Monday, May 30, 2011

The Last Thing So-Called "Pro-Lifers" Care About Is Actual Human Life

I'm reposting this well written article By Cliff Schecter | Sourced from Al Jazeera English. This is so very well written and right on the money that I wanted to share. I'll post my follow-up commentary at the end.

Yesterday, I pulled up to a drive-through ATM, and sitting in front of me in the line was a car with a license plate that simply stated, "Choose Life".

Who can argue with that? I support life, don't you?

The problem, of course, is the relationship between that phrase and the US right wing. You know, the ones who are petrified of everything from black presidents to black helicopters to Black Sabbath.

Yes, they piously claim to be "pro-life", but it is a simple platitude, for - to paraphrase Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride - I do not think that word means what they think it means.

To those not steeped in US politics, being pro-life might seem like it means what one would expect - to oppose policies and endeavours that duly result in a loss of human life. But, in the US political arena, it means something quite different. Generally, it is a way of telling everyone that it's your business to give a woman her marching orders - that she must eventually carry a three-day-old embryo to term, even if it's the result of rape or incest.

Or its corollary, that you're some kind of Nietzschean Superman for ensuring that 91-year-old patients in terrible pain due to pancreatic cancer must stick a tube in any empty orifice to force themselves to stay alive and suffer, even against their own wishes.

The sad reality is that, to be pro-life in the US today, which is to be conservative in almost all cases, is to love thy enemy by supporting illegal wars - or just plain stupid ones - that kill hundreds of thousands of innocents, cutting health-care benefits and nutrition programs for children and the poor, and turning the other cheek … of the person you're torturing.

It is also to cut funding for bridges that are falling down to make room for slashing the tax on yacht shoes, make a best faith effort to ensure criminals, the mentally unbalanced and terrorists have access to assault weapons and C4 explosives, and to love thy neighbour - to love them so much as to give him or her a lethal injection if you think they killed someone.

"Think" is the operative word here, as it seems the conservative Governor of Ohio, John Kasich, may be about to put an innocent man to death. Shawn Hawkins, the man in question, is to be executed on June 14, 2011. This, even though there are serious enough concerns he may be innocent that on May 11, the Ohio Parole Board unanimously recommended that the governor grant him clemency due to increasing doubt over his guilt.

But hell, what's a little faulty eyewitness testimony, evidence destroyed before it could be DNA tested, and lack of placing the defendant in possession of the murder weapon between friends?

So, in other words, the morning-after pill is murder, but taking a guy who even Ken Blackwell, Republican candidate for Governor in 2006, thinks should be given clemency - and killing him - that is just so pro-life!

The truth is that those on the US right are about as "pro-life" as Arnold Schwarzenegger is pro-wife. Or Dominique Strauss Kahn is pro-maid.

It is an empty phrase they throw around to attract a core demographic of foaming mouths, those who hate the very idea of a woman choosing to have sex and having any control over her body. Because presumably, Jesus, who talked about love and brotherhood, would have taken the time to stop walking on water and curing the infirm to publicly flog any woman contemplating a life of self-determination.

This is not to say there are not legitimate concerns with late-term abortions. I have these concerns. Or underage girls making this decision without adult guidance. I have those ones too.

But this is not what this particular battle's about. Because if it were, I probably wouldn't have once argued on a television show with a conservative, who in one sentence told me that abortion was murder, and in the next that we should eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency (the guys who, you know, make sure we can breathe) - and turn Iraq into a "glass factory" (See: sand and extreme heat).

Now maybe you're reading this and asking: "I already know all of this, why is he wasting my time?" Well, perhaps this is just my way of saying I'm tired of the platitudes, particularly on the licence plates of portly, pale, Rush Limbaugh-imbibers who take way-too-much time at the drive-through ATM because they're still working their way through fractions.

You can pick whatever political slogan you want. But pro-life is pro-life in any language. And you're probably a bit closer to actually being pro-life if you care about how a pregnant woman will get healthcare, and aren't the guy trying to cut it, while wearing your wife-beater t-shirt and holding up the Obama sign with the Hitler moustache.

