........Scattershot........

Romney Gets Secret Service Protection

2012-02-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

Twitter meme going around speculating on Secret Service code names for Mitt Romney...

I'm partial to "R-Money."

Cowardice

2012-02-01T12:09:00.001-08:00

I wonder how the real Susan G. Komen, the woman who died of breast cancer in 1980, would feel if she knew the organization bearing her name had caved in to political pressure from crackpot Christian moralists by cutting its ties to Planned Parenthood?

FLOTUS

2012-02-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

"She was a long, cool woman in a black dress..."

Messed Up System

2012-02-01T06:46:00.000-08:00

Takeaway from the Elizabeth Warren interview on The Daily Show last week: In 2010, the top 30 corporations in America paid more to lobbyists than they did in income taxes.

Going Negative

2012-02-01T06:18:00.000-08:00

Lots of talk today about how Mitt Romeny's relentlessly negative campaign strategy in Florida may have put a boot on Newt Gingrich's big fleshy neck, but could also hurt him in the general election.

But we hear this every year! I think the last truly positive [successful] presidential campaign was probably the Eisenhower re-election in 1956, when "Leave it to Beaver" and "I Love Lucy" were playing on the teevee and everyone "Liked Ike."

So get used to it.

Basic Mathematical Observation

2012-01-31T12:44:00.000-08:00

Narcissism can be an expensive hobby.

This Story is Not About Newt Gingrich.

2012-01-31T12:12:00.000-08:00

"One rarely gets so clear a glimpse of moral bankruptcy."

Matthews on the GOP Civil War: "Mishegoss"

2012-01-31T07:01:00.000-08:00

Chris Matthews clearly loves politics, and he does hyperbole better than anyone else covering the scene. Here he is explaining what lies ahead for Mitt Romney in the wake of his total destruction of whatever was left of Newt Gingrich's character and reputation in Florida: "MISHEGOSS."

Hint: Newt will be playing the Samuel L. Jackson role.

2012-01-31T06:57:00.000-08:00

Nostalgia Done Wrong

2012-01-30T18:17:00.000-08:00

That dumb-ass Ferris Bueller Super Bowl ad is nothing without Sloan and Cameron. Who would create that commercial without bringing back the two cohorts? Makes no sense to me whatsoever.

FOX News Starts War with Muppets

2012-01-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

FOX News recently criticized the Muppets for their alleged liberal bias.

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy fire back in the clip below:

MISS PIGGY: "It's almost as laughable as accusing FOX News of, uh, being, you know, news!"

KERMIT: "Boy that's gonna be all over the internet."

MISS PIGGY: "Yeah, if they take what I say seriously they've got a real big problem."

The Lexicon is Ever-Changing

2012-01-30T16:58:00.000-08:00

Megan McCain has been trying pretty hard over the past couple of years to capture the coveted "Voice of the Millennials" slot on the cable news circuit, but if you heard her recent mangling of "emoticon" and "modicum" you've come to realize she doesn't have a real good command of the English language.

Speaking of the Obama family, McCain likened the mean-spirited attacks on Michelle and her daughters to her own experiences during the 2008 presidential campaign. "They deserve some small emoticon of privacy," she said -- TWICE in the space of about 15 5 seconds. We're fairly sure she meant they deserve a "modicum" of privacy, but whatevs.

It's only one word, mentioned twice, but this is a horrific train wreck of unawareness.

Movie Recap

2012-01-30T09:35:00.000-08:00

Happened to catch "Soylent Green" on AMC over the weekend. I won't give away the ending, but the filmmakers put the population of New York City at 40 million in the year 2022.

Passing Judgement

2012-01-30T06:46:00.000-08:00

Make no mistake about it, when Republicans are proposing legislation limiting the choices of food assistance recipients, it's all about passing judgement, increasing the stigma and making life more difficult for people in need.

