++Be Aware--there really is a Republican debate this coming week.
++Joe Biden says Cruz' success should encouraged all kids that are hated in school. He said President Obama should nominate him to the court so he can have even more vacancies to fill.
++The New York Times has a long piece to day on the huge Bob Dylan archives which will be housed in Tulsa ,Oklahoma near Woody Guthrie's archives. Good read.
++The Sunday Review section is rich in Donald Trump.Maureen Dowd in "Chickens,Home To Roost, has fun watching the Donald,her friend, campaign and the reactions by the Mitt and those who got us into Iraq. A whole page contains reader's reaction to David Brooks reflections on the Donald. Nicholas Kristof writes about "Donald The Dangerous" and Ross Douthat on "The Elements of Trumpism".
++The New York Times new section has an article on Donald contemplating a run for the state house in New York as a prelude to his run for the presidency.
++The Dailykos has a piece on Trump and the KKK. I would like to remind readers that the KKK was and is not solely a southern phenomenon as we saw this past week with the rally in Anaheim , California that ended in three deaths.
++Larry Sabato wrote in his Crystal Ball that Donald has won all over the place. He mentioned Alabama and Massachusetts as if that showed a different appeal. But both states are steeped in racism. That's why I think Trump, not Kasich will win Michigan. I remember when people were shocked when George Wallace did so well there. Richard Nixon was petrified of Wallace because the GOP could dog whistle and control racism but people really knew the real deal. The same with Trump.
++Medgar Edgars' brother endorsed Donald Trump this week.
++We have a new strand of conservatism. Caitlyn Jenner endorsed Ted Cruz and wants to be an ambassador for Trans. Now we have Caitlyn Conservatives. Jenner has always been a conservative Republican before becoming a woman.
++The "Future of the Republican Party is supposed to win the Puerto Rican primary today. But the story there is that thousands of former prisoners will be voting in the Republican primary.
++It's Spring training. So that means I can be driven crazy by the Washington Post baseball writers. They got off to a good start by arguing the Nationals should rebuild--and I thought they were trying for a World Series.
++Der Spiegel calls Donald Trump "the most dangerous person in the world" and they should know. The overseas views of the Donald are equally disturbed. The far right party in Sweden even denounced the Donald.
++Anne Applebaum in the Washington Post writes that the rise of Le Pen in France and Trump here in the United States threatens to end NATO and the European Union. Cameron in the UK will hold a referendum on the UK leaving the European Union.
++Is the Republican Party really in crisis as papers have told us. I talked to Republicans I know this past week. I was curious about the lonely Kasich posters near my voting place. One woman I have worked with in the past and now works on the Hill said she was horrified about Donald and said that all her New York relatives,also Republicans,were voting for him. She dismissed Marco as "too wet behind the ears", running too early. She voted for Kasich because of his manner. She also said she was sick and tired of hearing the House members argue ideology and refer to Ronald Reagan. "I worked in Reagan's administration. They don't know Reagan. "
++I made a joke to someone about a person who had worked in the W administration and that he would be Trump's Mideast envoy, his friend was horrified by the thought.
++But there was blowback from the rightwing security types who claim the Donald is winning because the Republicans didn't do anything against President Obama and what do they expect. These people actually think our military is weakened and that the recovery is fake and the unemployment numbers are cooked up. They resent the hell out of Mitt Romney criticizing Trump when he was supposed to win. It still is holy writ that Mitt Romney beat Barack Obama and that Benghazi should have convinced the American people Obama was a fraud. These people really would prefer Cruz but the Donald will do.
++But the atmosphere is very touchy around here with Republicans grimacing at the Donald's antics. When I suggest Romney might get in the race--""What a two time loser?"
++The splintering of the party is something we should watch. That doesn't mean they can't win.
Showing posts with label Ted Cruz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ted Cruz. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Sunday, November 29, 2015
How Did Ted Cruz Get The Idea That The PP Shooter was A "Transgendered Leftist Activist?"
++Ted Cruz who identified with pro-life activists who support the killing of abortion doctors seemed to go in far left field by mischaracterizing the Colorado Springs shooter.
++Charles Johnson of Little Green Footballs found that Cruz simply repeated the post of Jim Hoft, who Johnson tags the dumpiest person on the internet. Hoft, a severely conservative,found the voting record that said that Robert Lewis Dear,the shooter,was "female". The registrar took this down because it was obviously a typo. But Hoft ran with it.
++I guess Cruz just simply accepts all transgender people are leftists. I guess like Caitlyn Jenner,a conservative republican.
++And you complain about the Donald? Ted is on the Moon.
++Charles Johnson of Little Green Footballs found that Cruz simply repeated the post of Jim Hoft, who Johnson tags the dumpiest person on the internet. Hoft, a severely conservative,found the voting record that said that Robert Lewis Dear,the shooter,was "female". The registrar took this down because it was obviously a typo. But Hoft ran with it.
++I guess Cruz just simply accepts all transgender people are leftists. I guess like Caitlyn Jenner,a conservative republican.
++And you complain about the Donald? Ted is on the Moon.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Trump Gets Thumped
++Rushbo attacked The Donald for his remarks about the New York Times reporter. "Attacking a cripple isn't what Republicans do?" Really what about the attacks on Max Cleland? Wait to the attacks on Congresswoman Duckworth this year.
++GOP state chairmen say it looks like the Donald will win of two of the first three primaries if they were held today.
++Eugene Robinson in the Imperial Post has an op-ed about how the Republicans got themselves into this situation. Similar to the thoughts Howard Dean voiced yesterday.
++Meteor Blades at the DailyKos ignored Josh Marshall's warnings and attacked the Donald as a fascist.
++Timothy Egan of the New York Times has a terrific column today on the Donald. He opens with a description of "The Plot Against America",one of Philip Roth's later novels about Lindbergh becoming the President of the United States. As you might remember Lindy was close to Adolf Hitler. The novel is a good read and even mentions Deal, New Jersey since Roth is a Jersey boy.
++Egan methodically recites the Donald's most egregious policy suggestions and notes that Polifact rates him 75% wrong on facts,25% "partly True" and 0% right.
++Since the Donald is getting so much free media time,we are forgetting the other Republicans. Ted Cruz got endorsed by Randy Newman,the head of Operation Rescue and an advocate of killing abortion doctors. Townhall,the conservative on-line newsletter, rejoices about the fall in abortions in America. I guess they didn't get the memo from the Guttmacher Institute two years ago that abortions were falling because of better preventive medicine and contraceptives. This fact is not because the Republicans are shutting abortion clinics and going after Planned Parenthood.
++Dr. Ben Carson is brushing up his foreign policy credentials today by visiting Syrian refugees in Jordan. His prime adviser on foreign policy is Iran-Control great Dewey Clarridge, who said Carson doesn't seem to understand foreign policy.
++GOP state chairmen say it looks like the Donald will win of two of the first three primaries if they were held today.
++Eugene Robinson in the Imperial Post has an op-ed about how the Republicans got themselves into this situation. Similar to the thoughts Howard Dean voiced yesterday.
++Meteor Blades at the DailyKos ignored Josh Marshall's warnings and attacked the Donald as a fascist.
++Timothy Egan of the New York Times has a terrific column today on the Donald. He opens with a description of "The Plot Against America",one of Philip Roth's later novels about Lindbergh becoming the President of the United States. As you might remember Lindy was close to Adolf Hitler. The novel is a good read and even mentions Deal, New Jersey since Roth is a Jersey boy.
++Egan methodically recites the Donald's most egregious policy suggestions and notes that Polifact rates him 75% wrong on facts,25% "partly True" and 0% right.
++Since the Donald is getting so much free media time,we are forgetting the other Republicans. Ted Cruz got endorsed by Randy Newman,the head of Operation Rescue and an advocate of killing abortion doctors. Townhall,the conservative on-line newsletter, rejoices about the fall in abortions in America. I guess they didn't get the memo from the Guttmacher Institute two years ago that abortions were falling because of better preventive medicine and contraceptives. This fact is not because the Republicans are shutting abortion clinics and going after Planned Parenthood.
++Dr. Ben Carson is brushing up his foreign policy credentials today by visiting Syrian refugees in Jordan. His prime adviser on foreign policy is Iran-Control great Dewey Clarridge, who said Carson doesn't seem to understand foreign policy.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Iranian Mayhem
++Anyone reading this blog or even the Times of Israel knows the fight over the Iran Nuclear Deal is over.
++Hillary Clinton gave her speech at the Brookings Institute supporting the Iran Nuclear Deal and said those suggesting a better deal was possible were deluded. She went on to say that we should assuage Israel's security concerns and step up efforts against Hezbollah and others. Yes,Hillary is a liberal interventionist. Her positions have been right of President Obama on national security since Day One.
++But she was eclipsed by the meltdown among the Right. At Dick Cheney's AEI speech yesterday ,Josh Marshall noticed that the head of a pro-Israel think tank , a Mr. Clawson went berserk and started attacking the Cope Pink demonstrators, even though Dock Cheney had security at the event.
++This morning Louie Gohmert vowed to quite Congress if the Iran Nuclear deal passed Congress and would go home and await the nuclear holocaust.
++Rep.Roskom,the Republican head of their Israeli Caucus, said he had a majority to reject the deal. He moved to vote on it on 9/11, Subtle. But then he did a bait and switch and suggested that because the details of the so-called side deals with the IAEA were not shared with Congress then Congress could not vote on the deal. This position of not voting on the deal is seen by the Right in Congress as prohibiting President Obama from listing the sanctions.
++Mitch McConnell doesn't want any part of this and wants to move forward. But Ted Cruz has endorsed the House Plan and wants to postpone consideration of the resolution because it violated the Corker-Cardin legislation that President Obama would have to give Congress 60 days to consider the plan. Cruz is now insisting that the IAEA "side" agreements are part of the plan--you have to read my past posts to see why this isn't true.
