Today's edition of quick hits:
* A brutal scene in Pakistan, where a bomb killed eight and injured dozens more today.
* The long-awaited IG report: "A long-awaited report on the U.S. government's controversial gun-trafficking operation known as 'Fast and Furious' released Wednesday found no evidence that Attorney General Eric Holder knew of the botched effort to trace the flow of guns to Mexico's drug cartels prior to its public unraveling in January 2011." The findings did include criticisms, however, of some DOJ officials.
* Terrorism: "The assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi last week in which four Americans died was a 'terrorist attack' that may have had an al Qaeda connection, a top U.S. counterterrorism official told Congress on Wednesday."
* Provocative: "A French satirical magazine on Wednesday published a series of cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad, setting off a new wave of outrage among Muslims and condemnation from French leaders amid widening unrest over an amateur video that has provoked violence throughout the Islamic world."
* Another breakthrough day in U.S.-Myanmar relations: "U.S. officials hailed Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as a 'heroine' and praised her 'implacable resistance' and 'quiet resolve' Wednesday in a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol."
* Arizona: "SB 1070's 'show me your papers' provision officially became law Tuesday, after a U.S. District Court judge lifted an injunction against the section of Arizona's immigration law that requires police officers to check the legal status of people under certain conditions during investigations or traffic stops. How the law will be enforced is still unclear."
* Really? "Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Wednesday that the United States should reconsider all its options in Afghanistan — including withdrawing more quickly than the current plan."
* The first debate for the two major-party presidential candidates will be held two weeks from today, and will focus largely on the economy.
* President Obama's team seems to enjoy "Talk Like A Pirate" Day.
* And in case anyone has heard any rumors to the contrary, there is no U.S.-Mexican plot to invade Canada. Just FYI.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
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For decades
For decades war mongering Robber Barons have raped the natural resources of the Middle East and promoted anti-Muslim sentiment to cover up what they have been doing. Fast forward to the present : The people of the Middle East are fed up with the lies and destruction of their land, their families and their beliefs. Any one surprised ?
Aye
I be Red Maria and it's great that President Obama took some to chat with one of my fellow pirates. But for me everyday is Talk Like a Pirate Day! Arrrgh!
Ahoy matey! The scurvy dogs in Congress need to be keelhauled. Arrgh!
There is absolutely no reason that the US would want to invade Canada. Harper is doing an excellent job of turning it into an extension of the US all by himself so why waste effort going after things when they are coming to you anyway?
McCain? The same McCain who never seems to have encountered a war he didn't like and hope to prolong? Didn't he say he'd be cool with our staying in Iraq for 50 years? More? When even McCain says (however incoherently) that it's time to get the heck out of Afghanidodge, it's past time to have done so...
As for incoherently:
So... lemme see if I have this straight - we should have more troops there, except we should consider removing them sooner. He was opposed to the President's policy of removing troops too quickly, so now we should remove them right away. Huh? Adjust your meds, Grandpa!
Vulture/Voucher 2012
Proving Two Rights DO Make a Wrong!
;-)
I had the immense pleasure today of violating DOMA. Seriously. Through my work I took cognizance of a same-sex marriage in circumstances that DOMA required that I not so do. Although, strictly speaking, I was also at the same time obeying the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution, so it's all a bit of a wash as far as criminality goes.
I would think that would be delightfully satisfying, .
Oh, it was. And it was such a piddly, bureaucratic thing any different-sex couple would take for granted that it wouldn't mean anything at all if not for DOMA. I hope that, somehow, Tony Perkins and the rest of those bozos felt a sharp pain in their nethers as I did the right thing in acknowledging that one woman had taken the name of her wife by simply updating her database entry. Take that, haters!
I'm sure the President and his team do enjoy Talk Like a Pirate Day, but that story is dated May, 2009.
Oh, yeah? Well, you fight like a cow!
MM
Oddly enough when my pirate reenactment group we set ourselves when Henry Morgan lived (we even have someone who portrays Henry Morgan who looks a bit like the Henry Morgan in the recent commercials). We situate ourselves on an island where Morgan use to rendevous with his privateers before his raids on the Spanish. The name of the island was ... Cow Island!
People there fought like monkeys ;-)
One of the reasons Muslims do not like Americans is because of our mistreatment of women. Woman in America have been degraded, belittled and abused and it sickens them. It makes you wander why there was more of a push against Women from the Right this year. Were they trying to instigate more hate from the Middle East. Some men here in America could learn a thing or two from the way they treat their women in Muslim communities.
Angel
If it was anyone but you posting this I would take that person as a nutty troll. You should have put a snark# so as not to scare a newbie. ;-)
I wonder why Fox news sponsored the now famous 47% fund raiser. My thought was the News channels were not to take sides but present the issues, candidates, and current news in an unbiased fashion, I do not see this with Fox news or should I say Romney News channel. My biggest fear is that other Nations watching America and the Political Drama that is monopolizing the news will give Terrorists a chance to take advantage of us. We are not safe and Sept. 11 th should be a constant reminder to be vigilant. I also wonder why we have not heard more from the President on the current violence in these countries. I say pull out all Americans, any aid and let them find their own solution. We have Gangs, crime and affairs here that need the attention of Government leaders. Not one word on how to solve those problems from anyone Dem. or Republican. I want to hear more from President Obama and I would like him to present himself in a stronger more determined leader . Right now the Republicans are taking advantage of his quiet demeanor. I respect Mr. Obama and feel he may be taking the approach of let things quiet down before taking action. My feeling is withdrawn our Troops as we are not respected for the help we have given and the brave lives that were lost or altered forever for a war that we should not have to fight or finance.
bea
First the now infamous 47% fundraiser was not sponsored by fox it was held by this guy, Marc Leder of Boca Raton and the Hamptons
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/09/romney-secret-video-marc-leder-sex-parties
And Obama quite demeanor is serving him far better that Romney near histrionics is serving Romney.