One of my least favorite hearsay stories is the one where conservatives are caught saying "I saw someone using food stamps to buy soda pop...or potato chips {SHRIEK!!} at the checkout counter." There's a reason the administrators of food stamp program switched over from paper scrip to debit cards, and it wasn't just to save money. It was to keep judgmental assholes from looking down their noses at needy people in line at the supermarket.

Basic Question

2012-01-29T17:14:00.000-08:00

With the national median income sitting at about $26,000 per year, how many of the 99% do you suppose are actually capable of saving any money? I don't mean saving for something like a new [or used] car or a bigger TV or a modest vacation, I mean for big things like retirement or their kid's college education.

"N-to-the-E-to-the-Dubba-yoo-T"

2012-01-29T17:12:00.001-08:00

SNAP!

2012-01-28T16:47:00.000-08:00

Quite possibly the most devastating ad Mitt Romney could ever run against Newt Gingrich, and it doesn't say a work about Mitt save for his "approval" at the end.

Shorter version: Newt Gingrich is not qualified for the Oval Office.

RIP Etta James

2012-01-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

A worthy rendition of "At Last," courtesy of one Christina Aguilera...

That girl's got some pipes.

We're Doomed, Because We're Doing it Wrong

2012-01-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

The people in charge -- and their megaphones in the media -- really have no idea how to fix our problems. Meanwhile, the Dirty Fucking Hippies are right about everything. Always. Also.

Global Warming Update.

2012-01-28T14:13:00.000-08:00

It's definitely another crappy day in paradise around here.

JBHS

2012-01-28T13:58:00.000-08:00

Somewhat intersting to recall that the Sweathogs of Welcome Back Kotter fame attended "James Buchanan High Scool." Can't recall whether much was made of it at the time, but James Buchanan is widely regarded as one of the worst presidents in US history.

Lucky for him George W. Bush came along.

Si, Se Puede.

2012-01-28T13:35:00.000-08:00

Cynicism and doubt suck.

I'd much rather dance around joyfully with BARACK OBAMA!

Random Observation

2012-01-28T08:24:00.001-08:00

If you ever want to have a pointless argument with no apparent end, just spend a while talking to a libertarian.

Someday, Someway

2012-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

Tell me this Marshall Crenshaw nugget isn't lifted right out of Buddy Holly's songbook.

Things Are Tough All Over

2012-01-27T07:11:00.000-08:00

You think we've got problems?

The unemployment rate in Spain is 22.9%.

Kitchen Table Economics

2012-01-27T06:02:00.000-08:00

I know he's been an unemployed grifter making little honest income since about 2006 or so, but I'd say it's still a pretty safe bet that Rick Santorum's taxes are a wee bit too complicated for him to do himself in 24 hours at his "kitchen table."

Juan Epstein Passes

2012-01-26T19:56:00.000-08:00

This is the worst kind of "blast from the past" news. I always loved "Welcome Back, Kotter," and Epstein was always my favorite on the show.

He always reminded me of a Marx Brothers character, and he comes along at about 0:40 of this clip....

Yo Quiero un Embyrito

2012-01-26T17:41:00.000-08:00

Seriously, you can't make this shit up.

"Let's Go Get a Taco"

2012-01-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

Here's what you get when you put a double-digit IQ racist wingnut in charge of your city...

Here's the case to which the mayor is [sort of] responding.

Everyone Hates Newt.

2012-01-26T12:12:00.000-08:00

Even irascible old Bob Dole is shaking his pen at the Republican Party's ~~most cantankerous~~ worst presidential candidate ever.

On Sports Stars and Getting Old

2012-01-26T06:56:00.000-08:00

Anyone trying to suss out what's happening with the whole Peyton Manning situation need only look back on the late-career experiences of Johnny Unitas (traded), Joe Namath (waived), Brett Favre (traded), Willie Mays (traded) and -- to a lesser degree -- Joe Montana (traded), to understand that no sports icon is safe from the ravages of time and the cruel calculations of big business.

