I'm calling Randi Rhodes out on some bullshit she spouted today

[cherokeeprogressive]

In the first five minutes of her show, she mentioned Blackwater, Portero, and ARSON. She intimated that there was a connection between the citizens of Portero, their protest about having a Blackwater base, and the fires that have burned friends of mine out of their homes. She NEVER MENTIONED that the fires that were suspected to be started by ARSONISTS were 100 miles to the north of Portrero in Orange County.

I call HYPERBOLE on her opening monologue. I listen to her on XM because that's the only way I can hear her up here in Big Bear Lake, and I never once heard her say "That's just my opinion".

The only reason it bothers me is that now there is a whole nation who listens to her that now believes that the California fires were started by arsonists, and by her estimation, those arsonists were Blackwater operatives.

Bullshit on her.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. hmm been listening ot the local news

so did not tune her in

If she has some evidence of this... better hand it over to the DA...

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. Or not spread her suspicions on worldwide radio?

The Santiago fire was started by arsonists. It's in Orange County. She's on record as saying that the San Diego fire is somehow ARSON related, and if it is, she's the ONLY person privy to that information.

I want to know who is prowling my neighborhood willing to start fires when it's politically expedient.

She owes me that much.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Nah, hand it over to the authorities

what she is claiming is that a crime was commited

Now, in her defense, Orange County and SD County look the same that far away...

Hell, for most of us on the other side of the country, getting good maps of NOLA was a pain... but hey. she is a national talk show host.

Send her an email and point this out to her.

If she has the evidence, I want that to be turned over to the DA... she is telling us a crime was commited

(and so far the only fire they gave any kind of a possible reasom was witch and they said that MIGHT, I REPEAT MIGHT, have been a SDG&E Transformer exploding.

That was said in passing early on... no more

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. You posts are some of the ones I respect the most out of ALL those I've read here, and I never fail

to read them.

I'll stick with my initial reaction that she was trying to convince those who were so far away that they didn't have a pure source to rely on. I listened to her until she went off the air and she pretty much stuck with the notion that fires in So. Cal. were either started by downed power lines or arson.

Hyperbole. She NEVER mentioned that the ONLY fires started by arson were 100 miles from Portero, where they demonstrated against a Blackwater training base in their back yard.

[Make7]

14. I thought I heard the Harris fire was caused by a house fire near Tecate.

Although the cause of the house fire was not given.

Of course that's just my recollection of TV news coverage from San Diego yesterday. Don't quote me on that - the report may have been erroneous and/or premature.

- Make7

[calimary]

4. Hey - you okay up there in Big Bear? Are the fires near you?

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. Green Valley Lake is just about 3 miles as the crow flies. We've been blessed by Mr. Santa Ana

The wind has been blowing from East to West. Normally, the wind blows from West to East. We've dodged the bullet THREE times this year. I feel for the people in Running Springs and will go here to give whatever assistance I can, when the road is opened. That's our worst fear, that Highway 18 from Running Springs to the Big Bear Lake dam should close, because that means we won't have tourists coming up the hill.

We're 3 miles east of the dam. The wind was so fierce Sun. and Mon. that we got no sleep.

[calimary]

17. Yikes... too close for comfort!

Stay safe, okay?

[cherokeeprogressive]

20. We're almost afraid to lay down to sleep, but we have friends between us and the fire. THANK YOU.

We live about a mile and a half east of the dam, and it's dicey at best. Thank you so much for your kind words!

[Breeze54]

5. That hypothesis was posted on the internet

That the land Blackwater wants for a training ground, is right smack in the middle of the fires.
The writer alluded that this may be perfect timing for BW to "grab" that land.
Because the residents opposed BW opening a training ground in their backyard.

Trying to remember where I read it.

[Breeze54]

10. Found it! 'BW planning to build a new military training center near Potrero'

Thursday, April 19th, 2007

Blackwater Plans for New Military Facility Near San Diego Draws Fire From Residents, Peace Activists and Local Congressmember

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/04/19/1349211

The private security firm Blackwater USA is planning to build a new military training center on an 800-acre ranch near Potrero, a tiny rural town east of San Diego. The project, known as Blackwater West, is being opposed by a growing coalition of local residents, environmentalists and peace activists. We speak with Rep Bob Filner who is exploring legislation to block the project as well as one of the local organizers and journalist Jeremy Scahill, author of "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army." Today we are broadcasting from Los Angeles, California. About 150 miles south of here, near the US-Mexico border, the private security firm Blackwater is planning to build a new military training center known simply as "Blackwater West."

