Turkish shoemaker of "Bye-Bye Bush Shoe" gets 300,000 orders

By GottaLaff

Bush. Shoe. Mike Meyers. 16 seconds.

Flying sole-lo:

The shoe hurled at President George W. Bush has sent sales soaring at the Turkish maker as orders pour in from Iraq, the U.S. and Iran.

The brown, thick-soled “Model 271” may soon be renamed “The Bush Shoe” or “Bye-Bye Bush,” Ramazan Baydan, who owns the Istanbul-based producer Baydan Ayakkabicilik San. & Tic., said in a telephone interview today.

“We’ve been selling these shoes for years but, thanks to Bush, orders are flying in like crazy,” he said. “We’ve even hired an agency to look at television advertising.”[...]

Baydan has received orders for 300,000 pairs of the shoes since the attack, more than four times the number his company sold each year since the model was introduced in 1999. The company plans to employ 100 more staff to meet demand, he said.

There's the answer to our tanking economy, right there. "Bye-Bye Bush" shoe factories. President Obama can call the upswing the "Bush Shoe Economy". The "Shoo, Bush!" economy?

“Model 271” is exported to markets including Iraq, Iran, Syria and Egypt. Customers in Iraq ordered 120,000 pairs this week and some Iraqis offered to set up distribution companies for the shoe, Baydan said.

A company in Maryland ordered 4,000 pairs. See? Instant upswing.

H/t: TPM

VIDEO-- "Cavity Search": Naked Blagojevich Painting By 'Nude Sarah Palin' Artist

By GottaLaff

Remember the artist who used his daughter as a body model for his nude Sarah Palin portrait? I guess ol' Bruce Elliott has an obsession with dishonest naked politicians:

"I did Palin naked, I should do Blagojevich naked."

That quote speaks for itself. This is a family blog, so no Rod jokes.

A nude portrait of the governor, by artist Bruce Elliott, is nearly complete and will hang on the wall of Elliott's wife's bar, the Old Town Ale House, next to his infamous depiction of a naked Sarah Palin. It is the next installment in what Elliott loosely calls his "nude governor series."

Elliott cites many sources of inspiration for the painting, which shows the governor, who was arrested last week on corruption charges, preparing for a potential first day of incarceration. Among them: the extent of the governor's alleged misdeeds and the artist's desire to respond to criticism from Republicans and women about the Palin portrait by painting a Democrat in the buff. [...]

The scene imagines Blagojevich handcuffed and wearing an orange jumpsuit pulled down to his knees.

Among the onlookers is a guard, with a look of grim determination, pulling on a rubber glove.

The painting, which is taking Elliott a little over a week to finish, is titled: "The Cavity Search."

Now Blago can honestly say, "Hey, youse guys! I was framed!"

VIDEO-- Report: White vigilante groups blockaded small town in post-Katrina New Orleans and murdered blacks

By GottaLaff

Via Think Progress:

...A.C. Thompson of The Nation revealed that after Hurricane Katrina, white vigilante groups patrolled New Orleans, blockaded streets, and shot at least eleven black men. [...] Color of Change is organizing a campaign to tell Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and state officials to investigate the shootings, as “Louisiana’s broken law enforcement agencies have refused to investigate these crimes.”

Some very disturbing, memorable quotes from the video:

"You do what you had to do... If you had to shoot somebody, you had to shoot somebody."

It was great! It was like pheasant season in South Dakota! If it moved, you shot it.”

"He understands the "N Word" now."

"In this neighborhood, we take care of our own."

And some of the most disheartening:

"It's like a race war or something."

"They got me lookin' at white people with a different perspective now... I don't look at 'em the same."

I've signed this petition:

Color of Change is also sending messages to Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Attorney General nominee Eric Holder. Sign the petition here.

This is beyond scary. Sadly, it seems to fit right into the bigotry theme of way too many recent posts here at TPC.

'Karl Rove's IT guru' Mike Connell dies in plane crash

By GottaLaff

Suspicious death or purely accidental?

A top level Republican IT consultant who was set to testify in a case alleging GOP election tampering in Ohio died in a plane crash late Friday night.

Michael Connell -- founder of Ohio-based New Media Communications, which created campaign Web sites for George W. Bush and John McCain -- died instantly after his single-prop, private aircraft smashed into a vacant home in suburban Lake Township, Ohio. [...]

Connell's exploits as a top GOP IT 'guru' have been well documented by RAW STORY's investigative team.

The interest in Mike Connell stems from his association with a firm called GovTech, which he had spun off from his own New Media Communications under his wife Heather Connell’s name. GovTech was hired by Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell to set up an official election website at election.sos.state.oh.us to presented the 2004 presidential returns as they came in.

Connell is a long-time GOP operative, whose New Media Communications provided web services for the Bush-Cheney ’04 campaign, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Republican National Committee and many Republican candidates. This in itself might have raised questions about his involvement in creating Ohio’s official state election website. [...]

“Since early this decade, top Internet ‘gurus’ in Ohio have been coordinating web services with their GOP counterparts in Chattanooga, wiring up a major hub that in 2004, first served as a conduit for Ohio's live election night results,” researchers at ePluribus Media wrote.

Here comes the eyebrow-raiser:

"...I have reason to believe that the alternate accounts were used to communicate with US Attorneys involved in political prosecutions, like that of Don Siegelman," [Laffy Note: Some background here] said RAW STORY's Investigative News Editor, Larisa Alexandrovna, on her personal blog Saturday morning. "This is what I have been working on to prove for over a year. In fact, it was through following the Siegelman-Rove trail that I found evidence leading to Connell. That is how I became aware of him. Mike was getting ready to talk. He was frightened.

