By GottaLaff
From the makers of the Evil Sheep campaign ad.... Another very bizarre video:
Carly Fiorina's media person is the Ed Wood of politics.
Then again, this ad got my attention, and will most likely be played and replayed on all the usual cable and Sunday talk shows.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
VIDEO: Carly Fiorina's new (bizarre) ad targets Barbara Boxer
N. Dakota Blue Cross Blue Shield: "No member elected to have abortion riders"
By GottaLaff
Here, look, this exactly what I mean:
In North Dakota, where insurers can cover abortions if customers pay a separate premium, the state's largest provider says it sells no abortion policies because no one has asked to buy one.
Oh.
Kidding.
Amid a high-stakes debate over abortion that could determine the fate of President Obama's health-care initiative, North Dakota's law offers a test because it is much like the language favored by antiabortion lawmakers on Capitol Hill, notably Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.).
"There's not a lot to tell. We have no member who elected to have abortion riders," said Denise Kolpack, vice president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, which covers about 80 percent of the North Dakota market. "We would be legally bound to provide an offering, but we have no groups that have requested it."
VIDEO- Michele Bachmann: "Some" have called Obama the "first post-American president"
By GottaLaff
"Some" have called Michelle Bachmann bats*** crazy. In fact, a lot of "somes", including yours truly. But "some" have never done that on national Tee Vee while holding office. That would be, you know, irresponsible.
So anyway, earlier I posted the live video feed of today's Big Bill Killing event, thanks to The Uptake and Craig Stellmacher. Osborne Ink (aka our pal Matt Osborne) got hold of the segment with you know who.
Bachmann has absolutely no idea what she is talking about. None. "We kill [the bill] because we are free." What does that even mean?
And why is she allowed to speak?
“Obama…Pelosi…Reid…They don’t represent us…right now.” Because there was no election in 2008, or because elections do not have consequences? [...]
The Constitution does, in fact, allow Congress to levy taxes (“mandate”) and appoint enforcement officers (IRS), and such laws are, in fact, binding.
Will someone tell me why the Rushpublics are so obsessed with the number of pages in this or any bill?
And once and for all, I wish they'd leave gratuitous references to god, our veterans, and "indentured servants" out of this... and everything else they muck up.
Seriously, they sound like lunatics. It's embarrassing. People are watching.
Matt has more here.
Obama pollster: U.S. will like healthcare bill, despite poll numbers
By GottaLaff
President Barack Obama's pollster said the healthcare bill will win over public support once it becomes law despite polls showing Americans against the plan. [...]
"When it comes to health care and insurance, once reform passes, the tangible benefits Americans will realize will trump the fear-mongering rhetoric opponents are stoking today," Benenson wrote in a Washington Post op-ed Saturday. [...]
At the very least, the numbers show a public more wary than not of the healthcare bill. But the surveys indeed have something for everybody.
"Despite polls showing Americans against the plan." But, again, they're not against what is in the plan, once the details are explained to them. And a strong majority is for a public option, too, but you sure don't hear that story bandied about.
Fear mongering is an easy, effective tool the Rushpublics know how to use all too well. It will be nice to see something as beneficial as health care reform counter the despicable tactics that are used, and overused, by the opposition.
Father of "American Idol" judge Kara to challenge Gillibrand
By GottaLaff
The above will only be understood by fellow "Idol" watchers, but this next part everyone will get:
Former Rep. Joe DioGuardi (R-N.Y.) has decided to challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), according to the Associated Press. [...]
DioGuardi was first elected in 1984 and defeated by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) in 1988. His former district just north of New York City is solidly Democratic.
Sounds a little pitchy to me, dawg.
R.I.P. Theodore Olbermann: Keith Olbermann's Father Dies
By GottaLaff
Tears. Lots of them:
Via Huffington Post.
Keith did a brilliant job of informing us while experiencing one of the most painful, difficult times of his own life. Thank you, Keith, and thank you Mr. Theodore Olbermann for raising such a wonderful son so well.
My father died, in the city of his birth, New York, at 3:50 EST this afternoon.