++Now let's say Congress doesn't vote on the Iran plan. Does this affect it at all? I proposed yesterday that the Democrats could filibuster the resolution of "disapproval" without the need for President Obama's veto. Now if the tea party doesn't bring it to vote,isn't the same thing accomplished.
++Josh Marshall at Talking Points is observing this circus and wondering whether grieving counselors shouldn't be sent in to help everyone get over their loss.
++Meanwhile Bibi Netanyahu and his cabinet are saying that Bibi didn't fail,it was a masterstroke to procure more arms from the United States. Josh Marshall points out that these arms were in the pipeline ,sometimes for years, and notes that Bibi refused to meet with John Kerry when he was in the region and wanted to talk about this. But Bibi is declaring victory.
++Col. Wilkinson appeared on Chris hayes show to discuss what he called Dick Cheney's "lucid insanity" about the Iran deal and his total disregard for reality.
++I noticed that ABC got into the Nuclear Iran craze by saying "the deal brought Iran closer to the bomb". In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. The Interim agreement pushed them back about a year and the new agreement puts them about 20 years away.
++But Roskom's gambit intriques me because I can't comprehend its logic or any sense. This is the new brain fart of the tea baggers and I can't understand how they can conceive this will hold up anything but Congressional business. If I figure this our ,I'll let you know.
++Hillary Clinton gave her speech at the Brookings Institute supporting the Iran Nuclear Deal and said those suggesting a better deal was possible were deluded. She went on to say that we should assuage Israel's security concerns and step up efforts against Hezbollah and others. Yes,Hillary is a liberal interventionist. Her positions have been right of President Obama on national security since Day One.
++But she was eclipsed by the meltdown among the Right. At Dick Cheney's AEI speech yesterday ,Josh Marshall noticed that the head of a pro-Israel think tank , a Mr. Clawson went berserk and started attacking the Cope Pink demonstrators, even though Dock Cheney had security at the event.
++This morning Louie Gohmert vowed to quite Congress if the Iran Nuclear deal passed Congress and would go home and await the nuclear holocaust.
++Rep.Roskom,the Republican head of their Israeli Caucus, said he had a majority to reject the deal. He moved to vote on it on 9/11, Subtle. But then he did a bait and switch and suggested that because the details of the so-called side deals with the IAEA were not shared with Congress then Congress could not vote on the deal. This position of not voting on the deal is seen by the Right in Congress as prohibiting President Obama from listing the sanctions.
++Mitch McConnell doesn't want any part of this and wants to move forward. But Ted Cruz has endorsed the House Plan and wants to postpone consideration of the resolution because it violated the Corker-Cardin legislation that President Obama would have to give Congress 60 days to consider the plan. Cruz is now insisting that the IAEA "side" agreements are part of the plan--you have to read my past posts to see why this isn't true.
++Now let's say Congress doesn't vote on the Iran plan. Does this affect it at all? I proposed yesterday that the Democrats could filibuster the resolution of "disapproval" without the need for President Obama's veto. Now if the tea party doesn't bring it to vote,isn't the same thing accomplished.
++Josh Marshall at Talking Points is observing this circus and wondering whether grieving counselors shouldn't be sent in to help everyone get over their loss.
++Meanwhile Bibi Netanyahu and his cabinet are saying that Bibi didn't fail,it was a masterstroke to procure more arms from the United States. Josh Marshall points out that these arms were in the pipeline ,sometimes for years, and notes that Bibi refused to meet with John Kerry when he was in the region and wanted to talk about this. But Bibi is declaring victory.
++Col. Wilkinson appeared on Chris hayes show to discuss what he called Dick Cheney's "lucid insanity" about the Iran deal and his total disregard for reality.
++I noticed that ABC got into the Nuclear Iran craze by saying "the deal brought Iran closer to the bomb". In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. The Interim agreement pushed them back about a year and the new agreement puts them about 20 years away.
++But Roskom's gambit intriques me because I can't comprehend its logic or any sense. This is the new brain fart of the tea baggers and I can't understand how they can conceive this will hold up anything but Congressional business. If I figure this our ,I'll let you know.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Scatter-Shot Views
++Jeb changed his campaign team before his launch. While it was a shuffle,GOP insiders had complained that JEB had promised that he would be leading and then release his SuperPac Money Bomb and drown the competition and be the Inevitable One.
++Problem is that his money bomb isn't going to make the $100 million number when he launches.
++His digital communications quite because he claimed that Jeb in going to go heavy into television ads. The model for his campaign is his brother's 1999 campaign where George W. convinced his party there could be nothing but surrender to his candidacy.
++Rachel Maddow interviewed Lincoln Chaffee on his unorthodox career but stumbled on a weird fact. Lincoln lived in the same dorm with Jeb at Andover and knew him early in his career. Chaffee broke with the Republicans because he could not trust W. Chaffee actually visited the CIA and was briefed as Senator on WMDs in Iraq and came away saying there was nothing there. Consequently he voted against the Iraq War and ,as he told Rachel,someone has to stand against perpetual war.
++Mike Gerson said that it is true Rand Paul's campaign is in total disarray but that any GOP candidate is only one debate away becoming a contender. But Paul has also pissed off his colleagues on the NSA issue because they accuse him of lying about the surveillance program and trying to get credit about the bill that was passed even though he had nothing to do with it.
++Ted Cruz held a mock hearing inviting HHS officials to debate Obama subsidies. The Department declined because the subject was being litigated/
++The GOP is ramping up its anti Obamacare rhetoric. They claim they have a substitute if the government loses at SCOTUS but even here there was in complete shambles.
++Steve Benen at MaddowBlog writes about President Obama doing a victory lap over Obamacare. The President's point was not only that it registered millions and drastically reduced the uninsured,it effectively is now the American health insurance system five years later. He knows a Supreme court ruling would not only take health insurance away from 6 million and lead to 9,000 deaths per year but that the whole system would be jeopardized.
++Marco Rubio has been drawing criticism for his erratic personal finances. This time it is about his "unsinkable" boat he bought. Actually I think these stories don't hurt him because they make him human with chronic financial problems, something millions can relate to.
++The DONALD really is going to announce on the 16th and he told a Raleigh audience that they would be pleased. The Donald has a secret plan to defeat ISIS and he discussed this with the Pentagon who, of course, think it is brilliant. The Donald will be the job-creatorest of presidents because he knows who to do this. He is the only one who can save us now.
++The Hillary machine is getting into gear. Her kickoff in New York will be the official start-up of her 50 state organizing campaign. Yes, Iowa Democrats are crying for her to return. But I think they need the money.
++Former Senator Tom Coburn gave a frank interview with a conservative radio host and said he was horrified by the field of Republican candidates. He gave a person by person analysis . He favors Marco Rubio.
++Chris Christie wants to put a military option on the table against China. Think about that.
++Jeb gave his first strictly foreign policy speech and wants to get tough against Putin.
++Rubio gave a speech to say he would get tough against Russia and China.
++Scott Walker said he would re-invade Iraq.
++Chris Christie's Bridgegate problems won't go away as David Wildstein, his former aide, has given evidence against Christie. Christie is accused of leaking Grand Jury testimony. Bridget Riley is pissed at being thrown under the bus and is now suing for access to the Christie sponsored investigation that exonerated Christie.
++Ben Carson's campaign quit but his business manager Armstrong Williams says it's no problem. The various SuperPacs got into each other's way. He still polls well in Iowa.
++Nate the Great tells us we should not take the Wisconsin Straw Poll that showed Bernie Sanders at 41% too seriously. We didn't.
++Under the surface,various progressive websites do not recognize a reality about Hillary's campaign. She is locking up the permanent delegates like Democratic office holders, which play a key role at the convention. There are structural elements to her campaign like Obama's before hers that rarely get observed or mentioned. 50-state organization is key. Locking up delegates is another. Basically all Democratic-leaning think-tanks are in her corner. This doesn't leave alot of space for competitors.
++Problem is that his money bomb isn't going to make the $100 million number when he launches.
++His digital communications quite because he claimed that Jeb in going to go heavy into television ads. The model for his campaign is his brother's 1999 campaign where George W. convinced his party there could be nothing but surrender to his candidacy.
++Rachel Maddow interviewed Lincoln Chaffee on his unorthodox career but stumbled on a weird fact. Lincoln lived in the same dorm with Jeb at Andover and knew him early in his career. Chaffee broke with the Republicans because he could not trust W. Chaffee actually visited the CIA and was briefed as Senator on WMDs in Iraq and came away saying there was nothing there. Consequently he voted against the Iraq War and ,as he told Rachel,someone has to stand against perpetual war.
++Mike Gerson said that it is true Rand Paul's campaign is in total disarray but that any GOP candidate is only one debate away becoming a contender. But Paul has also pissed off his colleagues on the NSA issue because they accuse him of lying about the surveillance program and trying to get credit about the bill that was passed even though he had nothing to do with it.
++Ted Cruz held a mock hearing inviting HHS officials to debate Obama subsidies. The Department declined because the subject was being litigated/
++The GOP is ramping up its anti Obamacare rhetoric. They claim they have a substitute if the government loses at SCOTUS but even here there was in complete shambles.
++Steve Benen at MaddowBlog writes about President Obama doing a victory lap over Obamacare. The President's point was not only that it registered millions and drastically reduced the uninsured,it effectively is now the American health insurance system five years later. He knows a Supreme court ruling would not only take health insurance away from 6 million and lead to 9,000 deaths per year but that the whole system would be jeopardized.
++Marco Rubio has been drawing criticism for his erratic personal finances. This time it is about his "unsinkable" boat he bought. Actually I think these stories don't hurt him because they make him human with chronic financial problems, something millions can relate to.
