Video- President's Weekly Address: The Olympic Spirit, the Spirit of Bipartisanship, and Health Reform

PhotOh! Canada: "At least we have health care"

By GottaLaff

After Canada's loss to the USA on Sunday, someone snapped this painful reminder of what we so badly need here, and what our neighbors to the north already have.

This picture was not taken by the reader who linked me (dawgs529), so he says he cannot verify its authenticity.

Video Essay: The Mysteries of Curling

I can't be the only person who's curious about this sport? Reminds me a bit of billiards on ice. More background here.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

Cartoon of the Day

Click to enlarge, via.

Video- Bidens at Olympic opening ceremony

Is Rudy Giuliani Done with Politics?

By GottaLaff

Signs point to yes:

New York Daily News: "Further proof that Rudy Giuliani is less than focused on running for office has emerged in an unlikely spot -- Rio de Janeiro."

He's just been hired by the city as a long-term security adviser for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Security adviser, perfect... Because, as we all know, he did so well on 9/11.

VIDEO- Meet the Press: Will Olympic loss reflect poorly on Obama?

By GottaLaff

Did anyone else think that, generally on Meet the Press today, Rachel was overtalked nearly every time she tried to chime in?

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

AP: Obama is SUCH a loser

By GottaLaff

The state of the corporate media today is summed up in this AP piece that parrots the talkiest of Rushpublic talking points:

• Despite Obama's fabled charm and powers of persuasion, his in-person plea for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Games fell flat. It was a hugely embarrassing defeat.
• He's trying to do too much at once.
• He doesn't have what it takes to close a deal.
• He is a celebrity, for sure, but is that always a good thing?
• He's too casual with the use of his own time.
• He's junior varsity-league, still learning on the job.

It's a good thing we have pros like that to inform us instead of bloggers who can't get anything right, don't verify their facts, and just pretend to be journalists.

H/t: TPM

VIDEO: What makes conservatives happy

By GottaLaff



So this is what makes "patriotic" Rushpublic conservatives happy. Silly me. I thought they would have been more thrilled had America and the president, you know, succeeded:

A number of conservatives have spoken out against Obama's trip to Copenhagen this week, but participants at an Americans for Prosperity summit take their glee at Chicago's loss to another level, erupting in applause at the news. Hotline

Please read the post down thread by my 72-year-old pal. He has strong feelings about this, too.

The Olympics: Special Comment by my 72-year-old friend

By GottaLaff

My very caring, impassioned 72-year-old Twitter pal, who goes by the name 42bkdodgr, would like to share his feelings about the latest events surrounding the Olympics. I am more than happy to oblige.

Take it away, 42bkdodgr:

Earlier in the week it was announced that President Obama would be going to Copenhagen to support Chicago’s bid for 2016 summer Olympics. Other heads of state were also going there to make presentations for their countries.

The Republican leadership immediately attacked the President for making the trip even though he would be out of the country less than 24 hours.

House Minority Leader John Boehner criticized the President for “going to go off to Copenhagen when we've got serious issues here at home that need to be debated." Republication National Committee Chairman Michael Steele also criticized the President along the same lines.

Many of the critics focused on Chicago being the President’s home town and not that this Olympic bid was for America.

After the Olympic Committee didn’t select Chicago for the 2016 Olympics the conservative media rejoiced that Chicago wasn’t selected and in Obama’s failure to do so.

Doesn’t the Republican leadership and the conservative media realize that securing the Olympics for Chicago and the United States, would have create thousands of jobs across America to prepare for and run the Olympics... while at the same time giving a boost to our tourism industry?

In these bad economic times what this country needs are jobs for the people and brighter future, yet the President was being criticized for trying to do that.

To revel in this country failure to get the 2016 Olympics and calling it Obama’s failure is like they were rooting for our country to fail; and these people call themselves patriots.

Can you imagine what the uproar would have been if Chicago didn’t get the Olympics and Obama had stayed home? I can assure you the cry would have been, why didn’t he go when other heads of states were there.

The Republican Party and conservatives media, time and time again, seem to be more interested in seeing Obama fail than what may be be best for the people and the country. Republicans show their only interest is regaining power.

