Saturday, July 4, 2009

Sarah Palin's Attorney Threatening Lawsuits


Oh good lord on a stick, even this woman's lawyer sounds like a moron. Go read the whole thing, but here's the fun bit-

To the extent several websites, most notably liberal Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore, are now claiming as "fact" that Governor Palin resigned because she is "under federal investigation" for embezzlement or other criminal wrongdoing, we will be exploring legal options this week to address such defamation. This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who re-publish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, the New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law. The Alaska Constitution protects the right of free speech, while simultaneously holding those "responsible for the abuse of that right." Alaska Constitution Art. I, Sec. 5. http://ltgov.state.ak.us/... These falsehoods abuse the right to free speech; continuing to publish these falsehoods of criminal activity is reckless, done without any regard for the truth, and is actionable.

May I just ask



When did Madonna turn into Julie Newmar? They both look like they've had part of their cheekbones removed...

Headline of the Day


Brazil Prison Guards Nab Pigeon With Cell Phone

Video- Independence Day TEA Party



Just the way I would want to spend my Fourth. I don't care, even when they're trying to talk sane they sound nutsy kookoo.

Palin disappears after surprise news


Not flakey at all.

JUNEAU, Alaska -- Where is Sarah Palin? A day after surprising even her closest friends by announcing she would step down as Alaska governor more than a year before her term was up, the controversial hockey mom was nowhere to be found. Her spokesman, David Murrow, said Palin told him she was flying to Juneau, the state capital, for the Fourth of July weekend, but he wasn't sure what activities she planned to attend.

The governor didn't show up at a 50th anniversary statehood celebration or Juneau's parade. She wasn't in the Capitol's office. And no one answered the door at the governor's mansion.

(snip)

In fact, the only peep out of Palin on Saturday came on the social networking site Twitter, where she told military families: "Most special July 4 shout-out to you! Spouses, kids, parents, families of troops -- THANKS for supporting our true heroes."

At the same time, Palin informed Murrow early Saturday that someone using the name "exgovsarahpalin" on Twitter was spreading a false rumor that there was to be a party at her suburban home in Wasilla, outside Anchorage. Palin was afraid her home would be mobbed, and security was dispatched, Murrow said.

Juneau Fourth of July parade director Jean Sztuk said Palin rode in a convertible last year and was invited again to this year's event. She never responded, but parade organizers drew up banners in case she showed.

She didn't.
But she did manage to get a Facebook posting out slamming the media and (as usual) being hyperbolicly nonsensical. (Ben has the whole thing here)
The response in the main stream media has been most predictable, ironic, and as always, detached from the lives of ordinary Americans who are sick of the “politics of personal destruction”. How sad that Washington and the media will never understand; it’s about country. And though it's honorable for countless others to leave their positions for a higher calling and without finishing a term, of course we know by now, for some reason a different standard applies for the decisions I make. But every American understands what it takes to make a decision because it’s right for all, including your family.
I think the blogger gods sent this one just for us.

**Title corrected to adjust for tired blogger.

Video- Elkhart, Indiana: From battlefield to unemployment line



Pretty freaking rough when your only choice just might be going back to war to make money. I know one of those guys, and my heart just breaks. MSNBC has done a whole series of stories about Elkhart and how hard the shitty economy has hit them. Well worth a read when you have a minute.

Turtle named for Obama freed on Independence Day


No piddling school or airport for this president, he gets a loggerhead turtle!

KEY WEST, Fla.— A sea turtle named after President Barack Obama that was rescued just before Inauguration Day has been set free on Independence Day.

Obama the loggerhead sea turtle was found ailing off a Key West beach on Jan. 19, the eve of the inauguration. Suffering from an intestinal impaction, the 200-pound female was nursed back to health with a diet of squid and mineral oil at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.

Turtle Hospital administrator Ryan Butts said the turtle was set free Saturday on a Key West beach as about 100 people watched. He says it was appropriate to give the loggerhead its liberty on the Fourth of July after being rescued at a historic moment.

No sign Iran seeks nuclear arms: new IAEA head

By GottaLaff

Some positive news from IAEA Guy:

The incoming head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Friday he did not see any hard evidence that Iran was trying to gain the ability to develop nuclear weapons.

"I don't see any evidence in IAEA official documents about this," Yukiya Amano told Reuters in his first direct comment on Iran's nuclear program since his election, when asked whether he believed Iran was seeking a nuclear weapons capability.