++The DONALD really is going to announce on the 16th and he told a Raleigh audience that they would be pleased. The Donald has a secret plan to defeat ISIS and he discussed this with the Pentagon who, of course, think it is brilliant. The Donald will be the job-creatorest of presidents because he knows who to do this. He is the only one who can save us now.
++The Hillary machine is getting into gear. Her kickoff in New York will be the official start-up of her 50 state organizing campaign. Yes, Iowa Democrats are crying for her to return. But I think they need the money.
++Former Senator Tom Coburn gave a frank interview with a conservative radio host and said he was horrified by the field of Republican candidates. He gave a person by person analysis . He favors Marco Rubio.
++Chris Christie wants to put a military option on the table against China. Think about that.
++Jeb gave his first strictly foreign policy speech and wants to get tough against Putin.
++Rubio gave a speech to say he would get tough against Russia and China.
++Scott Walker said he would re-invade Iraq.
++Chris Christie's Bridgegate problems won't go away as David Wildstein, his former aide, has given evidence against Christie. Christie is accused of leaking Grand Jury testimony. Bridget Riley is pissed at being thrown under the bus and is now suing for access to the Christie sponsored investigation that exonerated Christie.
++Ben Carson's campaign quit but his business manager Armstrong Williams says it's no problem. The various SuperPacs got into each other's way. He still polls well in Iowa.
++Nate the Great tells us we should not take the Wisconsin Straw Poll that showed Bernie Sanders at 41% too seriously. We didn't.
++Under the surface,various progressive websites do not recognize a reality about Hillary's campaign. She is locking up the permanent delegates like Democratic office holders, which play a key role at the convention. There are structural elements to her campaign like Obama's before hers that rarely get observed or mentioned. 50-state organization is key. Locking up delegates is another. Basically all Democratic-leaning think-tanks are in her corner. This doesn't leave alot of space for competitors.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
I'm Back
++Three notebooks buried away I recovered my e-mail to access this site. I have created a new blog In A Far country for those of you who want to read other things this year.
++I really was anxious that I had let 6 and a half years of writing hang out in cyberspace. As of now, my new blog has birth pains. The font size is not as good and there is no where to describe who I am.
++So appropriate to where we were,the Times of Israel urges Hillary to mend the gap between Bibi and the United States. Hillary is said to have a good relationship with Bibi and supported his Gaza operation. She was also instrumental in the first Gaza ceasefire.
++Hillary took the first turn away from President Obama today when she urged military training and arms shipments to the Ukraine.
++The Pentagon today said that the Russian S-3000s were already factored into the US' plan if it comes to bombing Iran.
++Politico had to admit that the Corker bill after the amendments was a coup--not for Congress but the White House. The final bill made it very unlikely that Congress could kill the Iranian nuke deal.
++John Kerry told the G-7 Foreign Ministers that the President would get the deal approved when it was done.
++President Rouhani of iran said he was negotiating with the global powers, not Congress. Later he said the vote for an internal affair of the United States.
++President Obama was tinkering again with Obamacare by changing the rules for wellness programs in businesses.
++Tennessee's House approved the bible as its state book.
++Georgia approved medical marijuana.
++Bobby Jindal has doubled down on the Religious Freedom Act.
++While Mike Pence's approval rating has gone into the toilet,politico is now talking about John Kasich running for President.
++Lincoln Chaffee announced for the Democratic race--sort of. First he said he was 100% in and then his aide pulled it back.
++Ted Cruz thinks the Second Amendment is meant to protect us from the government. Lindsey Graham said, Wait a minute, we did that already in South Carolina" and it didn't turn out very well.
++Colorado really may be on the verge of approving a Personhood Bill.
++VOX looked at Obama's coalition and Hillary's and found something out--they are the same. There is little difference in the support each person has in the key demographics.
++At least 50 Democratic House members including John Lewis have come out in support of Hillary.
++Remember Superdelegates?
++Feminist groups have come out because Hillary has been the most vocal supporter of women's rights on the global stage.
++Thom Hartman interviewing Eleanor Clift today raised the issue whether Hillary's feminism would not spur on misogyny the same way Obama kicked off a reassurance of racism in the country.
++I really was anxious that I had let 6 and a half years of writing hang out in cyberspace. As of now, my new blog has birth pains. The font size is not as good and there is no where to describe who I am.
++So appropriate to where we were,the Times of Israel urges Hillary to mend the gap between Bibi and the United States. Hillary is said to have a good relationship with Bibi and supported his Gaza operation. She was also instrumental in the first Gaza ceasefire.
++Hillary took the first turn away from President Obama today when she urged military training and arms shipments to the Ukraine.
++The Pentagon today said that the Russian S-3000s were already factored into the US' plan if it comes to bombing Iran.
++Politico had to admit that the Corker bill after the amendments was a coup--not for Congress but the White House. The final bill made it very unlikely that Congress could kill the Iranian nuke deal.
++John Kerry told the G-7 Foreign Ministers that the President would get the deal approved when it was done.
++President Rouhani of iran said he was negotiating with the global powers, not Congress. Later he said the vote for an internal affair of the United States.
++President Obama was tinkering again with Obamacare by changing the rules for wellness programs in businesses.
++Tennessee's House approved the bible as its state book.
++Georgia approved medical marijuana.
++Bobby Jindal has doubled down on the Religious Freedom Act.
++While Mike Pence's approval rating has gone into the toilet,politico is now talking about John Kasich running for President.
++Lincoln Chaffee announced for the Democratic race--sort of. First he said he was 100% in and then his aide pulled it back.
++Ted Cruz thinks the Second Amendment is meant to protect us from the government. Lindsey Graham said, Wait a minute, we did that already in South Carolina" and it didn't turn out very well.
++Colorado really may be on the verge of approving a Personhood Bill.
++VOX looked at Obama's coalition and Hillary's and found something out--they are the same. There is little difference in the support each person has in the key demographics.
++At least 50 Democratic House members including John Lewis have come out in support of Hillary.
++Remember Superdelegates?
++Feminist groups have come out because Hillary has been the most vocal supporter of women's rights on the global stage.
++Thom Hartman interviewing Eleanor Clift today raised the issue whether Hillary's feminism would not spur on misogyny the same way Obama kicked off a reassurance of racism in the country.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Wag The Wingnut
++ Ed Kilgore at Washington Monthly re-discovers three-time presidential candidate and President Obama's 2004 opponent, Alan Keyes,lurking at World Nut Daily.
++It seems Alan wants to run again but he fears that President Obama will trigger a nuclear war and declare martial law so he can remain in office.
++Kilgore "Wag The Wingnut" explores Alan's pseudo candidacy.
++Kilgore must divide the GOP candidates with Josh Marshall. Both are must reads as GOP candidates launch their bids for the nomination.
++Josh Marshall has been on the Rand Paul beat the last two days sharing all the conspiracies Paul has supported over the years and the strange cast of characters who is affiliated with.
++Of course, today was the video of Rand Paul cutting an interview with the Guardian short.
++Josh says that Bobby Jindal claims that the "Radical Left and corporate America" are teaming up to defeat discriminating against gay bills.
++Ted Cruz says that the "Rainbow Jihadists" are after Christians.
++The Washington Post says that Hillary Clinton's Sunday announcement was to undercut Marco Rubio's announcement.
++Mark Halperin and others say this will put in contrast generations and should work to Rubio's benefit. Wanna bet? Rubio is nowhere.
++As Rick Perry told the NRA, 2016 will be the "show me" election where the resume matters.
++Ed Kilgore also points out that Rick Santorum ,ole "frothy mix" looks like he will run again and he's in Iowa campaigning among the evangelical Christians.
++It seems Alan wants to run again but he fears that President Obama will trigger a nuclear war and declare martial law so he can remain in office.
++Kilgore "Wag The Wingnut" explores Alan's pseudo candidacy.
++Kilgore must divide the GOP candidates with Josh Marshall. Both are must reads as GOP candidates launch their bids for the nomination.
++Josh Marshall has been on the Rand Paul beat the last two days sharing all the conspiracies Paul has supported over the years and the strange cast of characters who is affiliated with.
++Of course, today was the video of Rand Paul cutting an interview with the Guardian short.
++Josh says that Bobby Jindal claims that the "Radical Left and corporate America" are teaming up to defeat discriminating against gay bills.
++Ted Cruz says that the "Rainbow Jihadists" are after Christians.
++The Washington Post says that Hillary Clinton's Sunday announcement was to undercut Marco Rubio's announcement.
++Mark Halperin and others say this will put in contrast generations and should work to Rubio's benefit. Wanna bet? Rubio is nowhere.
++As Rick Perry told the NRA, 2016 will be the "show me" election where the resume matters.
++Ed Kilgore also points out that Rick Santorum ,ole "frothy mix" looks like he will run again and he's in Iowa campaigning among the evangelical Christians.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
James Dobson Is Sad
++James Dobson of Focus on Your Family, Not Mine is very discouraged about the prospects of stopping same-sex marriage. On a talk show with Janet Porter, who is famous for a documentary about how gays will outlaw Christianity, he thought we may had have a civil war. On another radio show, he predicted that the collapse of families will bring the end of America in a decade.
++But never fear, Ted Cruz is authoring legislation for the Senate prohibiting the Supreme Court from ruling on same-sex marriage because it is beyond their jurisdiction.
++A caller to these talk shows, said that a remnent can make a difference by just pushing a button on a mail list could mean 1 million "restraining orders". The caller went on to advocate personally going after judges.
++I guess there will adopt the ole' bomb abortion clinics strategy.
++But never fear, Ted Cruz is authoring legislation for the Senate prohibiting the Supreme Court from ruling on same-sex marriage because it is beyond their jurisdiction.
