I'm Sorry, but I have a Suprise!

Okay, let me answer all the emails I have been getting about my lack of postings and health. First, I have not been posting because I have been practicing and making demo podcasts, inwhich I will try my hand at via Off the Record Blog (called, the Off The Record Podcast Show) and I will have my first one up in the very near future. Also, when there is MAJOR breaking news, I will do a "Breaking News Podcast", so basically, I am trying to turn my plain blog into a News Media Center, so please bear with me as I try to get all this set up, and any help is welcome (as well as guest podcasts! Just ask and present your podcast, and I will make my decision). As far as my health is concerned, I am fine now, although I did really almost die TWICE within the past week, so its been rough, and I thank you all for your get well wishes, I read every single one. Anyway, keep checking back for the very first Off the Record Podcast Show!

My Unfortunate Leave of Absence

Hello my faithful readers!  I sincerely apologize to everyone for not updating my blog, however, i have been hospital for about a week.  Just so everyone knows, my potassium levels were so low they were terrified I was going to die before they infused (via IV) me with IV potassium (I went through 16, 1000ml bags of potassium.  Anyway, thanks for you well wishes and I hope to be back blogging in full swing shortly.  If you wish to inquire further, feel free to email me a theliberalone (at) gmail (dot) com.  I sincerely love you guys and can't WAIT to be back full time, and I am sorry I couldn't update my breaking news blog from my hospital, but I promise, I will make it up to you.

Love you all sincerely,

Chris

technorati tags:Editor, Out, of, Service, Hosptialization, Deadly, Potassium, Levels, Updates

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Whistleblowers Coalition to Testify in House

Government Whistleblowers are going to get to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. They have petitioned the new Congress to pass a REAL bill to FULLY protect Whistleblowers on National Security concerns and other just causes from repraisials from their Employer or the Government. Here is the following Press Release issued by the National Security Whislteblower's Coalition, the Coalition of Government Whistleblowers founded by Sibel Edmonds. Maybe we will finally hold our Government to account and not be able to hide evidence under the disguise of the "State Secrets Privliege":

NSWBC to Testify Before the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee

The Hearing on Meaningful Legislation to Protect Whistleblowers

WHAT: The House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform will hold a hearing on the need for meaningful & enforceable protection for government whistleblowers.

Where: The House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. (Room Number: TBD)

When: 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, 2007

BACKGROUND: The National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (NSWBC), together with partner whistleblowers coalitions and supporting organizations, welcome the efforts and initiations taken up by the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform under the leadership of Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) to bring to light the ineffective and failed existing “protections” for government whistleblowers.

Recently, NSWBC led an action campaign to urge the new congress to put in place comprehensive, meaningful, and enforceable legislation to protect whistleblowers and enable congressional oversight and accountability (To read the petition signed by hundreds of whistleblower members and supporting organizations ‘click here’).

The petition specifically urged the congress to provide the following provisions in any whistleblower protection legislation; the proposed legislation should:

· Provide a cause of action for recovery of monetary damages for all employees, including those in intelligence and law enforcement agencies, federal contractors or subcontractors, and corporate employees who are retaliated against for reporting national security concerns, threats to public health and safety, or fraud, waste, mismanagement or violations of law to their employer, the Government Accountability Office, or Congress.

· Provide the right of jury trial for government whistleblowers, and appeals from whistleblower decisions in cases at law should be all courts review rather than being limited to the Federal circuit.

· Limit the effect in civil cases of the State Secrets Privilege, dubious classification of potential evidence, and any other privilege that prevents the discovery or use of evidence. If the government asserts the State Secrets Privilege, then the factual matters at issue covered by the privilege should be resolved in favor of the whistleblower. If the government asserts the privilege as the basis to dismiss a case, then judgment should be made for the plaintiff.

· Criminalize acts that knowingly initiate, further, facilitate, or cause to be carried out reprisal against employees seeking to report violations of law or for contacting or attempting to contact members of Congress.