Here's what anti-choice activists promote:
- Abortion bans (even in cases of rape/incest victims, health risks to the pregnant woman, and genetic/developmental problems with the fetus)
- Defunding women's clinics (where working class and poor women get most of their basic health care and where women get birth control that prevents unwanted pregnancies)
- Eliminating comprehensive sex education (the only proven method in decreasing pregnancies and STDs in teens)

This isn't speculation. We have many studies measuring the objective results. We have data comparisons between states and between countries. We know what works and what doesn't work. It's just a fact that anti-choice policies do increase the number of unwanted pregnancies, don't decrease the number of abortions and in some cases can increase them, and do force desperate women to seek illegal risky abortions that harm women and that when they fail harm the fetus. There is nothing pro-life about anti-choice. In reality, pro-choice and pro-life mean the same thing. For the "pro life" zealots, life ends at birth.

There are so many examples of the right wing's disdain for women, the unproductive ailing elderly, and anyone non-white and non-Xtian, that it's hard to narrow them down. But forced pregnancy, and extending life-support in a futile effort not desired by the patient, are both torture as much as anything that happens at Bagram, Abu Ghraib, and Guantanamo. Republicans clearly enjoy this stuff. I've been writing about it quite a bit, but if you think I'm exaggerating, here's some more proof about what the new bait and switch Republicans have cooking.  Chipping Away at Roe v Wade

Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Police State of America

So now the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a "protected area" per the Patriot Act?

A disgusting overreach by federal goons at the Jefferson Memorial results in several arrests of innocent tourists, including a couple who were kissing! Adam Kokesh was also arrested for dancing, but not before a choke-hold and a throw-down.

While a soldier risks his/her life to protect freedom, here is how our law enforcement chips it away. It embarrasses me to think people in other countries will view this. I expect Faux Newz and Limpballs to be crediting the police for these gross violations of "freedom" since the right wing doesn't know how to relax and enjoy a moment.

Watch what happened May 29, 2011 at the Jefferson Memorial in DC. Since Congress reauthorized the Patriot Act, more acts of self expression may be deemed inappropriate. After watching the video, ask yourself what these people did wrong? I've seen more violence in a mall at Christmas time!



Hopefully, no young children saw all that evil hugging and dancing. *snark*

Another Anti-Gay Preacher Caught Not Practicing What He Preaches

Boy, who could've seen this coming! Here's a footnote to all the homophobes buying into this "God hates gays" nonsense from preachers or politicians. Any man or woman who devotes his/her life to trashing gays and lesbians is probably a deeply conflicted homosexual.

Civil lawsuits filed by four men accusing Bishop Eddie Long, of one of the nation's most influential black churches of sexual abuse have been resolved, according to representatives for both sides. The complaints, filed in October in DeKalb County court, targeted Long, an international televangelist and pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a suburban Atlanta congregation with more than 25,000 members.

The suits accused Long of using his position to coerce the men into having sexual relationships with him while they were teenage members of his congregation. The lawsuits say Long engaged in intimate sexual acts with the young men, such as massages, masturbation and oral sex. Long took the young men on trips including to Kenya, according to the suits. He allegedly enticed the young men with gifts including cars, clothes, jewelry and electronic items. The 58-year-old husband and father of four has championed strong families and been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Bishop Eddie Long’s Vintage Controversial Anti-Gay Sermon “God Said…If You’re Gay You Deserve DEATH!” Video below:

Friday, May 27, 2011

The New GOP Focused on Uterus, Not Urjobs

Just six months ago, the new Teapublican House was swept into power promising to focus on job creation. However, they pulled a bait and switch with the American voters. Their radical agenda has been an all-out attack on womens reproductive rights and our social safety net, particularly Medicare. As you'll see in the video below, Rachel Maddow explains how, since coming to power in January, the Republican majority in the House has unsuccessfully tried to cut off federal money for Planned Parenthood, acted to write permanently into law the ban on federal funds to perform abortions, to make it easier for hospitals to refuse abortion cases, and to make it more expensive for small businesses to choose insurance plans under the health care act that provide abortion coverage. Not to be out-neanderthaled by their anti-woman colleagues in the House, six Senate Republicans introduced a bill last week that sets 10-year prison terms for abortion doctors who violate these senators‘ new proposed parental consent waiting period for abortion.

And you'll see it's even worse at the state level. Wherever Republicans are in control of the legislature, it's happening. The Louisiana House voted a bill out of committee this week that would ban abortion in that state. Florida and Georgia have proposed total bans. Lots of others have proposed bans starting at 20 weeks. Ohio‘s proposed ban could start as early as five weeks, so as soon as you notice your period is late, it will be too late and illegal to get an abortion.