Though the financial constraints of his youth made college infeasible, he accomplished the near-impossible, becoming an architect licensed in 40 states. Much of his work was commercial, for a series of shoe store chains and department stores. There was a time in the 1970's when nearly all of the Baskin-Robbins outlets in the country had been built to his design, and under his direction.
Via Huffington Post.
Keith did a brilliant job of informing us while experiencing one of the most painful, difficult times of his own life. Thank you, Keith, and thank you Mr. Theodore Olbermann for raising such a wonderful son so well.
Peeping Tom Cops Out Gay Servicewoman
Power hungry brown shirts. This whole thing stinks of them being pissed because she didn't acquiesce to their demands. I hope they lose everything. Petty bastards.
Jene Newsome played by the rules as an Air Force sergeant: She never told anyone in the military she was a lesbian. The 28-year-old's honorable discharge under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy came only after police officers in Rapid City, S.D., saw an Iowa marriage certificate in her home and told the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base.Theft? Wanted on a no immediate threat type crime? The fracking woman was at work, and you want her there now? If the person you're looking for isn't there, why don't YOU come back at a time the person whose cooperation you want finds convenient?
Newsome and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint against the western South Dakota police department, claiming the officers violated her privacy when they informed the military about her sexual orientation. The case also highlights concerns over the ability of third parties to "out" service members, especially as the Pentagon has started reviewing the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law.
"I played by 'don't ask, don't tell,'" Newsome told The Associated Press by telephone.
"I just don't agree with what the Rapid City police department did. ... They violated a lot of internal policies on their end, and I feel like my privacy was violated."
(snip)
The Rapid City Police Department says Newsome, an aircraft armament system craftsman who spent nine years in the Air Force, was not cooperative when they showed up at her home in November with an arrest warrant for her partner, who was wanted on theft charges in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Newsome was at work at the base at the time and refused to immediately come home and assist the officers in finding her partner, whom she married in Iowa - where gay marriage is legal - in October.
Police officers, who said they spotted the marriage license on the kitchen table through a window of Newsome's home, alerted the base, police Chief Steve Allender said in a statement sent to the AP. The license was relevant to the investigation because it showed both the relationship and residency of the two women, he said.
"It's an emotional issue and it's unfortunate that Newsome lost her job, but I disagree with the notion that our department might be expected to ignore the license, or not document the license, or withhold it from the Air Force once we did know about it," Allender said Saturday. "It was a part of the case, part of the report and the Air Force was privileged to the information."
Rubio's "special interest donations & political perks allowed him to spend big money with little scrutiny"
By GottaLaff
Why what have we here? Marco! Polo! Keep waving that flag!
Ahem, calling all Marco Rubio opponents: Code Red:
Marco Rubio was barely solvent as a young lawmaker climbing his way to the top post in the Florida House, but special interest donations and political perks allowed him to spend big money with little scrutiny.
About $600,000 in contributions was stowed in two inconspicuous political committees controlled by Rubio, now the Republican front-runner for the U.S. Senate, and his wife.
St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald did a blow-by-blow analysis of Rubio's expenses and wow. A must-read. Here's a teaser:
• Rubio failed to disclose $34,000 in expenses — including $7,000 he paid himself — for one of the committees in 2003 and 2004, as required by state law.
• One committee paid relatives nearly $14,000 for what was incorrectly described to the IRS as "courier fees" and listed a nonexistent address for one of them. Another committee paid $5,700 to his wife, who was listed as the treasurer, much of it for "gas and meals."
• He billed more than $51,000 in unidentified "travel expenses'' to three different credit cards — nearly one-quarter of the committee's entire haul.
Ouch, this is painful. But in a good way.
Rubio's high-roller political spending belies his image as an outsider riding a wave of antiestablishment fervor and gunning to knock off Gov. Charlie Crist for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. A Times/Herald review of other legislators' committees shows they typically contributed far more to other candidates and reported vastly fewer credit card payments.
This can't end well, I just know it.
Campaign adviser Todd Harris:
"Marco put his on a credit card and the other guys put theirs on a debit card. So sue us."