· Guarantee the right of all employees to report, without fear of criminal prosecution or loss of security clearance, violations of law, policies that endanger national security, waste, fraud, and abuse to members of Congress.

The coalition also requested a series of congressional hearings designed to supply an integrative and comprehensive picture of retaliation against whistleblowers, the damage done to national security by allowing such retaliation to take place, the cost to taxpayers for ineffective restraints on the treatment of whistleblowers, the chilling effects of retaliation on other employees who might otherwise have been emboldened to come forward, and the costs to Congress’ duty of oversight for not having yet enacted comprehensive protection for whistleblowers.

Sibel Edmonds, the Founder & Director of National Security Whistleblowers Coalition states: ‘As it stands now, a government employee has to choose between career and conscience when confronted with agency wrongdoing. We need to adopt protections for employees that allow them to be secure in their jobs and encourage them to report waste, fraud, and abuse of power. Many lives, our national security, and the health of our democracy, may hinge on whether or not Congress is brave enough to provide meaningful and effective protection for national security whistleblowers. After three decades of half-hearted attempts to provide general protection to whistleblowers it is time to do the job right. Existing “protections” are more dangerous than no protections at all, since they often beguile people into believing that they will be safe if they report illegal activity, fraud, abuse, and dangerous policies. And national security whistleblowers are excluded from even this illusory protection. The “system of protection” is a catastrophic failure.

Write and call your Representative and Senators until they have to hire a personal assistant just to deal with your mail, email, and phone calls (and personal visits if at ALL possible). Urge protection for those who risk EVERYTHING (career, life, family, going to prison) just to expose something that puts US, the American people, at risk. And on behalf of everyone, let me say THANK YOU Sibel Edmond's and all other Whistleblowers, I am fully confident that you can and will get Congress to pass this NECESSARY law.

technorati tags:NSWBC, Sibel, Edmonds, United, States, National, Security, Whistleblowers, Hearings, Testify

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BREAKING: Drugs found with Anna

According to multiple sources that are close to the investigation, there were both illegal narcotics as well as prescription medication found in her room; An employee pulled back the sheets and found Anna, who had apparently choked on her own vomit.....DEVELOPING

technorati tags:Anna, Nicole, Smith, Drugs, Death, RIP

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Anna Nicole Smith Dead at 39

Playboy Playmate, actress, and Worldwide Celeberity Anna Nicole Smith was pronounced dead at a hospital in Hollywood, Florida after being found unresponsive on her sixth floor hotel room at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.  An in-depth look at the Shakesperian Tragedy tomorrow.  Off The Record sends our condolences to Anna's family and let everyone know we are truely saddened by her loss ourself.

technorati tags:Anna, Nicole, Smith, Dead, RIP, Hollywood, California, Hard, Rock, Casino, Hotel

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How Rich are YOU?

You may be suprised to find out, I know I was:

How rich are you? >> I'm loaded. It's official. I'm the 557,241,151 richest person on earth!

Bird Flu is the New Terrorism

It's sort of like saying pink is the new red. Now that our dear precious Government who would NEVER do anything just to cause general fear and panic to the general public, has figured out they can no longer work us up on the danger of terror on Main Street, USA, so they have found a new (well, old, but they are just now starting full blast) way to get us worked up and terrified: The Avian (Bird) Flu. The Center for Disease Control issued guidelines today in case of the "Great Flu" outbreak of 2007. Here are a few of the guidelines issued by the CDC (WHO in the hell hires people to come up with these points, I could have done this list):

