PORKERS

Sunday sermon

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2010/08/real-rainmen.html
What are normal, well-adjusted people to think about the confused mixed signals that emanate from the deranged and damaged minds of today’s Republicans? . . . [read on!]

How Repubs have worked to keep the “Obama is Muslim” myth alive

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/08/lawmakers-who-push-the-birther.html

The latest GOP “insight” – would Muslim countries let us build a Christian church near a “ground zero” site of their own? Then why should we let them build one near ours?

Because we need to take our guidance on religious tolerance from those countries

http://firedoglake.com/2010/08/21/late-night-andy-mccarthy-attempts-thought-experiment-neglects-thought-part/

http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/saudi-arabia-has-terrible-record-religious-freedom/

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/07/21/gingrich_we_should_be_like_the_saudis

Burning the Koran

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/66544

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/fire_department_denies_florida_churchs_plans_to_burn_korans.php

Obama successfully winds down the Iraq war – but of course in the press this becomes a “problem” for him

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/us/politics/22obama.html

More: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/114945-mccain-bush-deserves-some-credit-for-iraq-troop-exit
McCain says Bush administration deserves 'some credit' for Iraq troop exit

[NB: OK, I can credit that: Bush finally listened to his generals and shifted strategies after years of futility. But if Bush deserves “some” – doesn’t that mean Obama deserves “some” too, John?]

Can the Dems pass the DISCLOSE Act – or at least make the Repubs pay for blocking it?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/21/894959/-Obama-demands-action-on-corporate-donor-disclosure

http://expressadvocacy.com/?p=2365

Rekindling the culture war

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025321.php

Newt Gingrich, ever the opportunist, turns total teabagger

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/21/gingrich_book_aligns_with_tea_party_message.html

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/22/895215/-Sunday-TalkA-Lie-Grows-in-Washington
Meet the Press: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY); Chairman of FreedomWorks/Former Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX); Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D); Roundtable: Former Rep. Rick Lazio (R-NY), Jeffrey Goldberg (The Atlantic), Paul Gigot (Wall Street Journal) and Katty Kay (BBC).

Face the Nation: Commander of US Forces in Iraq Gen. Ray Odierno; Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Author Greg Mortensen ("Stones into Schools").

This Week with Christiane Amanpour: Afghan President Hamid Karzai; Wife of Imam Feisal Abdul-Rauf Daisy Khan; Head of the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan Rabbi Joy Levitt; Roundtable: George Will (Washington Post), Judy Woodruff (PBS), Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich and Al Hunt (Bloomberg).

State of the Union: Commander of US Forces in Iraq Gen. Ray Odierno; Fromer Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers (Ret.); Former US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad; Former Commander of US Central Command Adm. William Fallon (Ret.); Reliable Sources: Michael Martin (NPR); Ramesh Ponnuru (National Review); Todd Purdum (Vanity Fair).

The Chris Matthews Show: Gloria Borger (CNN); Dan Rather (HDNet); John Heilemann (New York magazine); Michele Norris (NPR).

Fareed Zakaria GPS: Peter Beinart (Daily Beast); Brett Stephens (Wall Street Journal); Pakistani Politician Imran Ali; Harvard University Professor Niall Ferguson; Nina Hachigan (Center for American Progress); Claremont McKenna College Professor Minxin Pei; Author Zachary Karabell.

Bonus item: So, if Obama has to “prove” he isn’t Muslim, how does he do that? The ridiculous pork debate . . .

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/08/obamas-porkilicious-taqiyya/

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/08/muslimy_obama.html#photo=1x58227

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/04/obama-savors-some-very-special.html

Lots more: http://www.google.com/search?q=obama+eat+pork&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

***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.***

JUST SICK

This is turning evil

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/franklin-graham-i-think-the-presidents-problem-is-that-he-was-born-a-muslim-video.php
Franklin Graham, the Christian evangelist and son of Billy Graham, offered an explanation for the suspicions that some people have about President Obama's religion, during an appearance Thursday night on CNN.

"I think the president's problem is that he was born a Muslim, his father was a Muslim. The seed of Islam is passed through the father like the seed of Judaism is passed through the mother. He was born a Muslim, his father gave him an Islamic name" . . .

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/39143

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/66470

It’s Obama’s fault, huh?

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Obama-has-himself-to-blame-for-Muslim-problem-101123634.html
Obama has himself to blame for Muslim problem

Oh really? http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/08/muslimy_obama.html
Thirteen Really Muslim Things Obama Has Done

Who to blame, really

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/poll_most_of_those_who_think_o.html
Poll: Most of those who think Obama is Muslim learned it from media

More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/people_who_hate_obama_think_he.html

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/sociological-overthink-reason-why-right.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/20/894878/-Article-VI-of-the-U.S.-Constitution

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/20/894832/-Questioning-faith

Fox makes it worse

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/persecuted_christians_in_the_east_coast.php

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/39150

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/jon-stewart-is-fox-news-a-terrorist-command-center-video.php

Michael Steele does it again

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/21/rnc_has_just_5_million.html
The RNC "spent twice as much as it raised in July, leaving the committee with just over $5 million on hand with less than three months left before the 2010 midterm elections," the Washington Post reports.

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/dem-senate-campaigncommittee-outraises-gop.php

Keep trying

http://www.americablog.com/2010/08/effort-to-make-sharron-angle-appear.html
The effort to make Sharron Angle appear normal

A trend?

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/08/18/video-new-mexico-gop-governor-gary-johnson-says-legalize-marijuana-now/
New Mexico GOP Governor Gary Johnson Says Legalize Marijuana Now

DR’s Corner: Decriminalizing drugs – A Tea Party wedge issue?

http://theweek.com/article/index/203785/why-the-tea-party-must-support-legalizing-drugs
So far, in a political climate characterized by economic discontent, the Tea Party movement has managed to "sidestep the divisions" between its libertarian and conservative wings. But drug policy will force it to come down on one side . . .

