Monday, January 31, 2011

DUMB, DUMB, DUMB

Well, we finally see the GOP “jobs plan.” Don’t think about it for very long, it will lower your IQ

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/john-boehner-claims-spending-cuts-will-cre
John Boehner Claims Spending Cuts Will Create Jobs

Don’t know much about history

http://firedoglake.com/2011/01/30/history-in-the-remaking/

Bush was right?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027761.php

Moronic

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027762.php
[Kathleen Parker] He didn't say it. That word: "exceptional." . . . [read on]

Frank Rich on the teabaggers

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/opinion/30rich.html
More Katherine Harris than Sarah Palin, Bachmann is far more riveting television bait than Paul Ryan, the bland congressman officially assigned the Bobby Jindal memorial slot . . . [read on!]

Fox News makes you stupid

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/map-of-their-imagination.html
This map is real. . . [take a look!]

“Leave me alone”

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/30/boehner_tired_of_being_asked_about_smoking.html
In a Fox News Sunday interview, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) got annoyed when host Chris Wallace asked, "Why don't you stop smoking?"

Said Boehner: "Oh, why do you bring this up again? Smoking. Listen, it's bad habit, but I have it. It's a legal product. I choose to smoke. Leave me alone."

The end of New Deal liberalism?

http://www.thenation.com/article/157511/end-new-deal-liberalism

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/hillary-clinton-calls-for-democracy-in-egypt.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_36_n_815930.html

Bonus item: Michele Bachmann asks for a do-over

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/snl-pans-bachmann-her-sotu-tea-party-respo

***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.***

Sunday, January 30, 2011

BACKWARDS CAUSATION

The GOP is trying to take credit for a period of GDP growth that started BEFORE their electoral takeover in the November elections, and before they passed anything legislatively


http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027757.php

Scary, just scary, that an elected official could be this stupid and uninformed

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027759.php
"I believe I came from God, not from a monkey." He added, "If it happened over millions and millions of years, there should be lots of fossil evidence." [read on]

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/republican-jack-kingston-on-evolution-im-not-from-a-monkey-video.php

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/29/939816/-Jack-Kingston-wants-to-see-man-fish-newt

Well, it’s no surprise where Michele Bachmann got her nonsensical and antihistorical views about the Founding Fathers and slavery

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/founders-freed-slaves-and-other-facts.html

Democratic co-sponsor of controversial anti-abortion bill says it doesn’t redefine “rape.” Then he hasn’t read it

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/dem-rep-opens-up-on-rape-redefining-bill.php

It’s not hard to see the motivations behind the ginned-up “New Black Panther Party” investigation

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/breitbart_adams_respond_to_criticism_of_their_role_in_new_black_panther_case.php

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/full-video-new-black-panthers-scene-

More right-wing claims that calls for “civility” are an effort to silence them. Is this because they can’t find a way to make their points in ways that aren’t hateful, threatening, and racist?

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/liberals-dont-want-silence-conservat
“What is really at work here is the Left trying to control the speech of a small group of impressionable people – Republicans. They could care less about how civil the nation is but if they can keep the Republicans from name calling, they end up looking better than they would if Republicans constantly reminded America of their socialist agenda”. . . . [read on]

The GOP prepares to lose one of their freshman reps (already) because of an ethics scandal

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/29/939663/-FL-25:-More-allegations-against-Rep.-David-Rivera-

Spudnut (just read it)

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027754.php

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/palin-doubles-down-on-sputnik-and-spudnut.php

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2011/01/palins-wtf-moment-ctd.html

The media likes to pick favorites, and helmet-haired Paul Ryan (R-WI) seems to be one of them

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027758.php
Honestly, watch the clip; it's only two minutes. Diane Sawyer lauds Ryan as "a rebel with a cause," Jonathan Karl completely ignores the substance of Ryan's budget plan, and the piece literally equates the far-right congressman with the earnest, common-sense hero of the movie, "Dave."

If Ryan's family and staff come together to craft a two-minute segment celebrating the congressman, they might have felt embarrassed about a segment this laudatory. . . [read on]

How Fox News does “focus groups”

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/frank-luntz-gets-called-out-his-phon

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/30/939904/-Sunday-TalkBig-Fish-to-Fry
Note: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be on all of the shows.

NBC Meet the Press: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY); DNC Chair Tim Kaine; Roundtable: Republican Strategist Mike Murphy, Former Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN), Chuck Todd (NBC News) and Katty Kay (BBC).

CBS Face the Nation: White House Chief of Staff William Daley.

ABC This Week: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA); Reagan Offspring Ron, Michael and Patti Davis; Roundtable: George Will (Washington Post), Cokie Roberts (ASBC News), Sam Donaldson (ABC News) and Reagan Budget Director David Stockman.

CNN State of the Union: Former US Ambassador to Egypt Edward S. Walker; Former US Ambassador to the United Nations John Negroponte; Sen. John McCain (R-AZ); Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Co-Chair of the Catfood Commission Alan Simpson; Reliable Sources: Margaret Carlson (Bloomberg); Jim Geraghty (National Review); Michael Shear (New York Times); Lauren Ashburn (USA Today); Lawyer Lisa Bloom; Andrea McCarren (WUSA-TV).

