GERGEN: ‘What did the President know and when did he know it?’

'I think this is a big, serious story,' says the advisor to three Republican Presidents (including Nixon)

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Wow…Even Gergen is asking!

Picking up on my previous post about the “the question” — What did the President know and when did he know it? — on the virtual lips of folks across the net this morning, it seems that it was also on the lips of David Gergen, advisor to four Presidents (three of them Republican), on this morning’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos on ABC…

GERGEN: I think this is a big, serious story and the interesting thing about this week…I think the story also started to move toward the President. What did Karl Rove know, what did Scooter Libby know, in the President’s and Vice-Presidents office? But…in turn what did the President know and when did he know it?

[Stephanopoulos uses the opportunity to show the Scott McClellalan Oct 7, 2003 press briefing where he says that he spoke to Rove and Libby and can assure the media that “they were not involved.” After discussion on things, it then come back to Gergen…]

GERGEN: There are two things about this. One about the President…If Scott McClellan was misled by Scotter Libby and by Karl Rove, was the President mislead?…

STEPHANOPOULOS: Exactly…

GERGEN: …Or if he was not mislead and he was told the truth, how do they let Scott McClellan go out there with that statement?

STEPHANOPOULOS: Or does he think this is okay?

GERGEN: Yeah…Or does he think it’s okay?…So I think…that’s why I think this is increasingly gonna be about the President over time.

Video Clip in Windows Media format courtesy of The BRAD SHOW’s not-so-secret-weapon David Edwards.

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GERGEN: ‘What did the President know and when did he know it?’

132 Comments

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132 Responses

  1. 1)
    Horkus said on 7/24/2005 @ 5:51pm PT: [Permalink]

    All Bush had to do (and can still do) is ask Rove about his involvement.

    It seems very easy one would think.
    But he’s daring the investigators to find the evidence and telling them to screw off all at the same time.

    Apparently, Bush doesn’t know the laws of physics. For every action, there is a reaction. Someone needs to tell Bush to brace up for the blowback.

  2. 3)
    Fletch said on 7/24/2005 @ 7:13pm PT: [Permalink]

    The thing that makes me sick is that everyone knows Bush & Co. are deliberately attempting to cover up some really crooked activities that went down inside their group.

    Bush can’t put Rove on "leave" until the investigation concludes, because if he did that, they would HAVE TO ALL GO ON LEAVE, including Bush, effectively leaving the country leaderless.

    Heck, Cheney even announced on July 16, 2003 to GOP leaders that they were going to attack the source of the Yellowcake and Niger problem (Wilson):

    "Vice President Cheney is telling House GOP leaders that Bush administration is getting ready to go on a public relations offensive in attempt to recast the debate on Niger and WMD, including bringing back Mary Matalin for spin control… Developing…"
    (source: Drudge Report archives)

  3. 4)
    Shannon Williford said on 7/24/2005 @ 7:54pm PT: [Permalink]

    Things are looking great today guys, but let’s not EVER forget the stolen election. Again, I urge all y’all to buy a copy of the latest Harper’s magazine; the one with the cover story on the stolen election and the media’s ignoring of it; "None Dare Call it Stolen." My point, again, is; if we all buy every Harpers, that sends a great big message to the media: "There’s money in reporting the election fraud!"
    And that’s one thing they understand. Money. And if we buy a bunch of Harpers, word will get around.
    No, I don’t own stock in their company…
    The same mag has a great story on Christianity and our national politics. There’s also a depressing story on New Orleans (I’m formerly a south LA guy…) and the Formosa termites…

    peace y’all,

    Shannon in Nashville

  4. 5)
    Karla said on 7/24/2005 @ 8:17pm PT: [Permalink]

    Shannon you go girl. You just buy up every magazine you can afford, and spend your days asking others to do the same. Meanwhile the world will continue on, as if you were never born, and never took a breath of air.

  5. 6)
    shannon said on 7/25/2005 @ 11:03pm PT: [Permalink]

    Remember how long it took to get rid of Tricky Dick? The months and months of the Watergte story made us all think nothing would be done except talking it to death, and then a miracle happened and The Dickster was gone.

    Miracles happen.

  6. 8)
    unirealist said on 7/25/2005 @ 11:46pm PT: [Permalink]

    Here’s the Pew Research poll as of ten days ago:

    48% of Americans are following this story closely.
    39% think Rove should resign/be fired.
    32% think he committed a serious offense.

    Those are dramatic numbers. Even at the height of the Vietnam War, with its massive demonstrations, only a third of the country opposed it. The American Revolution was begun with only a third of the population in its favor.

    Why did this scandal catch the imagination of the public, when so many other scandals have not? Was it the dirtiness of hurting a woman to get back at her husband? Maybe that’s the "hook." It’s such a heinous act as to be culturally unprecedented.

    At any rate, I’m sure Bush and friends can’t believe this is happening. They are confused and baffled as to why nothing in their bag of tricks seems to swat this story down. And they’re getting scared, because they’re starting to realize that they may have to fall back on what they’ve always known to be their fallback option–Presidential pardons for all involved.

    But it may even now be occurring to them that if Bush issues such pardons when the indictments are handed down, Fitzgerald may legally challenge the pardons, and appeal to the SCOTUS that in such a case, pardons would be unconstitutional–because they are being employed to conceal crimes and misdemeanors at the highest level of government. That, in fact, Bush and Cheney are unindicted co-conspirators.

    The way the Supreme Court is aligned today, it might hear the case and rule against the pardons. But what if Bush’s buddy Roberts is confirmed as a justice? Then it’s 5-4 for allowing the pardons. And if you think some Senators haven’t already considered this possibility, you’re–as Karla would say–naive.

  7. 9)
    Joan said on 7/25/2005 @ 1:47am PT: [Permalink]

    I can’t get over the fact that this karla-creature thinks treason is no big deal. It just boggles the mind.

    This is one of the moral-high-ground people, the flag-waving, bible-thumping, the-president-is-not-above-the-law people.

    And that last post of hers was just creepy!
    "…as if you were never born, and never took a breath of air…"

    Jeez, she’s starting to sound like a haughty middle-schooler taunting the smart kids on the way to homeroom.

  8. 10)
    citizen663 said on 7/25/2005 @ 2:08am PT: [Permalink]

    "Meanwhile the world will continue on, as if you were never born, and never took a breath of air."

    WOW! That might be the most trollish thing I’ve ever read. To argue against a tactic/strategy by pointing out the meaninglessness of existence. It strikes me as being a rather cruel tactic in and of itself.

    If I could block my viewing of trolls on this site, that remark would have just added you to the list.

    Might I add that if it is true for Shannon, then it is true for everyone. Here is some research for you Karla.

  9. 12)
    bob said on 7/25/2005 @ 3:47am PT: [Permalink]

    This is so much like the early stages of Watergate. The amazing thing is that the media is eagerly picking this up, while they completely ignored something concrete like the DSM. Attacking Joe Wilson’s wife seems to be what interests them. A really stupid thing to do.
    What did the president know, and when did he know it.

  10. 13)
    Valley Girl said on 7/25/2005 @ 6:04am PT: [Permalink]

    #11 UniR

    I think you are correct about public reaction– and, I was surprised to see this in USAToday. It has a lot of personal details that are quite interesting, and a timeline of the leak, also. About the author:

    "To some, I am known as Joe and Valerie’s lawyer, a fact that has surfaced by my occasional statements on their behalf. The Wilsons don’t need a lawyer for any pending proceeding; I am simply helping them understand some of the technicalities of the criminal investigation and collecting facts for any eventual civil suit. Before Robert Novak’s column, I was simply their friend and neighbor, a role that will continue long after the White House leak matter is over."

    A neighbor’s view of Valerie Wilson’s ‘outing’

  11. 16)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/25/2005 @ 7:19am PT: [Permalink]

    Remember, Watergate was described as a "third-rate burglary." Nixon called it a "piece of shit."

    During Teapot Dome in the 1920s, the New York papers (including the liberal Times) used the following terms to describe Senators Walsh and Wheeler, who were investigating it:

    "Scandalmongers," "Assassins of character."