Don't tempt us.
Um, not so sure he can. Not any more.
Frank Luntz hearts Newt Gingrich
By GottaLaff
...
... in touch??
"He's more powerful than the entire Republican National Committee. He has a better e-mail list, he has better ideas, he's a better communicator and he's more in touch with what people think."
-- Pollster Frank Luntz, quoted by the New York Times, on Newt Gingrich.
Some-body has a man crush on the Newtieeee.
Right-wing blogger Dan Riehl: "Isn't It Time To Euthanize Reid's Wife?"
By GottaLaff
Alan Colmes just pointed me to a post about it... a nasty, disgusting post. Dan Riehl needs to be exposed for the heartless sicko that he is:
If Democrats want so badly to abort babies [...] why are we bothering with someone who has a broken neck and back at 69? It sounds to me like she's pretty well used up and has probably been living off the taxpayers for plenty of years [...]
I don't see that she's worth it at this point, frankly. I can't recall her ever doing anything for me.
And it is, after all, all about Danny Boy, who seems pretty "used up" himself.
Yes, it's all about him: The car accident. The frantic worry about Reid's family. The horror and physical suffering. Wow, how could that insensitive Landra Reid allowed herself to end up hospitalized after all Riehl has done for her?
Come on, Harry - do your civic duty. [...] Pull the plug and get back to work. And don't bill us for a full day today, either. [...] Air freight her home, you can bury her during recess on your own time and dime. Or are you going to bill us for that, too?
I'd love the media to get hold of this story and put this guy out of business, allowing him to join the ranks of the unemployed.
That way he could very well find himself without medical coverage. Wouldn't that be ironic?
Then let's see how he'd feel about the pain of living in the Riehl world.
UPDATE: Celtic Diva has more.
LIVE VIDEO FEED: "Chris Matthews is the only one who forgets about color"
By GottaLaff
Via the Uptake:
**NOTE- I took the vid out because of autoplay, but you can see it here.
The Minnesota crazies showed themselves... but the feed is in and out. I grabbed the quote in the title, but that was nothing compared to what I heard afterwards.
Michele Bachmann is expected to make an appearance.
Christian leaders to Congress: Ignore misinformation on abortion, pass health reform
(click on image to enlarge)
She repeated the positives of the plan and steered Rachel away from concentrating too hard on something that shouldn't be an issue (mainly because Bart Stupak is spreading misinformation; abortion will not be being funded by the government).
Pelosi is one of the few that has insisted on clarifying and laying out the benefits of the bill. Anthony Weiner is another. Their consistent message of what health care reform offers, rather than getting sidetracked by GOP talking points, is something that's been sorely missing over the past year.
Meanwhile, a group of "pro-life" Christian leaders has come out in support of the plan. They're darn pretty clear, too.
Think Progress takes it from there:
Underscoring this point, this week, a group of 25 “pro-life Catholic theologians and Evangelical leaders” sent a letter to Congress urging them to look past the misinformation on abortion and pass health care reform. From their letter:As Christians committed to a consistent ethic of life, and deeply concerned with the health and well-being of all people, we want to see health care reform enacted. [...]
We are writing because of our concern about the lack of clear and accurate information regarding abortion provisions in the health care reform bill passed by the Senate on December 24, 2009.
Reforming our health care system is necessarily complex, and the provisions related to abortion, or any other issue, require careful examination of the facts as they exist in the legislative language. We believe that the provisions below provide extensive evidence that longstanding restrictions on federal funding of abortion have been maintained. Furthermore, this bill provides new and important supports for vulnerable pregnant women.
The Catholic Health Association also sent a letter (see image above) to Congress urging passage of the Senate bill. They pointed out that millions of Americans would benefit.
Imagine that.
Without BushCo, "Hurt Locker" wouldn't have won Oscars
By GottaLaff
"The Hurt Locker" was a good movie and well written but I find it strange that no credit was given to ex-President Bush and Vice President Cheney for starting the Iraq war. Without their orchestration, "Hurt Locker" and Kathryn Bigelow would not be holding those Oscars.