Bonus item: Ho, ho, ho. Guess what other libertarian icon accepted Social Security and Medicare support – while claiming that nobody else should be able to?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/parasite-r-us.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.***

Saturday, January 29, 2011

IN OTHER NEWS

We’re not ignoring the events in Egypt – like everyone else we’re watching in anxious suspense. But all the links on that topic would fill the blog, and important as they are, these events are mostly outside our scope and purpose here

Social Security slasher Paul Ryan (R-WI) put himself through college with . . . Social Security money

http://firedoglake.com/2011/01/28/ayn-rand-fanboy-paul-ryan-used-social-security-hammock-to-put-himself-through-college/

Only the Best and the Brightest

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/28/939551/-GOP-freshman-Senator-who-thinks-child-labor-laws-unconstitutional-named-to-Judiciary-Committee
GOP freshman Senator who thinks child labor laws unconstitutional named to Judiciary Committee

Well, that’s honest

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027752.php
KASICH TELLS BLACK LAWMAKER, 'I DON'T NEED YOUR PEOPLE'

Redefining “rape”

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/01/uncategorized/redefining-rape/

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/dem-co-sponsor-of-forcible-rape-law-not-talking.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027742.php
“Odious”

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/sodomized-virgin-exception-enters.html

George Bush rides off into the sunset. . . .

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/george-w-bush-through-with-politics_n_815396.html
George W Bush: I'm Through With Politics . . .

Michele (One L, Two N’s) Bachmann makes the wrong enemy

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/28/939591/-VFW-vows-to-defeat-Bachmann-plan-to-slash-veterans-benefits
VFW vows to defeat Bachmann plan to slash veterans benefits

Bachmann’s disastrous CNN speech – whose idea was it?

http://www.americablog.com/2011/01/maddow-story-behind-michelle-bachmanns.html
[I]t was a manufactured 'event' by CNN & a Republican for-profit consultant . . .

What does the Tea Party Express really want? Do they even know?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/28/939588/-Tea-Party-Express-hopes-to-straighten-out-Bachmann...but-what-about-CNN

http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/01/28/tea-party-express-might-challenge-hatch-after-all.aspx

No surprise, is it?

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/01/gop-and-tea-party
Republican senators are none too eager to associate themselves with the tea party movement . . .

More: http://www.slate.com/id/2282927

Smooth move!

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/critic_of_tucson_memorial_native_american_prayer_i.php
A right-wing blogger who criticized the Native American opening prayer at the Tucson memorial service as "ugly" has gotten in trouble at his day job -- working for a law firm that also defends Native American rights. . .

The Power of Fox

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/01/power-fox

Palin’s emails: still waiting

http://community.adn.com/adn/node/155505

Bonus item: Pardon Tom DeLay. . . because of Tucson?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/obama-urged-to-pardon-tom-delay_n_815565.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, January 28, 2011

NOT SO EXCEPTIONAL

On “American exceptionalism”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/boehner-the-left-rejects-american-exceptionalism.php
House Speaker John Boehner was asked yesterday why President Obama didn't mention the notion of "American exceptionalism" in his State of the Union address. . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/27/939295/-Boehner-lies-about-American-exceptionalism-in-Obamas-SOTU
Boehner lies . . .

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027727.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/27/not_exceptional_enough.html

The GOP is twisting itself into knots over Social Security

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/27/939257/-Boehner-talks-out-of-both-sides-of-his-mouth-on-raising-retirement-age
Boehner talks out of both sides of his mouth on raising retirement age

http://my.firedoglake.com/ericlaursene/2011/01/27/paul-ryans-hammock/
Ryan’s Hammock

Bipartisan panel looking into the roots of the financial crisis can’t come to agreement, issuing THREE different final reports

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2011/01/split_crisis_panel_blames_greenspan_wall_st.php

Uh-huh

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/house_ethics_timing_on_fundraisers_financial_reform_was_coindicence.php
The House Ethics Committee let three members of Congress skirt further ethics inquires on their cozy relationships with financial lobbyists because, in short, everybody does it.

But what about the timing of the fundraisers, some of which were held the day before the final Financial Reform Bill vote in December 2009? Top ethics officials in the House of Representatives say the timing of the events was just "happenstance." . . . [read on]

You could fill this blog with all the things Alberto Gonzales didn’t know when he was Bush’s Attorney General. But you would think he would know about a serious problem his own FBI was giving public press conferences about

http://tinyurl.com/4vdgth2

Saving the Civil Rights Commission

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/new_white_house_picks_almost_rebalance_civil_rights_commission.php

The Senate won’t reform the filibuster, but they will end “secret holds”

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/140811-senate-ends-practice-of-secret-holds

More: http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/snatching-defeat-jaws-victory-reidmcc

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/27/silly-agreement-on-senate-rules-finalized/

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/01/did_reid_and_mcconnell_just_do.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027719.php
SENATE REFORM REDUCED TO CRUMBS

Where do Mexican drug criminals go to buy their guns? Across the border, of course

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/mexican-drug-cartels-go-shopping-the

Prison violence – and worse – happens to prisoners every day and we never hear about it. But when it happens to a former billionaire, people take notice

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/allen_stanfords_case_highlights_prison_violence.php

Keep talking, Sarah!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/wtf-sarah-palin-thinks-the-ussr-won-the-space-race-video.php
Sarah Palin thinks President Barack Obama needs a history lesson on the space race between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. . . . [read on!]

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/speaking-wtf-moments-palin-launches-

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/01/spudnut-moment
For what it's worth, Greta Van Susteren's blank look at the end of Palin's harangue is sort of priceless. . . .

