Bill's Bites
Contributed by Bill Faith
The webmaster's blog-within-a-blog. Continuously updated and bumped, newest items at the top.
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Coburn-Obama Federal Spending Database Passes -- Unanimously!
Ed Morrissey
The Senate has busted through the holds put on by members and passed S2590, the Coburn-Obama bill establishing the federal spending database we have demanded. Bill Frist announces it at his VOLPAC blog: Tonight I’m proud to report that the Senate unanimously passed S. 2590, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.
The passage of this legislation is a triumph for transparency in government, for fiscal discipline, and for the bipartisan citizen journalism of the blogosphere.
Without the efforts of ordinary Americans empowered by the Internet, including many hardworking members of the iFrist Volunteers, this legislation might easily have been successfully obstructed. Instead, the unprecedented synergy between online grassroots activists and Senate leadership provides a new model for participatory democracy in action.
The bill now goes to the House, where their version exempts contractors from the database. We need to pressure House leadership to accept the Senate version as soon as possible and put this legislation in front of President Bush.
When pigs fly die: Senate passes pork transparency bill
Allahoundit
Porky released his not-so-secret hold — for the second time — yesterday. I shall leave it to anti-pork crusader M.K. Ham, appropriately enough, to formally deliver the news.
- 22:03 -- Previous related thread began at 15:42
Thugs for life:
Dems threaten ABC’s broadcast license over “Path to 9/11″
"Wonderful network you’ve got there. It’d be a shame if something happened to it:"
Oh. My. Lord. Senate Dems Issue Broadcast License Threats to Hold Up 'Path to 9/11'
Mary Katherine Ham
This is not to be believed. From a letter from Senate Dems to ABC ...
SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP URGES DISNEY CEO TO CANCEL MISLEADING 9/11 MINISERIES
... We write with serious concerns about the planned upcoming broadcast of The Path to 9/11 mini-series on September 10 and 11. Countless reports from experts on 9/11 who have viewed the program indicate numerous and serious inaccuracies that will undoubtedly serve to misinform the American people about the tragic events surrounding the terrible attacks of that day. Furthermore, the manner in which this program has been developed, funded, and advertised suggests a partisan bent unbecoming of a major company like Disney and a major and well respected news organization like ABC. We therefore urge you to cancel this broadcast to cease Disney’s plans to use it as a teaching tool in schools across America through Scholastic. Presenting such deeply flawed and factually inaccurate misinformation to the American public and to children would be a gross miscarriage of your corporate and civic responsibility to the law, to your shareholders, and to the nation.
The Communications Act of 1934 provides your network with a free broadcast license predicated on the fundamental understanding of your principle obligation to act as a trustee of the public airwaves in serving the public interest. Nowhere is this public interest obligation more apparent than in the duty of broadcasters to serve the civic needs of a democracy by promoting an open and accurate discussion of political ideas and events. ...
Scholastic Pulls 9/11 Media Guide
This is getting entirely out of hand. What a crock of BS. This is disgusting. New York, NY (September 7, 2006) -- Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today announced that it is removing from its website the materials originally created for classroom use in conjunction with the ABC Television Network docudrama, “The Path to 9/ll,” scheduled to air on the ABC Television Network on September 10 and 11, 2006. A new classroom discussion guide for high school students is being created and will focus more specifically on media literacy, critical thinking, and historical background.
“After a thorough review of the original guide that we offered online to about 25,000 high school teachers, we determined that the materials did not meet our high standards for dealing with controversial issues,”
'The Path to 9/11': Did They or Didn't They Edit?
Mary Katherine Ham
Hugh's seen the movie and offers thoughts on why the Clintonistas are mobilized: ...
Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory
Ed Morrissey
... The Democrats do not do subtlety, or do not do it successfully. They plan on using the power of the federal government to demand political changes to a program before it airs, a dangerous precedent and a completely different problem than what existed before. Presumably, this would become yet another fruit of their takeover of the House should they succeed in the midterms. It makes an excellent argument for extended Republican control. ...
FCC Threats Clinton's Final Folly - A Prediction
Dan Riehl
While irrelevant to my point, the ever in search of a legacy president's failed history as Commander-In-Chief is well documented. You can catch up on that at Texas Rainmaker and view a round up via Mary Katherine Ham. The Democrats have gone so far as to threaten ABC's broadcast license. h/t Ace.
However, the ramifications of the current move by Dems to pressure ABC is going to have consequences far beyond a docu-drama.
Chapter And Verse From the 9/11 Commission
Ace
Terrific stuff from Texas Rainmaker. Not sure if the film depicts these events precisely accurately, as I haven't seen it. But damning stuff.
