Party!!!

Saturday Night Puppy Posting

Man, this will probably change into "Saturday Night Whatever Posting" 'cause getting them to stay still was impossible.
They acted like I was going to beat them!

All black is Boo 4 years old, and the other is Scooby Doo, almost 10.

AA Considers Pulling ALL Ads From ABC- Because of Blogger!!

Tue Sep 12, 2006 at 07:22:45 PM PDT

Looks to me like we're not the only ones pissed off.

Adweek

American Could Pull Ads From ABC

September 12, 2006

By Richard Williamson

DALLAS American Airlines is prepared to pull its advertising from ABC in order to protest its portrayal in the network's recently aired movie The Path to 9/11, according to a source. The carrier also said it is considering legal action against the network.

The airline spends $25 million annually on broadcast TV ads; it could not immediately determined how much is spent on ABC, but according to one source, "It's extensive."

Roger Frizzell, vice president, corporate communications and advertising, American, confirmed that the client is mulling its legal options.

The film in both its first and second parts appears to suggest that chief hijacker Mohammed Atta was flagged as a security risk at Boston's Logan Airport by American Airlines personnel. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, that incident occurred earlier that morning, in Maine, and the airline was U.S. Airways.

I really want to point out the my bolding of the next bit.......

Late Monday, American Airlines released the following statement: "The Disney/ABC television program, 'The Path to 9/11,' which began airing last night, is inaccurate and irresponsible in its portrayal of the airport check-in events that occurred on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

"A factual description of those events can be found in the official government edition of the 9/11 Commission Report and supporting documents.

"This misrepresentation of facts dishonors the memory of innocent American Airlines employees and all those who lost their lives as a result of the tragic events of 9/11."

American said it would have no further comment beyond the statement at this time. But earlier in the day, it had sent a letter to those who had contacted the company with the same complaint, inspired by liberal blogger John Aravosis of Americablog.

On a final personal note, I am absolutely humbled and proud as f**k to be associated with all Kossacks & lefty bloggers. It's been fantastic, and as we all know...

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!!!

If you are so inclined, drop them a line, give them a call, and tell them that they are doing the right thing.

Contacts follow below:

Corporate Affairs Division: Angela Cook

Telephone: 817 967 1576

Corporate Vice-President: John Carpenter

Telephone: 817 967 1575 affairs

Corporate Communications contacts: (This is their PR department!)

Phone: 817-967-1577

Email: corp.comm@aa.com

Customer Relations contacts: (This is their general department for complaints, suggestions and compliments)

Fax: (817) 967-4162

Thanks to thereisnospoon for the contacts.

The Olbermann factor *Keith In Salon*

Mon Sep 11, 2006 at 06:52:00 AM PDT
Wonderful interview with Keith today in Salon.

Go read it. Makes a person proud to be a viewer.

Salon

The Olbermann factor

It, in many respects, is accomplishing -- as I said on the air the other night -- that which the terrorists are supposed to be looking to do, which is to divide us, make us fearful, change our way of life. I believe Mr. Bush said they hate us for our liberty, and the government seems to be intent on reducing many of those freedoms and liberties. It's been building; this is not the first time I've said anything about this, about the administration or about its conduct. Pretty much this has been constant since this newscast went on the air. As they have wandered further from reality and our history and what I think all of us -- liberals and conservatives and everybody else -- were taught as far as our way of life. The further they wander away, the harder you have to reach out to try and grab them and pull them back.

In reference to something many of us have wondered....

Is there anyone over in corporate headquarters who's seeing what happens as you take this approach and saying, "Keep doing this, it's helping you"?

Oh, yeah. If there has been any negative reaction to it, it has been kept from me. In other words, they have [approached it] the way you would want employers in this situation to approach it. They have been supportive.

Sound familiar? (re Faux)

I think that the news operations that were willing to address that, to approach it in any kind of analytical way, even by means of commentary, could benefit in a situation where people are looking for the truth. And an organization that is beholden to a political party and to a point of view -- entirely beholden to that -- is going to lose, as they have.

And on a relevant note

snip...

but the last week or so before the Lewinsky story took over, I can remember interviewing Dr. Richard Haass, who's just late of the Bush administration, and a fellow named Jim Dunnigan, a couple times each at least, about Middle Eastern-based terrorism and goals to bring that to the United States. That's what we should have been talking about in 1998, and instead, a political party decided to take trivia and turn it into the only issue of public discourse.

Amazon

Widower of Disney Exec Slain on 9/11 Speaks*Updated Again*

Sat Sep 09, 2006 at 02:19:35 PM PDT
What more do these people need to stop this charade?

Greg Sargent at TPM Cafe

John Beug, the widowed husband of Carolyn Beug, a former vice president at Walt Disney Records who was on the plane that slammed into 1 World Trade Center, has written a letter to ABC chief Bob Iger pleading with him not to run the film. A source provided us with a copy of the letter.

<snip>

Reached by phone, Mr. Beug confirmed the letter was his and verified its accuracy. "I think it's unfortunate that people are sensationalizing the story for whatever reason they're doing it," Mr. Beug said. "It shouldn't be politicized." Soon after her death, Carolyn Beug was described by U.S.A. Today as a "former Walt Disney Records executive" who "won acclaim for her work on the Pocahontas film soundtrack."