That's some honor, eh BushCo?
Video- Unemployed Lame Tea Bagger Celebs Descend On Nevada
What, no little Stevie Baldwin? This gathering almost looks interesting, at least in a point and snicker kind of way. Via.
Need help
Supposedly Hillary gave a barn burner speech at the UN yesterday, and I just cannot find any video of it. Any help?
Bulk Orders Boosted Romney's Book
Seriously, I would have never thought that people would really want to read Palin's book more. I'm still thinking that there was some hanky panky in her sales though. Via Taegan-
Mitt Romney's No Apology tops the New York Times bestseller list this week. However, a "dagger" symbol next to the book signifies that "some bookstores report receiving bulk orders." Romney's book actually has two daggers.
In contrast, Sarah Palin's Going Rogue never received a dagger next to its listing while a top the bestseller list in week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5 or week 6.
Saturday Links
Nada here.
Ex-US Secretary of State Kissinger hospitalized
Laptops could be key to an earthquake early-warning system
CIA 'caused French village to go mad in the Fifties by spiking baguettes with LSD'
A new database helps Jewish families find graves of ancestors
Having children is good for you: But stop at two... any more could be fatal!
Young veterans face steep unemployment
Scientists come up with an electronic band-aid to treat skin cancer
Replica of big skull from 28,000 years ago suggests human brains have started to shrink
Friday, March 12, 2010
Overnight Thread and Disco Diversion
My local PBS station is trying to raise money by shilling a disco dvd. Scary, but I got suckered in for a bit. Growing up in Miami in the 70's gave me a predisposition, but man, Leo Sayer has so morphed from the waif who could sing to the skeevy uncle you avoid at Thanksgiving...
PhotOh! Snorkel envy
By GottaLaff
Snorkel envy?
I read about this, but hadn't seen the actual image.
You know what they: Political parties with small minds have small ....
You know what they: Political parties with small minds have small ....
Awww-- Stupak: "They're ignoring me." + Maddow VIDEO proving it
By GottaLaff
Aww, whatta matta, wittle Barty needs more attention?
He's already had his 15 minutes, what more does he want? A pony? A fire truck? A sign with "ban abortions" scrawled in pwetty wed cwayon?
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
And Barty Boy? Those 15 minutes are up:
"They're ignoring me. That's their strategy now. The House Democratic leaders think they have the votes to pass the Senate's health-care bill without us."
-- Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), in an interview with the National Review, explaining that the House will not be adding revised language on abortion to the reconciliation bill.
To quote Rachel, "It was fun while it lasted."
Obama Gets High Scores on Leadership Report Card
By GottaLaff
Obama is getting one of the most important report cards of all: on his leadership qualities. And with the exception of an incomplete grade on political skill as he continues to pursue a victory on his top agenda item—healthcare reform—he's virtually a 4.0 student.That's according to presidential historian and author Fred Greenstein, professor of politics emeritus at Princeton University. The author of the new Inventing the Job of President has just updated his initial Obama report card and declared the president a "rare political leader." [...]
"Indeed," adds Greenstein, "he may turn out to be the rare political leader who is marked by both a first-rate temperament and a first-rate mind."
Well duh.
Agree or disagree with President Obama's policies, it's hard to argue about his intellect and demeanor. And both of those things affect his leadership skills and more.
There's a complete breakdown of how Greenstein reached those conclusions here. Take a look.
Iowa Family Policy Center: Gay marriage more destructive than smoking
By GottaLaff
There's this group, The Iowa Family Policy Center. They oppose stuff like, you know, equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, that kind of stuff.
They sound like a reasonable, open minded bunch, don't they? Of course they do. You can tell by this, from Chuck Hurley, their president:
“The Iowa Legislature outlawed smoking in an effort to improve health and reduce the medical costs that are often passed on to the state. [...] The secondhand impacts of certain homosexual acts are arguably more destructive, and potentially more costly to society than smoking. [...] Homosexual activity is certainly more dangerous for the individuals who engage in it than is smoking.”
There now, nothing wrong with that... if you're a small-minded, despicable little bigot.