Plans for the new site include multiple firing ranges, training towers, an armory, a helipad, an urban simulation training area and a driving track.

Blackwater plans to build the facility on an 800-acre chicken and cattle ranch near Potrero, a tiny rural town about 45 miles east of San Diego. The project won preliminary approval from the local planning board in December, but since then more than half the registered voters of Potrero have signed a petition opposing it. The residents are being joined by a growing coalition of environmentalists and peace activists.

The project will ultimately need the approval of the county planning commission and the board of supervisors, a process that could take up to two years. Earlier this month, a normally routine county planning meeting on the project drew over 100 protesters. They were met by three dozen police and sheriff's deputies and people entering the meeting were required to walk through a metal detector.

Blackwater West is also running into opposition from a local Democratic Congressmember who represents the area. Representative Bob Filner said he is exploring legislation to block the project.

[defendandprotect]

47. error

[cherokeeprogressive]

52. Santa Ana winds moving in the wrong direction? Get a FUCKING CLUE

I was born in NORWALK. Look it up if you must. Santa Ana winds have ALWAYS blown from the high deserts to the oceans. Are you crazy? I grew up with the Santa Ana winds. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND WAS BORN HERE.

Fuck Randi. She was wrong, and no person here will admit it. She implied that the fires we're experiencing could be traced to BLACKWATER, even though the area most impacted is 100 miles away. She said Blackwater had something to do with it.

SANTA ANA WINDS ARE MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION?

WHAT the fuck to you know about Santa Ana winds?

[defendandprotect]

71. Not that I don't appreciate the eloquence of your post . . . !!!!

However, I was REPEATING what a weather announcer had said, connecting the REVERSED Santa Ana winds to Global Warming ---

Not unlike the El Nino and La NIna events which used to be once in every 1,000 or 2,000 years and are now regular events . . . it is nature turned upside down.

OK -- so address your "fuck" to the guy who related this info on TV --

but . . . nice to hear from you again -- !!!


Good way to pass on and gain information -- I'm sure this method really works for you -- !!!

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. The fires started by ARSON are 100 miles from there!

Not to mention that in OC there isn't enough enough room.

[Breeze54]

42. IF that's the only one !! Could be more than one;

dontcha think? :shrug:

I heard that one fire, may be by arson, in Valencia.

[incapsulated]

6. Oh, great

Now all the conspiracy theorists will come out of the woodwork.

Using tragedy to cook up political conspiracy theories is shameful, for anyone.

[greyl]

7. Are you sure she wasn't implicating protestors? nt

[Beerboy]

8. Why not just cut her some slack,

she was just recently very seriously injured, as everyone knows. Isn't the "that's just my opinion" part already implied? She's a talk-show host, not purporting to be a journalist.

[cherokeeprogressive]

16. Oh Randi, I'm sorry you got drunk and fell on your face.

HER WORDS ARE TAKEN AS GOSPEL BY A LARGE PART OF THOSE OF US WHO CALL OURSELVES PROGRESSIVES.

Whether she makes us look stupid or not, she gets a pass?

[incapsulated]

21. It seems she does

I don't understand how people don't get this is a real tragedy for real people, not an excuse to go off spouting bullshit conspiracy theories on the air.

[Beerboy]

24. Wow! You got drunk with Randi?

Way cool, if true. It's one of those things where you probably actually had to be there. Are there photos of her drunk on the sidewalk? Everyone would've seen them by now.
As for those who take what she says as gospel, well, they should learn the distinction between a talk-show host and a journalist. Not the same thing at all.

[incapsulated]

26. And if Glen Beck...

Used the airwaves to spread the rumor that crazed environmentalists started the fire, everyone here would just shrug it off?

[cherokeeprogressive]

31. Whoever he is, he didn't intimate that the fire in San Diego was ARSON

[incapsulated]

33. I wasn't responding to you :)

I was responding to the person who said who cares, she is just a talk show host.