September 9, 2006

Dear Mr. Iger,

I have seen the advertisements for and read the press coverage of ABC's film, "The Path to 9/11," that your network plans to air this Sunday and Monday to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. I am writing to express my concern and deep reservations about this film and to ask you, out of respect for the victims of 9/11 and their families, not to air it.

My wife worked for the Walt Disney Corporation and was a victim of the terrorist attacks as a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11. I have great respect for you and your company and I know that you must have worked hard to make a good film. Admittedly, I have not seen it. However, accounts from those who have suggest that it contains inaccurate and invented scenes. It seems to me that fictionalizing this tragedy does not honor the memory of those who were lost on September 11th.

Given the gravity of this event for our nation and the personal loss I suffered, I believe it is critically important that we do everything possible to prevent another 9/11. That begins with making sure that we are united in our understanding of what we could have done better in the years, months and weeks leading up to the attacks of 2001. I am deeply concerned that Americans will watch this film and not fully understand -- or be led to misunderstand -- the true history of this tragedy.

I feel the 9/11 Commission Report was a correct and very responsible accounting of the terrorist attacks of 2001. Since "The Path to 9/11" deviates from this report in key instances, I strongly and respectfully urge you not to air this film.

Sincerely,

John Beug

I know that most of us have been walking around with that hard knot in our stomaches,

aching over the bullshit that is about to be presented to the American (and foreign) audiences as
"THE OFFICIAL STORY".

Imagine then this mans' pain,
and the pain of all the other families of victims of 9/11,
no matter what their political or ideological persuasion.

Disney & ABC have made this historic disaster into nothing more than one of their whitewashed "Fantasyland" dioramas, and just as true to life.

CALL FORMER DEMOCRATIC SEN GEORGE MITCHELL

Senator George J. Mitchell

T: (212) 335-4600

T: (212) 335-4500

F: (212) 335-4605

**************URGENT UPDATE*************

John at Americablog has a list of things he need help with to co-ordinate the response along with other name bloggers.

GO HERE

Please help us plan Stage II: The attack on Disney/ABC starting on Tuesday Sept 12

***************************UPDATE AGAIN*************

Too fucking funny from the Washington Post

ABC's Twisted 'Path to 9/11'

By Tom Shales

Washington Post Staff Writer

Saturday, September 9, 2006; Page C01

Factually shaky, politically inflammatory and photographically a mess, "The Path to 9/11" -- ABC's two-part, five-hour miniseries tracing events leading up to the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon -- has something not just to offend everyone but also to depress them.

The docudrama -- allegedly produced as a warning to the United States that the attacks, or something like them, could happen again -- falls clumsily into traps that await all those who make fictional films claiming to be factual. Except this time, the event being dramatized is one of the most tragic and monstrous in the nation's history, not something to be trifled with.

--snip---
Clinton himself is libeled through abusive editing. A first-class U.S. operative played by Donnie Wahlberg argues the case for getting bin Laden while the al-Qaeda leader is openly in view in some sort of compound in Afghanistan. CIA officials haggle over minor details, such as the budget for the operation. The film's director, David L. Cunningham, then cuts abruptly to a TV image of Clinton making his infamous "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" remark with regard to Monica Lewinsky. The impression given is that Clinton was spending time on his sex life while terrorists were gaining ground and planning a nightmare.

It would have made as much sense, and perhaps more, to cut instead to stock footage of a smirking Kenneth Starr, the reckless Republican prosecutor largely responsible for distracting not just the president but the entire nation with the scandal.

<

p>
My bolding. heh

Does Kean Have Personal Grudge Against Clinton?*Update*

Fri Sep 08, 2006 at 07:12:36 AM PDT

Oh My... I think this explains something....

Asked if he had apologized to Clinton for inaccuracies in the movie, Kean quipped, "No, he was out campaigning against my son yesterday, so I didn't reach out to him at all!"

Kean's son is a GOP Senate candidate in New Jersey.

When I was surfing this morning, I saw Kean on CBS with the Roberts lady. Only caught a bit of it, but he seemed very non-plussed by the whole thing. Strange I thought.

Former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, the former head of the 9/11 commission and a paid consultant on the ABC miniseries, told the Daily News yesterday that some controversial scenes in "The Path to 9/11" were being removed or changed.

"ABC is telling me that the final version I'll be pleased with," said Kean, softening his own previous defense of the movie.

I just wanted to get this out there. I will add more...

***Update***

In the car, EJ Dionne, on the Diane Rehm Show, also referenced the fact that Kean Jr was running in a hot race when talking about TPT9/11 & Kean Sr.
Maybe there is something to this?

I'm at a friends computer, and Dkos keeps on crashing.
I found this by googling Kean & Clinton & hitting "do you feel lucky". It is from Newsmax- if someone else could post the link I'd appreciate it.

Sunday, April 4, 2004 12:29 p.m. EDT

Kean: Clinton Blew Best Chance to Get bin Laden

The chairman of the independent commission probing the 9/11 attacks said Sunday that the U.S. probably missed its best chance to take Osama bin Laden out during the Clinton administration, when the notorious terrorist left Sudan for Afghanistan in 1996.