Bonus item: The world of Fox News – you lefties are wrong for calling people Nazi’s. We would never, ever do such a thing. Oh, we have? No we haven’t. Well, okay, maybe we have, but it’s different when we do it

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/27/939349/-Bill-OReilly:-Its-okay-when-I-call-you-a-Nazi

***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.***

Thursday, January 27, 2011

LOOK AT ME!

Michele Bachmann is about to learn the Sarah Palin Lesson: more exposure is not a good thing

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/boehner-on-bachmann-sotu-response-i-had-other-obligations.php
House Speaker John Boehner told reporters Wednesday morning that he did not watch Michele Bachmann's Tuesday night response response to the State of the Union.

"No I did not," Boehner said at his weekly press conference. "I had other obligations." . . .

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/matthews-yells-at-tea-party-leader-why-is-balloon-head-bachmann-speaking-for-you.php
Matthews Yells At Tea Party Leader: Why Is 'Balloon-Head' Bachmann Speaking For You

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/weiner-i-needed-a-drink-after-paul-ryans-speech-video.php
[Anthony Weiner, D-NY] "I felt like I just needed a drink when I was done with Paul Ryan," he said, adding: "And then Michele Bachmann who is clearly not in touch with the mothership."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/the-michele-bachmann-caucus-how-a-star-gop-rep-has-gone-rogue.php
How A Star GOP Rep Has Gone Rogue

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027704.php
[T]he right-wing Minnesotan clearly isn't well. . . .

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/mary-matalin-prefers-victim-card-fact-chec

STILL the Party of No

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/26/939027/-DeMint-to-introduce-health-reform-repeal
DeMint to introduce health reform repeal

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/tea-partier-rep-mike-pences-first-act-c
Tea Partier Rep. Mike Pence's first act in Congress is to go after Abortion rights

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/thune-rejects-obama-call-for-infrastructure-improvements.php
Thune Rejects Obama's Call For Infrastructure Investment

No investment? http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027707.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027705.php

Selling public office

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/26/939097/-House-votes-to-eliminate-public-financing-of-presidential-elections
House votes to eliminate public financing of presidential elections

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/26/gutting_campaign_finance_law.html
Gutting Campaign Finance Law

92%

http://www.americablog.com/2011/01/cbs-poll-92-approve-of-obamas-proposal.html
CBS Poll: 92% approve of Obama's proposals in SOTU

[NB: 92% minus one, apparently]



Turning the tables

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/26/obama_forces_republicans_into_a_corner.html
Obama Forces Republicans Into a Corner

More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/white-house/first-thoughts-on-president-ob-1.html

I don’t want to see massive cuts to government, but it sure will be fun watching the Republicans try to decide what their proposal is

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/controversial-spending-cut-plan-divides-republicans.php

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/01/ryan_without_a_roadmap.html

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2011/01/paul-ryans-evasion/

A bit of historical perspective

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/26/bush_rather_fox_roots
The roots of Fox News

Bonus item: Glenn Beck has lost his friggin’ mind (don’t miss this one!)

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/glenny-and-bunny



***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, January 26, 2011

“WIN THE FUTURE”

Obama’s speech

Full text: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/25/state_of_the_union_address.html

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZdEmjtF6HE

Analysis: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027699.php

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/random-thought-on-sotu.html

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/obvamas-safe-sotu

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/25/state-of-the-union-full-text-released/

http://www.slate.com/id/2282434/

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/01/sotu-wrapup
[Kevin Drum] And a note to John Boehner: dude, we know you're a Republican. Obama is the opposition. We get it. But your preposterously ostenatious boredom during the entire speech really needs to go. You should at least pretend you're not in junior high school anymore. [read on]

CNN is the only network to carry Michele Bachmann’s “Look at me! Look at me!” response to the SOTU – but they also trash her ridiculous rewriting of history

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/01/cnn_justifies_airing_bachmann.html
CNN justifies airing Bachmann speech: "Tea Party has become major force in American politics"

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/25/938791/-CNN-defends-airing-Bachmanns-personal-SOTU-responsefails
Fox News isn't carrying it.

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2011/01/simple-answers-to-simple-questions.html
[Steve Benen] If a liberal Dem announced this morning that he/she is delivering some remarks reflecting on the SOTU tonight, would that also be aired on CNN's national airwaves in its entirety? [Read on]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/anderson-cooper-wallops-bachmann-for-flunking-history-with-diversity-comments-video.php
Anderson Cooper Wallops Bachmann For 'Flunking History'

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/01/more_bachmann_please.php
[HW] But don't you think from the perspective of Democrats, a second Michelle Bachmann response is a wonderful thing, especially with CNN's news people taking the liberty to call her an ignoramus? . . .

Isn't it great that the Republican Party is being forced to share their brand between their faux-serious, semi-coherent golden boy (Paul Ryan) and a completely unserious, incoherent Bachmann? . . . As a Democrat, I genuinely couldn't be happier that CNN is airing the Michelle Bachmann response, I think Democrats should call out the other networks for not doing it

Worth the wait: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/bachmann-denounces-govt-spending-cites-debunked-health-care-myth.php
In her Tea Party response after the Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union Address tonight, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) offered a critique of the President and his policies, and said she believes "we are in the very early days of a history-making turn." . . . [read on]

Wacky! http://firedoglake.com/2011/01/25/michele-bachmann-doublebuttal-firehose-of-crazy-liveblog/

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/01/bachmann_trainwreck_blogging.php
Bachmann Trainwreck

