KO Gives the Republican Terrorist the BRONZE

I am almost ashamed to say that I missed KO last night, I watch him almost every night, since Countdown had a little something in it I would have gotten a kick out of according to ctblogger:

Here's where it all started. My favorite town drunk from New Milford picked up on an interesting story on a big-time Republican donor who was slapped with terrorism charges...well, I'll let him tell the story.

Ok... So the terrorism part first:

Terrorism charges brought Friday against the administrator of a loan investment program claimed that he secretly tried to send $152,000 to the Middle East to buy equipment such as night vision goggles for a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan.

Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari, 53, of Ardsley, N.Y., pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to an indictment accusing him of terrorism financing, material support of terrorism and other charges. The charges carried a potential penalty of 95 years in prison.

But would you really believe me if I told you he was a Republican?

CBS News has confirmed that Alishtari is a donor to the Republican Party, as he claims on his curriculum vitae. Alishtari gave $15,500 to the National Republican Campaign Committee between 2002 and 2004, according to Federal Election Commission records. That amount includes $13,000 in 2003, a year when he claims to have been named NRCC New York State Businessman of the Year.

Alishtari also claims to be a lifetime member of the National Republican Senate Committee's Inner Circle, which the NRCC describes as "an impressive cross-section of American society – community leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, retirees, and sports and entertainment celebrities – all of whom hold a deep interest in our nation's prosperity and security."

The Republican party needs to be placed on "The List" of terrorist related organizations and watched very carefully.

It is pretty apparent that the FBI and Homeland Security are wasting their time watching us liberal/peacenik/Quaker/progressive/etc. types. Just ask Ken Krayeske...

The blogger does a follow-up on how the conservative media covered the story.

Late Update: Funny. TPM Reader B points out that the New York Post chose a rather different way of reporting this story. Their lede: "A Westchester businessman and purported peace activist was nabbed by the feds for allegedly plotting to funnel more than $150,000 to terrorists at training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

No mention of Republican ties. Let me know when they follow up ...

Don't' hold your breath, it's the New York Post.

Over the last 48 hours, that particular blog posting from received a great deal of attention from such national blogs as Crooks and Liars, Talking Points Memo, and Raw Story, which in turn gave this New York Story a great deal of national attention. Last night, Keith Olbermann grabbed the ball and gives this blog posting new legs. Take a look.

Make no mistake about it, the blogs pushed this story hard and it all started from a blogger from New Milford. As we approach the 2007 and 2008 elecitons, you'll see more blog postings from progressive blogs popping into the mainstream media. If the 2006 elections told bloggers anything, it's that if blogs generate loud enough of a buzz, the mainstream media will take notice.

Once again, People Powered Media strikes again...I'm buying that drunk a shot!

I highly doubt KO read it here, or even knows my Blog exists for that matter, but I am glad this story got some national attention before the cobbwebs and dust could settle on it in the bush-spin-world media.

And ctblogger is 100% dead on that all together we can make enough noise on some things and make them pay attention to what is going on. The thing is, in order to get them to notice, we have to be paying enough attention to catch these little things, and we really have to shout it out everywhere.

Not only did KO notice but the AP has picked up the story:

The NRCC did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday about whether it would return the donations.

snip

Alishtari was detained pending a court appearance this week. Prosecutors said he was a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Well, no kidding... If the last decade has proven one thing: All Republicans are dangers to their communities. Unfortunately for us, they are our communities too.

Josh Marshall has a press release:

Here at the right you see the man himself. And if you click this link you'll see the 'press release' the Republican National Committee sent out when Mr. Alishtari was appointed to the NRCC's 'Business Advisory Council'.

Alishtari had the document posted on his company's website GlobalProtector.Net.

His site also apparently had copies of signed photos from President Bush as well as a note from President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush thanking Alishtari for contributing to the Republican party.