Now back to my vacation already in progress. I'm just popping in, trying to give Paddy a break. She's been amazing!

Thank you, Padlock!
Funny Cow W/ Sexy Kiss Lips Clip Images

H/t: Gr8RDH

Sarah Palin's own little (word) cloud

By GottaLaff

Wordle: Sarah Palin's Resignation Speech
(click on image to enlarge)

Image courtesy of http://www.wordle.net/. Images of Wordles are licensed Creative Commons License.
Well, she managed to downsize the "also".joeyess
H/t: Joeyess

While I'm at it, here is some analysis from my favorite Alaskan blog The Mudflats, via HuffPost (because The Mudflats server crashed from all the hits):
In Alaska it's become known as "the iceberg." The iceberg is rumored to be a piece of news that's so damaging, and so big, it will sink the S.S. Palin. The rumors also exist that it's coming soon. Speculation about IRS problems, issues with other three-letter organizations, more ethics complaints, and embezzlement abound. Questions have been raised about the construction of Palin's house by a bunch of Todd's buddies, at the same time that a giant sports complex was being built in Wasilla, and right after building codes had been abolished by the then mayor of Wasilla, one Sarah Palin. Do we know anything for sure? No. But the recent claim that the breaking of this scandal is imminent seems coincidental to say the least. Alaskans hesitate to get too excited about rumored indictments, though. Despite the indictment and conviction of several state legislators, and the indictment-conviction and now un-conviction of former Senator Ted Stevens, the slow process has taught us patience. We still await rumored indictments of Congressman Don Young, and former State Senate President Ben Stevens (son of Ted Stevens.) Did I say, you can't make this stuff up?

My Tweet Spot: Froomkin, Correspondents Dinner, Iran, Meghan McCain- Aired June 26, 2009

By GottaLaff



Did you know that I do radio segments every Friday? Look at me going all podcasty and stuff!

"My Tweet Spot" is a recap of the week in politics via Tweets from Twitter. Today's episode consists of various Tweets about Dan Froomkin, the White House Correspondents Awards Dinner, Iran, Meghan McCain, and who knows what!

I do three per show every Friday. Podcasts here.

Hope you like it!

Video- Russian reporter gives Obama special nesting dolls

Video- Anderson Cooper smacks Palin spokesperson around



Wow, this spokesperson is just as incoherent as Palin. h/t John. Love the faces Anderson.

Quote of the Day

Snort, someone needs to PhotoShop me a nice Crockett and Tubbs pic with Sar and Todd inserted...

“I think Sarah Palin is on the verge of becoming the Miami Vice of American politics: Something a lot of people once thought was cool and then 20 years later look back, shake their heads and just kind of laugh,”

-Republican media consultant Todd Harris.

So, is there a scandal a'brewing?


I don't have time to blog for you people today, just look at all these headlines of stories I have to read...

EXCLUSIVE: PALIN RESIGNATION 'DAMAGE CONTROL' FOR COMING 'ICEBERG SCANDAL' ... MORE: EMBEZZLEMENT INDICTMENTS COMING?

Did a Scandal Sink the U.S.S. Palin?

Sarah Palin, You Owe The Media An Apology

Palin’s Move Shocks G.O.P. and Leaves Future Unclear

The Miniseries Ends

Added- Ooooh, AP put together a list of the "known" ethics complaints filed against Palin since she took office. Damn, that woman has been busy.

President's Weekly Address: On the 4th of July, Overcoming Americas Challenges

Friday, July 3, 2009

Open Thread


APOD: 2009 July 1 - Three Galaxies in Draco

Three Galaxies in Draco
Credit & Copyright: Giovanni Benintende

Explanation: This intriguing trio of galaxies is sometimes called the Draco Group, located in the northern constellation of (you guessed it) Draco. From left to right are edge-on spiral NGC 5981, elliptical galaxy NGC 5982, and face-on spiral NGC 5985 -- all within this single telescopic field of view spanning a little more than half the width of the full moon.

On a housekeeping note, we have a new ad for a good friend's bookstore, so click through and check it out. You can also always make a donation through the PayPal button to the right, and if you are thinking of buying anything from Amazon, if you use the links over to the right, just using one of those links to buy anything gets us a couple pennies a transaction.

Outrage of the Day


Weather Channel nixes smooth jazz for "Weather on the 8's".

Damn, I so looked forward to it...

ATLANTA, July 3 (UPI) -- U.S. cable network the Weather Channel has announced an end to the smooth jazz playing in the background of its "Local on the 8s" segments.