The other Republican response

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/paul-ryans-sotu-response-our-day-of-reckoning-is-around-the-corner.php
Rep. Paul Ryan (WI) delivered the Republican response to President Obama's State Of The Union, and focused on the country's economic problems and government debt, which he said can be solved through "limited government and free enterprise" . . . [yawn]

No accident: http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2011/01/paul-ryan-vs-paul-ryan/
[Matt Yglesias] I don’t have a ton to say about Paul Ryan’s response speech except to note it was odd that he didn’t mention any of the proposals associated with Paul Ryan’s “budget roadmap.” . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/25/938890/-Ryan-on-healthcare-reform:-light-on-plans,-even-lighter-on-truth
[L]ight on plans, even lighter on truth . . .

http://firedoglake.com/2011/01/26/there-are-better-rituals/
[Attaturk] Poor Ryan, he spent all day lifting quotes from The Fountainhead and shellacking his hair to a Reagan-like density only to be undercut by some discount magic-mirror lady from Romper Room. . . .

They’re still the Party of No

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/steve-king-obamas-immigration-plan-is-not-happening.php
Steve King: Obama's Immigration Plan Is Not Happening

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/mcconnell-rejects-obamas-spending-freeze-backs-house-call-for-significant-cuts.php
McConnell Rejects Obama's Spending Freeze, Backs House Call For Significant Cuts

How the GOPers do bipartisanship

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/mcconnell-if-obama-can-be-a-republican-we-can-negotiate-with-him.php
"If the president is willing to do what I and my members would do anyway, we're not going to say no," McConnell told an audience . . .

Techno-heckling

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/gop-rep-paul-broun-heckles-sotu-on-twitter.php
GOP Rep. Paul Broun Heckles SOTU On Twitter
Mr. President, you don't believe in the Constitution. You believe in socialism. . . .

Scalia, Alito and Thomas all skip the SOTU

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/which-supreme-court-justices-are-skipping-the-sotu.php

Clarence Thomas’s laughable excuse for failing to disclose his wife’s income, as required

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/25/938615/-Clarence-Thomas-offers-implausible-excuse-for-false-disclosure-reports-spanning-13-years

I told you this would come to nothing

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/filibuster-reform-effort-falls-short.php
An effort to change the Senate's filibuster rules on a majority-vote basis ended Tuesday evening under growing pressure from Democratic and Republican party leaders.

In its place, senators from both parties will soon consider a bipartisan framework, negotiated by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), which include a handful of more modest reforms.

“We don't have an agreement yet,” Alexander told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “We're still having discussions. . .”

http://www.slate.com/id/2282469/

Senate filibuster reform yields to stupid bipartisan pantomime

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/25/938817/-Sign-of-things-to-come-on-Senate-reform

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/25/938731/-Senate-rules-reform-endgame

You or I don’t pay taxes, we get busted. The rich don’t pay and they get . . .amnesty

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/01/25/the-rich-are-different-they-dont-need-to-follow-tax-law/

How illegal was the Bush admin’s flouting of rules against using government employees as campaign workers? Very


http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/how_bushs_political_boiler_room_dispatched_cabinet_members_to_campaign_for_gopers.php

The report found that the Bush administration regularly broke the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of federal tax dollars for political activities. The Office of Political Affairs in Bush's White House, overseen by Karl Rove, dispatched cabinet officials to campaign for Republican candidates on the federal dime and forced federal political appointees to attend political meetings during work time . . . [read on]

More: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/report-bush-administration-routinely-

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2011/01/25/rove-and-the-escape-hatch-act/
“Because all of the officials who were involved in Hatch Act violations described in this report are no longer employed by the federal government, OSC cannot bring disciplinary actions against these employees.”

The next time an abortion doctor is gunned down, don’t blame him

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/new-civility-erickson-says-mass-blood
The New Civility: Erickson Says "Mass Bloodshed" Necessary If Roe Is Not Overturned

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/red-state-on-bloodshed-both-for-and.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.***

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

NO SURPRISE

Obama's State of the Union address: redefining “the center”

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/money-power-and-triangulation.html

Michele Bachmann’s ego aside, the decision that Paul Ryan’s “official” GOP response to the SOTU isn’t conservative enough for the teabaggers reveals further tensions within the party

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/bachmann-my-sotu-response-is-not-competition-with-paul-ryan.php
Bachmann: My SOTU Response Is Not 'Competition' With Paul Ryan

The GOP really can’t figure out what its economic policy is

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027668.php

No Supreme Court justice is ever entirely above political considerations. But with Scalia and Thomas, they don’t even try to pretend

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/justice-scalia-goes-to-capitol-hill/
Justice Scalia Goes to Capitol Hill

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/01/should-scalia-and-thomas-have-recused.html

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/24/supreme_court_conflicts

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/24/AR2011012406917.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/#41242808

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



“Filibuster reform” – guess what? – won’t do anything about filibusters

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/senate-aides-no-chance-filibuster-rul
“No chance”

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/24/senate_rules_dead
A month after every Democrat signaled support for changes to the cloture rule, everyone gives up

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/senators-near-consensus-on-filibuster-reform-alternative.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/24/democrats-rules-reform-water-down_n_813029.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027664.php

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/23/senate-rules-changes-slipping-away-as-media-dissembles/

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/24/938486/-Senate-rules-reform:-up-finally-declared-down

Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) goes Hollywood

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/tim-pawlenty-releases-action-movie-campaign-trailer-video.php

George “Macaca” Allen (R-VA) responds to the call that America wants him back in government again. Problem is, he still can’t tell the truth about his racial slur

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/macaca-allen-wants-his-senate-seat-ba

