Dick Cheney: “Yeah, I’m guilty of ordering torture, what are you punks going to do about it?”

Dick Cheney is guilty of ordering Americans to commit acts of torture. We know this because Dick Cheney has admitted to it:

Cheney’s comments also mark the first time that he has acknowledged playing a central role in clearing the CIA’s use of an array of controversial interrogation tactics, including a simulated drowning method known as waterboarding.

“I was aware of the program, certainly, and involved in helping get the process cleared,” Cheney said in an interview with ABC News.

Asked whether he still believes it was appropriate to use the waterboarding method on terrorism suspects, Cheney said: “I do.”

Cheney and his Bush Administration are guilty of war crimes. But I guarantee not one of them will ever spend a day in prison. After all, it’s not like they threw shoes at anyone.

HT Crooks and Liars

–WKW

Welcome to Crazy Land

During Leslie Stahl’s segment on Barney Frank during 60 Minutes, here’s how Stahl framed a comment a financier made about Frank:

“He said ‘He hasn’t veered off into crazy land,’ meaning liberalism.”

That was Stahl equating “Crazy Land” with liberalism, by the way.

A Democrat won the Presidency and Democrats – across the board – completely dominated Republicans in an election that had the highest voter turnout in four decades. Radical Conservatism has turned the greatest economy in human history into the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, left the military in shambles and has lost millions and millions of good jobs for Americans. But liberalism is still a nasty word to the “elite” media.

The U.S. is not a “Center-Right” country no matter how often the mindless beltway pundits and more-mindless right-wing ideologues bleat it. More than 130 million voters have spoken – The United States is Crazy Land. And it’s a nation in desperate need of some high doses of liberalism from its leaders.

So, let’s go crazy.

–WKW

“The President and our highest political officials are free to break the most serious laws that we have, without consequences”

Glenn Greenwald talking to Bill Moyers:

Let’s just quickly describe in the most dispassionate terms, as few of euphemisms, as possible, where we are and what has happened over the last eight years. We have a law in place that says it is a felony offense punishable by five years in prison or a $10,000 fine to eavesdrop on American citizens without warrants. We have laws in place that say that it is a felony punishable by decades in prison to subject detainees in our custody to treatment that violates the Geneva Conventions or that is inhumane or coercive.

We know that the president and his top aides have violated these laws. The facts are indisputable that they’ve done so. And yet as a country, as a political class, we’re deciding basically in unison that the president and our highest political officials are free to break the most serious laws that we have, that our citizens have enacted, with complete impunity, without consequences, without being held accountable under the law.

And when you juxtapose that with the fact that we are a country that has probably the most merciless criminal justice system on the planet when it comes to ordinary Americans. We imprison more of our population than any country in the world. We have less than five percent of the world’s population. And yet 25 percent almost of prisoners worldwide are inside the United States.

What you have is a two-tiered system of justice where ordinary Americans are subjected to the most merciless criminal justice system in the world. They break the law. The full weight of the criminal justice system comes crashing down upon them. But our political class, the same elites who have imposed that incredibly harsh framework on ordinary Americans, have essentially exempted themselves and the leaders of that political class from the law.

They have license to break the law. That’s what we’re deciding now as we say George Bush and his top advisors shouldn’t be investigated let alone prosecuted for the laws that we know that they’ve broken. And I can’t think of anything more damaging to our country because the rule of law is the lynchpin of everything we have.

Read what Greenwald had to say about the interview with Moyers here.

HT Crooks and Liars

–WKW

The Sports Desk: For Oscar De La Hoya, it was the wait not the weight

Some thoughts from an occasional sportswriter:

• Dan Rafael has some thoughts about Oscar De La Hoya’s horrific performance against Manny Pacquiao. While Rafael does make an interesting point about fighters dropping in weight, his examples of Chris Byrd and Roy Jones Jr., don’t help his case. Both Byrd and Jones were older and not the fighters they used to be. In fact, Jones and De La Hoya both showed fans the perfect examples of what shot fighters look like. The endless waiting, looking for an opening they can’t react to. While Jones and De La Hoya are worthy of praise for their careers, both are completely shot fighters. Here’s hoping both hang it up.
• I do agree with Rafael that the undercard of De La Hoya – Pacquiao was as bad as I’ve ever seen. In fact, the entire PPV card consisted of four terrible mismatches.
• Maurice Cheeks would have been a much more successful coach if he had a point guard like Maurice Cheeks.
• Terrell Owens not getting along with teammates? The hell you say.
• Let’s just take a moment to appreciate Dwight Howard.
• With the way Major League Baseball owners are spending money on free agents, you know it’s just a matter of weeks before they end up in front of Congress asking for a bailout. Of course, Republicans would likely demand that all MLB peanut vendors take a pay cut before they fork over the dough.