It does not seem now that the film depicts something fictitious -- soldiers about to bust in Osama's door. Rather, it depicts the CIA getting targeting information on bin Ladin and Berger refusing to give the go order-- something that did happen. (See Rainmaker's cites.) Update: I may have this wrong. See update at end. ...
Enormous Miscalculation
Blue Crab Boulevard
I am absolutely stunned at this. I think this may be the biggest miscalculation I have seen this election season. I mean this one is positively biblical.
The Senate Democrats just threatened to go after ABC's broadcasting license if it airs The Path to 9/11. Not fix it, not alter it. Kill it or they will come for you. ...
Dems Threaten to Revoke ABC’s License over Path to 9/11
The Real Ugly American
Wow. America Blog posted first. ... His faulty conclusion: ... No this raises the stakes for November. The Democrats may have just shot themselves in the foot big time. Americans don’t respond well to threats from their politicians, or censorship. The Dems have found a way to do both in one fell swoop. ...
A journalist beheaded: Guess why?
Mohammed Taha, editor-in-chief of the Sudanese private daily Al-Wifaq, was found decapitated on a Khartoum street Wednesday. He had been kidnapped by masked gunmen. A few arrests have been made; the BBC reports "no-one has claimed responsibility but suspicion will immediately turn to Sudan's hardline Islamic groups."
What did Taha do that cost him his life? He insulted Islam, and dared to question Muslim history and other Muslims:
Journalist Beheaded In Sudan
Dan Riehl
... Same people, same MO - it's important for more people to start understanding this is a World War.
Sudanese Newspaper Editor Beheaded
Greg Tinti
Coincidentally, Mohammad Taha had been put on trial last year for insulting Islam.
Go figure, huh? ...
Bin Laden on Video With 9/11 Hijackers [Link fixed; sorry -- BF]
CAIRO, Egypt — Al-Jazeera aired on Thursday what it called previously unshown footage of Al Qaeda terrorist chief Usama bin Laden meeting with some of the Sept. 11 hijackers.
The station did not say how it obtained the video, which was produced by As-Sahab, Al Qaeda's media branch.
The video showed bin Laden sitting with his former lieutenant Mohammed Atef and Ramzi Binalshibh, another suspected planner of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Breaking: Al Jazeera airs video of Bin Laden meeting 9/11 hijackers
Allahpundit
I don’t know details yet. That’s what it says on Fox. Obviously we’ll work on getting the video.
But to all the Truthers out there, let me be the first to say: quagmire.
Update: CNN was showing a martyrdom video a few minutes ago of someone who they, or AQ, claims is one of the hijackers.
Update: The AP says Ramzi Binalshibh appears in the tape:
*** 17:26 A new al Qaeda video...
...offers a timely reminder of the Saudi connection to 9/11 and urges Muslims to kill Americans in Iraq: The Arab television channel Al-Jazeera broadcast a video which it said showed Osama bin Laden and suicide candidates of Al-Qaeda preparing the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States.
Al-Jazeera had said earlier it would broadcast "a video that included scenes showing for the first time Al-Qaeda leaders preparing the September 11 attacks and practicing for their execution." ...
*** 17:39 Pre-9/11 Tape Shows Bin Laden Meeting With Hijackers
This is big, if it is true. Prepare for "Truthers" to add a new twist to their fairytale. Bush/Rove Productions somehow had to stage this event, and make these "fake" suicide videos by the hijackers... Arabic TV channel Al-Jazeera has broadcast what it says is unseen footage of Osama Bin Laden meeting some of the 9/11 hijackers. ....
Bubba Goes Ballistic on ABC About It's Damning 9/11 Movie
(Hat tip: Karl)
Report:
ABC agrees to edit “Path to 9/11″ after phone call from Clinton
Allahpundit
I’ve got more coming on this but I have to scramble on the Bin Laden thing. Here’s the source — the Ostroy Report, which bills itself as “a fresh, aggressive answer to the powerful Right Wing spin machine.” So good luck with that.
Link via the lovely KP, who’s having herself a full-blown episode over this. She complained to me last night, in fact, that she couldn’t sleep because of it. Via e-mail, I mean.
Updates coming here later. Check back. ...
Clinton officials to ABC: Fix or pull 9/11 miniseries
A miniseries about the events leading to the September 11 attacks is "terribly wrong" and ABC should correct it or not air it, former Clinton administration officials demanded in letters to the network. But in a statement released today, ABC said, "No one has seen the final version of the film, because the editing process is not yet complete, so criticisms of film specifics are premature and irresponsible."
*** 16:10 9/11 Docu-drama Changes Confirmed
Dan Riehl
The network has in recent days made changes to the film, set to air Sunday and Monday, after leading political figures, many of them Democrats, complained about bias and alleged inaccuracies. Meanwhile, a left-wing organization has launched a letter-writing campaign urging the network to "correct" or dump the miniseries, while conservative blogs have launched a vigorous defense.