"He has flown his private plane for years without incident. I know he was going to DC last night, but I don't know why. He apparently ran out of gas, something I find hard to believe. I am not saying that this was a hit nor am I resigned to this being simply an accident either. I am no expert on aviation and cannot provide an opinion on the matter. What I am saying, however, is that given the context, this event needs to be examined carefully."

"Mr. Connell has confided that he was being threatened, something that his attorneys also told the judge in the Ohio election fraud case," concluded Alexandrovna.

Rove's stench continues to permeate everything and everyone around him.

Anonymous Commenter: "Christians are losing religious freedoms"

By GottaLaff

Here's a comment from one of the many Rev. Rick threads. It's from a convo I was having with Anon (whoever that may be, since they won't even offer a pseudonym):

If you're paying so much attention, then how did you miss the fact that Christians are losing religious freedoms?

If gay marriage is legalized, ministers who don't choose to perform them in accordance with their beliefs will be penalized.

Christians (and others) who do not believe that abortion is morally right are going to be forced to perform them.

Certain rights, forced on others, necessitate the loss of their rights.

It's not just a matter of gays obtaining the right to marry. It ends up forcing other people to do things they don't believe in.

Oh, and I guess maybe I'd have to agree on that tyranny of the majority, if the majority voted in Obama.

That last bit was in response to a link I provided about the tyranny of the majority in relation to Proposition 8, the crux of one of the many arguments against it.

I don't have enough time to spend responding to each point Commenters make on each thread. I'd never have time to post, let alone live my life away from blogging (yes, I actually do that from time to time).

Instead, maybe some of you might want to take up the conversation from here. I suggest you follow the link back to the few comments Anon and I shared with each other, unless you feel the one I just posted here was enough for you.

Oh, look, here's an update:

No, my arguments are not faulty. There's even a lesbian professor and gay activist who agrees that religious people must lost their freedom in order for gays to get certain freedoms.

But go ahead and ignore the rights of Christians in favour of other groups. We're quite used to it.

Yes, I ignore Christian rights, Jewish rights, African American rights, gay rights, and the rights of Goldendoodles everywhere. I limit my attention solely to Laffy rights. I'm a big ol' meany bigot who refuses to acknowledge anyone's rights but my own. Anon wins. I hang my head in defeat.

I ask forgiveness of the god in whom I do not believe.

Bristol Palin's Baby Daddy's Mommy's drug bust nugget

By GottaLaff

From the Celtic Diva, a juicy detail that slipped right by me:

It turns out that the "controlled substance" Grandma number two was busted for is Oxycontin.

This tidbit was in the article:

Kalytiak said the standard protocol for drug arrests is that law enforcement officials observe one drug buy, then get a warrant that permits them to record conversations and document more buys.

"I'd imagine standard protocol was followed," the district attorney said.

How badly do you imagine the Palins are sweating right now?

Well, now, what do we have here? On the BlagoMeter of Taped Convos, this could rate a bleeping 10.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden on "This Week": The economy, his wife, his Senate seat, and his dogs

By GottaLaff

Joe's talking again, and about all kinds of things. ABC has released a few excerpts from his Sunday appearance on "This Week". Here's what he's saying about that miserable economy of ours:

Vice President-elect Joe Biden says lawmakers from both parties have urged the incoming administration to be big and bold with its economic aid plan next year despite the huge deficits being created.

"There is going to be real significant investment, whether it's $600 billion or more, or $700 billion, the clear notion is it's a number no one would have thought about a year ago," Biden told ABC's "This Week" for an interview to air Sunday.

Biden said the spending was necessary to stop the loss of jobs and that the economy would be the administration's top priority.

About Jill:

[She] will continue to teach after she moves to Washington, but probably part time. He said several four-year and community colleges in the Washington area have contacted her.

"I think it's very important she have and maintain her own life, her own identity," Biden said. "And she'll be a very active second lady. She'll be very active. But I think it's important. It matters to her."

About his Senate seat:

[He hasn't] resigned from the Senate yet because he said it was possible that he could have voted on some issues where the margin of a victory or defeat would have been close. "I have no intention of staying up until the day that I am sworn in as vice president."

About his doggies. Yes, that was plural:

He also noted that he's getting a second dog, and it will come from the pound, not a breeder. [...]

Biden says he wants a companion for the German shepherd puppy and his wife wants it to be a dog from the pound.

Concerns about the Obama administration making the economy, not Rev. Rick, their priority: Check.

Concerns about what kind of Second Lady Jill will be: Check.

Concerns about why he hasn't relinquished his Senate seat yet: Check.

Concerns about his acquiring a breeder puppy instead of a pound puppy: Check.

That was easy.

Gay activist's weapon of choice against Rev. Rick Warren: Doughnuts

By GottaLaff

Creative. Peaceful. Constructive. And dee-lish:

The campaign stems from comments made by Mr. Warren, who opposes gay marriage, on NBC’s “Dateline” on Thursday. Asked if he is homophobic, the pastor replied: “Of course not. I’ve always treated them with respect when they come and want to talk to me. I talk to them. When the protesters came, we served them water and doughnuts.”

So one gay rights advocate is encouraging supporters of gay marriage to “return the favor” by sending Mr. Warren gift cards to Dunkin’ Donuts. The gift cards, which cost a minimum of $10, can be personalized with pictures of gay couples and supporters.

The effort was conceived by Tom Leonard, an Internet marketing consultant in Burbank, Calif., who also created ZeroH8.tv, which is working to place ads in support of gay marriage on cable networks in the wake of a new gay marriage ban in the state.