In the 11 green states, violating a proposed abortion ban would send your doctor to prison for anywhere from 6 months to eight years. In the three yellow states, violating that proposed ban could get your doctor as much as 10 years prison. And in two states (GA in red), yes, Florida makes the list twice so it's green and red striped.  Under bans proposed in Florida and in Georgia this year, your doctor could get anywhere from 30 years in prison to life in prison for doing an abortion.

What is boggling my mind is that Roe v Wade is still a federal law. I think it's pretty clear that these extremists want a test case to go to our right-wing majority SCOTUS to overturn Roe v Wade. Women across the country need to wake up. If you're personally opposed to abortion, don't get one. It's as simple as that. How women are allowing a bunch of old white men dictate to them how to handle their bodies is extremely frustrating to watch. If they don't think this is not just the beginning of the neanderthal attack on women, they're mistaken. Meanwhile, they've made sure that Viagra and Cialis are readily available at a moments notice. And women idolizing the likes of Palin, Bachmann, Angle, the witch, etc... are doing a disservice to women across the country. No one believes that abortion should be a form of birth control. And anyone who believes women just walk into a clinic for this invasive procedure as non-chalantly as going to the movies are fools. NAF Facts and Guttmacher Institute Fact Sheet provide the stats and dispose of the myths.

As for all the religious zealots trying to turn us into a puritanical society, I offer this; When does a fetus become a life? Biblicaly speaking, read Genesis - 2:7. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Does that settle it?

Another excellent installment by Rachel Maddow, the only MSM figure covering these regressive policies.


Sunday, May 22, 2011

Former Right-Wing Evangelical Pastor Sees the Light

Reposted from Church & State Magazine / By Jason Childs

I Was a Right-Wing Evangelical Pastor -- Until I Saw the Light

The fundamentalist political movement is the beginning of a cultural revolution that will take our nation to a very dark place.

May 21, 2011 | I was a Liberty University-trained evangelical pastor. I was sure that I was right and that every other person not of my faith was going to burn in hell forever. I was taught that we as Christians should take this nation back, only to find out later that we never had it to begin with.

After five years of teaching this homophobic, divisive message that has hurt so many millions of people in our world, I went through a divorce. The Southern Baptist Convention will not let you remain in the ministry after a divorce, so I had to think of something else to do with my life. After several years of selling cars, I decided to become a truck driver –; you know, see America and all that jazz.

Well, I did see America, and the country I saw was very different from the one I was taught about by Jerry Falwell and my mentors at Florida Bible College. What I found was that this nation is filled with people from all walks of life, and from every different culture. I met thousands of people, from the beautiful forests of Washington state to the bayous of Louisiana. I found that these folks are not the wicked sinners I was taught about. They are just good-hearted Americans from all faiths and cultural backgrounds, trying to pay their bills, care for their families and have a few good times with their friends and lovers.

I began to notice a change in me as well. I started reading a lot of books that were not on the seminary reading list and listening to NPR as I was driving 10 hours a day. It was a great second education. I decided to return to Alabama and work to help all of the people of my great state, and to protect them from the oppression I was once a part of propagating.

I want you to know that the fundamentalist political movement is the beginning of a cultural revolution that will take our nation to a very dark place. You have to understand that this has been methodically planned and is being carried out with the utmost vigilance. In accordance with their worldview, my old friends do not in the least care about what you think. They are against democracy, and they are seeking to end the rule of the majority in our great country.

They truly believe that if you have not been “saved,” you are living under a curse and are incapable of knowing what is best and that because of this you should be ruled over. You should also know they do not believe that even centuries-old Christian communities (Catholics, Anglicans, Greek Orthodox, etc.) are “saved,” only those who think like they do.

You might be thinking that a minority fundamentalist group of zealots can’t really take over the direction of a society. Just look at Iran, or the countless other places where people have allowed this to happen. Are you all really going to sit back and watch this happen? They will begin to attack all sources of accurate information. Public radio was first, next will be museums and then science books. Just listen to them argue against the scientific facts about the peril our planet is facing, because it does not fit in with their ideas. They represent a clear and present danger to our union.

If I told you that the Amish in Pennsylvania were running for public office in record numbers with the intention of outlawing electricity and forcing others to act, dress and think like them, you would not believe it. Well, that is exactly what is happening in America, only it is not the Amish, it is the fundamentalists. It is not outlawing electricity, it’s placing limits on being a human with free will. Enjoying art and music, loving the person of your choice, dancing, –; the things that fundamentalists call “sins” –; are a big part of what it means to be a human.