And over at at TPM Muckraker they have the NRCC's latest statement on donations they put out:

the National Republican Congressional Committee has released a statement to CNN about the $15,000 in contributions it got from Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari, the man indicted last week for financing terrorists in Afghanistan:

"We are extremely concerned and disturbed by these charges but we need to be careful not to rush to judgment as the judicial process moves forward. If the individual in question is actually found guilty of a crime, it is our intent to donate the money to charity."

Just because you're the subject of a federal indictment, in other words, doesn't mean your money's not good enough for the NRCC. That's no surprise from the group that has refused to return the money contributed by ex-Reps. Mark Foley (R-FL) and Bob Ney (R-OH).

[update]A little time with Google found a few references to him being a Shaikh/Sheik/Sheikh:

Toronto Kicks Off; "Moon" Deal; Palm Springs Picks Shorts & More
Shaikh Abdul Taw'ala Ibn Ali Alishtari of GlobalProtector.net founded the festival. CROWDS HIT CANADA: The Toronto International Film Festival officially ...

Common sense from where you'd least expect it.

It is a rare occasion, indeed, when any statement coming from the Secretary of State shows some common sense.

Think Progress » Rice Admits To U.S. Troops: ‘Your Honor and Your Sacrifice’ Is ‘Appreciated’ By Iraq War Critics:
"And the final thing I want to say is I know that a lot’s going on in Washington and that you’re hearing it. A lot’s going on because we are a great democracy. And people have their views and they’re going to express them. And some do not think that this was the right war to fight, and others think that we in the Administration haven’t fought this war quite right. By the way, all of them know that the sacrifice and the labor of our men and women here has been honorable.

And so when you hear the criticism of the war or the criticism of the President or of me or of anybody else, I do want you to know that to a person at home, your honor and your sacrifice and your labor is appreciated. People know what you’re doing and it’s appreciated across the board. I don’t care what people think of the policies; it’s appreciated across the board."

For all of those that would like to close the debate being pushed for by the Democratic party... Well, the soldiers expect PATRIOTIC debate on Iraq now.

Are some Republicans afraid of real patriotism being shown on the floor of the Senate? Apparently just enough to fillibuster what is their responsibility and duty to talk about.

More Republican NRCC Terrorists... No Kidding

Can't get enough of Republican terrorists? Neither can the NRCC.

Paul Kiel at The Daily Muck has managed to find more Republican Terrorists Fundraisers of the Year:

"Oops! Building on my last post on the NRCC's bogus Business Advisory Council and 'Businessman of the Year' program, it turns out that Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari isn't the first member of the council to be indicted on charges of supporting terrorism.

Yasith Chhun, the head of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, a group designated by the State Department as a terrorist organization, was indicted in May of 2005 for charges of plotting to overthrow the Cambodian government. He was also, The Los Angeles Times reported, a member of the NRCC's Business Advisory Council:"

Chhun is set to go to trial next month and has been indicted for "attempting to kill the prime minister, attack government buildings and launch small-scale attacks on karaoke bars and fuel depots in an effort to galvanize opposition to the Phnom Penh government," according to the La Times.

Attacking Kareoke bars? Some might argue that he was doing a public service there. (JK)

The Daily Muck has more on how much money Chhun was pouring in to the Republican party and his other terrorist group.

When will the United States government outlaw the GOP for their ties to global terrorism? heh

Osama bin Resurrected, and al-Zawahri too

If it isn't enough that Iraq is in a Civil War tailspin, and the Taliban have been regrouping in Afghanistan... Aren't you happy to know that we are doing so well on this whole global "War on Terror" thingie with the help of our great allies in Pakistan:

“Senior leaders of Al Qaeda operating from Pakistan have re-established significant control over their once battered worldwide terror network and over the past year have set up a band of training camps in the tribal regions near the Afghan border,”

snip

“American officials said there was mounting evidence that Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, had been steadily building an operations hub in the mountainous Pakistani tribal area of North Waziristan. Until recently, the Bush administration had described Mr. bin Laden and Mr. Zawahri as detached from their followers and cut off from operational control of Al Qaeda.”

Did I mention that Republicans are funding terrorist efforts like this?

