Sarah Palin accused of attempted bribery

By GottaLaff

Ohhh say it ain't so Sarah the Quitter. Yet another charge claim? What is that, 20 now?

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, who left office in disgrace July 26th under a cloud of ethics charges, is now being accused of a federal claim of attemped bribery. See federal claim (PDF 52 kb)

To clarify a previous complaint, the motion also accuses Palin of a violation of Alaska's constitution.

From the motion to amend:

"2.Plaintiffs wish to add a very serious federal claim of attempted bribery and other violations of similar federal and state statutes under supplemental jurisdiction....

....offering state funds and support of legislation to third parties in exchange for them convincing Plaintiffs to drop this lawsuit in federal or state court."

Oh my. Big fat federal claims. Bribery. This can't end well. Tisk, tisk.

Sarah the Quitter better watch her step or next thing she knows, she may have to go before a death panel.

(click on image to enlarge)

H/t: Cody, cbn2

Torture Ministers must explain destruction of CIA 'torture flight' papers

By GottaLaff

Remember when Boy Georgie said he and Tony Blair were bffs? Partners? Soul mates? Fellow Colgate users? Remember the U.S. and Britain were paired up the way the Enquirer paired up Sarah the Quitter and the First Dude's business partner?

This is what happens when you're inextricably linked to a partner... in crime-- investigations begin to overlap:

Ministers must explain why crucial documents relating to CIA "torture flights" that stopped on sovereign British territory were destroyed, a panel of MPs has said.

A damning appraisal by the influential foreign affairs select committee on Britain's role in the rendition of terror suspects and alleged complicity of torture condemns the government's lack of transparency on vital areas of concern.

In particular, the MPs, in a report released today, call for an explanation for the missing papers, which might explain the role of Diego Garcia, the British overseas territory, in the US's "extraordinary rendition" programme. [...]

It also criticises the government's inability to offer assurances that ships anchored outside Diego Garcia's waters were not involved in the rendition programme. [...]

Amnesty International said the MPs' verdict underlined the need for a full, independent inquiry into the UK's involvement in "war on terror" and human rights abuses.

The committee also voiced disquiet over claims that British intelligence officers were complicit in the torture of detainees held overseas. [...]

Details of the investigations the government has carried out into any of the claims should be made public, according to MPs. Mike Gapes, chairman of the committee, said it was time ministers also disclosed the guidance given at the time to intelligence officers interviewing suspects.

He said details of people captured by UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and placed in US custody should be divulged as part of a drive to improve transparency.

*******************************************

All my previous posts on this subject matter can be found here; That link includes one specific to only Fayiz al-Kandari's story here. Here are 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 are inclined to help rectify these injustices: Twitterers, use the hashtag #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.

If you'd like to see other ways you can take action, go here and scroll down to the end of the article.

Then read Jane Mayer's book The Dark Side. You'll have a much greater understanding of why I post endlessly about this, and why I'm all over the CIA deception issues, too.

More of Fayiz's story here, at Answers.com.

Poll-itics-- Final 2008 tally in: Bill Clinton edges out Santa

By GottaLaff

Poll schmoll.:

The official results of the 2008 presidential and congressional elections were released Thursday by the Federal Election Commission, nearly nine months after voters went to the polls. [...]

Some highlights from the bottom of the electoral barrel:

Candidates for President of the United States
Claus, Mr. Santa: 9 votes
Clinton, Mr. Bill: 19 votes
Duck, Mr. Donald: 7 votes
Jesus, Mr. [blank]: 5 votes
Jockey, Mr. The: 809 votes
Mouse, Mr. Mickey: 11 votes
Plumber, Mr. Joe: 5 votes
Supreme, Mr. Vermin: 43 votes

Mister Mickey Mouse? Mister Donald Duck? Fancy schmancy. Hey, Mr. Mouse and Mr. Duck both beat out Mr. Santa, too. And Mr. Vermin Supreme beat out everyone. Some credible schmedible poll, huh?

Cartoon Time: Shouting ire in a crowded town hall

By GottaLaff

(click on image to enlarge)

(via Mark Streeter, Georgia, The Savannah Morning News)

Obama: No deal with Big Pharma after all

By GottaLaff

My original post is here, in which the New York Times reported a deal between the ObamAdministration and Big Pharma a "done deal".

Now, thankfully, there's been a reversal... during that very special Friday night news quiet time. Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but it was all just a big, silly, sit-com style misunderstanding:

Caught between a pivotal industry ally and the protests of Congressional Democrats, the Obama administration on Friday backed away from what drug industry lobbyists had said this week was a firm White House promise to exclude from a proposed health care overhaul the possibility of allowing the government to negotiate lower drug prices under Medicare.