Beck is a right wing nut.

[Beerboy]

34. I've heard of Glen Beck,

but have no idea what kind of ratings he has. If people who listen to him want to believe what he says is gospel, well then that's just sad. I guess I'm just the wrong guy to ask about whoever Glen Beck is or what kind of influence he has. I'll give him a :shrug: though.

[incapsulated]

35. My point was...

People on DU go batshit crazy when Rush or Beck tell lies to further their agenda.

We should not accept the same from "our side" either, especially on the backs of people in the middle of a tragedy.

[Swamp Rat]

39. What bat shit lies?

:shrug:

[Beerboy]

45. The ever popular Saddam did 9-11, so we're gonna

pertekt Amurka's freedumb, dead or alive. That's the one Bush* gets from Rush and that Glen guy.

[Swamp Rat]

37. Glenn Beck isn't human.

[cherokeeprogressive]

28. Got me. All I have are pics of smoke looking west from Big Bear Lake.

She's not even a talk show host, much less a "journalist".

I didn't get drunk with Randi. I don't live in NYC.

[Beerboy]

41. OK then. There's crap everywhere saying she was drunk and fell down,

and there's not an iota of proof anywhere that's how she was injured. But she was seriously injured and she's already back on the air, so maybe take it into account, as in some slack.

[LittleClarkie]

55. Nah

She doesn't get to spout stuff and then use "I was recently injured you know" as a shield. If she's still to vunerable to work then she shouldn't work. But if she's on the job, then she's fair game.

But if she gets slack then the OP should also get slack considering they are about THREE MILES FROM THE DAMNED FIRE!

[LittleClarkie]

43. If she's not 100% back on the job and ready to face the world

then she shouldn't be on air yet.

But she is, and so I can only assume she's just fine.

I see no reason to hold back on calling bullshit when one sees it because someone recently had something happen to them.

What does getting injured have to do with her saying something possibly out of turn.

[Beerboy]

50. She's a media personality and her job is to

drive more listener-ship and revenues to the stations she's aired on. Saying stuff out-of-turn drives ratings and revenues.
I didn't hear the show the OP is referring to as I stopped listening to Randi a few months ago because she's an inspiration about abrasiveness; no one knows for sure yet if she's in fact out-of-line on this fire thing, and even if she is, I'll cut her some slack if she's off a few %.

[LittleClarkie]

53. She can drive up listenership. That's fine. But I expect her to be informed as she does so.

I used to think she was, til I heard she was spouting that Skull and Bones bullshit about Kerry.

We need someone on air who tells the truth, not someone who is the equivalent to a left wing shock jock.

[Richard Steele]

11. Wow. That's the furthest I've ever seen anyone STRETCH to criticize Randi.

I can only IMAGINE the blazingly vitriolic threads you'd start
if you ever listened to the utter CRAP broadcast by Limbaugh,
and his hate-spewing clones/wannabe's...

Thank goodness you remain blissfully unaware of their existence!

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. I don't listen to limpballs. I don't watch faux noose.

I know they exist. My Pop is o'liely's biggest fan. That doesn't mean that what I said about Randi's rant today is off the mark. I LIVE HERE. She, who lives in NY, said that people who live on my mountain lost their homes to Blackwater operatives. Should I post a link to her first five minutes?

[Richard Steele]

27. Yes, I said that it was clear you didn't, you fierce "progressive", you!

:hi:

[cherokeeprogressive]

38. I'm surprised that took so long to be called a troll. n/t

[Richard Steele]

51. I said no such thing. Are you replying to the wrong post, or is something a bit "off" at your end?

Seriously- have you been drinking, or maybe doing something else
that might "affect your perception", knowhutImean...wink wink?

I gotta say: I've exchanged messages with you before; and, compared to
that previous experience, you seem kinda drifty and incoherent now.

First that repetitve double-response, and now you're either misplacing
responses across threads or just flat-out hallucinating.

Either way, I think I should probably just wish you "good night"
and take my leave of whatever is really going on here.