After much discussion, ABC executives and the producers toned down, but did not eliminate entirely, a scene that involved ...
ABC Collapses from Democrat Pressure and Edits "The Path to 9/11"
Kim Priestap
From the Chicago Tribune: HOLLYWOOD -- ABC's upcoming five-hour docudrama "The Path to 9/11" is becoming a political cause celebre.
In recent days the network has made changes to the mini-series, set to air Sunday and Monday, after leading political figures, many of them Democrats, complained about bias and alleged inaccuracies. A left-wing organization has launched a letter-writing campaign urging the network to "correct" or dump the mini-series, while conservative blogs have mounted a vigorous defense.
The Left’s Rantings On “The Path To 9/11″
Curt
I find it funny how the left demanded that Fahrenheit 9/11 be taken as gospel, as a TRUE documentary, while at the same time believe the new ABC mini-series is a work of fiction. Newsbusters has all the facts to dispute the lefts rantings:...
Michael Medved Reviews ABC’s “Path to 9/11″
Wordsmith
Listen to it here.
And another amazing interview, with Dennis Prager: ...
The Path To A Liberal Fantasy
Curt
Is anyone really surprised that ABC would bow to Saint Clinton: ABC’s upcoming five-hour docudrama “The Path to 9/11″ is becoming a political cause celebre.
In recent days the network has made changes to the mini-series, set to air Sunday and Monday, ...
*** 19:08 Revising "The Path to 9/11"
Michelle Malkin
ABC caves, as you all probably know by now.
So does this mean the Google Bomb campaign is off?
No More Miller Time (H/T)
Bitus Erraticus
Got two nephews home sick, which means they'll be wantin' computer time times of the day when they normally wouldn't, and this old dog ain't feelin' so hot his own self. Toss in the fact TypePad still ain't actin' right and the situation gets a might unprerdictable. I'm still tryin' but please don't judge Bill's Bites based on just what I do today.
Not Forgotten
From CNN: Bush: CIA kept terror suspects in secret prisons. President Bush on Wednesday for the first time acknowledged the use of secret CIA prisons outside U.S. borders to hold top suspects captured in the war on terrorism.
Bitus Frustratedus (Snarl)
See TypePad problems -- which I'll update as the situation develops, if I'm able to.
Are Fascists Seizing Control of Japan?
Or Has Leftist Rhetoric Run Amok?
Sachi
The leading candidate to replace ourgoing Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is Shinzo Abe, a hawk who is currently chief cabinet secretary and Koizumi's right-hand man. Abe is pro-American and has vowed to strengthen Japanese ties to the United States.
But what's remarkable about him is that he is openly discussing revisting the pacifist Japanese consitution, the third rail of Japanese politics.
Everything Old Is New Again
Dafydd
Gen. John Abizaid is Commander-in-Chief of United States Central Command -- thus in charge of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, plus military actions from the Horn of Africa across the Middle East to Central Asia, from Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. But he is something else: a driven reformer, in the true sense of trying to deconstruct and reconstruct American strategy in the war on jihadi terrorism.
And he is the subject of a lengthy piece in the Wall Street Journal by staff reporter Greg Jaffe...
Madeleine And Sandy
Dan Riehl
Time to pull out my favorite bits on these two folks after reading Howard Kurtz: Top officials of the Clinton administration have launched a preemptive strike against an ABC-TV "docudrama," slated to air Sunday and Monday, that they say includes made-up scenes depicting them as undermining attempts to kill Osama bin Laden.
Former secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright called one scene involving her "false and defamatory." Former national security adviser Samuel R. "Sandy" Berger said the film "flagrantly misrepresents my personal actions." ...
Bethanymania: RealVerse returns
Allahpundit
I thought about sending them an e-mail, but this is important enough that I should probably say it publicly. Let me make something crystal clear to the realVerse guys, just so we’re all on the same page here: if you think having Bethany mention me while winking at the camera is going to improve your chances of getting linked here, let me assure you — it will. In fact, I’ll probably link the next twenty videos you post now. Just run a blank screen for three minutes if you want. It’s all good.
It’s not that I’m easy. It’s just that … c’mon:
This is as close as I’m going to get to having a woman who looks like that flirt with me. So click, and share my moment of glory! ....
Compare and contrast: How bloggers mark 9/11
On the left, DU'ers prepare a mass Google-bombing campaign against ABC's 9/11 docu-drama, "The Path to 9/11," because of its critical look at the Clinton years: .... On the right, Dale Roe organizes 2,996 bloggers to honor the memory of each and every one of the innocent men, women, and children murdered five years ago by jihadi hijackers:
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