The good news is that we are witnessing the beginning of a new era in human existence. While we watch the revolutions across the Middle East, we are seeing a great truth: that people have within them the natural desire to be free. It is so sad that as the people of the world are fighting for freedom, we here in the United States are going in the opposite direction. The far right, under the control of fundamentalists, is declaring an all-out war on human progress.

The consequences of not acting are dire. We are not just fighting for ourselves. We are struggling to protect the future generations of Americans who will suffer from these ruthless actions of the far right. We are speaking out against the measures being taken against those in our community who can least afford to be marginalized.

My kudos to Mr. Childs for a very well written article. One of my favorite quotes is, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.” - Sinclair Lewis, It Can't Happen Here. When I say favorites, I don't mean it in a good way, I mean it in an accurate way. It just that it seems like we're heading down that path and I don't like what that path looks like. I don't like it at all.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Is Anyone Still Buying The Small Government Baloney From Last Fall?

I've been writing about this nonsense along with other bloggers who are incensed at this ongoing attack on womens reproductive rights since January. These azzclowns were elected last November by promising to deliver jobs. McDonald's is the only major company that had a major hiring boon...flipping burgers folks! When a quarter million people show up for 50K jobs making roughly $9 an hour, there's an issue with our economy.

However, the newly elected Teapublicans played the bait and switch game. Not one single solitary jobs bill has been introduced by the new Teapublican leadership, but if you want to check out the long list of strip women of their reproductive rights bills....get a comfy chair! We can discuss the financial "Let's do what we can to screw Obama" bills later.

Connie Schultz, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, talks with Rachel Maddow about the Republican anti-abortion agenda and how the Republicans have compromised their alleged principles about less government to wage war on womens health. Some of Ms. Schultz's statements are frightening. I really hope this ongoing attack is opening Republican voting womens eyes. I also hope it's opening mens eyes as well, although I have less expectations from the boys since they can walk away if they so choose. Let me be fair, I doubt most men feel this way, but there are enough idiots who "feel the need to spread the seed" without responsibility, to make me feel confidant with that comment.



Is anyone still buying the Tea Party "small government" message? If you do, you're a fool. Furthermore, I really don't care what the size of government is, I want one that works. I don't understand how other countries not as "rich" as us can give their young people college educations and give everyone universal health care while our country refuses to do so. Yes, refuses. Are we so arrogant we can't even fathom the thought that someone had a better idea than us? There are wealthy people around the world who believe that they prosper when others prosper...not here...not since Reagan...not since it became blame your neighbor.

Rape, Flat Tire...More or Less The Same?

During a House debate in Kansas, Rep. Pete DeGraaf, a Republican who supports a bill to make women pay for abortions out of pocket in all circumstances, or pay a rider to ensure you have coverage just in case you need it, explained, "We do need to plan ahead, don't we, in life?" Rep. Barbara Bollier, a Mission Hills Republican who supports abortion rights asked him, "And so women need to plan ahead for issues that they have no control over with a pregnancy?" DeGraaf responded, "I have spare tire on my car. I also have life insurance. I have a lot of things that I plan ahead for."

Once the Republicans have their way and eliminate abortion coverage from all insurance plans, there will have two choices -- pay for abortions out of pocket in all circumstances, or pay a rider to ensure you have coverage just in case you need it. Why would you need it? You know, in case you get pregnant via rape. Evidently, you should always plan ahead for that sort of thing. That's the current undertone of the current Teapublican Party who wants to ban insurance coverage of abortions in all cases, even rape.

Let's be clear, life insurance is something that you pay a premium for and, if you have an accident, your family receives the money to recoup costs. On the other hand, an abortion rider would be something you pay for in order to, if you have an unwanted or nonviable pregnancy, terminate the pregnancy without it costing even more than if you didn't have the coverage in the first place. Think about the overall picture of what is being discussed because it needs to be stated clearly. A Republican just suggested a woman should have to "plan ahead" and obtain insurance in case she is raped. She should have a plan ready in case she is raped. Did you get that? --- a Republican lawmaker believes that women should be planning for a future in which she is raped, just in case. Does anyone still doubt there is a war on women? Read the full article from the McPherson Sentinel here.

