New York Times Defends Its Publishing Of WikiLeaks Documents: They Illuminate

The New York Times makes its case for publishing information in the WikiLeak documents on the Iraq war, saying it “helps illuminate several important aspects of this war.”

WikiLeaks has been under strong pressure from the United States and the governments of other countries but is also fraying internally, in part because of a decision to post many of the Afghan documents without removing the names of informants, putting their lives in danger. A profile of WikiLeaks’s contentious founder, Julian Assange, will appear in Sunday’s newspaper.

The New York Times told the Pentagon which specific documents it planned to …

Newsweek Poll: Obama Approval Rating Up To 54%

Now let all the media that beat him up for being under 50% celebrate the positive number for our great president.…

WikiLeaks Releases Classified Documents On Iraq War; Death Toll Between 109,000-285,000

WikiLeaks has offered up the largest-ever release of classified military documents that puts the death count at between 109,000 and 285,000.  WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is pictured.

Those documents include evidence of state sanctioned torture by the Iraqi government, new evidence of Iraqi government death squads, and Iran’s involvement in funneling arms to Shiite militias, according to Arab news channel Al Jazeera, which has been able to review the documents before their release.

Department of Defense spokesman Col. David Lapan expresses the government’s reaction:

“We deplore WikiLeaks for inducing individuals to break the law, leak classified documents and then cavalierly …

On Friday’s Radio Show…

• Take me down to Kokomo: Mayor Greg Goodnight of Kokomo, Indiana, joins Alan to explain why he credits the stimulus with saving his city.

• NPR’s firing of Juan Williams has sparked an outcry from several in the media. Alan examines the reaction to Williams’ ousting.

• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!…

George W. Bush’s Biggest Failure?

By Yashwanth Manjunath

George W. Bush made a rare public appearance yesterday to plug an upcoming memoir about his illegal presidency, set to be released November 9th. When discussing the memoir Deception Point,–no wait–that was a Dan Brown book (probably a more accurate title though). When discussing Decision Points Bush joked: “I have written a book. This will come as quite a shock to some. They didn’t think I could read, much less write.” Like most politicians Bush’s most truthful statement comes after he leaves office (count me among those “shocked” by the way).

During his public appearance Bush …

How The Midterms Look From Here

by Stuart Shapiro

With a week and a half to go, let’s take another look at the races for Senate, House, and state houses.  In the Senate, Nate Silver cautions us not to read too much into recent polling:

In many or most cases, however, rumors of a candidate’s demise — or comeback — may be greatly exaggerated, given how little time there remains to make up even fairly small polling deficits.

Thus don’t put too much wait into recent polls showing comebacks by Republicans Fiorina (CA), and Rossi (WA) or Democrat Feingold (WI). The one state where multiple polls …

I’m Still So Angry With President Obama

by Gabe Berman
Gabe is the author of Live Like a Fruit Fly

On November 5th, Fair Game opens in a movie theater near you. It’s a true story about a CIA agent whose cover was treasonously blown by our own government. This was her punishment for being married to the man who revealed credible information which discredited the White House’s “evidence” about Iraq’s alleged WMD’s. This crime was traced all the way to the top of the Bush/Cheney (Cheney/Bush) administration.

What does this have to do with President Obama? He dropped the ball on the first day in office. …

GOP Congressional Candidate Says Violent Overthrow Of Government Is An Option

Stephen Broden, a Texas pastor who is challenging Eddie Bernice Johnson for her seat in Congress, says if there is no change in leadership, he wouldn’t rule out a violent overthrow of the government.

In a rambling exchange during a TV interview, Broden, a South Dallas pastor, said a violent uprising “is not the first option,” but it is “on the table.” That drew a quick denunciation from the head of the Dallas County GOP, who called the remarks “inappropriate.”

Broden’s views aren’t roundly renounced by his tea party supporters:

Ken Emanuelson, a Broden supporter and leading tea party …

Outcry About Taxes Going To NPR Wrong:That’s Not How They’re Funded

Cries by conservatives that NPR should be defunded because of the firing of Juan Williams shows a misunderstanding of where the money comes from.

And though NPR is widely seen as publicly funded, the majority of its funding does not come (even indirectly) from taxpayers. NPR doesn’t receive direct federal funding for operations – the largest chunk of its money comes from program fees and station dues, as NPR’s finances page lays out.

…

If you add up the two indirect sources of federal money – grants through CPB and member station dues – taxpayer dollars still appear to …

Sarah Palin Thinks NPR Firing Of Juan Williams Is Unconstitutional

In my reading of the Constitution, nowhere does it state that NPR must employ Juan Williams; however, Sarah Palin believes the outrage expressed by conservatives at this action is the Constitution”shaking her fist.”

This makes it appear as though Palin’s understanding of the Constitution is right up there with Christine O’Donnell.…

Just Another GOP Candidate Running To Get Government Off Our Backs Who Took Huge Subsidies

Vicky Hartzler, who fashions herself  “a life long farmer and a small town girl”  (h/t Think Progress). She just “wants the government to leave us alone.” Yet, as a small town farm girl, she’s doing pretty well, thanks to more than a quarter million dollars in government largess.

She and her husband started a business and today own farm implement dealerships in Harrisonville, Lamar and Nevada, Mo. They live on a 1,600-acre farm just outside Harrisonville, where they raise corn, soybeans and cattle, and finish hogs.

Their farm has received $774,325 in federal subsidies from 1995 to 2009, according …