++A caller to these talk shows, said that a remnent can make a difference by just pushing a button on a mail list could mean 1 million "restraining orders". The caller went on to advocate personally going after judges.
++I guess there will adopt the ole' bomb abortion clinics strategy.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Best Idea of The Day
++ Someone post this idea at Democratic Underground. In response to the nutty vaccine kerfluffle and Thom Tillis on not washing your hands if you worked in a restaurant.
++President Obama should hold a daily press conference on one idea he supports. Then example put forth was seat belts. "I think wearing seat belts is a good idea." This way we would automatically get the negative GOP response. One after the other,these ideas would mount up and you would have the complete picture of the current GOP.
++Rand Paul not so few years ago said that mandatory vaccines would led to Martial Law.
++Ted Cruz chimed in today to say that if parents had religious beliefs they should have the option of refusing vaccines.
++Bobby Jindal decided not to get with the crazy bus by pointing out that kids in Louisiana have to get vaccinated.
++Mitch McConnell said that he was for vaccinations after he got polio.
++Vaccines as a political issue? They have been in Pakistan leading to millions being infected. They have been all over Africa. So why not here? We aspire to be a third world country. Is there really an issue to debate?
++I think with the GOP we may all become Val Kilmer. Val is in the hospital with a tumor which can be operated on. However because he is a Christian Scientist he is rejecting medical care. Soon we won't have any anyway.
++I don't associate crazy with Vermont but today Vermont makes it. The state has a contest to write a new state motto. The Burlington radio station that sponsored it, read the entries on the air. Listeners were outraged. Why? Because many of the mottos were in Latin, which angry listeners thought was the language of Hispanics. You can't make this up.
++President Obama should hold a daily press conference on one idea he supports. Then example put forth was seat belts. "I think wearing seat belts is a good idea." This way we would automatically get the negative GOP response. One after the other,these ideas would mount up and you would have the complete picture of the current GOP.
++Rand Paul not so few years ago said that mandatory vaccines would led to Martial Law.
++Ted Cruz chimed in today to say that if parents had religious beliefs they should have the option of refusing vaccines.
++Bobby Jindal decided not to get with the crazy bus by pointing out that kids in Louisiana have to get vaccinated.
++Mitch McConnell said that he was for vaccinations after he got polio.
++Vaccines as a political issue? They have been in Pakistan leading to millions being infected. They have been all over Africa. So why not here? We aspire to be a third world country. Is there really an issue to debate?
++I think with the GOP we may all become Val Kilmer. Val is in the hospital with a tumor which can be operated on. However because he is a Christian Scientist he is rejecting medical care. Soon we won't have any anyway.
++I don't associate crazy with Vermont but today Vermont makes it. The state has a contest to write a new state motto. The Burlington radio station that sponsored it, read the entries on the air. Listeners were outraged. Why? Because many of the mottos were in Latin, which angry listeners thought was the language of Hispanics. You can't make this up.
Monday, January 12, 2015
He Said If The Other Guy Would Run He wouldn't , Now He Won't
++Paul Ryan, he of "dynamic scoring" and Medicare vouchers, said that if Willard "Mitt" Romney ran again for President he wouldn't. Today Paul Ryan announced he wasn't running for President.
++Meanwhile Willard said he was certain to run and would run to the right of Jeb Bush on immigration and taxes.
++Rick Santorum decried Rand Paul and Ted Cruz' lack of experience and lampooned their thoughts of running for President. "They are bomb-throwers." And "Frothy Mix" doesn't know anything about that.
++Meanwhile Willard said he was certain to run and would run to the right of Jeb Bush on immigration and taxes.
++Rick Santorum decried Rand Paul and Ted Cruz' lack of experience and lampooned their thoughts of running for President. "They are bomb-throwers." And "Frothy Mix" doesn't know anything about that.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
A Clarification
++Ed Kilgore at Washington Monthly reminds us that the embargo against Cuba was codified by the Helms-Burton Act of 1999 and so Congress has to raised key portions of the embargo and approve casual tourism to Havana.
++Marco Rubio called President Obama the "worst negotiator since Jimmy Carter or maybe the worst in history." Senators Menendez and Cruz went thermonuclear.
++We all await the response from Ted Cruz' father, who sought alongside Castro in the Revolution and has liken Obama to Fidel. It was only after his third return to the island that he left permanently.
++At least Marco Rubio is more honest. He admits his family left as economic refugees and observers note his family were Batistianos.
++President Obama will allow telecommunications companies to Cuba to broaden their internet coverage.
++Marco Rubio called President Obama the "worst negotiator since Jimmy Carter or maybe the worst in history." Senators Menendez and Cruz went thermonuclear.
++We all await the response from Ted Cruz' father, who sought alongside Castro in the Revolution and has liken Obama to Fidel. It was only after his third return to the island that he left permanently.
++At least Marco Rubio is more honest. He admits his family left as economic refugees and observers note his family were Batistianos.
++President Obama will allow telecommunications companies to Cuba to broaden their internet coverage.
Monday, December 15, 2014
OBAMA HAS WORST YEAR IN WASHINGTON
SAITH The Washington Post
++My candidate is Rafael "Ted" Cruz. He shut the government down costing the American taxpayer hundreds of millions to defund Obamacare, and just blew his demand the Senate should condemn President Obama's executive order on immigration. The result was approval of 24 Obama nominees since Harry Reid outmaneuvered him with a parliamentary procedure. Both stunts cost him dearly with the GOP establishment.
++But as Warner Wolf used to say, "Let's go to the videotape" about President Obama's year.
++This is just from my memory.
--He created the largest national park in the pacific.
-- He created at least four more in continental America.
-- The EPA adopted regulations curbing green house emissions from coal-burning power plants. The most far-reaching restrictions under the Clean Air Act.
--He reached an historic agreement with China over climate change.
--His administration got a decent, not great agreement in Lima on climate change.
--Obamacare now has reached 50% of last year's enrollment ,according to Charles Gaba, at this early stage.
--The year saw the strongest job creation since the 1990s.
--There was no inflation.
--Gas prices fell to levels not seen since the time of the Depression number 2.
--The Dow flirted with 18,000,about 10,000 more than he first came in office.
--Afghanistan held an election which led to most of troops leaving and Obama reached a Force Agreement, which will leave troops behind.
--Obama held the first US-Africa Summit.
--Obama moved quickly on the Ebola situation and only one American--a doctor in Maryland--died. The other death was a Liberian in Dallas.
--Obama led the international response to Ebola by sending troops to the region.
--A pro-Western government came to power in the Ukraine. Yes, Putin got the Crimea but President Obama revitalized NATO and led the sanctions against Russia, which has led to the collapse of Russia's economy.
--Obama committed regime change in Iraq and encouraged the selection of a moderate Shi'ite Prime Minister.
--The Iranian nuclear talks continue with the restrictions against further enrichment in place.
--President Obama made some in-roads to his pivot to Asia, finally completing a long-delayed trip to the region.
++I am sure I have forgotten a lot but I can't say that warrants "the worst" of anything.
++Besides Cruz, I would nominate the Democratic Party as having the worst year. Steve Israel's depressing campaign for House Democrats ranks as a bummer. The Bannock Project flopped to preserve the Democratic majority in the Senate. The effect of its failure is that 2016 prospects for a return to majority is very dim.
++By and large, President Obama made out OK this year, leaving behind several targets which the GOP majority will shoot at in the next two years.
++In spite of winning the elections, the GOP may be the biggest losers because they ran a stealth campaign hiding what they really think and believe. The exit polls and subsequent polling show the American people actually support the ideas of the democrats. That is going to be tremendous hurdle for the GOP in the 2016 Presidential election.
++My candidate is Rafael "Ted" Cruz. He shut the government down costing the American taxpayer hundreds of millions to defund Obamacare, and just blew his demand the Senate should condemn President Obama's executive order on immigration. The result was approval of 24 Obama nominees since Harry Reid outmaneuvered him with a parliamentary procedure. Both stunts cost him dearly with the GOP establishment.
++But as Warner Wolf used to say, "Let's go to the videotape" about President Obama's year.
++This is just from my memory.
--He created the largest national park in the pacific.
-- He created at least four more in continental America.
-- The EPA adopted regulations curbing green house emissions from coal-burning power plants. The most far-reaching restrictions under the Clean Air Act.
--He reached an historic agreement with China over climate change.
--His administration got a decent, not great agreement in Lima on climate change.
--Obamacare now has reached 50% of last year's enrollment ,according to Charles Gaba, at this early stage.
--The year saw the strongest job creation since the 1990s.
--There was no inflation.
--Gas prices fell to levels not seen since the time of the Depression number 2.
--The Dow flirted with 18,000,about 10,000 more than he first came in office.
--Afghanistan held an election which led to most of troops leaving and Obama reached a Force Agreement, which will leave troops behind.
--Obama held the first US-Africa Summit.
--Obama moved quickly on the Ebola situation and only one American--a doctor in Maryland--died. The other death was a Liberian in Dallas.
--Obama led the international response to Ebola by sending troops to the region.
--A pro-Western government came to power in the Ukraine. Yes, Putin got the Crimea but President Obama revitalized NATO and led the sanctions against Russia, which has led to the collapse of Russia's economy.
--Obama committed regime change in Iraq and encouraged the selection of a moderate Shi'ite Prime Minister.
--The Iranian nuclear talks continue with the restrictions against further enrichment in place.
--President Obama made some in-roads to his pivot to Asia, finally completing a long-delayed trip to the region.
++I am sure I have forgotten a lot but I can't say that warrants "the worst" of anything.
++Besides Cruz, I would nominate the Democratic Party as having the worst year. Steve Israel's depressing campaign for House Democrats ranks as a bummer. The Bannock Project flopped to preserve the Democratic majority in the Senate. The effect of its failure is that 2016 prospects for a return to majority is very dim.