As Joshua Xalpharis pointed out in the comments section there after learning that fact: "They've stomped their clumsy-assed feet all over everything else. The only upside to this story is Republicans are likely to ruin terrorism.. like everything else they touch."

And there is the plan... Get as many of the GOP to join Al Qa'eda as possible, and other terrorist groups as well, and they will destroy the terrorist networks with their complete lack of ethics, morals, logic and fiscal responsibility in the same way that they seemingly have been hell bent on ruining the USA. heh

Republican Terrorist in NY- Take 2

Late Friday Night I posted on the Republican Terrorist charged in Manhattan:

Ok... So the terrorism part first:

Terrorism charges brought Friday against the administrator of a loan investment program claimed that he secretly tried to send $152,000 to the Middle East to buy equipment such as night vision goggles for a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan.

Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari, 53, of Ardsley, N.Y., pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to an indictment accusing him of terrorism financing, material support of terrorism and other charges. The charges carried a potential penalty of 95 years in prison.

But would you really believe me if I told you he was a Republican?

CBS News has confirmed that Alishtari is a donor to the Republican Party, as he claims on his curriculum vitae. Alishtari gave $15,500 to the National Republican Campaign Committee between 2002 and 2004, according to Federal Election Commission records. That amount includes $13,000 in 2003, a year when he claims to have been named NRCC New York State Businessman of the Year.

Alishtari also claims to be a lifetime member of the National Republican Senate Committee's Inner Circle, which the NRCC describes as "an impressive cross-section of American society – community leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, retirees, and sports and entertainment celebrities – all of whom hold a deep interest in our nation's prosperity and security."

Since then Josh Marshall covered it and, as per usual, TPM readers have come up with some interesting takes on this story:

Late Update: Funny. TPM Reader B points out that the New York Post chose a rather different way of reporting this story. Their lede: "A Westchester businessman and purported peace activist was nabbed by the feds for allegedly plotting to funnel more than $150,000 to terrorists at training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

No mention of Republican ties. Let me know when they follow up ...

Later Update: In fairness, the Daily News ran it pretty much the same way.

Never too Late for this Story Update: Oh that's interesting. Cunning Realist found this CV purportedly posted by Mr. Alishtari. In addition to other GOP donor awards, Alishtari says that he was appointed to something called the "White House Business Advisory Committee" in 2003. And CR ends with this point, referencing Alishtari's CV: "Note the entrepreneurial business background with a focus on technology/security. Have any of those businesses ever received government contracts or funds? Any direct or indirect contact in the past with anyone from the Bush administration or Congress?"

Click on for more at TPM... Once their "group" of Blogs and readers gets a hold of a story they usually don't let go of it till it is completely exposed.

MattW at MLN has it up here as well.

Republican Al Qa'eda Terrorist... No Joke

Ok... So the terrorism part first:

Terrorism charges brought Friday against the administrator of a loan investment program claimed that he secretly tried to send $152,000 to the Middle East to buy equipment such as night vision goggles for a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan.

Abdul Tawala Ibn Ali Alishtari, 53, of Ardsley, N.Y., pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to an indictment accusing him of terrorism financing, material support of terrorism and other charges. The charges carried a potential penalty of 95 years in prison.

But would you really believe me if I told you he was a Republican?

CBS News has confirmed that Alishtari is a donor to the Republican Party, as he claims on his curriculum vitae. Alishtari gave $15,500 to the National Republican Campaign Committee between 2002 and 2004, according to Federal Election Commission records. That amount includes $13,000 in 2003, a year when he claims to have been named NRCC New York State Businessman of the Year.

Alishtari also claims to be a lifetime member of the National Republican Senate Committee's Inner Circle, which the NRCC describes as "an impressive cross-section of American society – community leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, retirees, and sports and entertainment celebrities – all of whom hold a deep interest in our nation's prosperity and security."

The Republican party needs to be placed on "The List" of terrorist related organizations and watched very carefully.

