimers-detection-advances-outpace-treatment-options.html?pagewanted=2&hp
Thanks for the George Carlin clip. Caused serious laughing,and a little bit of tears. I am not sure if the latter was due to the jokes or the fact the George is gone. Can you just imagine his show in today's world?
Nobody gets on any stage and tells the truth like Carlin.
PD, Kate: We haven't heard about your brothers since the election. Have they been taken off their respirators?
@James: to date I have received a video of some guys on a boat rescuing a whale that was tangled up in long ropes of webbing––quite an amazing feat; pictures of deer in someone's back yard; a test that one can take to determine how long one is going to live. Nary a word about Obama winning nor anything about Romney losing. I have not, being one not to rub failure in faces, lorded over him his certainty that the results would be otherwise. BUT––stay tuned, it will be only a matter of time before the shock wears off and his kind will continue to disparage and cry havoc on this socialist president and his partners in crime. In the meantime, I'll let sleeping dogs lie.
Re: "Mark Hosenball & Andy Sullivan of Reuters: 'Classified material kept by the woman who conducted an affair with former CIA Director David Petraeus predates their liaison and does not come from the spy agency...'"
Well, I suppose that it should come as some relief to us out here that Petraeus did not(?) leak the classified information that was on Broadwell's home computer, but that scarcely exonerates Broadwell herself.
Wen Ho Lee, suspected "traitor" at Los Alamos National Laboratory, was ultimately found guilty of no more than mishandling of classified information (which happens all the time), and yet he spent 9 months in solitary confinement while being investigated for treason.
After the DOE and the FBI presented their "evidence" against Lee, a highly respected Federal judge issued a sincere apology to Lee, and his sentence was reduced from treason to the minor offense of "mishandling of classified information."
Neither the DOE nor the FBI ever proved Wen Ho Lee to be a traitor, just a rather arrogant scientist who had his own, wrong, way of doing things.
Personally, I think that Broadwell should spend a month or nine in solitary confinement for treason herself before being exonerated of the same offense.
@James and PD-
I sent my brother (in Georgia) the following bit from Marie's Commentariat a few days ago:
..."Tim Murphy of Mother Jones: "President Obama is using a Cold War-era mind-control technique known as 'Delphi' to coerce Americans into accepting his plan for a United Nations-run communist dictatorship in which suburbanites will be forcibly relocated to cities. That's according to a four-hour briefing delivered to Republican state senators at the Georgia state Capitol last month."
Here is his response:
..."That's the agenda for sure. It's all part of the "green" movement."
????????? No wonder I am a bit crazy. Imagine being in the womb with a twin who thinks that way. He does not think Obama is smart either--thinks he was a total affirmative action student. And got into Harvard only because he was Black, as opposed to Lord S.B., who got in on his SATs and brains. Yikes!
@Zee. An excellent point. I'm not sure why Broadwell should have to sit in solitary confinement, though. Wen Ho Lee shouldn't have been incarcerated. It wasn't just the federal judge who apologized to Lee. President Clinton did, too, & Lee settled a suit against the government for $1.6 million.
Of course the difference is that Broadwell is from Some Dakota, and Lee is from China. No wait, he was born in Taiwan, not exactly a friend of the country to which he was accused of passing secrets.
Life isn't fair.
Marie
@Marie--
Agreed!
Life isn't fair, dammit, and Broadwell will get off Scot-free.