The reversal underscored the delicate balancing act the White House has pursued in its strategy of negotiating behind-the-scenes deals to win industry support without alienating liberal supporters on Capitol Hill.

Pressed by drug industry lobbyists, a White House deputy chief of staff, Jim Messina, confirmed in an e-mail message on Wednesday that the White House shared the drug lobbyists’ interpretation of the deal: that any health care overhaul would not include allowing direct government negotiation of drug prices or require certain additional price rebates. Since Wednesday, other representatives of the White House had also stood by Mr. Messina’s statement as well.

After reading reports about Mr. Messina’s e-mail message, House and Senate Democrats loudly protested that they would not be bound by any such agreement to remove clauses allowing government negotiation of drug prices under Medicare — something Democrats have sought for years.

Several Senate Democrats said Friday that, in a private meeting, White House officials had told them there was no such deal, sowing yet more confusion. House Democratic leaders vowed to fight against it.

Then, after contending for two days that the Senate Democrats had misunderstood the White House aide’s comments, the White House appeared Friday night to back away.

In a telephone interview, Linda Douglass, a White House spokeswoman on health matters, said the question of government drug-price bargaining “was not discussed during the negotiations.” Asked if that meant such a provision was excluded, as the top drug lobbyists had previously said, Ms. Douglass declined to comment, repeating, “It was not discussed.”

White House officials said Friday that Mr. Messina, the deputy chief of staff who sent the e-mail message, had not intended to confirm that the deal ruled out price negotiations. [...]

[T]he drug industry lobby appeared to line up once again with the White House, perhaps satisfied that the White House had at least ruled out the price rebates in the House bill. [...]

The full terms of the White House agreement with the drug makers, like a similar deal with the hospital industry, have never been disclosed. [...]

As Mr. Tauzin spoke up, the White House initially chose not to argue. But faced with a chorus of Congressional complaints, the administration appears to have recalibrated its position.

Good for the Dems. More like this, please.

VIDEOS: After walking away from town hall brawl, conservative shows up on Fox in wheelchair

By GottaLaff

First, the video that was taken immediately after the incident:



It sure looks like Kenneth Gladney could walk without so much a a limp to me. He was also speaking clearly and without obvious pain. But what do I know?

Via the YouTube blurb:

The Obama administration (thugs) said to punch back twice as hard and 2 black men wearing S.E.I.U. shirts took it literally by beating down a black conservative just for exercising his right to free speech.St. Louis County police say six people were arrested. Two of those were arrested on suspicion of assault, one of resisting arrest and three on suspicion of committing peace disturbances. Carnahan was gone when the ruckus started.

Kenneth Gladney, a 38-year-old conservative activist from St. Louis, said he was attacked by some of those arrested as he handed out yellow flags with Don't tread on me printed on them. He spoke to the Post-Dispatch from the emergency room of the St. John's Mercy Medical Center, where he said he was waiting to be treated for injuries to his knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face that he suffered in the attack. Gladney, who is black, said one of his attackers, also a black man, used a racial slur against him before the attack started.

It just seems there's no freedom of speech without being attacked, he said.

Now, a day later, he's confined to a wheelchair and apparently is unable to speak, although he was perfectly articulate in the video above:



Via the YouTube blurb:

Kenneth Gladney, who was attacked and beaten at the Russ Carnahan town hall by the representatives union supporters, attended the rally against violence today at the SEIU headquarters in St. Louis.

Kenneth's attorney David Brown read a letter by Kenneth to the crowd since Kenneth was still weak to speak publically.

Next, a few excerpts from Windy City Watch about the incident and presser in St. Louis. They point out that in an interview done shortly after the brawl, Gladney could vocalize just fine... several times... on the Tee Vee Machine... specifically ClusterFox:

During today's press conference Kenneth Gladney was in a wheel chair and unable to speak because he was on pain killers. But for some reason he was not in a wheel chair and was able to speak when he made numerous appearances on FOX NEWS ("Your Money w/Neil Cavuto" "The O"Reilly Factor") on 8.7.09.

He claims he was punched in the face numerous times and kicked in the head, however his face looks fine. [...]

This guy is nothing but a pure fraud, being used by the tea baggers. Why was this fool able to speak on FOX NEWS but unable to speak from his wheel chair today?

When in doubt, blame the unions, get a lawyer, and go on ClusterFox.

I wasn't there, but from the videos, it certainly looks as though Gladney was in better shape than he claims to be once he realized he could sue.

And speaking of "hate crimes", how would he characterize the Tea Terrorists' intentions when they bring guns to town hall meetings and use words like "Hitler" and "Nazi"?