Geoffrey Darby, who joined the network as executive vice president of programming in February, said the segments will now feature soft rock songs instead of the smooth jazz that has accompanied the local weather segments for years, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday.

Video- Pundits React On Palin Resignation



This isn't going away. Yeehaa!

Bonus Cartoon of the Day


Because I had to. Well, we don't know it's a sex scandal yet...Click to enlarge, via.

Palin update-- CNN source: Indictment pending

By GottaLaff

This is what I was waiting for. This kind of abrupt resignation doesn't happen because one needs to "spend time with the family":

This just in my inbox, from a source connected sometimes to CNN:

"Here's a quote I got from law enforcement here in Alaska yesterday afternoon regarding Palin "a criminal indictment is pending authorization."

Ding!

UPDATE:
The gist of the rumor is that an Alaska building company called Spenard Building Supplies (SBS) was awarded a contract by Palin to build a hockey arena in Wasilla, AK, and in return, SBS helped construct Palin’s home:

Many political observers in Alaska are fixated on rumors that federal investigators have been seizing paperwork from SBS in recent months, searching for evidence that Palin and her husband Todd steered lucrative contracts to the well-connected company in exchange for gifts like the construction of their home on pristine Lake Lucille in 2002. The home was built just two months before Palin began campaigning for governor, a job which would have provided her enhanced power to grant building contracts in the wide open state.

SBS has close ties to the Palins. The company has not only sponsored Todd Palin’s snowmobile team, according to the Village Voice’s Wayne Barrett, it hired Sarah Palin to do a statewide television commercial in 2004.

Though Todd Palin told Fox News he built his Lake Lucille home with the help of a few “buddies,” according to Barrett’s report, public records revealed that SBS supplied the materials for the house. While serving as mayor of Wasilla, Sarah Palin blocked an initiative that would have required the public filing of building permits—thus momentarily preventing the revelation of such suspicious information.

Just months before Palin left city hall to campaign for governor, she awarded a contract to SBS to help build the $13 million Wasilla Sports Complex. The most expensive building project in Wasilla history, the complex cost the city an addition $1.3 million in legal fees and threw it into severe long-term debt. For SBS, however, the bloated and bungled project was a cash cow. [...]

Alaska blogger Shannyn Moore writes, "For weeks the rumors of a criminal investigation against the governor have been brewing. They are rumors, but are swirling fresh again with Palin's resignation. I'm holding my breath for the other 'Naughty Monkey' to drop."
UPDATE FROM PADDY 7/4 930P EST- Now Palin's idiot sounding lawyer is threatening lawsuits against bloggers, MSNBC etc over these allegations. Moron.

"Miss Personality... Disorder's" Big Announcement

By GottaLaff

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/3044228585_e038c875f1.jpg

Paddy called me with the news of Sarah Louise Palin's Big Announcement. Boy howdy, I go away for a few days and all hell breaks loose.

A few thoughts: Her-- for lack of a better word-- speech was the most incoherent, meandering string of words I've heard since her last one Boy Georgie left office. It left me wondering if there is a Sanfordian shoe about to drop, or, more likely, if she simply confirmed her bat-loony cuh-raziness.

And what's even crazier is CNN's lack of coverage. My hotel Tee Vee Machine doesn't carry MSNBC, but by the time I made it upstairs to watch, CNN was back to devoting most of their coverage to Michael Jackson (surprise!). Priorities, priorities...

I actually turned to ::shudder:: Faux Noise, and they're giving the Big Resignation the attention I expected. Not much analysis, just a lot of interviews and recapping.

Think about it: She's a quitter. She quit. She left. She abandoned her office outta the blue, leaving her state's citizens with their collective jaws hanging down to the floor.

The Rushpublics are scrambling to come up with some kind of logical commentary, but none can. None that I've heard have done anything but scratch what's left of their throbbing, empty Rushpublic heads and/or point to the big question marks hovering over them.

Well, what can we say? Nothing instills confidence like abrupt, blockbuster news followed by nonsensical babble. In other words, typical Rushpublic behavior.

I, for one, cannot wait for Keith and Rachel to provide in-depth snarkage and analysis.

Happy Fourth.
http://bluebanana20.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/man-confused.jpghttp://south-korea-esl-blog.eflblogs.com/images/kid_scratching_head.bmp

http://www.baselineit.co.uk/Images/man_scratching_head.gifhttp://www.codesimian.com/monkeyScratchingHeadRed.jpg

UPDATE (Key words: Rambling, strange)
CQ Politics: "In a rambling press conference, Palin alluded to a future in national politics even if she abdicated the one office she has held that is above mayor of Wasilla, Alaska."

