04/24/2007
News: Impeach Cheney, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Iowa, Shia LaBeouf
Presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich said he'll hold a news conference Wednesday where he plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney. Kucinich: ''So I'm asking you, what do you think? Do you think it's time?''
Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the "Player of the Year," he's also the "Young Player of the Year". More on Ronaldo here...
Still a long way to go in this election, but the latest national poll has Barack Obama even with Hillary Clinton: "Obama, a first-term senator from Illinois, has steadily gained on Clinton, a veteran on the national political scene, over the last month and each now polled 32 percent among likely Democratic voters, the survey by Rasmussen Reports found. Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina was third in the poll with 17 percent."
The gay film Solos has been pulled from the Singapore Film Festival over graphic sex: "The board said in a statement that the film contained "prolonged and explicit homosexual lovemaking scenes including scenes of oral sex and threesome sex" which had to be removed. The cuts make up about five minutes of the 77-minute film, Ang said. She said the filmmakers had not expected the censors to demand the cuts, as the 20-year-old festival, which is seen as catering to a niche and relatively limited audience, has previously screened movies she said were more graphic. 'I was actually prepared that we may have had cuts if we wanted to organize a commercial screening, but I didn't expect that for the festival itself,' Ang said."
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers checks himself into rehab: After a non-stop succession of filming, Jonathan Rhys Meyers has entered an alcohol-treatment program. He felt a break was needed to maintain his recovery."
Facing a debt of $102,000, organizers of Seattle's Gay Pride are reportedly "scrambling" to salvage the event and may cancel it altogether. Organizer: "People can still be proud; ... it just means we're tired."
Gay civil rights bill in Iowa may be getting a second chance: "The deciding factor could be a provision that allows employers to maintain dress codes as they see appropriate, [House Majority Leader Kevin] McCarthy said. That change could help some Republicans support the idea, which would create enough support for the proposal to pass. 'If that's something that folks need on their side of the aisle in order for them to unlock their people, then that's something we're willing to accept,' McCarthy said."
Shia LaBeouf working toward becoming Shia LaBuff: "The Disturbia actor is beefing up to star in the new Indiana Jones movie alongside Harrison Ford. 'The guy is still in premium shape,' LaBeouf tells PEOPLE. 'You don't want to be standing next to Harrison Ford and not be jacked also.'"
Posted 12:45 PM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dick Cheney, Election 2008, Film, Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Hillary Clinton, Iowa, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, News, Seattle, Shia LaBeouf, Singapore | Permalink
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Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is an addict?
No wonder I think he's hot. Oy vey!
Posted by: Marc | Apr 24, 2007 1:13:55 PM
As much as I respect Kucinich for his maintaining his integrity such that he'll never rise above his current level of political success, and as much as Cheney AND Bush deserve not just impeachment but PRISON, any effort to attempt to impeach either of them is a total waste of time because it will never happen, and, two, is actually counterproductive because it's certain to INCREASE their popularity [as it did with Clinton] not diminish it.
Proof of its futility? The power Bush [and by association, Cheney] still wields despite a change in control of Congress last November and basement level approval ratings. Despite those facts, note Georgie's continued stubborness on Iraq, on Gonzalez, on fill in the blank.
All Kucinich is going to accomplish is further distracting voters from the issues that we might be able to positively affect by going after an individual surrounded by a political force field powerful enough under present circumstances to protect him until the clock run outs on this term.
Posted by: Leland | Apr 24, 2007 1:17:00 PM
Noooo! Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in rehab?! Say it isn't so!
Posted by: JD | Apr 24, 2007 1:49:10 PM
Leland, unfortunately, I think you're right.
Posted by: Daniel | Apr 24, 2007 1:49:21 PM
Without a single speech, the Vermont Senate voted 16-9 early Friday morning to support a resolution urging the initiation of impeachment proceedings in Congress against President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
Posted by: randy | Apr 24, 2007 1:49:33 PM
I've never been one to put much stock in Kucinich; as I recall, he tends to de-evolve sound concepts and ideas into, well, nut job diatribes.
There can also never be an impeachment brought forward because of there is just not enough time to make the effective invesitgation and presentation to congress for a vote. Not to mention how everything continues to follow party lines, regardless that the Democrats are holding the majority, but not an effective majority.
The best we can hope for during these times are the stalemates happening right now will continue for the next 19 months, and that SOME politician will emerge from the cesspool of candidates to be a reputable leader and move this country forward.
I just hope that come November 8, 2008, we don't start seeing the jockeying for the 2010 and 2012 elections above all other issues. These are times of disgust and contempt for our democratic process.
Posted by: Rad | Apr 24, 2007 1:50:44 PM
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers sure is pretty, though some hair on his chest would make him da bomb.