Under no circumstances do I ever want to be baptized as a Mormon, even when I’m worm food

I am an Atheist. I do not believe in gods or ghosts or spirits or any of that. If you happen to be a believer, I’m totally fine with that and wish you the best of luck. All I ask in return is that believers leave me alone and not try to codify their religious beliefs into law. And that they avoid “martyring” themselves for any reasons.

Oh, and that they never, ever try to posthumously baptize me into their religion the way Mormons have been doing.

Holocaust survivors walked away from talks with the Mormon church on Monday regarding posthumous baptism of Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps, insisting that Mormons have repeatedly violated a 13-year-old moratorium on the rite.

The church says it has honored the agreement. Members will not perform baptisms or other rites for Holocaust victims, except in cases when they have living descendants who are Mormon.

“We do not ask for, or want your love,” Ernest Michel, honorary chairman of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors, said in a statement. His parents died at Auschwitz.

Yes, in their never-ending quest to save souls and have the rest of the world march to only their drummer, the LDS has long had the practice of allowing current Mormons baptize their dead, non-Mormon relatives.

While I’m not overly concerned with my own well-being following my own death, at some point a stance has to be made. So let me publish this short letter to my future relatives, should they turn Mormon:

Dear Relatives of William K. Wolfrum,

How’s it going? I hope Global Warming and conservatives haven’t destroyed everything and that things are going just wonderfully. That said, let me get to the brunt of this letter: I do not now, nor will I ever want to be involved with the Church of Latter-Day Saints for any reason whatsoever. And while this would be true of any religion, it is especially true of Mormonism.

I think Joseph Smith was a con man. I think your religion is racist. I think your religion is homophobic. I think your religion is sexist.

So, my future relatives, should you ever get Mormonized, I ask only one thing – keep me out of it. Because while I hope you have success in your spiritual journey, please know that I find all organized religions to be ridiculous. And if it weren’t for Scientology, I’d find Mormonism to be the most ridiculous belief system out there.

Hugs,

Bill

–WKW

Lorena Ochoa highlighted in Fox Sports Espanol documentary

In May 2007, I spoke to long-time friends and filmmakers Christopher Vitiello and Jonathan Ochoa about their work on a documentary on Lorena Ochoa, the world’s No. 1 female golfer. This month, that documentary is on the air, as Fox Sports Espanol has already televised Part 1 of their documentary, with Part 2 set to air on Sunday. For those looking to see the documentary in its entirety, it will air in full on Dec. 22 on Fox Sports Espanol at 9 p.m.

For more on Vitiello and Jonathan Ochoa’s work o the documentary that showcases Lorena Ochoa’s remarkable 2007 season, as well as her charitable work and amazing popularity in Mexico, click here.

–WKW

On the road again

I’ll be spending the next couple days traveling and then will spend the next month back home in the U.S. So my apologies for the lack of posting, but things will get back up to speed soon enough.

And besides, all anyone wants to talk about these days is Rod Blagejovich. The story of the Illinois Governor gone mad with corruption doesn’t really do much for me. After all, living in Brazil, you get to see how corruption is really done by politicians. But I will admit this – U.S. politicians are really starting to make their mark. The world’s corrupt politicians and businessmen are looking at Blagejovich and American politicos with a new found respect.

Anyway, see you in the U.S.

–WKW

Blogger announces he will forgo $25 bonus

SAN FRANCISCO — The chief blogger at WilliamKWolfrum.com will forgo his customary bonus for 2008, as his blog seeks to avoid a public-relations fiasco.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported Tuesday that William K. Wolfrum decided to forgo his bonus because it “would send the wrong message.” The report noted that WilliamKWolfrum.com has accepted $68 in revenue from Google’s Ad Sense program, as it and other blogs struggle to cope with the economic downturn.

Wolfrum, the Journal reported, had originally lobbied Merrill’s board for a bonus between $15 and $25, saying that his guidance of the blog had helped it “become profitable in a highly non-liquid sense.”

However, that prompted New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to announce that such a bonus would be “a slap in the face to all American bloggers during these trying times.”

WilliamKWolfrum.com announced late Tuesday that Wolfrum will not get a bonus for 2008, the site said in a statement.

