Robert Gibbs: Volcanic ash causes president to cancel trip to Poland

By GottaLaff

Via a Tweet just now, re: the funeral of Poland's president:

@PressSec: POTUS just called acting Pres Komorowski to say that volcanic ash will prevent him from traveling to Poland - stmt coming shortly...

Ed Henry tweets:

POTUS called acting Polish President Komorowski to express his continued condolences, according to Gibbs

VIDEO: Ann Coulter prepares human-rights complaint

By GottaLaff

Yesterday I posted about Ann Coulter's speech being canceled out of concerns for public safety (hers or theirs?). The Madam's Apple would have none of that.

It might have been more interesting had the University of Ottawa just let her shoot her mouth off and then had her arrested, but now we have a new wrinkle:

Right-wing firebrand Ann Coulter, who cancelled her speech to the University of Ottawa Tuesday night over fears for her safety, says she’s the victim of a hate crime under Canadian laws.

She said she’s hired Canadian conservative activist Ezra Levant to prepare a human-rights complaint that will test how equitably these hate-crime laws are applied.

Although one does have to qualify as human first, one would think. And when it comes to hate, well, I suppose we have to admit, she is an expert.

In an interview with The Globe, Ms. Coulter suggested the University of Ottawa’s provost, Francois Houle, is partly responsible for the angry crowds that opposed her speaking Tuesday night. He is the official who warned her in advance to watch what she said lest she incur criminal charges for hate speech.

The Madam had a few choice comments to make, as she's wont to do:

“I would like to know if any Muslim has been treated this badly, at least since the Reformation, because I am drawing a blank” [...]

“You guys used to be so cool. You were smokers. You had epic hockey fights. We had half our comedians from Canada. Now you’re all a bunch of girls named Francois.”

That ought to win over a few Canadian and Muslim hearts and minds.

Gosh, Ann, you're right as usual. Muslims have been treated like kings and queens. They have been put on pedestals and revered. They are never, ever treated "this badly".

By the way, the feminine, aka "girl" version is Francoise.

Via a comment from one of our Canadian readers:

Here in Canada, we do not justify hate speech in the name of freedom. When we pay thousands of tuition to our public institution, we expect them to uphold the law of the country and foster an environment that does not encourage empty headed bigots like Coulter, albeit an entertaining one. This is the same woman who stated on national tv Jews need to be perfected by accepting Christ into their life. Talk about fascistic believe in the name of religion.

Now, when America can send us a conservative with a political and intellectual discourse beyond the dark ages of Christian v. Muslim enemy dogma, we might let one speak in our universities.

Inciting hate and encouraging disenfranchising is her specialty. However, it's also worth noting that she has faded into the background some since Sarah Palin and the Tea Tantrumers started monopolizing the airwaves.

Extremism and vitriol have been amplified of late. That kind of freedom of speech is stirring up debate, which is the silver lining. It sure beats sweeping it under the carpet.

H/t: Ursula (who lives in Canada)

Coulter's Ottawa speech canceled over 'public safety' fears

By GottaLaff

The concerns for public safety should have been about exposing students to her in the first place:

Concerns for "public safety" forced the cancellation of American conservative commentator Ann Coulter's speaking engagement at the University of Ottawa Tuesday night.

Several hundred people, including students from both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, showed up prior to Coulter's speech. The loudest and most vociferous were protesting her presence, drowning out a smaller group of pro-Coulter demonstrators. [...]

"It's a public safety issue," said Sgt. Dan Beauchamp.

Yes indeedy, the Madam's Apple is a public safety issue. We've been saying that for years.

H/t: Coopster04

VIDEO: "Butt sniffer" SteeleFail interview with Tea Bagger radio host

By GottaLaff

Via Think Progress:



When Tea Baggers get angry, they get even more vile than usual, and that's sayin' something. Oh, but you already knew that.

