VIDEO: President Obama's Speech To Gay Rights Activists, Part 1, 2, and 3

By GottaLaff

So far, this is all I could get:



UPDATE, adding as I see 'em:



Finally, Part 3:

Canadian Health Care Does It Again: Breakthrough in Breast Cancer

By GottaLaff

I am absolutely thrilled to post this:

Researchers with the B.C. Cancer Agency have become the first-ever to decode the DNA of breast cancer cells, and have discovered that gene mutations in those tumours shift as the disease spreads.

These findings were presented in the Nature journal, and chart the genetic mutations that occurred in the 3 billion letters of the DNA sequence from an estrogen-receptor-alpha-positive breast tumour. It has been said that this discovery will provide unprecedented understanding about how breast cancer progresses.

Chair of breast cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency and Canada research chair in molecular oncology, Dr. Samuel Aparicio said of the results:

"I never thought I would see it in my lifetime"

Damn those amazing Canadians and their health care strides! Damn them! *Wink*

Sarah Palin Out to Destroy Levi Johnston in New Book

By GottaLaff

Not that I make a habit of succumbing to rumors, but this one sounds credible enough:

Sarah Palin is on a personal mission to make mince meat of little Levi Johnston. According to inside sources, a great deal of her new book “Going Rogue: An American Life,” is dedicated to discrediting his post-election revelations by claiming he’s a twerpy opportunist, just looking to make a buck off of the Palin brand name. Levi was unavailable for comment as he is currently holed up at his local gymnasium working out furiously for his upcoming photo spread for Playgirl Magazine. I suppose when the time comes, he’ll let his penis do his talking for him.

How can I possibly outsnark that?

H/t: Gr8RDH

VIDEO- Why We Need Gun Laws: Caught On Camera, Wild Shootout At Bar

By GottaLaff

Jarring, to say the least:



Remember my post of the other day about a sting operation at gun shows? This is one reason we need to clamp down on the crazies:

From The AP: Police have released footage of a shootout that erupted inside a bar in Toledo, Ohio. They say no one was injured but they are now scouring the area for suspects -

Oh, and here's a little reassuring something for those in Arizona to sleep on:

Under the law, backed by the National Rifle Association, the 138,350 people with concealed-weapons permits in Arizona will be allowed to bring their guns into bars and restaurants that haven't posted signs banning them.

And let's not forget those good ol' gunslingers at presidential speeches and town hall meetings.

H/t: jasonblogz

President Obama addresses gay rights group: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

President Obama addresses gay rights group:
"You're making me blush."

He just said what a pleasure it was to be there opening for Lady Gaga. "I've made it!" Thanked the HRC.

He's been getting HUGE applause.

People still have outdated ways [paraphrase], but you're making a difference. That's the story of the movement of fairness and equality... for all those in history denied the rights of citizenship, not just gays.

You are making a difference.

Different kinds of families can show same compassion in time of need.. story of human rights campaign.

Adovcating on behalf of those living w/ HIV/AIDS. This fight continues now.

I have a simple message: I'm here with you in that fight. HUGE applause.

Progress has not come fast enough... it's important to be honest among friends.

It's not for me to tell you to be patient... but I will say, we have made progress. We will make more. There is not a single issue that does not touch on the lives of the LGBT community. We all have a stake in reviving economy, health care, schools... challenges in Iraq/Afghanistan.

While some may wish to define you by sexual orientation, nobody wants to be defined by only one part of what makes us whole... You're also parents, spouses worried about your job, soldiers, you are neighbors, friends, and most importantly Americans who care deeply about this country and its future.

So I know you want me working on jobs, etc. But my commitment to you is unwavering. Progress may take longer than you'd like, do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach.

When you look back, you'll see a time when we put a stop to discrimination against gays/lesbians, incl. battlefield.

He's getting standing O's.

You will see a nation valuing these families... I am committed to these goals. We will fight to achieve them.

Referring to Matthew Shepard....

I met with Judy Shepard in May, promised we'd pass an inclusive hate crimes bill named for her son... we faced opposition, they never gave up, you never gave up, year after year... the House passed the bill... and after more than a decade, this bill is set to pass and I'll sign it into law!

Endless APPLAUSE, standing O.

It's a testament to Shepards... named for Sen. Ted Kennedy. Testament to HRC. Testament to Matthew and other victims of attacks... not just to break bones, to break spirits...

Closer to the day when no one has to be afraid to be gay in America.. no one has to fear walking down the street holding hand of one you love.

Closer to inclusive employee non-discrim. bill. Nobody should be fired because they're gay... We're gonna put a stop to it.

If any of my nominees are attacked for who they are, I'll stand by them.

We're invigorating response to HIV/AIDS, renewing Ryan White program.

We are rescinding ban on entry to U.S. based on HIV status.

We're moving ahead on Don't Ask Don't Tell... APPLAUSE. We should be celebrating Americans who show courage, esp. when we're fighting 2 wars. STANDING O.

We cannot afford to cut people with skills we need to fight... I'm working w/ Pentagon, House, Senate on ending DADT. I WILL END DON'T ASK DON'T TELL, THAT IS MY COMMITMENT TO YOU.

Can we transcend old attitudes? Will we uphold ideals that all of us are equal? I believe we can, I believe we will.

And that is why I support insuring the committed gay couples... I believe strongly in stopping laws that take rights away.

I've called on Congress to repeal Defense of Marriage Act. HUGE APPLAUSE, STANDING O.

We must all stand together against divisive efforts. It's about our common humanity.

Talking about hospital visitation, law treating you like a stranger.