His showtime series is supposedly very good, but I don'ty have showtime so
Posted by: pacificoceanboy | Apr 24, 2007 1:54:09 PM
How the hell can impeachment increase Bush & co.'s popularity? 3 quarters of the country think those idiots are doing a shitty job, fully aware of their probably illegal practices. Clinton's impeachment was based on perjury, and not lying about matters that put the country in jeopardy either. Even if the endeavors turn out to be fruitless, democrats are fools for not using their opportunities to send a message. That's why we don't know what we stand for. They want to negotiate with cancer instead of cutting the fucking tumor out.
Posted by: 000000 | Apr 24, 2007 2:18:03 PM
Kucinich: ''So I'm asking you, what do you think? Do you think it's time?''
The fact that he has to ask indicates his motive- grandstanding. If he truly felt CheneyBush et.al should be (or could be) impeached he would bring forth the articles rather than talk about it.
But like his Democrat counterparts, it's more of the same non-leadership- non-binding resolutions, timelines rather than defunding, congressional investigations that go nowhere, etc.
yawn.
Posted by: Tom | Apr 24, 2007 2:19:19 PM
www.solosmovie.com
trailer of a/m singaporean gay film
go judge for yrself.
Posted by: Shawn | Apr 24, 2007 3:28:18 PM
"How the hell can impeachment increase Bush & co.'s popularity? 3 quarters of the country think those idiots are doing a shitty job...."
Clinton's public approval ratings increased during his impeachment because, despite years of poisonous lies from a rabid Hate Clinton industry funded by millionaire Richard Scaife, they thought impeachment was overkill for adulterous sex and lying about it.
Americans, particularly but not exclusively older Americans, still continually make the mistake of confusing respect for the office of President, which is valid and important, with a priori respect/trust in the office holder. Further, most still respond as reliably as Pavlov's dogs did to lab coats, drooling whenever they see someone like Bush figuratively wrap themselves in the American flag. [In fact, Bush II has been the best thing for flag manufacturers since the Fourth of July. Note at press conferences, etc., Bush approaches the podium through a forest of red, white, and blue, and the flags at campaign stops are as big as barns.] Just like most people hate the war in Iraq he got us into but don't want to immediately withdraw, he would amend that to, "You can't change the commander-in-chief in the middle of a war blah blah blah."
Finally, if 75% of the country feel as strongly as you suggest then THEY would be demanding impeachment not a lone little guy from Ohio that [unfortunately] no one pays much attention to.
Never underestimate the ability of the American people to be manipulated. The GOP gave the nomination to a documented incompetent. Half of the American people voted for him and then the majority let the Supreme Court give the election to him even though that decision violated their own tradition of upholding "state's rights" rather than let Florida finish the vote counts. Then Americans elected him again, despite ever-mounting evidence that he had tricked the country into an unnecessary invasion of Iraq. And despite coming to their senses, more or less, about that they sit on their asses while he continues to send their sons and daughters to die for a lie he just keeps repeating over and over and over. Despite he and his cronies manipulating a drug bill that hurts seniors in order to further enrich drug companies. Despite the horror and ignominy of Katrina when we watched dead old people covered by blankets to rot in the hot sun while their survivors waited for foor and water and shelter. Despite the few halfway sane voices on the Supreme Court ruling that his administration had to fight carbon emissions from cars and factories, etc., while they denied its importance or their legal mandate. Despite the Patriot Act and its tentacles that threaten to strangle our civil liberties. Despite Rumsfeld and Libby and Abramoff and DeLay and Gonzalez and the bottomless shameful lies excreted through the gaps in Condosleazy Rice's teeth. Despite Fill In The Blank. Successfully impeach him or Cheney? You'd stand a better chance flying to the moon by flapping your arms.
Posted by: Leland | Apr 24, 2007 3:45:15 PM
I want him to stay pickled-so far it is his best acting. Anyone remember Bend It Like Beckham? Poor sap can't act his way out off of a football pitch.
And anyone but Ronaldo.
Posted by: Gary | Apr 24, 2007 3:47:57 PM
Oh, Leland-spot on with your outlook.
Posted by: Gary | Apr 24, 2007 3:49:40 PM
Spot on? Lady Macbeth could get out that spot with club soda. I don't need to read a comment the length of a Vonnegut manuscript to know that the impeachment won't get anywhere if nobody TRIES it first. If the republicans could get theirs going for trivial reasons, so can the dems for a righteous purpose. I don't care to look into a crystal ball and let the bleak probability deter justice.
Posted by: 000000 | Apr 24, 2007 4:10:47 PM
There is no political will for impeachment. In part because the corporate run mass media will not promote it. The Dems will usher in the next administration-- witness Pelosi's personal visit to Syria to tell then to bide their time. The criminals will escape w their fortunes & freedoms intact & all will be forgotten while the nation copes w the aftershocks of this administration. However, expect in about 20 yrs some of the same players reemerging a la Elliott Abrams.
