WuzzaDem

That Second-Hand Smoke's a Killer

From TNR:THE BLOGOSPHERE'S SMOKE-FILLED BACKROOM:

Are Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas (of the famous Daily Kos) engaged in a pay-for-play scheme in which politicians who hire Armstrong as a consultant get the support of Kos?
...
...Armstrong, Kos, and other big-time liberal bloggers have almost entirely ignored the issue, which is a bit surprising considering their tendency to rapidly respond to even the smallest criticism.

Why the strange silence in the face of such damning allegations? Well, I think we now know the answer. It's a deliberate strategy orchestrated by Kos. TNR obtained a missive Kos sent earlier this week to "Townhouse," a private email list comprising elite liberal bloggers, including Jane Hamsher, Matt Stoller, and Christy Hardin Smith:

...This story will percolate in wingnut circles until then, but I haven't gotten a single serious media call about it yet. Not one. So far, this story isn't making the jump to the traditional media, and we shouldn't do anything to help make that happen.

My request to you guys is that you ignore this for now. It would make my life easier if we can confine the story. Then, once Jerome can speak and defend himself, then I'll go on the offensive (which is when I would file any lawsuits) and anyone can pile on. If any of us blog on this right now, we fuel the story. Let's starve it of oxygen. And without the "he said, she said" element to the story, you know political journalists are paralyzed into inaction.

Thanks, markos

New rules from Kos:

1. It's not really a story unless the "traditional media" covers it


2. One should refrain from reporting on a controversy unless the "case is fully closed", or if the person at the center of said controversy says it would make their life "A lot easier" if you were "starve [the story] of oxygen" by "ignoring" or "confining" it.

Duly noted, Markos.

Anyone care to start a countdown to the big "offensive" by Markos and Jerome Armstrong? BTW, is the DLC radioactive yet?

UPDATE: Never blog against the family (H/T: Ace)

 

Truthout's Greatest Hits (Part I)

On Sale Now (Although I'm not sure anyone's buying)

 

Eyes Wide Open

Heh.

Good luck with that, indeed.

 

Truthout: Taking Lemons and Making Champagne

Ummm...OK

Returning to "06 cr 128"

By Hugh Jass

Mon Jun 19th, 2006

...Fitzgerald appears to have used the indictment, and more importantly, the fear that it would go public, to extract information about the Plame outing case from Rove.

...Fitzgerald is apparently examining closely Dick Cheney's role in the Valerie Plame matter, and apparently sought information and evidence from Karl Rove that would provide documentation of Cheney's involvement.

 

Bigger Than Watergate?

By Hugh Jass

Wed Aug 30th, 2006

...we decided once again to stand by the story when our sources assured us that Cheney was indeed indicted. Needless to say, we're disappointed that the mainstream media did not follow our lead in reporting the indictment.

...learned that, just as he did with Rove, Fitzgerald is using Cheney's sealed indictment to pressure the Vice President to testify against Bush, who at the very least is guilty of...

 

We Can And Will Win This

By Hugh Jass

Thu (is it Thursday? Someone stole my desk calendar.) Sep 18th, 2008

...while most members of the mainstream media take Fitzgerald's announcement that his investigation into the Plame matter is "closed" to means he is no longer investigating the Plame matter, our sources assure us this is not the case.

...there is, in fact, direct and damning evidence that...ummm...what's that guy's name again? You know, the Rethug nominee. Anyway, you know who I'm talking about - tall guy, wears a suit and tie, always on TV making speeches...

 

The Party's All But Over

By Hugh Jass

Tue (I don't f**king believe this! Some a**hole stole my new desk calendar! I know it was Leopold. He's probably back on...wait, am I saying this out loud?) Jan 20th, 2009

...plainly, the President's mind was on other matters during the REALLY BIG MEDIA EVENT the press calls an "inauguration speech". Maybe he was preoccupied thinking about the sealed indictment that looms over...

 

They Think I don't Know What They're Doing

By Hugh Jass

Mon Mar 16th, 2009 (According to the administration, that is - I'll have a post on this in exactly 2 weeks)

I know. I see. I hear the helicopters. Quiet! Do you hear them? That same one has been hovering over...

 

Does Anyone Want To Buy a Can Opener?

By Hugh Jass

Sat Apr 11th, 2009

Oster Adjustable Height Power Pierce Can Opener 3118/3131, with magnetic lid lifter

Excellent Condition, used only once

$5

Can do!

 

What, My Can Opener's Not Good Enough For You?