++By and large, President Obama made out OK this year, leaving behind several targets which the GOP majority will shoot at in the next two years.
++In spite of winning the elections, the GOP may be the biggest losers because they ran a stealth campaign hiding what they really think and believe. The exit polls and subsequent polling show the American people actually support the ideas of the democrats. That is going to be tremendous hurdle for the GOP in the 2016 Presidential election.
Friday, June 27, 2014
White Men Acting Out
++Mississippi Tea Party leader, lawyer Mark Mayfield,committed suicide as he was indicted for participating in the stunt of video-taping Tad Cochran's wife in a nursing home where she is because she suffers from dementia.
++Teabaggers tweeted back to Cruz' call for impeachment of Eric Holder, saying what is stopping him and escalating to calls for impeaching the President.
++GOP politician Timothy Ray Murray accuses Rep. Fred Lucas, a fellow Republican, of being dead, having been executed three years ago. Lucas was then replaced by a lookalike. It didn't stop Lucas or his lookalike winning the primary with over 85% of the vote.
++Dick Cheney now says we will experience a massive terrorist attack within ten years or make that twenty-five years unless we adopt his ideas.
++The Virginia GOP has been caught out offering a Democratic Senator a job, phone and a car before he resigned and killed Medicaid expansion for the state.
++Mississippi GOP chairman flatly rejects the Tea Party claims that 700 were illegally cast for Cochran.
++Sarah Palin wistfully wonders whether there should be a third party because the GOP establishment acts like Democrats. Interesting observation. Should pass it onto the DNC.
++Chris Christie is still up to it for taking money for the cancelled Bridge project and using it on the Pulaski Highway Bridge.
++Teabaggers tweeted back to Cruz' call for impeachment of Eric Holder, saying what is stopping him and escalating to calls for impeaching the President.
++GOP politician Timothy Ray Murray accuses Rep. Fred Lucas, a fellow Republican, of being dead, having been executed three years ago. Lucas was then replaced by a lookalike. It didn't stop Lucas or his lookalike winning the primary with over 85% of the vote.
++Dick Cheney now says we will experience a massive terrorist attack within ten years or make that twenty-five years unless we adopt his ideas.
++The Virginia GOP has been caught out offering a Democratic Senator a job, phone and a car before he resigned and killed Medicaid expansion for the state.
++Mississippi GOP chairman flatly rejects the Tea Party claims that 700 were illegally cast for Cochran.
++Sarah Palin wistfully wonders whether there should be a third party because the GOP establishment acts like Democrats. Interesting observation. Should pass it onto the DNC.
++Chris Christie is still up to it for taking money for the cancelled Bridge project and using it on the Pulaski Highway Bridge.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wingnuts Ahoy
++The reason President Obama persuaded the American people in his State of the Union address was, according to the American Family Association, he possessing supernatural powers.
++Rand Paul after his homage to Ayn Rand in his response to the State of the Union doubled down on his criticism of Bill Clinton by saying he is a "serial philanderer."
++Charles Pierce writes today of how much he will miss the Obama presidency because of the entertainment provided by the GOP clown car in their responses to the State of the Union.
++George Will today found an obscure legal clause in the Affordable Care Act that might be used to cripple it. He argues subsidies are only allowed for the state exchanges but not the federal and that Red states might use this to sue.
++Ted Cruz says that the time is right to repeal Obamacare because he established the language of the national debate over the terrible things the healthcare law does. He even says he will fight his own attempts to close the government.
++PPP shows that "Sugar Uncle" Mike Huckabee is in the lead for the GOP presidential nomination and that his call for woman to keep their libidos in check pushed his approval rating among the GOP up to 64%. In second is Jeb Bush and third is Chris Christie.
++In the National Journal, Ron Fournier apologized for his 2013 support of Chris Christie as the savior of the GOP.
++Rinse Penis has ordered all RNC staff and board members not to appeal on MSNBC.
++Some wag noted that GOP responder to the State of the Union wanted government out of healthcare but neglected to mention she had government healthcare through her Navy husband, which took care of the expenses for her son who was born with Downs Syndrome. Also, while she wanted the government out of healthcare decisions, she voted only hours before to prevent any insurance coverage for abortions.
++The Tan Man wants to throw in the towel over the debt ceiling. The House can't agree to any appropriate ransom. Ted Crus says he will go for a fight on this.
++The Tan Man told the House retreat that the GOP has to be an alternative to Obama, not the opposition. Good luck with that one.
++Quinnipiac reports that Governor Medicare Fraud Rick Scott is down 46 to 38 to Charlie Crist.
++The Post/ABC poll shows Hillary Clinton trouncing Chris Christie 53 to 41.
++In a generation of polling, Hillary Clinton has the largest primary lead of all-time. Among Democrats she is 73 to Joe Biden's 12 and Elizabeth Warren's 8.
++Michelle Nunn is in the lead against all GOP opponents in Georgia.
++Democratic Senator Kay Hagen is now down 7 points to any Republican challenger.
++The number of federal employees is almost the same number as during the time of Reagan. The Post reports that more than a third of current Federal employees will be eligible to retire in 2017.
++A man named James Meachem appeared on Morning Joe to say that FDR and Lincoln would never use executive orders to improve the economy. FDR is the champion of executive orders, while President Obama has less than George W. Bush.
++Rand Paul after his homage to Ayn Rand in his response to the State of the Union doubled down on his criticism of Bill Clinton by saying he is a "serial philanderer."
++Charles Pierce writes today of how much he will miss the Obama presidency because of the entertainment provided by the GOP clown car in their responses to the State of the Union.
++George Will today found an obscure legal clause in the Affordable Care Act that might be used to cripple it. He argues subsidies are only allowed for the state exchanges but not the federal and that Red states might use this to sue.
++Ted Cruz says that the time is right to repeal Obamacare because he established the language of the national debate over the terrible things the healthcare law does. He even says he will fight his own attempts to close the government.
++PPP shows that "Sugar Uncle" Mike Huckabee is in the lead for the GOP presidential nomination and that his call for woman to keep their libidos in check pushed his approval rating among the GOP up to 64%. In second is Jeb Bush and third is Chris Christie.
++In the National Journal, Ron Fournier apologized for his 2013 support of Chris Christie as the savior of the GOP.
++Rinse Penis has ordered all RNC staff and board members not to appeal on MSNBC.
++Some wag noted that GOP responder to the State of the Union wanted government out of healthcare but neglected to mention she had government healthcare through her Navy husband, which took care of the expenses for her son who was born with Downs Syndrome. Also, while she wanted the government out of healthcare decisions, she voted only hours before to prevent any insurance coverage for abortions.
++The Tan Man wants to throw in the towel over the debt ceiling. The House can't agree to any appropriate ransom. Ted Crus says he will go for a fight on this.
++The Tan Man told the House retreat that the GOP has to be an alternative to Obama, not the opposition. Good luck with that one.
++Quinnipiac reports that Governor Medicare Fraud Rick Scott is down 46 to 38 to Charlie Crist.
++The Post/ABC poll shows Hillary Clinton trouncing Chris Christie 53 to 41.
++In a generation of polling, Hillary Clinton has the largest primary lead of all-time. Among Democrats she is 73 to Joe Biden's 12 and Elizabeth Warren's 8.
++Michelle Nunn is in the lead against all GOP opponents in Georgia.
++Democratic Senator Kay Hagen is now down 7 points to any Republican challenger.
++The number of federal employees is almost the same number as during the time of Reagan. The Post reports that more than a third of current Federal employees will be eligible to retire in 2017.
++A man named James Meachem appeared on Morning Joe to say that FDR and Lincoln would never use executive orders to improve the economy. FDR is the champion of executive orders, while President Obama has less than George W. Bush.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Quien Es Mas Macho?
++The Mayor of Sochi claims there are no gays in his city--only gay bars.
++The Marlboro Man died at the age of 72 because of respiratory problems.
++Bob Schaeffer laughed at Ted Cruz for saying Obama caused the government shutdown.
++Tom Perkins, a billionaire, said that the attacks on the Rich were the same as Kristallnacht. Really?
++Trey Radel ,Florida Republican, will resign from the House . He was caught buying cocaine from an undercover agent.
++Steve Stockman who has been absent from the House for the first 17 days blamed the media saying he was campaigning but no one saw him.
++Mike Huckbee says that women have to control their libidos and shouldn't expect Uncle Sugar to provide them with birth control pills.
++Texas candidate for governor, Wendy Davis is a "bad mother" according to the Republicans.
++Morning Joe Scarborough says that Hillary Clinton can't attack the GOP on the war against women because of Monica Lewinski.
++Newsmax says that "Hellcat" Clinton is in bad shape because of Benghazi.
++Rand Paul says that Bill Clinton exhibited predatory behavior against women and this will damage Hillary.
++Erick Bennett, the tea bagger challenger against Susan Collins, threatened to kill his wife and was charged with spousal abuse. These are positive things for his campaign.
++AIPAC has attacked Wendy Wasserman Schultz for not being pro-enough on Israel, although she has the highest pro-Israel voting record in Congress.
++Dinesh D'Sousa was indicted for violating campaign finance laws. He used both his wife and his mistress as fronts for his campaign contributions.
++Lamar Alexander's staff member who was busted for distributing child porn committed suicide.
++Kim Jong-un ordered the entire family of his uncle's executed.
++Chris Christie hired Patton, Boggs, the D.C. Law firm to defend him in his exploding scandals.
++Frank Rich in this issue of New York magazine proclaims Fox News dead and wishes liberals woud stop fixating on it.
++The Marlboro Man died at the age of 72 because of respiratory problems.
++Bob Schaeffer laughed at Ted Cruz for saying Obama caused the government shutdown.