“It sends a good message to him in a nonthreatening way,” Mr. Leonard said. (In any case, the cards are probably preferable to the prediction by Huffington Post’s Jason Linkins that doughnuts will be pelted at the pastor during the ceremony.)

Mr. Leonard said he wasn’t exactly offended by Mr. Warren’s doughnut remarks, but “it’s kind of missing the point.”

“There’s more to it than just coming out and giving doughnuts,” he said. “That’s not really establishing a good dialog. He has not made any changes in his attitude toward things.”

Mr. Obama defended the Warren choice, saying, “It is important for America to come together even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues.”

Mr. Leonard:

“A lot of the comments that we’ve been getting have been, ‘Well, I would rather put my money somewhere else.’” So he added a section to the Web site with other suggested causes, including Planned Parenthood and some hunger-fighting organizations.

Good lord, it's nearly 2009. Recognizing the rights of other human beings shouldn't even be an issue.

The upside: We're talking about it.

A lot. A whole lot.

Yet another Franken/Coleman post: Franken expects to defeat Coleman by 35-50 votes

By GottaLaff

Boss Weed

It may be cold in Minnesota, but according to Midnight Toker Normy, there's plenty of hot air for everyone:

Al Franken’s campaign is as close to declaring victory as it has throughout the weeks-long recount in the Minnesota Senate race.

Franken’s campaign attorney Marc Elias said he expects Franken to be leading Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) by “between 35 and 50 votes” when the Canvassing Board finishes counting all the disputed ballots on Tuesday. [...]

And the Coleman campaign has also filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court to prevent the state Canvassing Board from certifying its count until it decides how to handle duplicate ballots. Coleman’s campaign is alleging that as many as 150 ballots were accidentally counted twice during the recount process.

UPDATE: Coleman campaign spokesman Mark Drake issued the following response: "This is just more bluster and hot air from a campaign that has been trailing for two years. While we can understand their need to latch onto their temporary lead, the reality is there's a long way to go in this process. We have no doubt that once this recount is fully completed, Senator Coleman will be in the lead and will be reelected to the Senate."

At the moment, Al Franken is leading by about 250.

Caroline Kennedy comes out for gay marriage

By GottaLaff

Take that, Rev. Rick:

QUESTION 2: Same-sex marriage. Do you support the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry? Do you think it's appropriate that Rick Warren, who campaigned to ban gay marriage, is delivering the invocation at Obama's inauguration? If not, have you expressed that to the president-elect?

ANSWER: "Caroline supports full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples."

Caroline Kennedy had several questions posed to her. Here's another:

QUESTION 5: Did you support or oppose the war at the time of the Oct. 2002 resolution authorizing the use of force? Is there any way to document your stance? Did you say anything public, or participate in any anti-war demonstrations? And, do you now think that 16 months is a reasonable timeline for getting American combat troops out of Iraq?

ANSWER: "Caroline opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning. She supports President-Elect Obama's plan to work with our military leaders to begin a responsible withdrawal."

More here.

Shallow Thoughts: Annoying news crawl at the bottom of your TV screen edition

By GottaLaff

Today's Shallow Thought:

Has anyone else noticed that CNN no longer runs that annoying news crawl tickery thing across the bottom of their broadcasts any more? Instead, they flip little update cards. It's a much cleaner look, much less irritating, much easier to read, and much more like CNN International.

(Sorry for the Faux News image; I couldn't get a screen grab with crawl on MSNBC at this hour.)

That was today's Shallow Thought. Thank you for wading in.

SEC Report: Employees Browsed Porn, Ran Private Businesses

By GottaLaff

Get the kids out of the room:

The report, released the day after Thanksgiving, reveals that some employees at the [Securities and Exchange Commission ] were clearly preoccupied with matters other than their mission of "protecting investors and maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets." The semi-annual report to Congress, which covers the period from this past April to September, details among other things a handful of employees circumventing internal controls to download porn. Let’s pause for some detail:

[Investigators] uncovered evidence that an employee who was still in his probationary period had used his SEC laptop computer to attempt to access Internet websites classified as containing pornography, resulting in hundreds of access denials. The OIG investigation also disclosed that this employee successfully bypassed the Commission’s Internet filter by using a flash drive.

Presumably, that’s not the kind of initiative the SEC is looking for.

They don't call them "laptops" for nothing. Is that your flash drive, or are you just happy to see me?

There were also more serious misdeeds raised by the report. For example, there is the case of the senior-level commission employee who "clearly and purposefully identified herself as a Commission employee when dealing with brokers about a family member’s account," making the broker in question feel like she was trying to "intimidate and bully him." The OIG referred the matter to management for "disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal." By the end of the period covered in the report, management "had not proposed or taken action." [...]

Investigators found employees in separate offices operated private photography businesses out of the commission:

An employee repeatedly and flagrantly used Commission resources, including Commission Internet access, e-mail, telephone and printer, in support of his private photography business for several years.

[...] The report reveals also that two commission staffers employed as attorneys didn’t have active bar memberships. [...]

The IG also found that the commission did not have a sufficient system in place to "prevent and detect insider trading on the part of Commission employees or violations of the Commission’s rules."

The agency’s information management also comes in for criticism. An employee survey conducted by the inspector general revealed that employees failed to enter data into a computer system used to manage investigations. [...] The IG semi-annual report also reveals that the commission lacks "an inventory of its laptops and was unable to trace ownership of laptops to specific individuals."

Kinda takes the "security" out of Security and Exchange, doesn't it?