We should admit that too many don't know urgency of this struggle.

We stand with LGBT families, and not just in front of gay audiences. Continue to pressure leaders, INCLUDING ME.

No one is a second class citizen...

Bringing up how younger gays must keep the "secret"... I believe the future is bright for that young person.

These ideals are what made it possible for ME to stand here today. That's the promise of America, HRC... the promise we are fulfilling!

AUDIO- Energy Sec. Chu: "It’s Wonderful’ Companies Leaving Chamber Over Global Warming Denial

By GottaLaff

See, Chamber of Commerce, this is what happens when you want a "Scopes-like" hearing on global warming (original posts here, here, and here):




Zing!

Yesterday, during a solar energy event at the National Mall, Energy Secretary Steven Chu was asked by a Reuters reporter what he thought about the exodus of businesses from the Chamber. He replied by telling the reporter that he thinks it’s “wonderful” that companies are leaving.

The Chamber's been Chu'd out.

Porn company names Gingrich ‘Family Values Porn Fan of the Year, 2009.’

By GottaLaff

Remember that racy little post about Newtie and the nudies (sounds like a '60s rock band)? It was all about invitations to "private dinners" that were sent out by the Newtster to adult entertainment industry types "by mistake".

Uh huh.

So who says XXXers don't have a sense of humor?

Allison Vivas, the president of Pink Visual, turned the tables on Newt. She told Dave McKenna of the Washington City Paper that she created a fake award for Gingrich:

“I sat down with the executive team here and created a special honor to bestow upon Newt: ‘Family Values Porn Fan of the Year, 2009,’ Vivas responded via email. “We worked on the plaque design [image on the right], an event schedule, a notification to fax to his office – and of course, a letter we’ll send rescinding the offer after he receives it.”

(HT: Huffington Post)

They could also invite Barbie McLipSchmutz.

That way, they wouldn't have to rescind the invitation. She'd simply fail to show up, and everyone would save lots and lots of time and money.

Rush Holt Wins Congressional Approval For Measure To Mandate Videorecording Of Interrogations

By GottaLaff

This is great news:

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed as part of the 2010 Defense Authorization conference report a new requirement that would mandate the videorecording of all interrogations of anyone in a Defense Department facility:

Congress is moving to require videotaping of interrogations of detainees held by the military, a step proponents say will prevent abuse and create a valuable intelligence record.

The provision, which the House passed on Thursday as part of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act conference report, would apply to interrogations of anyone held at a Defense Department facility. Because the Central Intelligence Agency’s secret overseas prisons have been closed, it would most likely cover terrorism suspects whether they were questioned by a military or a C.I.A. officer.

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), who first proposed the videotaping measure, said that it will allow the government to “continue the process of putting our detainee policies back on a sound legal footing while maintaining our ability to get actionable intelligence.” [...]

Under the previous administration, officials simply destroyed recordings of abusive interrogations. [...]

The measure is also incredibly important at a time when many civil liberties advocates are concerned that the detention camp at Bagram Airforce Base in Afghanistan has become the same sort of “legal black hole” that Guantanamo once was, with prisoners facing poor conditions and little in the way of due process.

Now about those 8 years spent locked up in a cell, getting tortured and abused.... And how about those military commissions in which they can use hearsay evidence and confessions made during torture sessions... Oh, and there's that little matter of opening attorney/client e-mail...

How about video recording all of that?

****

Lt. Col. Barry Wingard is a military attorney who represents Fayiz Al-Kandari in the Military Commission process and in no way represents the opinions of his home state. When not on active duty, Colonel Wingard is a public defender in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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.

Get Off Obama's Back ...second thoughts from Michael Moore

By GottaLaff

Michael Moore, the sequel:

Friends,

Last night my wife asked me if I thought I was a little too hard on Obama in my letter yesterday congratulating him on his Nobel Prize. "No, I don't think so," I replied. I thought it was important to remind him he's now conducting the two wars he's inherited. "Yeah," she said, "but to tell him, 'Now earn it!'? Give the guy a break -- this is a great day for him and for all of us."

I went back and re-read what I had written. And I listened for far too long yesterday to the right wing hate machine who did what they could to crap all over Barack's big day. Did I -- and others on the left -- do the same?

We are weary, weary of war. The trillions that will have gone to these two wars have helped to bankrupt us as a nation -- financially and morally. To think of all the good we could have done with all that money! Two months of the War in Iraq would pay for all the wells that need to be dug in the Third World for drinking water! Obama is moving too slow for most of us -- but he needs to know we are with him and we stand beside him as he attempts to turn eight years of sheer madness around. Who could do that in nine months? Superman? Thor? Mitch McConnell?

Instead of waiting to see what the president is going to do, we all need to be pro-active and push the agenda that we want to see enacted. What keeps us from forming the same local groups we put together to get out the vote last November? C'mon! We're the majority now -- the majority by a significant margin! We call the shots -- and we need to tell this wimpy Congress to get busy and do what we say -- or else.

All I ask of those who voted for Obama is to not pile on him too quickly. Yes, make your voice heard (his phone number is 202-456-1414). But don't abandon the best hope we've had in our lifetime for change. And for God's sake, don't head to bummerville if he says or does something we don't like. Do you ever see Republicans behave that way? I mean, the Right had 20 years of Republican presidents and they still couldn't get prayer in the public schools, or outlaw abortion, or initiate a flat tax or put our Social Security into the stock market. They did a lot of damage, no doubt about that, but on the key issues that the Christian Right fought for, they came up nearly empty handed. No wonder they've been driven crazy lately. They'll never have it as good again as they've had it since Reagan took office.