    During Grant’s presidency we had Credit Mobilier, the cornering of the gold market (with Grant’s help), and the Whiskey Ring. Yet Grant was reelected overwhelmingly and died a national hero in 1885.

    The lesson? During a Gilded Age, people are fat, dumb and happy. They’ve got money. "Other people" have problems. Financial scandals are O.K. but sexual ones aren’t (while the country was being robbed blind in the 1870s, including the stolen election of 1876, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was put on trial for adultery). What’s happening now is a case of history repeating itself.

    The good news? Gilded Ages end. America finds its conscience. People like Karla and Jimmo disappear. It’s happening already. Keep the faith.

  12. 18)
    MarkH said on 7/25/2005 @ 7:30am PT: [Permalink]

    …Karla said on 7/24/2005 @ 11:17pm PT…
    " …Meanwhile the world will continue on, as if you were never born, and never took a breath of air."

    The Republicans campaigned as moral Christians who had experience and wisdom.

    During the last few years we’ve come to realize there’s an Alice in wonderland aspect to this administration. Things keep getting "curiouser and curiouser". There’s a surreal quality.

    We’ve have seen them as being more like Stalinists and even anarchists, but now Karla reveals all….they’re nihilists.

    What a breath of dank putrid air.

  13. 19)
    MrBlueSky said on 7/25/2005 @ 8:45am PT: [Permalink]

    This angry exchange is very telling of the deep divisions within this country.

    I agree with the majority of bloggers here that a crime was committed (perjury) and a coverup (obstruction of justice) was made.

    FYIO – Please note that these are the same two counts upon which Clinton was impeached.

    However, there is a mechanism to reveal the cover, no matter how much any President tries to hide it.

    And I believe that we should not bother looking at Rove or Gonzalez. No… this one goes straight to the top…. the Pres and VP. Those are the ones who must ultimately be held to account. If the standard of impeachment was lowered to perjury and obstruction of justice with Clinton, then it should also be held at the same level for Bush and Cheney.

    However, we also need to address – IMMEDIATELY – the deep division within the country. It needs to be healed. This is just as urgent as the treason that was committed in the Oval Office.

    God, how I miss the days when the main problem the country faced was a president who couldn’t keep his pants up.

    Our situation today would be ridiculous if it weren’t so deadly.

  14. 20)
    Boa said on 7/25/2005 @ 8:48am PT: [Permalink]

    Wapo has some actual insights here, worthy reading material:

    Read it here

    My thoughts on what’s gonna happen? Raise threat level to red or better yet, have another ‘another Pearl Harbour’ that’ll divert attention, after all it always does

  15. 22)
    Kira said on 7/25/2005 @ 9:05am PT: [Permalink]

    Well, I see we have another compassionate conservative oxyMORON trying desperately to peddle GoPee propaganda (#5.)

    What’s that you say? As if anybody in the world would even care (or notice) if YOU went for a long walk on a short pier. You GO girl!

  16. 23)
    Horkus said on 7/25/2005 @ 9:23am PT: [Permalink]

    The more I think about it, the less I blame Bush for protecting Karl Rove. If Rove gets nailed for his dirty dealings, he’d probably sell out everyone involved to save himself. Rove doesn’t strike me as someone who’s really loyal. Most win at all cost guys aren’t like that.

    Rove must really have Bush and Cheney by the balls.

  17. 24)
    ewastud said on 7/25/2005 @ 9:27am PT: [Permalink]

    Don’t forget Dick! Remember, Cheney said something to the effect "I don’t know Joe Wilson, and I did not request him to travel to Niger to investigate." "Well, so what!" is the discerning person’s reaction to such a statement. Joe Wilson never claimed that Cheney requested him personally to investigate. He said the CIA requested he investigate because the VP’s office had questions about the documents’ authenticity. My point is that Cheney had no logical reason to insert his red herring statement into the controversy except to further Rove’s alleged smear campaign against Wilson, falsely claiming that Wilson lied about who sent him to Niger. Therefore, the evil Dickster is probably a co-conspirator with Rove in the attempt to smear Wilson and "out" his wife. It will be jail time for Cheney as well as Rove, if justice is done in this case. Then one must ask the question, how much Bush participated in all this dirty trick scheming. Is he an accessory to the crimes, or a co-conspirator, like Cheney? Bad news for the White House!

  18. 25)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/25/2005 @ 9:28am PT: [Permalink]

    For MrBlueSky: The deep division in the country will not heal as long as the incumbent administration proceeds according to (by their own words) "our reality."

    The G.O.P. wants the debate to be about liberals and conservatives. Since everyone knows liberals are bad (during the Cold War it was "Commies", after World War I it was anarchists and reds, after the Civil War it was "traitors"), they think they win.

    Except it’s about decent and indecent, not about left and right. Not all liberals are decent, and not all conservatives indecent…but this administration is indecent to the core. They steal elections. They lie. They start wars on false pretenses. They undermine and punish their critics, as if a critic of Bush were automatically an enemy. They equate blind conformity with patriotism and make dissent unpatriotic.

    There is no way to compromise this. Healing is about opposing sides coming together, but one cannot come together with (to borrow the name of another blog) crooks and liars. By definition, they are lawless. Cops don’t compromise with crooks, nor should anyone meet George W. Bush halfway, not that he’d agree to such a meeting anyway.

  19. 26)
    Sarah said on 7/25/2005 @ 9:28am PT: [Permalink]

    Karla- By your statements, you obviously condone treason against your country. Why do you continue to defend the criminals that outed an undercover agent that was risking her life trying to keep YOU and your fellow Americans safe?? You put party loyalty ahead of the safety and security of your country! Are you aware that the agent that was outed (just to get revenge against her husband who told the truth refuting Bush’s claims about Saddam trying to obtain uranium from Niger) was an operative working on information about WMD. There have been CIA agents killed because of this despicable group who put revenge before the safety of the American citizens. You are not a patriot in any sense of the word, all you can do is throw insults, and defend these traitors to YOUR country!! You should be very ASHAMED of yourself, SHAME ON YOU, now go crawl back under your rock where you belong, defending a traitor, makes you a traitor too!! THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

  20. 27)
    ewastud said on 7/25/2005 @ 9:48am PT: [Permalink]

    I agree with Mr. Mills above. However, since the war was started not just on false pretenses, but the public and Congress have been profoundly deceived about the real reason for starting the war, we must conclude that the war was started for private motives personally beneficial to the Bush family and their oil and gas interest (or other business) cronies, perhaps both here and abroad. Why else be deceptive as to the reason to go to war?

  21. 29)
    VeryWorried said on 7/25/2005 @ 12:35pm PT: [Permalink]

    "he would probably have to recuse himself.
    "

    Which means he is incapable of carrying out his job as a judge. So why is he being profeered for the supreme court?

  22. 30)
    Peggy said on 7/25/2005 @ 12:43pm PT: [Permalink]

    Another blogger at Daily Kos brought up the question…if Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee refuses to investigate the Plame affair, the Vice Chair, in this case Rockefeller can conduct the investigation. I will get the location on the net again…lost it on the way here.