By Hugh Jass

Sun Apr 12th, 2009 (Like you really give a sh*t, right?)

Or maybe you all have can openers already. Is that what you want me to believe?

Right. You expect me to believe that there's not ONE SINGLE PERSON reading this blog - a blog that I shouldn't have to remind you exists solely to promote TRUE democracy - who could use a kick-ass Oster Adjustable Height Power Pierce Can Opener 3118/3131, with magnetic lid lifter...

 

I'd Like To Apologize For My Husband's Behavior

By Mrs. Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009

I'm sorry, but Hugh hasn't been feeling well lately. You all know how hard he took the news about the whole Fitzgerald investigation, and he....

 

Hey, Don't Apologize For me!

By Hugh Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009 (Or whatever)

I've got nothing to apologize for, and neither do you!

 

What Are You Doing Up, Honey?

By Mrs. Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009

You know the doctor said you need your rest. Maybe you should take another...

 

I'm Not Taking Any More Pills!!

By Hugh Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009 (Or whatever)

I've got to call my sources! Did you tell my sources where I was??? How will they know where to find me when the next indictment is sealed?

 

Orderly! I Need Some Help In Here!

By Mrs. Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009

Give me a hand, please. He got out of bed again.

 

Get Away From Me!

By Hugh Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009???

I can have every one of you indicted! I have sources!!!

 

I'm Going To Have To Ask You To Calm Down, Sir

By Orderly

Tue Apr 14th, 2009

We're just going to give you a little shot, then you can get some sleep.

 

I Don't Want To Sleep!

By Hugh Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009???

No! I...AAAAH!

 

Zzzzzzzzzz

By Hugh Jass

Tue Apr 14th, 2009???

............

 

UPDATE:

Anyone Want To Buy a New Can Opener?

By Jason Leopold

Wed Apr 15th, 2009

Oster Adjustable Height Power Pierce Can Opener 3118/3131, with magnetic lid lifter.

Brand New!*

$15

Brand New!*

*Box not included

 

Achtung, Mr. Whiskers!

That's right, it's cats that look like Hitler.

Say it with me, folks: Cats. That look. Like freaking. Hitler.

H/T: Dave at Garfield Ridge, who's Oprah's biggest fan, and whose site, I must say, isn't isn't what I thought it might be. Because I'm a moron.

Truthout Decides It's Time to MoveOn

I swear, this is a direct quote from a post by Hugh Jass Marc Ash, "Executive Editor" of ROVE WAS INDICTED, BIOTCHES! "Truthout":

Brief note to our regulars:

One negative consequence of the Rove indictment firestorm has been that so much of what we cover that is so important to the community has been pushed into the background. There's a war going on, the right to vote is in doubt, democracy itself is under attack. Let's work together to keep our focus.

Really, why are you people so hung up on this 'Rove indictment' story, anyway? Obviously, the Executive Management Committee at 'Truthout' has decided there are more important things going on in the world today, so stop obsessing, already. In case you haven't heard, THERE'S A WAR GOING ON.

Oh, and democracy itself is under attack. I guess. I haven't really been following that story, but they're reporting it at 'Truthout', and who am I to question their sources?

Meanwhile, back at the WaPo:

I don't really know why [Truthout's Jason] Leopold may have pretended to be me to Corallo. I can only speculate that he either was trying to get a reaction and thought Corallo would be more likely to respond to a conservative-leaning mainstream paper, or he was trying to get Corallo to acknowledge that Rove had been indicted by bluffing that the Sunday Times had confirmed the story. In fact, Corallo told me that "Joel" told him that he had Fitzgerald's spokesman on the record about the indictment. He has also said he believes Leopold made up the whole story.

Truth? Out!

 

So...What's New?

I haven't really been keeping up with the news lately. Anything interesting happening?

 

Don't worry, you haven't missed anything.

 

Nothing?

 

No. The blogs have been really dead lately.

 

What about newspapers? Any...

 

I don't read the Washington Post!

 

Who said anything about the Washington...

 

Who are you going to believe, some right-wing shill, or someone who...or me?

 

I wasn't even asking specifically about politics. What about the stock market?

 

I didn't do anything wrong! Besides, that was a long time ago.

 

No one said you did anything wrong.

 

I don't have any problem with what he did. I mean, didn't do.

 

Let me rephrase that; I will not deny any specific charge, but I will admit no wrongdoing.

 

Whatever, I just...

 

Or deny it.

 

Look, all I was asking is whether or not anything of interest happened in the last week or so.

 

So, are you saying you haven't watched any television in the past week?

 

None at all.