++Tom Perkins, a billionaire, said that the attacks on the Rich were the same as Kristallnacht. Really?
++Trey Radel ,Florida Republican, will resign from the House . He was caught buying cocaine from an undercover agent.
++Steve Stockman who has been absent from the House for the first 17 days blamed the media saying he was campaigning but no one saw him.
++Mike Huckbee says that women have to control their libidos and shouldn't expect Uncle Sugar to provide them with birth control pills.
++Texas candidate for governor, Wendy Davis is a "bad mother" according to the Republicans.
++Morning Joe Scarborough says that Hillary Clinton can't attack the GOP on the war against women because of Monica Lewinski.
++Newsmax says that "Hellcat" Clinton is in bad shape because of Benghazi.
++Rand Paul says that Bill Clinton exhibited predatory behavior against women and this will damage Hillary.
++Erick Bennett, the tea bagger challenger against Susan Collins, threatened to kill his wife and was charged with spousal abuse. These are positive things for his campaign.
++AIPAC has attacked Wendy Wasserman Schultz for not being pro-enough on Israel, although she has the highest pro-Israel voting record in Congress.
++Dinesh D'Sousa was indicted for violating campaign finance laws. He used both his wife and his mistress as fronts for his campaign contributions.
++Lamar Alexander's staff member who was busted for distributing child porn committed suicide.
++Kim Jong-un ordered the entire family of his uncle's executed.
++Chris Christie hired Patton, Boggs, the D.C. Law firm to defend him in his exploding scandals.
++Frank Rich in this issue of New York magazine proclaims Fox News dead and wishes liberals woud stop fixating on it.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Obamacare News
++The richest man in congress, Darryl Issa hit North Carolina today in his Obamacare hearings and refused to hear from citizens who actually benefited from Obamacare because they had been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
++Mark Halperin tried to back away from his "death panels" statement this morning via Twitter. Howard Dean caught him at it by pointing to the part of Obamcare that had a review board on appropriate treatments. Halperin stammered on.
++Thank you ,Ted Cruz ads will be on football games this Thanksgiving.
++President Obama urged everyone this afternoon to get back on healthcare.gov because it was working better.
++Newsmax decided not to print Pope Francis attack on capitalism but instead focused on his re-affirmation of the Catholic positions on abortion.
++Mark Halperin tried to back away from his "death panels" statement this morning via Twitter. Howard Dean caught him at it by pointing to the part of Obamcare that had a review board on appropriate treatments. Halperin stammered on.
++Thank you ,Ted Cruz ads will be on football games this Thanksgiving.
++President Obama urged everyone this afternoon to get back on healthcare.gov because it was working better.
++Newsmax decided not to print Pope Francis attack on capitalism but instead focused on his re-affirmation of the Catholic positions on abortion.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Green Ham, I am
++Ted Cruz just ended his 21 hour monologue in time to speak on Rush Limbaugh's radio show. For my druthers, I take Bernie Sanders' faux- filibuster on extending the Bush tax cuts. At least Senator Sanders prepared for his talk with economic data and got a book out of it.
++House Republicans plan to attach an amendment to delay Obamacare for one year, putting the exchanges in dire jeopardy. This would in fact screw up the health insurance industry who have taken three years to prepare for this eventuality. The whole point of kicking off the exchanges in 2013 was to avoid an election year.
++Now House Republicans are scheming to condition a debt ceiling vote on a number of noxious elements. Another shot at Obamacare,adding the Keystone pipeline. Think of whatever would further destroy the economy and they will include it.
++The GOP approval rating is around 9% right now. Only 16% say shutting down the government over Obamacare is a good idea. When John McCain's alter-ego Mark Salter feels he has to write an op-ed going after the Tea Party and Ted Cruz, you know a civil war has erupted in the GOP.
++The NYTimes/CBS poll has 80% of all Americans,83% of all independents, and 75% of all Republicans believing that the GOP threatening a government shutdown is unacceptable. 70 to 23% believe the GOP is not trying to work with President Obama , while 51% believe that President Obama is trying to work with the GOP.
++Former President Bill Clinton and President Obama spent an hour explaining the Affordable Healthcare Act at the Clinton Global Initiative. If you can access the tape, do so because it explains what's at stake and why Obamacare is important.
++The preliminary numbers for the healthcare changes are out today. 95% of Americans' healthcare premiums will be 16% lower than was expected. The average of healthcare premiums will be $328 and young healthy people will pay about the cost of their cellphone bill. That's without the tax credits.
++But Bill Clinton made an important point. Because the Supreme Court allowed states to refuse Medicaid assistance for poorer citizens, you have the bizarre probability that the poorer citizens might lose out on the Affordable Care Act unless they live in states where the governors have bought into this aspect of the healthcare law.
++House Republicans plan to attach an amendment to delay Obamacare for one year, putting the exchanges in dire jeopardy. This would in fact screw up the health insurance industry who have taken three years to prepare for this eventuality. The whole point of kicking off the exchanges in 2013 was to avoid an election year.
++Now House Republicans are scheming to condition a debt ceiling vote on a number of noxious elements. Another shot at Obamacare,adding the Keystone pipeline. Think of whatever would further destroy the economy and they will include it.
++The GOP approval rating is around 9% right now. Only 16% say shutting down the government over Obamacare is a good idea. When John McCain's alter-ego Mark Salter feels he has to write an op-ed going after the Tea Party and Ted Cruz, you know a civil war has erupted in the GOP.
++The NYTimes/CBS poll has 80% of all Americans,83% of all independents, and 75% of all Republicans believing that the GOP threatening a government shutdown is unacceptable. 70 to 23% believe the GOP is not trying to work with President Obama , while 51% believe that President Obama is trying to work with the GOP.
++Former President Bill Clinton and President Obama spent an hour explaining the Affordable Healthcare Act at the Clinton Global Initiative. If you can access the tape, do so because it explains what's at stake and why Obamacare is important.
++The preliminary numbers for the healthcare changes are out today. 95% of Americans' healthcare premiums will be 16% lower than was expected. The average of healthcare premiums will be $328 and young healthy people will pay about the cost of their cellphone bill. That's without the tax credits.
++But Bill Clinton made an important point. Because the Supreme Court allowed states to refuse Medicaid assistance for poorer citizens, you have the bizarre probability that the poorer citizens might lose out on the Affordable Care Act unless they live in states where the governors have bought into this aspect of the healthcare law.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Tides May be Turning
++Kudos to Richard Trumpka, the President of the AFL-CIO, for being the only one I have read that emphasized the humanitarian crisis being faced by Syria's refugees and displaced people. None of Sunday's talking heads mentioned the issue. Although the Nation's Publisher Ms. VanderHeuval did emphasize this later in the morning shows.
++Luis Ocampo, the lead prosecutor for the ICC,wrote an Op-Ed for Huffington Post that made the point that the EU,UK,and the Arab League has a consensus that there are crimes against humanity being committed in Syria. He suggested that the international community take the lead by creating the types of adhoc tribunals they had for Yugoslavia. Through this mechanism, perpetrators of the crimes should be prosecuted. He points at that Russia had a similar draft before the United Nations that included the insurgents.
++President Obama has an absurdly abstract case to be made for the authorization for the Syrian strikes. People don't get an act of war for 1,000 people killed by nerve gas as opposed to one for 110,000 killed by conventional weapons.
++But no need to fret, the House is too tired from their five week recess so they may--again--may vote on the authorization in two weeks!
++The Senate is to take up a procedural vote today to test whether the bill can get to the floor without a filibuster.
++This morning John Kerry said that an attack would be called off if Syria surrendered their chemical weapons. Shortly thereafter Russia proposed that Syria put their chemical weapons under international control. The Secretary General of the United Nations said that if the report by the end of the week shows that chemical weapons were used he would propose to the Security Council that they make Syria surrender their chemical stockpile. Earlier this afternoon, Assad said he agreed with the Russian proposal. Delay or actual compliance would mean the difference between a military attack or a stand-down of American forces. Hillary Clinton on a visit to the White House said that Russia's initiative was significant.
++According to John Kerry, at least a dozen nations have signed on to participate in the military attack if it happened.
++A historical note. Saddam Hussein under pressure from the international community has agreed to leave Iraq if he was allowed to keep a billion. What a difference that would have made! There is an offer to Assad in the same range for him leaving the country.
++Bloggers note that dictators always give "death interviews". Saddam Hussein, Muammar Qaddafhi,Mubarack (not dead but toppled) just before it is politically curtains for them. So Charlie Rose's interview with Assad now joins the ranks. Assad basically said that there is no evidence he used chemical weapons and the Devil did it or some such thing.
++Ted Cruz said the whole Syrian crisis was to divert Americans attention away from Benghazi. It should be noted that Cruz said to the moderator that 9-11 was the anniversary of Benghazi. Nothing else seemed to have happened that day. Other conservatives are using this refrain,neglecting to mention their hero letting the Twin Towers and the Pentagon get hit by Al Qaeda. Michelle Bachmann, appearing at a Cairo press conference, with Steven King and Louie Gohmert said that she applauded the military coup in the country and that the Moslem Brotherhood was responsible for 9-11. I didn't figure out which 9-11 since the Right also believes the Moslem Brotherhood was involved in Benghazi.
++We are getting the whole refrain that President Obama by doing the right thing--bringing a request for military action to Congress is a lame duck President. In the Beltway, it's about personal wins and losses--not solutions. Frankly,if chemical weapons were removed from Syria, I would take it as a win.
++Luis Ocampo, the lead prosecutor for the ICC,wrote an Op-Ed for Huffington Post that made the point that the EU,UK,and the Arab League has a consensus that there are crimes against humanity being committed in Syria. He suggested that the international community take the lead by creating the types of adhoc tribunals they had for Yugoslavia. Through this mechanism, perpetrators of the crimes should be prosecuted. He points at that Russia had a similar draft before the United Nations that included the insurgents.
