Overnight and Astronomy Thread

Aurora Shimmer, Meteor Flash
Credit & Copyright: Bjørnar G. Hansen,

Explanation: Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, haunted skies over the island of Kvaløya, near Tromsø Norway on December 13. This 30 second long exposure records their shimmering glow gently lighting the wintery coastal scene. A study in contrasts, it also captures the sudden flash of a fireball meteor from December's excellent Geminid meteor shower. Note- This one should really be seen as big as possible here.

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Video- President Obama Meets with Russian President Medvedev in Copenhagen

Evening Distraction

Yipes, that Jack Bauer is a hardass.

Fox Chryons- Fair and Balanced

Thank god for Newshounds watching this crud so we don't have to.

Prison population to have first drop since 1972

Of course, it's because of the economy, not any sort of sensible sentencing.

DALLAS – The United States may soon see its prison population drop for the first time in almost four decades, a milestone in a nation that locks up more people than any other.

The inmate population has risen steadily since the early 1970s as states adopted get-tough policies that sent more people to prison and kept them there longer. But tight budgets now have states rethinking these policies and the costs that come with them.

"It's a reversal of a trend that's been going on for more than a generation," said David Greenberg, a sociology professor at New York University. "In some ways, it's overdue."

Duh Award Headline of the Day

NYC tops the list of America’s costliest cities

CBO: Health bill spends $871B, reduces deficit by $132B

Doesn't matter, they just move on to another gripe. I watched Fox for a bit after they announced the 60 votes, and it really was pretty shameful how "fair and balanced" it was.

Congress’s budgetary scorekeeper affirms that the Senate’s healthcare reform legislation adheres to President Barack Obama’s pledge to spend less than $900 billion and reduce the federal budget deficit through the bill, which would extend health insurance coverage to 31 million people.

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the latest version of the legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would require $871 billion over 10 years in new federal spending, most of which would take the form of health insurance subsidies for low- and middle-income people and expansions of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

(snip)

Those costs are more than offset during the 10-year budget period by $483 billion worth of spending reductions in Medicare and $614 billion generated from an excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans, taxes on healthcare companies, penalty fees paid by employers who fail to offer insurance coverage and individuals who fail to purchase it and other tax effects of the bill.

Video- President Obama's 12/19/09 remarks on Health Care Reform and Copenhagen

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Stupak (D-MI) coordinating with GOP leadership to scuttle abortion compromise

Only good thing about this is that Nancy isn't a push over like Harry. Go to the link to read the whole convoluted backstabbing story. Quite a good job from Ben btw.

An aide to Rep. Bart Stupak (D. Mich.) coordinated opposition to the Senate health bill’s abortion compromise this morning with the Republican Senate leadership according to a chain of frantic emails obtained this morning by POLITICO.

Stupak, in an interview with POLITICO, called the Senate’s bill’s abortion position "unacceptable" – but disavowed his staffer’s collaboration with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. (ed. note: bullshit)

(snip)

Stupak is the leader of a group of pro-life Democrats who say they’ll oppose the sweeping legislation if it uses government money to pay for abortion, while McConnell is firmly committed to killing the legislation. The fact that their offices have made common cause against the Senates health care compromise will likely further infuriate Stupak’s Democratic colleagues in the House, and demonstrates his willingness to stop any bill that doesn’t pass his test.

“Guys - when will we see your letters of opposition to the managers amendment?? We need them ASAP!” wrote Erika Smith, the Stupak aide, at 9:23 this morning, less than an hour after the amendment had become available.

The email’s recipients included key staffers for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Right to Life, the Family Research Council, as well as Autumn Fredericks Christensen, aide to top pro-life Republican Joe Pitts, and Lanier Swann, a McConnell aide.

Note to Readers: Light posting alert

By GottaLaff

Dear TPC Readers,

Sunday and Monday, I'll be unavailable to post much, if at all. That leaves Paddy to sit in front of her computer in a room where there is no heat, as I recall.

I'll be gone most of today, too.

So please bear with us. I should be back full time by Tuesday.

Thanks!

Love,

Laffy

Vicki Kennedy's plea

By GottaLaff

Every time I hear Senator Kennedy's name mentioned during this seemingly endless health care battle, I tear up:

Vicki Kennedy: "The bill before Congress will finally deliver on the urgent needs of all Americans. It would make their lives better and do so much good for this country. That, in the end, must be the test of reform. That was always the test for Ted Kennedy. He's not here to urge us not to let this chance slip through our fingers. So I humbly ask his colleagues to finish the work of his life, the work of generations, to allow the vote to go forward and to pass health-care reform now. As Ted always said, when it's finally done, the people will wonder what took so long."