  23. 31)
    Peggy said on 7/25/2005 @ 12:49pm PT: [Permalink]

    Here it is. Scroll down to:

    by Dillie Taunt on Mon Jul 25th, 2005 at 14:14:15 PDT
    I’m not as informed about Senate Committee hearings as I should be, though I did read through the following:
    RULES OF PROCEDURE for the SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE UNITED STATES SENATE
    And I noted this:
    Rule 7. Subpoenas
    Subpoenas authorized by the Committee for the attendance of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents, records or any other material may be issued by the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, or any member of the Committee designated by the Chairman, and may be served by any person designated by the Chairman, Vice Chairman or member issuing the subpoenas. Each subpoena shall have attached thereto a copy of S. Res. 400, 94th Congress, 2nd Session and a copy of these Rules.
    So, OK. This means the Vice Chairman can issue subpoenas as well as the Chairman. If I’m reading this correctly, then Rockefeller can line up the Lawrence, Lang, etc.
    But who the hell is Roberts going to call to support the "soft cover" angle?
    Retired agents who are willing to whore themselves? Maybe.
    Retired agents who drank the Kool-aid long ago? Probably, but the Dems could shred them with ease if they muster the balls.
    Current agents? Nope.
    Current officials? Sure, and Goss would be top of that list. But then what’s Goss gonna testify to? That "soft cover" is a sham so we should just out all those agents who may fall under that definition?
    What about retired officials? Wouldn’t those comprised mostly of those folks who were booted by Goss?
    I’m befuddle by this recent act of desparation, really. This doesn’t play in Rovanistan. It’s too risky to me. Can someone enlighten me, please? Is Roberts that stupid or is Rove jumping the shark or what have I not considered?
    Thanks in advance.
    Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds – Albert Einstein

  24. 32)
    Karla said on 7/25/2005 @ 1:28pm PT: [Permalink]

    Funny stuff here. If any of you wonder why a person like me would visit a blog like this, here is your answer. It’s funny – it makes me laugh. For instance, Sarah, you offer a half dozen pearls of wisdom/questions/statements, all of which are garbled, based on false assumptions, and generally low-level babble, the likes of which one might find on the Montel show. Then you end your little tirade with "The truth shall set you free!".

    Now that’s funny.

  25. 34)
    Brad said on 7/25/2005 @ 1:43pm PT: [Permalink]

    Welcome back, Karla!

    I see you’re still unable to answer any of the questions posed to you in this or the two previous threads?

    Your ability to answer anything is as impressive as your President’s.

    Which is to say, extraordinarily unimpressive. Glad to have you as a our new resident troll. It’s always nice to have a reminder front and center of the type of unrepentant America haters that have hijacked the Republican party.

  26. 35)
    Dredd said on 7/25/2005 @ 1:59pm PT: [Permalink]

    Karla #32 The resort to ad hominem statements rather than issue discussion is a classic sign of the inability to focus on an issue.

    The issue and topic of this thread is criminal activity and its subsequent cover up.

    The facts are:

    1) the CIA requested a DOJ investigation into the illegal outing of one of the CIA’s agents

    2) the DOJ, Attorney General Ashcroft at the helm, felt there were enough facts to merit such an investigation

    3) the WH denied that Rove or Libby had anything to do with it, calling such allegations "ridiculous", and stated on the record any WH staff leaking the info would be fired

    4) it is now known that both Rove and Libby were involved in the leak of the identity

    5) therefore the cover up has already been exposed and the polls show that only 25% of the public believe the WH is being honest about it

    The only thing remaining is indictments and criminal trials and how deep the cover up is.

  27. 36)
    Doug Eldritch said on 7/25/2005 @ 2:31pm PT: [Permalink]

    Nothing will come of this **Karla** only if the people make nothing come of it. Doesn’t seem like that’s the case to me…

    The downing street minutes have officially enraged, and begun to awaken half the population. They aren’t standing idly by anymore they are shouting out. And the fact Karl Rove had to commit an act of treason to cover up the downing street meeting, is absolutely telling in itself.

    He claimed all the rest of america were the traitors. nope he was the traitor. Now Pat Roberts is trying to "Soft Ball it" and the results are telling. Its time to hold joint opposite hearings of Pat Roberts smokescreen propaganda parade, and have Rockefeller and the other senators subpoena people under the record.

    Lets find out just how many people knew about the forged Niger documents and false intelligence, when they knew it, and who authorized the forgeries.

    Doug E.

  28. 37)
    Emily said on 7/25/2005 @ 3:01pm PT: [Permalink]

    To number one: I think we all know why Bush doesn’t ask Karl Rove. He first of all needs him for his brain and two he could very well have been involved. Bush and Rove are "In sync". Check out pbs.org and the documentary on Rove called "The Architect".

  29. 38)
    Emily said on 7/25/2005 @ 3:03pm PT: [Permalink]

    The best line from him: "This is going to be about the President over time." Bingo!

  30. 39)
    Peggy said on 7/25/2005 @ 3:05pm PT: [Permalink]

    Karla thinks it’s funny that tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis have been/are being killed – ten thousand or so American soldiers seriously injured/maimed for life – and 1700 American soldiers (that we know of) killed in Iraq after "mission accomplished" by a coward called Bush who certainly wouldn’t put himself in harms way for his country. Keep laughing Karla – just like Bush did at his fancy dinner fund raiser about no WMD in Iraq. It’s all just a big joke…ha, ha, ha, gag and throw up.

  31. 40)
    Emily said on 7/25/2005 @ 3:08pm PT: [Permalink]

    Speaking to number eleven the GOP now has said they are going to "investigate" Fitzgerald. How sad and lame. You know they’re trying to protect someone big and important if they’re going through all this trouble.

  32. 41)
    Peggy said on 7/25/2005 @ 3:14pm PT: [Permalink]

    We all know Bush has no idea what to say, and says what Rove, Cheney and the rest tell him to say. Remember his inability to articulate during the debates and that suspicous bulge on his back? There is no doubt in my mind whatseover that Bush, Rove, Cheney, Libby and everyone involved in this leak had at least two long meetings on this leak: (1) the original plan to out Plame and try and discredit Wilson to cover up their lies about Iraq, and (2) having committed the crime of outting an agent and destroying a covert CIA operation to locate WMD abroad, to try and create a story they all could remember and repeat to cover their sorry pathetic asses.

  33. 42)
    Peg C said on 7/25/2005 @ 3:21pm PT: [Permalink]

    Funny – how that "a" at the end of "Karla" could be just an amusing add-on. None of us would be surprised in the least to hear the "Roverer" expressing those views; they’re just what makes him tick…or slither.

    And yes, "nihilist" is the very word I would use to describe this whole vicious crowd.

  34. 45)
    unirealist said on 7/25/2005 @ 4:42pm PT: [Permalink]

    Jeeze, re-read "her" posts. Karla is a guy. Which should tell you all you need to know. (S)he’s paid to be here. Karla, if this is untrue, reveal your identity. You didn’t mind Valerie Wilson’s identity being revealed, did you? C’mon, Karla, admit it or out yourself.

  35. 46)
    Peg C said on 7/25/2005 @ 4:52pm PT: [Permalink]

    Thanks for digging that link up, VG! I’d read it before, but it certainly deserves re-reading! I wonder what she’s written recently…

  36. 47)
    Jerry said on 7/25/2005 @ 5:13pm PT: [Permalink]

    I have a sinking feeling that something very bad will happen before any indictments come in October or ever. Does anyone else get this feeling?

    1. Bigger Pearl Harbor happens,
    2. Fitzgerald implodes,
    3. War in Iran, or
    4. Insert Neocon Atrocity here

    These are sad times indeed when I am led to think this way. What do DC and KR have in store for us?

  37. 48)
    Valley Girl said on 7/25/2005 @ 5:36pm PT: [Permalink]

    #46 Peg C

    I’ve long thought that Bush is a sociopath, FWIW. I’ve had to deal with a few such over the years. It is hard for people who have not had direct experience with such personalities to "get it" as to what they are about. I too read this article a while back, but what reminded me of it just now was the "no guilt, no remorse" aspect of Bush mentioned in the Doctorow piece you linked to.

    The "sociopath" article links to another, and even though I’m sure I read it at the time, I’m not sure I got the full message. I trust that you have read that linked article (from 2002!!!!!), but I’m giving more info for those who haven’t:

    White House insiders say Bush is "out of control"

    snippet:

    "Warning signs still under the media radar suggest a worse situation, if that’s possible. Some among Bush’s trusted White House staff fear what they are seeing and where Bush is taking us. His state of mind hauntingly reminds them of Richard Nixon’s Final Days. They fear Bush is becoming Nixonesque . . . or worse. Although Bush lacks Nixon’s paranoia, he may entertain even more dangerous notions."

    Hhhmmmm…. reading this now, 2005, I can’t help but wondering who among Bush’s "trusted White House staff" said this in 2002!!!!! Maybe Brad (or others) can do some back-checking, and figure out who among the "trusted staff" in 2002 are no longer on the WH staff. I’d love to hear what these people have to say…..