Good night! :hi:

[LittleClarkie]

58. never mind

seems to be getting better

[cherokeeprogressive]

59. wink wink

if kinda drifty and incoherent means that I totally disagree with Randi's notion that the fires in So. Cal. have something to do with a Blackwater conspiracy then color me stupid.

going to sleep here with one eye open. We've got our papers in a box by the door and our car pointed to the end of the driveway. Wish us luck.

[Richard Steele]

62. That I can do. I'll wish luck to you and yours, and hope that you don't need it. nm

[Horse with no Name]

67. Have I told you lately that I loved you Dick?

:loveya:

[Richard Steele]

74. Nope. I just assumed it was because you understood that there was no need to do so.

It's still nice to hear, though!

So, in that spirit of needless repetition:

[cherokeeprogressive]

23. Arson. Portero. Blackwater.

Tie those things together. SHE said things, not me.

Furthest? Like maybe 100 miles? Because if she can prove what she says, there are 100 miles between Arson, and Portrero.

I don't listen to "Limbaugh" OR his hate spewing cronies.

I know of their existence, but choose to ignore their message.

[Richard Steele]

32. Wow, "progressive" dude, did I hit a nerve MUCH? You said that already- 8 minutes ago!

It's not every day when a single DUer posts 2 near-identical replies
to a single comment of mine, just minutes apart.

I can't say it's NEVER happened, but I can't show you any
examples, either, because everyone who's ever done that previously
is TOMBSTONED now.

Bummer, eh? :shrug:

[LittleClarkie]

61. never mind

we cool

[LittleClarkie]

57. Considering how close to the fire the OP is

they just might be taking this a tad more seriously than anything that Rush might be spouting on a daily basis.

[Richard Steele]

60. You do raise a fine point there.

It has seemed to me that the OP is "not quite himself" tonight;
perhaps I've overlooked the most OBVIOUS explanation- the fire itself.

That's something to consider. Thank you.

[bbgrunt]

12. when you see what has been going on with this

regime it is hard not to have suspicions about such things. A lot of people have questions about soooooo many concurrent fires starting all over. One can imagine one or two beginning with downed power lines, but this ranges from Malibu to south of SD.

[Cleita]

18. Our fires here in California are often started by arsonists

when the conditions are right. There are sick people out there. It's a stretch though to blame it on Blackwater without some pretty damning proof like photographs. Don't worry, the fire departments here in CA are pretty good at figuring out if a fire was arson or not and of actually finding out who started them.

[Swamp Rat]

29. I bet they are very good at detecting it.

If I recall correctly, many fires in California are started by arsonists who take advantage of dry seasons and drought.



http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Current/

[Swamp Rat]

22. Got a link?

A transcript?

A toothpick?

[cherokeeprogressive]

25. Of course I do. therandirhodesshow.com

First five minutes of today's show.

I don't need a toothpick, thanks.

[Swamp Rat]

30. No, I needed a toothpick

http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Current/

[charlie]

36. Lol

:D

[Swamp Rat]

40. neener neener

[defendandprotect]

44. Look -- if Blackwater wanted to do damage there, I don't think 100 miles would stop them ---

and nothing much has stopped them in Iraq -- !!!

Torture, murder, whatever --

and, I'm still waiting to hear if these questionable contracts they had --
the Halliburton ones had "no ceilings" -- involved bringing $ back into the GOP coffers????


I think Randi is just reflecting what most of us are thinking about the thieves and thugs who have taken over our nation ---

that we really don't know what they might stop at --

and that's the truth!!!

[cherokeeprogressive]

46. I stand by my OP.

She tied the San Diego County fires to Blackwater, and arson. WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER. 'nuff said? She was speaking to a national audience who knows only what she tells them. Hyperbole?

You decide.

[defendandprotect]

48. Yeah -- her audience are all idiots -- !!!

What is it you're looking for cherokee -- do you want us to lynch her for you, or what????

[LittleClarkie]

54. If you would, darling

I just had my nails done and they're drying.

God forbid someone should lodge a criticism of the sainted Randi.

She's a public figure. If she says something someone doesn't like, they should be able to do so without being accused of wanting her lynched or something.

Criticizing someone and wanting someone lynched are so far apart from each other as for the comment to be ludicrous.

