Friday, May 31, 2013

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

James Comey is nominated to head up the FBI. What does that mean?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/05/on_comey.php
If you didn’t follow the trials and tribulations of the Bush Justice Department — or you did and your memory is fading — then the significance of President Obama naming James Comey to be FBI director may be lost on you. Comey was one of the good guys in a very dark period for the department and for the country. The complete story of that period still remains unknown, but it began to unravel in part with the U.S. attorney scandal in 2007. . . .

Watch: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/05/30/james-comey-and-the-most-watchable-20-minutes-of-congressional-testimony-maybe-ever/
James Comey and the most riveting 20 minutes of congressional testimony. Maybe ever.

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/30/18612173-obama-taps-comey-for-fbi

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/james-comey-wont-be-a-pushover-at-the-fbi/2013/05/30/d06fe21a-c956-11e2-8da7-d274bc611a47_blog.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-the-loop-james-comey-a-tough-cookie/2013/05/30/5d81ff54-c951-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html?
 
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/05/obama-wants-bush-defying-republican-to-lead-fbi.html
 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/30/james-comey-fbi-bush-nsa
 

 
This news won't shock you

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/05/cbo-study-tax-expenditures.php
Study: Tax Expenditures Favor High Income Earners

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/05/tax-expenditures-favor-rich-%E2%80%94-probably-less-cbo-says

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_05/the_politics_of_tax_expenditur045008.php

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/30/heres-who-gets-the-biggest-tax-breaks-in-one-chart/ 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/30/1212640/-Surprise-CBO-report-shows-50-of-government-tax-expenditures-go-to-top-20-of-earners
 
Nor will this

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/politicos-allen-lets-one-slip-republicans
ALLEN: Privately, Republicans say that Benghazi probably wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for Hillary Clinton. . . . [read on]

A Cruz missile

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com.es/2013/05/ted-cruz-is-dangerous-man-by.html
Ted Cruz is a dangerous man

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/05/30/ted-cruz-is-turning-out-to-be-a-very-effective-demagogue/

I love the dynamics where totally failed politicians try to reconstruct their relevance

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/30/ann-romney-were-partial-to-paul-ryan-in-2016
In her first solo interview since the presidential election, Ann Romney told CBS News that she and her husband favor Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) in the 2016 race. . . .

There is a reason why the Republican party can't shake its reputation as hostile to minorities . . . because it is

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/schlafly-advises-republicans-ignore-hispanic
Schlafly Advises Republicans: Ignore Hispanics and 'Reach Out to... White Voters'

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/30/18622471-phyllis-schlafly-urges-gop-to-focus-on-white-voters

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/05/30/just-what-the-gop-needs-more-outreach-to-white-voters/

The kind of people they are

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_05/the_misogynist_public_policy_a045023.php
The Misogynist Public Policy Agenda

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/30/18633347-erickson-takes-aim-at-a-lazy-beta-male-msnbc-producer

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/erick-erickson-liberals-who-believe-men-sho

More!

http://americablog.com/2013/05/fox-news-is-apoplectic-that-women-are-earning-more-money-nowadays.html
Fox News is apoplectic that women are increasingly becoming primary breadwinner
***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


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Thursday, May 30, 2013

THE GOODBYE GIRL

Like Sarah!, Michele! starts planning the next phase of her career

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_05/farewell_to_a_forerunner044986.php
In an excrutiating video (yes, I watched the entire eight minutes and thirty-nine seconds) from her campaign, Rep. Michele Bachmann announced she would not, after all, be running for a fifth term in 2014. Long as her “announcement” was—she managed to work in her entire biography, talking points on Benghazi! and the IRS, a shot at her “detractors” and a great big shout-out to God—she never really explained why she was hanging it up, though she did allow as how it had nothing to do with her growing ethics problems or with the fact that she was facing what Politico called an “existential threat” in a rematch with 2012 opponent Jim Graves. . . .

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/05/reading-between-the-lines-of-michele-bachmanns-retirement-speech/276332/ 
Reading Between the Lines of Michele Bachmann's Retirement Speech [don't miss it!]
 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/05/29/paul-ryan-admits-gop-cant-govern-without-a-hostage-crisis/
Rep. Paul Ryan, the House GOP’s budgetary chieftain, gave a brief but remarkable interview to the Washington Examiner’s David Drucker in which he essentially conceded that Republicans will only negotiate with Democrats over the budget if they can hold the U.S. economy hostage to increase their leverage. . . .