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/24/938543/-VA-Sen:-George-Allen-returns

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/george-allen-calls-macaca-a-made-up-word-again.php

Uh, well, thanks for letting us know

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/report_bush_white_house_violated_law_by_using_govt_resources_to_support_gop_in_06_elections.php
George W. Bush's White House Office of Political Affairs violated the law by giving political briefings to political employees, concludes an Office of Special Counsel report issued Monday, nearly five years after the fact. . . . [read on]

So, I see: crosshair ads and gun-shootin’ rhetoric have nothing to do with why a madman shot and killed a bunch of people in Tucson – but a 40 year old Supreme Court decision did

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/az-goper-roe-v-wade-contributed-to-tucson-shootings.php
Arizona State Sen. Linda Gray (R) argued over the weekend that gun control is not the way to prevent another shooting like the one in Tucson. The real answer, she said when asked about preventing such a shooting in the future, is to better "respect the life of an unborn." . . .

You can’t even call it the tail wagging the dog any more: the tail has BECOME the dog

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027670.php
Roll Call's Christina Bellantoni has a good piece today, noting that "outsized personalities based far outside the Beltway" -- most notably, in Republican circles, Rush Limbaugh -- "have become as much a part of Washington's political ecosystem as the lawmakers themselves." . . .

Several GOP lawmakers quietly acknowledged that members "carefully monitor what's being said on conservative airwaves to make sure they aren't contradicting it or enraging talkers." . . . [read on]

Bonus item: A glimpse of sunshine

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/24/economists_forecast_upswing.html
A USA Today survey finds nine of 10 economists say they're more optimistic about the economic recovery than they were three months ago. . . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/25/surge_of_optimism_about_country.html
A new CNN/Opinion Research poll finds 43% of the public feel that things are going well in the country, up 14 points since December. . . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/24/independents_return_to_obama.html
Alexander Burns notes independent voters are behind the recent jump in President Obama's approval rate. . . .

***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, January 24, 2011

THE THIRD RAIL

The Republicans’ bad faith continues. While talking about draconian cuts, they have scrupulously avoided talking about Social Security and Medicare – the “third rail” of American politics. The plan seems to be to find some way for Obama and the Dems to take the lead on those areas, then hammer them for it in the next election. Problem is, the GOP's own budget prince has already seized the third rail

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027658.php
[Steve Benen] [Paul Ryan, R-WI] is, after all, the architect of a very radical budget "roadmap," and the more Republican leaders rally behind Ryan, the more they take ownership of his extremist blueprint. . . [read on]

http://www.perrspectives.com/blog/archives/002080.htm
[Jon Perr] But while Boehner is now touting Ryan as "uniquely qualified to address the state of our economy and the fiscal challenges that face our country," the GOP leadership remains largely silent regarding Ryan's calls for the privatization of Social Security and the rationing of Medicare. And as it turns out, the Republican contradictions and deceptions Americans will see on display Tuesday night hardly end there.

During the 2010 midterm elections, John Boehner's "GOP Pledge to America" took those two popular programs off the table when it came to his now broken $100 billion budget cut promise. The much-hyped Republican Study Committee plan to slash $2.5 trillion in discretionary spending for Democratic priorities similarly includes what Boehner's Pledge deemed "common-sense exceptions for seniors." And throughout the fall campaign, the same Republican Party that tried to kill Medicare in the 1960's and gut it in the 1990's falsely accused Democrats wanting to cut benefits to 46 million American elderly.

Which is why Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America makes the Republican leadership queasy. Because while most no doubt agree in principle with Ryan's "slash and privatize" agenda, they are terrified of saying so on the record. . . .

More: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/139527-cantor-gop-will-oppose-new-spending
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) signaled that Republicans will reject President Obama’s expected call for more federal spending in infrastructure, education and innovation initiatives. . .

No connection, I’m sure

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/business/media/22beck.html
Frances Fox Piven, Glenn Beck Target, Has Been Threatened

More: http://www.thenation.com/article/157900/glenn-beck-targets-frances-fox-piven

Joe Lieberman and Kay Bailey Hutchison both want everybody to know that they didn’t pull out of their 2012 races because they worried they would lose. No, huh-uh

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/24/quotes_of_the_day.html

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/mccain-obama-has-learned-a-lot.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/23/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_35_n_812719.html

Bonus item: Pretzel logic – so, if you link violent rhetoric to acts of violence, and then demand that politicians tone it down, “the shooters win”

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/gop-senator-says-lowering-violent-rhetoric-m

***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.***

Sunday, January 23, 2011

A THUMB ON THE SCALE

How the press’s discourse about “moderation” and “bipartisanship” tilts toward the right

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2011/01/why_americans_think_obama_is_t.html
Why Americans think Obama is too liberal

More: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/power-no

How bad is the recession?

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/01/chart-day-financial-assets
[WSJ] Over the two years ending September 2010, Americans withdrew a net $311 billion — or about 1.4% of their disposable income — from their savings and investment accounts . . .

[Kevin Drum] There were no net withdrawals during the 2001 recession. Nor the 1991 recession or the 1981 recession. Nor during the oil shock recessions of the 70s. Not during any recessions until now. It's just another way in which the the 2008-09 recession has been the most damaging to household finances since World War II. . . .