Baucus: Republicans have "energized" Dems

By GottaLaff

Energized for what? Infighting? That's how it seems these days:

"It's like they've gone too far. I think it has helped. They've energized the troops."

-- Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), quoted by Roll Call, on Republicans helping Democrats to become united behind a health care reform bill.

Oh, and Max? I don't think you've exactly been one of the Energizer Bunnies.

LIVE VIDEO FEED: Obama on health care

By GottaLaff

If this video fails to work, go here.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Liveblog:

Health care:

The American will have the vote they deserve... Thanks Reid and all Senators. Much work left to be done, not a lot of time to do it, but today is major step forward. Compromise is part of the process, but amendments made bill stronger. There will now be penalties for insurance companies jacking up rates. There will be a high risk pool where people can purchase coverage until preexisting kicks in. Kids covered immediately. Small businesses benefit too.

Can't be dropped for being sick, or pay unlimited $ for treatments you need.

Strengthens Medicare, extends life of program.

Will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade. CBO: Will reduce deficit by $132 billion in first decade, over a trillion in decade after that. Adds 30 million Americans.

Saves money, lives, working to make reform a reality.

Copenhagen:

For first time in history, all countries with major economies came together. Lays foundation for international action in years to come. Progress didn't come easily, and it's not enough.

We'll have to build.

We have to build a clean energy economy here at home, pass legislation for incentives.

We have a long way to go, but accomplished a great deal. America should lead in clean energy, will help economy, jobs, security for our children.

"How come my uterus doesn't get as much protection as your gun?"

By GottaLaff

Mcjoan over at Kos wrote up a very short post that you should read. Link.

The blog title I posted is actually her tweet. Her piece starts out with:

Is there anything our political "leaders" won't do for the NRA? Check out this, from the new manager's amendment [pdf].

Florida man sentenced for threat to kill Obama

By GottaLaff

Enjoy prison:

Nathan Wine, 21, admitted to the judge in Tampa in August that he sent the threatening e-mail to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command on November 5, 2008, the day after Obama won the U.S. presidential election.

He admitted it was, indeed, a death threat. His e-mail:

"I will not rest until this tyrant of America is gunned down," he said. "The blood of Obama will run down the streets of D.C."

He was sentenced to three years. I'm sure he'll feel much different about things when he's released. *Sarcasm*

Mid Day Distraction

Season's Greetings

The snowman is 10 µm across, 1/5th the width of a human hair.

The snowman was made from two tin beads used to calibrate electron microscope astigmatism. The eyes and smile were milled using a focused ion beam, and the nose, which is under 1 µm wide (or 0.001 mm), is ion beam deposited platinum.

A nanomanipulation system was used to assemble the parts 'by hand' and platinum deposition was used to weld all elements together. The snowman is mounted on a silicon cantilever from an atomic force microscope whose sharp tip 'feels' surfaces creating topographic surveys at almost atomic scales.

Video- Ben Nelson Explains Abortion Compromise

Reid included a provision that allows states to prohibit abortion coverage in the insurance exchanges the bill creates. It's basically a state opt-out, which largely allows Democrats to sidestep the tricky issue by dumping it on the states.

The amendment also requires that health plans that provide abortion services segregrate the premiums from any federal money so that federal funds don't pay for abortion services. Similar proposals have come under fire from pro-life groups who call the maneuver a shell game. They argue that because the insurance plans offered through the exchange are eligible for federal subsidies, taxpayer money is still paying for the coverage of abortion.

More good analysis of the changes here.

Law firm offers Christmas 'divorce voucher'

Coming soon, funeral gift certificates...

LONDON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A London law firm said it has already sold 54 of this year's "must-have" Christmas gift -- vouchers for couples seeking to discuss divorce with a lawyer.

Lloyd Platt & Company said the vouchers, which start at $201 for a couple's half-hour session with a lawyer, have led hundreds of people to contact the firm in recent days and 54 of the vouchers have been sold in only three weeks, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday.

"Christmas can be a very stressful time for families as we have always seen by the huge increase of people seeking advice in January," senior partner Vanessa Lloyd Platt said. "The vouchers seem to appeal to an enormously wide spread spectrum of people looking for that 'must-have' gift for Christmas."