Posted by: zabadak | Apr 24, 2007 4:22:26 PM
I hate to say this but I agree with Leland 100% on this. Don't worry, I'm sure we will disagree on a post later in the week and call each other troll or homophobe.
I feel bad for the Seattle gay pride. Atlanta's had a rough year financially last year due to heavy rain storms which kept people away.
Posted by: Matt | Apr 24, 2007 4:31:17 PM
I also have to agree with Leland that impeachement might not produce the expected results.
Bush already profited from being turned into the butt of the jokes on tv talk shows, and him being singled out for *everything* that's wrong in the country (and there's arguably too much of it at this point) would create overkill. And the inevitable backlash that ensues..
The second thing to consider, is that for the democracy to reach such a level of 'corruption' you need lots and lots of accomplices -both participatory or silent-. And that's where the corporative, the media (Fox and alt.), and even factions of the government come in. So trying to impeach Bush would get all those people who have interests at stake come out hard in support of him.
In order words: I think the problems facing America today go way beyond the impeachment of Bush-Cheney. And democrats have to realize their part in if they hope to turn it around..
To me, it all starts with using the systems that are still working to agressively counter the machine that allowed for the democracy to break down right in the first place: which means, slowing down the overzealous war machine; demystifying the propaganda machine; standing up to the biased media machine; grilling out the individual like Conzales, etc etc...basically it's about dismantling a time-ticking bomb -- and that has to be done patiently; intelligently and purposedly or else it will not lead to expected results.
Posted by: Da | Apr 24, 2007 6:22:03 PM
Impeach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It amazes me how people think. O we shouldn't impeach him, it might back-fire, or better yet, it might make him more popular. Shame on you ALL!!! I will leave the people of the United States of Amnesia with one of my favorite quotes.
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Strength to Love
Posted by: vince | Apr 24, 2007 7:11:48 PM
Anyone who regularly visits Towleroad knows that I'm repeatedly yelling for people to stop being so passive, get off their asses, and take ACTION of some kind, blah blah blah but both Vince and 00000 are essentially just verbally jacking off, waving their dicks and flapping their yaps in the direction of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as if that alone is going to bring down the Bush Reich, substituting, as the emotionally immature and politically and historically ignorant frequently do, righteous indignation for rational thought. Martin Luther King, Jr., also said: "Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think." And, "Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will."
"Impeach!!!!!" isn't a button one simply flips, or an online poll. In the history of the US, in over 200 years, only two Presidents have been impeached, and both were acquitted. [Nixon resigned before it could get that far.] Keep putting it on your letter to Santa if you want, but don't throw your Barbie Dolls at us in another hissy fit when it still doesn't happen.
And instead of writing us again, write/call/sit in at the office of your Congressperson/Senators until they agree with you.
Posted by: Leland | Apr 24, 2007 7:47:33 PM
Hmmm, maybe about 15 years ago I wouldn't have minded standing next to Harrison Ford and being "jacked." Still, can't wait to see Indy Jones and The Hunt for Affordable Medicare Part B Coverage.
Posted by: Chino | Apr 24, 2007 8:26:00 PM
did we hit a nerve ms leland? you sound like an ol republican closet case. poor thing - have another drink and common yourself down. you don't know me, so don't pretend you do. i will continue to say and do what is right, it's okay if you don't feel Bush or his administration should be impeached. that's your right, but don't get all righteous on me just because i don't agree with your silence... you asshole (_o_)
Posted by: vince | Apr 24, 2007 10:41:31 PM
Gee, is that arrogant, or what? "Keep putting it on your letter to Santa if you want, but don't throw your Barbie Dolls at us in another hissy fit when it still doesn't happen." Why, because people that disagree with your omnipotence are simply children? You've got nerve. Better yet, you don't. That's a pretty strong connection to the blue states right there.
Posted by: 000000 | Apr 24, 2007 11:39:40 PM
There's as much a chance of impeaching Bush as there is halting a ferocious lion charging at you by using a stick.
The media won't promote it, the Republican machinery is too well-oiled, despite the failings of so many (Rumsfeld, Libby, DeLay, et al.) and it further derides this country's well-meaning elected officials (though few in number) from trying to accomplish some admirable initiatives.
In addition, a better effort should be made by Democrats and moderate Republicans to set a timetable to get us out of Iraq, i.e., override Bush's (likely upcoming) veto.
Posted by: Stephen | Apr 25, 2007 7:25:13 AM
What kind of Bizarro world have I stumbled into where Leland wants to play it safe?
Posted by: mark m | Apr 25, 2007 12:44:01 PM
Impeach bush and cheeney we almost became a country kike nazi germany- and their still friggen trying?!?!?!?!?!
WHAT FOR!?!? War crimes- Crimes againts humanity- 911 forknowleged- 100's of millions made on pre 911 insidertrading "never really investigated"
Joining us with Mexico- Lying and propaganda- attempted empire building etc
Posted by: paul lemieux | Apr 25, 2007 8:06:09 PM