++President Obama has an absurdly abstract case to be made for the authorization for the Syrian strikes. People don't get an act of war for 1,000 people killed by nerve gas as opposed to one for 110,000 killed by conventional weapons.
++But no need to fret, the House is too tired from their five week recess so they may--again--may vote on the authorization in two weeks!
++The Senate is to take up a procedural vote today to test whether the bill can get to the floor without a filibuster.
++This morning John Kerry said that an attack would be called off if Syria surrendered their chemical weapons. Shortly thereafter Russia proposed that Syria put their chemical weapons under international control. The Secretary General of the United Nations said that if the report by the end of the week shows that chemical weapons were used he would propose to the Security Council that they make Syria surrender their chemical stockpile. Earlier this afternoon, Assad said he agreed with the Russian proposal. Delay or actual compliance would mean the difference between a military attack or a stand-down of American forces. Hillary Clinton on a visit to the White House said that Russia's initiative was significant.
++According to John Kerry, at least a dozen nations have signed on to participate in the military attack if it happened.
++A historical note. Saddam Hussein under pressure from the international community has agreed to leave Iraq if he was allowed to keep a billion. What a difference that would have made! There is an offer to Assad in the same range for him leaving the country.
++Bloggers note that dictators always give "death interviews". Saddam Hussein, Muammar Qaddafhi,Mubarack (not dead but toppled) just before it is politically curtains for them. So Charlie Rose's interview with Assad now joins the ranks. Assad basically said that there is no evidence he used chemical weapons and the Devil did it or some such thing.
++Ted Cruz said the whole Syrian crisis was to divert Americans attention away from Benghazi. It should be noted that Cruz said to the moderator that 9-11 was the anniversary of Benghazi. Nothing else seemed to have happened that day. Other conservatives are using this refrain,neglecting to mention their hero letting the Twin Towers and the Pentagon get hit by Al Qaeda. Michelle Bachmann, appearing at a Cairo press conference, with Steven King and Louie Gohmert said that she applauded the military coup in the country and that the Moslem Brotherhood was responsible for 9-11. I didn't figure out which 9-11 since the Right also believes the Moslem Brotherhood was involved in Benghazi.
++We are getting the whole refrain that President Obama by doing the right thing--bringing a request for military action to Congress is a lame duck President. In the Beltway, it's about personal wins and losses--not solutions. Frankly,if chemical weapons were removed from Syria, I would take it as a win.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
They're Going to Take Me Away, Ho, Ho to the Funnyfarm
**29% of voters in Louisiana believe President Obama is responsible for the slow response to Katrina. 28% believe it was George W. Bush's fault.
**Terrible Terry McAuliffe has a six point lead over truly horrible Cooch in Virginia Governor's race.
**Rick Perry has asked the federal government for $100 million of Obamacare money to provide for the disabled and elderly.
**It will Ted Cruz eight months to process his renunciation of his Canadian citizenship. No one knows whether he has to renounce a Cuban citizenship as well.
**Pvt. Manning was sentenced to 35 years today. His lawyer has asked for twenty five and the prosecutors asked for 75. Manning will be eligible for parole in eight years. I'm surprised that his defense never invoked his exposure of war crimes as a defense.
**Obama's ratings fell this month because of the NSA issue among the younger voters. August has been his worth month every year. But the Republicans are below the floor and congress sports a 10% approval rating. Observers say they may experience a dead cat bounce in the mid-terms but are falling apart as a party.
**Governor Le Page of Maine claims he did not say Obama hated white people despite Republican fundraisers saying he did. Le Page,Florida's Scott,Ohio's Kasich now face serious re-election difficulties next time around.
**Bill Kristol insists Sarah Palin could get her mojo back if she ran for Senate in Alaska. Teabagger Millers claims this time he will run against the Surveillance state. Begich looks solid in his re-election run.
**Bobby Jindal has the worst ratings of any GOP governor. Now it looks like Mary Landrieu is off to a good re-election campaign. She is ahead of her GOP counterpart by 10 points.
**Over 50% of young people in GOP families have signed on to health insurance under their family's policies as approved by Obamacare. Only 26% of Democratis kids have. So much for the tea bagger campaign for young people not to have health insurance.
**Ted Cruz thinks shutting down the government to defund Obamacare may not be a good idea after all. Instead, he wants to do it with the debt ceiling.
**Bryan Ferry of the American Family group urges civil disobedience over congressional types not holding Townhall meetings.
**Glenn Greenwald is still pounding out the words of the Guardian case and his husband being detained at Heathrow.
**The FBI claims that have busted up Anonymous but concentrating on a splinter group within the hackers movement.
**Howard Dean told audiences in Iowa he favors Hillary Clinton at this point of time.
**The Right claims that President Obama doesn't have any white dogs and that his new one is really named Sunni.
**As we should have expected, women are crossing state borders for abortions as restrictions have been implemented in Red States.
**The GOP in North Carolina may be rigging the vote but there is good news from Winston-Salem. The GOP candidate had to pull out for calling city workers the "N" word. So the winner of the Democratic primary becomes mayor.
**The GOP co-chairman for the Iowa district of Steven King,the Cantaloupe Man, has resigned from the Republican party because it was gone too far right for his taste. Watch this space for more defections ,especially after the House comes back in session.
**Here are some things to think about--Mohammed Morsi is in prison,Mubarack is free. The Obama administration asked a federal court in San Francisco to give amnesty to Bush, Cheney,Rumsfeld and Condi Rice for war crimes in Iraq, while jailing PVT Manning for exposing those crimes.
**Terrible Terry McAuliffe has a six point lead over truly horrible Cooch in Virginia Governor's race.
**Rick Perry has asked the federal government for $100 million of Obamacare money to provide for the disabled and elderly.
**It will Ted Cruz eight months to process his renunciation of his Canadian citizenship. No one knows whether he has to renounce a Cuban citizenship as well.
**Pvt. Manning was sentenced to 35 years today. His lawyer has asked for twenty five and the prosecutors asked for 75. Manning will be eligible for parole in eight years. I'm surprised that his defense never invoked his exposure of war crimes as a defense.
**Obama's ratings fell this month because of the NSA issue among the younger voters. August has been his worth month every year. But the Republicans are below the floor and congress sports a 10% approval rating. Observers say they may experience a dead cat bounce in the mid-terms but are falling apart as a party.
**Governor Le Page of Maine claims he did not say Obama hated white people despite Republican fundraisers saying he did. Le Page,Florida's Scott,Ohio's Kasich now face serious re-election difficulties next time around.
**Bill Kristol insists Sarah Palin could get her mojo back if she ran for Senate in Alaska. Teabagger Millers claims this time he will run against the Surveillance state. Begich looks solid in his re-election run.
**Bobby Jindal has the worst ratings of any GOP governor. Now it looks like Mary Landrieu is off to a good re-election campaign. She is ahead of her GOP counterpart by 10 points.
**Over 50% of young people in GOP families have signed on to health insurance under their family's policies as approved by Obamacare. Only 26% of Democratis kids have. So much for the tea bagger campaign for young people not to have health insurance.
**Ted Cruz thinks shutting down the government to defund Obamacare may not be a good idea after all. Instead, he wants to do it with the debt ceiling.
**Bryan Ferry of the American Family group urges civil disobedience over congressional types not holding Townhall meetings.
**Glenn Greenwald is still pounding out the words of the Guardian case and his husband being detained at Heathrow.
**The FBI claims that have busted up Anonymous but concentrating on a splinter group within the hackers movement.
**Howard Dean told audiences in Iowa he favors Hillary Clinton at this point of time.
**The Right claims that President Obama doesn't have any white dogs and that his new one is really named Sunni.
**As we should have expected, women are crossing state borders for abortions as restrictions have been implemented in Red States.
**The GOP in North Carolina may be rigging the vote but there is good news from Winston-Salem. The GOP candidate had to pull out for calling city workers the "N" word. So the winner of the Democratic primary becomes mayor.
**The GOP co-chairman for the Iowa district of Steven King,the Cantaloupe Man, has resigned from the Republican party because it was gone too far right for his taste. Watch this space for more defections ,especially after the House comes back in session.
**Here are some things to think about--Mohammed Morsi is in prison,Mubarack is free. The Obama administration asked a federal court in San Francisco to give amnesty to Bush, Cheney,Rumsfeld and Condi Rice for war crimes in Iraq, while jailing PVT Manning for exposing those crimes.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
August is for the Insane Asylum
++Detroit's favorite son, novelist Elmore Leonard died this morning at the age of 87. He had a stroke while working on another novel. Thanks for dozens of good reads!
++Mariano Rivera overcame blowing three straight saves, something he never has done in his career, and saved one against the Bosox, while A-Rod blasted a homer.
++Meanwhile, catch those Dodgers.
++I was at an empty Russell Building a few days ago, reminding myself we are all safe when Congress in not in session. I remain skeptical that Congress can reach a budget agreement before September 30. Conventional wisdom has a continuing resolution and a whale of a fight over the next phase of sequestration in January. Mitch McConnell says he's saving the real battles for the debt ceiling clash.
++Teabag town halls are not going the way the GOP thought. Republican representatives have been challenged about their lies about Obamacare. Meanwhile, the immigration reform blowback has not materialized.
++Jim DeMint and his Heritage Action has targeted six states for the remained of the month to mobilize reaction to Obamacare. While on vacation, President Obama in his Saturday address said that efforts to defund Obamacare are not a game and he vowed to implement the bill as efficiently as possible. George Will claimed that Obama is as bad as Nixon in postponing the implementation of the individual mandate since that was law. Unfortunately for Will, the Supreme Court twice ruled that the executive has the power to decide when to implement a law because it is more aware of the concrete circumstances and problems involved in such a maneuver.