The cracks in the GOP widen

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/22/goproud_cpac
Jim DeMint will skip the Conservative Political Action Conference, the annual right-wing convention that is traditionally a mandatory stop for prominent Republican party leaders and would-be presidents. Brent Bozell's Media Research Council has pulled out. So have the Heritage Foundation, the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America and the Family Research Council. Mike Pence won't confirm his attendance. . . [read on]

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/01/uncategorized/shorter-redstate-org/
A top right-wing blog threatens civil war over abortion. . . [read on]

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027649.php

This seems to be a big problem – but he’ll probably get away with it

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-thomas-disclosure-20110122,0,2413407.story
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to report his wife's income from a conservative think tank on financial disclosure forms for at least five years, the watchdog group Common Cause said Friday. . . . [read on]

Theocracy watch

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/good-reads-on-saturday-afternoon.html
In its discussion of the now well-known ties between the Ahmansons and Christian Reconstructionist founder Rousas John Rushdoony, the article provides yet another example of the inability of the media to take seriously Rushdoony's impact and legacy. . . [read on]

On “persecuted” Christians: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/billy-grahams-son-dismayed-there-was-

Sunday talk show lineups

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/the-sunday-show-line-ups-71.php
• ABC, This Week: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

• NBC, Meet The Press: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Assistant House Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-SC), former George W. Bush adviser Karen Hughes, former Bill Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta.

***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, January 22, 2011

SO LONG, AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH

Keith Olbermann signs off, his MSNBC contact canceled

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#41201922

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



Why?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-21/keith-olbermann-quits-msnbcs-countdown
[Howard Kurtz] A knowledgeable official said the move had nothing to do with Comcast taking control of NBC next week, although the cable giant was informed when it received final federal approval for the purchase that Olbermann would be leaving the cable channel. . . .

http://www.tmz.com/2011/01/21/keith-olbermann-fired-comcast-countdown-msnbc-contract-cable-news-network-pay-or-play/
[TMZ] [W]e're told it had everything to do with Comcast's acquisition of NBC. . . . [read on]

http://twitter.com/andersoncooper/status/28640016209018881
[Anderson Cooper] Comcast deal is approved. Jeff Zucker leaves. #keitholbermann gets fired. Coincidence? . . .

More: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/21/countdown_rip

Keith’s greatest hits

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/21/keith_olbermann_greatest_hits

The GOP wants to slash the federal budget. Will they be honest about the number of jobs this will cost (at a time when they SAY they’re all about job creation)?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/21/937909/-CBPP:-RSC-proposal-would-eviscerate-vital-services

Oops! http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/huckabee-inadvertently-acknowledges-spending-cuts-will-cost-jobs-video.php
Like all Republicans, likely GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is all for abruptly slashing federal spending. But unlike most high-profile conservatives, he seems to be aware that slashing outlays during an economic downturn will cost jobs.

On Fox News Friday morning, Huckabee let it slip. . . . [read on]

As the Repubs stagger toward 2012, they have to face a serious issue: no candidate who strongly appeals to the teabaggers can actually win in a general election. But no candidate who disses them can get the nomination. Will there be an anti-Tea Party candidate?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/mitt-romney-not-buddying-up-to-the-tea-party-and-vice-versa.php

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/21/937886/-Romney-steers-clear-of-tea-party

“Democrats” “aggressive” – when did you last see those two words in the same title?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/senate-dems-plot-aggressive-health-care-repeal-strategy.php
Senate Dems Plot Aggressive Strategy To Fight Health Care Repeal

Who planted the bomb at a MLK parade?

http://my.firedoglake.com/teddysanfran/2011/01/21/fbi-has-clarity-in-identity-of-who-placed-spokane-bomb/

It’s a long list

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/violence-directed-liberal-and-govern
Terrorism directed at 'liberal' and 'government' targets since July 2008: An interactive map

GOP rep hates the idea of intermingling the parties at the State of the Union: "It's a trap!"

http://politicalcorrection.org/blog/201101210002

Will some Supreme Court justices skip the State of the Union?

http://www.slate.com/id/2282037

America waits breathlessly

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/michele-bachmann-to-give-her-own-state-of-the-union-response.php
Michele Bachmann To Give Her Own State Of The Union Response

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/21/bachmann-to-give-her-own-rogue-sotu-response/

Fox News is OUTRAGED that a Democratic congressman would use a Nazi metaphor in referring to the other party. THEY would never do anything like that . . . would they?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/foxs-megyn-kelly-pretends-her-fellow-fox

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027642.php

Bonus item: For all the iPhone users who are eager to switch to Verizon

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/21/verizon-sues-fcc-over-net-neutrality-plan/
Verizon Sues FCC Over Net Neutrality Plan

***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, January 21, 2011

CRACKS

Fractures already starting to form within the GOP

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/republicans-press-boehner-not-to-get-squeamish-on-spending-cuts.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027632.php

Well, we asked the Repubs to be specific about where they want to cut federal spending. Here’s a list

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/republican-study-committee-2-5-trillion-spending-cuts.php
These include standard conservative red meat -- eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the federal subsidy for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But it also calls for repealing the Davis-Bacon act, which requires the federal government to pay prevailing wages on public works projects, and ending federal aid to states, which would require state goverments to slash more jobs. And, of course, it cuts all the money slated for the administrative costs to implement health care reform -- $900 million, by their estimation. . . [read on!]

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/20/republican-study-committee-heres-2-5-trillion-in-spending-cuts/

http://blueamerica.crooksandliars.com/john-amato/republican-anorexia-economica-0

It never ceases to amaze me how STUPID the Republicans think their supporters are

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/republicans-claim-to-have-repealed-obamacare.php
Republicans Claim To Have 'Repealed Obamacare' -- Except They Didn't
"WE JUST REPEALED OBAMACARE!" Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) tweeted in all caps . . .