But -- do you ever see them looking all gloomy and defeated? No! They keep on fighting! Every day. Our side? At the first sign of wavering, we just pack up our toys and go home.

So, at least for this weekend, let us celebrate what people elsewhere are celebrating -- that America now has a sane and smart man in the White House, a man who truly wants a world at peace for his two daughters.

Many, for the past couple days (yes, myself included), have grumbled, "What has he done to earn this prize?" How 'bout this:

The simple fact that he was elected was reason enough for him to be the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Because on that day the murderous actions of the Bush/Cheney years were totally and thoroughly rebuked. One man -- a man who opposed the War in Iraq from the beginning -- offered to end the insanity. The world has stood by in utter horror for the past eight years as they watched the descendants of Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson light the fuse of our own self-destruction. We flipped off the nations on this planet by abandoning Kyoto and then proceeded to melt eight more years worth of the polar ice caps. We invaded two nations that didn't attack us, failed to find the real terrorists and, in effect, ignited our own wave of terror. People all over the world wondered if we had gone mad.

And if all that wasn't enough, the outgoing Joker presided over the worst global financial collapse since the Great Depression.

So, yeah, at precisely 11:00pm ET on November 4, 2008, Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. And the 66 million people who voted for him won it, too. By the time he took the stage at midnight ET in the Grant Park Historic Hippie Battlefield in downtown Chicago, billions of people around the globe were already breathing a huge sigh of relief. It was as if, in that instant, one man did bring the promise of peace to the world -- and most were ready to go wherever he wanted to go to achieve that end. Never before had the election of one man made every other nation feel like they had won, too. When you've got billions of people ready, willing and able to join a cause like this, well, a prize in Oslo is the least that you deserve.

One other thought. The Peace Prize historically has been given to those who have worked to throw off the yoke of racial discrimination and segregation (Martin Luther King, Jr., Desmond Tutu). I think the Nobel committee, in awarding Obama the prize, was also rewarding the fact that something profound had happened in a nation that was founded on racial genocide, built on racist slavery, and held back for a hundred-plus years by vestiges of hateful bigotry (which can still be found on display at teabagger rallies and daily talk radio). The fact that this one man could cause this seismic historical event to occur -- and to do so with such grace and humility, never succumbing to the bait, but still not backing down (yes, he asked to be sworn in as "Barack Hussein Obama"!) -- is more than reason enough he should be in Oslo to meet the King on December 10. Maybe he could take us along with him. 'Cause I also suspect the Nobel committee was tipping its hat to all of us -- we, the American people, had conquered some of our racism and did the truly unexpected. After seeing searing images of our black fellow citizens left to drown in New Orleans -- and poor whites seeing their own treated no better than the black man they had been raised to hate -- we had all seen enough. It was time for change.

Thank you, Barack Obama, for giving us the opportunity to redeem ourselves. Now for the tasks ahead. We need you to do all that you promised to do. We need it. The world needs it.

My prediction for the future? You become the first *two-time* winner of the Nobel Peace Prize! Yeah!

Fred (that's Norwegian for "Peace"),
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

Excellent.

H/t: Jackie

Weight, weight, don't tell me!

By GottaLaff

Weighty question:

Gail Collins: "Our question for today is whether it's fair for a politician to point out that his opponent is fat."

Answer: Only if that politician wants a fat lip.

Obama lawyer Greg Craig: "'The rumors that I'm about to leave are false."

By GottaLaff

Stop all that gossiping out there in D.C. Who do you think you are, Perez Hilton?

White House Counsel Greg Craig is trying to put to rest rumors that his time as the president’s top in-house lawyer is coming to an untimely end, according to a report by the National Law Journal.

"'I have no plans to leave whatsoever,'" Craig reportedly told the legal publication. "'The rumors that I'm about to leave are false. The reports that I'm about to leave are wrong. I have no plans to leave.'"

So there.

In the interview with the National Law Journal, Craig denied a September 25 report by the Washington Post that he had played a leading role in developing the administration’s initial plan to close the controversial facility by late January 2010. [...]

But Craig says the Post’s report is inaccurate.

I was "'certainly not the point man on Guantanamo,'" Craig reportedly told the National Law Journal. "'The notion that I have been replaced, for a job that I was never assigned, that was just not true,'" Craig also reportedly said.

Quite the contrary, Craig described his relationship with Obama as “'excellent,'” according to the National Law Journal.

Craig told the publication that he has direct access to the president. Obama “'makes that absolutely clear: that whenever I need to talk to him, I can just walk in [to the Oval Office] and talk to him on-one-one,'" Craig reportedly said.

Telephone hour is hereby over. Hang up your phones.

Separation of Church & State: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff

My very caring, impassioned 72-year-old Twitter pal, who goes by the name 42bkdodgr, would like to share his feelings about the separation of church and state. I am more than happy to oblige.

But first, a personal note from 42bkdodgr:

Many of you may wonder why I chose to use the “ 72 year old friend” as the introduction to my Special Comments. I selected the moniker so readers could see that from my age and life experiences I give a different perspective to the issues of today.

Now for his Special Comment:

Separation of Church and State

The foundation of this great country is the separation of church and state. It was a principle derived from the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and it made this country different from all other countries in the world at that time.

Over the years I have heard that America is a Judeo-Christian Nation and more recently a Christian Nation. America is neither, we are a nation of believers and non-believers. America is made up of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Baptists, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, other religions, Agnostics and Atheists.