England: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7949342/Cocaine-should-be-legal-says-top-doctor.html
"Professor Sir Ian Gilmore said making drugs such as heroin and cocaine legal would “drastically” cut crime and addicts’ health problems. . . . State-regulated use of drugs would also save money and avert the need to try to stop drug production in countries such as Afghanistan, he said."

Mexico: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-09/mexico-ex-president-fox-calls-for-drug-legalization-as-way-to-end-violence.html
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said his country should legalize the production and sale of drugs in order to curb rising cartel-related violence. . . Legalizing narcotics would curtail funding to organized crime groups, who are using profits from the drug trade to consolidate power, Fox wrote yesterday on his personal website. . . . “Radical prohibition strategies have never worked,” Fox said. “The cost of the fight against organized crime, and in particular narcotics trafficking, has been enormous in our country.”

Peru: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/02/06/peru.drugs/index.html
Gustavo Sierra, mayor of the Surquillo district in Lima, Peru has suggested that the federal government legalize illicit drugs and administer them through the national health ministry.

Brazil: http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2007/mar/07/latin_america_brazilian_governor
The governor of the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro told reporters last Friday that legalizing drugs could help stem the violent crime that is making the city of Rio one of the most dangerous in Latin America. In doing so, he took a swipe at United States-style prohibitionist policies. . . . "A lot of crime in my state and city comes from [drug] prohibition, many young people die in wars over drug selling spots," said Gov. Sérgio Cabral. He called for a discussion of drug legalization in Brazil and internationally. "Is the United States correct in its conservative policy on drugs? In my view, absolutely incorrect," he said.

Bolivia: http://www.alternet.org/drugs/95692/the_coca_wars_are_futile,_but_drug_legalization_is_win-win/
Bolivian farmers deserve better than harassment over a traditional crop they economically need, making the Morales administration's tolerance of coca growing just. But supply-side anti-drug efforts are futile in term of the ultimate goal, and people around the world affected by cocaine and the illegal trade deserve better too. Only global legalization can stop the violence and corruption that characterize the illegal drug trade. Addicted users will also feel freer to seek help when they are not considered criminals, and will be less likely to do harm to themselves or others in the meanwhile. Ending drug prohibition is a win-win proposition.

Portugal: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html
The question is, does the new policy work? At the time, critics in the poor, socially conservative and largely Catholic nation said decriminalizing drug possession would open the country to "drug tourists" and exacerbate Portugal's drug problem; the country had some of the highest levels of hard-drug use in Europe. But the recently released results of a report commissioned by the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, suggest otherwise. . . . The paper, published by Cato in April, found that in the five years after personal possession was decriminalized, illegal drug use among teens in Portugal declined and rates of new HIV infections caused by sharing of dirty needles dropped, while the number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction more than doubled.

United Nations: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/24/un-backs-drug-decriminali_n_220013.html
In an about face, the United Nations on Wednesday lavishly praised drug decriminalization in its annual report on the state of global drug policy. In previous years, the UN drug czar had expressed skepticism about Portugal's decriminalization, which removed criminal penalties in 2001 for personal drug possession and emphasized treatment over incarceration. The UN had suggested the policy was in violation of international drug treaties and would encourage "drug tourism." . . . But in its 2009 World Drug Report, the UN had little but kind words for Portugal's radical (by U.S. standards) approach. "These conditions keep drugs out of the hands of those who would avoid them under a system of full prohibition, while encouraging treatment, rather than incarceration, for users. Among those who would not welcome a summons from a police officer are tourists, and, as a result, Portugal's policy has reportedly not led to an increase in drug tourism," reads the report. "It also appears that a number of drug-related problems have decreased."

USA: http://www.justice.gov/dea/demand/speakout/06so.htm
Legalization proponents claim, absurdly, that making illegal drugs legal would not cause more of these substances to be consumed, nor would addiction increase. They claim that many people can use drugs in moderation and that many would choose not to use drugs, just as many abstain from alcohol and tobacco now. . . .

Bonus item: “Mama grizzlies” growl back at Palin – and she doesn’t like it

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/18/palin-celebrates-19th-amendment/



***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.***

THEN AND NOW

The DOUBLING of the number of people who think Obama is Muslim needs explaining. Obviously there was an effort to press this myth early on (the birthers, etc), but why such a sharp increase recently? Is it Obama’s position on the Ground Zero Mosque? Or something worse?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/poll-number-of-americans-who-think-obama-is-a-muslim-nearly-doubles.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025276.php

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/19/obama_muslim_poll

http://www.slate.com/id/2264539/

Watch: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#38777659

Not good

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/19/894587/-Half-a-million-new-jobless-claims-filed
Half a million new jobless claims filed

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025287.php
MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD DO SOMETHING

Did the “government takeover” of GM work?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/business/19auto.html
General Motors filed Wednesday for a landmark public stock offering that would let the federal government begin selling off its stake in the automaker as well as raise money for G.M.’s turnaround. . . .

Remember? http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=49007
Government Takeover of GM ‘Just Short of Socialism,’ Economists Say

http://www2.mcdowellnews.com/news/2009/jun/02/britt-combs-government-takeover-gm-heralds-end-fre-ar-2940/
Britt Combs: Government takeover of GM heralds end of free market

http://hubpolitics.com/2009/06/01/romney-critical-of-government-takeover-of-gm/
Romney Critical of Government Takeover of GM

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/02/republicans-see-gm-takeover-as-election-weapon/
GOP eyes GM takeover as election tool

Obama’s “tax hike time bomb”

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025274.php
[Steve Benen] No one should be surprised. Rove has been lying to voters, just as a matter of course, throughout his career. For a campaign operation organized by the activist/hatchet-man/media-personality to base its work on playing voters for fools is entirely predictable.