"If we had acted earlier on al-Qaida when al-Qaida was smaller and just getting started, even before bin Laden went to Afghanistan, there were times we could have gotten him," former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean told NBC's "Meet the Press."

"There's no question that had we gotten [bin Laden] and his leadership at that point, the whole story might have been different," he added.

And from Times Select (still can't do link, Dkos crashes)

THE PRESIDENT'S ACQUITTAL: THE PUBLIC;
In a G.O.P. Town, as in the Rest of the U.S., a Sense of Relief
By JENNIFER PRESTON and JOSEPH BERGER

Affluent, generally Republican town of Madison, New Jersey, reacts to Senate's acquittal of Pres Clinton in impeachment trial; photos; many people, even those reviling Clinton, express contempt for partisan way Congress handled issue; former Gov Thomas Kean, now president of Drew University, fears Republicans could lose state Assembly; says party made big mistake arguing with 'sensible' opinions of American people

February 13, 1999 U.S. News

My bolding.

Opening Day For Keith Olbermanns' Book In Stores! (w/Pics)

Wed Sep 06, 2006 at 04:56:11 PM PDT


In honor of opening day.

And the last day of my self imposed pimpage of Keith Olbermanns' book that comes out today.....

Amazon here

I was going to list what I love about Keith, but I figured I'd just be preaching to the choir.

Had bunches of fun repositioning his book at two big box bookstores today!

His writings, his intensity and the knowledge that even if we don't like it, Keith will speak the truth.

Show him the love.

1. viewerservices@msnbc.com

2. letters@msnbc.com

3. countdown@msnbc.com

4. KOlbermann@msnbc.com

5. dabrams@msnbc.com

p>

Please, feel free to explain why you watch/tivo/like/love or ignore Keith.

Trashy New Book About Karl Rove - God = NO, Gay = YES.

I am really stunned. I don't have any judgement about this, but I think it should be seen and discussed.

In Chapter 9, "A Few Simple Questions: What's in Karl's Closet?," the authors draw on interviews with gay acquaintances of Rove's stepfather, Louis Rove, as well as an interview with a circumspect Karl Rove, to reveal that Louis was openly gay after getting divorced from Rove's mother. The chapter jabs hard at Rove, pointing out that Louis Rove, who was clearly Rove's primary father figure, died in Palm Springs just as "his son was in the midst of launching the antigay issues campaign that was to lead to the re-election of George W. Bush."

Honestly, I have a "Who pooped their pants?" face on right now.

How incredibly horrible this man is.

The book is written by the reportersthat did Bushs' Brain... James Moore and Wayne Slater. Moore, an Austin-based journalist, and Slater, senior political writer for The Dallas Morning News.

Statesman

The authors quote Rove and friends of Rove's stepfather to illustrate that Rove was close to him throughout his life, and seemed not to judge his sexuality. This, and Rove's self-professed agnosticism, are major exhibits in Moore and Slater's claim of hypocrisy. It's hard not to wince at the invocation of such intensely personal material, but it's a testament to the politics that Rove has helped create that it doesn't seem out of bounds.

What a hypocritical slimebucket.

And the worst part is I've known men like him.

I had a good friend who was married for 20 years to an abusive piece of shit.
He finally came out after making her suffer more than any person should.

Karl Rove has probably caused more pain and suffering to gays & lesbians than almost any other person alive.

And he loved his gay father.

Rockey From NOLA Is A Ringer. "Wish Bush Could Be Re-Elected" My Ass.

Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 03:37:08 PM PDT Crossposted at Daily Kos


Did that sentence set off anyone elses' warning bells?

Attytood

Here's so here's what Rockey told the nation just now on TV:

You know, it's really amazing when a small man like me from St. Bernard Parish can meet the President of the United States. The President is a people person. I knew that from the beginning. I was confident that I could meet President Bush.

And my mission was very simple. I wanted to thank President Bush for the millions of FEMA trailers that were brought down there. They gave roofs over people's head. People had the chance to have baths, air condition. We have TV, we have toiletry, we have things that are necessities that we can live upon.

But now, I wanted to remind the President that the job's not done, and he knows that. And I just don't want the government and President Bush to forget about us. And I just wish the President could have another term in Washington.

If he had only stopped before he outed himself.








Here are a couple of choice tidbits you should know about him.

In fact, we had a hunch -- that maybe, just maybe, Rockey Vaccarella had a background himself in GOP politics.

And, whaddya know? Turns out that the earthy Vaccarella -- a highly successful businessman in the fast-food industry -- is indeed a Republican pol, having run unsuccessfully under the GOP banner for a seat on the St. Bernard Parish commission back in 1999. We don't have a good link, but here (via Nexis) is part of his bio that ran in the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Oct. 15, 1999:

ROCKEY VACCARELLA

PERSONAL

Republican

35. Born in New Orleans. Grew up in Arabi and Chalmette. Lived 11 years in

Meraux.

Married, two children.

Graduated from Chalmette High, 1982. Attended St. Bernard Community

College.
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