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

VIDEO: Obama speaks about 2016 Olympic loss, unemployment

By GottaLaff

President Obama on Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid loss and on unemployment:



The Rushpublics consider America's loss a real victory. Isn't that patriotic?

Alan Grayson: "It's just another Republican hissy fit.... Do they have to make it about me? "

By GottaLaff

Alan Grayson is on with MSNBC's David Shuster as we speak:

It's just another Republican hissy fit.... Do they have to make it about me?

I could have used different words, said it was a disaster for America, that over 1 million people have lost their lives since I was born... Words are not important, LIVES are....

We see the emperor has no clothes... it's been 72 hours since I said that. They've got NOTHIN'.

To Republicans: You can lead, you can follow, or get out of the way.

Q: Will you vote for a bill without a public option?

I will vote for any bill that saves lives and saves money. That's what this is all about.

American lost its bid for the Olympics... The Republicans are celebrating. Isn't that great.

Someone should remind me of which team they're really on.

Plain spoken and tough. How refreshing.

White House smacks down Fox lies

By GottaLaff

The White House has a thing or two to say about a thing or two:

Reality Check: Trying to Turn a Point of Pride into a Moment of Shame

Last night Fox News continued its disregard for the facts in an attempt to smear the Administration's efforts to win the Olympics for the United States. In the past, hosting the Olympics has been a source of pride and unity for the country, but once again Fox News' Glenn Beck program has shown that nothing is worthy of respect if it can be used as part of a partisan attack to boost ratings.

RHETORIC: BECK SAID VANCOUVER LOST $1 BILLION WHEN IT "HAD THE OLYMPICS." Glenn Beck said, "Vancouver lost, how much was it? they lost a billion dollars when they had the Olympics." [Transcript, Glenn Beck Show, 9/29/09]

REALITY: VANCOUVER'S OLYMPICS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL 2010. Vancouver will host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games from February 12 – 28, 2010 and March 12-21, 2010, respectively. [Vancouver2010.com, accessed 9/29/09]

RHETORIC: VALERIE JARRETT "WAS LAST SEEN WITH THE NEA." Beck's guest, FOX News contributor Pat Caddell, said, "[Obama] is going to go [to Copenhagen] with Valerie Jarrett who was last seen with the NEA pumping up their use of, you know, money." [Transcript, Glenn Beck Show, 9/29/09]

REALITY: VALERIE JARRETT WAS NOT ON THE NEA CONFERENCE CALL. Valerie Jarrett was not a participant in the August 10, 2009 United We Serve/NEA conference call.

RHETORIC: CHICAGO IS CLOSING THE GOVERNMENT SEVERAL DAYS A WEEK BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BE OPEN. Beck's guest Caddell said, "Chicago is closing the government several days a week because they cannot afford to be open. They are going to go and reward -- this is the biggest scandal." [Transcript, Glenn Beck Show, 9/29/09
]

REALITY: CHICAGO HAS HAD ONE REDUCED-SERVICE DAY IN 2009, AND WILL HAVE TWO MORE ON THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND ON CHRISTMAS EVE. On August 17, 2009, CBS Chicago reported, "If you planned to check out a library book, visit a city clinic or have your garbage picked up on Monday, you're out of luck. The City of Chicago is basically closed for business on Aug. 17, a reduced-service day in which most city employees are off without pay. City Hall, public libraries, health clinics and most city offices will be closed. Emergency service providers including police, firefighters and paramedics are working at full strength, but most services not directly related to public safety, including street sweeping, will not be provided. That also includes garbage pickup. Residents who receive regular collection on Mondays should expect trash to be picked up on Tuesday. Some other customers may experience a one-day delay as collectors catch up. As part of the 2009 budget, three reduced-service days were planned for 2009, days which are unpaid for all affected employees -- the Friday after Thanksgiving; Christmas Eve; and New Year's Eve. The City Council recently approved moving the reduced-service day planned for New Year's Eve to Monday. The 2009 budget anticipates saving $8.3 million due to the reduced-service days. In addition to reduced service days, all non-union employees were asked to take a series of furlough days and unpaid holidays, and most non-sworn union employees agreed to similar unpaid time off." [CBS Chicago, 8/17/09]

