Dubya: If we don't count the dead, then we have success!

McClatchy Newspapers reports:

U.S. officials who say there's been a dramatic drop in sectarian violence in Iraq since President Bush began sending more American troops into Baghdad aren't counting one of the main killers of Iraqi civilians.

Car bombs and other explosive devices have killed thousands of Iraqis in the last three years, but the administration doesn't include them in the casualty counts it's been citing as evidence that the surge of additional U.S. forces is beginning to defuse tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

"If the standard of success is no car bombings or suicide bombings, we have just handed those who commit suicide bombings a huge victory," he told TV interviewer Charlie Rose.

Yes, Mister President, if we don’t count the bombings, then the news in much, much better.

But, sir, that doesn't make it news, it makes a lie, it make it propaganda, it mangles the truth for your own political agenda.

But I wouldn't expect anything else from you, or your administration.

Keep up the good work!

The Super-Duper Friends

The Challenge of the Super-Duper Friends - see YouTube video below

Turn off. Shut down.

It's TV Turn Off Week - and just for good measure, I'm turning this bitch off for a whole week, too*.

A week with TV, no big whoop, I've pretty much been doing that for a year (or more).

A week without internet access, though...oh, the moist shivers.

I'm still planning on reading my e-mail...does that count?

- - - -

*someone just sent me Challenge of the Super-Duper Friends and I just couldn't resist!

- - - -

Related (and creepy)-- AdBusters

The number of ads and marketing messages that you encounter in any given day is actually increasing, and it's increasing at a rate that has surprised even the most cynical amongst us.

For years, the number that everyone in the industry seemed to be tossing around - for your average urban dweller in your average rich nation - was 3,000. That's 3,000 billboards, sandwich boards, TV commercials, radio spots, posters, newspaper inserts, storefront promos, magazine ads, web banners, spam emails, product placements, infomercials, sponsorship logos, advertorials, and so on, and so on, every single day. It seemed that we had reached the limits of possibility, absolute marketing saturation.

Based primarily on research conducted by Yankelovich Inc. - the respected American public opinion and market research firm whose founder coined the term "baby boomer" - the number on most everyone's tongue these days is closer to 5,000.

America Mourns...

...at McDonald's.

Holt's Summit, Missouri -- The American flag flies at half-mast in honor of those slain at Virginia Tech.

Bunnies Bombard Budapest Beltway!

Bunnies!!!!!!!!!!

"...Thousands of escaped rabbits brought chaos to a Hungarian motorway after a collision involving the truck carrying the animals led to a mass rabbit run."

Thanks to Ryan for this story.

Regarding Sanjaya

The younglings have their heroes and grown folks have short memories.

From Classrooms to Cellblocks

The Bush Family's Reign of Terror Continues

Shock and awe from the realms of elementary education and United States Concentration Camps, y'all.

It seems that Congress mandated a study about the use of technology in the classroom. Our duly appointed (and that’s questionable) dimwits (and that’s not) wanted to learn more about Dubya’s technology initiative and the impact of the president's No Child Left Behind policy.

You see, Fearless Leader – The Great Decider – reckoned that in these days of internetical tubes and standardized tests that “a computer in every classroom” and “teaching to the test” would boondoggle folks into compliance and passivity over the sorry-assed state of America's public schools.

Kinda reminds me of “40 acres and a mule,” but that’s another post for another day…

But guess what, kids?

Simply putting a computer in a classroom don't make a damn bit of difference in students' performance or learning -- even when the computer was purchased from the president's brother, Neil Bush!

Ahhh....Bringing in the bucks selling ineffectual educational software to America's failing school systems: that's another Bush-based American success story.

Okay, okay...I’m overstating the connection between the Bush family, their avarice, their disdain for the Constitution and the effectiveness of Neil Bush’s $3800 talking COW computer. From what I’ve read, it doesn’t seem that the Bush software/hardware was reviewed for its effectiveness in the classroom.

Imagine that!

Nevertheless, this report speculates what could be the most mind-boggling concept in the history of American public education:

1. Students do better when class sizes are smaller and teachers can spend more time with students!!!

2. Students who

STUDY MORE

(whether reading materials are online or in-hand)

LEARN MORE!

Revo-fucking-lutionary.

As for the Bush family: I do have to commend Neil for his COW computer company’s educational video explaining Habeas Corpus (below).

Neil's talking COW seems to contradict his brother’s talking jackass:

"The Constitution doesn't say every individual in the United States or every citizen is hereby granted or assured the right of habeas [corpus]...''
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
-- Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Jan. 17, 2007.

More Info:

The Report: More teachers, smaller classes and studying *gasp* help students learn.

Neil Bush's Dubai-funded educational corporation: WorldNetDaily

Prisoner abuse: "USA: Cruel and Inhuman — Conditions of Isolation for Detainees in Guantanamo Bay."

Bush administration's dismantling of Department of Justice: Salon

"Foxy" in the Belgian henhouse: Bush's buddy appointed Ambassador, forgoing Senate confirmation.

Semper Fi

-- Fortunate Son

Grills, Girls and Bel-Nor

If a picture's worth a thousand words, here's hoping 6,000 would flesh this out for you.

- - - - -

It was any other Saturday.

Wake up.
Coffee.
Half a pack, need a carton.

Ride the bike.

Shop.

Foam.
Teeth (glue included).
Paint pen (Crayola, non-toxic, don't fret).
Smokes.

Home.

Make foam suit.
Paint teeth.

Fuck!

Forgot suspenders.

Shop.

Home.

Smoke. Coffee. Shower. Contacts.

Fuck!

Teeth won't stick.
Walgreen's.
Polident. On sale. Yeah!

- - - -

Karen's 50th.

James Bond theme -- costumes encouraged.

Most folks didn't get it.

Curious looks and questions.

Used to that by now.

The Spy Who Loved Me...Moonraker...??!!??

Blank stares.

Nervous chuckles.

Hard to talk.

Gnarled plastic, silver teeth, cannot swallow.

Tongue's coated with pink adhesive.

Fuck it!

Where's the bar?

Arrrghhhhh!

An Aston Martin.

Just for kicks!

Change clothes.

Next party.

House party.

Up north.

You've heard the story.

Hell of a House (RFT).

Linda Blair, but a boy.

Grab a drink.

Find the kid's room.

Get the hell out.

Literally.

Is this The Exorcist or The Matrix?

Needs paint, either way.

One for the road.