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Monday, August 6, 2007

The Morning News

posted by on August 6 at 8:33 AM

Nader ‘08: Bush signs new law broadening his already broad powers to spy on Americans—with the help of those still- and ever-fearful Dems.

Progress in Iraq: It’s “subtle,” says General Petraeus. Which may be why we’re detecting so little of it.

Missing in Action: The Pentagon has “lost track of” almost 200,000 weapons—AK 47s, pistols—that it provided to Iraqi security services in 2004 and 2005.

Uncle Walt: Disneyland created thousands of low-paying jobs in Anaheim, California. Now Disney is fighting a plan that would create affordable housing near Disneyland—you know, places where its workers could actually afford to live.

Black and Dicker: What’s the best way to placate a big and scary black dude in a public toilet? Offer him a blowjob and twenty bucks, says disgraced Florida State Rep. Bob Allen.

China Syndrome: Does fucking everything imported from China have lead in it?

Gay Civil Partnerships in Britain: It’s not exactly marriage, per se, but if you enter into one while you’re married to an opposite-sex partner that’s totally bigamy.

The Gathering Storm: Apparently something really, really awful is about to happen to I-5. The Seattle Times is out today with a guide to “surviving the I-5 mess.”

Murderous Men: A man murders his ex-wife—it happens so frequently it’s hardly considered news. But this man attacked his ex-wife in front of a man with a handgun and a concealed weapons permit. The bystander pulled his gun and shot the murderous ex-husband to death. That’s news. Rinthya Brooks, the deceased woman, has four young children.

RSS icon Comments

1

"But this man stabbed his ex-wife to death in front of a man handgun and a concealed weapon permit."

Wha?

Posted by Mr. Poe | August 6, 2007 8:35 AM
2

@1 - I'm guessing we're missing the words "with a" here (between man and handgun).

Posted by Levislade | August 6, 2007 8:43 AM
3

Fixed, sorry.

Posted by Dan Savage | August 6, 2007 8:45 AM
4

@2

I know. Was using a fun correction method, that way when he makes the change it doesn't look like I'm a total retard.

I laughed while reading the bigamy article. Suspended prison sentence? Jesus, everybody takes this whole marriage/union thing seriously. You should receive a suspended prison sentence for divorcing more than 1 time.

Posted by Mr. Poe | August 6, 2007 8:47 AM
5
Nader ‘08: Bush signs new law broadening his already broad powers to spy on Americans—with the help of those still- and ever-fearful Dems.

Bitch bitch bitch...

Posted by Judah | August 6, 2007 8:52 AM
6

Black and Dicker: Sounds like a rape fantasy to me. "Don't hurt me, I'll do anything you want, just don't hurt me... and I DO mean ANYTHING."

Posted by monkey | August 6, 2007 9:05 AM
7

bob allen is stupid. well, we'll see what these tapes say. but i'm curious, even the police report suggests that the officer suggested money first, and suggested a sexual act first. isn't that entrapment? and $20? that just makes it seem more like entrapment.

Posted by infrequent | August 6, 2007 9:08 AM
8

Since I have given up on Gore getting in. Worse case that will happen? Dems keep on caving to Bush (voters loose interest in the Democrats again falling for "there is no difference" even though their is but hell, we are talking about Americans) Hillary will get the nomination (further alienating the liberal base of the party) Nader will run...and we end up with another Republican.

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | August 6, 2007 9:25 AM
9

I found it a little hopeful that all of the Democratic presidential candidates voted against the bill. But ... blech. Why can't Pelosi and Reid keep their people in line?

Posted by arduous | August 6, 2007 9:29 AM
10

You know, it's really simple. Do you want to intercept terrorists plans before they attack or do you want to play the blame game after they attack?

Posted by Patriot | August 6, 2007 9:34 AM
11

Agreed with Cato...it could totally happen. I can't live in a country where Mitt is president.

Posted by Dianna | August 6, 2007 9:38 AM
12

Thanks for the continued drama Dan,

The Gathering Storm: Apparently something really, really awful is about to happen to I-5.
Apparently noone told you that this was reported in a calm and collected manner on KIRO tv news a month ago. I think it's really, really wonderful for drivers. More rage! I love it too. Make sure the news team will be delivering us up to minute frustration.

Fact - The Seattle Times is out today with a guide to “surviving the I-5 mess.”

Posted by 6-6-06 | August 6, 2007 9:52 AM
13

Re: Bob Allen...I'm guessing he's an R that opposes equality for The Gays, etc? I love it!! Who will be next?

Re: Cato the Tounger Younger...God I hope you're wrong, but it is looking more and more like that's how it'll go down...

Re: Patriot...This has as much to do with "protecting America from The Evildoers" as Iraq did with 9/11. But you are correct, your analysis is really simple. Simplistic, actually. Whatta dumb shit...