“Mr. Wolfrum and believes this is the appropriate recommendation to the board for the WilliamKWolfrum.com shareholders and employees given current economic and market conditions,” the site said.

Reached for comment outside his Malibu home, Wolfrum said he did not accept the bonus as a sign of patriotism.

“It was a worth a shot but obviously this isn’t going to fly,” said Wolfrum. “That being the case, I think it’s best for me not to accept this bonus.”

–WKW

The terrorized and the dead

The recent terrorist attacks in India reminded us all just how fragile the world can be and how terrorism still affects us all. More than 160 were killed in the attacks in Mumbai.

In other news, 199 Iraqi citizens were killed last week in the ongoing warfare.

–WKW

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao updated live blog

(To be updated frequently throughout the night.)

I must admit that I like Oscar De La Hoya. His career has been an endless battle against tough opponents. From a fearsome junior lightweight to a busy junior middleweight, De La Hoya has ducked no one. But I was still perplexed why he’s fighting Manny Pacquiao.

Ok, maybe not perplexed. He’s doing it for the money. After seeing Floyd Mayweather Jr. lay waste to Ricky Hatton – and then retired – De La Hoya was a farewell tour missing someone to say farewell to. Enter Pacquiao, an up-and-coming pay-per-view star.

While I think the world of Pacquiao and think he’s a rare talent, it’s hard to imagine De La Hoya being unable to use his considerable size advantage. For Oscar, who knows if this fight is winnable one way or another, for Pacquiao, a loss is of no concern whatsoever.

But I can’t help myself, I suppose. De La Hoya is getting gray, and Pacquiao will come to fight. So anything could happen. Maybe even a good fight.

Undercard Action

Daniel Jacobs TKO2 Victor Lares: Jacobs (13-0) stays undefeated in dominating Lares, who offers very little. Jacobs may have some skills, but it’s hard to gauge after this mismatch.

Juan Manuel Lopez KO1 Sergio Manuel Medina: Medina (24-0, 22 KOs) maintained his WBO super bantamweight title by destroying Medina (33-2, 18 KOs) in a 12-round title bout. That’s three straight first-round KOs for Lopez, and make no mistake, he’s got serious skills. But Medina froze and offered nothing.

Random Aside: I used to train with Shane Mosley at the La Verne Athletic Center in Southern California in the mid-80s. He was a good kid then and has been a great representative of the sport, despite recent allegations of doping. I always root for him and hope the best for him. He’s a good guy.

That said, Antonio Margarito will knock Sugar Shane into retirement next month.

Victor Ortiz KO2 Jeffrey Resto: Ortiz stayed unbeaten (23-0-1, 18 KOs) by knocking Resto down three times in less than two rounds. A nice win but Resto offered nothing. I like Ortiz. I think he comes to fight. I think he has some talent. But will he become an elite fighter? Nope.

Undercard observation: The undercard fights were just crap. Insultingly bad matchups.

Final Thought on De La Hoya-Pacquiao: I remember when Sugar Ray Leonard dropped back down to 154 to fight Terry Norris, and with the weight, Leonard lost what was left of his ability and Norris humiliated him. That is about the only way I see Pac-man winning this fight, especially knowing that De La Hoya weighed in at 145. I wouldn’t mind being surprised, but unless De La Hoya shows some more signs of aging, Pacquiao has no shot. Look for Oscar to take him out within 6 rounds.

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao Round-by-Round

Pre-fight Note 1: What’s the deal with singing the Mexican National anthem? It’s like, 45 minutes long and neither of the fighters is Mexican. Way to pander, Oscar.

Pre-fight note 2: Let me tell you something about Keyshia Cole – she knows bling.

Pre-fight note 3: I can’t wait to see them side by side. I just can’t shake the feeling that it’s going to look like Serena Williams going up against an Olsen twin.

Pre-fight note 4: One positive for Pacquiao – he’s been in big fights before. He comes into the ring looking calm and confident.

Pre-fight note 5: De La Hoya is much, much bigger than Pacquiao. With the way he’s sweating coming in, look for Oscar to come out strong.

Round 1: Pacquiao is small but strong and he know his speed is the key. He moves well, but De La hoya finishes with some power shots. De La Hoya.

Round 2: Pacquiao puts on a clinic and shuts down DLH the entire round. It’s as though De La Hoya didn’t expect him to be this fast. Pacquiao.

Round 3: De La Hoya starts using his height and throwing more punches down on Pacquiao. Manny throws fewer punches. A very competitive fight thus far. De La Hoya.