Teabaggers Bring Guns to Tennessee Dem's Health Care Event

By GottaLaff

Via Jane Hamsher:

According to accounts from the Steve Cohen health care event in Memphis Tennessee, the teabaggers are showing up armed:

Steve Steffens at Right Wing Cracker: "Randy Wade is to be complimented as well; he arranged for security. There were actually idiots who brought guns (legally, it seems they had carry permits, but why did they feel they needed them?). Yes, you read that right, and Randy made them all check in with the Sheriff's Deputies on hand.

Gordon G via FDL Event Tracker: "Beginning early in the proceedings many attendees who were clearly against health insurance reform began trying to speak (and shout) out of turn, at times chanting in unison. These bullying attempts were contained by the rest of the crowd, who variously applauded speakers supporting reform, demanded that hecklers behave, and engaged thugs one-on-one to keep the peace." [...]

Tennessee Wisc Dem: The thing I wish Steve hadn’t done was ask any doctors present to speak first. Did he think doctors would be liberal? He thereby gave voice to every right-wing talking point you have heard. Several times he had to follow a doctor by saying "It’s not in the bill." I remember this especially with care for illegal aliens, but abortion and euthanasia both came up. The most prominent sign in the room was "don’t kill my GiGi." When Steve specifically said there was nothing in the bill to do this, and praised his family’s experience with hospice, he was roundly booed.

[...] Why is he front loading the meeting with anti-public plan "authority figures" if he intends to hold the line for what he says he believes in?

There is absolutely no reason to come armed to a health care town hall meeting. It's supposed to be an exchange of ideas, not bullets.

On the other hand, it's beginning to feel as if our side would be justified, citing self-defense. And how pathetic is it that I even felt the need to write that, even half-kiddingly?

Chill: Health-care reform isn’t in trouble yet

By GottaLaff

Take two paragraphs every 4 hours and call me in the morning:

Only after something passes the House and the Senate will the real work begin. The conference committee to hammer out a final, identical bill will be the mother of all summits. That’s where President Obama must weigh in heavily to shape and then sell the outcome. Contrary to all the carping, what he and the White House do before then on the specifics of the legislation doesn’t much matter. The White House’s only job until we get to conference is to shape the climate of opinion with one simple end in mind. Legislators need to get the message that their constituents want “change” on health care, and will punish them for supporting the status quo. The White House’s mission is to be sure that enough legislators feel they cannot safely oppose Obama’s definition of “change.” That’s it. (It’s also a tall enough order, what with organized conservative protesters having the early edge in disrupting town hall meetings as lawmakers head home for recess).

You can’t channel surf on cable these days without seeing pundits who insist that: 1) Obama has over-learned the lessons of Clintoncare; 2) ceded too much power to Congress; and 3) blown it by not detailing what he wants in a final bill at this point. These folks don’t know what they’re talking about. [...] [A] president’s job is to preserve enough flexibility to get the results he seeks while carrying most of the people along with him. A studied ambiguity as events unfold is indispensable to this task, and Obama intuits this just right.

Once we get to conference, however, Obama’s role must change. That will be the moment. That’s when he and his team have to knock heads, crafting a deal that covers everyone, funds this in economically rational ways, and slows system-wide cost growth. As importantly, that’s when Obama must move from Rose Garden jawboning and press conference talking points to a riveting series of speeches on health care that will rival his race speech during the campaign. [...]

Between now and then, everyone should take a deep breath. The talking heads have to fill up air time, but the rest of us should remember: until we get to conference, it’s all prelude.

Tortured Gitmo prisoner: "I wished I would die"

By GottaLaff

Being a distant relative by marriage to one of the 9/11 hijackers, like say, being married to a sister of the hijacker's wife, is enough to get you imprisoned for years and tortured. That is exactly what happened to Ahmed al-Darbi, and very similar to what happened to Fayiz al-Kandari:

U.S. military prosecutors allege that Ahmed al-Darbi has met with Osama bin Laden, trained at an al-Qaida terrorist camp, and plotted to blow up a ship in the Strait of Hormuz or off Yemen.

But the government may never be able to bring those allegations to court because of the torture the prisoner says he suffered in U.S. custody in Afghanistan. Al-Darbi says American troops subjected him to beatings, excruciating shackling, painfully loud music, isolation and threats of rape, according to a new affidavit obtained by The Associated Press. If al-Darbi's statements to interrogators were indeed obtained under such circumstances, they will likely be thrown out.

Hmyeah, that's the drawback of horrifically abusing and torturing prisoners: It backfires. Oh, and it's also cruel and inhuman. It also permanently damages human beings (and their families), psychologically, emotionally, and physically. But back to the (il)legal aspects:

"I was frightened and there were times I wished I would die," the 33-year-old prisoner from Saudi Arabia said in the statement taken in July at Guantanamo, which was provided to the AP by his lawyer. "I felt that anything could happen to me and that everything was out of control."