    Hint, hint….BRAD, are you reading? Love to have you interview one of these former "trusted staff" members on the BradShow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  38. 49)
    Kira said on 7/25/2005 @ 6:12pm PT: [Permalink]

    I too have been aware of the sociopathic/delusional characteristics of bu$h. Here’s an article I sent out to my email list last year:

    More backtrack on bu$h’s erratic behavior:

    From Capitol Hill Blue

    Bush Leagues
    Bush’s Erratic Behavior Worries White House Aides
    By DOUG THOMPSON
    Jun 4, 2004, 02:17

    President George W. Bush’s increasingly erratic behavior and wide mood swings has the halls of the West Wing buzzing lately as aides privately express growing concern over their leader’s state of mind.

    In meetings with top aides and administration officials, the President goes from quoting the Bible in one breath to obscene tantrums against the media, Democrats and others that he classifies as “enemies of the state.”

    Worried White House aides paint a portrait of a man on the edge, increasingly wary of those who disagree with him and paranoid of a public that no longer trusts his policies in Iraq or at home.

    “It reminds me of the Nixon days,” says a longtime GOP political consultant with contacts in the White House. “Everybody is an enemy; everybody is out to get him. That’s the mood over there.”

    In interviews with a number of White House staffers who were willing to talk off the record, a picture of an administration under siege has emerged, led by a man who declares his decisions to be “God’s will” and then tells aides to “fuck over” anyone they consider to be an opponent of the administration.

    “We’re at war, there’s no doubt about it. What I don’t know anymore is just who the enemy might be,” says one troubled White House aide. “We seem to spend more time trying to destroy John Kerry than al Qaeda and our enemies list just keeps growing and growing.”

    Aides say the President gets “hung up on minor details,” micromanaging to the extreme while ignoring the bigger picture. He will spend hours personally reviewing and approving every attack ad against his Democratic opponent and then kiss off a meeting on economic issues. ***more***

  39. 50)
    Valley Girl said on 7/25/2005 @ 6:42pm PT: [Permalink]

    Hi Kira,

    Still clipping the bushies, I see!!!!! (geddit?). Go girl. Wish Brad would ferret out that "troubled White aide" and interview him/her on the BradShow. Thanks for the info and link, which I hadn’t seen before.

    There once was a Prez named Dicky,
    Paranoid, and a true sicky.
    But Bush has surpassed
    The works of that ass,
    And Fitz will give him a hickey.

  40. 51)
    Kira said on 7/25/2005 @ 7:03pm PT: [Permalink]

    Heehee! I stay busy clipping & chopping the bushes & my dog pees on every one he sees!! Good doggie!

  41. 52)
    Peg C said on 7/25/2005 @ 7:21pm PT: [Permalink]

    Great quotes, Kira #49 –

    I think back to reading about little pre-teen bush lobbing a baseball through an aged, ailing neighbor’s bedroom window. His mother said, "Wait till Poppy gets home." Poppy said, upon hearing the story, "Wow! You threw that?! What an arm!!!" (paraphrased but accurate)

    Uuurgh…

  42. 54)
    Valley Girl said on 7/25/2005 @ 7:27pm PT: [Permalink]

    Hi Kira,

    It took me a while to discover that the current Bush actually has animal pets. These haven’t been featured in the news much, unlike "Socks" and "Macaroni". But here it is:

    Broadmoor man creating life-size bronze of Bush’s terrier

    snippet:

    "Barney is the first of two Scottish terriers that are part of the Bush household. Miss Beazley recently was added to the family."

    Why haven’t these doggies been given more press? Well, maybe it’s because of Bush’s major pet, Rove-errrrr. Wonder if *he* will continue to fetch the paper, or, maybe, pee on the bu$hes (good doggie!!!!)

    VG

  43. 55)
    Sarah said on 7/25/2005 @ 7:31pm PT: [Permalink]

    Karla- Struck a nerve did I… good. Everything I stated is fact. You never answer any questions, just distractions, tell me what I said that was a "false assumption"? You desperately need to inform yourself of the facts so you can engage in informed dialogue and debate, rather than attack (so typical of you wingers)! To defend a traitor is to be a traitor, the TRUTH hurts, (that’s why you attack, your head must be ready to explode).

  44. 57)
    Valley Girl said on 7/25/2005 @ 7:47pm PT: [Permalink]

    Bush has a dog of the breed named Scotty,
    Which should not be confused with that Scottie,
    Whose Mind of just late,
    Looks like it’ll conflate.
    Does Bush think that He has a great Body?

  45. 58)
    Peg C said on 7/25/2005 @ 8:16pm PT: [Permalink]

    There once was a "genius" named Roverer
    Who really was such a fine coverer
    That he buried a bod
    In his very own sod
    And sued US for the cost of de-odorer.

  46. 59)
    Karla said on 7/26/2005 @ 1:09am PT: [Permalink]

    Brad,

    I’ve been soundly defeated by the superior wisdom of your words, and by the comments of your high-IQ followers. It’s just a very humbling experience. Silly me – I thought that laws were actual words that had meanings – now I find that they are just vague abstract things – they mean whatever you & your fellow legal experts think they mean. I see now the wisdom of not discussing specifics – it only complicates matters. Carry on, with much emotion. Great job!

  47. 60)
    big dan said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:37am PT: [Permalink]

    KARLA,

    Won’t you join us? Come over to the side of truth and facts. I can see a person inside you, screaming to come out. A person who wants to know truth and facts. Won’t you join us? I like you, because, even though you don’t answer any questions, you are nice about it…unlike a lot of other "rightwingers"…

    COME ON! JOIN US!

  48. 61)
    big dan said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:38am PT: [Permalink]

    LET’S ALL MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO BE NICE TO KARLA, AND CONVINCE HER TO JOIN US!

  49. 62)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:39am PT: [Permalink]

    There once was a hermit named Rove

    Who kept a dead whore in a stove

    If trouble was brewing, and a foe needed screwing

    He’d cook up a meeting, by Jove

  50. 64)
    Joan said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:59am PT: [Permalink]

    Peg & Valley Girl,
    Ok I’m sorry, you guys, I loves ya but….you gotta work on the rhythm of yer limericks!!! I mean, seriously, lol!!!
    Ok, now I have to try one, put my money where my big mouth is, I guess….

    There once was a fellow named Bush
    Whom his college-mates claim was a lush
    It may be just a joke
    He was fonder of coke
    Maybe someone should ask his pal Rush

    was that ‘whom’ right? Or should it be ‘who’? As in ‘who cares!’

  51. 65)
    Joan said on 7/26/2005 @ 4:19am PT: [Permalink]

    Gee, that was fun! I bet that felt almost as good as Cheney felt after he told Leahy to "Go f*ck yourself!"
    (his way of restoring dignity to guvmint. We’re proud of you, Dick!)

    There once was a fellow named Dicky
    No, not Nixon, this Dick’s far more tricky
    Shake his hand? Some recoil
    Is it blood or just oil
    That makes Tricky Dick’s fingers so sticky?

  52. 66)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/26/2005 @ 4:21am PT: [Permalink]

    No, Joan, it should be "who."

    Turn the phrase around, and you get "His college mates claim (HE) was a lush." "He" is the subjective form, as is "who."

    Good limerick, though.

  53. 67)
    Joan said on 7/26/2005 @ 5:01am PT: [Permalink]

    Thanks, Robert! You are surely right. I’m abashed. So nice to have literate people around.

  54. 68)
    Kira said on 7/26/2005 @ 7:37am PT: [Permalink]

    A Eunuch named Blossom of Turd
    Knows how to keep the pot stirred.
    In the guise of a Christian
    He’s pleasured by friction
    “Repugnant,” all sane folk concurred.

  55. 70)
    Kira said on 7/26/2005 @ 8:28am PT: [Permalink]

    And Fun, too! (Peg C #73)

    PS THANK YOU WP for putting the link to Torqued’s Community Assistant on the Comment Box! Muah!