It is the diversity of religions and nationalities that makes America great. Over the years I have seen an attempt to move this country away from the separation of church and state principle.

One of my biggest fears with the growth of right wing Christian Conservatism, is that one day this country will become a theocracy.

The growth of the Religious Right began in the late 1970s with the founding of Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority, in the 1980s with Pat Robinson’s Christian Coalition and more recently the emergence of Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. Their interest is to have more Christian values as part of the public school system and in government.

Over the years Christian conservatives have made statements regarding their feelings about the separation of church and state:

“I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won’t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be.” Jerry Falwell, 1979.

“The Constitution of the United States, for instance, is a marvelous document for self-government by the Christian people. But the minute you turn the document into the hands of non-Christian people and atheistic people they can use it to destroy the very foundation of our society. And that is what is happening.” Pat Robertson 1/11/85

“The public education movement has also been an anti Christian movement…We can change education in America if you put Christian principles in and Christian pedagogy in. In three years, you would have totally revolutionize education in America.” Pat Robertson, September 27, 1993.

“We’re going to bring back God and the Bible and drive the gods of secular humanism right out of the public schools in America.” Pat Buchanan February 11, 1996.

There has been a growth of conservative religious law schools over the years such as; Liberty Law School (Falwell), Regent University Law School (Robertson) where students are taught to evaluate the law and public policy from a Christian perspective.

The goal of Christian conservatives and graduates of Christian law schools is to become involved in school boards, politics and the judicial systems in order to affect change in the areas of abortion, same-sex marriage, death penalty, school prayer and homosexuality issues.

In recent years events have taken place that raised the level of my concern regarding Christian conservatives attempt to remove the wall between church and state.

• Christian proselytizing in the U.S. Air Force Academy.

• The hiring of alumni from Christian conservative law schools into federal government positions during the Bush Administration. It included the hiring of Monica Goodling who was involved in the firing of the U.S. Attorneys, and Kay Cole James, dean of Regent’s government school to be the Director of Personnel Management in the Bush Administration.

• The distribution of the bible and proselytizing to the Afghan people by U.S. Army personnel.

• Texas state law requiring that public schools incorporate Bible literacy into its curriculum.

• “C Street House” revelation.

I write this Special Comment to express my concerns and feelings about the Christian conservatives belief that their form of Christianity should be the religion of choice in this country and government should operate under their values. Should that ever happen, this country would be no different from the Taliban enforcing their version of Islam when they ruled Afghanistan.

Great thanks again for another timely, thoughtful, and very welcome piece, 42bkdodgr.

By the way, I agree with this piece wholeheartedly. 42bkdodgr had some concerns about posting it, but I think it's obvious that it is not meant to offend anyone, and is in no way condemning or criticizing anyone's personal religious beliefs. It's purely an opinion piece based on the current tumultuous political atmosphere.

Scott Baio: "My wife calls Obama a 'S**tf**k' & I believe she's right"

By GottaLaff

Remember Scott Baio? Aww, wasn't he presh? (Okay, I never thought so personally, but he was awfully popular)

But something inevitably happens when child stars outgrow their snuggy wuggumitude. In Baio's case, a whole lot happened. A sharp-eyed Tweeter, "whyinthehell", came across our little Chachi's Twitter stream and shared.

Looky what we found:

After a few burps and even passing gas from eating at Baja Fresh, I'm still very full. Happy Friday. [That one was included just to set the tone]

Hey people last time I checked I have the right to freedom of speech, Libs may hate that but I DO HAVE MY RIGHTS TOO, Now go Blog that!!!!

So funny how I tweet MY thoughts and libs jump all over me after they disrespect ME, then I DM them in private them to be a good guy.

Also my wife has the same freedoms as you and I, so therefore she CAN call whomever she wants a "Shitfuck" you don't have to like it.

She is a true southern girl (also 1/2 American Indian) and can def. square off with any lib. You guys called Bush far worse, so just chill.

And finally:

What a heartthrob, huh?

Here is the link to his Twitter stream, should you decide to poke around. I wonder how long it will take until he locks it up and makes it private.

Sen. Jon Kyl Holds Up Unemployment Extension. Thanks to Him, 100s Of 1000s Fall Off Rolls

By GottaLaff

Via Crooks and Liars, we see what douchebaggery can do to a guy:

If your unemployment ran out this week, you can thank Sen. Jon Kyl. Yes, the Republican whip objected to a quick vote that would have helped all those people. You can contact him here and thank him for his compassion:

Washington -- Key Senate Democrats tried unsuccessfully today to quickly pass legislation to give jobless workers in Michigan and other hard-hit states an additional 20 weeks of unemployment benefits.

That delays action on the high-stakes issue until at least next week. [...]

Today's failed effort to quickly pass a bill followed the unveiling of a compromise bill by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and key allies. The bill would give all states an extra 14 weeks of jobless benefits, plus an extra six weeks for states with unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or greater.

[...] Reid introduced the bill after reaching a deal with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, who had balked at the House-passed bill, which only gives extra benefits to the hardest-hit states.

[...] But when Reid asked senators to quickly pass the bill under a speedy procedure, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., objected. That's enough to prevent a quick vote.

[...] While objecting to quick passage, Kyl said he expects "at the appropriate time," Republicans will "be able to work out some kind of agreement."

I snipped some out of the post. Please go read the rest. Then feel free to write to Senator WhoCares (No-AZ) and congratulate him for achieving a new level of wrong.

Conservatism is now a race?