Round 4: If you’re a Pac-Man fan, this was a good round. Pacquiao dominated, finding a rhythm and boxing circles around DLH. Pacquiao.

Round 5: Wow. Pacquiao just spent three minutes battering De La Hoya, getting his attention a couple times with power shots. When De La Hoya fought Steve Forbes, I said DLH looked like an old fighter. He looks even older right now. Pacquiao

Round 6: Pacquiao looks like he owns the joint right now. De La Hoya has no answer for him in the middle the ring and Oscar’s left eye is swelling. Pacquiao.

Round 7: The wheels just came off for De La Hoya as Pacquiao outlanded him 175-46 in power shots. Pacquiao may stop him soon. Pacquiao.

Round 8: De La Hoya has nothing. Absolutely nothing. Pacquiao is having a sparring session now. Oscar’s laboring to throw a jab.

And he just quit.

Pacquiao KO9 De La Hoya

Final Observations: De La Hoya is done. Maye he could put together a fight with Roy Jones Jr., but that’s about it. This was just an awful performance. Plus, the two times I saw De La Hoya feel like he was in over his head was with Bernard Hopkins and now Pacquiao. And both times he gave in pretty meekly. In the end, that’s the story of Oscar De La Hoya – he was a tough, charismatic fighter who took on many of the best of his era – and lost to most of them.

As for Pacquiao, it was just a stellar performance. Don’t take anything away from him. He put on some weight and went up and did what he does against De la Hoya. Pacquiao just beat the crap out of him. He showed heft in his punches and unerring accuracy. We’ll see where he goes from here, but Mayweather may be thinking about taking up the game again. All avenues are open for the fantastic Filipino.

O.J. Simpson gets 16 years – will likely escape to hunt down Bart Simpson

Well, the sentencing is in for O.J. Simpson is his armed robbery/kidnapping trial in Las Wegas, and the Juice will be spending at least the next five years in jail and up to a total of 16, depending on when he receives parole.

Don’t worry, though. Simpson will be back. He’s become the Sideshow Bob of our strange reality. He’ll be back on Florida golf courses looking for the real killers, real kidnappers, as well as Bart Simpson, soon enough.

>em>–WKW

Everything you’re doing has been done before

So Internetizens, think you’re clever with your LOLCats?

Well, you aren’t doing anything original, as this LolCat has emerged from more than a century ago:

Remember, they were aware of all Internet traditions.

–WKW

NHL scores against misogyny

While no one’s watching, the National Hockey League continues on, a tribute to perseverance. Yesterday, however, the NHL showed that it’s not about to sell out to sell out:

“Avery suspended indefinitely by NHL for crude line”

DALLAS (AP)—Sean Avery knows all about the punishment that comes with saying something inflammatory on the ice, from time in the penalty box to having a stick swung at him.

On Tuesday, he learned how harsh the league can be about things said off the ice.

Avery was suspended indefinitely by commissioner Gary Bettman for making “inappropriate public comments, not pertaining to the game.” The punishment came down only hours after Avery used a crude term about his former girlfriends now dating other hockey players.

Avery missed the Dallas Stars’ game against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. Because terms won’t be settled until Avery meets with Bettman, likely in New York, he almost certainly will be out again Wednesday night when the Stars play in Edmonton.

You can see Avery’s comments about former girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert here. It’s very nice to see the NHL take a firm stand against this type of hateful speech. Hockey players have a well-earned reputation of being good people, overall. The NHL has shown it won’t accept any less.

–WKW

Thankfully, the insipid “OMG, Democrats could get a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority!” talk dies

So, Saxby Chambliss won in Georgia to assure that Democrats won’t have the holy grail of owning all advantages in Congress and being able to theoretically slam their agenda past a helpless Republican foe.

Of course, I say theoretically, because one thing lost in this discussion is that Democrats aren’t Republicans. They don’t do that march in order thing as well, at all. Just look back to the Military Commissions Act of 2006. You may know it as the vote that took away Habeas Corpus. In the House and Senate combined, eight Republicans voted against it. But 44 Democrats crossed over and voted for it.

Basically, it’s nice that the “filibuster-proof majority!” noise will die down. It wouldn’t have made a difference, anyway. Because with the Democrats, nothing is fail-proof.

–WKW

Fox News gets diverse with Omarosa

From my friends at Newshounds:

Coming up tomorrow on Fox News, Randy from Survivor talks about U.S. diplomacy under Barack Obama.

–WKW

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