The timing -- coming in the late afternoon on the first day of a holiday weekend -- couldn't be stranger It will lead to much speculation as to why she seems to be dropping out of politics just as many expected her to ramp up a White House bid.

DNC reacts: Palin decision 'continues a pattern of bizarre behavior'


Oooooh.

DNC Spokesman Brad Woodhouse:

"Either Sarah Palin is leaving the people of Alaska high and dry to pursue her long shot national political ambitions or she simply can't handle the job now that her popularity has dimmed and oil revenues are down. Either way – her decision to abandon her post and the people of Alaska who elected her continues a pattern of bizarre behavior that more than anything else may explain the decision she made today."

Full Video- Press Conference: Sarah Palin resigns as Governor of Alaska



This is 1:43 of it, I'll put up the whole thing when I find it. Great thanks to Taylor Marsh for getting it up so fast. Totally incoherent.

ADDED- My bad. If you don't want to hear Pat Buchanan salivating over her skip to about 2:20 for the start of Palin's presser.

Sarah Palin will announce she is resigning as governor in a few weeks**


Oh puhleeze. I dare one of the reporters there to ask about her treatment of the flag in her "Runners World" spread. Added- I went over to Mudflats to see what they were saying about this and came back with this ULTRA graphic. Kudos to Flyinureye.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will make what her office is only calling an "announcement" at 11 AM local (3 Eastern) from her home in Wasilla.

Speculation is raging both in Alaska and in the Lower 48 that she'll reveal her plans regarding next year's gubernatorial race.

3:03PM
CNN confirming she will not run again for governor in Alaska. No shit, it would interfere with her presidential ambitions, also and such.

3:24p- Wha huh? ** Headline adjusted to reflect the wha huh.
WASILLA, Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin will resign her office in a few weeks, she said during a news conference at her home Friday morning.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the Governor's Picnic at the end of the month.

There was no immediate word as to why she will resign, though speculation has been rampant that the former vice presidential candidate is gearing up for a run at the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

Video- VP Biden In Iraq Talks Troops Family Woes

Scott Roeder (Dr Tiller's Murderer) Preaches Justifiable Homicide From Jail


So he gets to advocate for his heinous crime while waiting for prosecution? I'm gobsmacked.

WICHITA, Kan. - A man charged with murdering Kansas abortion provider Dr. George Tiller has been advocating through mailings from his jail cell that such killings are justifiable.

Scott Roeder sent Oregon anti-abortion activist Linda Wolfe a pamphlet that lauds Paul Hill, the convicted murderer of an abortion doctor, as an "American hero," and includes examples of Hill's writings about how it is justifiable to kill abortion doctors.

The Rev. Donald Spitz, whose anti-abortion group Army of God celebrates Hill's teachings, says he provided Roeder with seven of the pamphlets upon Roeder's request.

Video- Obama Girls Prepare to Take on Moscow



Hell, I want to go if only for the cat show.

My Tweet Spot: Mark Sanford- Aired June 26, 2009

By GottaLaff



Did you know that I do radio segments every Friday? Look at me going all podcasty and stuff!

"My Tweet Spot" is a recap of the week in politics via Tweets from Twitter. Today's episode consists of various Tweets about Mark Sanford and his Big Argentinian Adventure!

I do three per show every Friday. Podcasts here.

Hope you like it!

Video- Barack Obama, a stickler for pronunciation



Total drivel, but hey, it's a slow weekend.

Video- Limbaugh asserts "chicks ... have chickified the news"; again refers to female reporter as "infobabe"



I'm sure the women are just flocking to this hunka burning love, no way he'd ever have to pay for sex... in a foreign country... with chemical enhancers to raise his limp, lifeless...

Video- Michelle Bachmann: This Bill Will Give The Government Control Over Every Aspect Of Your Life!



Distinguished "lady" from Minnesota my ass (or should I scare quote the "distinguished"?). Worst thing is I heard pretty much the same thing from a couple callers on C-Span already this morning.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Overnight Thread

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Lyman Alpha Blob
Credit: NASA / ESA, CXC, JPL-Caltech, STScI, NAOJ, J.E. Geach (Univ. Durham) et al.
Illustration: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss

Explanation: Dubbed a Lyman-alpha blob, an enormous cloud of hydrogen gas spans several hundred thousand light-years in this remarkable image (left), a composite of x-ray, optical, and infrared data from space and ground based observatories. The gigantic, amoeba-like structure is seen as it was when the universe was a mere 2 billion years old (about 12 billion years ago). Click to enlarge.