In addition to the looming arrival of #1 draft pick and alleged "sure thing" Andrew Luck, Manning has two strokes against him: The $28-million the Colts will owe him if he's on the roster in March and that fact that he's 35-years-old and has undergone three neck surgeries (because the first two didn't work) in less than 2 years.

No one is sure that if Manning makes it back onto the field he might not get hurt again the first time he gets body-slammed by a large, fast, NFL-sized human being. That's just too much money amid too much uncertainty for the Colts to swallow.

Me vs. Mitt

2012-01-25T06:45:00.000-08:00

Just did the math: 19.6%

Wreckin' Ball

2012-01-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

Only Springsteen could turn the demolition of a [widely hated] football stadium into a religious experience.

Xmas in January?

2012-01-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

Good Lord the Republican nomination race is off the rails nuts, so things could change in a heartbeat, but it looks like a real possibility that Newt Gingrich -- NEWT GINGRICH -- may end up being the GOP's pick to run against Barack Obama this fall.

I mean, WTF? RUFingkiddingme??

SCHMIDT: Look, I think, not only are we not moving towards a coalescing of support by the Republican establishment for Newt Gingrich, we're probably moving toward the declaration of war on Newt Gingrich by the Republican establishment. And if Newt Gingrich is able to win the Florida primary, you will see a panic and a meltdown of the Republican establishment that is beyond my ability to articulate in the English language.

People will go crazy and you will have this five week period until the Super Tuesday states which is going to be as unpredictable, tumultuous as any period in modern American politics. It will be a remarkable thing to watch should that happen in Florida.

Better Suited for Saturday Morning

2012-01-24T12:20:00.000-08:00

Interesting to note -- in light of her recent criticism a fellow Republican for getting his "panties in a wad" on Meet the Press -- that Alaskan snow-grifter Sarah Palin has yet to appear on a Sunday morning talk show. Ever. Also.

On the Separation of Sports and State

2012-01-24T07:06:00.000-08:00

Lately, when I see one of these articles about an athlete declining an invitation from President Obama to visit the White House because his (or her) "political views differ from his," my first thought is always one of bemused incredulity.

The simple fact is, regardless of what some Tea Party nincompoop believes, Barack Obama is a center-right moderate politician. He and his policies are much closer to those of the Eisenhower/Nixon Republicans than they are to the Roosevelt/Johnson Democrats and, although I personally respect the President as an admirable and worthy representative of our nation, his policies are far too timid to be labeled as liberal, progressive or -- dare I say it -- socialist. There are those would would tar the President with the socialist label. They allege he's Muslim, Kenyan, somehow less than American. They are, quite simply, delusional and/or cynically dishonest. There is no room for debate about that among rational people.

Then I remember that there is no way on God's green Earth that I would have ever gone to the White House to shake the hand of its previous occupant. Of course, when you take into account the world-class ineptitude and the war-based-on-lies and the cratered economy and the Hurricane Katrina debacle and the general assault on civil liberties, we Dirty Fucking Hippies were clearly right about him.

Daily Show on the Rise of Gingrich

2012-01-24T06:50:00.001-08:00

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

GOP Debate

2012-01-23T18:43:00.000-08:00

Not sure if it's the best way to address his tax/income public relations problem, but Mitt Romney just "admitted" that under Newt Gingrich's tax plan (0% capital gains tax) he would have paid "zero taxes."

2012-01-23T17:44:00.001-08:00

Undercutting the Unemployed

2012-01-23T12:42:00.000-08:00

One of the more pernicious items in the recent news was word that many businesses are screening out the long-term unemployed as potential hires, a development which can only add to those unfortunate souls' misery and exacerbate the nation's economic woes. This week in California, legislators have introduced a bill that would outlaw such "red-lining." Naturally, the hyenas on the Right find even that sort of legal protection of the disadvantaged to be distasteful, as seen in the comment thread following this article.