Senator Nelson gets what he wants, will back HCR bill

He's speaking right now, video when I get it. Somehow this doesn't make me feel any better.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Ben Nelson intends to support health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama, giving the measure a 60th and decisive vote, Democratic officials said.

These officials say the Nebraska Democrat will make an announcement later Saturday. Marathon negotiations with the White House and Senate Democratic leaders produced fresh concessions that will mean additional abortion restrictions in the legislation.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

Very Lazy Saturday Links

For once, I'm glad I'm not in D.C.

Man convicted of in-home indecent exposure

Lights fantastic: Extravagant decorations make small seaside town a Christmas attraction

Poll: Christmas loneliest time for singles

Gold Is the New Tupperware, and You're Invited to the Party

Senate approves Pentagon budget, renewed unemployment benefits; bill sent to Obama

Man pays $72 for taco, says ‘Merry Christmas’

Video- President's Weekly Address: The Patients Bill of Rights and Health Reform

VIDEO: Robert Gibbs spars with Chinese media

By GottaLaff



Cringeworthy:

It was media mayhem in Copenhagen Friday. The Chinese press reportedly flooded a meeting between President Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, with many of Robert Gibbs' "people" left in the dust. Even CNN's Rick Sanchez seems upset. CNN

PhotOh! Tea bag for Jesus!

By GottaLaff

Do it for your savior, then there's no guilt:

This poor woman is unaware on so many levels.

H/t: mizzwelch, Tymlee

Krugman: "By all means, hang Senator Joe Lieberman in effigy"

By GottaLaff

Quite the colorful quote from someone who looks so, well, harmless:

Paul Krugman: "A message to progressives: By all means, hang Senator Joe Lieberman in effigy. Declare that you're disappointed in and/or disgusted with President Obama. Demand a change in Senate rules that, combined with the Republican strategy of total obstructionism, are in the process of making America ungovernable. But meanwhile, pass the health care bill."

"With all its flaws, the Senate health bill would be the biggest expansion of the social safety net since Medicare, greatly improving the lives of millions. Getting this bill would be much, much better than watching health care reform fail."

I'm happy to oblige. Anyone have a bad suit and a picture of a guy who resembles a blood hound? But rather than hang him in effigy, I'd prefer flattening it out and using it as a doormat. I hate violence.

Bloodhounds are too cute for that comparision. This, on the other hand:

VIDEOS: Yesterday, today, and, in 2002: John McCain objects!

By GottaLaff

I tried to follow directions on the CSPAN site and edit this down to the relevant segment, but if I failed, it's from about 161:00-164:00. (I think it worked)

October 10, 2002:

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired.

Mr. DAYTON. I ask for unanimous consent that I have 30 seconds more to finish my remarks.

Mr. McCAIN. I object.

Yesterday:



Today (starts at about :35):

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Mr. Consistency.

Hyp. O. Crite.

H/t: Taegan

Reporter to Sen. Jim Inhofe: "You're ridiculous."

By GottaLaff

Copenhagen antics with none other than Jim the Dim Inhofe. You remember who he is, right?

But Inhofe’s aides eventually rustled up a group of reporters, and the Oklahoman — wearing black snakeskin cowboy boots — held forth from the top of a flight of stairs in the conference media center.

I love that sentence: Snakeskin Cowboy Boots Guy "holds forth". For some reason I found the juxtaposition of those words amusing.

A reporter asked: “If there’s a hoax, then who’s putting on this hoax, and what’s the motive?”

“It started in the United Nations,” Inhofe said, “and the ones in the United States who really grab ahold of this is the Hollywood elite.”

One reporter asked Inhofe if he was referring to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Another reporter — this one from Der Spiegel — told the senator: “You’re ridiculous.”

Ding! Give that reporter a cee-gar!

There is a prologue:

You know who Inhofe is. I know who Inhofe is. But...

After Inhofe left, some reporters were still a bit confused about what had happened and who he was.

“His name is Inhofe,” a German journalist told a Japanese reporter, “but I don’t know if it’s one or two f’s.”

Join the club. Many of us are often confused about what has just happened after he has spoken.

The difference here is, these journalists weren't afraid to speak up and say something about him and to him.

Our News Dee Jays either ignore this kind of idiocy or encourage and perpetuate it.

And so it goes.