By GottaLaff

My new pal Larisa Alexandrovna is having a fascinating back-and-forth with a highly confused individual who has called her racist because of this post. Apparently, it is now considered racist to use the word "Republicanistan".

Yes, Conservatism is a race. So remember, and never forget: The next time you criticize a Rushpublic conservative, you will be classified as an official racist.

I am Laffy, and I am a racist.

There. I said it.

Take a little look-see at what Larisa wrote. Here's a sample, starting with a quote from her accuser:

Of course, with yesterday's big outrage over President Obama's Nobel award for his manifest non-accomplishments, the race-card maniacs are due out for another big showing today. Larisa Alexandrovna, for example, starts off the day with her entry, "Republicanistan - A Country of Its Own." Hmm, "Republicanistan"? Conservatives as Taliban?

The guy is not big on facts much as I have pointed out in the past. I did not call conservatives the Taliban. Rush Limbaugh did and I was simply riffing off of his own pride at siding with the Taliban. In addition, he entirely omits the legitimate criticism from both the left and the right of Obama's Nobel win that I defend and does not bother to mention the hate-driven criticism that I denounce on which the title is based.

That said, what race am I baiting exactly with the term Republicanistan? The Conservative race? And he teaches actual humans? Wow.

Please go here for the rest.

On Twitter, we've been having a bit of a field day with this cretin... well, mostly Larisa and Lizz Winstead. He's no match for them, and for that matter, neither am I.

Huckabee to Republicans: Stop the "right wing whining"

By GottaLaff

Via his blog, Mikey hisses to his fellow Rushpublics, "HuckaShush!"

"There will be an outcry from those on the right who will say that Obama's nomination, made two weeks into his presidency, is impossible to justify, but I think such an outcry will sound like right-wing whining," Huckabee wrote. "The better response is simply to allow those on the left to explain what he did in his first two weeks as President that merited such recognition."

I guess he didn't want his party to look bad or something.

Progressive Vs. Regressive: The Right Wing Wants History to Go Backwards

By GottaLaff

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

The latest right wing psychotic hysteria over Barack Obama's Nobel Prize is part of a broader movement of primitivists who fashion themselves "conservatives" because they can't emotionally cope with progress.

Obama represents the reintegration of America into the international community and an effort to move toward peace, rather than conflict.

Both internationally and domestically, as Gore Vidal once noted, the Republican Party is the political equivalent of advocating death; either in permanent wars or in a desire for a lifestyle that runs counter to the evolutionary progress of America and civilization. [...]

Perhaps that is why the religious right is so latched onto the concept of Creationism, because with such a worldview life is fixed in a glass bubble from the moment of "Divine creation" to today.

There's a lot more where this came from. You can read the rest here.

Georgia restaurant sign: "Obama's plan for health-care: N****r rig it."

By GottaLaff

The owner of a restaurant in Georgia says he's merely against what he calls a "sub standard healthcare plan," that he stands by his president, and is simply exercising his First Amendment rights.

I call it something else:

When you walk into the Georgia Peach Oyster Bar in Paulding County, you feel like you've walked into a different era.

Behind the pool tables stands a mannequin in a Klu Klux Klan costume, but it's what's outside of the Patrick Lanzo's restaurant that has some people angry.

Lanzo put up a sign that reads "Obama's plan for health-care: N*&%*r rig it."

See? Not racist at all. It's just opinion, just self-expression, just....

.... despicable.

“Why did you use the N word?” Marsh asked.

“Well, I’ve used it most of my life. There are different ways to put your opinion up, but that's just the words I choose,” Lanzo answered.

Pshyeah! It only stands to reason that if you use racist language long enough, it becomes acceptable. What were we all thinking?

Despite the sign, Lanzo said he's not a racist.

Of course he isn't. Silly us. By the way, both black and white people in the area want the sign down.

“I stand by my president, but I also stand by my First Amendment right to criticize him if I feel he’s wrong,” Lanzo said.

Here's what the West Metro NAACP had to say:

"This latest ploy for attention by Mr. Lanzo is not surprising. What is of concern however, is the total lack of leadership and action from the elected officials of Paulding County, who repeatedly have allowed this type of toxic public display."

This reminds me of unsuitable parents who don't discipline their unruly children, and then everyone wonders over the years how the kids got that way. Unacceptable behavior has to start somewhere, and subsequently be tacitly or overtly encouraged for it to persist.

This guy needs a time out and some extended grounding... badly.

Video here.

VIDEO- Rachel Maddow: The Nobel Prize & Obama Derangement Syndrome

By GottaLaff



If you missed this last night, here it is. Rachel delivers yet another excellent commentary, this time a recap of the Rushpublic hypocrisy and brazen, off the wall negativity regarding President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win.

VIDEO- The Colbert Report: Bend It Like Beck

By GottaLaff

Via Heather at C and L:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bend It Like Beck
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Michael Moore

From The Colbert Report:

Stephen understands what Glenn Beck is going through when the media doubts his sincerity.

Just. Watch.

He compares himself to Blech:

Colbert: It's like looking into a mirror-- after you've done a ton of coke off of it.

And even throws in a Keith Olbermann reference.

Brilliant.

Subpoenas issued in probe of ex-Interior secretary Gale Norton

By GottaLaff

A grand jury is investigating whether former Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton violated federal laws before going to work for Shell.
(Haraz N. Ghanbari / Associated Press / March 20, 2006)

BushCo just can't seem to avoid the wrong kind of spotlight. Legal problems chase them the way Mark Sanford chases Argentinian lovers:

A federal grand jury has subpoenaed records from Royal Dutch Shell PLC as part of a Justice Department investigation into corruption allegations against former Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton, according to sources close to the investigation.