Al-Darbi's is a test case of sorts for what will happen under the Obama administration to prisoners who allege their testimony was forced out of them under torture. His affidavit illustrates one of the greatest challenges facing President Barack Obama as he tries to determine what to do with the 229 prisoners still left at Guantanamo, the military prison at the U.S. base in Cuba. Obama has vowed to close the prison by early next year.

Under former President George W. Bush, the special war crimes tribunals known as Military Commissions allowed "coerced" statements from defendants at a judge's discretion. But the rules are changing for the 60 or so prisoners whom authorities had planned to prosecute: The Obama administration has prohibited the use of confessions obtained under "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." A Justice Department official has told Congress, which is drafting new rules for Military Commissions, that only "voluntary" statements are likely to withstand future court challenges.

But legal experts believe a number of cases can't be prosecuted because conditions were so harsh in Guantanamo, Afghanistan and secret CIA "black sites" elsewhere. The number of cases involved isn't known publicly since most of the background is still classified.

In some cases, Obama will have no choice but to release the prisoners or, if they are considered too dangerous, place them in "preventative" detention, said David Glazier, an associate professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Either scenario opens the president up to criticism, but Glazier, a former Naval officer and expert in military law, says it's better than allowing convictions that aren't reliable or would be viewed as illegitimate around the world.

*****************************************

All my previous posts on this subject matter can be found here; That link includes one specific to only Fayiz al-Kandari's story here. Here are 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 are inclined to help rectify these injustices: Twitterers, use the hashtag #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.

If you'd like to see other ways you can take action, go here and scroll down to the end of the article.

Then read Jane Mayer's book The Dark Side. You'll have a much greater understanding of why I post endlessly about this, and why I'm all over the CIA deception issues, too.

More of Fayiz's story here, at Answers.com.

H/t: mparent77772 and VNDNBRG

VIDEO- GOPFail: Analysts predict billions in benefits from 'Cash for Clunkers'

By GottaLaff



The good news headline won't stop all those Rushpublic crankypants from whining and crying. And you know why they're whining and crying? Because President Ba-lack Obama is having a few success stories, and they can't bear that:

The "Cash for Clunkers" program will continue with a $2 billion supplement that some analysts say could provide a boost of billions of dollars more as it reverberates through the economy.

Critics, however, say the program merely shifts consumer spending from one area to another.

The tone of that video is more negative than positive. But go back and listen to the arguments. Go ahead, I'll wait....

... Done? Good. Let's recap:

"Marginal increases in fuel economy"? "Not where you'd put the first dollar if your real objective for saving energy"? ANY increase in fuel economy is a plus, and this is only part of an overall clean energy program. Improved fuel efficiency is coming.

As for that "buy now, buy now" criticism... wasn't that one of the objectives of the stimulus package? To provide a badly needed and immediate jolt, kinda like, you know, The Surge in Iraq that everyone is so fond of touting as a Big Success?

Yeah, it's probably a better idea to do absolutely nothing... or to say that somehow the economy will spontaneously improve, just as it somehow spontaneously crashed. That's the latest meme that the Rushpublics are desperately trying to push, anyway.

And their ideas have worked so well for us so far, haven't they?

Australian Sex Party could be an ass-et

By GottaLaff

Hey Aussies, is that a new party, or are you just happy to see me?

[T]he Australian Sex Party obtain[ed] approval from the Australian Electoral Commission for registration as a political party.

I hope the ASP is up on all the laws and penile, er, penal codes and stuff.

The commission, which announced the registration on its website, said it had received several objections.

Sure, but I think we're all adult enough to realize that no really means yes.

The party's convenor and likely future candidate Fiona Patten:

"One of the reasons for establishing the party was to provide a positive platform for sexual issues amongst the negative notions of sex that most politicians and political parties have..."

"The fact that the AEC spent so much time considering the word `sex' further exhibits our need for honest and open discussion about sexual matters - be they censorship, education, health or discrimination ones."

Don't forget infantile double entendres. There needs to be a wider acceptance of those, too.

H/t: Ellen

Secret Service looking into Obama-Joker fax

By GottaLaff

By now, you've all seen this image of President Obama (I posted about it here):

That image was sent to Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) in a fax, with the message, "“death to all Marxists." The Secret Service is taking this insanity seriously, as they should:

The Secret Service may investigate a fax sent to a Democratic lawmaker that depicts President Barack Obama as the Joker and warns of “death to all Marxists.” [...]

On Obama’s forehead is a communist hammer-and-sickle insignia, and beneath the image is the text: “Death to All Marxists! Foreign and Domestic!”

Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) received the fax and passed it along to U.S. Capitol Police.

The Secret Service investigates threats made against the president. Ed Donovan, of Secret Service Public Affairs, said that the fax was “potentially an investigative intelligence matter.” [...]

The message made no specific reference to Baird and it is unclear why it was sent to his office. No other congressional office reported receiving a similar fax.

Baird has compared protesters who have shown up at lawmaker town halls during the recess to the Nazis.

“What we're seeing right now is close to Brown Shirt tactics,” Baird said in an interview with the Vancouver, Wash., Columbian on Thursday. “I mean that very seriously.” [...]

Baird has also compared protester tactics to those of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, which drew calls for an apology from Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Gary Jones.

“For Congressman Baird to use the tragedy [of] Oklahoma families and the loved ones of those who were injured and lost their lives for political gain is inexcusable,” he said.

Hey Gary, here's a thought: Substitute "Republican mob" for "Congressman Baird", and "those who are sick, dying, and can't afford health care because of Big Pharma/Insurance/Rushpublic obstructionists" for "Oklahoma families". Then someone might take you seriously.

GOP co-sponsor of birther bill won’t show his birth certificate

By GottaLaff

Hyp. O. Crite:

Last week, Politico asked the 11 House Republicans co-sponsoring the so-called “birther bill” — legislation requiring presidential candidates to prove they were born in the United States — to provide their own birth certificates. While a number of them complied, Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) explicitly refused to show his proof of birth.

Randy is obviously Kenyan. You can tell by his last name, which is hard to spell, pronounce, and obviously not American.

I also suspect his father is black. Clearly, an investigation is in order. Whaddya say we storm a few town halls and demand one?

Whine and cheesy: Alberto Gonzales ‘angry’ his reputation is tarnished

By GottaLaff

Here's an idea, Gonzo: Take some responsibility for the well-deserved torrent of ridicule and insults you receive on a regular basis:

The New York Times Magazine has a new interview with former Bush attorney general Alberto Gonzales [...] Gonzales said that he has been upset at the way his legacy has been ruined:

Would you agree that your reputation was damaged by your service as attorney general?

It has had an effect, a negative effect, no question about it, and at times it makes me angry because it is undeserved. But I don’t want to sound like I am whining. At the end of the day, I’ve been the attorney general of the United States. It’s a remarkable privilege, and I stand behind my service.

[...] “What is it that I did that is so fundamentally wrong, that deserves this kind of response to my service?” he asked last year. (Here’s a reminder.) Gonzales still has not received any offers for jobs from any law firms since leaving the White House.

Video- Rachel Maddow: Nazism is not a metaphor

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

Republicans Use Chaos as a Shock Doctrine to Create Authoritarian Rule

By GottaLaff

Your Daily Dose of BuzzFlash, via my pal, Mark Karlin:

There is a method to this madness of chaos and obstructionism that is the hallmark of modern Republicanism.

It is to do politically what Naomi Klein detailed in her economic analysis in the "Shock Doctrine"; it is to so bollix and confuse and make feel vulnerable the displaced white working and middle class that they will turn to authoritarian leadership out of fear. [...]

The corporations that now basically run the government need four things to achieve their goals of unregulated global commerce: 1) politicians in their pocket; 2) corporate/GOP media that conveys propaganda instead of truth; 3) anxious white Americans fed fear by winger media; and 4) entrenched wealth willing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into a shadow propaganda ministry of think tanks, "analysts," government regulators on the take, etc.

Together, this merger of media, corporations (which owns the mainstream media) and government is called fascism.

This is a must-read. Please go here for the rest.

Most offensive bumper sticker ever

By GottaLaff

Mr. Laffy was driving home yesterday and saw this bumper sticker:

Taxpayers are the Jews for Democrat ovens.

Welcome to Corporate RushpubliHate 2009, brought to you by UnNeighborly Grassrootitude Hypocrites, or UGH. Short on bigotry? Running out of fear mongering? Can't say no to death threats? Just scream "UGH" and help is on the way!

Now go enjoy yourself a big steaming mug of sickos.

Video- OMG: The Birthers’ New Theme Song: “Barrack Hussein Obama, Where Were You Born?”

OMG OMG OMG. Jeff is laughing, but I'm horrified. Huge h/t to RumpRoast for listening long enough to get the lyrics and finding this pos.

A funny thing went down in the presidential race ‘08
The democratic nominee was thought to be so great
But our founders made a rule and what they wrote was really clear
Only natural-born citizens are eligible...my dear

Obama ,tell us where were you born?
‘Cause the media won’t do their job anymore
You’re grandmother in Kenya said you were born on foreign shores
So Barry tell us where oh where were you born?

