While it may not be time for panic, nor is it a time for taking unnecessary risks. Joe Biden's advice to his family has been ridiculed, but I for one, think it wise council. The VP's honest, common sense advice did more to calm my fears than all the 'no need to panic' assurances I've heard put together. People want to know what they can do to keep their family from becoming a statistic. They don't give a damn if it hurts the travel, meat or entertainment industry.

BTW, though we don't have a single confirmed case of swine flu in PA, my pharmacist tells me he is out of Tamiflu and can't get more.

Today, I asked David Sanger, the NYT's Chief Washington Correspondent, about the Bush administrations role in using Judith Miller to plant stories in his paper. He claimed the Times used bad judgment in publishing some stories, but would not acknowledge that they were used. Were they accomplices or were they just lazy journalists looking for a scoop?

Every other failure took place on a Friday. It's almost like someone was trying to spook the markets. The whole thing is being manipulated.

When you are in zugzwang, any move you make is bad.

If the Democrats support the plan and win the election, they are left with no money for any social programs and effectively have their hands tied for four years. If they don't support the plan and allow more failures, they risk losing the election.

It's the move we have to be careful about. Remember, they control the board and their next move can change the public's opinion.

The economic crisis we are witnessing is a game strategy.

Zugzwang (German for compulsion to move) occurs when a player is forced to make an undesirable move. The player is put at a disadvantage because he would prefer to pass and make no move, but a move has to be made, all of which weaken his position. Situations involving zugzwang occur uncommonly, but when they do occur, it is almost always in the endgame, where there are fewer choices of available moves.

It's now being reported that the Paulson Plan is several months old. The plan was intentionally withheld from Congress until exactly one week before the election recess. It was held back to force the Democrats to make a move under intense time pressure. A move which could cost them the election. Think about it! Bush has used disaster after disaster to force concessions and grab power. This is a classic Bush/Cheney tactic and political extortion of the highest order.

When you are in zugzwang, any move you make is bad.

I'm so glad the Republicans have decided not to politicize the hurricane. I'm sure McSame was a BIG HELP at the relief center. With all the hurricanes on the horizon, I suggest they cancel the convention and STFU.

If the first child is Palin's daughter's, Palin may have knowingly committed insurance fraud.

Consider the following scenario: Palin's daughter becomes pregnant. Palin takes her daughter to a friend, who happens to be a Doctor, her daughter has tests, and the Downs syndrome is detected. Palin knows her insurance does not cover grandchildren and will not cover a pre-existing condition. Lifetime costs for a child with Downs syndrome are considerable. She decides to claim the baby as hers. (fast forward)

Palin is in Texas to give a speech and gets a call from home ... her daughter is in labor. Since she is supposed to be the mother, she must return home to claim the baby. It all makes perfect sense and if an insurance company is involved, it could be fraud. The story is big, but it may be huge!

"One critical caveat to keep at the forefront of one's mind is that when one side is in exclusive possession of all documents and can pick and choose which ones to release in full or in part in order to make their case, while leaving out the parts that undercut the picture they want to paint - which is exactly what the FBI is doing here -- then it is very easy to make things look however you want."

Amen Brother

I've been trying to find some reason why Ivins would want to kill the photo editor at the National Enquirer. Couldn't find any.

http://www.depresident.com/gallery/overflow/Drunk_Jenna_Bush.jpg

He seems to have been an advocate, however, how was he appointed? And given his clients emotional state, why did he enable his release from the safety of the institution? Did the institution tape Ivins private phone conversations? It seems odd that they would let him make so many calls. What drugs was Ivins on while in the hospital? Were those drugs continued after he was released? Some anti-anxiety drugs can cause explosive anger.

How much of this character assassination (sorority and porn) would be admissible in court? Any judges out there?

It seems that anyone considering group therapy should be read their rights.

Ivins was fired, humiliated, followed, harassed, and abandoned. When he finds out his therapist is working for those who have tortured him and his family (it would piss off the Good Humor man), she has him committed but someone allows his premature release.

And now after he's been crucified someone asks if his accuser was credible, and you cry foul!?

How do we know this is the same Culey?

Jean C. Duley worked for his employer. If he was fired, why would he be seeing her? Was she a therapist, as has been reported, or a human resources counselor? Was she there to explain his rights and benefits or to assess his mental condition? Under the circumstances, I'd be inclined to believe nothing that's been reported until the details have been confirmed.

I might make a few threats if, after working for 30+ years, my employer tries to fuck me out my pension. Wouldn't you?