BREAKING: North Korea launches rocket

By GottaLaff

I'll update as more news comes in:

North Korea appeared to launch a rocket on Sunday, the Japanese government said, defying calls from world leaders to scrap a plan that has caused international alarm.

It was not immediately clear if the launch had been successful, or if it was a long-range version of the rocket.

The rocket is supposed to fly over Japan, dropping boosters to its west and east on a path that runs southwest of Hawaii.

The United States, South Korea and Japan say the plan is actually the test of a Taepodong-2 missile, which is designed to carry a warhead as far as Alaska.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday the international community would take action if North Korea went ahead with the launch to show Pyongyang it could not act with impunity.

The U.S. has three Navy destroyers standing by.

UPDATE Tweets:

China State media says North Korea rocket dropped fuel boosters at 11:37 and 11:43 Japan time.

Reuters: Japan government says the rocket launch is "regrettable"

Yonhap: Seoul says N. Korean rocket launch "grave threat" to world peace

L.A. Times Tweet:

North Korea launches rocket; payload unknown

President Obama does it again: He averts yet another mess, this time at NATO Summit

By GottaLaff

President Obama couldn't be any anti-Bushier. There he goes again, being all diplomatic, reaching out to others, getting them to listen and communicate, and creating more harmonious relationships. What galling newbie-tastic neophyte-itude:

On the heels of his negotiations at the G-20 economic summit - where he negotiated a way out of a potential logjam spurred by a heated debate between France and China over tax havens - President Obama exercised his negotiating skills once again on this overseas trip, this time at the NATO Summit.

This time the debate was over whether Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen should become the next secretary general of NATO. [...] Turkish President Abdullah Gul voiced his concerns.

“This was a different style than what the leader are used to from a U.S. President," the non-Obama administration source said. "Obama was instrumental in making this happen. Obama eventually clenched the decision with his leadership – and because he listened to what people said.”

Said [Obama's national security adviser, Gen. Jim Jones (Ret.)]: "I think it was a very helpful moment. I think that our President really was instrumental in bringing about this common ground and finding this common ground -- and as a result the Alliance has a new Secretary General elected unanimously." [...]

There were, President Obama said today of Rasmussen's new gig, "important efforts to make sure that everybody felt included. And I want to thank, in particular, Turkey for raising some concerns having to do with their security issues and their confidence that the new secretary general would address them. So I congratulate all the parties concerned in arriving at a outstanding outcome."

I don't know about you, but my pride-o-meter just went berserk. And Rushpublics? This is the guy you thought was too "inexperienced" and inept to handle foreign affairs. Once again, the Party of No inspires confidence in their sound judgment and wisdom. Who could ever doubt them again?

Go here for the whole story.

H/t: Wendy

Bonus tacky VIDEO: Walgreen's to cancel orders of Chia Obama

By GottaLaff

Okay, how creepy is this:

First we had Obama fried chicken. Wasn't that enough? No? Really? Alrighty then...

Straight from the Department of Pure, No Frills Unadulterated Oy (Paddy's original post about these pieces of drek here):

From a Florida Fox affilliate:

Some local Walgreen's stores are pulling a supposed likeness of President Barack Obama off their shelves. The 'Chia Obama' will no longer be sold there. [...]

But now, the corporate office has asked stores to pull the product from their stores because, he said, it is not appropriate for the company's corporate image.

First, Walgreen's has a corporate image? Well okay, I guess they didn't want this mental picture lingering in the minds of their clientele:



Please tell me that was a spoof. Because if it wasn't... how much hokier and more tasteless could they get? The emotionally charged music...The faux patriotism... The moving tribute... And then...

...and then...

...a loving shot of "Chia Obama", the most hideously tacky piece of merchandise to date, filling the screen.

Way to cheapen a really class act, guys.

UPDATE:
A must see. Chia Obamatude on crack.

British involvement in mistreatment of terrorism suspects wider than reported

By GottaLaff

I'm sure BushCo knows nothing about any of this. It's all about the British, see. We 'Murkins are clean as a whistle, because we don't do torture. Nobody does. It's all a figment of our imaginations:

British involvement in the mistreatment of terrorism suspects abroad is wider than previously reported, a human rights group has claimed.

Cageprisoners - which campaigns on terror detention - said there were 29 cases of security service involvement with tortured or mistreated suspects.

One case cited, of Moroccan-born Farid Hilali, pre-dates the 9/11 attacks.

UK authorities deny collusion but say interrogating suspects in foreign prisons yields valuable intelligence. [...]

The allegations include rendition [...] and interrogation of suspects by MI5, MI6 and the SAS in foreign prisons where they have been tortured or otherwise mistreated.

All of the alleged mistreatment took place abroad and the Cageprisoners report lists a number of countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Kenya. [...]

A number of those making allegations were transferred to and then released from Guantanamo Bay, while others are serving prison sentences in Britain for terrorism offences. [...]

The claims go back to 1999, two years before the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania [...]

The latest allegations were the "strongest yet", he added.

This is getting a little hard to ignore, isn't it?

PhotObama-- G20: Then and Now edition

By GottaLaff

Courtesy of The Full Ginsburg:

Now:

Then:

VIDEO: Keith Olbermann wins for "Outstanding TV Journalism Segment" at GLAAD Media Awards

By GottaLaff

Apparently, on top of this fantastic win, Keith Olbermann had a "family crisis" to contend with recently:



Wonderful news. Oy. I'm kvelling. Bravo, Keith!