Go here for the 95-page document.

Yet another Rev. Rick Warren post

By GottaLaff

Because I like to be inclusive, here is yet another perspective about the Rev. Rick controversy, and what a controversy it is. Via The Motley Moose:

...I think the comparison to "what if Obama had a racist or anti-semite up there on stage" misses the point.

Nelson Mandela was a master of using white supremacists as stage props against white supremacy. His message was moderate or be marginalized. There is no try.

Obama's statement about being President for all Americans, not just those who support him or voted for him, is much like Mandela's for similar reasons. Both are inheriting a massively divided country threatened with economic ruin and split into cultural factions accustomed to hating each other. Oh ... and both are black men taking over countries long exclusively ruled and owned by whites. [...]

[T]he Catholic Church... places abortion as an even higher sin than war. And won't let women be priests. Warren and the Pope are closer on most issues than they are apart.

But unlike abortion rights, which will remain constitutionally protected thanks to Obama's election, equal rights for gays do not yet exist in the United States. [...]

Someone asked of the inauguration, "why are gays being asked to take a punch in the gut for inclusiveness?" Well, from the view of a lot of folks on the Right, Warren is taking a punch in the gut for inclusiveness by showing up on stage with a bunch of gay-loving baby killers and their Muslim AntiChrist Presleydent.

And remember, it is just a stage. And all on it are merely players. Perhaps Obama will say, be excellent to each other ... or else.

For all we know, Obama might be doing this just to get Warren to talk to Rev. Lowery. You never know where and when an Epiphany can take place.

Christ, Warren might come out of the closet.

Now wouldn't that be an historic "inauguration"?

Severed cable disrupts web access

By GottaLaff

This can't be good:

Internet and phone communications between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia have been seriously disrupted after submarine cables were severed. It is thought the FLAG FEA, SMW4, and SMW3 lines, near the Alexandria cable station in Egypt, have all been cut. A fault was also reported on the GO submarine cable 130km off Sicily. Experts warned that it may be days before the fault is fixed.

Jonathan Wright - director of wholesale products at Interoute which manages part of the optical fibre network:

"This will grind economies to a halt for a short space of time," he said "If you look at, say, local financial markets who trade with European and US markets, the speed at which they get live data will be compromised."

"If you think how quickly trades can be placed, if they are suffering from bad latency times, then by the time a trade is placed, the market may well have moved on."

The cause of the break is as yet unknown, although some seismic activity was reported near Malta shortly before the cut was detected. [...]

It is thought that 65% of traffic to India was down, while services to Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Taiwan and Pakistan have also been severely affected. [...]

"We've lost three out of four lines. If the fourth cable breaks, we're looking at a total blackout in the Middle East," said Mr Wright.

"These three circuits account for 90% of the traffic and we're going to see more international phone calls dropping and a huge degradation in the quality of local internet," he added.

"Normally you would expect to see one major break per cable per year. With four you should have an insurance policy. For this to happen twice in one year, on the same cable, is a serious cause for concern."

I blame Time-Warner.

Saturday Editorial Cartoon

The irreplaceable Luckovich.

Kailua abuzz for Obama's arrival

How could a vaca in Hawaii get any better? Staying two house down from the PE. (You certainly won't have to worry about crime)

As workers cut grass, brought in poinsettias and cleaned the beach yesterday at the upscale Kailua enclave where Barack Obama will arrive this afternoon to spend the holidays with family, neighbors and those who frequent the stretch of shoreline were abuzz over the prospect of catching a glimpse of the president-elect.

"We're very, very excited. It's amazing," said Richard Myerscough, 43, of Vancouver, British Columbia, who is vacationing with family in a home two doors down from the compound the Obamas are renting. Myerscough, who was enjoying the beach fronting his rental yesterday despite overcast skies and brownish, murky water from recent rain, added that he and his family will give Obama his space.

"We're certainly going to give him his peace and quiet," he said.

The pub decked out in £10,000 Christmas decorations

I don't even want to think about their electric bill.

If you're looking for a dark, gloomy drinking hole to hide away with a pint this Christmas, the Marine pub in Eastbourne isn't it.

The landlord has made sure his bar is filled with festive cheer by decking it out in 18,000 twinkling lights and 1,000 baubles.

Phil Saunders, 58, spent two and a half weeks assembling the decorations, which also include festoons of coloured foil and half a dozen holly wreaths.

President-elect Obama's Weekly Address

For a second time, President-elect Barack Obama has used his radio address to break news, this week announcing four members of his science and technology team.

In the address, Obama announces that he has chosen Dr. John Holdren as assistant to the president for science and technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology; Dr. Jane Lubchenco for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration administrator; and Drs. Eric Lander and Harold Varmus as co-chairs of the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology.

"Holiday Parking Hell"

Some holiday cheer erm, music for you. If you're going shopping today you have my sympathy. From our friends at Parody and Son.

Bristol Palin's Baby Daddy's Mommy Busted For Oxycontin

Tsk tsk. Damn drug addicts.

WASILLA -- Wasilla resident Sherry L. Johnston, mother of Bristol Palin's boyfriend, faces a Jan. 6 court date for an oxycontin-related arrest at her home by Alaska State Troopers.

Little additional information was available Friday on the case as authorities remained unusually tight-lipped about details. But Palmer court records listed her scheduled court date and a troopers spokeswoman said in a release late Friday afternoon that the charges "are in relation to the drug oxycontin."

Saturday Links

A santa themed pub crawl stops traffic in central Melbourne

Not enough coffee, brains or heat. Anything interesting happen overnight?