But as Rove's lies go, this one takes some chutzpah. It was Rove's White House, after all, that crafted and approved irresponsible tax cuts -- which failed miserably in their stated goal -- and put an expiration date on them. It wasn't Obama, and it wasn't Democrats -- Rove's White House played a budget game and set the lower rates to expire at the end of 2010.

If it's a "bomb," Rove helped set the timer. He has no reason to whine (or lie) about it now. . . .

Reality check: http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/08/19/tax-cut-extensions-and-estate-tax-repeal-would-double-federal-deficit-in-2014/
Tax Cut Extensions and Estate Tax Repeal Would Double Federal Deficit in 2014

Sharron Angle (R-NV) now says: I’ve ALWAYS been for phasing out Social Security. Makes your head spin, doesn’t it?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/angle-i-havent-changed-my-mind-on-phasing-out-social-security.php

Didn’t she just say this? http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/08/12/4875847-angles-180-degree-turn-on-social-security
"I’d like to save Social Security by locking the lock box, putting the money back into the Trust Fund so government can no longer raid our retirement."

Palin then, Palin now

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/palin-in-february-wed-be-appalled-if-public-figure-used-n-word.php
"Just as we'd be appalled if any public figure of Rahm's stature ever used the "N-word" or other such inappropriate language . . ." [read on]

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/sarah-palins-first-amendment-confusion-deepens

http://firedoglake.com/2010/08/20/well-thank-goodness/

Has she peaked?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/19/palin_bumped_to_smaller_arena.html
Slow ticket sales for an upcoming Sarah Palin appearance in Florida have forced organizers to move her from a 2,936 seat arena to one that seats just 609 people, the Florida Times Union reports.

Random nuttiness

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/sharron-angle-black-color-evil
Sharron Angle: "Black is the color of evil"

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/coulter-claims-14th-amendment-doesnt
Coulter claims 14th Amendment doesn't guarantee citizenship as a birthright

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/39097
Chris Hayes Calls Out the 'Wingnut Alchemy' of Pam Geller

Too far

http://mydd.com/2010/8/19/a-5
Last night, the Roy Blunt campaign posted a gross web video with an image of 9/11 rubble and a Robin Carnahan statement about the proposed Park51 project. . . .

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/gop_senate_candidate_yanks_vid.html
This one is ugly. . . .

http://www.firedupmissouri.com/content/confronted-press-blunt-campaign-pulls-gross-web-ad-911-image
Confronted By The Press, Blunt Campaign Pulls Web Ad

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025280.php

The 2012 GOP lineup: is this the best they can do?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/19/haley_barbour_2012

The real powers within the GOP

http://washingtonindependent.com/95213/what-makes-barbour-so-powerful

http://mydd.com/2010/8/20/jim-demi

Move away from the mouse and keyboard . . . s-l-o-w-l-y

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/alabama-candidate-uses-horrible-photoshop-to-gain-nick-sabans-endorsement.php
Alabama Candidate Uses Horrible Photoshop To Gain Nick Saban's "Endorsement"

Bonus item: The kind of party they are

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/republican-babes-are-smokin-hot-dems-are-definitely-not-says-mn-gop.php
Want to see part of the brilliant strategy Minnesota Republicans have cooked up for November? Here's a video the state GOP made that shows how totally hot conservative babes are, and how nasty (and hairy) liberal women are. The crafty video, via Mother Jones, first goes through pictures of super sexy Republican babes -- like Sarah Palin, all the Fox News hotties, and so on -- set to Tom Jones' "She's a Lady." Ooh, they're so hot. Then come the Democrats! This one took a lot of brain power, and Photoshop skills, to get the point across. With the Baha Men's classic "Who Let the Dogs Out?" playing in the background, you'll see Rosie O'Donnell's head pasted onto Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's recently waterboarded body, Janeane Garofalo several times, as well as former US Attorney General Janet Reno and very old, former White House reporter Helen Thomas. They even remembered Cindy Sheehan. . . .

Watch: http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/08/state-gop-our-chicks-are-hot-dems-are-fugly-video-sexist

***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.***

THINNING OUT

When do we declare the Iraq war over?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/39112

“Thinning out” the US presence in Afghanistan?

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/08/petraeus-afghan-strategy/

More: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/08/petraeus-campaign-plan/

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/08/petraeus-interview/

Pakistan?

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/65871

Sharron Angle (R-NV) says she doesn’t want to eliminate Social Security . . . she just wants to stop funding it

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/flashback-angle-told-reid-in-1993-to-stop-funding-entitlement-programs.php

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/liberal-groups-ad-slams-angle-for-aping-pinochet-on-social-security-video.php

Theocracy watch

http://www.slate.com/id/2264348/
Is Sharron Angle a Christian Reconstructionist?

Sarah!

http://www.slate.com/id/2264424/
"Who hijacked term:'feminist'?A cackle of rads who want 2 crucify other women w/whom they disagree on a singular issue; it's ironic (& passé)."

A third

http://mydd.com/2010/8/18/a-third-of
A Third of Republicans Think Obama is a Muslim

Intra-Republican fights used to be about “who loves the Constitution more?” Now they’re about “who wants to amend the Constitution more?”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/louisiana-republicans-agree-scrap-birthright-citizenship-17th-amendment.php

Senate forecast, as things stand today

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/18/894379/-Senate-Forecast,-August-18

Chris Dodd (D-CT) has shifted his attacks on Elizabeth Warren, from “she’s qualified but I don’t think the Senate will confirm her,” to “I’m not sure she’s qualified.” Why?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/18/894225/-Dodd-ups-his-war-against-Elizabeth-Warren

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/08/18/how-a-previously-qualified-elizabeth-warren-became-unqualified-according-to-a-previously-progressive-chris-dodd/

http://firedoglake.com/2010/08/18/desperate-dodd-grabbing-at-straws-to-stop-warren-nomination/

Bonus item: Out-Foxed

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025267.php
Fox News' parent company, News Corp, raised some eyebrows with its $1 million contribution to the Republican Governors Association. There's just no modern precedent for a media conglomerate to offer this kind of financial support to a party's campaign committee.