And Keith is right, why didn't the media cover this? Rhetorical.

VIDEO: Conservatives Blocking More Key Obama Nominees

By GottaLaff

The Party of No strikes again. Have they realized yet, who got elected, by how much, and how popular he is? And when will they stop putting self-interest ahead of their country?

Conservatives in Congress and in the media are attempting to block or delay a growing number of critical nominees for what amount to ideological witch hunts and self-interested horse-trading. [...]

In the last week alone, at least four separate nominees who thought they were on track to be approved will have to wait at least a few more weeks:

Department of Defense: Sens. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL) announced today that “they are blocking President Barack Obama’s nomination of Ashton Carter as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.” The senators want assurances that Carter will not “change the criteria” on which the Pentagon considers a refueling tanker contract that could benefit defense contractors in their state.

Department of Veterans Affairs: Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) asked the Senate Veterans Affairs committee to delay voting on the “nomination of Tammy Duckworth [Laffy Note: See video], an injured Iraq war helicopter pilot, to be an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs.” Contacted by ThinkProgress, Burr’s Press Secretary, David Ward said that Burr is waiting for the answers to several questions he’s put to the White House and Duckworth, but would not disclose what those questions were.

White House Office of Legal Council: Dawn Johnsen’s nomination [Laffy Note: See this post] as head of the OLC has been delayed in part because Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has ideological differences with her. As the Legal Times explained, “citing Johnsen’s criticisms of Bush national security policies, [Cornyn] accused her of lacking ‘the seriousness and necessary resolve’ to fight terrorism,” while “other Republicans have targeted her work as legal director for NARAL Pro-Choice America from 1988 to 1993.”

Department of State: Right wing commentators are working to block the appointment of Harold Koh to the State Deptment’s top legal adviser, smearing him as a “threat to democracy” for his being an international law expert. As the Century Foundation notes, “The fervent opponents of Harold Koh turn out to be enthusiastic defenders of John Yoo.”

Additionally, Chris Hill’s nomination as ambassador to Iraq is still being held up by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) at the behest of the right wing.

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

See how patriotic they are? No wonder they're falling apart.

Virginia GOP chief asked to leave

By GottaLaff

And now it's time for another episode of "Rushpublics Eating Their Own". In our last episode, everyone in the party realized they had no future. Today we join a circular firing squad already in progress:

Leaders of the Republican Party of Virginia are asking Chairman Jeff Frederick to resign or face ouster at the party's State Central Committee meeting next month.

"I think it's something that has to be remedied, and remedies have to take place," said Michael Wade, chairman of the 3rd Congressional District Republican Committee.

Mr. Frederick said Thursday afternoon that he is not going down without a fight and has the votes to stay in his position. At a meeting of the group's governing body April 4, a three-fourths majority vote could remove him.

"I will not retreat from the commitment I made to the core of our party who clearly and unmistakably expressed their will at last May's convention," he said. "I have every intention of continuing as chairman and completing my term in May 2012."

And now it's time for a commercial break. Tired of that run-down feeling? Wish you had your old pizazz back? Take Obamatol! Yes, folks, just one dose of Obamatol and you'll feel good as new! Get some today!

Now back to our program:

The 33-year-old, who announced last month that he would not run for a fourth term as a Prince William County representative in the House, pledged to rebuild and mobilize a state party struggling to stem Democratic gains.

Under his leadership, however, Barack Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since 1964; former Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, won the seat of a retiring Republican; and Democrats reversed the Republican majority among the state's congressional delegation in November elections.

Mr. Frederick was criticized during the presidential campaign for saying Mr. Obama and Osama bin Laden "both have friends that bombed the Pentagon."

Will Mr. Frederick survive? Will he be ousted? Will all the Democrats in Virginia stop what they're doing at a predesignated time and point and laugh? Will I stop asking meaningless questions? Stay tuned.

Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the party's lone candidate in a crucial governor's race this year:

"It is clear to me, after hearing from Republican leaders across the state, that as we move forward with our campaign, as well as the other statewide and House of Delegates races, it would be helpful for the Republican Party of Virginia to have more effective leadership in this pivotal year," he said.

Leadership issues? The Rushpublics have leadership issues? Who knew? Since when? Oh yeah. But that's not important now. What is important is this:

More than 75 percent of the GOP committee's roughly 76 voting members have signed correspondence calling on Mr. Frederick to be removed from the chairmanship, a source said.

Egad! Yoiks! Zounds! What a cliffhanger!

Now here's a preview of next week's all-new episode:

Summers Received Big Fees from TARP Recipients

By GottaLaff

In case you hadn't heard:

President Obama's chief economic adviser, Larry Summers, "received hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees last year from firms that have direct financial interests before the government or are intimately involved in the White House's bank relief programs," according to Huffington Post.

Among the biggest speaking fees: $67,500 from J.P. Morgan Chase, $45,000 from Citigroup, and $202,500 from Goldman Sachs.

"The speech payments will undoubtedly raise questions as to the impartiality of the economic advice Summers is providing to the president. Already viewed as too favorably disposed to Wall Street interests, the lavish payments for speeches will provide further fodder for those who think the administration has been forgiving in their approach to the banking industry."

Sunday talkers will have a field day.

Palin, Huckabee, Gingrich, and Romney Not Enough for Republican Base

By GottaLaff

More, more, more! They're insatiable, them Rushpublics!