The subpoenas and the inclusion of a grand jury are signs of escalation in the investigation, which focuses on whether Norton violated a federal law barring government officials from overseeing any process that could financially benefit a company that the official is negotiating with for future employment.

Investigators are also examining whether Norton broke a broader federal law that bars government officials from denying "honest services" -- violating the public trust by, for example, steering government business to favored firms or friends.

Cronyism? A Bushie? Never! Never, I say!

Okay, sometimes.

Okay, often.

Prosecutors are investigating whether Norton was discussing future employment with Shell before she stepped down as Interior secretary in March 2006, when she was in charge of a process that resulted in Shell winning three lucrative leases to research and develop oil shale projects on federal land in Colorado.

Big Oil's involved, too! Who could ask for more?

Nine months after resigning, Norton accepted a job in a Shell division that includes its oil shale efforts.

I may not be a pro, but my sharp, insightful, white hot instincts tell me she shouldn't have done that.

Shell received three of the six leases the Interior Department issued as part of a Bush administration effort to unlock the Mountain West's vast resources of oil shale -- rocks that release liquid petroleum when heated to extreme temperatures -- for commercial development.

Combined, those leases could bring Shell hundreds of billions of dollars' profit at today's oil prices, according to analyses by Shell and a Rand Corp. expert.

Now, now, let's not be hasty. I'm sure it's all some kind of innocent misunderstanding... just as the non-existent WMD in Iraq were. Yeah, that's it.

Mid Day Distraction

Via.

Video- Glenn Beck & Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Latino Hate Fest

Oy. Keep digging yourself in deeper boys.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via. You can also find a round up of Obama/Nobel cartoons here.

Saturday Links

Today has the feel of being one of those deadly slow Saturdays. I'll do what I can.

Subpoenas issued in probe of ex-Interior secretary

Swedish journalist claims Obama Nobel wager jackpot

Cerveza grande: Corona adding 24-ounce can

Authorities puzzled by deaths at Sedona-area sweat lodge

Circus Billionaire Hosts Space Show

Not your normal stink bugs

Video is Unnatural Beauties Vie for Miss Plastic Title. Oh Hungary, you tramp.

Video- President's Weekly Address: New Momentum for Health Reform

No drill for you! Few Bush-era energy leases are valid

By GottaLaff

Undoing the ugly, toxic BushCo stain:

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Thursday that only 17 of 77 oil and gas leases on Utah public lands that the Bush administration auctioned off in December were valid and that his agency would prevent development on the remaining parcels, at least in the near future. [...]

Environmentalists contended that the auction of drilling rights on 100,000 acres of federal land in southeastern Utah were a last-minute giveaway to the energy industry. The environmentalists won a restraining order from a federal judge halting the sales.

Salazar revoked most of the leases upon entering office and said his staff would study which were appropriate. On Thursday, he said the review found that few were.

"There was a headlong rush to leasing in the prior administration," Salazar said. "There were areas that should not have been leased." [...]

Energy groups said the findings continued a troubling trend -- a hesitancy in the Obama administration to foster American energy sources. Salazar has also reversed a Bush administration effort to open swathes of Western land to oil shale development. [...]

Environmental groups hailed the report's findings but cautioned that even if the Obama administration wanted to rebid the 17 leases it found appropriate, it would need to follow procedures laid down by the federal judge.

"The report is a resounding rejection of the 'drill here, drill now' approach of the Bush administration," said Steve Bloch of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

But remember: President Obama has no real accomplishments to speak of. Nope. None.

Refreshingly strong statement from DNC: Republicans have "no boundaries, no shame"

By GottaLaff

Via our pals at The Mudflats. If only more of our representatives were this direct and forceful:

"The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists — the Taliban and Hamas this morning — in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize. Republicans cheered when America failed to land the Olympics and now they are criticizing the President of the United States for receiving the Nobel Peace prize — an award he did not seek but that is nonetheless an honor in which every American can take great pride — unless of course you are the Republican Party. The 2009 version of the Republican Party has no boundaries, has no shame and has proved that they will put politics above patriotism at every turn. It’s no wonder only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore – it’s an embarrassing label to claim."

They not only described the Rushpublics, they described every tantruming two-year-old I've encountered at an airport or dentist's office.

VIDEO: Private police force APPF Backs Out Of Hardin Jail Deal

By GottaLaff

APPF's Becky Shay: Firm Will No Longer Pursue Hardin Jail Deal

Good riddance:

Controversial private security contractor American Private Police Fore has officially backed out of a deal with Hardin, Montana, to run a local prison, APPF spokeswoman Beck Shay announced this afternoon. [...]

The announcement comes after revelations that APPF's Michael Hilton, who led the negotiations with Hardin, has a history of criminal fraud. And numerous claims made by Hilton about the company's background and experience have been called into question.

Amazing how they skedaddled out of there after a few pertinent facts were revealed.

Buh-bye now.

VIDEO- Pat Buchanan: Michael Steele Had A Kanye West Moment

By GottaLaff

Michael Steele, the RNC chair, had this to say regarding President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win:

"The real question Americans are asking is, 'What has President Obama actually accomplished?' It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights. One thing is certain - President Obama won't be receiving any awards from Americans for job creation, fiscal responsibility, or backing up rhetoric with concrete action."

What a guy, huh? That's some party leader, always knowing just the right thing to say.