China blocks Internet access to New York Times

Bless you! Sexual thoughts can trigger sneezing

Jerry Brown asks California State Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8

Ex-Bush Aide Pleads Guilty to Stealing From Federally Aided Center

U.S. Workers Crowding Out Immigrant Laborers

Holiday sex: Christmas season is peak for mating

Happy Birthday Christopher

Some tips for your milestone bday. You're the best little brother a gal could have.

Aloha, President-elect Obama and family

By GottaLaff

Getty/istockphoto/photo illustration

I'm soooo jealous:

The Obamas take off for the Aloha State Saturday, where they'll be spending the week with family.

And/But: The president-elect won't really be on vacation. He'll continue to do transition work during his stay.

If anyone deserves time off, it's Barack Obama.

Why am I suddenly in the mood for tiny paper umbrellas, sashimi, lots of vowels, and sweet floral fragrances?

And they're protecting the first African American president: Secret Service Sanctioned in Race Bias Suit

By GottaLaff

Let's just hope the Secret Service acts more professionally with their new African American boss than they have with their fellow co-workers:

A federal magistrate judge has ruled that the U.S. Secret Service "made a mockery" of long-standing rules by failing to preserve, concealing and even destroying evidence sought by 10 African American current and former employees in a racial discrimination case.

In an opinion filed late Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Washington, Judge Deborah A. Robinson effectively barred the agency from presenting a defense in the class-action lawsuit filed in 2000. [...]

The judge's ruling effectively lowers the burden of proof for plaintiffs and limits the amount of evidence government lawyers can use to defend the agency against allegations that supervisors routinely harassed black agents and refused to promote them to management positions.

Robinson earlier sanctioned the agency three times for being slow to search for documents as directed by the court and to turn over racially charged e-mails shared by white Secret Service supervisors. Jennifer I. Klar, a lawyer with Relman & Dane, which is representing the plaintiffs pro bono, said the ruling "sends the clear message that no entity, not even the United States government or the elite Secret Service, is above the law."

It's more than a little disconcerting to realize that racism is alive and well in the organization that is responsible for our new president's safety.

Perfect: Kenneth Starr to defend gay marriage ban before state Supreme Court

By GottaLaff

One name I never wanted to hear again is Ken Starr. I'm guessing he never got professional help for his voyeuristic obsessions. Now he's expanded his repertoire to include same-sex marriage.

Hey Ken, here's a thought: Stay out of other people's private lives; while you're at it, go to your vast library of law books and look up the term "equal rights":

Kenneth W. Starr, the former U.S. Solicitor General who led the inquiry into President Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica L. Lewinsky, will argue the case in favor of upholding a ban on gay marriage before the California Supreme Court. [...]

Opponents of the proposition argued that it amounted to a constitutional revision instead of a more limited amendment. [...]

The court could hear oral arguments as soon as March.

The Evil Starr-Man is back. There is no escape.

Gay rights group works to help Obama 'turn the corner' on Warren controversy

By GottaLaff

If P.E. Obama would agree to a few policy goals to compensate for the Rev. Rick choice, it would go a long way to assuage a whole lot of people. Constructive responses like this are helpful and offer a positive counterpoint to the crescendoing discontent:

The Human Rights Campaign petition is raising support for its "Blueprint for Positive Change," aimed at fostering equality for gays and lesbians.

HRC's Blueprint for Positive Change calls on President-elect Obama to:

•Issue an Executive Order within the first 100 days that reaffirms protections for federal workers based on sexual orientation and expands them to also include gender identity;

•Work with Congress to sign Hate Crimes legislation into law within 6 months;

•Support only a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA);

•In the first 100 days develop a plan to begin the process of eliminating the failed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; and

•Work with Congress to end unequal tax treatment of domestic partnerships benefits.

Sounds reasonable to me.

Al Franken in the lead by about 250, projected by 538 to win by 70

By GottaLaff

The Franken-Coleman saga, part 398765:

[A]s the board took up and rejected more Coleman challenges today, Franken pulled ahead in the opening minutes and steadily built his advantage to about 250 before the panel recessed until Monday.

Nate the Great at Five Thirty Eight:

As of 1 PM, I'm now projecting a Franken lead of more like 70 votes, which would bring my numbers closely in line with the Star Tribune's estimate.

Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease.

Another Rev. Rick Warren post: Democrats need period of pyschological adjustment from Bush years

By GottaLaff

Paddy and I were just saying how sick we are of all things Rev. Rick, and how the the issue of the separation of church and state should be front and center. But here I am, posting one more time about Rev. Bigot. Why?

Because Marc Ambinder offers up another facet of the controversy that I found interesting. He titles it "The Left Adapts to Power; Overcoming Learned Pessimism". He begins by referring to a "knee jerk reaction" by many liberals to what they have for so long seen as a slap in the face:

The contrast, though, between the impressively (from that point of view) liberal administration appointments that obama has been rolling out over the past few days and the choice of an anti-gay pastor to speak briefly for one morning (and presumably not about gays, or any other divisive social issue) is fascinating. [...]

The Obama team probably misread the situation a bit, but it's easy to see how they might do so: the transition team obviously wanted two contrasting religious voices for the invocation and the benediction. Seen in this light, the Warren pick is far less controversial.

The deeper dynamic, though, is this: liberal groups are used to being treated like stepchildren in Washington. They are used to being under siege at all times, and it's going to take some adjustment to realize that gay rights are probably not in danger because of things like the Warren pick. (An Obama adviser, discussing this matter with me, urged patience, saying that Obama is committed to the substance of his campaign promises to expand gay rights.)