It's no surprise that lots of Republicans are laying the groundwork for the 2012 White House campaign against President Obama. There's Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Sarah Palin, to name a few. But here's the rub: None of them are exciting the Republican rank and file, which is casting around for somebody different. "Nobody is there yet," a long-time Republican senator says. Palin's too new, Huckabee too churchy, Romney hasn't played his economy card with a good alternative to Obama's budget or bailouts, and Gingrich is too broad with his proposals.

We'd have described them all a little differently, but okay. Let your thoughts run away with adjectival abandon. Mine just did.

Shooter thought Obama would ban guns

By GottaLaff

Remember, everyone: If you think there is a law about to be passed that affects you, break it before it takes hold. If that means mass murder, so be it:

Police did not immediately release the gunman's identity, but his friends identified him as Richard Poplawski, 23. They described him as a young man who thought the Obama administration would ban guns.

One friend, Edward Perkovic, said Poplawski feared "the Obama gun ban that's on the way" and "didn't like our rights being infringed upon." Another longtime friend, Aaron Vire, said Poplawski feared that President Obama was going to take away his rights, though he said he "wasn't violently against Obama."

Problem? Solution: Bang, bang. Problem solved. And now he's so dead he won't be able to see the error (understatement) of his ways/logic. [Laffy Note--CORRECTION: He is not dead. Getting my shooters mixed up. Plus, as Paddy just pointed out, the text of the article I quoted here has changed, too. All of it's a bit confusing, but I made my point.]

Then again, he had no ability to reason.

To make matters worse, this is typical of how some people see the president and his policies, despite how many times he's explained them. It's criminal... literally.

What is Norm Coleman's End Game?

By GottaLaff

And here we thought we had Toker Norm all figured out:

My very simple theory is this. Norm Coleman has personal debts (and will continue to grow that debt through additional legal bills) that may very well approach one million dollars. Coleman turns 60 years old this August. There is no way that Coleman can pay off his debts (including that 30-year mortgage for $775,000 that Coleman took out just two years ago) on a Senator's or Governor's salary. And I don't think Coleman plans on paying that mortgage every month until he is 88 years old. Simply put, Coleman needs a very high-paying salary. I'm not an accountant, but, if Coleman wants to enjoy his retirement years and not worry about that massive debt he has accrued, he'll need to start making salary of around half a million dollars a year - which means having conservative power brokers (who are pleased with his efforts to keep another Democrat out of the Senate) hook him up with a lucrative lobbying gig.

There you have Coleman's real end game. It's not to win back his Senate seat or serve the public in any way. Norm Coleman's end game is to intentionally force Minnesotans to be underrepresented in the U.S. Senate for as long as possible through endless appeals of the election result and parlay that into subsequently securing a high paying lobbyist job for a special interest that could care less what the average Minnesota family needs. However cynical this may sound, it is, quite frankly, the most logical conclusion based on Coleman's actions. We'll see.

That's not nearly the entire piece, just the last two paragraphs. Go read the rest of this very smart analysis here.

H/t: Chris

VIDEO: Protesters disrupt first lady's trip, force a detour

By GottaLaff

Come on, protesters, it's Michelle. Be sweet:

Protesters in Strasbourg, France, forced a last-minute detour for First Lady Michelle Obama Saturday.

She and spouses of other leaders attending the NATO summit there had planned to tour a hospital. But protests blocked the way to the event, the first lady’s office said, prompting the visit to be scrapped.

She and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and a few others ended up at the Palais Rohan, and eventually, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. What a shame that the hospital got cut:

"Around 1,000 protesters were gathered near the hospital she was supposed to visit."

"An official in the French president's office says the hospital visit was canceled at the last minute on recommendation of police for security reasons. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of presidential policy," reported USA Today.

"Regional police spokesman Pascal Vagnat said it was cancelled for 'timing reasons.'"

This video is from the Associated Press, published April 4, 2009.

Republican Rep. Paul Ryan to Europe: I'm sorry

By GottaLaff

Now, now, little Pauly RyRy, what do you have to say for yourself?

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has something to say to Europe: I’m sorry.

He might try saying that to America, too. How about starting with a big I'm Sorry for this:

The top Republican on the Budget Committee told The Hill that he owes an apology to Europe for insulting them over the past few weeks.

The 39-year-old lawmaker acknowledged that it was unfair to the continent to call President Obama's budget proposal the "Europeanization of America," since France and Germany recently called on the White House to rein in the stimulus spending.

So as long as they agree with him, he apologizes. Par for the course.

“We owe them an apology because our budget is worse than theirs,” Ryan told The Hill, referring to the Democrats’ budget measure. "To suggest that we’re turning our budget into a European kind of a budget is unfair … it’s unfair to Europe."

Throughout the partisan budget debate, Ryan warned that America is moving closer into turning into a European society.

“We’re seeing a budget that essentially Europeanizes the American economy and the American government,” Ryan said at a news conference in late March. “We don’t want to be Europe, we want to be America -- where small businesses and innovators and families are the leaders and the nucleus of our economy and our society.”

What a diplomat. Now it makes sense why he's a spokesman for the Rushpublic party. He's a perfect fit.

Ryan's remorse surfaced after he was asked whether he agreed with Rep. Brian Bilbray’s (R-Calif.) opinion that Ryan had gone too far.

Bilbray had told The Hill that Ryan “owes Europe an apology.”