It is pretty apparent that the FBI and Homeland Security are wasting their time watching us liberal/peacenik/Quaker/progressive/etc. types. Just ask Ken Krayeske...

[updates] Thank you to those that got this story moving. Raw Story, Crooks and Liars, and Josh Marshall, whose his readers have been dig, dig, digging:

Choice artifacts they have dug up?

This:

Never too Late for this Story Update: Oh that's interesting. Cunning Realist found this CV purportedly posted by Mr. Alishtari. In addition to other GOP donor awards, Alishtari says that he was appointed to something called the "White House Business Advisory Committee" in 2003. And CR ends with this point, referencing Alishtari's CV: "Note the entrepreneurial business background with a focus on technology/security. Have any of those businesses ever received government contracts or funds? Any direct or indirect contact in the past with anyone from the Bush administration or Congress?"

That:

It tuns out Mr. Alishtari, the GOP campaign contributor indicted for sending funds for terrorist training camps in Afghanistan, had a fairly lively life online. TPM Reader TDP points to what purports to be Alishtari's blog. And in a rather rambling post there's a reference to an alleged meeting with VP Dick Cheney. "When I went to DC in the Fall of 2003 and met with VP Cheney, I was first in a room full of advisors where I asked how to resolve this and they advised me to talk to counsels which led to this solution."

Now, we can't be certain that this is actually Alishtari's blog, though I think the weight of evidence suggests that it is.

And the other thing:

He contributed a decent amount of money to GOP congressional campaign committees in the 2002 and 2004 cycles and managed get named to a number of 'committees' and 'councils' set up as perks for GOP campaign contributors, including something called the "White House Business Advisory Committee."

Now a reader of the Cunning Realist blog has dug up the archived version of the website of Mr. Alishtari's company, GlobalProtector, which shows that at the same time Alishtari was giving money to the GOP he was bidding on multiple government contracts -- including ones with the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security.

This story should have had legs of its own... What the heck was the NY Post doing trying to pass this guy off as a "Peace Activist"?

"A Westchester businessman and purported peace activist was nabbed by the feds for allegedly plotting to funnel more than $150,000 to terrorists at training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan."

Peace activist my ass! This guy is so up to his eyeballs in the GOP and full of it.

Mea culpa to Bush - WORST PRESIDENT EVER - USATODAY.com

An excerpt from USA TODAY founder Al Neuharth's OpEd to amend a previously written opinion:

Mea culpa to Bush on Presidents Day -

"A year ago I criticized Hillary Clinton for saying 'this (Bush) administration will go down in history as one of the worst.'

'She's wrong,' I wrote. Then I rated these five presidents, in this order, as the worst: Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Ulysses Grant, Hoover and Richard Nixon. 'It's very unlikely Bush can crack that list,' I added.

I was wrong. This is my mea culpa. Not only has Bush cracked that list, but he is planted firmly at the top."

Got it?

WORST PRESIDENT EVER!

Senate Lockdown On Iraq - Reid makes them work for their weekend

The House has symbolically kicked failed bush policy to the curb:

The Democratic-controlled House issued a symbolic rejection of President Bush's decision to deploy more troops to Iraq on Friday, opening an epic confrontation between Congress and commander in chief over an unpopular war that has taken the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops.

The vote on the nonbinding measure was 246-182, and within minutes, Democrats said their next move would be to challenge Bush's request for $93 billion in new funds for the Pentagon.

VoteVets.org is asking you turn your attention to the Senate where Sen. Harry Reid is delaying the President’s Day recess to vote on it.

VoteVets.org’s veterans of Iraq will be spending the weekend in D.C. to help ensure a vote and passage. We’ve had meetings with half of the Senate, and a few dozen House offices. The vast majority of Democrats are eager to cast their vote for the resolution. On the Republican side, while there are many that won’t support it under any circumstances, I do get the sense from many more that they are genuinely struggling with the issue — whether to put country above party.

I can tell you that the only thing that moves members more than hearing from the troops is hearing from constituents. The Senate resolution will pass only if their phones are flooded with demands from their constituents. Please do your part and take a few seconds to make a call (800-614-2803) or write and then report back.