• Cities and towns could close schools for up to three months. “No one’s arguing that by closing all the schools, you’re going to prevent the spread,” says Dr. Merkel, "but if you can cut cases by 10 or 20 or 30 percent and it’s your family that’s spared, that’s a big deal.” (before you kids go getting all giddy, other experts think differently, such as Dr. Irwin Redlener, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health: “We’ll be facing the same problem, but without the teaching,” referring to the kids (as well as adults) who often behave in ways that are nearly as contagious as being in school, such as being sent to a day care center and gathering at the mall. Dr. Redlener added expertly (to the groans of children around the world): "They might as well be in class."
• All ball games and movies are urged to cancel until the "wave" (a normal flu "wave" lasts about two weeks, experts tell me) is over.
• Stagger the working hours of the general public so that the subways and buses aren't as congested.
• All families, sick and well, are urged to stay home for 7 to 10 days (this one really irks me, if a family member of mine gets the flu, I want to help them out and make them feel better, but to be "quarantined" with them and those germs for 7 to 10 days....sounds like population control to me).
• It is urged, in case of a pandemic, to NOT close state borders or airports, otherwise you would cut off delivery of critical supplies (medicine, food, etc.).
• This year's guideline's put forth by the CDC did not suggest using the United States Military for enforcing the quarantines (it seems even the CDC is trying to "check and balance" Bush's power, it was Bush who suggested back in 2005 that he would consider using the military to enforce quarantines when he first mentioned the avian (bird) flu.)
• Dr Levi stated that it may not be a bad idea to have the National Guard help set up temporary medical clinics and/or moving pharmaceutical supplies to the needed location, as many of them are well trained at doing. Unfortunately, however, Dr. Levi pointed out “But they’re not there, the people who know how to run field hospitals are in Iraq.”

Now, at first glance, these guidelines may seem helpful and innocent, however it would not be hard (AT ALL these days) to see some (not to mention any names/agencies like the United States Government...oops!) one/agency taking advantage of the situation if it got this bad. Anyway, more to come your way today, and to let everyone know, I'm working on a vblog (video blog), to be posted on YouTube, about who exactly Sibel Edmonds is, whats so facinating about her, and why she is the definition of a patriot if there ever was a living example.

Exclusive: Tony Blair on his way OUT!

EXCLUSIVE: British officials, who are in a position to know such things, say there is an "operation" underway, by Tony Blair's Labour Party, to oust him as Prime Minister, possibly within weeks, (and electing Gordon Brown to succeed him) because of the cash for honours scam, in which Prime Minister Tony Blair has been questioned twice (the is the first time a sitting Prime Minister has EVER been questioned by police in a criminal investigation). There has been no comment from the Prime Minister's office as of publication time. More on this story as it becomes available.

State Department at Odds with Embassy over Iran Intel Presentation

Apparently, the United States Department of State is stating that absolutely NO information will be presented proving Iran's involvement in the chaos that is Iraq. This is a direct contradiction to what the U.S.'s new Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, said that he would present a detailed presentation on Iranian involvement in Iraq. The reasoning the State Department is using: they do not want "faulty intelligence" spread widely like was the case in the build up to the Iraq War, which to me seems a covert admission there IS a build up to go to war with Iran, they just don't want to be embarrassed by "faulty intelligence" so they have decided not to release anything. Click here to see all of what ABC News has to say on this issue.

Republicans Force Democrats Over Pay Raise

Republicans have blocked the COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustment) that Congress usually gives itself every year or so. Last year, before the elections, Democrats blasted Republicans for being for a pay raise and against raising the minimum wage (and that attack was a very successful one), however, the Democrats seemingly supported the COLA when Republicans blocked it. Now, our poor Congressmen and women will now have to do without that 1.7% raise, is anyone angry? I think there may be oh, about 535 people who aren't happy (btw, that is the number of people in Congress). I have to say, whether it was a political move or not, I have to applaud the Republicans for this (mark this down, this could be a once in a lifetime event).

Breaking: Secret US Military Report Blames Iran

A Secret U.S. Military report, first reported by NBC News, and confirmed independently by Off The Record, that Iranian personnel was likely behind an ambush in the Iraqi city of Karbala that left five U.S. soldiers dead. Also detailed in the report is the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is providing sophisticated weapons, as well as intelligence on Iraqi and U.S. military forces to Shiite extremists. More on this developing story as it becomes available.