Main Entry: ri·dic·u·lous
Pronunciation: \rə-ˈdi-kyə-ləs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin ridiculosus (from ridiculum jest, from neuter of ridiculus) or ridiculus, literally, laughable, from ridēre to laugh

Date: 1550

: arousing or deserving ridicule : absurd, preposterous

synonyms see laughable

David Axelrod v. Howard Dean On Meet The Press

By GottaLaff

The Big Democratic Health Care Kerfuffle goes to MTP:

(click to enlarge)

An NBC spokesperson confirms that Axelrod will be on first, followed by Dean.

I wish the Dems could show a little more brotherly love. The squabbling isn't helping our cause. However...

My DVR will be set, I'll be in front of the Tee Vee Machine, blogging, tweeting, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Except that it will be 8 a.m. Yawn.

Except that I'll hear about it from all the east coasters before I ever get to watch.

But other than that...

H/t: The Plum Line

"The Democrats aren't perfect. The Republicans aren't doing it."

By GottaLaff

Snippets from an exchange that just took place on Hardball:

Chris Matthews: Is your party leadership using dilatory practices to slow down health care reform? [He asked that twice]

Sen. John Barrasso: Why would you set an arbitrary deadline? Arbitrary deadlines are foolish.

Way to avoid answering the question, Barrasso.

Sen. Bob Menendez: This is about protecting the special interests and having this president and Congress fail.

Chris: The Democrats aren't perfect. The Republicans aren't doing it.

Sarah Palin is booted from speech at a Canadian hospital

By GottaLaff



We knew this was coming, did we not? Barbie McLipSchmutz was scheduled to speak at a socialist-- er, public-- abortion-providing, advanced directive-servicing (gasp! death panels!) hospital. But that wasn't going to stop her, nosirreebob! Not when there was $200K at stake!

Let's get real. There was no way one of the two wouldn't eventually quit the other:

Now, the Toronto Sun reports that Palin has “been given the boot” and will no longer appear at the fundraiser for St. Peter’s hospital. Jeff Valletine, the vice president of communications for Hamilton Health Sciences, said that he had received a backlash for inviting Palin.

No more $200 grand? That explains her recycled Hawaiian resort wardrobe. No wonder she quit that trip, too. Also.

VIDEO: Christmas at the Whitehouse 2009

By GottaLaff

Sparkly, shiny, beauteous White House Christmas things!

Breaking: International leaders reach tentative deal to reduce greenhouse emissions

By GottaLaff

Email news alert from the L.A. Times, just in:

Key international leaders have reached a tentative deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb climate change, the Los Angeles Times has learned, after the United States and China agreed to a method for recording developing nations' pledges to limit emissions and ensuring those pledges are carried out.

Details of the agreement were approved in an evening meeting with Obama, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, sources said.

Obama has scheduled a press conference shortly in the host Bella Center to unveil the agreement.

More soon at: http://www.latimes.com

However, per what I've been hearing on the Thom Hartmann show, much ado about very little.

VIDEO- The real War on Christmas: Jesus shoots Santa in display

By GottaLaff

Seasons greetings, Bill O'Reilly! You know how you always seem to be blaming evil liberal Commies for the so-called War on Christmas? The one in which the words "happy holidays" are the weapon of choice? I still haven't figured out what war that is exactly... but I did stumble across a showdown between Jesus and his former colleague Santa. Thought you might be interested.

So will Bill-O and friends condemn Jesus for gunning down Kris Kringle? Or will they stand by J.C.'s Second Amendment rights and call it self defense? Killing Rudolph would have been more acceptable. After all, he's only a reindeer, and hunting is A-OK with most folks, right? But running him over? Scandalous.

Oh, but I kid the Bill-O.

Seriously, what kind of "creative" mind comes up with brutal faux Santacide as appropriate front yard art?

Jesus Christ, you have the right to remain silent... night:

A Christmas display featuring Jesus shooting Santa Claus and a run-over Rudolph is riling some residents of a California neighborhood, KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, Calif., reported. Homeowner Ron Lake said his Christmas display in Nipomo is an expression of his repressed creativity, and that Santa represents the commercialism of Christmas.

Let's not forget that whole First Amendment thing, either. In this case, it's very disturbing, unpleasant freedom of speech.

Well, at least per Ron Lake, we now know what Jesus would do.

PLEASE NOTE: I REMOVED THE VIDEO because it was doing that autoplay thing. You can find it here.