[defendandprotect]

66. You can criticize Randi -- why not -- ? I certainly do -- !!!

And I've seen it many times and joined in --
because there is much criticism that is fairly due --

This isn't to the degree it is being presented ---

[LittleClarkie]

68. Indeed and sorry about the snark. But take into consideration

the OP's proximity to the fire. If he's going a bit over the top with this, it might be because he can smell the smoke.

[defendandprotect]

73. Right -- but it is "over the top" . . . Hope everything in CA will soon be calming down ---

Haven't had time to catch up with a full report today --
but you can't help noticing CNN's "PLANET IN PERIL" . . .

"CALIFORNINA BURNING
A BILLION AND COUNTING "

Is Bush scheduled for a visit?

[Beerboy]

56. You might have a point if Randi

was one of the few or only means people had to gather information. It's just radio, ffs, your OP actually has all the hype.
Hey! I'm a Deciderer! I've decided Bush* is an asshole for deporting the CA-NG to Iraq for his fucked-up bullshit war! I'm sure that's something just about everyone can agree on!:toast:

[defendandprotect]

49. Let's be honest; this is someone anxious to attack Randi -- and maybe even sensing that . . .

she's vulnerable now after having something as yet unexplainable having happened to her --

Lots of things are happening right now that we're not sure of --

Santa Ana winds moving in the wrong direction = Global Warming.

We have a planet in great distress -- in fact, as I watched the CNN news their banner is

"Planet in Peril" ---

I think we have enough to think about with Blackwater and Halliburton and murderers in our White House without trying to run threads attacking Randi ---

[Duer 157099]

63. Holy crap. I have to admit, I'm not a radio talk host, but

my very first thought when I heard that Portrero was burning, was Blackwater. And, hearing that at least one (and possibly more) of the fires had *already* been labeled as suspected arson -- well, it's just not much of a leap to make, at least for those who have enough info to connect some dots.

Just because the OC fire is 100 miles away, and has suspicious origins, does NOT mean that the Portrero fire does NOT have similar origins! Sheesh!

I also grew up in SoCal and know all about the seasonal fires, and what I know FOR SURE is that every time the fires break out, the arsonists are out doing their thing too. After reading and hearing all I have about Blackwater, frankly, it would not in the least surprise me to see them resort to such tactics.

But then, I'm not on the radio, so it's ok for me to say.

[livvy]

64. I have a suggestion here...

Why don't you email her, and explain from your perspective, why you feel her suspicions are not valid? If you believe she is wrong, and explain why in a rational, calm way, I believe she will take your opinion into account.

It is easy for so many to believe the absolute worst of anyone even remotely attached to this administration, and in the case of Blackwater, the attachment is hardly remote.

The difference between Randi and Limballs, or Beck, or Coulter, etc., is that she will admit when she is wrong, and correct any misstatements she may have made.

I understand how upset you are. I can't imagine being in your position. It must be terrifying. However, if the object of your post was to instill anger here against Randi, that is not fair nor balanced, until you have tried to correct what you perceive as an unfair statement made on the air by her.

I believe all journalists should speak the truth. Without their input, research, and reporting, it is difficult for the People to be responsible citizens. Randi usually does the research. If she is wrong in this instance, help her out.

I hope you and yours are safe, and remain so.

livvy

[Kahuna]

65. I thought that was over the top too. She did what she always gives

callers a hard time about. She drew a connection out of whole cloth.

[LittleClarkie]

70. I like it so much better when she has facts and figures and documents to back up her opinions

And I thought that's what she did mostly. When did the speculative fiction start, I wonder.

[tammywammy]

72. I stopped listening to her a long time ago

When I noticed some of the crazy stuff she was saying, that wasn't backed up. Well, it was that, and the way she treats callers.

[Horse with no Name]

69. I'm waiting to comment until someone confirms or denies your story

n/t

[earth mom]

75. I heard on NBC news that the fires could be Arson = Blackwater isn't such a far fetched idea.

NOT with all the sh*t * & Co & Friends have pulled on this country & planet through the years.

:tinfoilhat:

[Elspeth]

76. The one death was from Potrero. Does anyone know who it was?

Not that I believe this rumor but I just wondered.

[MalloyLiberal]

77. Big problem with your argument..

No one, except the "blogosphere", gives a shit what Randi spews....she is a nobody....