On a housekeeping note, we have a new ad for a good friend's bookstore, so click through and check it out. You can also always make a donation through the PayPal button to the right, and if you are thinking of buying anything from Amazon, if you use the links over to the right, just using one of those links to buy anything gets us a couple pennies a transaction.

Bonus Stupid Headline of the Day

Why They Hate Her, the Angelina Jolie of Politics

And yes, he's talking about Palin. BTW Jim, it's not Democrats or liberals that were doing the talking out of school on this one, it was your tried and true Republicans.

Video- Franken’s Time: Jon Stewart on the meaning of 60 Senate Dems

Evening Distraction



Well, I guess there is this one thing that Reagan did that I agree with!! Happy National Ice Cream Month!! Now of course, I want some. What's your favorite flavor? Mine's usually whatever chocolate taken to the uber chocolate level with (sometimes) peanut butter. I don't like chunky stuff in my ice cream. Video NSFW.

Senator Leahy On Judge Sotomayor - Republicans "were going to object no matter who it was. And several have told me that privately."


Not that we didn't know this already, but it's good to see someone come right out and say it.

MIDDLESEX, Vt.—The chairman of the Senate's upcoming Supreme Court hearings says Republicans told him they would have objected no matter whom President Barack Obama nominated to the high court.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy told The Associated Press on Thursday that, quote, "They were going to object no matter who it was. And several have told me that privately."

Republicans did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Leahy should have called them out by name and had them defend their statements.

White House close to deal with hospitals on cost cuts


This is a very nice under the radar move. Coupled with the new numbers on the HELP act, things are looking good.

WASHINGTON — The hospital industry is close to a deal with the White House and congressional Democrats in which the industry would agree to federal funding cuts of $150 billion to $170 billion over the next decade to help pay for a health system overhaul, according to people familiar with the talks.

The deal, which isn't final, could be announced within days. A critical feature is an agreement on phasing in the Medicare and Medicaid cuts.

(snip)

An agreement would boost Obama's drive for comprehensive legislation by addressing the biggest concerns of one of the most influential players in the health care overhaul debate. It would provide more money to the administration and Congress to cover the uninsured.

In addition, it would come at a crucial time — just as members of the House of Representatives and the Senate return from their July Fourth break. Democrats are hoping to complete floor action in both chambers before the start of the August recess.

Video- India Decriminalizes Homosexuality



Video via CSpan Junkie.

Sanford book deal falls through


Bet if he pitched a bodice rippin' romance novel he just might get that contract back...

(CNN) – Gov. Mark Sanford and his publisher have parted ways.

"Sentinel has agreed to release Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina from his contract to write a book about fiscal conservatism, which was to be called WITHIN OUR MEANS and was scheduled for publication in March 2010," said Adrian Zackheim, president and publisher of Sentinel, in a statement released Thursday. "This is a mutual decision. We wish Governor Sanford the best."

Prior to revelations of an extramarital affair that effectively brought an end to his political career, the South Carolina governor had been preparing to publish a book outlining his policy beliefs.

Video- President Obama Meets with Energy Job Leaders, Remarks On Unemployment Numbers

My Tweet Spot: Sarah Palin, Meghan McCain- Aired June 19, 2009

By GottaLaff



Did you know that I do radio segments every Friday? Look at me going all podcasty and stuff!

"My Tweet Spot" is a recap of the week in politics via Tweets from Twitter. Today's episode consists of various Tweets about Sarah Palin, Meghan McCain, and more!

I do three per show every Friday. Podcasts here.

Hope you like it!

Video- Behind the Scenes: President Obama & Disney's Hall of Presidents



Pretty cool.

VP Biden visits Iraq over Fourth of July weekend


He comes in pretty handy doesn't he?

(CNN) — BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad Thursday, where he will underscore Washington's commitment to a drawdown of American forces there, the White House said.

Biden is to meet with Iraqi and U.S. military officials and will also speak with troops. He is expected to deliver a speech to troops on Saturday, the Fourth of July, and may visit another city.

(snip)

Among the officials Biden will meet are President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Parliament Speaker Ayad al-Samarrai.