Posted by Mike in MO | August 6, 2007 9:53 AM
14

My thoughts on the 1-5 mess:

1. I am taking one week off where I intend on reclining on Alki Beach everyday (30 second walk) and forgo any travel further than the Junction. West Five here I come (ask Dean & Dave to save me a seat at the bar and keep the Mai Tai's coming).

2. Water taxi: I am glad they are adding an early morning run to the water taxi. Many days I need to be in my early. The 6:10 should really help.Could use a few later runs too.
Also, need to add more shuttles. On days like these they fill up fast and then people are stuck down at the dock for who knows how long.

3. The 4th Ave. left turn is awesome! Make it permanent.

4. Metro not adding buses?! That sucks. LAME!!!

5. I suggest canceling all the Mariner games during this time because that fucks up my bus commute more than anything else.

6. The Seattle PD needs to ticket all the a-holes who jump into the bus only lane early on the First Ave. exit off West Seattle bridge. If people are too idiotic that they can’t merge in a ¼ mile then they should take the bus and stop screwing up our bus only lane. Also wait for the dotted line to do the bus lane crossover (Viaduct lane to Bridge lane and visa versa).

Posted by Who cares what I think | August 6, 2007 10:07 AM
15

Patriot: tell me how you really feel about President Hillary Clinton having this power.

Do you trust her to use it fairly and wisely?

Posted by BB | August 6, 2007 10:09 AM
16

@ Patriot, Most of us are all for THE LEGAL WIRETAPPING not the unbridled unchecked power Bush is looking for. It is just another form of Bush's contempt for our system of checks and balances.

And yeah, if you are calling terrorists on your cell phone or e-mailing Osama I do want someone listening in. Cause frankly a dirty bomb going off in the Port of Seattle would really put a damper on my day.

LEGALLY attained wiretapping is a good thing: ILLEGAL wiretapping is BAD. (was that simplistic enough?)

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | August 6, 2007 10:12 AM
17
LEGALLY attained wiretapping is a good thing: ILLEGAL wiretapping is BAD. (was that simplistic enough?)

Good news, Cato! What was illegal is now totally 100% legal! Celebrate!


(ugh)

Posted by cdc | August 6, 2007 10:45 AM
18

Re the wiretapping bill: Keep your shirts on. It expires in six months, and they did win some minor concessions on oversight. It's a hell of a lot better than we'd have gotten from a Republican majority.

Posted by Orv | August 6, 2007 10:56 AM
19

I agree, we need a Guide To Surviving I-5.

For example, bus routes that aren't affected.

Where to bike.

Best coffee and bagel/bakery shops en route.

Best party places on Aurora.

How to see Seafair while I-5 is shut down.

Avoiding the domes.

... stuff like that ...

Posted by Will in Seattle | August 6, 2007 11:41 AM
20

Re: #1

YOU NADER PINKOS PUT THE GUNS IN THE HANDS OF THE NEOCONS IT IS ALL YOUR FAULT BLAH BLAH BLAH

Where have I heard this before? As each and every Democratic senator bends over and spreads his/her ass cheeks farther and farther apart for the Dick Cheney who can apparently never be satisfied, it's not just the "liberal base" of the Democratic party who scratches their head in wonder but the everyday apolitical schmuck who might or might not vote.

When "both parties" that make up "both ends" the political spectrum allow these sorts of egregious and unconstiutional abuses to become legal, they also grant them an air of legitimacy. Guess what? The people who are noting that these things have gone too far are painted to look like whackos. In the end, the only people left casting a vote against this kind of bullshit will be the Nader supporters. Kinda makes you sad, doesn't it?

Posted by Toilet Duck | August 6, 2007 12:05 PM
21

wasn't there a republican debate this weekend? any news from that, liberal media???

Posted by infrequent | August 6, 2007 12:30 PM
22

Speaking of Democrats that do the bidding of the Republican President, please also note that Dianne Lieberman Feinstein provided the tie breaking vote on one of Bush's judicial nutbags.

http://www.sfgate.com

"In one, the court voted to reinstate a white state employee who had been fired for calling a black co-worker a "good ol' n-." In the other case, the court upheld a decision to remove an 8-year-old child from her bisexual mother, in a ruling that referred to the woman's "homosexual lifestyle." Southwick also signed another judge's separate opinion that described homosexuality as a choice that carries consequences."

Is this another example of "well, the Democrats aren't perfect, but just imagine the horror of a Republican majority?"

What is the difference, meathead?

keep doing the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over.....

Posted by patrick | August 6, 2007 1:18 PM
23

WTF Dan, why dosen't every word you scribble, or the mere thought that you still exist, still annoy me any more?

Posted by GJ | August 6, 2007 4:12 PM

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