Apparently, his "logic" stems from this report saying gay men have higher rates of HIV and syphilis.
Or from the fact that he's a small-minded, despicable little bigot. How're those family values goin' for you, Chuck?
Newsflash: Heteros spread disease too. In fact, you're spreading some nasty stuff yourself, there, Sparky.
Here's an idea: How about addressing the STD issue rather than condemning your fellow man. Shouldn't you be loving them or something?
It is your hateful attitude that is "more dangerous than is smoking". And just as costly.
People matter. Who they love is none of your damn business, and comparing people who love each other to death sticks makes me want to... offer you a cigarette.
Quickie: You talkin' to US about scandals, GOP? I've got LISTS
By GottaLaff
So the Rushpublics wanna play rough? They think Tickle Me Massa and Charlie Rangel are a big deal? Really?
You wanna see a Big Deal, GOP? Here's your Big Deal:
Republican Offenders.
Republican Sex Scandals Dwarf Those of Democrats.
Republican Sex Offenders.
And just for good measure, the endless Bush Scandals List.
Now that's what I call a great Quickie.
Congressmen Who May Switch To No On Health Care: The List
By GottaLaff
Abortion likely won't be in a fix package either, because it doesn't affect the deficit and therefore can't be passed using the budget reconciliation process.
And now for the list of the New No's... some being qualified ones (details here):
Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY)
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL).
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and the 12 congressmen he claims will vote against health care
Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)
Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR)
Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH)
Remember, some of those are "may" not vote for health care reform.
VIDEO- DNC: You talkin' to US about scandals, GOP?
By GottaLaff
You talkin' to us, GOP? You talkin' to us?
Look who's
VIDEO- Women: How to be taken more seriously in the workplace
By GottaLaff
WARNING: This may be about the workplace, but it is not workplace safe... exactly. Snicker.
Hi. Larious.
Via Funny or Die:
H/t: My wonderful friend Ursula who I miss like crazy
Feds: Blackwater Saves Taxpayers Money
By GottaLaff
But a new government report says they may actually have saved U.S. taxpayers money. The State Department saves roughly $900 million a year using private firms to protect American diplomats in Iraq rather than relying on U.S. government employees, according to a recently published review by the non partisan Government Accounting Office.
Here are the reasons they give for the differences. Ready?
The state department did not have to pay overtime or provide benefits or vacation time to the contractors. They were not saddled with extensive travel and housing costs. And they did not have to outfit them with weapons and gear.
Seriously. Those are the reasons. Well, then, by all means, go with Blackwater, er, Xe, er, Blackwater, er, Murder Inc.
But wait, it gets even better:
The report noted that the State Department would have been "reluctant to hire third country nationals to provide security in Iraq because the department does not want to be perceived as hiring mercenaries."
I'm sorry, but did I just wake up in Crazy World?
Moral of the story: Money first... Except for Jan Schakowsky. She's smart that way:
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who has sponsored a bill to outlaw government contracts to private security companies, defended her bill against the report, told ABC News that money was not the biggest factor in assessing the value of contractors in war zones.
And with that, it's time to re-introduce my old primer, Blackwater for Dummeez. Consider it a refresher course on who these thugs are:
BLACKWATER FOR DUMMEEZ
What is Blackwater USA, boys and girls? Blackwater USA is an international security contractor founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and is based in the U.S, . state of North Carolina where it operates a tactical training facility that it claims is the world's largest. Wow!
Let's take a peek into their world, in their very own words, where they claim to be: "The most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world".
Our leadership and dedicated family of exceptional employees adheres to an essential of core corporate values- chief among these are integrity, innovation, excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork.
In doing this, we have become the most responsive, cost-effective means of affecting the strategic balance in support of security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.
Blackwater's Federal Contracts
Year
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Well, howdy-do, that's impressive!