RHETORIC: VALERIE JARRETT WILL BENEFIT FINANCIALLY. Beck asked, "Is it possible that she is going to benefit if the Olympics come to Chicago?" Caddell responded, "Well, that’s the word. She has certainly had a lot of dealings going on in real estate." [Transcript, Glenn Beck Show, 9/29/09]

REALITY: UPON ENTERING GOVERNMENT, VALERIE JARRETT DIVESTED ALL HER REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS EXCEPT FOR A SINGLE INVESTMENT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OLYMPIC BID. Valerie Jarrett divested all her investment real estate holdings upon entering government except for a single real estate holding that she was unable to sell. This single real estate investment has been determined by White House Counsel and the independent Office of Government Ethics to present no conflict of interest in performing her duties as a White House advisor. It has nothing to do with the Olympic bid.

--

For even more Fox lies, check out the latest "Truth-O-Meter" feature from Politifact that debunks a false claim about a White House staffer that continues to be repeated by Glenn Beck and others on the network.

Take that!

Assimilate THIS, Lou Dobbs

By GottaLaff

What a great story this is:

Henry Cejudo’s uniquely American story started with a single mother who taught him what it meant to truly fight. His mother Nelly – an undocumented immigrant — moved him and his siblings several times chasing work and opportunity, scraping by, ensuring her kids got an education. And along the way, the family found a channel for both the tough resilience she modeled and the country they loved through the sport of freestyle wrestling. [...]

And now America has both an unexpected gold medal and a new hero. [...]

It has become commonplace on the right to talk about how recent immigrants, and particularly undocumented immigrants and their children, do not want to assimilate, learn English or identify themselves as truly American.

Yet this family – all of them proud to be the cheering voice of the United States in a city on the other side of the planet – did our country proud:

They all wore or waved American flags, an entire family decked in the stars and stripes. A family that started with illegal immigrants and advanced to right here, this moment, their very own gold medalist resting in their lap.

“Only in America,” Cejudo said.

Tell that to Tom Tancredo.

Olympic Fireworks Faked For TV

Just a strange thing.

The global television audience of more than three billion people watched in amazement as a series of giant footprints outlined in fireworks proceeded through the night sky from Tiananmen Square to the Bird's Nest stadium - except they were watching a computer animation.

Even the giant television screens within the stadium itself broadcast the fake images.

Stunned viewers thought they were watching the string of fireworks filmed from above by a helicopter.

But in reality they were watching a 3D graphics sequence that took almost a year to produce.

Video: George Bush disrespects American flag at Olympics

By GottaLaff


I was hoping somebody would YouTube this. I saw it during the Olympics coverage, and couldn't believe our patriotic, wartime president would treat the flag with such disrespect.

This is acceptable, but if Obama doesn't wear a flag-shaped piece of tin, made in China, he's unAmerican. If McCain leaves his disabled wife for a younger, wealthier woman, that's fine too. But let's not forget to condemn John Edwards 24/7.

Why John Edwards admitted his affair today

By GottaLaff

Fireworks illuminate the National Stadium during opening ceremonies. (Photo: Jonathan Newton/Post)

UPDATE:

Edwards said he told his wife, Elizabeth, and others in his family about the affair in 2006.

Edwards made a point of telling Woodruff that his wife's cancer was in remission when he began the affair with Hunter. Elizabeth Edwards has since been diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease.

That whole "remission" statement isn't helping.

McCopyCat will run Olympic ads, too

By GottaLaff

Again, who's the leader an who's the follower?

John McCain won't cede the pricey Olympics airwaves to Barack Obama.

The Republican presidential candidate plans to run $6 million worth of TV commercials on NBC broadcast and cable channels during the Summer Games in Beijing. McCain committed the money just a few days before Friday's opening ceremonies and a few weeks after his Democratic rival's campaign signaled its intention to spend some $5 million on ads.

Republican and Democratic officials with knowledge of the purchases confirmed the advertising plans that were first reported by the Web site of Advertising Age, a magazine that covers the industry.

Go ahead, McDesperate, run out your bank account.