Aiding and Abetting The Enemy: 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 BushCo's generous contribution to the national INsecurity of our country since 9/11. 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:

Aiding and Abetting The Enemy

Recently former Vice President Dick Cheney and former special assistant to President George W. Bush Ron Christie stated on television that President Obama is “aiding and abetting the enemy“; while activist Peter Gadiel, on Sean Hannity’s show suggested that Obama should be tried for treason.

All this talk about “aiding and abetting the enemy”-- and treason-- is due to the fact that the U.S. government has decided to put Kahlid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, and four of his cohorts, on trial in a civilian court in New York City.

I’m not going to discuss whether the decision to try the defendants in a federal court is the right decision or not, but what I want to discuss is who I believe has aided and abetted the enemy.

After the 9/11 tragedy, the United States had the full support on the world community to find and capture Osama bin Laden and members of the Al-Qaeda organization who claimed responsibility for the horrendous acts. When the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, many nations provided logistical support and/or armed forces to help in our endeavor.

We started to lose world support, especially in the Middle East, when it became apparent that the reasons given by the Bush/Cheney administration for invading Iraq were based on lies and misinformation.

As the world became aware of the following events-- (1) Abu Ghraib Prison Photos, (2) Rendition Prisons operated by the CIA, (3)Guantanamo Bay detention camp, (4) Torture and (5) Unexplained deaths at various prison sites-- it enabled Al-Qaeda to recruit terrorists for Jihads attacks against American forces and the people in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

But now we are also learning the war policies and practices of Bush/Cheney are having consequences in this country. Recent events show there is a growing trend of U.S. citizens participating in and joining in a global jihad.

One need only to look at such recent events as the arrest of a U.S. citizen accused of helping to plot the Mumbai, India attack; the massacre at Fort Hood, Texas; and the arrest of five young Americans in Pakistan for a possible terrorist connections... to see this global jihad is happening.

So I say to Dick Cheney, Ron Christie and Peter Gadiel: It’s not President Obama who has aided and abetted the enemy; it's the policies of the Bush/Cheney administration who have aided and abetted the enemy and have made this country unsafe and possibly open to another terrorist attack.

Dick Cheney you reap what you sow.

Many thanks again for another important, relevant piece, 42bkdodgr. This one hit home with me, in light of the many posts I've done on Gitmo detainee Fayiz al-Kandari and the subject of torture. You never fail to say what so many of us are thinking and feeling, and your perspective is invaluable.

Alan Grayson on health care, Afghanistan: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

Alan Grayson is on the Thom Hartmann Show, talking health care reform: [some paraphrasing]

Alan: The House thinks the Senate will hold a gun to their heads, and force the Senate bill.

Reconciliation should have been done months ago. CAFTA passed with 54 votes.

Thom: The Senate parliamentarian has to say that the bill is eligible for reconciliation. The reality that the president of the Senate can decide. Must only be bills that affect money, can't be for an agency. Is that right?

Alan: I'm not an expert, but you're basically correct. Must be a money bill, and he does make the initial determination. But his word is not final. Any Senator can appeal the ruling, and then have a majority vote.

Thom: We should go for reconciliation.

Alan: Unscrupulous people have been playing rope-a-dope, the Republicans. It's not only that we haven't moved on hcr, but anything else...

Thom: Afghanistan needs appropriation bill. Word is that House will put a stop loss on it.

Alan: The president's strategy is mistaken. The people want to give him a chance to try his strategy, but what's the difference if you have 60 or 90K? We outnumber the Taliban, we have missiles, they have rocks and stones. He discounted the idea of peace. We can't afford this any more. We already won the war. You can't win the same war twice. If you want to do something useful, then invade Pakistan, and nobody wants to.

Thom: Not necessarily useful, then you have a recruiting poster for Al Qaeda, Taliban. How about building schools for girls?

Alan: Nobody has ever asked us to send troops... just money.

Thom: What's on your radar?

Alan: Finish jobs bill, budgets bill, appropriations bill, etc. I think we made effort to bail out banks, but not ordinary people who need help. Jobs, housing, they owe more than they own. We need to help them.

Taking calls now:

Caller: We're being bullied, we can't have our dreams if Congress can't help us out.

Alan: I was inspired by Obama campaign, and I've tried my best, not tried to pretend to be a Republican. We're a party to make health better, jobs, education. Rs just blame everyone. I think the President tapped into America's goodness, the other side is blind to that, selfish. Obama is still trying to make the gov't. as good as the people, something the Rs don't understand. We're frustrated lately, the Rs always rammed through what they wanted, wars... and here we are with enormous majority and we still have to deal with one or two strays in the Senate. It's a question of life and death! It's amazing to me that so little discussion is about that. If it's about insurance companies, we've really lost our way.