It's unsurprising really, that the very same heartless demagogues who castigate the unemployed as lazy bums are criticizing legislation that seeks to level the playing field for those seeking work who have been out of work for an extended period. Just goes to show, there really is no effort aimed at helping the disadvantaged that you jackals won't oppose.

I thought booing gay veterans, cheering for the death of illegal immigrants and rooting for the repeal of child labor laws was the bottom of the barrel. Here's the thing about that barrel (the one holding conservative bitterness and self-righteous indignation): there is no bottom.

On Illegal Immigrants and Voter Fraud

2012-01-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

I've never understood the allegation that illegal immigrants are trying to vote to influence elections. Why would an "illegal immigrant" risk losing everything by ever going near a polling place, some of which are located at police departments and official government offices.

Such people spend their entire lives hiding in the shadows. Their whole existence is predicated on the fear of discovery, capture and deportation, yet we are to believe they are attempting to vote fraudulently -- and in sufficient numbers -- so as to sway an election?

Such claims defy all logic and reason.

Rainy Day on the Blacktop

2012-01-23T12:08:00.001-08:00

This would be an excellent day to play dodge ball in the classroom.

Racist Jackals and Merciless Hyenas

2012-01-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

The rise of Newt Gingrich says much more about the Republican voting base than it does about Newt Gingrich. He remains largely unchanged from the sanctimonious, arrogant asshole he was in the 1990s. The Republican electorate, on the other hand, has ripped away the mask of conservative moderation, only to reveal the ugly, bitter intolerance of its true self.

In 2008, GOP voters scoffed at the very notion of empathy and compassion. Now they are proving without question nor conscience that they have neither.

American Football

2012-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

Eli Manning may look at times like he's wearing his big brother's helmet and play-acting at the whole pro football thing, but if yesterday's overtime is any indication, he's one tough sum'bitch.

A Message from Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

2012-01-22T11:19:00.001-08:00

Your Liberal Media

2012-01-22T09:46:00.000-08:00

Bill Maher on Mitt Romney

2012-01-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

"What would you rather do, help poor people? Or have money in your mouth?

SC Primary Review

2012-01-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of quick takes in the wake of the South Carolina Republican primary:

1) Mitt Romeny looked dead tired during his "2nd place speech" last night. He had heavy, really dark circles under his eyes.

2) Not a news flash, but even in victory, Newt Gingrich is an asshole. Rather than an uplifting musical message such as "God Bless the USA" or "Don't Stop Believing," at his victory party last night they were playing Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust."

3) Ron Paul wrapped up an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer last night by saying: "Thank you for having me, Mitt."

4) Rick Santorum virtually predicted he's going to get crushed in the next primary (in Florida), noting that there are some "more neutral" states further along on the calendar.

The circus now moves on to voting in Florida on January 31.

One Trillion Dollars.

2012-01-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

Delusional "Moderates"

2012-01-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

These people are delusional and this is just silly.

Can't Make This Up Either...

2012-01-21T08:09:00.000-08:00

The NCAA, a worse organization than the Gestapo.

Can't Make this Shit Up

2012-01-20T12:35:00.001-08:00

Latino high school students in a Tuscon, Arizona school district who protested the administration's decision to ban all Mexican-American studies programs were punished with janitorial duty!!

What, there were no crops anywhere nearby that needed picking?

Can the Earth be Saved from Newt Gingrich?

2012-01-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

Rare video of sanctimonious hypocrite Newt Gingrich as he hunts down members of the liberal media....

Tweet of the Day: Open Presidency?

2012-01-20T12:24:00.000-08:00

Smoovest President Evah.

2012-01-20T06:45:00.001-08:00

Home Run by an Asshole

2012-01-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

It's often been said that Ty Cobb was an asshole and in some respects perhaps Babe Ruth wasn't much better, but it's undeniable that each man was one of the best ever to play the game. Well, in the world of American politics, Newt Gingrich will have to go down as one of the most distasteful, hypocritical men ever to put his hand on any Bible and take an oath of office...but just watch him spin scandal into gold and hit the ball right out of the park after CNN host John King opens tonight's debate with a question about Newt's "open marriage" problem:

BAM! Take that America.

