Link:  Woodward’s Disgrace

Conason pulls no punches in taking down Bob Woodward.  He’s says everything I’ve been thinking for days now.

***SPOILERS***

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Link:  Braga Stands on the ‘Threshold’

Add me to the list of people who want Threshold to survive.  The show has really grown on me these past few weeks and I actually find myself interested in the plot.  I can’t say I like it as much as Surface, but Threshold is a different beast altogether.  Yes, they are both about alien-type incursions, but the way in which they depict this is very, very different.  Threshold is more like a police procedural with sci-fi elements, which makes it one of the more original genre shows on television right now.  I was never a fan of Braga’s work on any of the Star Trek incarnations he was a part of, but he and everyone else behind the show are doing great work with Threshold.

I know it shouldn’t, but it still amazes me the depths Republicans are willing to sink in order to impugn the bravery and patriotism of those who dare to speak out against them.  Well, even I was surprised by Rep. Jean Schmidt’s attack on the bravery of John Murtha (D-PA).  Murtha, a decorated Vietnam veteran, made news recently when he called for the withdrawal of our troops from Iraq, which of course put the Republican Smear Machine into high gear.  Via Kos, here’s an excerpt of the exchange:

The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentlelady from Ohio is recognized for one minute.

Ms. Schmidt: Yesterday I stood at Arlington National Cemetery attending the funeral of a young marine in my district. He believed in what we were doing is the right thing and had the courage to lay his life on the line to do it. A few minutes ago I received a call from Colonel Danny Bop, Ohio Representative from the 88th district in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do. Danny and the rest of America and the world want the assurance from this body - that we will see this through.

[Note by kos -- the whole chamber went nuts at this point, with Democrats shouting and booing Schmidt down]

The Speaker Pro Tempore: The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The house will be in order. The gentlelady will suspend. And the clerk will report her words. All members will suspend. The gentleman from Arkansas has demanded that the gentlelady’s words be taken down. The clerk will report the gentlelady’s words.

The Speaker Pro Tempore: The house will be in order. Members pleas take seats. The gentlelady from Ohio.

Ms. Schmidt: Mr. Speaker, my remarks were not directed at any member of the House and I did not intend to suggest that they applied to any member. Most especially the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania. I therefore ask for unanimous consent that my words be withdrawn.

The Speaker Pro Tempore: Without objection. The gentlelady’s words will be withdrawn.

First of all, to Col. Bop:  shame on you!  Shame on you for attacking a fellow brother in uniform for political gain! Shame!  You disgrace the American ideals you profess to fight for, and you shame the Marines.  You and your brothers and sisters in uniform are trying to bring American freedoms to other places in the world, yet you would call coward anyone who dares to embrace those ideals.  SHAME!

Second, to Rep. Schmidt:  you are the worse kind of politician, the worst kind of Republican.  How dare you impugn the bravery and patriotism of a man who put his life on line for his country.  You’re nothing more than a political hack.