Today, Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, contacted Fox News CEO Roger Ailes with a suggestion of sorts. The network's news division, Daschle said, should add a disclaimer during its coverage of gubernatorial races. He even wrote a sample script of what Fox News' on-air talent should say: "News Corp., parent company of Fox News, provided $1 million to defeat Democratic governors in November." . . . [read on]

***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.***

PROXIMITY ALERT

Playing the Mosque card

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/sarah-palin-why-are-the-muslims-choosing-a-location-just-a-block-or-two-away-from-911.php
Sarah Palin: Why Are The Muslims Choosing A Location 'Just A Block Or Two Away From 9/11'

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/rand-paul-muslims-should-give-to-911-victims-fund-instead-of-whining-about-cordoba.php
Rand Paul: Muslims Should Give To 9/11 Victims Fund Instead Of Building Mosque Near Ground Zero

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/rubio-muslims-around-the-world-should-look-on-the-cordoba-house-situation-and-smile.php
Rubio: 'Ground Zero Mosque' Controversy Won't Hurt U.S.-Muslim Relations

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/tim-pawlenty-says-ground-zero-mosque-imams-outreach-disgusting-and-dangerous-video.php
Tim Pawlenty Says 'Ground Zero Mosque' Imam's Outreach 'Disgusting' And 'Dangerous'

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/pat-buchanan-says-newt-gingrich-went-too-far-with-ground-zero-mosque-comments-video.php
Pat Buchanan Says Newt Gingrich Went Too Far With 'Ground Zero Mosque' Comments

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/chris-christie-both-sides-using-ground-zero-mosque-as-political-football.php
Chris Christie: Both Sides Using 'Ground Zero Mosque' As 'Political Football'

[NB: Both sides, huh?]

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/17/893809/-GOPers-nationwide-make-mosque-a-top-2010-issue
GOPers nationwide make mosque a top 2010 issue

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/love_the_smell_of_hate_speech_in_the_morning.php

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/08/17/courage

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/17/AR2010081705860.html
Some Republican figures urge candidates not to focus on Ground Zero mosque issue

Political opportunism aside, what are the consequences of igniting a culture war with Islam?

http://crooksandliars.com/brad-reed/reigniting-crusades-probably-bad-idea

Bet you didn’t know this (because the press doesn’t think it’s relevant)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/17/893781/-How-close-is-too-close
[Jed Lewison] Question for the anti-mosque activists in the GOP and the conservative movement: how close is too close?

The reason I ask is that there's already a mosque within a few blocks of Ground Zero; it's called Manhattan Masjid and it is four short blocks away from the site of the former World Trade Center. . .

Will they destroy these, too?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/cia_interrogation_tapes_found_under_desk.php
Tapes Of Secret CIA Interrogations Of 9/11 Plotter Ramzi Binalshibh Discovered

http://harpers.org/archive/2010/08/hbc-90007513
[Scott Horton] We will learn soon whether special prosecutor John Durham takes his job seriously, or whether he will follow in the path of his former boss Nora Dannehy and sacrifice his reputation for the interests of his party.

Emptywheel: http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/08/17/cia-stores-their-torture-tape-the-same-place-judy-miller-does/

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/08/17/were-the-ramzi-bin-al-shibh-tapes-altered-like-the-abu-zubaydah-tapes-were/

We all know that Fox News is the media arm of the Republican party – they don’t even pretend otherwise. But still, even for them this is pretty brazen (thanks to DR for the link)

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0810/Fox_parent_gives_1_million_to_RGA.html
News Corp., which owns Fox News and the New York Post, gave $1 million to Haley Barbour's Republican Governors Association this year, according to the RGA's most recent filing.

The company's media outlets play politics more openly than most, but the huge contribution to a party committee is a new step toward an open identification between Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. and the GOP. . . .

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/17/fox-news-takes-heat-for-news-corporations-gop-donation/
[CNN – not a disinterested observer] The Democratic National Committee called into question Fox News' objectivity Tuesday after it was reported that the cable network's parent company – News Corporation – recently donated $1 million to the Republican Governors Association.

"'Fair and Balanced' has been rendered utterly meaningless," Hari Sevugan, the DNC's national press secretary, said in a statement. "Any pretense that may have existed about the ties between Fox News and the Republican Party has been ripped violently away. . . .

More: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/fox-parent-news-corp-funds-gop-attack-machi

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/17/news-corps-governors/
Does News Corp’s Donation To The Republican Governors Association Violate Its Own Company Policy?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025247.php
It was just a few months ago that Rupert Murdoch was asked whether it's appropriate for Fox News to play an active role in supporting the so-called Tea Party "movement."

The News Corp. CEO replied, "I don't think we should be supporting the Tea Party or any other party."

Dr. Laura loses her show over her use of the N word, says she wants to move on to other venues where she can have “freedom of speech”

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/08/17/doctor.laura.ends.show/index.html

Bonus item: Yeah, pull the other one

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025244.php
[John McCain] “I don't change in my positions," he says. "I have not changed in my positions. I know how popular it is for the Eastern press to paint me as having changed positions. That's not true. I know they're going to continue to say it. It's fundamentally false. Not only am I sure that they'll say it, you'll say it. You'll write it. And I've just grown to accept that." . . .

[Steve Benen] Can anyone name a single major policy position that McCain hasn't flip-flopped on? I've looked and can't think of any.