If any Republican voting woman happens upon this site and reads this, please comment and explain to me why you vote with this party. If you don't personally believe it's right for you, that's fine and I respect that, but please explain why you'd infringe on another woman's most personal decision for something that doesn't concern you. There is no federal funding for abortion and there hasn't been since 1976 (Hyde Amendment) so please don't about talk tax payer dollars. It's an honest question and I'd love an honest answer.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

An Easy Explanation For Men About Womens Health Services

Rachel Maddow pauses for a "man cave moment" to explain to men like Indiana governor Mitch Daniels why preventive health care for women is necessary and important. Melissa Harris-Perry, professor of Politics and African-American studies at Princeton University eventually joins for analysis. Yes, we know Ms. Maddow is exceptional, the way she uses intellect and humor particularly when using analogies is brilliant! This was classic. Unfortunately, on this issue, Rachel's male viewers already get it. It's the neanderthals who were watching Hannity while this aired who need a clue. This anti-woman right wing attack that's in motion in Republican politics today should be scaring women. I can't for the life of me understand why you would vote with a party who will take your rights away. The Palin's and Bachmann's that the right wing are holding up as "real American women" are bogus. They are an affront to any self-respecting woman who believes in her ability to make her own decisions about her own body and her own life. Do these women have a clue as to the damage they're doing to the next generation? Do they really want to go back to 1918? Sarah Palin has NO business ever invoking Susan B. Anthony's name. It actually p****s me off.


Monday, May 16, 2011

Sovereign Citizens Are A Legitimate Domestic Threat

Last night, 60 Minutes' Byron Pitt aired a well done segment on the Sovereign Citizens movement, inspired from the case of Jerry and Joe Kane, two Sovereign Citizens who murdered a couple of West Memphis, Arkansas police officers before also being killed. It was an insightful piece of reporting, including the analysis provided by J.J. McNabb, who is unquestionably one of the leading experts on the movement from the outside. And while they let movement leader Alfred Adask ramble on, his own radicalism and complete lack of any connection to reality were made evident.

The story featured the work of Bob Paudert, the police chief in West Memphis father of one of the two slain officers. He's been adamant that the information that could have saved his officers that day hadn't been circulated to them because it was being stifled.

Why is that happening? We need look no further than excruciating whining from the right-wing, which has done everything it can to demonize factual reportage of the actual threat of domestic terrorist activity from right-wing extremists lead by Faux Newz and right wing radio.

Will "terrorist hunter", Peter King (R-NY) finally listen and hold a congressional hearing on right-wing-extremist domestic terrorism, too? I'm guessing no. Those are his peeps.

Please do yourself and those you know a service. Read the attached article and watch the videos. Most importantly, stop allowing the right wing media to control the conversation that terrorists are only "the other."

60 Minutes Looks at the "sovereign citizen" movement

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Pelosi's Response to Republican Crybabies...

Aw, poor babies. The Republicans were loving the beating Democrats took at town hall events in the summer of 2009 over the health care debate. Fast forward to 2011 after the Republicans announced they are going to destroy Medicare and shred Social Security. They now find themselves on the receiving end of the angry town halls. How's that kill Grandma thingy workin' out for ya? They even wrote President Obama a letter begging him to tell the Democrats to stop telling the truth about Republican plans because they're feelings are getting hurt. Obama must've laughed has azz off when he received it! Funny how they feel now that the shoe is on the other foot. Even though we don't know Obama's reaction, we do know Nancy Pelosi's. Below is a letter she sent to the GOP Freshman in Congress. What a great response. Who knew what a cutting sense of humor she has!

MEMORANDUM

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Leader's Press Shop

To: GOP Freshman

Fr: Democratic Leader’s Press Office

Da: May 13, 2011

Re: Facing the Music – Suggested Songs for Your Trip Home

As you go home to face the music of your vote to end Medicare as we know it, we know you’re worried about what your constituents are going to say…for good reason. Here is a suggested playlist for your trip:

Think – Aretha Franklin (1968)

Desperado – Eagles (1982)

Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word – Elton John (1976)

Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago (1982)

I’m Sorry, So Sorry – Brenda Lee (1960)

You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Rolling Stones (1969)

You Got Another Thing Coming – Judas Priest (1982)

Mama Said – The Shirelles (1961)

Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home) – The Impalas (1959)

Cryin’ – Aerosmith (1993)

Who’s Sorry Now? – Connie Francis (1958)

Lost Cause – Beck (2002)

I Learned the Hard Way – Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2010)

Not Ready To Make Nice – Dixie Chicks (2006)

Bad Day – Daniel Powter (2005)

Troubles – Alicia Keys (2001)

When the music stops, you should try listening to the American people.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Schultz Gives Bush The Credit He Deserves