A little private reassurance would go a long way, and it seems that the Obama team has not accounted for the fact that everyone, on all sides, is going through a period of psychological adjustment from the Bush years.

This includes liberal interest groups accustomed to being slapped around by Bush and taken for granted by Bill Clinton.

When new programs start coming down the pike, and Obama's priorities on gay rights (and on anything else on the progressive agenda) become clear, most of this early defensive posturing will probably be seen as premature and overblown.

Until Barack Obama does something substantial to advance gay rights, groups like HRC can hardly be blamed for feeling the deja vu.

While I appreciate Ambinder's points, I think it goes far beyond that. Rev. Rick is downright offensive, to say the least. Receiving eventual reassurances by Obama and his policies is one thing, but having that bigot right smack in our faces on such a monumental occasion is something else entirely.

In other words, this can't be boiled down to the eventual adaptation of learned behavior by the abused following a lifetime with their abuser.

And unfortunately, I don't think disappointed Obama supporters will feel soothed by dreams of a rosier future while simultaneously playing "polite audience" to a man who dismisses our most basic rights and needs the way a horse's tail idly swats away a fly.

For so many who have felt the intense pain that comes from small-minded hatred and prejudice, the time for healing is now, not January 21st.

Joe Biden: "The economy is in much worse shape than we thought it was in."

By GottaLaff

Welcome to the White House, new president and vice president. Now, fix everything that BushCo destroyed. Save our country from the fall it's taking off that very steep cliff. Enjoy your stay, now!

In an interview with ABC News, Vice President-elect Biden said the American economy is in danger of "absolutely tanking" and will need a second stimulus package in the $600-billion to $700-billion range.

Said Biden: "The economy is in much worse shape than we thought it was in. There is no short run other than keeping the economy from absolutely tanking. That's the only short run."

Safavian Found Guilty... Again

By GottaLaff

Via TPM:

The Associated Press reports:

David Safavian was found guilty of one count of obstruction and three counts of making false statements to investigators. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Safavian, the former top procurement official at the White House, was on trial for lying to investigators about his relationship with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. His 2006 conviction on similar charges had been overturned.

AP adds:

Safavian and his lawyers decided this week not to put on a defense, ending their case without calling a single witness or without Safavian testifying.

Buh-bye now, Davey.

Gift Wrapping Service For Men

I'm pretty sure I linked to this story in one of my linkages this week, but it's fun to see. Use this as an open thread/evening distractions since I've got nothing.

What's the worst gift you ever recieved? I'll tell you mine in the comments.

Obama finalizes cabinet

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

President-elect Obama announces Rep. Hilda Solis as his labor secretary, Republican Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois for transportation secretary, Dennis Blair as Director of National Intelligence and Ron Kirk as trade representative.

Protesters shake shoes at US Embassy in London

Some people may not think it's the most embarrassing presidential moment, but it does seem to be catching on.

LONDON – Protesters shook their shoes at the U.S. Embassy in London on Friday in a show of support for a jailed Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush during a news conference in Iraq.

Up to 50 demonstrators, some carrying shoes mounted on sticks, protested the arrest of journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi and called for his release.

(snip)

The protest ended when demonstrators dumped their shoes — including high heels, sneakers, and slippers — into a box in front of the U.S. Embassy at London's Grosvenor Square.

Video- Blagojevich Press Conference

Rod Blagojevich is koo koo.

The Shoe Incident Most Embarassing?

USN&WR thinks not-

1. George H.W. Bush Vomits On the Japanese Prime Minister (1992)
2. George W. Bush Crashes Into a Police Officer in Scotland, Sending the Officer to the Hospital (2005)
3. Gerald Ford Falls Down the Steps of Air Force One in Austria (1975)
4. Ronald Reagan Falls Asleep While Meeting with the Pope (1982)
5. Bill Clinton Caught Celebrating a Favorable Ruling in a Sexual Case Through His Hotel Window in Senegal (1998)

60 Minutes Devotes Upcoming Hour to Barack Obama

Hey, they know what gets the ratings.

60 Minutes is devoting its entire hour on Dec. 28 to Barack Obama and his journey to the White House. 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft has been chronicling Obama's story for nearly two years.

He was the first reporter to interview the Pres.-elect and Michelle Obama after the election.

Obama Daughters Say Goodbye to Their Chicago School

Huge empathy for the girls, things are about to get topsy turvy. Thankfully they have steady parents to get them thru.

In what is the first of many goodbyes for the Obamas in Chicago, the future first family this morning attended a party in their daughters' honor on their last day of school in Chicago.

Today was the last day of school at the University of Chicago Laboratory School before the students are released for the holidays. But for two students, Malia Obama, 10, and Sasha, 7, their impending move to Washington DC means today was their last day at that school permanently.

The Obama’s spent about 90 minutes inside the school for what a transition aide described as a “party for the Obama girls to celebrate their last day at the school.”

VIDEO: Burger king "Flame" cologne meat fragrance

By GottaLaff

In case you haven't heard yet:

Burger King, the home of the Whopper hamburger, is extending its kingdom to include men's cologne. Yes, you read that correctly: for $4 a vile, your man can smell like cooked meat.

Burger King has launched a new men's body spray called "Flame," which it describes as "the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat."

I think back to those heady (no pun) evenings when Mr. Laffy and I were dating, and say to myself, "Damn. If only he'd doused himself with rump roast, I'd have passed right out on my fainting couch."

The fast food chain is marketing the product through a Web site featuring a photo of its King character reclining fireside and naked, except for an animal fur strategically placed to not offend.