– Jon Soltz

UPDATE: Some Senators won't even bother to show up to support the Vets:

McCain will skip Saturday’s Iraq vote.

AP: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), “a staunch supporter of sending more troops to Iraq, will skip a Senate vote on the war Saturday to campaign in Iowa while other candidates rearrange their schedules.”

YouTube Meta

An awesome Meta video:

Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us



I'd like to think that we are using the machines. I guess it can depend on which end of the link you are looking at it from... :)

Senator Dodd on Habeas Corpus: Be Ye Patriot OR Tory?

For those of you interested in continuing the real American tradition of "rule of law" that is the foundation that this country was built upon, Senator Dodd is re-introducing legislation to restore Habeas Corpus:

On Tuesday, I re-introduced the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007(PDF). The bill will restore Habeas Corpus protections to detainees, bar information acquired through torture from being introduced as evidence in trials, and limit presidential authority to interpret the meaning and application of the Geneva Conventions.

Please take a moment to watch the video and read the text of the Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007, sign on as a citizen co-sponsor, and forward the bill to your personal networks. While you and I are acutely aware of the damage President Bush has done to our country's national reputation, too many of our family, friends and neighbors have no idea how far this Administration has gone.

Either you support constitutionally provided freedoms and Democracy, or you would like to go back 230 years to where a leader ruled with the dictatorial power of a King.

Are you a real Patriot, or a red-coated Tory royalist? IMHO, There is no in between on this issue.

Veteran diagnosed with cancer- Wins the Lotto BUT

jim staro at Epluribus Media points to a problem a Veteran diagnosed with cancer has because the treatment he needs to have a chance at surviving costs about $400,000, but the fact that he won a million dollars in a NY Lotto "scrath'n'win" won't help him pay for treatment because they pay it out over 20 years.

Cancer Victim Wins $1 Million, but Can't Get It - :
"Miller says that the best option is for Schenk to get a court order telling the lottery to pay out his winnings to a financial institution or a medical facility. 'We're hopeful that we can help Mr. Schenk resolve this to his satisfaction.'

But Gallo says that he and Schenk approached several banks which turned them down and that hospitals are equally resistant. 'They have to pay their electricity, their doctors — they have to pay those bills today — they can't wait 20 years for their money.'

They've also been in discussions with several buyout firms, which would pay $467,000 to buy Schenk's ticket. But after taxes, that amount would be reduced by almost half.

'Why won't someone help out?' asks Gallo. 'Wouldn't this be a great story — with great publicity — veteran who has cancer wins money to save his life?'"

As jim staro puts it:

Well New Yorkers, you have what finally sounds like an Activist Governor, after all these years, hit him and the legislature with jammed lines!

Tou anyone next door to us Nutmeggers in NY state that might catch a read of this... Do something to help a Veteran.

Please?

Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq, Heroin, Sibel & Gonzales

(Just abstract junk pieced together incoherently)

From here:

Afghanistan leads again in heroin production - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics:
"Afghanistan has re-emerged since the U.S.-led war as the world's leading source country for opium and heroin — rapidly returning to levels of the 1990s, when it produced about 70 percent of the world's illicit opium supply, a U.N. report says. "

To here:

New Milford Drug Rehab New Milford,Connecticut Drug Rehab Treatment Drug Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment Centers:
"Sources Drug Situation: Heroin has now equaled crack cocaine as the greatest drug threat in Connecticut. Heroin is a significant problem in the suburban areas of the state as well as the urban areas. Located between the drug distribution centers of New York and Boston, Connecticut is an important transit and destination area for drugs. Interstate 95, the major north-south route on the East Coast, extends along Connecticut’s southern shore through Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and New London. It connects New York City with Boston and continues to the U.S.-Canada border. Interstate 91 extends from New Haven north to Massachusetts, Vermont and the U.S.-Canada border. These interstates intersect in New Haven and form what is known by law enforcement as the New England Pipeline.