Biden will discuss with Iraq's leaders the importance of achieving the political progress that is necessary to ensure the nation's long-term stability.

It is Biden's second trip to Iraq this year; but his first as vice president.

Stupid Headline of the Day

Black Reporters on the Beat of Michelle Obama

I don't seem to remember Howie writing about Laura Bush, "White WASP Women Sycophantically Follow Around Button Downed Laura". Geez o pete, do they have any AA female reporters at the WaPo? And this he writes about today, totally ignoring the Cash For Access scandal?

Videos- President Obama interviewed by the Associated Press



Foreign relations above, economy below.

Video- The Daily Show: Osama bin Laden Needs to Attack America

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Osama bin Laden Needs to Attack America
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full Episodes
Political HumorJason Jones in Iran


I totally missed the show last night, and this is just superb.

GOP 'survey' slams Obama


"Do you agree that Michael Steele is a big fat poopyhead?"

(CNN) — RNC chairman Michael Steele sent supporters a link to a foreign policy survey Thursday. The poll, which is accompanied by a request for donations, includes the following questions, among others (possible answers include "yes", "no", and "no opinion"):

"Do you agree with Barack Obama's decision to close the dentition (sic) center in Guantanamo Bay and move some of the world's most dangerous terrorists to the United States?"

"Do you believe Barack Obama's apology tours of Europe and the Middle East has (sic) helped strengthen our national security?"

"Do you approve of the Obama Democrats' plan to give more than $100 billion in taxpayer funds to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) even though that money is likely to end up in the hands of tyrannical regimes?"

"Obama's handling of which region of the world worries you the most: (Click up to three choices): Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, Middle East, Central America, North America (Canada & Mexico), South America"

Video- Rep. Barton (R-TX): "Just as Nixon had Watergate, Obama Now Has Carbongate"



Exactly the same.

Washington Post sells access, $25,000+


I know this has been all over the place this morning, but one thing has really been bothering me. How much did they charge before?

For $25,000 to $250,000, The Washington Post has offered lobbyists and association executives off-the-record, non-confrontational access to "those powerful few" — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and — at first — even the paper’s own reporters and editors.

The astonishing offer was detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he felt it was a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its “health care reporting and editorial staff."

Quote of the Day


Not a bad role model at all.

"There's something in Hillary as a model for me, because Hillary, well she came in with a different kind of celebrity obviously. But there was a kind of skepticism where she had to prove herself a certain way and also prove not to be a kind of a show horse, but to be a work horse. And so I want to... put my head down and get to work when I get there."

-- Senator-elect Al Franken (D-MN), quoted by Minnesota Public Radio, on lessons he can learn from Hillary Clinton.

Obama team members to fan out on summer rural tour


Also a great move to woo* rural voters.

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is dispatching top administration officials and Cabinet members on a "rural tour" this summer to explore ways to strengthen rural America.

The tour starts Wednesday in Wattsburg, Pa., where Vice President Joe Biden, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will discuss rural broadband service.

The White House says other events will be held in Alaska, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. In addition, Vilsack will hold "listening sessions" in other states with local and state elected officials.
*brain fart corrected

U.S. unemployment hits 9.5 percent


With the people who've given up, it's what? 13-14%? Added- Nope, 16.5 in June.

WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Labor Department said unemployment climbed to 9.5 percent in June, an increase that was not as severe as economists predicted.

The country lost 467,000 non-farm jobs in the month, the department said Thursday. Economists had predicted joblessness would edge higher to 9.6 percent from its previous mark of 9.4 percent.

The healthcare sector provided the only positive news with 21,000 jobs added in the month, in line with its average monthly gain for 2009. Last year, healthcare averaged 30,000 additional jobs a month.

Countdown- Sen. Bernie Sanders on Passing Healthcare Reform Legislation

Gov Sanford Shed Security Detail 39 Times This Year


Oh oh. Not good. Who would have thunk this guy was such a philanderer?

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) left the Governor's Mansion "without a security escort, 38 times in 2008. In the first six months of this year, he left the mansion without security, 39 times," according to The State.

"The frequency with which the governor shed his security detail has fallen under scrutiny after his secret trip earlier this month to Argentina."

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Road Trip Sighting #2

By GottaLaff

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3606084295_35fe8fbec8.jpg

About every mile or so, on the way to Sacramento along Route 5, I spotted small yellow roadside signs with clear, bold lettering. Each one was displayed prominently in cropless-but-well-manicured fields of dirt. And each said:
CONGRESS CREATED DUST BOWL
Geez, even on vacation, I can't escape political battles.

