orange alert, orange alert!!

[SummerLover]

This alert was mentioned on another thread and I heard about it on the news too. It got me to thinking that everytime the alert level goes up we should start a thread about what's going on nationally and locally from which the bushies would like attention diverted.

Here in Minnesota congress is in special session to determine all sorts of cuts to health and human service agencies, schools, ect.

Nationally the bushies are presenting a case for a new antimissile shield. Hmm, anybody think this might help their case?

So what's going on in your area and nationally?

[JessicaS]

The guy who was found with cyanide pleaded innocent to possesing it. He is undergoing a mental evaluation. He was a chemist and had about 177 grams of pure potassium cyanide. This is local for me so I found it scary.

[daylily]

Let's see...Virginia public school students are taking the much-hated SOL tests this week. These are high stakes tests, such as the type Bush and his ilk think will improve schools.

We have a serial rapist running loose in my city. He enters homes and has raped or attempted to rape several women since last October. One woman was so badly beaten that she needed plastic surgery on her face. I've been on "orange" for months because of this.

And as for national news, I haven't been paying too much attention other than skimming the headlines of my "Truthout" newsletters, but I don't remember hearing that WMDs have been found in Iraq. And has anyone discovered where Saddam Hussein is hiding? Maybe the shift back to Al Queda is a way to divert our attention from him.

[Tigerchild]

What about the fact that Rummy and crew want to develop baby nukes, so that they can "get them thar terrorists" in their tunnels (despite the fact that it's not going to do that)...and....some people in Congress think this is a GOOD IDEA?

Ah, hell, why not. Already blew away our nuclear treaties with star wars, why not go all the way?

Nucking futz, says I.

[Deirdre]

Not to mention those Bush tax cuts that will have Warren Buffet et al paying around 3% in income taxes (see other thread for more info. on this delightful subject)

Daylily ~ My dh is having to administer those ridiculous tests to his special ed kids this week.I am not sure if people are aware that special ed children are required to take these tests atgrade level (regardless of if they test 2 years below normally) with no accomodations for their disabilites. And their scores will be included in the school's scores which according to the Every Child Except Rich Ones Left Behind Act can affect a school's funding or eventually even close it.....

[Devi]

Summerlover, good point. , I hadn't thought of that.

Dierdre, What a shame that all children and all schools are shoved into the same box And, that in 'helping' these schools they will strip them of funds if they dont 'pass the test', ah...that makes sense? Also, in Minnesota they are considering subjecting Home Schooled kids to the same tests, and taking away any tax benefits for families who don't make the grade....

Nationally:

1. Pentagon Readies Massive Spying System

2. Congress wants to probe Haliburton/Iraq deal

3. US Refusal to Permit the Return of UN Inspectors to Iraq

Truth Out

*edited to add #4

[flower]

Elvis!

hmm...

British singer-songwriter Elvis Costello on Tuesday defended musicians who speak their minds in these "fairly dangerous times" and warned Americans to guard against "any attempts by people who swindle their way into office."


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...le_costello_dc

Obviously, Shrub is terrified of Elvis's influence over the masses, hence the Orange alert

[daylily]

Another biggie

On June 2, communications will officially be deregulated, meaning that in the future, it's possible that ALL our news could come from one corporation. This, of course, will be the end of democracy as we know it. If one group controls all information presented to the public, then it will make sure that the candidates it wants are elected to office.

[SummerLover]

Very good point daylily! Good goddess I hope that doesn't happen.

[SummerLover]

maybe this-

MSNBCMay 21 — _President Bush’s approval rating, which spiked during the war in Iraq, has dropped back to prewar levels and below, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll that found that the economy was by far most Americans’ biggest concern.


_Approval of Bush’s handling of the economy could not command even a majority. Forty-eight percent backed the president, compared with 44 percent who disapproved, a margin only slightly above the survey’s margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.


The survey, however, found little support for tax cuts among Americans, 57 percent of whom said the economy was their No. 1 concern. That compared to 36 percent who cited the fight against terrorism as their main worry.
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed, 64 percent, said there were better ways to boost the economy than tax cuts. Twenty-nine percent thought tax cuts were the answer.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/916538.asp#BODY

[Devi]

President Bush’s approval rating, which spiked during the war in Iraq, has dropped back to prewar levels and below...

Thank goodness!!!

Perhaps we'll get back to reality as a nation now?!

[DaryLLL]

Yes, I hope and pray he is following in Big Daddy's footsteps all the way. Big approval rating during Mideast war, followed by huge drop as economy sux. Then followed by election of the next (somewhat less horny would help) Clinton!

[dlb]

Dierdra said...

Not to mention those Bush tax cuts that will have Warren Buffet et al paying around 3% in income taxes (see other thread for more info. on this delightful subject)


I heard somewhere that even Mr. Buffet is against this tax cut, but wish I could find the source again to confirm that.

I think the yellow to orange thing is nothing more than a technicolor mind-f**k, meant to keep us on edge and vulnerable to swallow anything, diverting attention, just like Summerlover said.


dlb