snip

Heroin: Demand for heroin is increasing dramatically in Connecticut. It is easily accessible selling at remarkably low prices and high-purity levels (an average of 70-80% purity by DEA laboratories.) Abuse remains widespread, affecting both suburban and urban areas. Hispanics, specifically Dominican groups are largely responsible for the street distribution of heroin in Connecticut. Colombian and Dominican narcotics traffickers are the primary suppliers of high-quality heroin to the street dealers. Dominican violators usually acting on behalf of Colombian traffickers, serve as mid-level heroin distributors. The heroin is primarily being transported into CT from New York City, usually entering the region via one of the major interstates, in automobiles equipped with hidden hydraulic compartments or “traps.” Throughout New Haven, CT, the demand for heroin in varying sizes and amounts is ever present. Up until recently, the heroin was readily available in pre-packaged bags stamped with logos. Lately, however, bags of heroin have been seized without any logos or markings."

But it has it has a long road to travel before it hits the local streets:

Sibel Edmonds wrote a fantastic White Paper recently called "The Highjacking of a Nation- Part 2" which basically laid out the facts of her case for all to see.

In a chapter titled "The Real Lords of the Poppy Fields" she noted that

1. most of Afghanistan's heroin & opium is processed and trafficked through Turkey
2. "Heroin trafficking is also the main source of funding for the al-Qaeda terrorists "
3. Turkey is a haven for (Al Qaeda’s) sources of funding.

Sibel then notes that

"It is puzzling to observe that in reporting this major artery (Turkey) of terrorists’ funding, the U.S. mainstream media and political machine do not dare to go beyond the poppy fields of Afghanistan and the fairly insignificant low level Afghan warlords overseeing the crops."

I was therefore curious to see how the World Bank's recent report on the heroin industry would deal with Turkey's role - particularly given that Paul Wolfowitz and most of the other neocons have substantial financial incentives in supporting Turkey.

The dog didn't bark. Again.

Read on here.

I highly reccomend you read both Lukery and both part 1 and 2 of Sibel Edmonds pieces to get a clearer picture.

Stuff like this makes me wonder why the Bush administration is sacking all of those State Attorney's across the nation (The Gonzales 7, or 11 if you can find them all?) saying things like: "They don't chase after illegal aliens enough!" Looking at some of their records you might see some interesting drug trafficking prosecutions.

Humberto Garcia:

June 15, 2005

Copyright © 2005 EFE. All rights reserved.

SAN JUAN (EFE) -- A grand jury indicted 81 people of different nationalities, including Colombians, Dominicans, and Puerto Ricans who allegedly participated in drug-trafficking and money-laundering activities, U.S. District Attorney for Puerto Rico Humberto Garcia said Tuesday.

In the so-called Operation Malloca, 39 people were arrested after a U.S. grand jury issued the indictments of nine drug organizations linked to the Colombia cartel, Garcia said.

He noted that eight of them were Puerto Rican, 16 were Colombian, and 13 Dominican. The group also included two individuals from Cuba and Costa Rica, respectively.

Garcia added that the indictment doesn't include people who will also be arrested in New York and Canada. Drug Enforcement Administration agents are expected to participate in the operation.

The district attorney said these groups funneled money from Puerto Rico, Florida, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic into international and domestic accounts in the U.S., Colombia, and Venezuela.

Garcia also said these groups face 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million.

I am not saying that this is proof, but it might be interesting to see where any recent Heroin busts might lead to concerbning these bush appointments. Think about it. It might all be the tip of the iceberg in another Iran-contra "drugs, money, weapons" circle-jerk that the GOP, and Neocons in particular, seem to love so much.

AND YES! I know! Conspiracy theory stuff. But these are the Neocons we are talking about, after all. And this is exactly the sort of thing Sibel Edmonds has been trying to warn us all about all along.