So now we find out that not only did he apologize when he believed Europe agreed with him, he also had to be pushed into it by a fellow Rushpublic. When he grows up, he may realize he can do things like this all on his own.

Obama administration sidesteps bailout rules

By GottaLaff

I may need a talking down. Anyone?

The Obama administration is engineering its new bailout initiatives in a way that it believes will allow firms benefiting from the programs to avoid restrictions imposed by Congress, including limits on lavish executive pay, according to government officials.

Administration officials have concluded that this approach is vital for persuading firms to participate in programs funded by the $700 billion financial rescue package.

The administration believes it can sidestep the rules because, in many cases, it has decided not to provide federal aid directly to financial companies, the sources said. Instead, the government has set up special entities that act as middlemen, channeling the bailout funds to the firms and, via this two-step process, stripping away the requirement that the restrictions be imposed, according to officials.

Although some experts are questioning the legality of this strategy, the officials said it gives them latitude to determine whether firms should be subject to the congressional restrictions, which would require recipients to turn over ownership stakes to the government, as well as curb executive pay.

The administration has decided that the conditions should not apply in at least three of the five initiatives funded by the rescue package.

This strategy has so far attracted little scrutiny on Capitol Hill, and even some senior congressional aides dealing with the financial crisis said they were unaware of the administration's efforts. Just two weeks ago, Congress erupted in outrage over bonuses being paid at American International Group, with some lawmakers faulting the administration for failing to do more to safeguard taxpayers' interests.

Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said the congressional conditions should apply to any firm benefiting from bailout funds. He said he planned to review the administration's decisions and might seek to undo them. "We have to make certain that if they are using government money in any sort of way, there should be restrictions," he said.

A Treasury spokesman defended the approach. "These programs are designed to both comply with the law and ensure taxpayers' funds are used most effectively to bring about economic recovery," spokesman Andrew Williams said.

There is much more, and my head is already spinning from other things. The rest of this report just added to that.

H/t: David G.

'Obama fried chicken' joints ruffle feathers in New York

By GottaLaff

(Photo via)

Did the owners of these places really think they would be ignored? They're using the President of the United States' name commercially, for one. And second, um, racial stereotyping? Hello?

I wonder if they would have put up a McCain Fried Chicken sign if J Sid, heaven forbid, had been elected:

Two New York City fried chicken restaurants in predominantly black neighborhoods are under fire for putting President Obama's name on their signs.

City Councilman Charles Barron said Friday that he would organize a demonstration next week outside Obama Fried Chicken in his Brooklyn district. Organizers said they also may target Obama Fried Chicken & Pizza in Harlem.

"People from the community were calling me and saying they were outraged by this racist connection to Barack Obama and fried chicken," Barron said. "If you think that free speech gives you the right to insult and degrade us and stereotype us, then you've got a battle on your hands."

At Obama Fried Chicken & Pizza on Friday, the "O" and the "A" had been filled in so that the awning sign read "Bam" instead of the president's name. [...]

[T]he owner promised the sign would change on Sunday. If it doesn't, McCall and Barron say, they will rally on Monday.

The White House did not comment on the racial controversy over the New York restaurant names, but spokesman Ben LaBolt said the administration disapproves of using "the president's name and likeness for commercial purposes."

Morning Distraction

In lieu of the vid of the President's latest speech (up as soon as I can find it) you get..... Rita Moreno!! Seems like a fair trade to me.

Czech mate! Obama shuns dinner with Prague officials for a romantic night out with Michelle

I love, love, love this! And before the wingers heads start 'splodin again, note the last paragraphs. Diplomacy and romance?

It's Saturday night and couples all over the world will be sharing a romantic dinner for two.

Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are no exception - but they are on an official visit to the Czech Republic and have turned down offers to dine with the country's leaders.

(snip)

President Obama will land in Czech capital Prague this evening but rather than meeting his hosts, he is spending an intimate night with Michelle.

'He requested a romantic dinner with a view of Prague, where they can eat the best Czech food. They have spent days trying to decide on the right restaurant,' a source told The Times.

(snip)

His refusal to meet the leaders for dinner may be diplomatic.

There is a long running feud between Czech President Vaclav Klaus and the prime minister Mirek Topolanek.

(snip)

Both Czech leaders invited the US president to dinner, but he instead opted to spend time with his wife.

New Rules From Bill Maher For April 3, 2009

Damn, now they know about "Operation Streisand".

Oscar de la Renta has tough words for Michelle Obama

I've met Mr de la, and can honestly say he's a serious dick. He's also missing the fact that up until recently, Mrs Obama was a financially middle class lady. No big wardrobe budgets financed by oil ties for Michelle.

(CNN) – Michelle Obama's fashion choices at the G20 summit have drawn widespread praise, but at least one famous designer thinks the fist lady made a major faux pas in her wardrobe choice for a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II.

"You don't…go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater," Oscar de la Renta told Woman's Wear Daily regarding Mrs. Obama's decision to wear a cardigan over an Isabel Toledo-designed dress for the private meeting.

De la Renta also said the first lady — who often sports relatively affordable American brands — should broaden her wardrobe and seize an opportunity to spur the flailing fashion industry.

“American fashion right now is struggling,” he said. “I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don’t think that is the right message at this particular point."