You’d think that Ol’ Barrack would wanna try and nip this in the bud
To settle all these lawsuits and wipe away the rumor mud
But the one thing that could prove it he won’t let anybody see
A bona fide presidential birth certificate mystery

Obama ,tell us where were you born?
‘Cause the media won’t do their job anymore
You’re grandmother in Kenya said you were born on foreign shores
So Barry tell us where oh where were you born?

Can you confirm Barrack...where were you born?
‘Cause the jpeg on your website was proven forged
I gotta say pal to me this whole thing just smells rotten to the core
So Barry tell us where oh where were you born?

Barrack Hussein Obama tell us...where were you born?
You don’t like your middle name spoken aloud in your side a thorn
Obama tell us where oh where were you born
I said Barack Obama tell us where oh where were you born?

Streaming Live- Sonia Sotomayor sworn in as Supreme Court Justice

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

Video- NBC Nightly News fairly covers the Healthers

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

I saw this mentioned last night as one of the more fair versions of coverage. Video heavy this morning.

Video- Second City's "Barack Stars" In D.C.

Saturday Links

Boring day out there.

Your family dog may be smarter than your toddler

Pakistan Taliban commander tells BBC: Mehsud not dead

Cheapest Cars To Drive

Scientists alter pancreatic cells to treat Type 1 diabetes

Police: 500-pound inmate hid gun in his flab

Iran Resumes Mass Trial of Activists and Protesters

German clunkers get sold elsewhere

Among teens, who's gay less clear than in past

Video- President's Weekly Address: Necessary Reform, Absurd Attacks

Another Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff

I have a very caring, impassioned Twitter pal, one who I've actually had the pleasure to spend some time with. He wanted to share his feelings about recent events, and I am more than happy to oblige, again. His first excellent rant can be found here:

It’s the 72 year old guy again. In my last comment I said that I haven’t seen so much hate and fear in this country since the civil rights movement. In the last few days I have seen it get even worse. The more I see it the angrier I get.

So whom am I angry at:

The birther movement: YES!; the town hall demonstrations: YES!; the conservative media who spew their hate: YES!; the republican party (1) for telling their followers to disrupt town hall meetings, (2) whose only policy is to see President Obama fail on all his programs, (3) wanting Health Care reform to be his Waterloo, (4) opposing additional funding for the stimulus program “Cash for Clunkers”: YES!!!!

When did we lose the concept that differences of opinions can be discussed and resolved in a peaceful manner? Why does the conservative media feel the only way to oppose anything is to spew hateful words like “racist”, “he’s not one of us” “this country was built by the white man"? Such words rile their base, and at times we have seen violent acts taken by their followers... for which these commentators will take no responsibility.

So what I see happening is the erosion of democracy as I have known it in this country; where party ideology is more important than what is best for this country. This erosion has been going on for several years. When mob mentality takes over the democratic process, like what we have seen at the town hall meetings, we all lose. No political party is right on everything it proposes, but by only working together in a bipartisan manner can we accomplish anything that is best for the country. To oppose any president on everything that may be proposed doesn’t benefit the country.

I hope it doesn’t take a climatic event to bring this great country back to its senses.

Poll-itics: Republicans Pay for Sotomayor Nays edition

By GottaLaff

Lesson learned from that brilliantly well-thought-out Rushpublic rejection of Supreme Court Judge Sotomayor: You say nay, you pay:

Republican Party approval rating among Latinos

April 27-30 August 3-6

Favorable 14 3

Unfavorable 73 86

No Opinion 13 11

The first column is the week that Justice Souter retired, which was soon followed by speculation of Sotomayor's nomination (she was the frontrunner). That is the reference week. The second is this week.

Who were these geniuses trying to cultivate, because it sure wasn't Latino voters.

Tuh-Weet! Meghan McCain rips Michelle Malkin edition

By GottaLaff

WWDDS?* A Tweet by MegMac:

Full story here.

*What Would Daddy Dearest Say?

ACLU Asks the Supreme Court to Hear Its Case for Declassifying Torture Photos

By GottaLaff

It's Friday Dump Time! And that mean's it's time for Torture Talk!

[...] ACLU is taking its case for declassifying hundreds of photographs documenting the torture of detainees by U.S. personnel — blocked by President Obama after a flip-flop — to the high court:

NEW YORK – The government today asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its appeal of a court ruling requiring the release of photos depicting the abuse of prisoners held in U.S. custody at overseas locations. In September 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ordered the government to turn over the photos in response to an ACLU Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit. The Obama administration originally indicated that it would not appeal that decision and would release the photos, but abruptly reversed its position shortly before the agreed-upon deadline.