 

Then nothing's been happening.

 

Fine, that's all I was...

 

And if anything did happen, I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation.

 

Umm...OK.

 

Just stop gloating, already!

 

What are you talking about?

 

You know what I'm talking about!

 

No I don't!

 

THAT'S A LIE, AND YOU KNOW IT!

 

You people are freaking me out. I'm leaving.

 

That guy's got issues.

 

He needs to learn to control his temper.

 

Typical red-stater - the guys's got no idea what's going on in the world today.

 

Living in his own conservative bubble.

 

Pretty sad, really.

 

It's a Mr. Stick Figure Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, John.

 

Happy Father's Day, Mr. Stick Figure.

 

 

What, no snarky comment?

 

No, not in the mood.

 

Why not?

 

I miss my Dad.

 

Yeah...I know what you mean.

 

Dan Rather: Still a Member of the CBS Family

Heh:

CBS executives have decided there is no future role at the network for Dan Rather, making it certain that the man who sat in the anchor chair for 24 years will depart by this fall.
...
Rather, 74, declined to discuss his future this week. "I'm contracted to be a full-time '60 Minutes' correspondent, and I'm working on that contract," he said.

 

As that old rascal Mark Twain once said, "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated."

 

 

There are a lot of partisan political operatives out there, particularly on the Internet, who would have you believe that I'm on my way out at CBS.

 

 

As you can see, nothing could be farther from the truth. I'm still a vital and integral part of the CBS team.

 

 

Excuse me, Dan.

 

 

Be right with you, Bob. What was I saying? Oh, yes - you hear these rumors all the time, so...

 

 

I'm sorry, Dan, but this is important.

 

 

What is it, Bob? Need a source? Help polishing up some copy? You know, I've done my fair share of writing...

 

 

No, the crapper near the 60 Minutes II set is clogged again.

 

 

 

I'm all over it. Thanks for catching that, Simon - tip of the Stetson to you.

 

 

 

You know, if I had sidepockets, I'd carry a plunger.

 

Am I Supposed To Write Something Here?

I don't remember how this works.

Here's a headline I just saw on Drudge:

Beckham said furious at German tab...

What the hell does that mean? I haven't been keeping up with the news lately - is there some kind of new "hip lingo" I should know about?

 

Ready?

 

Let's play!

 

Meanwhile, At Kos Korporate Headquarters, Armando Speaks Truth To Dictaphone

Betty, tell the boys at Wal-Mart our tee time Thursday is 9:00. Push the Exxon meeting tomorrow back 30 minutes.

 

 

I need you to proof that post on how corporate America is destroying the middle class.

 

 

Oh, and I'll be sticking it to the man between 4:00 and 4:30 tomorrow, so please keep my schedule clear.

Fight the...power?

Apparently, [Daily]Kos diarist Armando Lloréns-Sar isn't comfortable with too many people knowing about his day job as an attorney at McConnell Valdés (it's clearly the same guy):

...Lloréns-Sar might be uncomfortable with too many people knowing about his professional activities (he threatened to ban one commenter for getting too close to his "personal circumstances"):

During his time filling in for Kos as the "front page diarist" he wrote a number of pro-corporate articles, of course without disclosing that he is a corporate attorney promoting these same issues for his clients. For example, in this post he takes the pro-corporate position that modern anti-trust law is based on activist judges' rulings and not as the law as written. He fails to mention that he recently represented Wal-Mart in an anti-trust capacity in Puerto Rico.

Emphasis mine. All mine.

UPDATE: WAAAAH!

 

And Now, A Special Guest Commentary By Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not very talkative today, is he? (Apologies to Iowahawk)

UPDATE: Now is the time on WuzzaDem when we dance!

 

Party on!

UPDATE II: AAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAA!

UPDATE III: Careful you don't step in that pile of sh*t! Oops, too late.

UPDATE IV: Just found the real guest commentary.

 

This Blog Has Fallen Asleep

It might wake up occasionally, but probably not on a regular basis.

Sorry, but there are just too many things to do and not enough time.

Thanks for hanging out.

UPDATE: I'm not gone, I just have no idea when I'll be able to post. I can't keep up a regular schedule (which, for me, was basically Monday-Friday), and want to be clear about that. If and when I have the time, I'll still post.

ANOTHER FREAKING UPDATE: Look, I'm not quitting, deleting the blog, taking off...I just don't think I can do this on a regular (Monday-Friday) basis. There might be days when I post more than once, but people already give me crap because I don't post every day. I'm just warning people that they probably won't see daily posts.