Since the right wing is still claiming Bush is actually responsible for bringing OBL to justice, I thought I'd share these videos. I'd also like to add that Senator John McCain (video here) seems to have regained some sense of integrity by standing against his own party and debunking the myth that torture lead to OBL's whereabouts. This important development, at a time when 43% of Americans say torture is sometimes justified, further discredits Bush apologists who claim torture was an effective tactic. Not only did those methods fail, but the idea that GWB deserves recognition for the recent victory is absurd. The first video by Think Progress, is a montage which does a great job of recounting how Bush let bin Laden slip away while also revealing his true concern for finding America's most wanted man. In the second video, Ed Schultz gives credit where credit is do and is even joined by awesome firebrand Alan Grayson, the former Congressman from Florida. Remember how upset the right wing was when he said of the Republicans during the health care debate, "Don't get sick. If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly?" And here we are 2 years later with a plan to kill Medicare. I think if he chooses to run again in 2012, he's got a shot at getting his seat back in senior heavy Florida. But I digress, this time around he joins Big Eddie calling GWB the worst president of his lifetime, while also crediting him for other failures.




Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Republican Under-Cover(ed) Culture War

E.J. Dionne, columnist for The Washington Post and senior fellow at The Brookings Institute, talks with Rachel about the culture war Republicans are waging while the Beltway media parrots their false narrative about fiscal conservatism and responsibility. Once again going where other political commentators won't, Maddow nails it. The PhD in Political Science has certainly paid off for this former Rhodes Scholar. The Republicans never change. They don't know how to govern. They run up debt. They start stupid wars. They gin up fear. They lie, lie, lie. They can't win on their ideas so they keep the culture war running on high speed.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Monday, May 9, 2011

Limbaugh: Democrats Are Not "Just Simple Opponents; They're Also The Enemy"

Rush Limbaugh continues to do his part to pit neighbor against neighbor so his tax rate doesn't go up 4%. The false equivalency that the left does it too is baloney. Maybe there's a marginal lefty talker out there talking smack, but none of our main stream liberal voices are preaching to their audience that the "opponent is more than that, they're the enemy." I say this on Media Matters Facebook page earlier today, but what actually flabbergasted me are the ignorant, hateful posts by Rush's fans. They really think we, on the left are more dangerous than the Koch Brothers or the DeVos family who are leading us towards fascism. This man, along with Glenn Beck are truly dangerous. These guys make it scary for someone with Massachusetts tags to drive through South Carolina. They don't care, they're making millions spreading fear and hate. A thirty year boon to the wealthy in this country on our backs isn't enough for these greedy gasbags. Republicon, Teabagger, Con voters are a scared little bunch of crybabies who are afraid of their own shadow and actually believe that they're going to hit the big one and live on easy street. They're willing to allow Republicons to strip away social safety nets because they listen to asshats like this guy who make them believe anyone can be a millionaire. Right wing media has wrecked the country's psyche and I think it's beyond repair. The public seams sufficiently dumbed down.



Check out this photo which was taken at a Nascar race.  You know this fool listens to Limbaugh.  He's got his bigotry on the tailgate, his racism on the rear window, and his ignorance on his parking spot.  The only thing missing is a God Hates Fags bumper sticker.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Banana Republicans [via DailyKOS]

I wanted to share what I think is an excellent article that was posted today at the DailyKOS and written by Stranded Winds. Banana Republicans.

It's a real life account at how this writers life through hardship has actually turned out worse than his fathers even though he was fully disabled by the time he was fifty. He tells how when he got sick, he lost everything and was even considered a “suspicious malingerer” when Lyme disease had failed to be diagnosed. He tells how it was nothing more than "luck" that he wandered to New England, where doctors actually check for Lyme.

It is well worth the read. We might be the "richest" country in the nation, but the wealth is in few hands. He also stresses how the top 5% didn't work for it, they stole it from the rest of us. The link from the article is above, but I'm also going to post one of the comments by HamptonRoadsProgressive below.

I think actually does a disservice to actual Banana Republic dictators. At least cold-hearted, soulless, evil dictators are up-front and honest about what they're doing.

American Conservatives and Republicans are lying piles of sludge who can't even sell their own ideology in a straight-forward fashion because most of their constituents would hate it.

Instead they lie, they sugar coat, and they wage a class war with an "us versus them" mentality, where "Us" is righteous, moral, and defensible, whereas "Them" are the unknown "Other", coming to "steal" what is "rightfully" "Theirs" via the practically Satanic method known as "Socialism".

No, Republicans. We don't intend to take from the small business owner to give to the lazy do-nothing pothead.