Hannity- Obama Not Thankful Enough For Being Elected, Harbors Deep Resentment “That He Just Hides"

Bet I could cut and edit pretty much anything from one of Sean's shows to say that he's a monkey screwing ice creamaphobe decent human being too. More selective editing here

Saturday Links For Thee

Now the scandal du jour is KissGate. Won't these people ever get over their Obamaphobia?

NATO Leaders Endorse Obama's Afghan Plan

'Personhood' bill defeated in ND Senate

Isolated by her appearance, she yearned for a place in the world

Drought-weary Australia a guide to California's future?

Google’s Plan for Out-of-Print Books Is Challenged

Karzai: Controversial Afghan women's law to be reviewed

Pic via.

President's Weekly Address 4/4/09

We have a winner: Obama scoops British book prize

By GottaLaff

And the winner is....

US President Barack Obama fought off competition from Paul O'Grady and Dawn French to take the biography prize at the British Book Awards.

The president won with his memoir of his youth, Dreams From My Father.

He was unable to collect his trophy - owing to more pressing commitments at the Nato summit.

The president was beaten to a second award by Aravind Adiga who took home author of the year for his Booker Prize-winning novel The White Tiger.

I love the "owing to more pressing commitments" line. Uh, yeah. There's those.

Obama to abolish limits on U.S.-Cuba family ties

By GottaLaff

Que bueno:

In a move that could herald better ties between Cold War foes, the Obama administration is planning to abolish limits on family travel and cash remittances between the United States and Cuba, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

President Barack Obama has decided to fulfill a campaign promise and allow Cuban Americans and Cuban emigres to freely visit and send money to their families in the communist-led nation, the newspaper said, citing a senior administration official.

A White House official confirmed the administration's intentions to lift the restrictions, but said the measure was not a new policy statement and was not imminent. [...]

The removal of limits on family travel and cash remittances would allow Cubans living in the United States to travel freely to the island, instead of once a year as at present. It would also remove the ceiling of $1,200 per person in cash remittances to needy family members in Cuba.

"This is a good humanitarian move that honors Cuban Americans' right to visit and aid their relatives as they see fit," said Cuba expert Phil Peters of the Lexington Institute.

"But it creates one class of Americans who can travel to Cuba at will, so it will add to the momentum in Congress to lift restrictions on all other Americans, who have a right to travel too," he said.

The Wall Street Journal said the move was probably meant to signal a new attitude toward both Cuba and other Latin American countries that have pressed Washington to end a trade embargo that has sought to isolate Havana for more than four decades.

Sarah Palin Lashes Out at Levi Johnston for Sex Talk on "Tyra"

By GottaLaff

Good lord, the Palin family is everywhere these days, aren't they? It's time for yet another episode of Shooty McMouthOff Does It Again:

After taking about sex on The Tyra Banks Show, Johnston – the 18-year-old father of Bristol Palin's baby – was hit with a blistering response from Bristol's mother, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"Bristol did not even know Levi was going on the show. We're disappointed that Levi and his family, in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship," says the statement from the Palin family rep.

I'msorrywhat? Who exactly is in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, engages in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion? Pot. Kettle. Hypocrite. See: 2008 Election, Presidential.

"Bristol's focus will remain on raising Tripp, completing her education, and advocating abstinence," the statement continues.

::Scree-e-e-eching halt:: Huh? Bristol advocates abstinence? We already know she doesn't practice it, but didn't she say the opposite... in a video... the video in which she says...

The 18-year-old, who got pregnant at 17 and had a baby in December, said in a televised interview that the abstinence her mother preaches is 'not realistic at all'.

Um, Shooty? Do you even know your daughter? Ahem: Sarah, this is Bristol. Bristol, Sarah. Sarah, Bristol got pregnant out of wedlock. She has a baby. She thinks abstinence is unrealistic. Now by all means, continue:

"It is unfortunate that Levi finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Bristol than to contribute to the well being of the child."

"The child"? That's what she calls her grandson Tripp? "The child"?

The statement ends, saying, "Bristol realizes now that she made a mistake in her relationship and is the one taking responsibility for their actions."

Harrumph.

In the show airing April 6, Johnston tells Tyra Banks that he believes Sarah Palin knew he and Bristol, 18, were having sex when they lived under her roof. "I'm pretty sure she probably knew. Moms are pretty smart," Johnston says.

Apparently not Bristol's mom.

Photo of the Day/Week/Month/Year: Mommy Comes Home

By GottaLaff

Via Oliver:

PhotObama: Beautiful Michelle in little black dress edition

By GottaLaff

She looks drop-dead gorgeous in her petite robe noire:

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain /Getty Images

First Lady Mrs. O and President Mr. O pose for photos with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, her husband Joachim Sauer, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy at the NATO summit.

Todd Palin's half-sister arrested for burglary

By GottaLaff

Toddry "Real Man" Palin has only half a sister? Oh-h, sorry. He has a half-sister. Silly me:

Todd Palin’s half-sister was arrested Thursday after police say she broke into a Wasilla home for the second time this week to steal money.

Palin is the husband of Gov. Sarah Palin. He declined comment.

What's that the Palins say they stand for again? Oh yeah. Family values. I guess they're trying to overcompensate for this:

Diana Palin, 35, entered a home near Wasilla’s Multi-Use Sports Complex and attempted to steal cash from the owner’s bedroom, police said.

She also broke into the same house on Tuesday and stole $400, they said.

She was arrested Thursday morning on felony charges of first-degree burglary and misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and theft, police said. Friday morning, she remained jailed at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer in lieu of $10,000 bail and court-approved third party custodian.

