The Bush administration has found yet another way to waste taxpayer money while providing huge sums to private contractors.  According to a survey of activities in 2007 by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, about a third of the federal professional intelligence workforce now consists of contractors, mostly in the Washington, DC area.

Just a quick addendum to an earlier diary.

from New York Times article:

With the McCain-Palin team courting undecided female voters, including some who backed Mrs. Clinton in the Democratic primaries, Obama aides say they are counting on not only Mrs. Clinton but also Democratic female governors to criticize their Alaskan counterpart, Ms. Palin -- and, by extension, Mr. McCain -- including Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26552879/

Tom Brokaw talking with Tom Ridge. Tom Ridge sums up what they are offering America..this is so funny and so true.  Thank you Tom for being such an honest man and telling America the truth. Make the jump!

Breaking News.....
We will have breaking news regarding an ongoing story around 10am Alaska time on Friday......

AndrewHalcro.com, Alaskan Blogger

Yes, this economy is horrible. The Labor department just came out with 6.1% unemployment for August, up from 5.7% in July.

More jobs are being lost, 84,000.

Obama needs to point this out and let America know he'll do something to improve this situation. We don't need another Bush term!

Update: Here's the link and story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080905/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/economy;_ylt=AnNJNcOLCBtzrPjwP3mFHQiyBhIF Update [2008-9-5 8:58:58 by wiscogirl101]: Jobless rate jumps to 5-year high of 6.1 percent By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer 10 minutes ago WASHINGTON - The nation's unemployment rate zoomed to a five-year high of 6.1 percent in August as employers slashed 84,000 jobs, dramatic proof of the mounting damage a deeply troubled economy is inflicting on workers and businesses alike. ADVERTISEMENT The Labor Department's report, released Friday, showed the increasing toll the housing, credit and financial crises are taking on the economy. The report was sure to rattle Wall Street again. All the major stock indexes tumbled into bear territory Thursday as investors lost hope of a late-year recovery. With the employment situation deteriorating, there's growing worry that consumers will recoil, throwing the economy into a tailspin later this year or early next year. The jobless rate jumped to 6.1 percent in August, from 5.7 percent in July. And, employers cut payrolls for the eighth month in a row. Job losses in June and July turned out to be much deeper. The economy lost a whopping 100,000 jobs in June and another 60,000 in July, according to revised figures. Previously, the government reported job losses at 51,000 in each of those months. The latest snapshot was worse than economists were forecasting. They were predicting payrolls would drop by around 75,000 in August and the jobless rate to tick up a notch, to 5.8 percent. The grim news comes as the race for the White House kicks into high gear. The economy's troubles are Americans' top worry. Wachovia Corp., Ford Motor Co., Tyson Foods Inc. and Alcoa Inc. were among the companies announcing job cuts in August. GMAC Financial Services this week said it would lay off 5,000 workers. Job losses in August were widespread. Factories cut 61,000 jobs, construction firms eliminated 8,000 jobs, retailers axed 20,000 slots, professional and business services slashed 53,000 positions and leisure and hospitality got rid of 4,000. Those losses swamped employment gains in the government, education and health. Job losses at all private employers — not including government — came to 101,000 in August. The government said workers age 25 and older accounted for all the increase in unemployment in August.

I feel like I've entered the twilight zone. This racist tool is actually defending his "uppity" remarks under the guise that he's never heard it used in a "racially deragotary sense." From his own filthy mouth:

Westmoreland, who is contemplating a 2010 run for governor, released the following statement:

"I've never heard that term used in a racially derogatory sense. It is important to note that the dictionary definition of `uppity' is `affecting an air of inflated self-esteem --- snobbish.' That's what we meant by uppity when we used it in the mill village where I grew up."

Last night, John McCain said he fell in love with his country while being tortured in Vietnam. I'm not disrespecting his immeasurable service to the country. However, as we all know, McCain supports Bush's ideas on torture. So, what about all of the foreign detainees that the United States is torturing? Although, I hope we are not inflicting the same kind of injuries as befell John McCain, I wonder how many of them have fallen in love with their respective countries or organizations. I think we all know that Bush and McCain have increased, not decreased, the threat of terrorism. Some have said that McCain's acceptance speech was one huge confessional of Republican failures over the past 8 years. It's just nice that John admits it.

Make no mistake, I support senator Obama on his bid for presidency. HOWEVER, his move of sending Hillary to advocate his case instead of Biden or his long term surrogates just undermines his case. Democrats underestimated Sarah palin. They did everything starting with hideous conspiracy theories to letting their surrogate media dogs tear her apart. and when they saw her intact and deliver her speech at RNC, they knew they clearly dropped the ball on her and underestimated her.

so what does Obama do?  he goes straight to hillary clinton. haa.. if he felt he needed her by his side, maybe there was a position of VP for which he should have atleast vetted her. I think at this point, hillary just wants to be a good democrat and fall in line, and iron his shirts while he goes to highest office and feels good about himself.. thats her choice.. but I think as a strong Hillary and Bill supporter, I feel Obama will not waste time in dumping on them when he can, but for now.. he will use them the max he can..

Democrats NEED to win this thing.. but they need to win it the right way.. its Obama's battle.. its Bidens battle.. its our battle as supporters and its Hillary's battle as a surrogate.. but its not her job to be an attack dog and tear Sarah palin apart and eviscerate her loyal base of women and men who like women in higher positions and see them equal.. i.e non sexist men.. just my two cents!

Update: One of the talking points is that Hillary supporters wanted to see Hillary in WH.. not any woman.. I disagree.. she had atleast 15% of her base.. 60+ women voters who genuinely wanted to see a woman in white house.. remember the quote Hillary used.. I was born before women could vote and I am glad I am getting oppurtunity to vote a woman in white house.. So to soem of the comment posting fellow friends.. there was a base of Hillary supporters that voted for Hillary who wanted to vote for woman in WH..

Update: I agree 100% with clinton spokesman.. saying tis bread and butter issues that made people support Hillary.. Universal health care when Obama was going bats over and running condemnable ads against UHC.. its bread and butter issues of standing up for FISA and fundamental rights of people.. its bread and butter issues of fairer economy, and more pro growth agenda.. making sure republicans dont scare us into believing social security is in jeopardy.. so on and so forth.. those are bread and butter issues.. not attacking Palins kids and her grades in college.. DESPIABLE TACTICS!!!!

I dont think attacking Palin for taking Hillary talking points is the right thing.. especially when we all know senator Obama made speeches right out of Deval patricks textbooks and Senator Biden.. mmm I wont go there.. ISSUES PLEASE!!