Oh the Irony...

2012-01-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney's Dad George, already making his son's life difficult by being born in freaking Mexico (for God's sakes), was the first presidential candidate in American history to release his tax returns! And now Mitt's getting shit for hesitating to do the same? Who knew?!?

Let's review: Mitt Romney is being pummeled by Republican voters for being a wealthy, successful businessman, while Newt Gingrich is getting a pass for being a thrice-married cheating cad of the highest order. The moral relativism of the Teabagger Party is really, really, just too rich.

Newt's Bimbo Ex-Wife Eruptions vs. Romney's Sacrifice

2012-01-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

For all intents and purposes, the Republican presidential race has come down to this:

One guy whose religion encourages multiple wives, yet he has only one, vs. another guy whose religion calls for only one wife, yet he's had three.

Final Thought on the South Carolina Debate

2012-01-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

Lost in the uproar over the peanut gallery's raucous discontent with anything remotely resembling a reasonable point of view at last Saturday's Republican debate in South Carolina -- manifest primarily in the disquieting, lynch mob treatment of debate moderator Juan "first of all Juan" Williams -- was the crowd's reaction to a comment made by candidate Ron Paul on foreign policy.

Loosely paraphrasing in lieu of a video clip, Paul made the observation that, in contrast to his opponents, who are all champing at the bit to bomb the hell out of Iran (WTF?!?!), he wants to end all our overseas adventures and "bring our troops home."

After pointing out that the war in Afghanistan and our drone bombings over Pakistan only serve to turn the citizenry in those countries against us, Paul noted rhetorically, "We wouldn't like it very much if a Chinese dissident came over here and the Chinese government decided to fly over our country and bomb him." That comment started a murmur of unrest in the crowd, as if they weren't sure where he was going, and when Paul followed it up with "We should practice the Golden Rule, 'Do unto others as you would have them do to you!'" the assembled lunatics saw fit to boo the congressman vociferously.

Lovely fundamentalists that they are, it was lost on them, apparently, that they were actually booing the words of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Best Polls are the Simple Polls

2012-01-19T06:23:00.000-08:00

Rock On!

2012-01-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

How the Payroll Tax Cut Expiration Looks When Your Payroll Clerk Emails You About It.

2012-01-18T12:51:00.001-08:00

You'll be hearing a lot more about the payroll tax cut expiration/extension fight over the next few weeks. Yes, the do-nothing Congress is taking up that debate again and, without congressional action, the tax cut expires on February 29th. Here's the way the implications of the expiration were reported to us by our payroll clerk.

[click image for larger view.]

And I'll be damned if that doesn't look like a 2% tax increase.

Who Doesn't Love Marcos Baghdatis?

2012-01-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

Here's Baghdad in some fierce sideline action at the 2012 Australian Open. You have to admire his good form and tenacious follow-through, though I fear he may have some trouble when his endorsement contract with Tecnifibre rackets comes up for renewal.

Obama's Pending Good Fortune

2012-01-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

Urination Rumination

2012-01-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

WRT the story of our Marines urinating on the dead Taliban fighters, we would do well to remember The Golden [Shower] Rule:

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Jackals

2012-01-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

"First of all, Juan [translation: black guy with mexican name]...

Overheard on Twitter: "The boisterous crowd at the South Carolina Republican debated was disappointed to hear there wasn't going to be a public hanging after the event."

Juvenile Janitors

2012-01-17T12:32:00.000-08:00

When doughy pile of smug white excrement Newt Gingrich argues that 11-and-12-year-old kids would do well to take over janitorial duties at their middle schools, he's not saying that little Joey Smith from suburban John Glenn Elementary School in Pleasant Valley, Indiana, ought to start swabbing lavatory floors, no, what Newt means is little Malik Jefferson at PS 162 in the Bronx should get used to the feel of a mop in his hands in preparation for the only job he'll ever be qualified for.