Speaking of guilt by association, I wonder if Ms. Palin pals around with Levi's mom. You know the one... the drug dealer. I'm sure they're one big happy clan.

You know what they say: The family that's maladjusted together gets busted together.

A day in the life of Bill O'Reilly

By GottaLaff

Billo the Clown--or is that Bile-O?-- thinks an awful lot of himself. More than anyone else does, anyway. He often inhales deeply to puff himself up with hot air so that he looks twice as big... like this:

Let's see how many gag-inducing statements he can make in one short interview. Ready? Everyone take a big swig of Pepto... a-a-and....:

"I'm also six months on the best-seller list," said Fox's bold fresh piece of humanity.

So, listen, anybody ever mention the shameless hustle of his own books on his own TV show?

"I plead guilty to that. But I'm a communicator. If people don't sample what I'm communicating, it doesn't work and I don't get a fair shake. My next book, out the latter part of 2010, is on Obama. He's becoming a historical figure not because he's black, but because his liberal agenda is taking the country in a direction we've never been before."

And how many hours a day does it take Bill O'Reilly to manipulate America's minds?

"I gave up radio three weeks ago, so my attention's no longer divided. For my nightly 8 p.m. show, I start 8 a.m. I write it all myself. The staff of 15 meets 7:30 every morning. Working for me, you've got to be a Navy SEAL. No mistakes. I need facts, or it'll get rammed down my throat. I read all the magazines and a dozen newspapers daily from all over -- Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco -- so I'm not just New York-centric. I read two to three books a week instead of watching TV. I try to absorb so I can give the best information because we're not ideologues, we're fact-based opinion makers."

And those 10 minutes a year he's maybe not working?

"I'm not one to hang out. I don't like boring people. So I do softball, ice hockey, neighborhood sports. I go fishing. I'm a diver. That means I go underwater so nobody can find me but the fish."

Isn't he just the most Well-Read, Even-Handed, TaskMastery, Victimized Humble Pie Tee Vee Machine Faux host ever?

Here's an idea, Mr. Underwater: Stay there.

Apologies to fish everywhere.

Phil Gramm Owes America $2 Trillion

By GottaLaff

Imagine if you will, it's 1999 again. Are you imagining? Okay, good, because it would be pointless to continue if you weren't:

Lawmakers were falling all over themselves praising the passage of the landmark Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which effectively repealed much of the Glass-Steagall regulations on financial institutions coming out of The Great Depression.

Former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-TX), the main architect of the legislation, expressed fatherly pride in the bill in his floor speech at the time (recently brought to our attention by a BuzzFlash reader):

"The question is, 'How will it look 50 years from now when it has gone from infancy to maturity?' Obviously, after setting out a dramatic change in public policy, it is fair to set out a test for determining its success," Gramm said. "Ultimately, the final judge of the bill is history. Ultimately, as you look at the bill, you have to ask yourself, 'Will people in the future be trying to repeal it, as we are here today trying to repeal -- and hopefully repealing -- Glass-Steagall?' I think the answer will be no. I think it will be no because we are doing something very different from Glass-Steagall. Glass-Steagall, in the midst of the Great Depression, thought government was the answer. In this period of economic growth and prosperity, we believe freedom is the answer."

Oy. That's all I can utter right now. Oy. Moving on:

It only took a decade for our financial industry to show the weakness of his extremist deregulation argument.

[A] New York Times article published when the act passed, [gave you] the idea that the people who were opposed to this legislation were just downers that didn't want banks to make money:

The opponents of the measure gloomily predicted that by unshackling banks and enabling them to move more freely into new kinds of financial activities, the new law could lead to an economic crisis down the road when the marketplace is no longer growing briskly.

''I think we will look back in 10 years' time and say we should not have done this but we did because we forgot the lessons of the past, and that that which is true in the 1930's is true in 2010,'' said Senator Byron L. Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota. ''I wasn't around during the 1930's or the debate over Glass-Steagall. But I was here in the early 1980's when it was decided to allow the expansion of savings and loans. We have now decided in the name of modernization to forget the lessons of the past, of safety and of soundness.''
^{*Emphasis mine}

Dorgan's comment here is remarkably prescient. What would have happened if we had better heeded his warning?

To be fair, another Democratic senator expressed worry over the act in that Times article: the late Paul Wellstone of Minnesota. But, come on. That guy was always doom-and-gloom. He also predicted that the war in Iraq would lead to untold loss of life and resources, a rise in oil prices, al Qaeda's use of American aggression as a recruitment tool, and the weakening of U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. Shows what he knew. [...]

Gramm also tries to change history in his Wall Street Journal defense:

"Moreover, GLB didn't deregulate anything," Gramm wrote, arguing that Gramm-Leach-Bliley created more regulation. But that's not what he was saying at the time. Again, from that same floor speech at the time of the bill's passage:

This is a deregulatory bill. I believe that is going to be the wave of the future. Although this bill will be changed many times, and changed dramatically as we expand freedom and opportunity, I do not believe it will be repealed. It sets the foundation for the future, and that will be the test.

Gramm was right. Gramm-Leach-Bliley did set the foundation for the future: the future financial crisis. [...] The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act allowed all kinds of institutions -- even insurance companies such as AIG -- to get into the risky investment game. How he can continue to keep his eyes squeezed shut during this financial meltdown, I'll never understand.