Road Trip Sighting #1

By GottaLaff

San Joaquin Valley oxymoronic Sign-O'-The-Day:

Pleasantville State Prison

Robocalls in Iowa are gauging 2012 support for Jeb Bush


Oy oy oy. Via Ben-

Someone is doing 2012 research in Iowa

A friend of mine in Des Moines, Iowa, got a phone call last night, testing out the names of potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates. It was an automated survey and did not indicate who the sponsor of the call might be, "but it was quite apparent it was a GOP call," my friend reports. "...The survey started off by asking what I thought the most important issue facing America today might be, then rolled right into, 'Who would you vote for in the 2012 Presidential primary?' -- offering choices of Huckabee, Palin, Gingrich, Jindal, and JEB BUSH." (Her boldface type, not mine).

Administration targeting businesses who hire illegal immigrants


Take it from someone who has more than her share of "illegal employee" stories, this is the only way to regulate illegal immigration if you are serious about it.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — In a signal that the Obama administration is changing tactics in dealing with illegal immigration, hundreds of businesses were notified Wednesday that federal authorities will be taking a closer look at their employment records to determine if they are hiring illegal aliens.

Kelly Nantel, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said businesses in every state and industry are being audited, "from agriculture-related businesses, to service businesses, to high-tech industry and everything in between." The companies were selected based on leads from ICE offices around the country.

On Wednesday, 652 audit notices were issued. By comparison, only 503 such notices were issued in all of fiscal year 2008, according to an agency statement.

The audits are a way to remind businesses that "the integrity of their employment records is an important as the integrity of their tax files or their banking records," Nantel said. They are also a means of identifying employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

Video Flashback- Lieberman pledged support for public option, health insurance reform in 2006 campaign



I viscerally hate this man, ever since the "get up and go to another hospital" incident. More blatant lies here. Video via Jed.

Video- AMA president: Group open to government-funded healthcare



Wha? What am I missing here?

(CNN) – The new president of the American Medical Association, which represents the interests of the nation's doctors, said Wednesday the group is open to a government-funded health insurance option for people without coverage.

Dr. J. James Rohack told CNN that the AMA supports an "American model" that includes both "a private system and a public system, working together."

In May, the AMA told a Senate committee it did not support a government-sponsored public health insurance option.

(snip)

Rohack, who recently became AMA president, suggested Wednesday that the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program available to Congress members and other federal employees could be expanded as a public option. That would avoid having to create a new program from scratch, he said.

"If it's good enough for Congress, why shouldn't it be good enough for individuals who don't have health insurance provided by their employers?" Rohack said.
I couldn't have said it better myself.

Video- President Obama Town Hall On Health Care In Virginia



This is about an hour of it, the rest can be found here.

Sarah Palin Pic In "Runners World"

Cheesecake for Dummies


Now, if that's not straight up Christiany-Wingnutty-Neanderthal Pr0n, my name is Mortimer. Via John.

Added-
Nope, not PhotoShop, you can see all the pics at Runners World here

Headline of the Day



Strategists Worry Obama's Popularity is Dropping

The only strategist even mentioned, no others even alluded to, is Frank Donatelli.

My Tweet Spot: Iran- Aired June 19, 2009

By GottaLaff



Did you know that I do radio segments every Friday? Look at me going all podcasty and stuff!

"My Tweet Spot" is a recap of the week in politics via Tweets from Twitter. Today's episode consists of various Tweets about Iran.

I do three per show every Friday. Podcasts here.

Hope you like it!

Video- An Emotional Franken Thanks His Supporters, His Family -- And Recognizes Wellstone's Legacy

Video was hanging the blog up, you can see it here.

Via TPM.

Dems accuse GOP hopeful of stealing Obama's 'O'


"Built from scratch" by a local company? Then they plagiarized the O with your approval, dumbass.

AUGUSTA, Maine—The executive director of the Maine Democratic Party is accusing Republican Les Otten of taking the "O" from President Barack Obama for his own campaign Web site.

Arden Manning says Otten's "O" is nearly an exact copy of the Obama Web site's "O," which is now famous following the 2008 presidential campaign. He says Otten and Obama share "the initial O in common but that's where the similarity ends."

The attack didn't sit well with Otten. He says the Democratic Party seems to have forgotten that Obama was initially accused of copying Pepsi's logo. (ed note- Uh no, Pepsi was accused of copying Obama's O after the presidential hopeful became so popular and they changed their logo in the summer of '08.)