Or not. Pat Buchanan had this to say about what Michael Steele had to say:

How They REALLY Pick Nobel Laureates

By GottaLaff

Class! Please come to order! Wingnuts, gasbags, this is for you. Pay attention. Boss Limpdong, put down those pills and turn around! Glenn Blech? Put. Away. The Vicks. And listen up!

[W]hile Obama was indeed nominated less than two weeks after becoming President, the decision was made several months later. We won't know who nominated him, however, unless that person (or people -- thousands of nominators have been known to gather behind one candidate) comes forward. The committee keeps details of nominations secret for 50 years.

Children! Stop that snickering and for godsake, ClusterFoxers, give me that Obama witch doctor picture... now!

You are all hopeless. Sigh. Go here for the rest, it explains everything in detail. Geez, I need a drink. I'm leaving early. Class dismissed!

AUDIO- Rep. Steve King: Matthew Shepard not murdered because he was gay

By GottaLaff



Speaking of "intolerance," I will not, cannot tolerate such bigoted idiocy, so the least I can do is expose it:

Today in an interview with Radio America/WorldNetDaily, Rep. Steve King (R-IA)–who has said that hate crimes legislation creates “sacred cows” and puts the “victimizer’s focus on someone else” — tried to argue that such a bill is unnecessary. His argument? Matthew Shepard himself wasn’t actually murdered because he was gay.

What the Foxx? Does this ring a cracked, cacophonous, warped little bell? It should.

As Salon reported in November 1999:

Speculation has persisted for the past year that Matthew Shepard, rather than being the victim of gay-bashing, might really have been nothing more than a hapless robbery victim who was exploited by gay activists to reap unwarranted sympathy and advance their own agenda to enact hate-crimes legislation. Statements made by one of the convicted killers, which were revealed for the first time Thursday, reveal these accounts to be false. [...]

According to detectives who interviewed both of the convicted murderers, there is no evidence that Shepard made any sexual advances to the pair — and the detectives dismissed the idea that the murder was the mere result of a robbery gone bad. “Far from that!” scoffed Sgt. Rob DeBree, the chief investigator in the case. “They knew damn well he was gay. … It started out as a robbery and burglary, and I sincerely believe the other activity was because he was gay.”

How can people like Steve King live with themselves? And exactly what century are they even living in?

Republicanistan - A country of its own

By GottaLaff

I've made a wonderful new friend on Twitter, and some of you may already know her excellent work. Her name: Larisa Alexandrovna.

I'll give you a taste of her latest post, but only a taste. Please go here for the whole thing.

I for one don't think Obama has gone far enough in ending the many violent and destructive policies of the previous administration. But then again, I also live in this reality and have watched the changes Obama has made being attacked by right-wing extremists as a move toward socialism, communism, fascism, and every "ism" they could muster.

He has been called a democracy hating commie for his condemnation of the military coup in Honduras.

He has been attacked as a terrorist sympathizer and anti-Semite for not bombing Iran on his first day in office.

He has been called a traitor to our allies for his efforts to dismantle the missile defense shield plans in Eastern Europe - idioctically embarked on by the last administration.

He has been attacked as a traitor to our troops for pushing back against the military - industrial - complex and their propaganda outfits demanding an increase of US troops to Afghanistan.

He has been denounced as evil incarnate for daring to attempt the closing of Gitmo and suggesting that the people being held there be brought into US prisons. When the psychotics on the right side screamed we cannot have terra-terra-ists on our soil, in custody, in secure prisons (as though we don't now have terrorists in domestic prisons), he convinced other nations to take the detainees- for which he was also attacked.

In short, Obama has been attacked for efforts of diplomacy and attempts to dismantle the violence of the previous administration.

See? Told you she was good. Now go read the rest.

Video- President Obama Pushes for Financial Reform

Video- Glenn Beck Uses Black Slaves To Argue Against Counting Illegal Immigrants

I hope he's donated his brain to science because that thing must be a masterpiece of bad wiring.

Rush Limbaugh to be Miss America judge

What planet do the promoters of this thing live on? Media Matters has an abbreviated list of the misogynists greatest hits.

LINWOOD, N.J., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The Miss America Organization announced Friday that conservative talk-radio host and author Rush Limbaugh will be a judge for the 2010 Miss America Pageant.

(snip)

"Limbaugh will be one of a panel of seven distinguished judges that will help decide which of the 53 contestants will capture the Miss America 2010 title and serve as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, as well as introduce the first Go Green platform for MAO," the organization said in a release.

"We are thrilled to have Rush join us for our pageant this year," MAO President and Chief Executive Officer Art McMaster said in a statement. "We know that the 2010 Miss America Pageant will be filled with new twists and exciting opportunities with him as one of our national judges."

Oh, so basically they invited him so that people will watch hoping that he commits a huge faux pas like drooling all over himself or going into a full viagra induced flop sweat. Nice.

VIDEO: What Obama's Nobel Peace Prize hath wrought

By GottaLaff

If today's Comments are any indication (when I have to start deleting, I know our side has hit a nerve), this seems spot on:



Big h/t: vallor, charyl

This is what President Obama has done from Day One

By GottaLaff

Via a Comment, what have we here?

