VIDEO- Cawffee Tawk: Coffee Party kickoff a "huge success"

By GottaLaff




(A little something for you Streisand fans)

Coffee, tea, or me?

The new Coffee Party movement deemed its official kickoff Saturday a "huge success," with dozens of talks held at coast-to-coast coffee shops as members came together to discuss the issues most important to them.

Billed by many as an answer to the conservative Tea Party movement, the Coffee Party was born on Facebook just six weeks ago. While the group has become an instant hit online -- it boasts more than 141,000 Facebook fans as of Saturday -- gauging the success of this weekend's coffee meetups was predicted to be an indicator of the group's strength.

Who knew beverages would generate such political involvement? I feel like I'm gonna burst from all these liquids. Give me a solid Progressive party any time.

Tawk amongst y'selves:

At Java Monkey in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, coordinator Stacey Hopkins said turnout far exceeded expectations, with around 60 people participating at the "very productive" meeting where health care reform was the overriding issue. [...]

Coffee Party founder Annabel Park, who worked as a volunteer for Barack Obama's presidential campaign and Democratic Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia's 2006 campaign, says the group is not "aligned" with any party and calls the two-party system out of date.

If you link to the article, you'll see they have a few things in common with the Tea Tantrumers, except for that whole civility thing. It's all about a revolution.

If you thought there was a punch line coming, you were right:

So what does the Tea Party movement think of this new sensation?

"This Coffee Party looks like a weak attempt at satire or a manufactured response to a legitimate widespread grassroots movement," says Brendan Steinhauser, director of federal and state campaigns for FreedomWorks, a nonprofit conservative organization that helps train volunteer activists and has provided much of the organizational heft behind the Tea Party movement.

"It's driven from the top down and it's not a grass-roots movement driven from the bottom up," Jim Hoft of the St. Louis Tea Party said.

I had no idea Tea Tantrumers had such a well-developed sense of humor.

Jay Rockefeller Blasts "Gang of Six"

By GottaLaff

Bad Dogs!

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) is tired of the focus on the Senate Finance Committee's "gang of six" senators that is negotiating a bipartisan health care reform bill, reports Politico.

Said Rockefeller: "All the attention is going to those three Republicans... you just watch as this bill diminishes. Those three won't be there when the bill passes."

The three Republicans: Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Olympia Snowe of Maine and Mike Enzi of Wyoming. Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) "has insisted on their support in getting the Senate health bill out of committee."

Rushpublic support is completely unrealistic. It's about time to reject them the way one rejects an abusive boy/girlfriend. This is all about being healthy, after all.

Blackwater Founder Implicated in Murder + Bonus Blackwater for Dummeez!

By GottaLaff

Via Jeremy Scahill:

A former Blackwater employee and an ex-US Marine who has worked as a security operative for the company have made a series of explosive allegations in sworn statements filed on August 3 in federal court in Virginia. The two men claim that the company's owner, Erik Prince, may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. The former employee also alleges that Prince "views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe," and that Prince's companies "encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life."

In their testimony, both men also allege that Blackwater was smuggling weapons into Iraq. One of the men alleges that Prince turned a profit by transporting "illegal" or "unlawful" weapons into the country on Prince's private planes. They also charge that Prince and other Blackwater executives destroyed incriminating videos, emails and other documents and have intentionally deceived the US State Department and other federal agencies. The identities of the two individuals were sealed out of concerns for their safety.

These allegations, and a series of other charges, are contained in sworn affidavits, given under penalty of perjury, filed late at night on August 3 in the Eastern District of Virginia as part of a seventy-page motion by lawyers for Iraqi civilians suing Blackwater for alleged war crimes and other misconduct.

Well over a year ago, I wrote up a post called Blackwater for Dummeez. I think it's time to repost it (keep in mind, the information was compiled in October 2007):

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 Amount Paid

2001 $736,906

2002 $3,415,884

2003 $25,395,556

2004 $48,496,903

2005 $352,871,817

2006 $593,601,952

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:

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.

That's what they do.

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!

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.

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!

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:

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.

What's a mercenary to do? He has to invest his hard earned wages somewhere, doesn't he?

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?

VIDEO: Teabaggers Scream Pledge Of Allegiance At Sen. Carl Levin

By GottaLaff

The Tea Tantrumers caught sight of Carl Levin, far, far away, and felt the need to pledge allegiance to the American flag:



If I were to catch sight of certain Rushpublics far, far away, I would be thrilled that they are far, far away and ignore them.

When I catch sight of of certain Rushpublics on the Tee Vee Machine, I scream obscenities or turn the channel.