Even right-wing pundits are starting to open their eyes. [...]

Maybe if we had forced AIG to just insure stuff instead of heading off to the casino, things would be more stable right now. But perhaps instead of fantasy and nostalgia, I should be counting my blessings. Congress seems poised to pass legislation to better regulate the runaway financial industry.

And things could have been much worse. After all, had McCain won the presidency in November, it was widely speculated that he would have named Gramm as his treasury secretary. Now that's a scary thought.

Didn't I just say that? Great minds...

Now do yourself a favor and go read the whole BuzzFlash piece here. I chopped it up and did it no justice at all.

Report: "Angry" John McCain Referred To Hispanics As "You People"

By GottaLaff

If you've been reading TPC since (at least) Election 2008, you're well aware that we track J Sid's anger management issues regularly*. There's been quite a lull since November 5, 2008, but it looks like a revival is a-comin'!

On March 11, Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), John Thune (R-SD) and Mel Martinez (R-FL) met with a group of Hispanic business leaders in the Capitol’s Strom Thurmond Room as part of an effort to reach out to Hispanic voters. National Journal is reporting that several participants in the meeting said McCain got “angry” while talking about immigration. At one point, McCain reportedly began referring to Hispanics as “you people“:

“He was angry,” one source said. “He was over the top. In some cases, he rolled his eyes a lot. There were portions of the meeting where he was just staring at the ceiling, and he wasn’t even listening to us. We came out of the meeting really upset.”

McCain’s message was obvious, the source continued: After bucking his party on immigration, he had no sympathy for Hispanics who are dissatisfied with President Obama’s pace on the issue. “He threw out [the words] ‘You people — you people made your choice. You made your choice during the election,’ ” the source said. “It was almost as if [he was saying] ‘You’re cut off!’ We felt very uncomfortable when we walked away from the meeting because of that.”

The attempts to temper the temper talk are here.

But one person’s straight talk is another person’s vitriol. “My hands were shaking,” one source said. “I was nervous as no-end.” The senator’s comments went on for several minutes at least. And by the end of the meeting, another participant, who had supported McCain in last year’s presidential election, was so shaken by the display of temper that he decided it is good that McCain isn’t in the White House.

[...] In 2007, during a private meeting on the issue, a heated McCain told Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), “f*** you.” Echoing Thune’s current defense of McCain, McCain spokesman Danny Diaz dismissed the spat with Cornyn at the time as a “spirited exchange.”

He could have been our president. ::shudder:: Instead we got an even-keeled, reasonable, likable, reacher-outer. Good on us.

*Unfortunately, a lot of our archived posts have been deleted by our former blog hosts at The Agonist and Brave New Films. We documented J Sid's temper routinely.

Revealed: 90 immigrants have died in US custody in last 5 1/2 years

By GottaLaff

I'm running out of room for all my outrage and horror:

At least 90 immigrants have died while in US custody since October 2003, a document obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed Friday. At least 32 deaths occurred at facilities run by private contractors.

The document -- which has received little to no attention -- also displays an apparent carelessness on the part of prison officials, whose records of the deaths change and omit inmate deaths over time.

Moreover, it shows that prison officials are now recording even fewer details about immigrants' deaths, possibly in response to periodic scrutiny of the list. [...]

The list also reveals that one private company, the Corrections Corporation of America, had at least 18 deaths under its watch, and that 32 of the 90 deaths occurred while immigrants were held in private prisons. 37 of the deaths occurred at regional facilities and 20 at federal centers. [...]

In addition, information about some deaths has been obscured.

"Some information has been changed without explanation," the Times added. "For example, the cause of death for Boubacar Bah, 52, who was held at the Corrections Corporation of America detention center in Elizabeth, N.J., previously was listed as 'brain hemorrhage, fractured skull' and now reads 'undetermined.'"

The full list is available here.

VIDEO: Glenn Beck Mocks Obama's Aunt

By GottaLaff

Fox calls itself a news station. I call them Mother$#%!!@!:

Remember, this is the same Glenn Beck who pretended to cry about nine times in his Fox News Doom Room because he LURVES HIS COUNTRY and just wants everyone to start being the PEOPLE THEY WERE ON SEPTEMBER 12TH! If I had known that everyone was walking around on 9/12/01 making fun of other people's physical infirmities, like a bunch of addlebrained prats, I would have walked up to everyone and told them, "Go...uhm...'surround' yourself!"

Why flatulence-spouting cretins like this are still allowed on national television is beyond my comprehension.

Back story here.

H/t

Poll-itics: People still believe Obama is Muslim

By GottaLaff

No words:

Nearly one in five white evangelicals think so.

The details are here.

Sponsors of PAC disclosure law miss own deadline

By GottaLaff

So much for that:

CQ Politics: "Scores of lawmakers missed a deadline to start disclosing their ties to political action committees as required by law. Some of them were sponsors of the law that imposed the new requirement."

Why, here they are now!

“We are doing our best to make sure that everybody out there knows about their requirements under the law,” said FEC Commissioner Ellen L. Weintraub, a Democrat. “It may have fallen off people’s radar screens.” [...]

They include: Reps. John P. Murtha , D-Pa., who controls the Majority PAC; Todd Tiahrt , R-Kan., who runs Heart PAC; Peter J. Visclosky , D-Ind., with Calumet PAC; Alan B. Mollohan , D-W.Va., with Summit PAC; C.W. Bill Young , R-Fla., with Victory Political Action Committee; and Marcy Kaptur , D-Ohio, with the TrueDem Leadership Fund.