I'll update if necessary.

Canadian drugs a possibility after all?

By GottaLaff

Bob Cesca brings us this glimmer. I'll tease, you pop over to Bob's house:

Susie Madrak has some great news on the Canadian reimportation issue -- directly from the White House.

What's that strange new feeling? Are the corners of my mouth starting to turn upwards?

The Big Health Care Vote

By GottaLaff

I'm tired of the number 60:

The latest schedule for the health care vote suggests that very early Monday morning -- at around 1:00 am ET -- the Senate will vote to break the filibuster on the "managers' amendment."

First Read: "The amendment will include all the last-minute fixes, most importantly stripping the public option and suitable abortion language. Once this part of the bill is passed, it's effectively done. If Reid gets 60 on this, the other votes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday should fall into place like dominoes."

As of now, Reid does not have the 60 votes.

Today Paul Krugman joins the "Pass it, it's better than nothing" side.

D.C. mayor signs same-sex marriage bill

By GottaLaff

Good news time!

District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a measure recognizing such marriages as legal. The city council overwhelming passed the bill on Tuesday, following a similar vote on December 1. [...]

The measure now goes to Congress for a 30-day review period, but it's considered unlikely that the Democratic majority on Capitol Hill would block the bill. By law, Congress has the right to review and overturn laws created by the District of Columbia's council.

Just had to drop this moment of sanity into our day. Now back to the usual media-perpetuated rancor already in progress.

Obama: New nuclear treaty is near

By GottaLaff

From a breaking news alert email via WaPo:

The United States and Russia have reached agreement on most major issues in a new treaty that would cut their deployed strategic nuclear warheads by one-fourth and allow each side to continue to verify the other's stockpiles, officials said Friday.

Negotiators have been racing to conclude a replacement for the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, the nuclear giants' most extensive nuclear treaty. It expired on Dec. 5.

President Obama said Friday that the two sides are "quite close" to concluding a new version of the pact.

Much more here.

Update: There is some disagreement about this.

Mid Day Distraction

Video- MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan Yells at Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

I don't think she ever really answered the question, but she didn't deserve to be bullied like that. Via TPM.

Weekly World News Re-Imagines Franken/Lieberman Spat

Heh.

Video- What We're Up Against 2009 Edition

Via Media Matters, h/t Oliver.

Jeebus media, Begich had just cut Cornyn off earlier

If I hear another tsk tsk or feigned indignation from a "reporter" or a fracking staffer from 40 years ago, I'm going to throw up. They're limiting the time on the floor so they can get their damn work done and go home for the holidays. A classic example of the high school gossip quality of our media. It's alot more fun to make it a pissing match than a procedural point.

WASHINGTON — Normally when senators preside over the Senate, they do little but direct traffic, showing little partiality or emotion as they allow their colleagues to yammer on at length.

So when Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, asked Sen. Mark Begich. D-Alaska, for additional time to keep talking about health care Thursday afternoon, it wasn't the kind of request usually denied in the polite Senate, where long-windedness is generally tolerated.

But Begich's response was unusual: "In my capacity as the senator from Alaska, I object."

Flummoxed, Cornyn retreated for a moment, then tried again: "Is it the intent of the presiding officer to prevent any senator from speaking on the floor on this important bill? I'm looking around and I don't see any other senator waiting to speak," the Texas Republican said, gesturing to the empty chamber. "I simply would like an explanation of the chair's ruling."

(snip)

It turns out the freshman Democrat from Alaska was acting under orders of Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Senate majority leader, who said he had grown tired of what he deemed Republican delaying tactics.

Begich, who as a junior member of the Senate is required to preside over the chamber frequently to learn its rules, had been asked to limit everyone to 10-minute speeches to speed up proceedings. Another freshman, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., treated Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., much the same way Thursday.

Thanks to Heather for Tweey's concern troll video.

Top Political Stories of the Decade

Via Taegan. Can you think of any they missed? I'd add the rise of the internet in fundraising and organizing.

Marc Cooper of the USC Annenberg School makes his picks:

1. The unconventional election process of 2000
2. The attack on the Twin Towers, September 11, 2001
3. The invasion of Afghanistan, 2001
4. The invasion of Iraq, 2003
5. The introduction of torture techniques as official American policy
6. The unprecedented expansion of executive power
7. Hurricane Katrina
8. The election of Barack Obama
9. The global financial crisis of 2008-2009
10. The media revolution

Cartoon of the Day

Spot on. Click to enlarge, via.