When I catch sight of Democrats, I'll let you know. I've never seen any of the well-known ones in person.

When I catch sight of the American flag, I recite the Pledge of Allegiance when it is appropriate to do so.

Why Republicans Oppose Public Option: They Can't Afford America to Succeed

By GottaLaff

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

As some perceptive economists have pointed out, the stagnant and disappearing wages of the American worker have been replaced with staggering debt. And on this debt, we pay interest that goes to Wall Street -- where they gamble it away -- after buying off enough senators and representatives to ensure that they, in the words of Assistant Majority Leader Senator Dick Durbin, control Capitol Hill.

Therefore, if everybody is insured for healthcare, that means there will be billions of dollars in less debt for banks to charge usurious interest rates on.

Are you beginning to get the picture? [...]

Republicans and the Blue Dog RepubliCrats need Americans to fail in order to ensure that Wall Street can continue its lavish, reckless lifestyle. And ensuring that means that the campaign contributions keep flowing into the coffers of Max Baucus and company.

It's one heck of a racket, a legalized fleecing scheme.

Bingo.

You can read the whole piece here.

Quickie: GOP Senators say health care deal a no go for now

By GottaLaff

Today's Quickie:

The Party of No Way speaks:

CNN just reported that GOP senators say deal now out of reach before August recess. Now they can air misleading ads galore. Way to go, Rushpublics. America first.

That was today's Quickie. Will you still respect me in the morning?

Think Progress: Infamous Astroturf Lobbying Firm Behind New Anti-Health Reform Group

By GottaLaff

A must-read, but here are some excerpts:

The new anti-health reform front group known as the Coalition to Protect Patients’ Rights, is being managed by the lobbying firm known as the DCI Group. After being contacted by ThinkProgress this afternoon about its sponsorship of CPPR’s press conference last week, DCI Group staffers acknowledged that they coordinate PR for the front group. Not be confused with Conservatives for Patients’ Rights, another front group opposing health reform, CPPR has been organizing lobbying efforts against health reform and publishing op-eds across the country with misinformation about the public option.

Tom Synhorst, a former staffer to Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Bob Dole, joined fellow right-wing operatives Doug Goodyear and Tim Hyde to form DCI Group in 1996. The firm quickly flourished working for the tobacco industry, coordinating a sophisticated astroturf campaign to build public opposition to tobacco regulations. Ironically, before helping to manage this “patients’ rights” campaign, DCI founded “Smokers’ Rights” groups across the country for the tobacco lobby. Indeed, DCI has specialized in manufacturing “grassroots” support — using telemarketers, PR events, and letter writing campaigns — to achieve policy results for narrow corporate interests:

– The DCI Group was retained by the pharmaceutical industry to whip up public opposition against House legislation that would permit the reimportation of FDA-approved drugs from Canada and elsewhere. [Washington Monthly, December/2003]

– The DCI Group worked with Republicans to form various “grassroots” front-groups to amplify President Bush’s call to privatize Social Security. [Center for Media and Democracy, 3/18/05]

– Chris LaCivita, a former DCI Group staffer, took a lead role in organizing the Swift Boat Veterans campaign to smear John Kerry and his war record. [CommonDreams, 8/31/04]

– The DCI Group was behind spoof videos mocking Al Gore and global warming. The firm has been retained by ExxonMobil to lobby. [Wall Street Journal, 8/3/06; Exxon Secrets, accessed 7/28/09

This is what we're up against.

Reid backs Baucus, expects health bill by recess

By GottaLaff

Repeat after me, Harry: Public option is mandatory. Public option is mandatory. Public option is madatory:

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) reiterated his party’s case for healthcare, refusing to get drawn into a description of the Finance Committee talks and sidestepping a question about whether he favors a public option. [...]

Asked Tuesday whether a bill would be produced this week, Baucus said “I hope so” without elaborating.

Reid stepped out to defend Baucus at a mid-afternoon press conference, but avoided details. Asked if he was confident that a bill will reach the Senate floor by the time the recess begins on Aug. 7, Reid simply said, "Yes."Pushing back against Republican criticism, Reid also reiterated Democrats’ vow to pass a health reform plan that is fully funded.

“Any plan that passes the Senate will be fully paid for,” Reid said. “When all of the numbers are crunched, the number on the bottom line will be zero … We are long overdue for changes in our healthcare system. The biggest cost to the American public is inaction.”

Meanwhile, GOP leaders continued their public-relations onslaught against the Democratic health agenda, claiming Obama’s ideas would force Americans to lose their current healthcare and bankrupt the system.

Top Republicans also said they aren’t afraid of a voter backlash if healthcare dies in Congress because they believe the public will understand the details.