Libby Trial Winter Blowout

Yesterday I noted that "Only a Neocon child could think that building a case on lies would help him when he is being charged with perjury..." In the Bloggers coverage of the defense resting their case, etc., our favourite court reporters note that the defense actually apologized before the court for the fact that Libby did not testify:



They also offer a lot more important insights into the happenings of the lying Bush administrations' favourite infantile perjurer turned scapegoat named Scooter.

RECAP:
Regardless of what results the jury comes back with, what we have learned thus far is that Libby is a liar, Armitage was the earliest leaker on public record, Rove was an early leaker("I heard that too!"), and that both Cheney and Bush authorized the leaks (if we are to believe anything a child named Scooter's lawyers' stated in his defense?), and that while all of them, and more (including some reporters and other Bush admin. enablers that did not testify in the trial portion), committed and/or participated in the cover-up of an act of treason, AND that none have been charged with the real crimes that led to Libby's perjury.

And we also learned that MTP with Tim Russert is Cheney's favourite place to screw the pooch because of Russert's sympathetic rear, err, I mean ear.

If I missed anything or got any of that way too wrong in that quick recap (I am just going by memory and shooting from the hip here) feel free to correct me. Needless to say, Firedoglake will likely give you a better recap of all of this.

HIV: Can You Picture A Cure?

Nature is reporting further discoveries in how HIV behaves with antibodies:

Medical researchers have found a chink in the constantly shape-shifting armour of the HIV virus. The discovery could be a significant step forward in the ongoing quest for a vaccine.

The AIDS virus evades the immune system because most of the proteins that cover the surface of the virus constantly change their structure. But researchers have now identified a site that doesn't change, and shown how an antibody can bind to it. If the body could be stimulated to produce its own copies of this antibody before infection, then in theory, it would allow it to attack the otherwise elusive virus and prevent infection.

"For a long time people have been asking whether an HIV vaccine is even possible," says Peter Kwong of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland, who led the research. "What this finding says is that it's not just a dream — there is this site of vulnerability."

It may look like something that kids would scribble on a piece of paper with their crayons but it really may be another clue in finding a cure to HIV:

The structure of an antibody
bound to an HIV protein,
giving hope for a vaccine.

For those of you that are more scientifically inclined, they go into more depth on this and other possible steps towards finding a cure for HIV that have resulted because of the original X-Ray image scientists captured, and that the scribble above is based on:



As a HUGE side note:
Take a look at the search results on the word "WIKI" on a search of Nature's site. (Most of them are "premium articles" for subscribers) Everything science appears to be going Wiki for conveniences' sake, showing that DemFromCT's "Flu Wiki" may really have been a pioneering standard for modern science.

AND NO! I don't mean the Flu Wiki was meant for scientific research, but it does allow for the sharing of ways to deal with an influenza pandemic:

Just a Bump in the Beltway, The Next Hurrah and Effect Measure blogs announce the launch of a new experiment in collaborative problem solving in public health, The Flu Wiki.

The purpose of the Flu Wiki is to help local communities prepare for and perhaps cope with a possible influenza pandemic. This is a task previously ceded to local, state and national governmental public health agencies. Our goal is to be:

• a reliable source of information, as neutral as possible, about important facts useful for a public health approach to pandemic influenza
  
  
• a venue for anticipating the vast range of problems that may arise if a pandemic does occur
  
• a venue for thinking about implementable solutions to foreseeable problems
  

No one, in any health department or government agency, knows all the things needed to cope with an influenza pandemic. But it is likely someone knows something about some aspect of each of them and if we can pool and share our knowledge we can advance preparation for and the ability to cope with events. This is not meant to be a substitute for planning, preparation and implementation by civil authorities, but a parallel effort that complements, supports and extends those efforts.

While we will continue to administer and maintain the Wiki, we are turning the wheel over to the community, to take it where the road leads us. There is a bit of a learning curve to driving this rig. We hope you will find the instructions sufficient to get started. You’ll soon be learning on your own.

This was a novel approach to sharing information on how to deal with this issue at the time. An idea that could, and should, be replicated with shared input from scientists, doctors, and emrgency services providers for many different and varied emergencies that require coordiantion and input from "everywhere."