But he says his gubernatorial exploratory committee didn't copy anyone's Website. He says it was built "from scratch" by a locally owned company.

Video- Obama Virginia Health Care Town Hall: Debbie is Exhibit A and gets a hug



Felt so bad for this woman, she was talking so fast as if she just wanted to get it all out. Full story here.

Senate without Jewish GOPer for first time since '57


That's pretty much the (almost*) last nail in the Republican Southern White Christian Paradigm. h/t Ben.

Former Senator Norm Coleman’s concession in the Minnesota Senate race ensures that for the first time in over fifty years there will be no Jewish Republicans in the U.S. Senate.

The continuous line of Jewish Republican Senators dates back to 1957. They included Arlen Specter (D-PA), who has since left the Republican Party, Rudolph Boschwitz (R-MN, 1978-1991) and Jacob Javits (R-NY, 1957-1981).
*There's always Cantor in the House.

May I just say


that Lance Armstrong's eyes watching me at every website I go to is getting on my nerves big time.

Obama administration rolls out 'IT Dashboard'


Looks really cool, but it's over my head. You can find it here.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Obama administration is launching an "IT Dashboard" that increases access to information about the federal government's information technology spending and investment.

Using charts and graphs, the new dashboard displays IT information by federal agency or department. Users can also share or embed the charts on their own Web sites or blogs or on social sites including Facebook, Twitter, and delicious.

The dashboard also allows users to compile their own datasets based on the information available on the site. Once compiled, users can export their custom datasets as spreadsheets or receive the same information as an RSS feed.

Video- IAVA: Stronger Together



From FOB IAVA.

Lt. Col. Barry Wingard has an op-ed in WaPo! "No Justice Today at Guantanamo"

By GottaLaff

As you know, I've been writing and posting and posting and writing about Lt. Col. Barry Wingard and his client, Fayiz al-Kandari. We've been pushing the media hard for some attention. Today, somebody listened. Here are a couple of excerpts from Barry's Washington Post op-ed:

Like his fellow prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Kuwaiti detainee Fayiz Mohammed Ahmed al-Kandari hoped that President Obama's election would finally bring justice. Judges, not political appointees, would prevail and restore the rule of law.

Unfortunately, nothing seems to have changed. The Obama administration is reportedly considering an executive order that would "reassert presidential authority to incarcerate terrorism suspects indefinitely," and the situation at the prison itself is worsening.[...]

Fayiz has told me about arriving at a U.S.-controlled prison overseas where he was welcomed with an "orientation party" -- guards kicked him and beat his back with a chain. [...]

Each time I travel to Guantanamo Bay to visit Fayiz, his first question is, "Have you found justice for me today?" This leads to an awkward hesitation.

"Unfortunately, Fayiz," I tell him, "I have no justice today."

Please go read the rest here.

If you'd like to scroll through every post I've written on this subject, most of them eye-openers, please go here. That link includes audio and video interviews with Lt. Col. Wingard, one by David Shuster, one by Ana Marie Cox, and more. My guest commentary at BuzzFlash is here.

If you use Twitter, the hashtag is #FreeFayiz. We have organized a team to get these stories out. If you are interested in helping Fayiz out, e-mail me at The Political Carnival, address in sidebar to the right; or tweet me at @GottaLaff.

Chuck Schumer's Legacy of Success


I hadn't realized he'd done so well. But I still give Obama and Dean the majority of the credit.

First Read: "In his two cycles as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democrats were able to pick up a whopping 14 Senate seats (six in '06 and eight in '08). And when you add Arlen Specter's switch earlier this year, that means that Democrats went from having just 45 senators in 2006 to 60 today. That's a remarkable two cycles."

This is now the first time since the 95th Congress (1977-1979) that one party will have had 60 or more votes in the Senate.

Video- The Agony Of Defeat: Conservative Media React To Senator Franken


Via Media Matters.

Most Americans Want Public Health Option


Damn straight. Via Taegan-

A new Quinnipiac poll finds 69% of Americans support creation of a government-run health plan to compete with private insurance companies. In fact, 52% of those surveyed said such a plan would keep the private insurance companies honest.

However, even though most of those polled backed creation of a government plan, 53% said they would prefer to buy private health insurance, compared with 28% who would join a government health plan.

Interestingly, a new CNN/Opinion Research survey finds a bare majority supports President Obama's health care plan, 51% to 45%.

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