BREAKING: Third Battleship to the Gulf

Off The Record has confirmed with Pentagon officials that infact, the USS Ronald Reagan has left the United States on its way to the Persian Gulf. Military personnel have been told to keep a pretty tight lid on this, and have been instructed to tell any one inquiring that the Battleship is going there to support Iraq War Operations. My friends, I'm not sure if you know this or not, but it was revealed here a month ago that the U.S. was sending a second Carrier to the region as a warning against Iran, and my sources then told me to be on the look out for the third (Three Battleships are the key number specified in the still classified Iran War Plans that Off The Record has obtained partial copies of), and that third is on its way. Only one of my sources would come out and say this could be a direct provocation and final threat to Iran before military actions, even if it is just air strikes (which this certain official believes would lead to full scale war).........More of this major developing story as it becomes available.

Off The Record Hits YouTube

I have recently decided to compliment my blog, I will start doing regular "newscasts" on YouTube. To view my profile, click here. My ultimate goal is to start a user generated newscast with contributions from anyone who thinks they are up to par. If you would like more information on this project, or would like to be included in this project please email me using the links on the left side bar. If you are interested in becoming one of the faces of the ONLY user generated new casts on YouTube, email me (I would like you to have an audition tape with an audition for the segments you would be interested in covering, videos must be under 100 megabytes and less than 10 minutes long). Anyway, please view my web newscasts, and tell me what you think of them, and I hope to get some of you interested in to the contribution process as well. Thank you!

Ann Coulter's STILL Trying to be Relevant

Oh, oh, oh, the musings of one Ann Coulter, the endless joy you can get from just laughing at this poor, pathetic media whore. Her latest "opinion" (like anyone gives a rats ass) piece is titled "I'm a Woman, Hear Me Bore" now, is it just me, or does Ann the man just HATE women? Remember, this article comes from the woman who also stated that women in the United States should not have the right to vote, but who was caught voting in the wrong district (which, by they way, is a FELONY, the same charge she makes aganist one President Bill Clinton), so...why is she not practicing what she preaches and NOT voting, find a husband (well, THAT may be a problem), and be little Miss Betty Crocker and spare us here idoitic, hate filled rants. Oh yeah, and, please, take this quote from her newest op-ed piece:

"Mrs. Clinton's acolytes are floating the idea of Hillary as another Margaret Thatcher to get past the question, 'Can a woman be elected president?' "

I would like to remind Miss Coulter that the article she referred to came out of a paper owned by none other than one Rupert Murdoch (who, at least at one time, was her employer when she appeared of Fox News). Oh, please, stick with me for at least ONE more insane quote from this bitch:

"But the most urgent question surrounding Hillary's candidacy is: How will the Democrats out-macho us if Hillary is their presidential nominee? Unlike their last presidential nominee, she doesn't even have any fake Purple Hearts."

Well, Miss Coulter, let me remind you that MOST of the TOP leadership (and some of your favorite talk radio personalities (one Rush Limbaugh) didn't even GO to
Vietnam, they used their high powered connections to keep them out of the war, so, they didn't have the chance to even WIN a Purple Heart, "fake" or otherwise. Yes, the above quote, to me at least, reveals that Ann Coulter has a vendetta aganist women, I have one Question for Miss Coulter: Do you not like being a woman? Are you angry

Kerry Running for the Senate in 2008

John Kerry has come to his senses and has decided he will not run for the Presidency in 2008, an top aide citing Kerry's "botched" joke late last year, however, he WILL seek re-election to his Senate seat next year. He is taping a response to e-mail to his supporters (there are still some of those out there? hehe, whats up with this year and online video, its like they just discovered the web). Go here for all the details.