[NB: To which I say, YOU LIE!]

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/bachmann-repeal-the-senate-to-undermine-obamacare----the-crown-jewel-of-socialism.php
Bachmann: Repeal The Senate To Undermine Socialist 'Obamacare' (VIDEO)

What will happen in the Senate?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/20/repeal_senate
How the GOP will force a repeal vote in the Senate

More: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/20/5884821-how-the-gop-could-force-a-repeal-vote-in-the-senate-

What almost happened

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/official_spokane_mlk_day_bomb_worst_device_ive_eve.php
Official: Spokane MLK Day Bomb 'Worst Device I've Ever Seen'

More: http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2011/01/20/some-terrorism-scares-are-more-useful-than-other-terrorism-scares/

That was fast!

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/investigation_into_frosh_gop_rep_rivera_expands.php
Florida Republican Rep. David M. Rivera is facing an expanding investigation into alleged financial improprieties just a few weeks into his first term in office. . . .

Rick Santorum (R-PA), civil rights hero

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/santorum-doubles-down-obama-refuses-to-see-how-abortions-violate-civil-rights-like-slavery-did.php
"I am disappointed that President Obama, who rightfully fights for civil rights, refuses to recognize the civil rights of the unborn in this country." [read on]

Louie Gohmert (R-TX), champion of women’s rights

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/20/937417/-Louie-Gohmert:-feminist-champion-%28and-protector-of-the-law%29

Conflict of interest for Justices Thomas and Scalia?

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/does-scalia-and-thomas-have-conflict-in

Joe Lieberman sees that he will lose in 2012 so decides not to run. But the soon-to-be ex-Senator still thinks his opinion matters

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/lieberman-too-early-to-say-whether-ill-support-obama-in-2012-video.php
Lieberman: 'Too Early' To Say Whether I'll Support Obama In 2012

Good BYE! http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027621.php

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/holy-joe-is-ass-part-xxvii.html

Hypocrite Glenn Beck wants people to sign his “nonviolence pledge.” Maybe he should begin by enforcing it on his own web site

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2011/01/they-get-death-threats.html
“Maybe they should burst through the front door of this arrogant elitist and slit the hateful cow’s throat” . . . [and more]

And on himself: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/20/937610/-Youre-going-to-have-to-shoot-them-in-the-head-Mission-accomplished,-Glenn-Beck
“The radicals that you and Washington have co-opted and brought in wearing sheep's clothing — change the pose. You will get the ends.

You've been using them? They believe in communism. They believe and have called for a revolution. You're going to have to shoot them in the head. But warning, they may shoot you. . . .”

Bonus item: Cracked-up

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/slight-uptick-in-pedestri_n_811636.html
Slight Uptick In Pedestrian Deaths Is Apparently Michelle Obama's Fault

***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.***

Thursday, January 20, 2011

POINTLESS

Cynical. Irrelevant

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/lock-stock-and-barrel-house-votes-to-repeal-health-care-law.php
Lock, Stock, and Barrel: House Votes To Repeal Health Care Law

More: http://www.slate.com/id/2281689

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/19/937445/-House-GOP-appeases-Tea-Party-with-health-care-repeal-vote

http://firedoglake.com/2011/01/20/early-morning-swim-rachel-maddow-on-gops-repeal-of-the-affordable-care-act/

Heh: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/dems-press-gopers-to-repeal-their-own-benefits-along-with-health-care-law.php
Dems Press GOPers To Repeal Their Own Benefits Along With Health Care Law

[NB: Damn socialized medicine!]

Buyer’s remorse

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/19/937457/-NBC-WSJ-Poll:-Short-Republican-honeymoon
Just 25 percent say that the Republicans in Congress will bring "the right kind of change" to the country. . . .

Finally

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/fbi_mlk_day_parade_bomb_is_domestic_terrorism.php
FBI: MLK Day Parade Bomb Is 'Domestic Terrorism'

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/spokane-they-know-mlk-day-bomb-wasnt

Well, she needs to pay her RENT, doesn’t she?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/christine_odonnell_establishes_pac_based_in_her_home.php
Christine O'Donnell Establishes PAC Based In Her Home

Rick Santorum is back to contribute his deep intellect and sensitivity to the issues of the day

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/01/because_of_slavery.php
Erstwhile presidential candidate and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), on Obama's support for abortion rights: "I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say, 'We're going to decide who are people and who are not people.'"

He’s a COMEDIAN

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/limbaugh-mocks-chinese-president-hus-language-audio.php
Limbaugh Mocks Chinese President Hu's Language

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027605.php

Dishy

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/19/rivers_palin
Scandal: Fox cancels Joan Rivers for Palin insult!

Public Policy Polling: which news stations do people REALLY trust?

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-second-annual-tv-news-trust-poll.html

Bonus item: Jon Stewart. Sarah Palin (need I say more?)

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/jon-stewart-dismantles-hannitys-palin-interview-video.php

Palin fatigue: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/19/937369/-Late-afternoon-early-evening-open-thread

***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, January 19, 2011

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

Yeah, both sides do it

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/another-isolated-incident.html
A backpack bomb with the potential of killing or injuring dozens of people was found Monday along the route of a Martin Luther King Day “unity march” in downtown Spokane, Wash. . . .