I mean that quite literally. . . . [read on]

***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.***

THE KIND OF PEOPLE THEY ARE

Mark Halperin begs the GOP not to demagogue on the Ground Zero Mosque issue. Does he really think they care what he thinks? Does he not realize that THIS IS WHAT THEY DO? Perhaps this will become his Andrew Sullivan moment

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/talking_to_the_void.php

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/16/AR2010081603306.html
[Eugene Robinson] Lies, distortions, jingoism, xenophobia -- another day, another campaign issue that Republicans can use to bash President Obama and the Democrats. . . .

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/been_here_before_1.php
[TPM reader DE] Republicans ALWAYS run on symbolic issues. Their substantive positions are not popular. People don't like tax cuts for the rich, they don't like endless military commitments, they don't like corporatism, they don't like lax regulations, etc. So Republicans always pick some symbolic, unimportant issue and make it sound like it's the most important thing in the world. This is nothing more than the flag factory, the swift boats, and Reverend Wright all over again. . . . [read on]

How it all started: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins
A viciously anti-Muslim blogger, the New York Post and the right-wing media machine: How it all went down . . . [read on]

Could it backfire for the Repubs?

http://www.samefacts.com/2010/08/religion-and-politics/josh-barro-on-cordoba-house-a-reality-based-conservative-view/

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/16/gops-ground-zero-mosque-r_n_683509.html

Steve King (R-IA) goes there

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/16/king-obama-marxist/
KING: I’ve just started to think about what we need to do and I have made this argument for a long time now that I am in the business of seeking to embarrass the administration into enforcing the law, particularly with regard to immigration.

BYSTANDING CONSTITUENT: He won’t do that. He’s a Marxist! He’s a Muslim Marxist.

KING: He’s at least a Marxist. And he surely understands the Muslim culture.

CONSTITUENT: He surely does. That’s where he grew up with, that’s his culture.

KING: He doesn’t have an American experience. He does not have an American experience.

CONSTITUENT: He didn’t grow up in America.

KING: Mmhmm.

Linda McMahon (R-CT), Wrestling Mama, could be hit by the steroids issue. Strip away the goofiness of pro wrestling and ask, what kind of boss was she when her own workers were taking a drug that was killing them so they could “perform better” in their jobs?

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/08/steroids-still-stalking-linda-mcmahon/61529/

Another Bush era crook goes free because the Obama DOJ decides it doesn’t want to dwell on the past

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/delay_will_not_face_federal_charges.php
DeLay Will Not Face Federal Charges

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/16/893654/-Open-thread-for-night-owls:-The-Hammer-avoids-the-slammer

Don’t look to the teabaggers for deep thinking or consistency: but it tells you a lot about where they‘re coming from that when their commitment to libertarianism and their commitment to corporations clash, they’re quick to abandon their “Don’t tread on me” values. Here’s their latest on net neutrality

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/16/893461/-Tea-Party-on-Net-Neutrality:-Please-shut-us-up
According to one tea partier involved in the effort, the movement is opposing net neutrality because "it's an affront to free speech and free markets." . . . [read on]

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/tea-partiers-say-net-neutrality-hurts-freedom.php

We used to have a Civil Rights Commission

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/civil_rights_commission_asks_congress_to_sue_doj.php

CNN, sinking further and further . . .

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/oh_cnn.php

***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.***

SIX QUESTIONS

http://firedoglake.com/2010/08/15/6-questions-for-republicans-who-oppose-a-mosque-in-lower-manhattan/
6 Questions for Republicans Who Oppose a Mosque in Lower Manhattan

[Blue Texan] 1. Since the proposed site for the Park51 worship space is 2 blocks away from Ground Zero, why do you keep calling it the “Ground Zero Mosque”?

2. What precisely is an acceptable distance from the former site of the World Trade Center for Muslims to practice their religion? (Terms like “so close” or “in the shadow of” or “steps away” are obviously subjective.)

3. Is there a difference between violent Islamic extremists and mainstream Muslims?

4. If your answer to #3 is “yes,” why is there an objection to Muslims practicing their religion in Lower Manhattan?

5. Since Muslims have been holding religious services at Park51 for over a year, should they be stopped?

6. As Park51 is private property, are you in favor of the government regulating how the space is utilized?

Our national “debate”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/gillespie-obama-has-a-very-disdainful-view-of-the-american-people-on-muslim-center.php
Gillespie: Obama 'Has A Very Disdainful View Of The American People' On Muslim Center . . .
Kaine: Religious Freedom Is In The Constitution For A Reason . . .
Nadler: 'You Can't Blame An Entire Religion' For 9/11 . . .
Peter King: 9/11 'Was Carried Out In The Name Of Islam' . . .

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/15/peter-king-obama-is-tryin_n_682524.html

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/rep-nadler-we-do-not-put-bill-rights-and-r

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025213.php

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/39029
Cornyn: NYC mosque will be an election issue

It’s all part of the plan

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41076.html
GOP takes harsher stance toward Islam

[NB: I wonder how much of this is positioning for the tenth anniversary of 9/11.]

“Plutonomy”

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/plutonomy-revival.html

Where did Newt get the reputation of a cagey political strategist? Most of what he’s said lately has been just plain dumb – and his latest idea, to cancel the “lame duck” session of Congress, would be sure to backfire

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/newties-tantrum-pledge-by-digby-newts.html

Reporters just can’t bring themselves to say what everyone knows is true

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/14/AR2010081401725.html
[Dan Balz] Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine has led a chorus of Democrats contending that Republicans have nominated a group of extremists whose views are far outside the mainstream of the country.

In some cases, that might be correct. . . .

“Can the Wacky Republicans win?”