++Jim DeMint said today he didn't know whether President Obama would sign a bill that would defund Obamacare. Then again no one can explain how you defund Obamacare because it is mandatory spending.
This simple fact has not stopped the Teaparty from mounting primary challenges to Mitch McConnell,Lamar Alexander and Lindsey Graham.
++Maine's Teabagger Governor LePage said that Obama hates white people. LePage yesterday faced half the Maine Republicans in the legislature resigning from the party because he dared raise taxes in his budget.
++Ted "Calgary" Cruz released his short form birth certificate that showed he was born in Canada to an American mother. When it was brought to his attention that he was a Canadian citizen by law,he said he would renounce his Canadian citizenship.
++Conservatives are jubilant that there exists another fabricated study that showed the "Invinciables", younger voters with no health insurance, could save $1,000 a year by not signing up for Obamacare. Of course, they didn't figure on costs if these younger people actually got sick. Freedomworks, Americans for Prosperity continue their campaign to get younger people to to enroll in health insurance exchanges because they would sabotage the cost-savings of the program.
++There is another fierce fight among the Right. Diana West wrote a new book that suggests that American politics was occupied by the Soviet Union under FDR. She points the figure at Harry Hopkins as a Soviet agent. The counter-attack was blistering. Conrad Black, a conservative who wrote a biography of FDR, called her worse than Oliver Stone, and Ron Radosh dissected her claims with the existing scholarship on the subject. Interestingly, a younger generation of college professors who do not know the primary literature thought she did a splendid job.
++The weekend brought more drama from Glenn Greenwald. Glenn's husband,a Brazilian man named Miranda, was held up at Heathrow having come from Berlin with thumb drives of more Snowden material. This act got Andrew Sullivan and Rachel Maddow up in arms when Miranda was detained under the UK's terrorist act. Naturally, equating journalism with terrorism raises legitimate concerns. But it gets murkier because Miranda isn't a journalist. Glenn says that he will expose more of the UK's secrets in revenge. Also both Miranda and the Guardian are suing the UK authorities. Somehow I get the sense there is less here than meets the eye.
++The Washington Post published an investigative piece that showed the NSA "violated privacy rights" over 3,000 times last year. Pretty bad, hey. Except the computer geeks who know this game claim that all such violations combined would equate to illegally downloading a Justin Beiber album. or about 58MgB. Pretty slim stuff.
++Meanwhile Julian Assange won the hearts and minds of the Left by backing Rand Paul and the libertarian wing of the Republican Party as the only hope for America. Assange's Wikileaks Party in Australia decided to back white supremacists in the parliamentary elections. Who's goofing whom?
++Meanwhile Snowden remains in Moscow and alerted the world that they should not listen to his father. He is surrounded by a team of the world's leading lawyers and will not be represented by Bruce Fein, the libertarian lawyer from D.C.
++The basic problem still remains--the United States farms out its intelligence to private contractors like Booz-Hamilton who are not responsible to anyone. This costs us $50 billion a year. To prevent another Snowden, the DOD can not even estimate the cost of its preventive program. Meanwhile the FISA court said that it could not determine whether the NSA is really in compliance with the law. Down the rabbit hole we go.
++Meanwhile, Howard Dean is in Iowa. No, not for a 2016 run but Howard wants to revive his 50-state strategy to elect Democratic legislators in Red States. In case, you have missed it Republican legislators have had a field day in the states passing the most onerous anti-abortion laws, anti-voting laws, and primitive educational laws. Basically, these legislatures are passing a vision of life the Right wants to believe--with catastrophic results for anyone else.
++Democrats in Washington believe they have a secret weapon against House Republicans. Next year's sequestration will hit defense spending far greater than domestic spending because of changes this year that eased defense sequestration. They believe that the Republicans will have to suck it up and eliminate tax loopholes for corporations and the oil industry. I don't believe it.
++The Chamber of Commerce is moaning that going Big behind Republicans has not paid off the way they wanted. They were behind the Jobs bill, the Highway Bill,and Immigration Reform and now they have nothing to show from the millions they contributed to GOP campaigns.
++The Cooch has doubled down on his attempt to revive Virginia's Sodomy Law. Now he explains that this was an instrument to prosecute pedophiles. Don't believe it.
++A special prosecutor is investigating Governor Perry's abuse of power in Texas.
++Mariano Rivera overcame blowing three straight saves, something he never has done in his career, and saved one against the Bosox, while A-Rod blasted a homer.
++Meanwhile, catch those Dodgers.
++I was at an empty Russell Building a few days ago, reminding myself we are all safe when Congress in not in session. I remain skeptical that Congress can reach a budget agreement before September 30. Conventional wisdom has a continuing resolution and a whale of a fight over the next phase of sequestration in January. Mitch McConnell says he's saving the real battles for the debt ceiling clash.
++Teabag town halls are not going the way the GOP thought. Republican representatives have been challenged about their lies about Obamacare. Meanwhile, the immigration reform blowback has not materialized.
++Jim DeMint and his Heritage Action has targeted six states for the remained of the month to mobilize reaction to Obamacare. While on vacation, President Obama in his Saturday address said that efforts to defund Obamacare are not a game and he vowed to implement the bill as efficiently as possible. George Will claimed that Obama is as bad as Nixon in postponing the implementation of the individual mandate since that was law. Unfortunately for Will, the Supreme Court twice ruled that the executive has the power to decide when to implement a law because it is more aware of the concrete circumstances and problems involved in such a maneuver.
++Jim DeMint said today he didn't know whether President Obama would sign a bill that would defund Obamacare. Then again no one can explain how you defund Obamacare because it is mandatory spending.
This simple fact has not stopped the Teaparty from mounting primary challenges to Mitch McConnell,Lamar Alexander and Lindsey Graham.
++Maine's Teabagger Governor LePage said that Obama hates white people. LePage yesterday faced half the Maine Republicans in the legislature resigning from the party because he dared raise taxes in his budget.
++Ted "Calgary" Cruz released his short form birth certificate that showed he was born in Canada to an American mother. When it was brought to his attention that he was a Canadian citizen by law,he said he would renounce his Canadian citizenship.
++Conservatives are jubilant that there exists another fabricated study that showed the "Invinciables", younger voters with no health insurance, could save $1,000 a year by not signing up for Obamacare. Of course, they didn't figure on costs if these younger people actually got sick. Freedomworks, Americans for Prosperity continue their campaign to get younger people to to enroll in health insurance exchanges because they would sabotage the cost-savings of the program.
++There is another fierce fight among the Right. Diana West wrote a new book that suggests that American politics was occupied by the Soviet Union under FDR. She points the figure at Harry Hopkins as a Soviet agent. The counter-attack was blistering. Conrad Black, a conservative who wrote a biography of FDR, called her worse than Oliver Stone, and Ron Radosh dissected her claims with the existing scholarship on the subject. Interestingly, a younger generation of college professors who do not know the primary literature thought she did a splendid job.
++The weekend brought more drama from Glenn Greenwald. Glenn's husband,a Brazilian man named Miranda, was held up at Heathrow having come from Berlin with thumb drives of more Snowden material. This act got Andrew Sullivan and Rachel Maddow up in arms when Miranda was detained under the UK's terrorist act. Naturally, equating journalism with terrorism raises legitimate concerns. But it gets murkier because Miranda isn't a journalist. Glenn says that he will expose more of the UK's secrets in revenge. Also both Miranda and the Guardian are suing the UK authorities. Somehow I get the sense there is less here than meets the eye.
++The Washington Post published an investigative piece that showed the NSA "violated privacy rights" over 3,000 times last year. Pretty bad, hey. Except the computer geeks who know this game claim that all such violations combined would equate to illegally downloading a Justin Beiber album. or about 58MgB. Pretty slim stuff.
++Meanwhile Julian Assange won the hearts and minds of the Left by backing Rand Paul and the libertarian wing of the Republican Party as the only hope for America. Assange's Wikileaks Party in Australia decided to back white supremacists in the parliamentary elections. Who's goofing whom?
++Meanwhile Snowden remains in Moscow and alerted the world that they should not listen to his father. He is surrounded by a team of the world's leading lawyers and will not be represented by Bruce Fein, the libertarian lawyer from D.C.
++The basic problem still remains--the United States farms out its intelligence to private contractors like Booz-Hamilton who are not responsible to anyone. This costs us $50 billion a year. To prevent another Snowden, the DOD can not even estimate the cost of its preventive program. Meanwhile the FISA court said that it could not determine whether the NSA is really in compliance with the law. Down the rabbit hole we go.
++Meanwhile, Howard Dean is in Iowa. No, not for a 2016 run but Howard wants to revive his 50-state strategy to elect Democratic legislators in Red States. In case, you have missed it Republican legislators have had a field day in the states passing the most onerous anti-abortion laws, anti-voting laws, and primitive educational laws. Basically, these legislatures are passing a vision of life the Right wants to believe--with catastrophic results for anyone else.
++Democrats in Washington believe they have a secret weapon against House Republicans. Next year's sequestration will hit defense spending far greater than domestic spending because of changes this year that eased defense sequestration. They believe that the Republicans will have to suck it up and eliminate tax loopholes for corporations and the oil industry. I don't believe it.
++The Chamber of Commerce is moaning that going Big behind Republicans has not paid off the way they wanted. They were behind the Jobs bill, the Highway Bill,and Immigration Reform and now they have nothing to show from the millions they contributed to GOP campaigns.
++The Cooch has doubled down on his attempt to revive Virginia's Sodomy Law. Now he explains that this was an instrument to prosecute pedophiles. Don't believe it.
++A special prosecutor is investigating Governor Perry's abuse of power in Texas.
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