Newt Gingrich: His racism has sincere economic underpinnings.

What Are Words For?

2011-12-29T16:47:00.000-08:00

So I've got this dictionary at work that I rely on occasionally, the Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary. I keep it on hand (despite easy access to dictionary.com) because, well, you know, every wordsmith needs a good dictionary. The one I have at home is big enough that it sits on its own side stand.

So this particular work dictionary (copyright 1984) purports to contain "55,000 precise definitions, including many new words," which is interesting, because I've actually found four relatively common (and not "new") words that ARE NOT in this dictionary: luddite, swale, screed, and now recuse.

WTF Webster?

On the Recovery

2011-12-29T06:37:00.000-08:00

Each line on this graph charts the unemployment problem in the nation's various post-war recessions. The red line marks the current, prolonged Great Recession, which began in December of 2007. You can clearly see that the bottom of the unemployment trough came at month 24 (December 2009, 10 months into the Obama presidency), at which point it began a long, slow and still incomplete recovery.

President Obama took office in late January 2009. His policies were implemented -- despite constant and unrelenting opposition by the Republican Party -- through the spring, summer and fall, and ultimately these [admittedly too timid] changes did in fact begin to turn the economy around.

No one is saying the job is complete, and no one can be satisfied that enough has yet been done (particularly when it comes to mortgage modifications, foreclosure relief and additional stimulus spending), but as the red line in the graph shows, this ship has been turned, the iceberg avoided.

Now, if the Republicans would stop sabotaging the nation's fiscal health for the sole purpose of making the President look bad, we might be able to make some real advances. I believe the voters have awakened to the GOP's protracted policy of economic sabotage, and for that they will be repudiated and soundly defeated in November of 2012.

On Hitchens

2011-12-19T08:53:00.000-08:00

Christopher Hitchens was always one of my Dad's favorites. I recall one year for Christmas I got Dad a subscription to The Nation, which he enjoyed, of course, though he and I both suffered from a dreadful sense of "reading material overload" as the magazines would pile up on our respective bedside night-stands, folded open and dog-eared to this or that must-read expose.

"Too much good stuff but not enough time to read it all," Dad would say. I concurred, and in fact we both agreed it might be better to cancel our subscriptions altogether, rather than face the constant pressure of catching up on half-a-dozen 10,000 word essays about the lack drinking water in sub-Saharan Africa or the plight of the endangered Himalayan snow leopard.

"But what about Hitchens?" Dad would ask. "We need Hitchens."

And so for a long time we kept receiving The Nation, for the primary purpose of reading Hitchens' caustic, literary, semi-monthly take down of some sacred cow or another (his notorious, remorseless evisceration of Mother Teresa foremost among them).

When Hitchens, for some strange reason no one will ever fully understand, threw his formidable talents behind a staunch defense of George W. Bush's folly in Iraq, he was summarily bounced from The Nation, verily excommunicated from the liberal intelligentsia, and Dad and I -- though we certainly did not agree with Hitchens' transformation into a defender of American fascism -- had our built-in excuse for letting our subscriptions lapse.

No more Hitchens? No more Nation. I haven't really read the magazine since.

Occupy Wall Street: Iconic Photo

2011-11-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's a full dose of pepper-spray directly in the face.

Grammar Police Department

2011-11-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

I've come to the conclusion that people don't know what the word "approbation" means anymore. It's NOT a condemnation people! Quite the opposite, in fact.

The word you're thinking of is opprobrium. Learn it.

Chris Hedges Explains It All

2011-10-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges went on Canadian television, where (of all places) he was labeled a "left-wing nutbar," and then went on to explain in detail the goals and aspirations of the Occupy Wall Street movement....

Saturday, 11:30am, McCarthy's Irish Pub

2011-10-08T13:02:00.001-07:00

Hello, Old Friend..."