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/29/18590597-where-congress-manages-to-excel
Pillory Congress all you want as do-nothing or dysfunctional, as its critics often have. But in one respect, lawmakers in the Capitol are remarkably productive: they name post offices like nobody's business. . . .

It's a matter of where you put your energies

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/priebus-has-good-feeling-issa-will-have-quit
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on Tuesday promised that "this is just the beginning" of Republicans in Congress investigating President Barack Obama. . . . [read on]

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/29/18584725-issas-summer-fun-already-underway

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_05/special_prosecutor_not_reckles045002.php

Well, duh

http://www.cmpa.com/media_room_press_05_28_13.html
Media Fact-Checker Says Republicans Lie More

Yeah, armed guards will protect our schools

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/security-guard-at-ny-high-school-arrested-for 
Security Guard At N.Y. High School Arrested For Threatening To Blow Up School

Bonus item: I'm speechless

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/gun-rights-group-gives-ammo-as-gifts-to
Gun rights advocates in Colorado are taking an innovative approach in their quest to take down Colorado Senate President John Morse (D), who, as a term-limited lame duck, pushed a number of gun-control measures through the state legislature this year.

Volunteers working with the Basic Freedom Defense Fund and El Paso County Freedom Defense Fund to recall Morse, can win gun-themed prizes, including a 30-round ammunition magazine, gift cards and a 9 mm pistol. . . .

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

OBSTRUCTIONISM

It's about time

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/05/obama-three-nominations-dc-circuit-court.php
No More Mr. Nice Guy: Obama Squeezes Senate Republicans On The Filibuster

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/28/obama-to-offer-three-nominees-at-once-to-the-d-c-circuit/

http://prospect.org/article/republicans-looking-sheepish-obama-court-nominees

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com.es/2013/05/hypocrisy-to-10th-power.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/05/28/todays-gop-is-fundamentally-unserious-about-governing/
Today’s GOP is fundamentally unserious about governing 

Failed GOP pols accuse Obama of "naive" foreign policy 

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/disgraced-former-speaker-gingrich-calls-ob 

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/peter-king-offended-obama-cited-moral-reason 

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_05/cant_see_the_forest_for_the_pi044980.php 
If Peter Baker’s reporting is at all accurate, then the vast majority of reporters and observers who covered the president’s National Defense University remarks last week as a “drone policy speech” (the heading Baker’s own New York Times gave to the speech transcript), or as a collection of hastily-assembled talking points responding to “scandals,” really did miss the bigger story . . . 

The states, Obamacare, and GOP obstruction 

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/obamacare-update-blue-states-great-red-stat 

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/05/shortcomings-of-al-qaedas-worst-employee.html
The Corporate Shortcomings of Al Qaeda's Most Difficult Employee

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

Monday, May 27, 2013

MORAL AUTHORITY

So now Obama lacks the "moral authority" to be President. And look who's talking . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/26/rand-paul-obama-is-losing-moral-authority/

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/sarah-palins-epic-con-game-continues

The sharpest critics of the growing extremism of the GOP continue to be within their own party

http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/gop-aides-frustrated-house-republicans

Bob Dole: I couldn't have made it in today's GOP, and neither could Nixon or Ronald Reagan

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/05/dole-doesnt-think-hed-make-it-in-todays-gop.html
"They ought to put a sign on the National Committee doors that says 'Closed for repairs' . ."

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/05/bob-dole-reagan-gop-fox.php

Need proof?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/steve-king-blames-reagan-obama-presidency
Steve King Blames Ronald Reagan For Obama Presidency

Bryan Fischer, theocrat and professional hater, now says the "Boy Scouts of America" should be renamed

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/bryan-fischers-head-explodes-over-boy-scout

More: http://www.samefacts.com/2013/05/gay-rights/just-askin-2/

If there is an investigation of the IRS review of conservative groups, will it include evidence that some of these groups REALLY WERE breaking the law?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/05/27/some-tea-party-groups-examined-by-the-irs-indeed-crossed-the-line/

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

Saturday, May 25, 2013

THE END?

The end of the overblown Benghazi scandal?


http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/two-top-republicans-support-nuland-nomination/
Two of the strongest Republican critics of the Obama administration’s handling of the attack on the diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, offered strong support nonetheless on Friday for the nomination of Victoria Nuland, who played a role in editing the much-disputed talking points about the incident. . . 