Wise decision, making every effort not to offend like that. The dead animal skin angle shouldn't bother anyone at all, buttressing that whole red meat fragrance Eureka! moment. I'm sure vegans everywhere are applauding.

Burger King is also in the midst of its Whopper Virgins campaign that features a taste test with fast-food "virgins" pitting the Whopper against McDonald's Big Mac.

Now there's a sure-fire winner. Why, the juxtaposition of the words "taste" and "virgins" alone should garner immediate praise from, say, your Rev. Rick Warrens and numerous gung ho family values groups nationwide! What an ad campaign! What could possibly go wrong?

Arizona police: Military must prep for unrest; IMF warns of economic riots

By GottaLaff

Martial law much? Via CLG:

'Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis.'

Ariz. police say they are prepared as War College warns military must prep for unrest

IMF warns of economic riots 17 Dec 2008 A new report by the U.S. Army War College talks about the possibility of Pentagon resources and troops being used should the economic crisis lead to civil unrest, such as protests against businesses and government or runs on beleaguered banks. "Widespread civil violence inside the United States would force the defense establishment to reorient priorities in extremis to defend basic domestic order and human security," said the War College report. The study says economic collapse, terrorism and loss of legal order are among possible domestic shocks that might require military action within the U.S. U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., and U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., both said U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson brought up a worst-case scenario as he pushed for the Wall Street bailout in September. Paulson, former Goldman Sachs CEO, said that might even require a declaration of martial law, the two noted.

No, that's not disturbing at all. In fact, it's as reassuring as this was.

Waxman grants Dingell lead role on health care

By GottaLaff

Universal health care just got a boost:

California Rep. Henry A. Waxman has cut a deal with the man he dethroned last month as chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, in a bid to diffuse leftover tension from that bitter contest.

Under terms announced Thursday, Michigan Rep. John D. Dingell will take the lead on all major health care initiatives before the committee in the next Congress and have a say in personnel matters as part of an agreement worked out with his successor.

In addition, as chairman emeritus, Dingell will have "a suitable staff to assist with his work" on the panel, according to a joint release from the two lawmakers issued Thursday night. [...]

By granting Dingell a role as "the lead sponsor" of whatever national health care legislation the committee considers, Waxman is giving the Dean of the House the chance to cap his historic career by realizing his father's goal of universal health care coverage - Dingell's father, a former House member, first introduced legislation creating national health insurance in 1943.

Sen. DeMint hit with FEC fine over contributions

By GottaLaff

So the FEC still functions? Where are their judgments on John McCain's campaign?

Federal Election Commissioners have approved an agreement by which Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-S.C.) campaign will pay a $25,000 fine for accepting contributions above legal limits, according to files made public Friday.

The freshman senator, who has emerged as a leading conservative voice, accepted $68,000 in excessive contributions during his 2004 bid to replace ex-Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-S.C.). [...]

The FEC also released judgments against Kalyn Free, who ran for the Democratic nomination in Oklahoma’s 2nd District in 2004, and against Suzanne Haik Terrell (R), who narrowly lost a 2002 challenge to Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.).

The judgment against Terrell requires the candidate's committee to refund more than $625,000 in contributions and pay a fine of $42,543 for accepting illegal corporate contributions. Several individuals will pay fines ranging from $2,500 to $8,000 for their roles in the campaign.

Obama statement on Bush bailout

By GottaLaff

That post title is lifted from First Read, and now that I've re-read it, it reads as if Bush is the one getting the bailout. That's not far from the mark.

Obama:

"Today's actions are a necessary step to help avoid a collapse in our auto industry that would have devastating consequences for our economy and our workers. With the short-term assistance provided by this package, the auto companies must bring all their stakeholders together -- including labor, dealers, creditors and suppliers -- to make the hard choices necessary to achieve long-term viability. The auto companies must not squander this chance to reform bad management practices and begin the long-term restructuring that is absolutely required to save this critical industry and the millions of American jobs that depend on it."

UPDATE:

In addition to his choices for Labor (Hilda Solis), Transportation (Ray LaHood) and U.S. Trade Representative (Ron Kirk), Obama will announce Karen Mills as his choice to head the Small Business Administration at his news conference later today.

Mills:

Mills is a venture capitalist and a founding partner of the New York-based equity firm Solera Capital. She has been an adviser to Maine Gov. John Baldacci on economic matters. She's also president of the MMP Group in Brunswick.

VIDEO: "It's a Blunderful Life"

By GottaLaff

Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" as done by Jim Ward, with photoshopping by Dood Abides.

There's an updated version that Stephanie Miller played today, but I can't find it online yet. If anyone spots it, please let me know and I'll put it up.

Meanwhile, Jim Ward outdoes himself with the original version. Enjoy!

Franken opens first lead in Minn. Senate race

Man, I'm as tired hearing about this as I am about Warren. Win already Al!!!

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Democrat Al Franken edged ahead of Republican incumbent Norm Coleman on Friday for the first time in Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate recount.

Franken opened up a slight lead on the fourth day of a state Canvassing Board meeting to decide the fate of hundreds of disputed ballots.

The change was notable because Coleman led Franken in election night returns and also held a 188-vote lead before the board took up challenged ballots. But its significance was limited, with the possibility the lead could change again before the long recount ends.

The board had several hundred remaining challenges to resolve, with a goal of doing so by Friday. Both Coleman and Franken are also waiting to see how much they gain from some 5,000 challenges that they withdrew, and the board won't allocate those until Monday.

Added- Taegan seems to think all this might continue into 2009.