  56. 71)
    Valley Girl said on 7/26/2005 @ 9:04am PT: [Permalink]

    That great Mainer Peg C,
    She surely does trump me!!
    Such a clever mind,
    You will never find,
    In a Bu$h Spelling Bee.

    Love it. Roverer, coverer. Hope our favorite blogger is reading.

    Brad, why are you paying so much attention to Karl-a? *We* love you, and we are way more clever.

    VG

  57. 75)
    Arry said on 7/26/2005 @ 2:36pm PT: [Permalink]

    Big Dan – I hope "Karla" will join us. We are discussing such important and urgent issues, we are naturally very vehement in our responses.

    I may be way off base and "Karla" may be a paid Republican shill, but "she" has not been a typical troll. She may have taken Repug bait hook, line, and sinker, but who hasn’t been wrong? I sure have – plenty of times.

    So, Karla, give us a go, if you feel like it. Be glad to have you.

  58. 76)
    Kira said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:05pm PT: [Permalink]

    Oh, I dunno, Arry. The Karla commenter seems to be in line with the professional trolls we’ve had before here. We’ll see!!! If Karla’s not a Pro troll – here’s the opportunity to let us know.

  59. 77)
    Arry said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:10pm PT: [Permalink]

    …and Karla #63 – You said "I thought that laws were actual words that had meanings"

    That is actually a point in much of what we are saying. It is important to discuss specifics because much of the crime and terrible things that happen in the world are the results of relying non-specific, vague concepts that ignore details. That’s the way of propaganda.

  60. 78)
    Arry said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:18pm PT: [Permalink]

    #76 – Kira – Inside my warrior exterior, there lies a soft heart.

    As you say, we’ll see.

  61. 79)
    Kira said on 7/26/2005 @ 3:21pm PT: [Permalink]

    And the way high-paid lawyers twist words and ask questions which are phrased to benefit their client — no matter which way they are answered. There’s something wrong with a legal system that allows obvious shenanigans to masquerade as justice.

  62. 80)
    Brad said on 7/26/2005 @ 4:43pm PT: [Permalink]

    Karla, unable to defend a single statement she’s made said:

    Silly me – I thought that laws were actual words that had meanings – now I find that they are just vague abstract things – they mean whatever you & your fellow legal experts think they mean.

    Yup. Laws do have meanings, and I’ve asked you about several, and why you believe that Rove was not guilty of violating them.

    You were unable to speak to a single one.

    Pity. But not a surpise.

    VG – Karla gets so much attention because she needs it. We try to help folks in need.

    Joan – You’re one to talk about meter when you then go and rhyme "lush" with "Bush".

    Kira wins the award for her last limerick. But loses points for crediting WP with adding the link to Torque’s BRAD BLOG Comm. Assistant.

    I thought you guys had learned to "assume" nothing by now. Oh, well…my work will never be done, I guess.

  63. 81)
    Joan said on 7/26/2005 @ 4:50pm PT: [Permalink]

    Hahaha! What?! bush/lush…no good? You mean I’m not a genius after all? Damn, all these years my mother’s been lying to me. 🙁

  64. 82)
    Joan said on 7/26/2005 @ 5:06pm PT: [Permalink]

    Brad has dissed liberties I have took
    My poetical gobbledygook
    May not be up to par
    But Jee-ZUSS in a jar
    Brad he still be da man in my book!!!!!

  65. 83)
    Kira said on 7/26/2005 @ 6:09pm PT: [Permalink]

    Joan, you’re jes’ gittin’ started, eh? Funnee stuff. Tricky Dick’s sticky fingers — made me laugh out loud!

    Brad, I throw myself at your mercy. Sheesh – your edits on the blog look so much like WP’s. But, I should never assume around here. We’d better be minding our P’s & Q’s from now on!

    RLM #66 — Hilarious!!! Is there more to that story?

    Thanks for the chuckles – I needed them today.

  66. 84)
    Joan said on 7/26/2005 @ 6:40pm PT: [Permalink]

    #66 Hahahaha! Great one, Robert!

    Kira,
    You probably shouldn’t encourage me, but hey, if we couldn’t laugh in the midst of all this we’d be in big trouble. Comedy relief & all.
    So I’m gonna re-post this one I wrote for k-k-k-karla on another thread (’cause ok, I admit it! I’m a big ham)

    Karla claims that she wants fact & reason
    Don’t be fooled, folks, ’cause she’s only teasin’
    Though her jibes may be galling
    What’s far more appalling
    She’s perfectly comfy with treason

    I think Robert wins the prize, tho!

  67. 86)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/27/2005 @ 2:25am PT: [Permalink]

    For Kira, Joan et al.: Thanks for the compliments. Is there more to the Rove/whore/oven story? In fact, there is. Turns out the whore wasn’t dead, after all. Nor was it a "she." A real Trojan Horse, as follows:

    Karl’s whore came to life in the oven

    Where she’d given Karl’s critics good lovin’

    A sexy loose cannon, by the name of Jeff Gannon

    A warlock was loose in the coven

  68. 87)
    Joan said on 7/27/2005 @ 3:08am PT: [Permalink]

    Absolutely brilliant, Robert!! lol!!!
    btw Kira, "blossom of turd"…very nice turn-of-phrase!!

  69. 88)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/27/2005 @ 4:33am PT: [Permalink]

    The story almost tells itself, Joan. Continues:

    His name wasn’t Jeff, it was James

    And Rove used him for partisan games

    A very high ratio, included fellatio

    All except Valerie Plame’s

  70. 89)
    Kira said on 7/27/2005 @ 7:28am PT: [Permalink]

    Really funny, RLM!! It’s a long story – don’t stop (pant-pant :p)

    My story continues:

    The same munch that blooms ‘top a Turd
    Gets away with so much it’s absurd
    A Flaming Queen by night
    Thumps his Bible by light
    And MSM utters nary a word.

  71. 90)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/27/2005 @ 8:00am PT: [Permalink]

    A DOUBLE LIMERICK ON THE WHORE-IN-THE-OVEN THEME

    Now Jeff’s nudie pics drew a sigh

    From girlie men both far and nigh

    Once out of the closet, it was easy to posit

    That Scottie would let him come by

    ———————————————-

    But then something awful went wrong

    A Dick got ensnared in Jeff’s thong

    It might have been Cheney, and I know this sounds zany

    But it’s why he’s been hiding so long

  72. 93)
    Kira said on 7/27/2005 @ 10:37am PT: [Permalink]

    Gawd. Now I got started:

    Make ’em take a look at themselves
    Here’s my own rebel yell –
    (I fight against corruption, doncha know)
    They are not immune – the nephew of John Thune –
    Caught red-handed in 2004 election fraud.
    Where’s the coverage on that? ACVR, you’re falling flat.
    Let’s remind them this is news they ought to show.

    But, when reading their report,
    It’s not there, "Oh My Lord!"
    Only Democrats who "may" have broke the law.
    I’m afraid I have to say, it’s a very sad, sad day,
    When both Parties stand behind this cover-up.
    "Where’s the honesty?", I ask.
    No more in comfort Y’all shall bask!
    You’ve been outed by the ones who see this flaw.

    Jimmy Carter, Where’s Your Pride?
    Don’t you know this is a LIE?
    Robert Pastor slithers sneakily I think.
    If you’re reading this, I hope, you both see that we’re not dopes
    Are you duped or bribed or threatened by the thugs?
    We’ll forgive if you’ve tried
    And I hope you will decide
    To jump this leaky ship before it sinks.

    See other relating articles:
    Repubs say it’s ok to sign as a Notary Public, even if you’re not one … ‘course that is – if you’re a Republican.

    Of course john thune’s nephew and others involved are not facing any charges. NoooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOO of course not

    Jimmy Carter looking at Florida 2000 election fraud (Unfortunately, he dissed Nader here. But, as much as I believe we should allow other Parties to run for office, I (then) maintained everybody should vote to keep bu$h OUT of office — ABB. Nobody was more dangerous to our Freedom – ain’t it the truth.) Anyway – Jimmy Carter – how about it? What ever became of all that talk about the "suspicious process in Florida? How about the addition of MORE suspicion in Florida and the rest of the country in 2004?