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/24/senate-republicans-praise-victoria-nuland

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/05/quizzical.php

The end of the game for Obamacare opponents?

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/05/sadly-republicans-obamacare-not-likely-be-train-wreck  

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/24/18473419-putting-the-train-wreck-on-hold

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/05/california_getting_obamacare_right.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_05/obamacare_in_california_revers044923.php

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/24/everything-you-know-about-employers-and-obamacare-is-wrong

GOPers still can't decide what their economic policies are

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/25/us/politics/approach-to-debt-widens-rift-among-gop-senators.html 

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/24/1203291/-Debt-limit-budget-fight-fracturing-GOP

Every now and then, John McCain really does act like a maverick

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/24/18469667-mccain-manages-to-surprise

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/05/why-john-mccain-hates-republicans-again.html

Meanwhile, trouble brewing for AG Eric Holder


Bonus item: Hey, maybe the world ISN'T going to hell

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/24/these-31-charts-will-destroy-your-faith-in-humanity/

Or maybe it is: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/hungry.html 

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

Friday, May 24, 2013

NOT QUITE


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/opinion/obama-vows-to-end-of-the-perpetual-war.html
The End of the Perpetual War

Analysis: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_05/a_speech_being_chased_by_memes044912.php
A Speech Being Chased By Memes

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/05/23/obamas-speech-an-imperfect-effort-to-reconcile-national-security-with-american-values/
An imperfect effort to reconcile national security with American values

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/analysis-obama-expresses-regrets-but-seeks-to-retain-anti-terror-powers/2013/05/23/a99cc93c-c3de-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html
Obama expresses regrets but seeks to retain anti-terror powers

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2013/05/23/three-takeaways-from-president-obamas-terrorism-speech
Obama’s Terrorism Speech Was a Beginning, Not an End

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/05/obama-kinda-sorta-narrows-scope-war-terror
Obama Kinda Sorta Narrows the Scope of the War on Terror

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/05/obama-guards-his-left-over-terrorism.html
Obama Guards His Left Over Terrorism

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/23/18451126-this-war-like-all-wars-must-end
'This war, like all wars, must end'

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-0523-singer-obama-national-security-20130523,0,1236727.story
Finally, Obama breaks his silence on drones

http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/05/23/obamas-finger-is-on-the-trigger-except-where-it-matters
Obama’s Finger Is On the Trigger Except Where It Matters

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2013/05/23/obamas-drone-speech-despite-pr-spin-america-not-shifting-away-from-treating-world-as-a-battlefield/
Despite PR Spin, America Not Shifting Away from Treating World as a Battlefield

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/view_from_chicago/2013/05/obama_s_speech_he_s_just_like_bush_in_pushing_the_limits_of_executive_power.html
Don’t be fooled by Obama’s speech. On executive power, he’s just like Bush.

Video: http://news.firedoglake.com/2013/05/23/obama-speech-on-terrorism-policies/

Text: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/read-transcript-of-obamas-speech-on-counterterrorism-policy

From the loyal opposition?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/05/who_could_have_imagined.php
Who could have imagined that a Senator who came into office on a commercial morphing his opponent into Osama bin Laden would declare Obama speech a victory for terrorists.

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/24/18466808-obamas-national-security-strategy-receives-chilly-gop-reception

Some good news for Obamacare

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/24/wonkbook-some-very-good-news-for-obamacare/

Lois Lerner OUT at IRS

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/us/politics/irs-official-who-refused-to-testify-is-put-on-leave.html

Damn you, Harry

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/05/harry-reid-nuclear-option-immigration-reform.php
Harry Reid Downplays Nuclear Option Threats

Maybe this is why: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/23/1211234/-In-minor-McConnell-cave-on-filibuster-Srinivasan-wins-confirmation-in-Senate 

It's something

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/24/18467334-boy-scouts-to-end-discrimination-against-gay-kids
Boy Scouts to end discrimination against gay kids

How Fox does polling

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/23/18444814-adventures-in-fox-polling

And . . . voila! http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/21/fox-news-poll-obama-ratings-dip-voters-say-government-out-control/
[Fox News] After a week of revelations about government spying on reporters and the Internal Revenue Service targeting conservatives, most voters feel “like the federal government has gotten out of control and is threatening the basic civil liberties of Americans.”  . . .

Bonus item: Can't anybody shut this guy up?

http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/rumsfeld-suggests-gay-marriage-could-l
Rumsfeld Suggests Gay Marriage Could Lead to Polygamy




***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***