As I posted yesterday, Michael Steele stood up ABC News. But there's more! He also blew off conservative Tea Baggy radio personality Dana Loesch, who tweeted her wrath. And in another tweet...

She also gave props to Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill (MO) for keeping her interview, writing, “So out of @clairecmc and @chairmanmsteele , McCaskill is the one who keeps her interview. #steelefail”

And how did she get even? Because, as we all know, acceptance isn't the Tea Baggers' strong suit. There were bound to be consequences. And consequences there were!

She interviewed herself... as Steele. And what an interview it was. Loud, strident, mocking... and ruthless. Why, she even shut herself up-- as Steele.

Let's just say Dana's not a big fan.

On the other hand, Michael Steele has become her new imaginary playmate, so maybe there's a reconciliation in their future. After all, she can't fight with her alter ego forever. That can wear a girl/guy out.

More here.

Michael Steele Abruptly Cancels Interview

By GottaLaff

Gee, can't imagine why. This is from Roll Call, which is subscription only, so we get the headline only:

Under fire from top donors and Congressional Republicans, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on Friday abruptly canceled a scheduled noon interview with ABC News — the network that has played host to some of Steele’s more controversial statements.

He's an embarrassment to the party, himself, and anyone who is withing sneezing distance. But hey, he be da man!

New Jersey Gay Marriage Vote Canceled

By GottaLaff

Legalizing expressions of love and commitment shouldn't be this hard:

Today's scheduled vote on a bill that would legalize same sex marriage in the Garden State was canceled late yesterday evening as the bill's sponsors feared a likely defeat, the New York Times reports.

Somebody give me a rational argument against this:

BREAKING: Oprah is canceling her show in two years

By GottaLaff

Via Twitter, FishbowlDC is reporting:

Oprah is canceling her show in two years

More soon.

UPDATE: ABC News is reporting it too:

Oprah Winfrey to Announce Decision to End Her Television Show in Sept. 2011

UPDATE #2:

The media mogul Oprah Winfrey will end her iconic daytime talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” in 2011 as she prepares to start a cable channel of her own.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Winfrey’s production company confirmed Thursday evening that Ms. Winfrey will make the announcement on her program on Friday. [...]

“The sun will set on the Oprah show as its 25th season draws to a close on September 9, 2011,” WABC said.

It's all about The Cables.

Clinton-Bush "death-match faceoff" called off

By GottaLaff

What's that? It wasn't a super duper ultra mega ultimate death match faceoff challenge at all? It was just some panel thingy?

A "debate" between former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush "has been nixed because the promoter overhyped it as a death-match faceoff between the men," the New York Post reports.

A Clinton spokesman "said the appearance was never slated to be a 'debate' and was actually a moderated panel discussion with the 42nd and 43rd leaders of the free world."

Premature jubilation-- Spanish AG: No torture probe of US officials

By GottaLaff

Remember those indictments? Never mind. Premature jubilation:

Spain's attorney general has rejected opening an investigation into whether six Bush administration officials sanctioned torture against terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, saying Thursday a U.S. courtroom would be the proper forum.

Candido Conde-Pumpido's remarks severely dampen the chance of a case moving forward against the Americans, including former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Conde-Pumpido said such a trial would have turned Spain's National Court "into a plaything" to be used for political ends.

"If there is a reason to file a complaint against these people, it should be done before local courts with jurisdiction, in other words in the United States," he said in a breakfast meeting with journalists. [...]

Gonzalo Boye, one of the human rights lawyers who brought the case in Spain, said the decision by Conde-Pumpido was politically motivated and set a terrible course for Spanish justice.

"The attorney general speaks of the court being turned into a plaything. Well, I don't think the attorney general's office should be turned into a plaything for politicians," Boye told AP. "It is a terrible precedent if those intellectually responsible for crimes can no longer be held accountable."

In addition, it turns out that the U.S. talked to them... and then this happened. But wait:

The Spanish prosecutors advised the Americans that they would suspend their investigation if at any point the United States were to undertake an investigation of its own into these matters.