Now! What do they do? Stuff that includes integrity, innovation, excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork? Nah, they were just kidding. They do this:
That's what they do.The lead Suburban in our convoy loomed up behind an old, puttering sedan driven by an older man with a young woman and three children. As we approached at typical breakneck speed, the Blackwater driver honked furiously and motioned to the side, as if they should pull over. The kids in the back seat looked back in horror, mouths agape at the sight of the heavily armored Suburbans driven by large, armed men in dark sunglasses. The poor Iraqi driver frantically searched fora means of escape, but there was none. So the lead Blackwater vehicle smashed heedlessly into the car, pushing it into the barrier. We zoomed by too quickly to notice if anyone was hurt.
Who's in charge? Just a dickens of a guy! Erik Prince! And what a resume has he!
Born: 6-Jun-1969 Religion: Born-Again Christian Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Business, Military Party Affiliation: Republican Executive summary: Founder, Blackwater USA Military service: Navy SEAL Team Officer (1993-96, Bosnia, Haiti)Erik Prince is a multi-millionaire right-wing fundamentalist Christian from a powerful Michigan Republican family. His wealth came from his father, Edgar Prince (d. 1995, billionaire, started Family Research Council with Gary Bauer). A major Republican campaign contributor, he interned in the White House of President George H.W. Bush and campaigned for Pat Buchanan in 1992, finding time to intern for conservative congressman Dana Rohrabacher as well. Prince founded the security and mercenary firm Blackwater USA in 1997 with Gary Jackson, another former Navy SEAL.
Prince's sister Betsy DeVos is a powerful conservative in her own right. Married to the son of Richard DeVos (Republican bankroller and co-founder of Amway), she served as chair of Michigan Republican Party in the 1990s. His mom is Elsa Prince Broekhuizen (Republican Party funder, remarried)
Can you say mercenary? I knew that you could. Now why would I go and ask a thing like that? Here's why!
Why, there were more killings than we can count! There was the one where a drunk killed a guard on Christmas, and there was one where…oh never mind. Now remember, boys and girls, killing is bad. Killing for money is worse. And killing for money with no repercussions is worst of all!In the capital, American officials said a joint U.S.-Iraqi commission formed to look into last month's shooting incident in which Blackwater USA security guards killed at least 11 Iraqis had yet to meet. In addition, most members of an FBI team that also will investigate the Sept. 16 shootings have not arrived and probably will not get to Iraq until next week, said U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo.
No need to worry, because there's o-ver-sight. Can you say oversight? Yes, the U.S. Congress is on the job! Or are they...?
Darrell Issa: On the "Democrat side", this isn't about Blackwater. It's a repeat of the MoveOn dot Org attack on Petraeus' patriotism. They'll simply switch targets. I'm here to defend General Petraeus and our men and women in uniform.Oooopsies! Well, kids, sometimes love can be misplaced. Erik Prince has a lot of love to share, too, but in the form of big fat checks:
What's a mercenary to do? He has to invest his hard earned wages somewhere, doesn't he?Prince's latest donation was in July, when he gave $20,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee. California recipients of Prince's $1,000 checks include Reps. Jerry Lewis and Duncan Hunter, a current GOP presidential candidate, and former Rep. Richard Pombo.
The former serviceman has given almost all of his donations to Republicans. There was, however, an exception in 2006, when he donated $5,000 to the Green Party of Lucerne County, Pa. That was a Republican ploy to ensure the Green Party's U.S. senate candidate got on the ballot in an effort to peel votes away from Democrat Bob Casey and help Republican Rick Santorum. The effort failed and Casey won.
Well, kiddies, that's enough for today. No go eat your supper before it gets cold. You can sit in front of the TV and catch up on the latest news. What could be more fun than all the dinner you can eat, and all the Blackwater you can stomach?
Texas Approves Curriculum Revised by Conservatives
By GottaLaff
Men rode dinosaurs so that they could hunt better. And besides, they made great companions when the wife was busy birthing cavedwellerettes.
There is no such thing as separation of church and state. That's a crazy myth that some Marxist commie made up.