Two other Appropriations Committee members filed late: Sen. Patty Murray , D-Wash., tied to M-PAC; and Rep. David R. Obey , D-Wis., who has the Committee for a Progressive Congress.

Time to get your radar equipment fixed, guys.

QUICKIE VIDEO-- Ben Affleck's impressions: Obama and Leno

By GottaLaff

He's no Frank Caliendo, but he's cute enough that it doesn't matter:

Ron Paul, Barney Frank Introduce Hemp Legalization Bill

By GottaLaff

Why this hasn't happened yet is beyond me:

Sponsored by Reps. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) and Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the bill would allow U.S. farmers to grow industrial, non-psychoactive hemp, which manufacturers use for everything from soap to shoes to car upholstery. Current law allows hemp to be imported, but not cultivated domestically.

See that, psycho-naysayers? "Non-psychoactive".

Ron Paul:

It is unfortunate that the Federal Government has stood in the way of American farmers, including many who are struggling to make ends meet, competing in the global industrial hemp market. Indeed, the founders of our Nation, some of whom grew hemp, would surely find that Federal restrictions on farmers growing a safe and profitable crop on their own land are inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of a limited, restrained Federal Government.

Nine additional House lawmakers are supporting the bill: seven Democrats and two Republicans.

(Via. Click on image to enlarge)

VIDEO: Fox says we're terrified of Sarah Palin

By GottaLaff

Linda kellen Biegal & Others file ethics lawsuits against Sarah


Celtic Diva just posted the above video and this:

First off, they can do all of this cutting and pasting, but they can't spell my name correctly?

Secondly, they don't know the difference between an ethic's complaint and a lawsuit.

Thirdly, they think that it's a good idea to show the picture of Sarah as a teenager with the "flat busted" t-shirt?

Well, ya just gotta laugh!

Celtic can't spell my name correctly? It's GottaLaff. Wink.

But seriously... how many ways can Faux News embarrass themselves? It's getting awfully hard to keep track.

Quote-O'-The-Day: Obama to Wall Street edition

By GottaLaff

Our president is a very smart, witty man. Our president said this:

"My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks."

-- President Obama, quoted by Politico, in a behind-the-scenes account of the president's recent meeting with Wall Street CEOs.

Chart: The strange case of Even Bayh

By GottaLaff

Go here to read more of Ezra Klein's analysis, but here's a teaser:

The numbers on the Y axis represent how conservative of a Democrat each senator was. So #1 would be the most conservative Senate Democrat and #5 the fifth most conservative Senate Democrat and so on. The blue line is Bayh. The red line is [Ben] Nelson.

Paddy started this convo here.

H/t

Poll-itics: Bush/Cheney edition

By GottaLaff

Maybe this is why Bush wanted to wait another 50 years to see what his legacy would be:

Gallup: "Neither George W. Bush's deliberate silence about the Obama administration nor Dick Cheney's ready criticism of it appear to have altered U.S. public perceptions about either man. The former president and former vice president are each viewed unfavorably by 63% of Americans, very similar to where they stood with the public in their final White House years."

Mark Sanford reverses course on stimulus funds

By GottaLaff

Mark Sanford just took a gulp from his sippy cup of Rushpublics Eating Their Own:

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) backed down Thursday from his threat to reject federal stimulus dollars, but he will seek to use some of the money to pay down state debt.

At a news conference Thursday, Sanford, a staunch fiscal conservative, said he will meet Friday’s deadline to apply for the money. Still, the governor will try again to redirect the money away from its intended use to retrain teachers and fund law enforcement.

Sanford’s written requests to use the $700 million to reduce the state's debt were rejected twice by the Obama administration.

Now Sanford will face a battle with his state legislature, and even fellow Republicans, over how to use the cash. [...]

Sanford has come under fire from South Carolina education advocates who say the money is desperately needed in a state with some of the nation's worst educational statistics. [...]

Sanford’s two terms as governor have been marked by public fights with legislative Republicans, who hold substantial majorities in both the state House and Senate.

The governor, who is said to be eyeing a run for president in 2012, drew national attention over the past two months for threatening to reject some money that would require South Carolina to extend unemployment benefits beyond current limits.

Sip away, Marky.

Ted Stevens should run against Palin for governor, Alaska Republican says

By GottaLaff

Ohhh, really now?

Now that the corruption case against former Sen. Ted Stevens has been dropped, Alaska Rep. Don Young wants Stevens to run for governor — a move that would set up a Republican primary between the veteran lawmaker and Sarah Palin, if she decides to seek a second term in 2010.

"Personally I'd like to see him run for governor, and that's my personal feeling," Young told the Alaska Public Radio Network on Thursday. "So, we'll see what happens down the line. He probably won't, but I think that would be a great way to cap off a great career as being the governor of the state of Alaska."

Wow, he really took a risk there, because, you know, the likelihood of Young running when he's (wait for it).... 87... is enormous. Gigantic. HUGE.

But it's the thought that counts.

I give Young credit. He knows how to mix things up. Here's another example: He doesn't think Mark Begich should step down.

Young dismissed those demands, calling them "a lot of noise."

"Sen. Begich, in all due respect, won the race," he said. "There is no other recourse. He has taken office, he is now the new senator."

Can someone please pass the popcorn? I'm nearly out.