  73. 94)
    Valley Girl said on 7/27/2005 @ 11:45am PT: [Permalink]

    Peg C, Joan, Kira, RLM (hope I didn’t miss anyone)–

    I’ve been reading…. 😉 Oh, keep them coming, please! I, too, need a few laughs!!!! Goodness, the normally staid (sorry, not quite the right word; maybe ‘serious’) and respectful RLM wins a prize for his thematic focus, inventive innuendo and total off-the-wallness. Hilarious!!!!! RLM, I’m looking forward to the next installments! I hope that you will post all of the verses together– or I’ll have to.

  74. 96)
    Valley Girl said on 7/27/2005 @ 12:10pm PT: [Permalink]

    Kira- Might fly!! Need to keep thinking of ways to keep Brad’s pro bono going. I’d like to see a compilation CD of BradShow interviews, too. When is your next Blossom of Turd installment? VG

  75. 97)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/27/2005 @ 2:38pm PT: [Permalink]

    Thanks, Valley Girl. Needless to say, these aren’t copyrighted. If anyone wants to buy them, all the proceeds go to Brad. You can be the archivist.

    Now George has a bulge in his back

    To keep him from going off track

    Jeff’s bulge is in front, and that dog will hunt

    Any liberal they want to attack

    ———————————

    Now Monica gave Bill a blow

    And the media covered the show

    But a stud runs amok, seeking liberals to f**k

    While Bushie pretends not to know

  76. 98)
    Valley Girl said on 7/27/2005 @ 3:08pm PT: [Permalink]

    #97 RLM,

    Glad to see you have been hard at work. As the archivist, I just had to post the first 5 verses on the latest open thread. Guess I’ve got some new work to do!!!

    VG

  77. 99)
    Valley Girl said on 7/27/2005 @ 3:58pm PT: [Permalink]

    p.s. RLM 😉 #97

    No, they (they meaning what shall henceforth and formally be called Your Rove Works) have been copyrighted implicitly by you, if not explicitly, as part of the normal and overriding first public publication legal process.

    I advise you to confirm such in writing on this forum, because of late there have been some lawyers, or at least some with "legal experience" posting here, who might see a fallacious opening not to speak the truth.

    As one with legal experience, I can say with good authority that you do hold the CR, despite your naive and frivolous comment, which I urge you to retract immediately, as it is better to err on the side of caution.

    Inasmuch as you remain the legal copyright holder, you may, at your discretion, at any time in the future, transfer these rights to Brad. This legal advice is Pro Bono, and for the sake of the public record.

    Authoritatively,

    VG

  78. 100)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/28/2005 @ 12:09am PT: [Permalink]

    For the public record, I hereby assert authorship rights to certain limericks published for satirical purposes on bradblog, beginning July 26, 2005. I may transfer such rights later, at my discretion.

    Robert Lockwood Mills, Monroe, CT. 06468

    Thanks, VG

  79. 101)
    Joan said on 7/28/2005 @ 3:45am PT: [Permalink]

    Whoa, you guys are leaving me in the dust here! I turn my back for five minutes….
    Robert, well done! You’re really crankin’ out them limericks! Alright, I’ll try to catch up a little…..

    Bush’s gang, as we wait for the fall of it,
    Blithely lie, cheat & smear–oh, the gall of it!
    So entangled in evil,
    Disgrace & upheaval
    Yet still they blame Clinton for all of it.

  80. 102)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/28/2005 @ 4:10am PT: [Permalink]

    Excellent, Joan. Maybe we can put together a book of these and offer it as a bradblog premium.

    Continuing the thematic:

    Jeff Gannon has left Scottie’s site

    Late-lamented, and hardly contrite

    But the boys still adore him and now Rick Santorum

    Has brought his own sword to the fight

    _______________________________

    The problem with sex, so says he

    Really isn’t about chastity

    It’s about Massachusetts and now there are two sets

    Of standards, for thee and for me

  81. 103)
    Joan said on 7/28/2005 @ 6:22am PT: [Permalink]

    #102,
    You know, that really is not a bad idea. Why not use them to make a few bucks for the Brad? Don’t know if Brad would agree and don’t know how to do it, but maybe others would know. Meanwhile, speaking of that other rightie mouthpiece you mentioned (tricky rickie? despicable rick-o-bull?), let the limerick-athon continue:

    On the Daily Show’s too-gentle forum
    Jon wore kid gloves with Rickie Santorum.
    Rick deplores gay men bedding
    Yet sanctions the shredding
    Of laws, honor, rights & decorum.

  82. 104)
    Joan said on 7/28/2005 @ 6:32am PT: [Permalink]

    We can’t let limBAH-HUMBUG out of the fray:

    Always quick to blame Bill for all ills
    Rush has been the most rabid of shills
    With his country aflame
    He’d no time to feel shame
    He was too busy popping his pills

  83. 105)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/28/2005 @ 6:54am PT: [Permalink]

    Rupert Murdoch can’t escape unscathed, either.

    When Jeff Gannon invaded the White House

    He made it the perverts’ new cathouse

    But the media snored, in perfect accord

    ’cause Fox Network was guarding the henhouse

  84. 106)
    Joan said on 7/28/2005 @ 10:35am PT: [Permalink]

    Ok, I may be engaging in overkill here…I think I see Brad approaching with a hook to drag me off stage…but I just couldn’t forget old Bill O’Reilly:

    Bill O’Reilly surpasses the rest
    When it comes to abusing a guest;
    Unaquainted with tact,
    He’s dismissive of fact,
    And some gals, I hear, find him a pest.

    If you visit his set, be aware
    His routine’s neither balanced nor fair;
    Like a dervish he’ll spin,
    You will need a thick skin
    To survive in this fox’s dank lair.

    Any teller of truth he’ll detest,
    To discredit & smear is his quest.
    You will need gear protective
    against vile invective–
    Best put on your bullet-proof vest.

    Yes our Billy, a crass little slime,
    makes excuses for every Bush crime.
    He’s so loyal, the punk!
    Hope they save him a bunk
    When the Bushies are all doing time.

    k, Joan will shut-up now.

  85. 108)
    Valley Girl said on 7/28/2005 @ 1:00pm PT: [Permalink]

    #100 RLM Thanks! 😉

    RLM, Joan, Kira, Peg C– Again, what brilliance!!!!!

    We need to make sure these topical verses aren’t *lost*. I’ll see what I can do. Meanwhile, I hope that all of you are keeping your own "archival" files of your Aha! lims and verses. That would be a good first step… (taking up the compilation idea). VG

  86. 109)
    Joan said on 7/28/2005 @ 1:10pm PT: [Permalink]

    I make copies of everything in quadruplicate. I need to build an addition onto my house in which to store it all.
    (insert maniacal laughter here)
    kidding. I do like maniacal laughter tho.

  87. 111)
    Joan said on 7/29/2005 @ 3:42am PT: [Permalink]

    #110
    Whoa, VG!
    That was very weird, disturbing & made me wet my pants laughing!

    I’m not sure if anyone’s on this thread anymore ‘cept you & me, but here’s my lim-offering for Congress:

    As the nation with scandals is churning
    These buffoons waste their time on flag-burning.
    But the fraud that our vote is
    They don’t wish to notice,
    All evidence carelessly spurning.

    Every day they must hunt a new witch again,
    Some non-issue about which to bitch again.
    Where in these hallowed halls
    Find we brains, wit or balls?
    In one gentleman-hero from Michigan.

    Yes this Congressman’s courage is stunning,
    Though each letter he sends they are shunning.
    Mr. C., don’t demur,
    You’re a patriot, sir!
    Oh sweet Jesus, please tell us you’re running!