We do, however, believe and intend to tax away a few billion dollars in profit from mega-companies so we can feed, clothe, shelter, and educate our fellow men and women.

The "Free Market" demands that companies must make do with what the market gives them. If that means only making $1B in profit versus $20B a year, then tighten your belts and make do with that, you immoral fascist jackboots.

Tina Fey Reprises Role as Palin on 'SNL' With Mock Republican Debate

Tina Fey reprised her role as Sarah Palin for an RNC debate with the potential candidates that did not attend Fox News’ actual debate last week, also known as the "Who's who of: Who?" Also making an appearance were other potential Republican candidates who have not officially announced. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was played by Jason Sudeikis and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was played by Bobby Moynihan. Darrell Hammond returned to SNL to play Donald Trump. I got a chuckle out of it, I hope you do too.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Maher's New Rules - May 6, 2011

Epic Maher here. One of his best closing dialogues in a while.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Condi Avoids Answering Direct Questions About Bush's Misadventures

Lawrence O'Donnell interviewed Condoleeza Rice, but after it was through, I wasn't quite sure why he bothered.  She did not answer what was asked and played defense the entire time.  The jealousy of how the administration she was part of bungled capturing or killing Osama bin Laden when the naive new Democratic president delivered what he promised in a 2008 debate with John McCain is head-shaking to watch.






Thursday, May 5, 2011

No Jobs Bills, But Anti-Women Legislation Continues To Dominate House Teapublican Policy

Obviously it's been quite a week for national security so this was probably missed by most Americans since it was buried on the news. However, on Tuesday, 251 Members of Congress voted to "redefine rape." Extremists in House of Representatives voted to approve an anti-choice bill that would significantly restrict women's access to abortion services and "redefine rape." The final vote was 251 - 175.

Before the vote, Mother Jones reported that even though Republicans removed controversial language from the bill which would have "redefined rape," the House executed a backdoor maneuver that would allow them to deny federal funding for abortion even in a case involving incest and statutory rape. Extremists were able to pass this bill in the House, but it is unlikely even to make it to the floor in the Senate. What's more, President Obama has indicated he would veto the bill should it get to his desk.
House Passes "Redefining Rape" Bill, H.R.3

H.R. 3 would sharply reduce access to safe, legal abortions for women in this country by virtually eliminating insurance coverage for abortions. The redefinition of rape could be used to block women who were victims of incest involving statutory rape from using Medicaid to pay for an abortion. And in some cases, the bill would force women who were sexually assaulted into the hellish scenario of proving to IRS agents that they were victims of "forcible rape" or incest.

Let's be clear about what the anti-choice supporters of H.R. 3 want. They want to "redefine rape." They want to make it impossible for low-income women to have access to abortion services. They want to force women whose pregnancy is causing major health risks short of death (such as blindness) to go through with the pregnancy. And they want to eliminate insurance coverage for abortion in order to make reproductive care unaffordable for women.

The Republican bill -- which was supported by 16 anti-choice Democrats -- represents a vicious assault on women's rights. "The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" or H.R. 3 goes far beyond any other anti-choice measure that has been proposed in the House, including the Stupak Amendment that passed the House last year. If you're a Democrat and anti-choice, you're not really a Democrat. We know Republicans want to repeal womens right to vote, but here are the 16 so-called Democrats who supported this regressive bill.

Altmire, Boren, Costello, Critz, Cuellar, Donnelly, Holden, Kaptur, Kildee, Lipinski, Matheson, McIntyre, Peterson, Rahall, Ross, Shuler.

So, where are all the so-called independent voters who put these asshats in office?  Not one jobs bill has been introduced by the Republicans, but they've blocked jobs bills by Democrats. No surprise, they want Obama to look like a failure, country be damned. However, if you want to see what they've been up to, look no further than their relentless attack on womens rights since they took over the House majority in January. While I have absolutely no idea how anyone can vote Republican (unless you're a white male millionaire), I am baffled by any woman who would vote for politicians who see them as nothing more than an incubator or a vessel for mens needs.  It's actually nauseating.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Bankrupting America was Bin Laden's Ultimate Goal

Osama Bin Laden was clearly smarter than George W. Bush. He laid out a trap knowing we had an unintellectual in the White House. He committed a terrorist attack, knowing President Bungler would make Americans fearful of their own shadow. All the while, Bin Laden knew exactly what he was doing since he had already done it to the Soviets. It wasn't about loss of life, it was about the loss of the quality of life. He lead them to bankruptcy and wanted the same for us. I would say he was pretty much a success, unfortunately. By 2004, his $500,000 event on 9/11 had cost the U.S. $500 billion by conservative estimates. And look at us now.