Always use your position to exploit and indoctrinate children, and then accuse the first African American president of doing the same when he's encouraging good work habits and responsibility:
After three days of turbulent meetings, the Texas Board of Education on Friday voted to approve a social studies curriculum that will put a conservative stamp on history and economics textbooks, stressing the role of Christianity in American history and presenting Republican political philosophies in a more positive light.The vote was 11 to 4, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat voting for the curriculum, and four Democrats voting against.
The board, whose members are elected, has influence beyond Texas because the state is one of the largest purchasers of textbooks.
Remember children: The whole church and state thing? Pffft!
The conservative members maintain that they are trying to correct what they see as a liberal bias among the teachers who proposed the curriculum. To that end, they made dozens of minor changes aimed at calling into question, among other things, concepts like the separation of church and state and the secular nature of the American Revolution.
“I reject the notion by the left of a constitutional separation of church and state,” said David Bradley, a conservative from Beaumont who works in real estate. “I have $1,000 for the charity of your choice if you can find it in the Constitution.”
Bias? What bias?
They also included a plank to ensure that students learn about “the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s, including Phyllis Schalfly, the Contract With America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority and the National Rifle Association.”
To be fair, the Black Panthers and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "nonviolent approach" will get some print space, too. That's some concession, huh?
Today's lesson: Little children asked, and received, their own little raptors for their birthdays. And if they were extra special good, pet nanshiungosauruseseseses... eseses...es.
Sunday's lesson: Jesus had dinosaur stables back when saddling up a brontosaurus was in vogue. He loaned his herd out to anyone who needed a ride to the nearest crucifixion. He was socialistic that way.
Be afraid... It's a FreedomWorks SURGE!
By GottaLaff
Will the "surge" work? None of the others did:
(click on image to enlarge)
There message is "simple", because, well, so are they:
We will be storming the three House Office Buildings: Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn. Our message is simple: VOTE NO on Obamacare 2.0. [...]
... pick up an area map, office locations, talking points and lobbying tips [...]
Buses can drop off passengers...
How adorable... they're training their TeaPeas to be lobbyists. That's about as folksy as you can get.
Don'tcha just love how grassrootsy that gigantic hugely enormous, wealthy, powerful, Dickle Me Armey-run FreedomWorks is?
The Tea Tantrumers must have oodles of gratitude for those grassy-rooty buses, huh?
What would they ever do without their rich ol' corporate lobbyist sugar daddies....
VIDEO & Press Release: Pittsburgh Tea Partiers try to get Rep. Altmire(D) to "kill the bill"
By GottaLaff
Via an e-mail (bolding is mine):
Press ReleaseIsn't it fun (and annoying) to find all the lies, efforts, and silliness in Tea Tantrum e-mails? And yes, the Tenthers and Tea Tantrumers seem to have morphed into one big ol' rancid cup of crazy.
Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement
March 11, 2010
Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement Meets with Representative Jason Altmire in Washington, D.C.
Yesterday, a group of forty members of the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement journeyed to Washington, D.C. by bus to attend a meeting with U.S. Representative Jason Altmire (D) to discuss concerns about his position on the Senate health care bill. The group, comprised mostly of small business owners, passionately expressed their concerns about the Senate bill and repeatedly asked Rep. Altmire to vote no and kill the bill.
The tea party members have been closely following the legislation, reading the bills, researching Rep. Altmire's past statements on health care, and discussing the legislation with Senators Specter's and Casey's offices. In November, the group visited Rep. Altmire in Washington to ask him to vote no on the House bill. The impression then was that Rep. Altmire was listening; and while he would not commit as to how he would vote, it appeared that he heard what was said and was considering voting favorably. Ultimately, Rep. Altmire voted no on the House healthcare bill.
This visit was different and the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement’s members walked away with the distinct impression Rep. Altmire would vote yes on the Senate bill. Rep. Altmire spent considerable time defending the bill, which is not expected behavior from someone who is pondering voting no in opposition to a bill. While Rep. Altmire invited comments and questions, unlike the prior visit, he did not engage in meaningful dialogue. He spoke primarily of his positions in support of the bill.
Rep. Altmire failed to address questions about why the federal government did not resolve significant problems within the healthcare industry that drive prices higher before putting into place legislation which will ultimately result in socialized medicine. Issues that remained unaddressed were why the government did not first institute tort reform and facilitate increased healthcare competition.