This is what President Obama has done from day 1:

FEATURED LEGISLATION

Cash for Clunkers Extension

Signed: Thursday, August 6, 2009

Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

Signed: Monday, June 22, 2009

Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009

Signed: Friday, May 22, 2009

Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act

Signed: Friday, May 22, 2009

Helping Families Save Their Homes Act

Signed: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act

Signed: Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

Signed: Wednesday, April 21, 2009

Omnibus Public Lands Management Act

Signed: Monday, March 30, 2009

Small Business Act Temporary Extension

Signed: Friday, March 20, 2009

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Signed: Tuesday, February 17, 2009

DTV Delay Act

Signed: Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act

Signed: Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Signed: Thursday, January 29, 2009

PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

In this section you will find official actions by the President that have a significant impact on how the federal government functions but do not require legislation or Congressional approval. See listings below of the official Proclamations, Presidential Memoranda, and Executive Orders that President Obama has issued since his inauguration.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

10/5/2009
President Obama signs an Executive Order Focused on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance

10/1/2009
Executive Order-Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging while Driving

9/29/2009
Executive Order Federal Advisory Committees

6/23/2009
Establishing a White House Council on automotive communities and workers

5/12/2009
Executive Order Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration

4/8/2009
Executive Order Establishing The White House Office Of Health Reform

3/11/2009
Executive Order Creating the White House Council on Women and Girls

3/9/2009
Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells

2/20/2009
Amending Executive Order 13390

2/19/2009
Executive Order: Establishment of the White House Office of Urban Affairs

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDA

10/8/2009
Presidential Memorandum to the Secretary of State

9/30/2009
Presidential Memoranda, 9/30/09

9/29/2009
Presidential Memorandum to the Secretary of Commerce

9/21/2009
Presidential Memorandum Concerning National Security

9/18/2009
Presidential Determiniation regarding major illicit drug transit

9/17/2009
Presidential Memorandum Concerning Medical Liability Reform

9/15/2009
Presidential Determination regarding trafficking in persons

9/14/2009
Memorandum from the President regarding the Trading With the Enemy Act

9/11/2009
Memorandum For The Secretary Of Commerce The Secretary Of Labor The United State Trade Representative

9/8/2009
Presidential Determination of Assistance to the Maldives

PROCLAMATIONS

10/9/2009
Presidential Proclamation - General Pulaski Memorial Day

10/7/2009
Presidential Proclamation - Leif Erikson Day

10/6/2009
Presidential Proclamation German American Day

10/5/2009
Presidential Proclamation Child Health Day

10/2/2009
Presidential Proclamation- National Arts and Humanities Month, 2009

10/2/2009
Presidential Proclamation-National Energy Awareness Month

10/2/2009
Presidential Proclamation Fire Prevention Week

10/1/2009
Presidential Proclamation National Information Literacy Awareness Month

10/1/2009
Presidential Proclamation - National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

10/1/2009
Presidential Proclamation - National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

to be continued...

goto
http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/PresidentialActions/ and
http://www.whitehouse.gov/

That's some list.

I'll go on record as saying I do not agree with all of President Obama's policies, and I write about those, as you know. But his efforts have been outstanding for the most part, and his accomplishments impressive. To denigrate this moment is petty and ridiculous. This is an honor, and my hopes are that he will live up to it.

Michael Moore: Congratulations President Obama on the Nobel Peace Prize -- Now Please Earn it!

By GottaLaff

Dear President Obama,

How outstanding that you've been recognized today as a man of peace. Your swift, early pronouncements -- you will close Guantanamo, you will bring the troops home from Iraq, you want a nuclear weapon-free world, you admitted to the Iranians that we overthrew their democratically-elected president in 1953, you made that great speech to the Islamic world in Cairo, you've eliminated that useless term "The War on Terror," you've put an end to torture -- these have all made us and the rest of the world feel a bit more safe considering the disaster of the past eight years. In eight months you have done an about face and taken this country in a much more sane direction.

But...

The irony that you have been awarded this prize on the 2nd day of the ninth year of what is quickly becoming your War in Afghanistan is not lost on anyone. You are truly at a crossroads now. You can listen to the generals and expand the war (only to result in a far-too-predictable defeat) or you can declare Bush's Wars over, and bring all the troops home. Now. That's what a true man of peace would do.

There is nothing wrong with you doing what the last guy failed to do -- capture the man or men responsible for the mass murder of 3,000 people on 9/11. BUT YOU CANNOT DO THAT WITH TANKS AND TROOPS. You are pursuing a criminal, not an army. You do not use a stick of dynamite to get rid of a mouse.

The Taliban is another matter. That is a problem for the people of Afghanistan to resolve -- just as we did in 1776, the French did in 1789, the Cubans did in 1959, the Nicaraguans did in 1979 and the people of East Berlin did in 1989. One thing is certain through all revolutions by people who wish to be free -- they ultimately have to bring about that freedom themselves. Others can be supportive, but freedom can not be delivered from the front seat of someone else's Humvee.

You have to end our involvement in Afghanistan now. If you don't, you'll have no choice but to return the prize to Oslo.

Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com

P.S. Your opposition has spent the morning attacking you for bringing such good will to this country. Why do they hate America so much? I get the feeling that if you found the cure for cancer this afternoon they'd be denouncing you for destroying free enterprise because cancer centers would have to close. There are those who say you've done nothing yet to deserve this award. As far as I'm concerned, the very fact that you've offered to walk into the minefield of hate and try to undo the irreparable damage the last president did is not only appreciated by me and millions of others, it is also an act of true bravery. That's why you got the prize. The whole world is depending on the U.S. -- and you -- to literally save this planet. Let's not let them down.

No words minced, as usual. This is why I admire him so much. Right to the point.

H/t: muttlikemeblog

Quote-O'-The Day: Nobel Peace Prize v. Shoe-Throwing edition

By GottaLaff

Oh, suh-nap!

"Gives us a sense of momentum when the United States has accolades tossed its way rather than shoes."

-- A State Department spokesman, quoted by CNN, on President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.

(via)