Friday Links

I got nothing.

Report: Death sentences decline; death rows shrink

Low omega-3 linked to schizophrenia risk

Dark matter discovered: Scientists believe they have found elusive particle that makes up 90% of Universe

CNN: New civil rights chief vows more hate-crimes enforcement
The Obama administration's new civil rights chief said Thursday that he was "shocked" to learn of the steep decline in hate-crime prosecutions during the Bush presidency and vowed to combat violence stemming from hatred and bias.

Mother Updates Twitter As Son Lies Dying

Average features key to female face beauty

Russian internet sensation: Giant triangular 'UFO' filmed hovering above Kremlin

Los Angeles Times: Foreign interpreters hurt in battle find U.S. insurance benefits wanting An insurance program funded by American taxpayers was supposed to provide a safety net for interpreters and their families in the event of injury or death. Yet for many, the benefits have fallen painfully short of what was promised, an investigation by the Los Angeles Times and ProPublica found.

Sign Over Auschwitz Gate Stolen

If there was ever a true "WTF", this is it. Why?

(AP) Polish police say the infamous iron sign over the gate to the Auschwitz memorial site with the cynical phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei" - German for "Work Sets You Free" - has been stolen.

(snip)

Padlo says the iron sign, which spanned a gate at the main entrance to the former Nazi death camp in southern Poland, was removed by being unscrewed on one side and pulled off on the other.

She says police have launched an intensive search. She says there are currently no suspects but police are pursuing several theories.

Video- President Obama's full remarks at Copenhagen Climate Summit

Sarah Palin quits her own vacation

By GottaLaff

First Barbie McLipSchmutz blacks out her own running mate's name, then mumblejumbles something about it as the reason for her lack of incognito-itude.

And now she quits again... quits her own vacation... blaming ... the blacked out McCain visor. Here's an idea, Barbie. Wear a different visor... or try a hat:

Sarah Palin announced Thursday night that she ended a Hawaii vacation early because of the ruckus raised after she blacked out "McCain" on her sun visor in an effort to elude paparazzi.

Who would ever recognize her after she expertly covered the perimeter of her empty little noggin? Why, she's positively transformed! For a minute there, I thought she was Glenn Beck:

"Todd and I have since cut our vacation short because the incognito attempts didn't work and fellow vacationers were bothered for the two days we spent in the sun. So much for trying to go incognito."

How does she come up with sentences like that?

Let's recap: She and Todd the Husband quit their trip because people saw through that clever disguise and were then upset because she shared the sun with them.

If only she had blocked out McCain's name more effectively, changed her face, and kept Trig, Todd the Spouser et al. under a blanket, they could have hung out in President Obama's home state for days!

Yeah, she's the best presidential material ever.

Lieberman's Former Roommate Talks: "Sorry to see that Joe has become such a shallow husk of a man."

By GottaLaff

Your Daily Dose of BuzzFlash:

Joe Lieberman's Former Roommate Talks to BuzzFlash About the Healthcare Bill, 2012 and the Senator's Journey 'to the Dark Side'

So when I got a chance to talk to Lieberman's former roommate at Yale, writer David Wyles, I had to ask.

"I wish I knew. I think there are aspects of those theories that are true," Wyles told me (though he agreed with me that the Israel motive is far-fetched). "Certainly he holds a grudge against the Democratic Party."

And though the idea of Lieberman taking a job in the insurance or pharmaceutical industries amounts to the type of quid pro quo that would repel most of us, Wyles is pretty certain of that possibility.

"They can offer him a big job as a lobbyist or as an executive," he said. And Lieberman will take it: "He has become shameless."

He then said that Traitor Joe "used to have scruples". You'd never know, wouldja?

They haven't spoken for years now, and Wyles said he's "sorry to see that Joe has become such a shallow husk of a man."

Go read the rest here.

VIDEO- Sen. Bernie Sanders on Countdown: "When will the opportunity come up again?"

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I liveblogged this here.

We need to clone Bernie.

RuPaul as Sarah Palin

By GottaLaff

I needed a laugh, and boy, did I get one:

RuPaul McLipSchmutz

Where's his Not McCain visor?