Racism and the Black Caucus

Freshman United States Representative Steven Cohen (D-TN) has been denied entry into the Congressional Black Caucus, because he is white. It does not seem to matter to Caucus members that an overwhelming majority of his constituency is black, and this was not a political move by Cohen, it was a move he thought would, if successful, help his constituents. It is a sad state of affairs when, in the year 2007, a group, especially within the United States House of Representatives, denies a person entry because of skin color alone. Can you imagine the outrage if there was a Congressional White Caucus created, I can see the media orgasm already: Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Co. would race to the nearest television camera, condemn the creators of the group, and demand their resignation, now, I ask, if they are really for racial equality, why not do the same thing in this instance? It's the perfect definition of hypocrisy.

State of the Union Drinking Game

Here is the George W. Bush State of the Union Survival Guide/Drinking game. The game is below, in full (by: Will Durst):

What you Need to Play:

Four taxpayers: One rich white guy wearing a Suit. Cuff links are nice. Two people wearing jeans, one in a blue work shirt, the other in a white shirt. One person wearing clothes rejected by the Salvation Army. (Belt and shoelaces removed.)

One shot glass per person. Everybody brings their own from home and places it on table. Suit gets first pick for use during game. White shirt picks next, then Blue shirt. Suit takes last shot glass as well, and Rags has to beg a glass from other players when necessary, or drink out of own cupped hands.

Twenty buck ante for everybody, except Suit who tosses in a quarter.

One pot of Texas chili and one bowl of guacamole, in middle of coffee table with tortilla chips nearby. Rags has to prepare and serve the chili and guacamole.

A large stash of beer. Rags gets the cheapest stuff available. Suit gets whatever import he likes. White and Blue Jeans get any domestic brand as long as it's no more expensive than Bud. Jeans pay for all the beer, the chips and the ingredients for the chili and guacamole.

Rules of the Game:

1. Whenever George W uses the phrases "defending liberty," "enormous progress" or "challenges ahead," last person to knock wood has to drink 2 shots of beer. If he actually says "there are those who envy our freedoms and seek to destroy us," everybody drinks a whole beer.

2. The first time George W mentions the tragic events of 9/11, the last person to eat one dollop of chili off a tortilla chip must drink three shots of beer. The second time George W mentions the tragic events of 9/11, the last person to eat one dollop of guacamole off a tortilla chip must drink three shots of beer. Continue to alternate. If you mischip, drink two extra shots of beer.

3. If George W mispronounces Iraqi President Al- Maliki's name, drink two shots of beer. If he even attempts to pronounce the name of Iranian President Mahmoud Amadinejad, first person to stop laughing is exempt from drinking three shots of beer.

4. If George W makes up a word like "9/11ers or "deterrencism," last person to yell out "Strategerie!" drinks two shots of beer.

5. Every time senators Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama are shown in the audience, Suit drinks one shot of beer.

6. The first time George W talks about immigration, last person to finish three chips of guacamole has to drink three shots of beer.

7. If either the Vice President, Secretary of State or First Lady are caught napping, last person to make snoring noises drinks two shots of beer. If Senator Robert Byrd is shown awake, Blue and White drink two shots of beer.

8. Everybody drinks two shots of beer if President Bush mentions Scooter Libby. Three shots of beer if he mentions Jack Abramoff. Four shots of beer if he mentions Osama bin Laden.

9. Whenever George W quotes the Bible, last person to sing the first eight bars of "Amazing Grace" has to drink two shots of beer.

10. If George W smirks during a standing ovation, take turns throwing chips of chili and guacamole at TV. First person to hit Bush's head exempt from drinking three shots of beer.

11. If George W tells a folksy Texas tale with a deeper meaning about not leaving before the job is done, Suit has to drink out of beer-filled hands of Rags, who gets to dry his hands on Suit's jacket.

12. Predict the number of applause breaks. After the speech, drink number of shots of beer equal to the difference between your estimate and the real number.

EXTRAS:

Anybody who can identify the person giving the Democratic Response doesn't have to watch it.

If George W uses a heartfelt story about one of our brave troops, White gets to kick everybody once. Twice if the brave troop is a woman. Rags gets to kick Suit if Bush reveals the subject of the anecdote is in the audience. Twice if the brave troop is sitting next to an astronaut.

Suit takes home the $60.25.