Rep. Altmire stated that he liked the Senate bill better than the House bill he voted against, but was not sure he would vote for it. Rep. Altmire indicated that he hoped portions of the bill that he did not like would be modified in Reconciliation. He also stated that he would not vote for a bill that added one penny to the deficit.
One Pittsburgh Tea Party Member raised the issue of constitutionality of the healthcare bill: namely, mandating individuals purchase insurance coverage, fining individuals who refuse to purchase insurance, and possible taxation prior to the receipt of benefits. Rep. Altmire explained that constitutionality was not a concern as the bill would be incorporated into the tax code.
Rep. Altmire stated that he would not factor into his vote studies showing 70% of U.S. citizens are against the Senate healthcare bill because that data was not specific to his district. He also mentioned when questioned that he had not done any internal polling since running his campaign for office. However, one tea party member who was unable to make the trip to Washington, D.C., received a market research call last night, that appeared to be on behalf of Rep. Altmire, asking whether she would vote for him if he supported the Senate healthcare bill. This appears to be a direct contradiction of his statement made at the meeting.
Patti Weaver, organizer for the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement, stated, “We firmly believe the people of the fourth district are against Obamacare and this Senate bill. If Mr. Altmire wants to vote for something that our citizens don't support, which it appears he does, we will see to it that he is not reelected.”
Rep. Altmire, who previously worked for UPMC as their lead lobbyist, was asked if he would return to UPMC if he does not get reelected. He responded no.
Members of the group expressed concerns about language in the Senate bill indicating taxpayers would foot the bill for abortions. Rep. Altmire, who claims to be prolife and who voted for the Stupak Amendment, stated taxpayers would not be paying for abortion under the Senate bill.
Members of the Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement who were unable to travel to Washington protested at the local offices of Rep. Altmire yesterday. Fifty attended a protest at Rep. Altmire’s Natrona Heights office, and 40 attended a protest in his Aliquippa office. Protests will be held again today at the same offices.
Rep. Michele Bachmann and Mrs. Weaver participated in introducing the program Take The Town Halls to Washington (takethetownhallstowashington.com) on Tuesday night. Michele Bachmann and Mrs. Weaver encourage those opposed to the Senate bill to call, fax, email, write or visit representatives who support the Senate bill. Some of the grassroots’ footage of the group’s meeting with Rep. Altmire and footage of Rep. Bachmann’s comments at the press conference can be found at takethetownhallstowashington.com.
The Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement will pursue a Health Care Protection Act for Pennsylvania similar to that passed in seven states, Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming, and being drafted in approximately 38 other states. Health Care Protection Acts assert 10th Amendment rights to protect against a federally imposed individual mandate.
Media Contact: Patti Weaver 412-779-0854
Nancy Pelosi to House: Brace yourselves for a climactic health care vote
By GottaLaff
Via an e-mail alert from Politico:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her members Friday to brace themselves for a climatic [sic] health care vote as early as next week, warning them to clear their schedules for next weekend and promising to stay in session until the landmark vote, people present at the meeting told POLITICO. President Barack Obama has postponed an overseas trip until March 21, and Pelosi said, "I am delighted the president will be here for the passage of the bill. It will be historic."
For more information...http://www.politico.com
About time!
VIDEO- Fox's Neil Cavuto: "Polls Are Increasingly Looking Worse." Wrong.
By GottaLaff
I posted this yesterday:
Apparently Neil Cavuto didn't see it:
After examining the data, polling expert Mark Blumenthal concluded that “any way you slice it, there does appear to be a real tightening of opinion on health reform although as always, these results are snapshots and subject to change.”
Facts schmacts.
As usual, ClusterFoxers continue to say whatever they want, then quote and requote themselves and each other until they create their very own news cycle. Result: A new meme.
I'm guessing they've all had rhinoplasties.
Not sure why the guy on the right looks so surprised. Lying is a regular feature of Faux News.
Think Progress has more details here.
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