“The appeals court soundly rejected all of the government’s arguments for withholding the photos, and it’s unfortunate that the government has chosen to contest that decision,” said Amrit Singh, staff attorney with the ACLU. “These photos would provide visual proof that prisoner abuse by U.S. personnel was not aberrational but widespread, reaching far beyond the walls of Abu Ghraib. As disturbing as the photos may be, it is critical that the American people know the full truth about the abuse that occurred in their name.”

And that concludes today's Friday Dump episode of Torture Talk, brought to you by Hotel Gitmo. Come for a week, stay for 8 years!

All my previous posts on this subject matter can be found here; That link includes one specific to only Fayiz al-Kandari's story here. Here are 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 are inclined to help rectify these injustices: Twitterers, use the hashtag #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.

If you'd like to see other ways you can take action, go here and scroll down to the end of the article.

Then read Jane Mayer's book The Dark Side. You'll have a much greater understanding of why I post endlessly about this, and why I'm all over the CIA deception issues, too.

More of Fayiz's story here, at Answers.com.

VIDEO: Obama's team calls out Republimobbers

By GottaLaff

It's a start:



GObama!

Bachmann VIDEO + Palin uses her "baby with Downs Sydrome" to slam Obama's "evil.. death panels"

By GottaLaff

Yes, it's finally happened. Sarah the Quitter is touting the one... the only... ::fanfare:: Michele Bachmann in her Facebook rant about the Obama's Evil Health Care Plan. [Ominous music goes here] Sarah Louise even says "hell", so she must be extra crispy serious!

Enjoy:

As more Americans delve into the disturbing details of the nationalized health care plan that the current administration is rushing through Congress, our collective jaw is dropping, and we’re saying not just no, but hell no!

The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s “death panel” so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their “level of productivity in society,” whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.

Health care by definition involves life and death decisions. Human rights and human dignity must be at the center of any health care discussion.

Rep. Michele Bachmann highlighted the Orwellian thinking of the president’s health care advisor, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of the White House chief of staff, in a floor speech to the House of Representatives. I commend her for being a voice for the most precious members of our society, our children and our seniors.

We must step up and engage in this most crucial debate. Nationalizing our health care system is a point of no return for government interference in the lives of its citizens. If we go down this path, there will be no turning back. Ronald Reagan once wrote, “Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.” Let’s stop and think and make our voices heard before it’s too late.

- Sarah Palin

Ooo, scary stuff, huh? And now... He-e-e-ere's Bachmann!

Rahm Emanuel on Dems attacking Dems: “F–king Stupid”

By GottaLaff

There was this private meeting, see, between leaders of liberal groups and Rahm Emanuel. And in this meeting, Rahm said that the Dems shouldn't run health care ads attacking the Blue Dogs any more, see. But Greg Sargent was told that...

[...] Emanuel went quite a bit further than this.

Sources at the meeting tell me that Emanuel really teed off on the Dem-versus-Dem attacks, calling them “f–king stupid.” This was a direct attack on some of the attendees in the room, who are running ads against Dems right now.

Tellingly, Rahm raised the specter of a loss on health care, sources at the meeting say — which suggests that the White House may be less certain about victory than officials allow publicly.

Ruh-roh.

“He started out with, `We’re 13 and 0 going into health care,’” one source at the meeting said, meaning that Rahm was touting the White House’s string of pre-health care legislative victories.

“This momentum is necessary to do all these other things. We have a lot of momentum right now, and any loss spoils that momentum that we’ve built up,” was how the source described the gist of what Rahm said.

We have so much logic, common sense, and great ideas on our side, yet we're not getting the message out. So much energy has been spent on the Rushpublimobs that we've lost our through-line.

As Randi Rhodes said on her radio show a few minutes ago, the media hasn't spent any time explaining the meat of the health care plan at all. It's always about the horse race, or in this case, the horse's asses, but rarely about what people need to know, process, and understand.

Trust us, corporate media, Americans can understand health care reform, if anyone would bother to explain it to them.

The new health care reform symbol: 24K Screwed

By GottaLaff

Screwed... by Big Pharma, Big Insurance, the Blue Dogs, the Rushpublics, the Tea Tantrumers, the Mobbers, the list goes on. One of my Twitter pals sent me this interesting little image to commemorate the occasion:

H/t: EileenLeft

Crist will not appoint himself to Senate seat

By GottaLaff

FYI:

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said Friday he would not appoint himself to fill the remaining time left in Sen. Mel Martinez's, R-Florida, Senate term.

Crist, who is running for Martinez's seat, would not speculate on who he might appoint to fill the remaining term, but the governor also noted that "there is not a long list of candidates" for the position.