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/15/can_the_wacky_republicans_win.html
Meanwhile, Ben Smith wisely points out "the most interesting question may be what these candidates -- who owe their party no particular debt of loyalty -- would be like in the Senate." . . . [read on]

Candy Crowley is a dishonest journalist – here’s yet another example

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/39034
Candy Crowley Pretends She Doesn't Know Republicans Want to Privatize Social Security

***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.***

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT

No, Obama didn’t “walk back” his support for the religious rights of Muslims . . .

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/pouring_gas_on_the_fire.php

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/did_obama_walk_back_his_suppor.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025208.php

. . . . or did he? http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/prez-orders-one-from-column-and-one.html

http://www.americablog.com/2010/08/obama-backs-away-from-his-earlier.html


I agree that this is smart: Republican hints that, given the chance, they will go after Social Security raise just the kind of issue for the Dems to exploit in a midterm election. Seniors vote

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/obama-republicans-want-to-privatize-social-security-havent-learned-any-lessons-from-financial-crisis.php
Obama: Republicans Want To Privatize Social Security, Haven't 'Learned Any Lessons' From Financial Crisis . . . [read on]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/14/892871/-Obama-vows-to-block-Social-Security-privatization

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/39010

So, are they going to pick Elizabeth Warren, or not?

http://firedoglake.com/2010/08/14/playing-the-cfpb-nomination-game/

More on the role of private prisons in Arizona’s “throw more immigrants into jail” law

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/rachel-maddow-exposing-private-prison-indu

More on the role of the APA in the Bush/Cheney torture regime

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/65183

David Vitter (R-LA) doesn’t get as much exposure here as he should. Here’s the kind of campaign he’s running in Louisiana

http://mydd.com/2010/8/14/louisiana-s

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025205.php

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/14/AR2010081402802.html
STATE OF THE UNION (CNN): Reps. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).; Reps. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); and Tom Wagner, NASA program scientist for the cryosphere.

THIS WEEK (ABC): Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.); former New Jersey governor Jon S. Corzine (D); Obama economic adviser Laura Tyson; and Martin Regalia of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

FACE THE NATION (CBS): Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D); Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee; and Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

Bonus item: Conservatives love to say they love the Constitution. They say they worship the “original intent” of the Framers. But they’re the first ones to say we need to go back and modify or repeal parts of it

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/13/ken-buck-clarifies-positi_n_681777.html

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100815/COLUMNIST0111/8150376/Citizenship-right-put-to-the-test-14th-Amendment-epitomizes-America

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/as_long_as_were_at_it.php

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/hear_washington_speak.php

***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.***

CRAZY TALK

Left, right, there are honest policy disagreements in this country. But have we ever lived through a time when so much of the political discourse was dedicated to weird, hateful, paranoid, and just plain LOONY rants?

“Terror babies”: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/anderson-cooper-and-louie-gohmert-have-at-it-on-terror-babies-conspiracy-video.php

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/terror_babies.php
[David Kurtz] It's the perfect convergence of anti-immigration and anti-Islam fear mongering . . .

“Turban-toppers”? http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/twitting-evil-turbin-topper

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/12/mike-pompeo-gop-candidate_n_680612.html

"Put them in a camp and ship them back" http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/florida-candidate-marg-baker-illegal-immigr

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025189.php

Bang-bang: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/in_one_missouri_primary_assault_accusations_follow.php
Victorious GOPer Allegedly Flashes Gun At Defeated Rival's Staffer Over Sex Allegations

Mexican drug cartels are invading the US: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/the_smoking_non-gun_emerges.php

Video games! http://crooksandliars.com/brad-reed/obammunist-conspiracy-sap-and-impurify--0

Sad that a President has to remind the country of this – but good for him that he did

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/obama_offers_support_to_islamic_center_near_ground.php
But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. . . . [read on]

More: http://www.samefacts.com/2010/08/barack-obama/proud

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/08/13/mosque

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/obama-commemorates-sanity-for-ramadan.html

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/a_few_articles_on_the.php

Hmmm . . . Jan Brewer, Arizona governor, is all about throwing more illegal immigrants in prison. Why would she want to do that?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/38988
Corrections Corporation of America, or CCA, holds the federal contract to house detainees in Arizona. The company bills $11 million per month. CBS 5 Investigates has learned that two of Brewer’s top advisers have connections to CCA. . . . [read on]

More: http://www.americablog.com/2010/08/draft-rachel-on.html

John Ensign opens his legal defense fundraising campaign: Give me money to defend myself against these utterly true accusations, because they came from a liberal group

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/read_ensigns_legal_defense_fundraising_letter.php

http://washingtonindependent.com/94784/ensign-blames-crew-for-ethics-woes

Obtuse Angle wants to model the US Social Security system . . . on Chile

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/angle-copy-chile-and-pinochet-to-privatize-social-security.php
Sharron Angle is further clarifying her calls for the privatization of Social Security . . .

More: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/13/sharron_angle_confused_social_security

Honest John McCain, after . . . err . . . . keeping his options open, now decides he ISN’T for repealing the Fourteenth Amendment after all

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/mccain-actually-i-dont-support-ending-birthright-citizenship.php

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/node/38983

Bad decisions have a way of keepin’ on hauntin’ you – I don’t just mean him, I mean the SC Democratic party. Who FOUND this guy?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2010/08/scs_greene_indicted_on_felony_obscenity_charge.php
Longshot U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene has been indicted on a felony charge of showing pornography to a South Carolina college student. . . .

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/sc-democratic-senate-candidate-indicted-obs

More: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/13/greene_is_not_long-winded.html

Guess what?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/13/deficit_poll
Poll: Americans not actually that worried about the deficit

The ongoing war to legally curtail abortions

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/least-one-louisiana-judge-has-some-sense

The question the whole country will be asking in a few months

http://www.slate.com/id/2263792/
What Will Anthony Kennedy Do on Gay Marriage?