World Nuts Daily Poll On Warren Invocation

Hysterical. Major kudos to Pam for putting on the waders and finding this.

Blagojevich to hold 2 p.m. news conference

Oh joy, just when we thought it was being back burnered and right before Obama's late afternoon presser.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich scheduled a news conference today to make a statement to the media, his first public appearance since he was arrested last week on federal corruption charges.

Blagojevich has avoided the public eye for the most part since his arrest, but in recent days has told reporters camped outside his house that he is eager to talk to the people of Illinois.

The advisory released this morning from the governor's office said only that Blagojevich would make a statement to the press at 2 p.m. at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.

Duncan Hunter Calls Accusations of War Crimes By Rumsfeld Left Wing Rubbish

Bush Will Deign To Save Detroit

Just catching bits and pieces off MSNBC. 17 bil with lots of strings attached. More when I get it.

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush will make an announcement about a rescue plan for the ailing U.S. automakers at 9 a.m. ET Friday, the White House said.

He's expected to announce that automakers will get $13.4 billion in short-term financing, which would come from the government's $700 billion financial bailout fund. An additional $4 billion could be available in February.

The auto companies must use the funds to become financially sound. If they are not financially viable by March 31, 2009, the loans will be called and all of the funds will be returned to Treasury. By the government's definition, financial viability is a positive net present value, which takes into account all current and future costs and can fully repay the government loan.

Friday Linkage

Fighting with the computer again.

Pakistan protesters burn Indian PM effigy

Cheney Claims Power Over His Public Records

Mystery Lights Over The Midlands

CNN: Landrieu and Snowe to make history in next Congress
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, may have fallen short of breaking the ultimate glass ceiling in American politics, but two of her fellow female senators will make history next year.

'Lost Leonardo da Vinci drawings' found on back of one of his paintings in the Louvre

Judge: Baghdad Shoe-Thrower Appears Beaten

Couple to have Britain's first baby genetically modified to be free of breast cancer gene

WSJ: The Presidential Pickup Game
With the naming of 'the best basketball-playing cabinet in American history,' hoops madness is hitting Washington. But don't count out the bowling lobby.

Bristol Palin's Baby Daddy's Mommy Busted For Drugs

Heh, I just wanted to type that headline. As the saying goes, oh my!!

WASILLA -- A 42-year-old Wasilla woman was arrested Thursday at her home by Alaska State Troopers with a search warrant in an undercover drug investigation. Sherry L. Johnston was charged with six felony counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance.

Johnston is the mother of Levi Johnston, the Wasilla 18-year-old who received international attention in September when Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, announced their teenage daughter was pregnant and he was the father.

Mark Felt dies at 95

Why anyone would ask Pat Buchanan his opinion on Felt is beyond me. (they just did on Morning Joe)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - W. Mark Felt, the former FBI second-in-command who revealed himself as "Deep Throat" 30 years after he tipped off reporters to the Watergate scandal that toppled a president, has died. He was 95. Felt died Thursday in Santa Rosa after suffering from congestive heart failure for several months, said family friend John D. O'Connor, who wrote the 2005 Vanity Fair article uncovering Felt's secret.

PhotObama: Beauteous edition

By GottaLaff

I dabble in photography and admire a good pic. This one's beauteous, IMHO:

Obama team meets with broad spectrum of Jewish groups

By GottaLaff

An early Hanukkah present:

Senior Obama aides met with the leaders of an unusually broad spectrum of 29 Jewish groups today at transition headquarters.

Transition aides listened more than they spoke during a meeting that lasted almost two hours, and they heard a lot about Iran, but also about the question of boycotting a second Durban conference on racism next year.

Most interesting than the substance, perhaps, was who was there: Hawkish leaders who had been critical of Obama, like the Zionist Organization of America's Mort Klein, were invited, as were the leaders of conservative groups like the Orthodox Union and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs; Aipac was also represented.

But leaders of a series of liberal, peace-oriented groups were in attendance: Peace Now, J Street, the Israel Policy Forum, and Brit Tzedek v'Shalom.

Now let's play Compare and Contrast:

"I’ve been to a lot of Jewish meetings that the Bush administration has done, and Peace Now, IPF, J Street, and Brit Tzedek were never at those meetings," said one attendee.

Those attending included Jim Messina, Michael Strautmanis, Tonya Robinson, Eric Lynn, Dan Shapiro and Tom Perez.

"President-elect Obama's transition team shrewdly invited just about every national Jewish organization to participate in a wide-ranging round-table discussion that touched on just about every issue of concern to the Jewish community," said William Daroff, the vice president for public policy at the United Jewish Communities. "Left-leaning groups, Right-leaning groups, and all of us in between were included in the meeting — in a truly unprecedented effort to ensure representation by the vast spectrum of American Jewish opinion.

Mazltov, Team Obama. You're not even in office yet, and you've shown up BushCo on a daily basis. A mekhaye!

Bush is a saint

By GottaLaff

I'm watching Larry King Live right now, and the panel consists of Dana Perino, Ari Fleischer, Josh Bolten, and Andy Card. Gosharootie, they're polite, conscientious, and respectful. And they smile as if they mean it. They're the bestest!

Why, had it not been for these fine, unimpeachable* standard-bearers of Republican values, I might have continued to believe that Bush is a despicable, lying, cowardly, drunken, imbecilic, shallow, murderous, delusional, sadistic piece of excrement.

But after soaking in the lavish praise and reverence of this lustrous team of devotees, and even learning that Bush is someone who "never stifles debate", I'll have to do some serious rethinking. How could I have been so wrong?

*Literally.