There ya go... See what Sarah the Quitter started?

Town Hall Twitter: If ACORN/SEIU attends, bring a gun

By GottaLaff

For your consideration: A few Tweets from a complete nutcase:

(click on image to enlarge)

I posted earlier about similar threats.

H/t: Dependable Renegade

VIDEO: ‘Just A Mom’ At Town Hall Meeting Is Exposed As Republican Operative

By GottaLaff

Note: Sorry about the double video. I can't get rid of it.

These everyday neighbory grassrooty types? They're not so everyday neighbory grassrooty after all, as we keep finding out. Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI) had a town hall meeting yesterday and, of course, got shouted down:

One vocal attendee was a woman named Heather Blish, who identified herself as “just a mom from a few blocks away” and “not affiliated with any political party.” When interviewed by the local NBC affiliate, Blish insisted she was not a member of the Republican Party. “I left the party,” she said. Blish’s statements, however, are distortions. From NBC’s report:

Her LinkedIn page shows something different. She was the vice chair of the Republican Party of Kewaunee County until last year. She worked on the John Gard campaign, who ran unsuccessfully against Kagen last year. And it says she’s a part of the Republican Party for Kagen’s district, as well as the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and the Republican National Committee.

Can't get much more everyday neighbory than that, huh?

Eunice Kennedy Shriver critical at Mass. hospital

By GottaLaff

In this Friday, Nov. 10, 2006 file photo, Eunice Shriver Kennedy, founder of Special Olympics, attends an event at U.N. Headquarters in New York. (AP Photo/David Karp, file)

Awww, damn:

A family spokesman says Eunice Kennedy Shriver is in critical condition at a Massachusetts hospital.

Spokesman Stephen Rivers said Friday that the 88-year-old sister of President John F. Kennedy is surrounded by her family at Cape Cod Hospital.

Grassroots my (gr)ass: Robocalls Now Urging Town Hall Protests?

By GottaLaff

I don't know about you, but my robocall resources are nonexistent. Anyone else out there in grassrooty world have access to robocalling? Hands? On second thought, don't raise your hands, just feel free to shout me down and throw punches:

Marty Kady reports that yet another town hall meeting — this one held by Dem Rep Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona — was overrun yesterday by protesters.

But this detail from Kady’s story jumps out:

Sources say the protesters showed up after a robocall — it’s unclear from whom — went out to Arizona voters encouraging them to show up at the event. The event was supposed to involve one on one chats with Kirkpatrick, a freshman member of Congress. [...]

Turns out that the anti-reform group Conservatives for Patients Rights called on activists to get out to this town hall on its Web site. But a CPR spokesman denied to me that his group was behind the robocalls.

So the question is, whodoneit?

AUDIO: Caller threatens SEIU with "Second Amendment" consequences

By GottaLaff



What has happened to these people to turn them into such irrational, hostile animals?

An official with SEIU, which has been sending members to town halls to counterbalance the Tea Party brigade, sends over this audio of a phone call the union received on its central voicemail system, threatening to teach union officials a thing or two about “the Second Amendment” [...]

Brian Beutler reports that an anti-health care reform organizer is explicitly calling on the troops to “carry” and if SEIU members get disruptive, to “hurt them.”

This has to stop. I don't even want to think about what will happen if it doesn't.

Chris Dodd Cleared by Senate Ethics Committee

By GottaLaff

I get e-mails:

Ever since political opponents started making false accusations about my mortgages, I've said that Jackie and I did nothing wrong.

Today, I'm pleased to report that the Senate Ethics Committee has agreed, officially clearing me of any wrongdoing.

Here is a portion of the statement that I gave to reporters this afternoon. I hope you'll read it and share with other supporters.

After a year-long investigation in which it deposed witnesses and pored over 18,000 pages of documents, the bipartisan Ethics Committee has concluded that we violated no rules when refinancing our mortgages. There was no "sweetheart" or special deal; the allegations are and have always been false. ... I hope that today's dismissal will go a long way towards restoring the bond of trust and confidence that I've worked long and hard to build with the people of our state. I want you to know it's a relationship I have never, and would never, take for granted. And now that the facts have been aired and the lessons learned, it's time to move on. I'm going to continue fighting for you - humbled, wiser, and always proud to serve the people of Connecticut.

I'm looking forward to continuing my fight on behalf of the people of Connecticut - and to a campaign based on real issues, not political smears.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support - and I hope I can continue to count on it going forward.

Sincerely,

Chris Dodd

Video- Dylan Ratigan tries to get an answer out of astroturfer Eric Odom on health care reform

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

I may not agree with Rattigan, but I aplaud his attempts to get an answer out of the toad Odom. (Gotta posted about Odom yesterday here)