Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The embarrassing press


BULLY BOY PRESS CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE

KILLER BARRY O GAVE A SPEECH LAST NIGHT AND FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT HIS DRONE WAR, THE NDAA OR ANYTHING THAT MATTERS MUCH.

FORTUNATELY FOR KILLER, MOST OF THE PRESS LOOKED THE OTHER WAY.

LIKE LAZY ASS TODD S. PURDUM WHO THREW TOGETHER A TON OF WORDS FOR VANITY FAIR WHILE MANAGING TO NEVER SAY ANYTHING.

TODDY DEMONSTRATED WHAT A BITCH HE COULD BE WITH INSULTS TO THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES BUT 'FORGOT' TO DO HIS JOB.  PRIME EXAMPLE:



When he suggested not only raising the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour (it was $3.10 or so when I was in high school and working summers in a farm-supply store, but in real terms, higher than now) but also linking it to the cost of living, Paul Ryan could not conceal a smirk.

READING THAT AND NOT HAVING SEEN THE SPEECH, ONE WOULD ASSUME PAUL RYAN WAS JUST AS BITCHY AS TODDY.  A REAL REPORTER WOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE FACT THAT, AS EVEN KILLER BARRY O NOTED AT THAT POINT IN HIS SPEECH, THIS WAS A PROPOSAL THE ROMNEY-RYAN CAMPAIGN SUPPORTED LAST FALL.

BUT WHAT'S INFORMATION AND REPORTING.  TODDY WOULD RATHER JUST BE BITCHY!

FROM THE TCI WIRE:


In the failed state of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki is refusing to allow Iraqis from the west to enter their own country's capital.  We noted this development yesterday morning and in yesterday's snapshot.  The non-Iraqi press continues to ignore it with only one except: Jane Arraf (see yesterday's snapshots for her Tweets) who reports for Al Jazeera, the Christian Science Monitor and PRI.  Today, she Tweets.



  1. Back in this evening, anti-aircraft batteries along the river, roadblocks, rumors of a Thursday curfew. That is some scary protest.


Alsumaria reports that there will be a ban on 'roaming' in Baghdad starting Thursday and that "security reasons" are being cited for the curfew that kicks off at midnight tonight and for the refusal to allow 'outsiders' into Baghdad. Dar Addustour adds that security forces have been put on "high alert" and that there is pressure on various mosques in Baghdad not to call for demonstrations on Friday while i.d.s continue to be checked and people from western Iraq are being refused access to Baghdad.  The Iraq Times notes that two military brigades are being used to stop cars attempting to enter Baghdad.

This is all in response to a request, not a threat.  An official request prompted this alarm and panic from Nouri.  From Saturday:

Kitabat reports that yesterday some protesters in Anbar Province announced their intent to march to Baghdad next Friday.  All Iraq News notes National Alliance MP Qasim al-Araji is calling out the plan to stage a sit-in in Baghdad.  The Ministry of Interior (run by Nouri al-Maliki since he never nominated anyone to head it) had its own announcement.  Alsumaria reports that today it was declared their intent to crack down on any protest -- anywhere in the country -- that they felt was a threat or lacked a permit.  Al Mada notes that the spokesperson for the Anbar protests, Sayad Lafi, states that the protesters have written Baghdad seeking permission to pray in the city on Friday and return the same day. 



Alsumaria notes that the National Alliance is calling for the western protesters not to come to Baghdad and that this call follows a hastily put together meet-up in the office of National Alliance leader Ibrahim al-Jaafari -- a meeting that Nouri personally attended.   Now when provinces wanted to break off -- using the Constitution's provisions for that -- and become semi-autonomous, Nouri told them they couldn't.  But now he won't allow western Iraqis to enter Baghdad, to enter their own capital?

Not only did Nouri attend a meeting at al-Jaafari's office but Alsumaria also reports -- and provides a photo -- that al-Jaafari visited Nouri at Nouri's office late last night.  When you think of all the foot dragging by Nouri over the last weeks, it's rather amazing how motivated he can get out of the fear that Iraqis from outside Baghdad might show up to demonstrate.

All Iraq News reports that late yesterday the Anbar protesters who hope to demonstrate in Baghdad state that they still planned to demonstrate in Baghdad on Friday.   Alsumaria reports that the Anbar Provincial Council is asking the protesters not to go to Baghdad but, they note, the spokesperson for the protesters Said Lafi says they will meet tomorrow to decide what they are going to do.

Alsumaria notes that Iraqiya is decrying the "illegal and arbitrary practices" to prevent Iraqis from Anbar Province from coming to Baghdad.  Iraqiya is the political slate that won the 2010 parliamentary elections.  Ayad Allawi is the head of Iraqiya.

Yesterday, we noted the confusion with regards to Moqtada al-Sadr:

News outlets are reporting conflicting claims regarding the movement leader and cleric.  Al Rafidayn reports that Moqtada has decreed that his followers will not participate in the demonstrations this Friday.  By contrast, All Iraq News reports that Moqtada's called on his supporters to participate in the demonstrations this Friday to show support for the people of Bahrain.  Al Rafidayn states Moqtada called off participation because of Nouri's actions, Nouri issuing a statement through the Office of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces calling on the Iraqi military to physically stop protesters.

Today, Alsumaria reports Moqtada al-Sadr released a statement saying that he calls for his followers to demonstrate on Friday throughout Iraq following morning prayers and to support the second anniversary of the Bahrain revolution.

The US Embassy in Baghdad issued the following warning:

Emergency Messages for U.S. Citizens
Risk of Terror Attack and Demonstrations
February 11, 2013
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad warns U.S. citizens of continued incidents of violence in Iraq, following the February 9 terrorist attack at Camp Hurriya, which killed six people. Attacks, similar to what occurred on February 9, may occur at any time.

In addition, the U.S. Embassy warns U.S. citizens of ongoing demonstrations across the country, which have occasionally turned violent. Citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments, to be vigilant regarding their personal security, and to avoid all demonstrations, particularly after Friday prayers, when most demonstrations have occurred.

The U.S. government considers the potential threat to U.S. Government personnel throughout Iraq to be serious enough to require them to live and work under strict security guidelines. All U.S. Government employees under the authority of the U.S. Chief of Mission must follow strict safety and security procedures when traveling outside the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates. We urge U.S. citizens to stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Please check our current Travel Warning and Country Specific Information Sheet for further security guidance.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Iraq enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The Embassy also offers SMS text alerts delivered to your mobile phone when new security and emergency messages are released.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Internet website at travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Iraq, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Download our free Smart Traveler iPhone or Android app to have travel information at your fingertips.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).


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