2011-10-08T07:18:00.000-07:00

Parents with a Sense of Humor the Macabre

2011-10-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

Here's something weird...Jani Lane, the recently deceased former lead singer of '80s hair metal band Warrant, died of acute alcohol poisoning. No, that's not the weird part. The weird part is that Jani Lane's real name was John Kennedy Oswald. He was born February 1, 1964, about two months after Lee Harvey Oswald shot John F. Kennedy.

"Somethin's Happenin' Here!!"

2011-10-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

Occupy Wall St.: "The Whole World is Watching"

2011-10-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

The shit hit the fan last night on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Today's Republican Party

2011-10-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Swift was right with the whole "Modest Proposal" thing.

Occupy Wall Street: Different Kind of Protest

2011-09-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Compare and contrast...

Tea Party Protester:

Occupy Wall Street Protester:

Christie: Will He or Won't He?

2011-09-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

Lots of speculation surrounding the plans of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, but one thing's for certain, whether he enters the presidential race or not, he's not gonna be "running" for anything anytime soon. In fact, a brisk walk might do him in.

Dumpster Expansion Party

2011-09-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

The city of SLO passed a new law recently requiring that all property owners keep their recycling bins stored away from the curb and out of plain view from the street. Violators face a ticket and a fine. It seemed a bit silly at the time, but if you've ever walked through my downtown neighborhood early on a Sunday morning you'll see blue and green bins spilled over up and down the block. They're too ripe a target for partiers on the way home from the bars, I suppose.

Wanting to avoid a fine that would need to be absorbed the the homeowners' association, my condo project got right on the issue, consulting with the city and the garbage company on what would be an acceptable storage area. We built an enclosure -- at a cost of several hundred dollars -- that fit quite nicely next to our trash enclosure.

Some of the college kids in our complex even got into the spirit of the thing and organized a "Dumpster Expansion Party," holding a ribbon cutting and BBQ to which we were all invited. We had a great time and it was a good ice-breaker between the college students and the regular folks who live there.

Here's the flyer for that event:

My favorite part is "Ribbon cutting @ 7:10 followed by otter pops"

Now comes word that 4 of the 5 sitting SLO city council members are in open violation of the ordnance. Andrew Carter, the boorish harrumph who was leader of the city's recent anti-union Measures A&B, remained openly defiant and largely unrepentant when confronted about the unlawful location of his bins. Hey there fella, get with the program. I didn't write the law...you did.

So here we have four city officials openly ignoring a law they wrote -- a law most residents still view as ridiculous but has cost many no small expense. That's just the sort of "above the law" behavior that sours us all on politicians.

No More Free Lunch...

2011-09-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

or Last Meal either, apparently.

Rich Get Richer

2011-09-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Who cares about wealth disparity?

Republican America: A Whole 'Nother Country

2011-09-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Far be it from me to defend Rick Perry, but when his support of in-state tuition fees for the children of illegal immigrants is the issue that drives Republican voters to support Herman Cain -- or anybody else -- instead of him, it makes clear that it's Republican voters who are the problem, not Rick Perry.

Beware the "Bolivarian Socialists"

2011-09-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

In yet another WTF? Republican moment, former Senator Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum warns America to beware of the "Bolivarian socialists in Central and South America." Once again, in the ongoing debate between "Are They Lying?" and "Are They Stupid?," we still can't make a reasonable determination, though it's perfectly clear these manipulative, cynical Republican candidates believe quite fully in the dull ignorance and easy pliability of their shallow and completely uniformed constituency. This freaky statement opens with simple utter lunacy and concludes with the most treacly of jingoistic platitudes. "Bolivarian Socialists???"

Train Wreck

2011-09-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

This makes me laugh.

Nevermind Turns 20

2011-09-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

Nirvana's masterpiece was released 20 years ago today.

Politics in America: 2011

2011-09-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Playing the Race Card

2011-09-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Perhaps some teabaggers out there can explain to me how this isn't racist.