Leftover beer, chili and guacamole go home with Rags, after he/she is finished washing the dishes.

Political Comic Will Durst is going to try and sneak into the event disguised as an astronaut. Listen to Durst's twice weekly commentaries at audible.com/willdurst.

Don't Bash Bush in Australia

If you happen to being wearing a shirt that has Bush's picture on it, along with a saying like "World's Number 1 Terrorist" you can be barred from flying (they did, however, give him the option to change shirts..how nice), even to the U.K., as Allen Jasson, 55, an Australian IT expert who lives in Britain, found out! So, I guess you wonder what the airlines reasoning was, according to this article:

"Airline staff said the T-shirt of Bush with the tagline "World's number 1 terrorist" could have upset other passengers and demanded it be changed for another."

Mr. Jasson decided it was better to stand for his freedom of speech rights and forfeit his fare, but he is looking into legal options....meanwhile, the airline, Quantas, issued a statement that verbal, as well as words/phrases printed on clothing, which had the potential to offend other travelers or threaten the security of the aircraft "will not be tolerated." Well, for one, when you have freedom of speech, you have the right to offend people and two, just wearing a shirt, no matter what is printed on it (okay, if it said "I'm gonna blow this plane up" then I can see their point), does NOT threaten the security of the aircraft. I cannot wait to see what else develops out of this!

Former FEMA Head Starts Telling

Former head of FEMA, Michael Brown, is now revealing some of the things that went on behind the scenes at the White House concerning the Government's response to Hurricane Katrina. During, and for a good while after, Brown (or, as many will always remember the nickname Bush gave him when he said "Brownie, your doing a heck of a job") took almost all the heat for the Government's slow response to the costliest Hurricane to ever hit the United States and absolutely demolish New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast. Brownie seems not to be near as bad as even I thought he was (although I still don't see how being President of the Arabian Horse Association makes you qualified to run FEMA, but that blame ultimately lies with Bush), and he wants us ALL to know what really happened, here is what he had to say:

"Unbeknownst to me, certain people in the White House were thinking we had to federalize Louisiana because she's a white, female Democratic governor and we have a chance to rub her nose in it."

As expected, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco fired back with a very appropriate response to Brown's allegations (I use that word because, surprise, the White House is denying his version of events, and we all know how trust worthy the White House is, they'd never lie to us about anything):

"This is exactly what we were living but could not bring ourselves to believe. Karl Rove was playing politics while our people were dying," Blanco said through a spokeswoman, referring to President Bush's top political strategist. "The federal effort was delayed, and now the public knows why. It's disgusting."

I could be wrong, but I have a strange feeling Brownie is not finish telling everything he knows (and/or has found out since he was made the scapegoat), although he may be saving it for a tell-all book, but either way, I can't wait to hear what else he has to offer. Go here for the complete story from the MSM.

Muslim's Protest Fox's 24

Muslim's are complaining about always being the villain in Fox's hit TV show 24.

"The overwhelming impression you get is fear and hatred for Muslims," said Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations. She said Thursday she was distressed by this season's premiere. "After watching that show, I was afraid to go to the grocery store because I wasn't sure the person next to me would be able to differentiate between fiction and reality."

Click here to read the story, continue reading for my little gem of wisdom on the subject: To the Muslim's who are up in arms (well, maybe that is worded wrong, who are protesting) about 24, GET OVER IT, and don't watch it. You have to remember speech is protected here in the United States, and we can't start banning stuff just because it offends someone. To me, our society has gone way overboard with this political correctness bullshit, I mean, come ON! Have you ever heard of Carlos Mencia (if not, search him on YouTube), he is an example of someone who just speaks what he thinks, and he usually ends up offending a number of different groups with each joke he makes, but THAT is the beauty of this country, you CAN express what you feel and its OKAY. If your SO worried it will cause people not to understand the difference between fact and fiction (come on, that is an insult to me, and most Americans), go out, and produce your own damn show and make Americans the villains!