H/t: MicCheckRadio

Sen. Bernie Sanders on Countdown: "We look foolish"

By GottaLaff

Senator Bernie Sanders is on Countdown. Liveblog:

Single payer is the only way to get proper health care, but there are some things in bill that are good.

We're working with the White House and the leadership to make the bill significantly better, to try to control costs which are danger to individuals and businesses, as well as the government.

You have 60 in the Democratic caucus, and many have never been serious about strong health care reform. So we had 51 to do something less broad, but significant. We look foolish in front of American people. We don't have 60 votes for strong health care.

Re: reconciliation: I can live with that option. Whether it's feasible is another question, many committee chairmen aren't for it.

Re: Howard Dean: A lot of his criticism constructive, he made good points. But I have to deal with the reality, being a Congress member, what it means politically to this country: When will the opportunity come up again for 30 million people, preexisting conditions, etc? It's not a good bill, but we'll try to make it as good as we possibly can.

VIDEO- Ed Show: Jane Hamsher in Lanny Davis' face on health care

By GottaLaff

Jane Hamsher tried her best to stick it to Lanny Davis. Emotions sure are running high these days:



Fast work getting this video posted, Firedoglake!

Lobbyist Lanny Davis Won't Say Who's Paying Him

Sock-puppet VIDEO mocking Lieberman

By GottaLaff

MoveOn nailed him, right down to the whiny voice and wrinkled sock face:

The video is part of a fundraising drive intended to defeat Lieberman's reelection campaign in 2012.

The group announced today that it has raised $1 million since Thursday.

Traitor Joe and Ben Nelson should go to work as a greeter duo at a Walmart somewhere.

Lt. Col. Barry Wingard: "They will just keep him detained forever"

By GottaLaff

My very conscientious, very diligent friend Lt. Col. Barry Wingard was interviewed by the Kuwait Times. Here are some excerpts to remind everyone what Fayiz al-Kandari is up against:

According to Wingard, the US government has gathered new evidences against Al-Kandari that are allegedly classified. This means that the defense can only see it in an' extremely redacted form.'

For example," said Wingard, "one of the two charges pressed by the prosecution against Al-Kanderi is that he has 'conspired' with the Taliban or Al-Qaeda, and that he provided material support to the Taliban or Al-Qaeda, without specifying how exactly he did any of these things."

Barry says that the government is very aware that they have no provable case.

"They can't get him convicted neither at federal courts, nor in military commission, which is the system that they've invented. So they will just keep him detained forever." [...]

"He is amazingly strong and resilient. They tried to break him in too many different ways. They've been completely unsuccessful. He exercises, teaches the illiterate people in his block how to read, it freaks them out." [...]

One of the conditions that the US government has placed on Kuwait to release its Gitmo detainees is to build a rehabilitation center. This is meant to help them reintegrate into society. Yet, despite the fact that the rehabilitation center is ready, Kuwait still has two of its citizens detained at the Guantanamo Bay naval base.

I think the question now is does the US government trust the Kuwaiti government to be able to handle these two guys in this rehabilitation center that is located in the center of the Kuwaiti jail," said Wingard. He added that Kuwaitis have complained about the American demands, and that Americans have been changing their stance. They require additional conditions to be met beyond the establishment of a rehabilitation center. "I have no idea what they require," said Wingard. "But I do know that the list continues to be added on. [...]

"The people of Kuwait need to get involved in this issue and to try to bring home Kuwait's sons because there are Kuwaiti citizens who are have been serving the ninth year in prison without any charges pressed against them."

You can read the whole thing here. It's hard to imagine how difficult this must be for Fayiz. Nine years.

Nine. 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.

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.

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.

VIDE0- Chris Matthews: Netroots 'Get Their Giggles' From 'Bitching'

By GottaLaff



"Sit in the back seat and bitching"? Not running for office?

What does he think Howard Dean has done? He's about as netrootsy as you can get!

And Firedoglake sits back and complains without getting out there and doing something? Tell that to my inbox and Tee Vee Machine. And Act Blue? And Kos? And so many more? Really?

Troublemakers, right. Chris is drawing attention to his projectile salivator crankypantsitude, and it's very unbecoming.

Yesterday, Matthews tried to smack Howard Dean around, and now this. He needs to remove whatever has recently crawled up his punditiocracy.

Update via Think Progress:

A Senate staffer tells ThinkProgress that the reason Franken cut off Lieberman is because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) office has been asking all presiding chairs to enforce the 10-minute rule for both sides. Franken was simply following the direction of leadership.