  88. 112)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/29/2005 @ 7:26am PT: [Permalink]

    Great going, ladies. In honor of the article today in FreePress by Fitrakis and Wasserman, I offer the following "quatrain" limerick to the once-great state of Ohio:

    There was a coin dealer named Noe
    His collection he sold for big dough
    Thirteen mil disappeared, and as everyone feared
    Noe and Ney now say nay, we dunno

    Blackwell’s casting the blame far and wide
    To protect his own villanous hide
    But the Blade found its credo, so holy Toledo
    All the crooks are about to collide

    Missing coins paid for Texans who came
    Up to Cleveland, black victims to game
    "If Tuesday you dread, vote on Wednesday instead
    We’ll make sure it counts just the same"

    But now it’s all going for naught
    "Don’t get greedy," that’s what we’ve been taught
    But in Central Ohio, that just won’t get by, oh
    What terrible crimes hath men wrought

  89. 113)
    Valley Girl said on 7/29/2005 @ 1:53pm PT: [Permalink]

    RLM, Joan, et al.,

    More wonderful topical verses. I’m still reading!!!! I’ve made a Word file with the links and copies of the verses, hoping that I haven’t missed any so far. There are plenty of Brad items that don’t have verses, and desevere comment.

    So, here’s a request, if you can manage it. If you contribute yet another brilliant verse to a new thread, would you also please copy the link for your post and post it on this thread? Just click the link icon on your original comment, and copy and paste the link into a new comment here. A little extra trouble, I know, but… I don’t want to miss any verses. Sometime soon I’ll try to edit the verses into a book-type format, in a .pdf form, which I can email to you all, if you wish.

    VG

  90. 114)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/29/2005 @ 5:42pm PT: [Permalink]

    What’s a link icon? What’s a thread? Sorry, VG, I’m computer illiterate.

  91. 115)
    Joan said on 7/29/2005 @ 7:18pm PT: [Permalink]

    Oh thank you, Robert. So am I. I have to get my daughter to walk me through what VG says to do.
    Tomorrow, hopefully! I think I put some on the ‘Be the Blog, Open Thread’.
    Boy, I wish somebody’d pay me to write limericks. That would be sweet, hahaha!
    Nice work, Robert…I sure hope you’re right that "all the crooks are about to collide". I dunno…I smell a pardon on the horizon. A pox on the bastids!

  92. 116)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/30/2005 @ 12:25am PT: [Permalink]

    Joan, I don’t see how Bush could pardon someone convicted of a crime in an Ohio court. Assuming the dominoes fall there (call it the New Domino Theory),
    only Governor Taft would have pardon power (as with a condemned murderer), and he has already promised to clean his house before leaving office.

    Both Petro and Blackwell are running for governor, which makes it comical. I almost hope they aren’t indicted themselves, because Blackwell is already casting aspersions in every direction. More will come out through charges and counter-charges in a campaign than through a prosecutor’s office (look how secretive Fitzgerald has been).

    In Ohio they’re getting quite daft
    As the ship of state leaks fore and aft
    In circumlocution, and with no clear solution
    All the charges redound upon Taft

    Damschroder (as Bush calls the German)
    Is one of the prominent vermin
    Add Diebold’s C.E.O., Blackwell, Petro, and Noe
    And others we’ve yet to determine

  93. 117)
    Joan said on 7/30/2005 @ 5:57am PT: [Permalink]

    Ooooh they just keep getting better & better, Robert. Keep goin’!
    Meanwhile I’m struggling to concoct a limerick around "Hillary, Joe Lieberman, and the phrase ‘why not just admit you’re Republican’"….

  94. 118)
    Joan said on 7/30/2005 @ 6:15am PT: [Permalink]

    RLM, again, I hope you’re right. But don’t presidents pardon people who’ve been convicted of all manner of things in all manner of courts? Eh, I may be wrong…I haven’t researched the history of our illustrious commanders-in-chief & their pardons.

  95. 119)
    Joan said on 7/30/2005 @ 6:50am PT: [Permalink]

    VG #113
    When you say
    "If you contribute yet another…. verse to a new thread, would you also please copy the link for your post and post it on this thread? Just click the link icon on your original comment, and copy and paste the link into a new comment here"
    I’m not sure exactly what to do…I click on the link for my comment on another thread…and then copy/paste the link itself & re-post it on this thread? Or do I copy/paste the comment & post that?
    Sorry!! Joan be dim.

  96. 120)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 7/30/2005 @ 7:31am PT: [Permalink]

    Joan: I should be able to help you with Joe Lieberman. He’s one of my senators, and a man I once voted for (sorry to admit).

    Joe Lieb is a very close pally
    Of those wizards in Silicon Valley
    With their stock option tricks, and software for hicks
    The dot-coms were right up Joe’s alley

    When the bubble then burst in ’01
    And the wizards were all on the run
    Joe said it’s O.K., they’ll come back some day
    Now chasing Saddam is more fun

    Joe still had his sights on ’04
    But seemed closer to Bush than to Gore
    His non-partisan schemes, and neo-con dreams
    Made the Dems want to show him the door

    His best chance in ’08, it’s plain
    Is running with Jeb or McCain
    ‘Cause the Democrat brass, want him out on his ass
    And their loss is the G.O.P.’s gain

  97. 121)
    Kira said on 7/30/2005 @ 8:51am PT: [Permalink]

    Joan let me field that question since I’m here. For example your comment:

    COMMENT #119 [link]

    Clicking on the highlighted [link] will open a new page with your comment #119 at the top. So, yes, copy that address, which looks like this (minus the http part)

    http://www.bradblog.com/archive...001624.htm#119

    Use Torqued’s link generator. Brad has provided a one-click service — just above the comment box — the (CLICK HERE for help adding links in comments & much more!) will take you to Torqued’s Community Assistant page. That will keep the html links from corrupting page width.

    Did that help?

  98. 122)
    Joan said on 7/30/2005 @ 11:25am PT: [Permalink]

    Thank you, Kira, I appreciate the help. I will try it & hope I don’t screw it up.

    Terrific, Robert!
    Much better than my own scribblings on Lieberman, which I abandoned in favor of concentrating on the curious & troubling silence of our lawmakers & media:

    The Scent of Silence?
    (meaning no disrespect to Simon & Garfunkle)

    House & Senate & press are not dumb,
    Yet their ethical sense appears numb.
    From their reticent mien
    One might reas’nably glean
    They’ve been threatened & bribed to keep mum.

    While this dire and detested conclusion
    Will be scorned as a leftist delusion,
    Any Tom, Dick or Jane
    Who possesses a brain
    Can detect the perfume of collusion.

  99. 123)
    Valley Girl said on 7/30/2005 @ 1:40pm PT: [Permalink]

    Thanks Kira.

    I’ll add a bit (and repeat a bit) because different browsers are set up differently, and bec. RLM wanted more detailed info. You’ll see what I mean.

    RLM, I’m using "thread" to mean all of the comments that follow in response to one of Brad’s articles/ blogs/ major posts. So, all of the comments made here, in response to Brad’s initial post (Gergen: etc.) are what I call the "Gergen thread". All of the comments to Brad’s post on Bush trying to send the EPA to Iraq ;-), here, I would call the "EPA Iraq" thread, as shorthand.

    When I want to post links, either to other threads in the BradBlog, or to other internet addresses, I start out by opening the Community Assistant page in a new window. I do this by moving the mouse pointer/ clicker over the "CLICK HERE" part of the "Your Comment.." box. Clicking once (or twice, depending on how the mouse software you have is set up) will open the Community Assistant page. On my computer this opens as a new window, so it’s there ready to use. On one recent thread Brad did not post the "Click here" link, but it is in the comment part of most of the threads.

    To generate a link so that you can reference a particular BB comment in a NEW comment you are going to make on another thread:

    1), move the cursor to point to the [link] part of "COMMENT #121 [link]" , e.g. On my computer set-up, when the cursor is over/ pointing to "[link]", the word "link" becomes underlined, and shortly thereafter an extra tiny text box shows up next to the cursor, saying "Permanent link to this Comment". (I use the Firefox browser– other browsers might behave slightly differently.)

    2), click on [link]. (Click with left mouse button.) As Kira says, this brings the comment to the top of the screen. On my computer, I don’t get a "new" (extra) window as a result, I get a "replacement" window- again varies by computer setup, but not important for task. The internet address for the permanent link to the comment appears in the address line near the top of the browser page.