Interesting

http://www.americablog.com/2010/08/do-prop-8-proponents-have-standing-to.html
Do the Prop 8 Proponents Have Standing to Appeal?

More: http://www.slate.com/id/2263943/

Goodbye, Dr. Laura

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/dr-laura-spews-racist-epithets-while-instru

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/passive-aggressive-racism.html

Bonus item: “Every click you make”

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/tracking-your-every-move

***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.***

NUTS

The GOP said, over and over, deal with border security and then we can talk about the other aspects of the complex issue of immigration. Well, guess what? The Senate unanimously passes a border security bill and the result is . . . .?

http://washingtonindependent.com/94655/republicans-not-convinced-by-border-security-bill

More: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/12/florida_candidate_put_immigrants_in_camps
Florida Republican: Put immigrants in "camps"

Here’s another reason to hate and fear illegal immigrants: they’re to blame for global warming (but you thought conservatives didn’t BELIEVE in global warming, right?)

http://washingtonindependent.com/94674/are-illegal-immigrants-to-blame-for-climate-change

And. . . anchor babies!

http://firedoglake.com/2010/08/12/texas-republican-warns-of-new-threat-to-us-terrorist-babies/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025181.php

Build NO MORE mosques (anywhere) and deport Muslims – they don’t deserve religious freedoms anyway

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/top_social_conservative_no_more_mosques_period.php
Top Social Conservative: 'No More Mosques, Period'

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/top_social_conservative_defends_his_no_more_mosque.php
'Every Single Mosque' In U.S. Is Terror Threat

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/feed_them_to_the_lions.php
"The Koran's entire purpose is subversive" . . .

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/you_can_see_where_this_is_going.php
“The most compassionate thing we can do for Muslims who have already immigrated here is to help repatriate them back to Muslim countries, where they can live in a culture which shares their values . . .”

More Muslim-bashing: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/overt-muslim-bashing-8-years-late.html

John McCain still can’t accept that he lost to Obama. I think he has issues

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/obama-on-his-mind-mccain-still-campaigning-against-08-rival.php

Sharron Angle thinks we haven’t heard this one before: she wants to “save” Social Security (but we have to destroy it in order to save it)

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/angle-ad-id-like-to-save-social-security-video.php

Gun shows are a huge loophole in the few remaining requirements that limit gun sales (background checks, etc) – it’s appalling that we allow these unregulated sales to continue. Now, in Wyoming, they’re tax free too!

http://mydd.com/2010/8/12/wyoming-forced-to-susp
Dan Noble, director of the department's excise tax division, said Friday that an incident at a gun show triggered the decision. He added, however, that resistance from gun show sponsors and participants has been a recurring problem statewide. "I have 10 field reps throughout the state, and every one of them has experienced some animosity," he said. "Folks are nervous anyway because there are guns there. I don't want to put my people at risk." . . . [read on]

Elizabeth Warren visits the White House. Encouraging sign?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/hmmm_36.php

The Washington Post does the usual: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/12/AR2010081206356.html
Somewhere along the line, Elizabeth Warren became a symbol.

She's either the plain-spoken, supremely smart crusader for middle-class families that her supporters adore, or she's the power-hungry headline seeker her critics loathe, a fiery zealot disguised in professorial glasses and pastel cardigans. . . .

You’ve seen the national figures on generic voter preference between the two parties: but what they don’t tell you is that it is based entirely on a huge GOP gap in the South. Everywhere else the Dems lead

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/12/are_republicans_becoming_a_regional_party.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/12/892496/-GOP-still-a-regional-party

http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/08/11/wsjnbc-poll-voter-opinion-of-republican-party-falls-to-all-time-low/
Voter Opinion of Republican Party Falls to All-Time Low

“Why cable news never punishes liars”

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/12/wendy_murphy_cable_news_liar

Jeb Bush distances himself from the establishment GOP economic plan, authored by Boy Genius Paul Ryan (R-WI). Is he maneuvering for 2012?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/bush-on-ryans-roadmap-you-dont-get-steak----ever.php
"He's saying: 'Eat your broccoli. And then maybe you don't get to eat at all for a few days. You don't get steak -- ever.' "

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/bye-bye-bai-randian-ryan-got-his-sweet.html

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=08&year=2010&base_name=but_its_awesome_broccoli_for_t

Bonus item: By the way: a tale of two haircuts?

***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.***

THE DEEP END

The Orange Man, Randy Paul, Obtuse Angle, Bachmann Turnoff Overdrive, Tom Tancredo, the Man of Steele, the Beckster, El Rushbo, the Wrestling Mama, Sarah! of course, and so many more . . . what happens to a national party when its most visible voices are way off the deep end of extremism, paranoia, and know-nothingism? We’ve always assumed that the teabaggerization of the GOP would push a lot of competitive races into the Democrats’ hands, because how many will vote, in the end, to turn the government over to these people?

But the question remains: what if they win?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#38668275

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/11/primaries_colorado_2010
Tea Party one step closer to ruining GOP's Senate hopes

The dangers ahead: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/wheres_this_headed.php

Rachel Maddow on the war on reason

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/may_rationality_prevail.php

The ultra-volatile electoral terrain

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/08/11/grim_electorate_gets_ready_to_vote.html
Grim Electorate Gets Ready to Vote

Another new teabag candidate to keep an eye on: Ken Buck of Colorado

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/03/buck-abortion-rape/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/11/ken-buck-is-third-leg-of_n_678504.html

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/meet-the-co-gops-nominees.php

Never make your wife mad, especially if you plan to divorce her

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/gingrich_profile_featuring_ex-wife_begets_question.php
Newt Gingrich's Second Wife Dishes Hard To Esquire: His Money Woes, His Philandering, His Meltdown

More: http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/newt-gingrich-spiritual-leader-gop-expo