Republican Lunacy and Barbarism on Display

2011-09-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

So we've had a few Republican debates now, enough that we can begin to get a feel for the specific mental health problems facing each of the candidates -- not to mention Rick Santorum's "Google" problem -- but I think the more important thing we've learned is that the Republican activists sitting in the audience at these fiascoes are truly barbarous lunatics. Let's review:

At one debate, the crowd cheered when Texas Governor Rick Perry spoke of his state's liberal (I use the term loosely) use of the death penalty. Perry has signed the death warrants for 234 men, and apparently that's cause for celebration in Republican quarters.

At another debate, audience members shouted "Let them die!" when Ron Paul fielded a hypothetical question about what should be done for a man chose not to buy health insurance and then became deathly ill. Interestingly, that hypothetical closely paralleles the real-life story of one of Ron Paul's key campaign aides, a man in his 30s who died for lack of adequate health insurance.

Last night, when a soldier on a Skype call from Iraq asked candidate Rick Santorum if he intended reinstate "Don't Ask Don't Tell" should he become president, audience members gave him a lusty round of boos when he mentioned he is gay.

These people live among us.

ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL

2011-09-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

It's a sign of the times I guess. Today at work we had what's called an ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL. Works much like an earthquake or fire drill, except in this case what we are practicing for is an armed madman rampaging through the building. We were all instructed to head into the break room, turn out the lights and sit tight for 20 or 30 minutes while the first responders took control of the building. Thankfully, everything went according to plan. Nobody got shot.

Final Thought Regarding the Death Penalty

2011-09-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

This article in the LA Times compares the general public reaction to the same-day executions of Troy Davis and Lawrence Brewer. Some are wondering how it can be that so many came to the defense of Davis, while so few spoke out on behalf of Brewer. Though the circumstances and particulars of each case were decidedly different, both men maintained their innocence to the end. I remain steadfast in my position:

The Lawrence Brewers of the world must be allowed to live, if only so that the Troy Davis's of the world do not have to die.

The execution of one innocent man is one enough too many.

Well Put

2011-09-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

Taking up the issue of the fools who govern this country, and the idiots who support them, a commenter on the Internets this morning explained things as follows:

"We are an undeveloping nation."

That sounds about right.

More on the "Buffett Rule"

2011-09-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

What do you think is the best reason yet for implementing President Obama's proposed "Buffett Rule" increasing taxes on people making more than $1,000,000 per year? That it will help get the country's finances in order? No. That it will help reduce the deficit and the national debt? Heck no. That it will free up money for stimulus projects, infrastructure repair and maintenance and aid to the nation's ever-growing pool of needy people? Oh hell no. The best reason for implementing President Obama's proposed "Buffett Rule" is that it may very well compel that bombastic blowhard Bill O'Reilly to pick up his ball and go home.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, you idiot.

Some Actual Straight Talk from Elizabeth Warren

2011-09-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

The Best Thing Barack Obama Has Going for Him.

2011-09-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

Winning Strategy

2011-09-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

I'm beginning to like this new and improved Barack Obama. If he sticks to his guns on his proposed "Buffett Rule" (a big if, I know), regardless of whether it passes in the short run, he will have burnished his credentials as a progressive voice and placed himself in good position for the economic debate that's sure to be on the table in the upcoming 2012 election.

“Middle class families shouldn’t pay higher taxes than millionaires and billionaires,” the president declared. “That’s pretty straightforward. It’s hard to argue against that. Warren Buffett’s secretary shouldn’t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett. There’s no justification for it.”

"This isn't class warfare; it's math."

2011-09-19T20:09:00.001-07:00

Millionaires' Tax

2011-09-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

At least the President has finally put this proposal on the table. Now I'd like to see him actually fight to get it enacted. A strong majority of the populace supports this kind of taxation plan (more than 60% in most polls). Obama needs to understand he can negotiate on this issue from a position of strength.