    3), move the cursor so that it is over this address (e.g. https://bradblog.com/archives/00001624.htm#121), and click to highlight the address. In my case, this highlights the whole address, including the http part– this works fine.

    4), copy the highlighted address. There are (at least) two ways to do this. Hold down the Ctrl key and then hit the "c" key. Or, right click while the address is still highlighted– this will open a small new box. Drag the cursor down to highlight "copy" and left click on this.

    5), bring up/ switch to the Community Assistant page on your browser. (You’ve already opened it, remember?) If this part is confusing, ask me about it.

    6), paste the address into the Link URL box on the CA page. First move the cursor over this box, then click/ left click with the mouse. The box will turn from white to yellow. Now, paste in the http etc. address. There are (at least) two ways to do this (paste) . Hold down the Ctrl key and then hit the "v" key. Or, right click while the cursor is still over the Link URL box. Again, this will open a small new box. Drag the cursor down to highlight "paste" and left click on this. The http etc. address should now show up in the Link URL box.

    7) Move the cursor down to the Link text box and click on that. The box will turn from white to yellow. Type your own text in this box, as you want it to appear in the new comment you are typing, e.g. new lim here.

    8) Next, click on the generate HTML button. It will turn yellow, and new highlighted in blue text will appear in the HTML box, below.

    9) Move the cursor over the new, highlighted text that is in the HTML box, and copy it (as described above). You now have copied the http address that links to your comment (e.g. https://bradblog.com/archives/00001624.htm#121), and formatted it so that it can be pasted into the NEW comment you’ll write. It will eventually appear show up transformed into the "link text" that you’ve typed (7, above).

    10) Now you can paste this "link text" into any new comment (paste as above). It will appear as very long HTML text in the comment box. To see how it will look in your posted comment, click on the "Preview" button below the comment box. You should now see your "link text" in the preview.

    11) Now, go back to the page where you are typing your comment, and type the rest of your text around the long HTML text. For example, if you want to post a link (e.g. URL text: "new lim here") on the "Gergen thread" you can type "I have posted a " before the long HTML text in the comment box. If you check by clicking the Preview button, you will see something like "I have posted a *new lim here*".

    12) etc. RLM, to do all of this without driving yourself crazy, you need to be able to open several (three at least) browser windows, which you can choose between. I won’t explain how to do this here, bec. it would take a lot of text to explain something that is really simple to do. RLM, email me if you need further info.

  100. 124)
    Joan said on 7/31/2005 @ 5:22am PT: [Permalink]

    Many thanks, VG & Kira, for helping to educate me!! It’s very kind of you both to put in the time & effort. I think I’ve got it now & will try to follow your instructions without causing the thread to balloon like….a beltway rumor? dubya’s ego?….didn’t want to be mean & say…like a certain fellow’s drawers!

    I just wanted to post my latest offerings first, though. Let me know if y’all are bored to death with these & it’s time to desist! In the meantime:

    This Week in Washington, part 1:

    Get Over It, You Whiners!
    (Gun-makers now immune from lawsuits! Thanks, guys!)

    Kids get shot. No big deal. It’s expected,
    Say those righteous old boys we elected.
    Thought you’d sue? Oh, too bad.
    Best move on, Mom & Dad,
    ‘Cause the the gun-maker’s ass is protected.

    (also see: "Just Put Down That Law Suit, Pardner, and No One Gets Hurt." by Greg Palast)
    ………..

    This Week in Washington, part2:

    Rover gets a Bone
    (http://www.amipatriotic.com/node?from=15)

    Dubya’s perks for ineptness are awesome.
    (So’s his temper, so try not to cross’m).
    When the medals run low
    Some new prize he’ll bestow,
    Like this gem for his favorite, Turd Blossom:

    See, poor Turd Blossom’s been feeling blue
    (With that idiot name, wouldn’t you?)
    So to ease his malaise
    Georgie gave him….a raise!
    Wow, our prez’dent rewards TREASON, too!

  101. 125)
    Joan said on 7/31/2005 @ 7:10am PT: [Permalink]

    Valley Girl,
    Alright, here goes. I followed your directions along with those on the help link…tried to do it right…
    The Bush Gang:

    ummm…Kira or VG…this doesn’t look right.
    Oh I see what happens when I preview it.
    Not to seem ungrateful or be a GIANT painintheass! but couldn’t I just copy/paste the limerick itself here? Or is the point to just post the link so as not to use up so much space?
    Boy, you gals deserve hazard pay for being so patient with the likes of me!!

  102. 126)
    Valley Girl said on 7/31/2005 @ 4:34pm PT: [Permalink]

    Joan, #125

    Your link to "The Bush Gang" worked perfectly!!!!! You did do it correctly!!!!!!!

    Actually, when I asked that links be posted here I assumed that that would be the easiest way for limericists to add to the "keeping track" thing. I guess that’s because I’ve used Torqued’s CA a lot, and find it very useful for posting links of any kind within comments.

    Making clickable links via the CA and including them in comments is almost reflexive for me now, but I had to go through the learning process too. And, so, I’m happy to pass it on. I’ve had a lot of patient help myself during the process of learning my way about the computers and the internet.

    Not a space issue. But, BBers will click on links, and that makes the comment/ lim/ outside link to a story quick to find.

    However, your alternative suggestion would work just fine too. So, you could indeed cut and paste the limerick here.

    It would be nice to have a context, so it would be helpful to add something like:

    "I just posted this lim on the BradShow thread for */*/*". It is comment #xyz", or "I just posted this on the Open Thread started */*/*, it is comment #999."

    Keep the heat on,

    VG

  103. 128)
    Kira said on 8/1/2005 @ 10:02am PT: [Permalink]

    Wow VG! Excellent documentation. LOL – why does it take so many words to describe a fairly simple action?

    I, too, had to learn Torqued’s CA package and was clumsy at first, but now it seems 2nd nature.

    At first I had a copy of the html language (provided by Peg C. and Dredd) that I kept open in a Word document and just changed the http addy and subject line. That was clunky for me and occasionally I made goofs with that method. I never took time to commit the html language to memory – soooo – Torqued’s CA link-helper is way beyond COOL! Thanks Torqued!

  104. 129)
    Valley Girl said on 8/4/2005 @ 9:13am PT: [Permalink]

    OT, but I’m posting it here because I’ll know when to find it when I need it. Here’s a link to the unmasking of a recent troll by Arry and Kira. Troll = Karla aka Buckshot aka Shirley. Read back from the linked post to get the story.

  105. 130)
    Robert Lockwood Mills said on 8/5/2005 @ 7:12am PT: [Permalink]

    I walk two miles a day and I’ve written five books. I think my IQ was about 120 last time it was taken, but that was a long time ago and my mother’s dead,
    so there’s no way of checking it.

    The reason I’m home in front of the computer, and not in an office, is that I blew the whistle on a scandal involving my late wife’s relatives and my employer fired me for it. That happened in 2001, when I was 59 years old.

    Maybe Karla can tell us a bit about herself. If she’s really Buckshot, though, she needn’t bother. Anyone who lives in Alaska, where everybody gets a four-figure check just for moving there, then complains about other people not paying taxes, isn’t worth anyone’s time…whatever their I.Q.s are.

  106. 132)
    Valley Girl said on 8/28/2005 @ 12:36pm PT: [Permalink]

    Making clickable links–

    Click on "click here" above the comment box. That will open "Community Assistant". The part to make clickable links looks like this (except with a green background):

    Copy and paste the URL you wish to link into the "link URL" box. I used https://bradblog.com/ as an example.

    Type your own words into the "link text" box. Instead of using "type your own text here" as in the example, one could, e.g., type "Brad Blog here"

    Click on the "Generate HTML" button.

    New HTML text will apppear in the "HTML" box, highlighted in blue. The box isn’t long enough to show all of the new text, but don’t worry about that. When you "copy" the box contents, you’ll capture it all.

    Then, paste the copied HTML into your Brad Blog comment box. And, type your message around it/ before it/ after it, as you wish.

    To see the result, click the Preview button below the comment box. If you don’t like the result, click the back button on your browser, and edit.

    Once you are happy with the "Preview", submit comment.

    VG

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