Could this mean a U.S. investigation is in the works? I'm looking for a silver lining here.

Rick Warren cancels ABC appearance

By GottaLaff

So I'm thumbing through my L.A. Times, and I notice that Rev. Rick Warren would be on George Stephanopoulososlousolsousoluos. "Oh, good!" I exclaimed. "Now Rev. Rick can explain this!" I bounded around the house, rubbing my little liberal fascist, communist, socialist hands together in anticipation. My hopes were so high!

But then....

But then.... this happened:

Pastor Rick Warren, after making apparently contradictory statements about his stance on a gay-marriage measure, canceled an Easter Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week” just “moments before the scheduled interview,” host George Stephanopoulos told viewers.

Stephanopoulos said Warren’s representatives said the best-selling evangelical author was “sick with exhaustion.” The host told viewers that he wished the pastor a speedy recovery.

He must be exhausted. He'd just executed one of the most strenuous flip-flops in history. Yes, history, and that's no easy feat. Here's hopes for a speedy recovery and the ability to rebound, both physically and morally.

Pro-life group wants Notre Dame to rescind Obama invitation

By GottaLaff

Anti-choicers' rescinding invitations is the new hottt trend in Rushpublicland. Next thing you know, they'll be selling "Shun [fill in name here]!" tee shirts and mugs, because, you see, nobody should ever have an opposing viewpoint. Not ever. Marching in lockstep is a must. Rushbots are a members-only club; location: Stepford. Independent thinkers need not apply.

As you may recall, Michael Steele got shunned by a Roman Catholic bishop for daring to hint at a pro-choice view. Now the National Right to Life Committee is going after President Obama:

The National Right to Life Committee is calling on the University of Notre Dame to rescind its invitation to President Obama to speak at the university's May commencement.

In a letter sent to Notre Dame's president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, the pro-life group called President Obama the "Abortion president," and that the school's invite "is a betrayal of the University's mission and an affront to all who believe in the sanctity and dignity of human life."

Indeed. Just the other day, President Obama made that speech in which he displayed a huge tally board of abortions, hoping to encourage more women to get them so he could add to his numbers. He's such an evil life-hater. Impeach him now!

Incidentally, how are his pro-choice views relevant to what he might *choose* to speak about?

The National Right to Life Committee isn't the only Catholic group raising objections over the university's invitation.

The conservative Cardinal Newman Society has launched notredamescandal.com, a website opposing Notre Dame's decision to honor President Obama in South Bend, Indiana. As of Tuesday, over 50,000 conservative Catholics have signed the online petition protesting the invite.

The Catholic vote is important, but freedom of choice is more important.

UPDATE From Paddy- I called Rev Jenkins' office earlier and made a point of telling them that not all Catholics want to stiffle speech, and that a vibrant institution of higher learning listens to all voices. The lady who answered the phone seemed almost achingly grateful, so if you have a minute give Rev Jenkin's office (574-631-8261) a call or drop them an email note here. Don't let the crazies rule the day.

Coulter canceled

By GottaLaff

This and this prove that there is nobody more deserving of cancellation than the Madam's Apple:

Ann Coulter's appearance on the "Today" show has been canceled.

NBC had come under fire for booking Coulter, who had been scheduled to promote her new book, Guilty, on the "Today" show Thursday morning.

Score one for our side. What does the poor Madam have to say about this? Here's her website entry. Please note, the author [sic] can't spell either (Hey Madam, "canceled" has one L):

TODAY SHOW AND TODAY SHOW FOURTH HOUR: CANCELLED!

I guess this ends the "they just want to get ratings" argument about liberal media bias.

Disclaimer: TPC is proud of our liberal blog bias.

Coulter will appear on CBS' "Early Show" Tuesday morning to promote the book, according to her website.

CBS: Coulter Book Sellers.

H/t: Ellen