Pat Toomey (R-PA): I invented the House filibuster

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/08/now_thats_hardcore.php

The attack on Social Security continues

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/dick-armey-cant-understand-why-people-socia

Rand Paul kidnap “victim” confirms some aspects of the weird story but disputes others

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/rand_pauls_accuser_clarifies_k.html

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/11/rand_paul_kidnap_victim

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/accuser-rand-paul-did-not-kidnap-me-but-he-did-make-me-worship-aqua-buddha.php

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025149.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025163.php

What WAS Robert Gibbs thinking about?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/11/AR2010081105359.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/10/gibbs-mockery-of-professi_n_677487.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/11/michael-bennet-got-fewer_n_678332.html

Kevin Drum clarifies the Google-Verizon deal

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/google-verizon-and-net-neutrality

Bonus item: Has she READ the Constitution?

http://www.slate.com/id/2263734
"That's what I'm out there fightin' for Americans to be able to have a Constitution protected so that we can have free speech. … To elect candidates who understand the Constitution, to protect our military interests so that we can keep on fightin' for our Constitution."

***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.***

KICKING THE HIPPIES

Sigh. There’s always political mileage for Dems in bashing the progressives who helped bring them into office

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/113431-white-house-unloads-on-professional-left
During an interview with The Hill in his West Wing office, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs blasted liberal naysayers, whom he said would never regard anything the president did as good enough. . . . [read on]

Later, the apology: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/08/gibbs-condemns-criticism-from.html
[Gibbs] "I watch too much cable, I admit," Gibbs told the Huffington Post. "Day after day it gets frustrating. Yesterday I watched as someone called legislation to prevent teacher layoffs a bailout - but I know that's not a view held by many, nor were the views I was frustrated about.

So what I may have said in-artfully, let me say this way . . .” [read on]

[NB: Uh-huh. So hearing a right-wing smear against the teacher pay bill makes you want to lash out against the left. You’re facing a brutal midterm election in which turning out your base is essential to avoid a total catastrophe, and you take this occasion to kick them. I get the idea that sometimes it is politically useful for you to “triangulate” yourself away from the left to appeal more to moderates and independents – but this clearly goes beyond that.]

Reactions: http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/robert-gibbs-should-resign-does-he-wond
Robert Gibbs Should Resign

http://www.americablog.com/2010/08/dem-house-member-calls-for-gibbs-to.html

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/where-robert-gibbs-whines-and-stomps-his-fe

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/08/10/gibbs-walk-back-clueless-about-in-america/

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/08/10/gibbs

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/10/robert-gibbs-clarifies-pr_n_676934.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/10/yelling-at-the-profession_n_677272.html

http://www.americablog.com/2010/08/wh-spokesman-i-was-just-out-of-control.html

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/08/gibbs-reflects-on-inartful-comments/61217/

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/08/robert-gibbs-and-drug-testing/

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/pandering-center

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/obama-and-base

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2010/08/funny-aside.html
[Atrios] I apologize to the administration for excoriating them for abandoning things they campaigned on and promised to do. . . . [read on]

Digby: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/welcome-their-hatred_10.html
What with all the hoopla over Robert Gibbs' comments today it pays to simply remember that everyone in Washington hates liberals. . . .

It's embarrassing to have David Frum point out the obvious --- that the Republicans fear their base and the Democrats hate theirs . . . [read on]

Former Alaska senator Ted Stevens dies in a plane crash. Let’s give due respect to the dead – but let’s not forget what a crook he was

http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/the_senator_in_full.php

The House passes the state aid bill. The GOP, failing to block it, predicts Armageddon – even though the bill is completely paid for by other cuts, and even though many Republican governors are desperate for the support

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/house-passes-state-aid-bill-to-help-teachers-gop-freaks.php

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/10/891860/-House-passes-the-state-aid-teacher-funding-bill

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025141.php

Ah, we finally see the outlines of the Republican alternative in the fall: “Tread Boldly”

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/08/tread-boldly
“Canceling unspent “stimulus” funds, saving up to $266 billion....Canceling excessive spending increases already in the pipeline....Cap Discretionary Spending....Freeze Congress’ Budget....Eliminate Unnecessary and Duplicative Federal Programs....Audit the Government for Ways to Save. . . .”

More: http://reason.com/blog/2010/08/10/gops-tread-boldly-budget-doc-a

It is always easier to call for a Balanced Budget Amendment than to actually propose a balanced budget. More Republican demagoguery

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/gop-repeats-balanced-budget-amendment-farce

Taking on the Fourteenth Amendment: cynical anti-immigrant politics too much even for the GOP’s own supporters

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/10/891860/-House-passes-the-state-aid-teacher-funding-bill

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/10/891815/-Bush-officials-to-Dred-Scott-GOP:-Your-proposal-is-offensive

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025131.php

Charlie Rangel (D-NY) takes to the House floor to rail against his accusers – and to say he’s not quitting

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/rangel_says_hes_not_quitting.php

Rand Paul (R-KY) goes on friendly Fox to deny the kidnapping and drug accusations leveled against him when he was a college goof . . . if you can call this a denial

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/rand-paul-denies-kidnapping-says-he-cant-remember-the-rest.php

I don’t know which Republican I’m more excited to see us run against in 2012. Today, Newt Gingrich, man of values

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/8/10/891813/-Newt-Gingrichs-wholesome-values

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/10/whos_giving_to_newt_gingrich

More on the Google-Verizon deal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-aaron/google-verizon-pact-it-ge_b_676194.html
Google-Verizon Pact: It Gets Worse

More: http://www.buzzmachine.com/2010/08/10/internet-schminternet/

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2010/8/9/who-gets-priority-on-the-web/a-deregulation-debacle-for-the-internet

Bonus item: Mythbusting

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/suitable-for-bookmarking-bill-in.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.***