This is really an eye-popping story, not just about the cost of the wars, but about how our education has suffered, fuel has nearly tripled, and how those who have benefited most since 9/11 are not going to give up what they have reaped since that September morning.


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Republican Spin Cycle In Overdrive

Surprise! Not really. Republicans are trying to steal credit for President Obama's magnificent victory for our national security, and maybe more importantly, national psyche. They are besides themselves with lies and innuendo trying to say that Obama just continued Bush policies and Bush is the reason the world has rid itself of Osama bin Laden. An article from the New York Times in 2006 disproves all that baloney...in addition to the video of GWB, six months after 9/11 telling the country he didn't care where bin Laden was and he doesn't lose sleep over him, etc...

And let's suppose, for just one second that my analogy is wrong (it's not, we have the tape), let's think about how it would've went down. If Dumbya had cared about finding OBL, which he clearly didn't, the mission wouldn't have been covert. His overcompensation and large ego wouldn't have allowed that. Nope, he would've sent the army in, guns-a-blazin'; we would've had multiple U.S. casualties and our poor excuse of a media would've drooled over what a tough commander-in-chief he is. Shock-and-Awe, baby! Shock-and-Awe! Our media, with a couple exceptions sucks.

You know what is irritating? After we got hit in 2001, Americans on both sides of the aisle supported GWB. What does it say about the other side, that they will not afford that same courtesy? Finally, here's a question to all these idiots on the right. Had this mission failed, who would've got the blame?

I loved this interview Cenk Uygar conducted with Joan Walsh today. It is totally correct.


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Monday, May 2, 2011

Eight Years Later, Mission Really Accomplished

Saturday night, our cooler-than-cool President laughed and joked at the White House Correspondents Dinner all while knowing exactly what he had activated, a mission to kill Osama bin Laden. He's restoring confidence in many of us. I surely hope he can maintain this ascension. I'm starting to believe the chess/checkers analogy again.

On May 1, 2003, GWB stood on an aircraft carrier wearing a flight suit and pronounced, "Mission Accomplished." Of course, that was a lie. Yesterday, on the eighth anniversary of that proclamation, under the guidance of President Barack Obama, "mission accomplished" was realized to a certain extent. There was no arrogant swagger, no tough talk, no bravado, just a president who understood this is not theatre, this is real.

He had directed CIA Director Leon Panetta to find Osama bin Laden in June 2009. By August of 2010, they were reasonably sure they knew where he was. The Navy SEALS began training. Once their plan was practiced non-stop to perfection for months and they were confident this mission would succeed, they announced they were ready. On Friday, April 29, 2011, the green light was given, on Sunday, May 1, 2011, the mission was accomplished to perfection. Osama bin laden was killed by Navy SEALS...textbook.

Today it's time for America to see who the real National Security party is...it's the Democrats. GWB was a miserable failure. His leadership allowed OBL to escape from Tora Bora, and the foolish invasion of Iraq for oil is still aggravating. Thousands of people died as a result. And still, beltway media claimed Democrats are soft on terror, we must trust Republicans for our safety. WRONG!  Democrats have a very strong tradition of being the party that gets things done on national security. Look at history instead of listening to what our corporate media is spewing.  Bin Laden is dead. He is dead as a result of the hard work of Special Forces. He is dead because the commander-in-chief, Barack Hussein Obama – a member and the current leader of the Democratic party – made the final order. Donkey's having been cleaning up Elephant crap for decades. When will our ill-informed voters figure that out?



Well done, Mr. President.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Obama Rules The White House Correspondents Dinner

In case you missed the event, President Obama was quite funny from start to finish. His presentation started after former wrestler Hulk Hogan's patriotic anthem, "Real American," played. Images of Americana from Mount Rushmore to Uncle Sam were shown on the screen, while images of his "long form birth certificate" flashed intermittently. He then offered to show his live birth video, which turned out to be a clip from the Disney film, "The Lion King." He then advised Fox News, it was a joke. The presidents comedic timing and delivery are quite good. Seth Meyers had a tough act to follow.



SNL comedian Seth Meyers was next. In one segment (at 13:45) regarding Trump's "I have a good relationship with the blacks" comment; Meyers quipped, "unless 'the blacks' are a family of white people, I'll bet he is mistaken. Video of "The Donald" during Meyers routine showed a very displeased casino mogul.