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/just-another-isolated-incident-letha

Funny how the Repubs hate being blamed for things they couldn’t possibly have caused – but they’re happy to take credit for things they couldn’t possibly have caused

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/republicans-job-growth-the-result-of-gop-victories.php
Top Republicans are claiming credit for a variety of metrics showing that the economy is improving. . .

The GOP’s cynical shadow-boxing over health care reform gets off to a slow start

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/18/ill-fated-health-care-repeal-effort-kicks-off-in-house-today/

Make them pay: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#41144472

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/18/stewart_daily_show_healthcare

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027587.php

One honest man

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/18/frist_urges_gop_to_stop_health_care_repeal.html
Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) advised Republicans in Congress to drop their bid to repeal the health-care reform law and instead make changes to it and build on it . . .

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/bill-frist-health-care-repeal-gop_n_810345.html

Obama continued many of the Bush/Cheney security policies and let their illegal acts off the hook; but still Cheney can’t bring himself to credit him

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/01/18/cheney
The vindication of Dick Cheney

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/cheneys-bunker.html
Cheney's Bunker

More: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/cheney_all_well_and_good_that_obamas_using_our_tac.php
“All well and good . . .”

Sarah Palin, defiant and unapologetic, says she will not let the left “silence” her. No, Sarah, we WANT you to keep talking . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/sarah-palin-defends-blood-libel-says-loughner-was-perhaps-even-left-leaning-video.php

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/18/937153/-Palins-interview-with-Hannity-and-an-unfortunate-choice

http://www.americablog.com/2011/01/palin-upset-that-shes-no-longer-in-news.html

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/sarah-palin-tops-lame-list-her-most-
Sarah Palin tops the Lame List with her most pathetic, excuse-making, accusatory interview yet

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/poll-americans-high-on-obamas-tucson-response-and-low-on-palins.php
According to a new ABC-Washington Post poll, just 30% of Americans approve of Palin's response to the shooting, versus 46% who disapprove. That low approval is even more striking when compared to Americans' opinion of how Obama responded to the tragedy. Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they approve of the President's response, while only 12% respondents said they disapprove. . . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/18/palins_favorability_plunges.html
A new USA Today/Gallup poll shows Sarah Palin's favorable rating has dropped to 38%, her lowest since just after bursting onto the national scene as Sen. John McCain's running mate in 2008. In the wake of controversy over her response to the Tucson shooting, her unfavorable rating hit a new high at 53%. . . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/19/palin_unfavorable_rating_at_new_high.html
More confirmation Sarah Palin would have a tough time running for president: A new CNN/Opinion Research poll finds 56% of all Americans have an unfavorable view of Palin, an all-time high for the former Alaska governor . . .

. . . it’s the other Republicans who want you to shut up

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/david-frum-reacts-to-hannitys-palin-interview-she-should-stop-talking-now.php
David Frum Reacts To Hannity's Palin Interview: "She Should Stop Talking Now"

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/01/18/newt-palin-careful-sayin/
Gingrich: Palin Has To ‘Be More Careful’ And ‘Think Through What She’s Saying’

Bye, bye Joe

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/18/AR2011011806465.html
Lieberman will not run in 2012, adviser says

More: http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/lieberman-calling-it-quits

http://www.slate.com/id/2281645

http://firedoglake.com/2011/01/19/save-it-for-broder/

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/18/joe_lieberman_origins

More senators to retire

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/01/18/senators_most_likely_to_retire.html

Gee, shocker: abstinence sex ed doesn’t work

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2011/1/18/936954/-Abstaining-teens-still-getting-STDs

Told ya

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/01/18/filibuster-reform-coalition-creaking-with-a-week-to-go/
Filibuster Reform Coalition Creaking With a Week to Go

GOP Senators take over . . . and . . . .

http://www.americablog.com/2011/01/tea-party-governor-of-south-carolina.html
Tea Party governor of South Carolina approves massive pay raises for staff

http://www.americablog.com/2011/01/new-gop-governor-starts-term-with.html
New GOP governor [TN] starts term with executive order eliminating transparency

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2011/01/pay-to-play-on-texas-inauguration-day/
If you live in Texas, or if your professional life is in some way impacted by Texas public policy, you might like a meeting with Texas Governor Rick Perry. And he’s happy to meet with you if you help throw him a lavish party . . .

Theocracy watch

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027580.php
BEING GOVERNOR OF 'ALL THE PEOPLE' -- WITH MINOR EXCEPTIONS

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/new_alabama_governor_only_christians_are_my_brothe.php
New Alabama Governor: Only Christians Are My Brothers And Sisters

More: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/18/alabama_governor_christians

Who is Roger Ailes?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/01/18/ailes_blackberry
Paranoid, sensitive and incredibly un-self-aware . . .

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/is-he-nuts-by-digby-if-you-read-only.html
Is Roger Ailes a cynical man? Not at all. He really believes the things he says. He really believes that he is an average American. He really believes that he is looked down upon by those who admire and fear him. He really believes that he is the only man in America who can be called fat with impunity. He really believes that his power is rooted in his disregard for what people think of him. He really believes that he is the only genuine person in the media business. He really believes that Fox is fair and balanced. He really believes that his success has very little to do with politics and very much to do with television. He really believes — despite his subsequent apologies — that the people who fired poor Juan Williams from NPR are Nazis. He really believes that he seeks out liberal voices as ardently as he seeks out conservative ones. . . . [read on]

Bonus item: Another think piece on the “how liberal is the liberal blogosphere” debate

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2011/01/18/blindspots-and-fear-of-the-working-class/

***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.***