1. The public often fails to understand details, which is why Dems often fall short when trying to sell their ideas.

2. The only thing the Rushpublics will insist the public understands is their convoluted spin.

3. Harry, read my lips: Public option. That's something the public understands, wants, and is one detail they will remember at election time.

Finally! Revealed! House Republican Health Care Plan

By GottaLaff

So. There you have it.

Questions?

H/t: Shoq

Durbin: No pre-recess vote on healthcare

By GottaLaff

The impossible dream:

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Wednesday acknowledged for the first time that a pre-recess vote on healthcare reform is unlikely.

“We’re going to take a little longer to get it right,” Durbin told The Hill when asked about the oft-stated goal of a vote on or before Aug. 7, when a monthlong Senate recess begins. “Initially we had hoped for a full vote by then, but I don’t think it’s going to be possible.”

Delaying the vote until after Labor Day would all but erase hopes of getting a bill to President Obama by mid-October, since the House and Senate versions would have to be reconciled in conference negotiations — assuming they pass their chambers.Durbin said the bill was still largely on track, however, denying that momentum has stalled.

"I don't think so," he said. "This is a complex challenge, and we're taking a reasonable approach with it. It would be better if some Republicans joined us instead of just criticizing." [...]

What is likely, according to Democratic aides, is to have the unified version of that bill introduced on the floor before the recess, even if it is not brought to a final vote.

But approximately 80 amendments are expected to the bill, which would take up several days of debate.

Republicans are also likely to insist that all 40 of their members speak on the Senate floor about the Supreme Court nomination of Sonia Sotomayor before that vote, taking up still more time.

VIDEO-- Fat head at Fox News: Surgeon General too fat

By GottaLaff



"She shouldn't even be considered Surgeon General." And Faux Noise shouldn't be considered a news channel, but that doesn't stop them:

In support of this argument, they had on as a guest some guy wearing a "No Chubbies" T-shirt. [...]

It's not just Fox. ABC has a straight news story about Benjamin's weight. I don't remember C. Everett Koop being svelte. But then he wasn't black or a woman. [...]

The Fox guest is quite a character. His name is Michael Karolchyk, and he runs an outfit in Denver called the Anti-Gym (NSFW), a fitness club with an emphasis on getting clients in shape for sex: "With live DJs, cage dancers, and our elite co-ed Ravish Room, Anti-Gym boasts the hottest facilities and clientele in Denver."

More about that, and the "Ravish Room" here. Stellar guest on a stellar channel.

Fox needs a "Rubbish Room".

RNC memo: ‘[E]ngage in every activity we can to slow down’ health care.

By GottaLaff

From the tone of the Comments in this thread (liveblog of President Obama's speech), it's obvious the GOP is in a bit of a panic. As you can see by the quote below, they are trying to do everything possible to prevent the Rushpublic party from going down... because if Obama gets his health care reform done, they are toast. Burnt toast.

Too bad this is all they have:

In a 12-page memo obtained by the Huffington Post, the RNC urges Republicans to “engage in every activity we can to slow down” health care reform: [...]

“The Republican National Committee will engage in every activity we can to slow down this mad rush while promoting sensible alternatives that address health care costs and preserve quality,” the memo affirmatively declares.

The memo also encourages members to organize town halls, write op-eds, and even engage in “street theater” protests outside Democratic events. “And in a bit of irony,” Huffington Post notes, “the memo’s authors encourage readers to frame the president as the one acting out of political motivations.” Indeed, one section of the memo reads, “Yes the party of change is up to the same old political tricks.”

Pot. Kettle. Political tricksters.

They must be organizing to comment on blogs, too. We haven't had an influx of trolls like this for quite awhile... which suits us just fine. Every time a troll comments an angel gets its wings we register more hits (ad revenue). But that's not important now. What is important is the hypocrisy. As in:

"America first": that's their motto.

Because, you know, our health care system has worked so well for us* so far. I pay $20,000 a year, what do you pay? And what do you get?

Did I mention I have to wait months for an appointment, weeks if it's urgent, days if it's extra super duper urgent? Die, baby, die.

Your thoughts?

*"And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."

Family Values? RNC Web site promoting anti-Semitic, anti-Latino, and pornographic literature

By GottaLaff

I'm running out of synonyms for "astonishing", "offensive", "despicable", "bigotry", "hypocrisy", and "just plain stupid":

[T]he GOP started promoting it's new Web site, http://www.gop.com/obamacard/. The site is supposed to showcase how much money President Obama is supposedly spending by letting you, the visitor, spend money too on your new "Obama credit card." [...]

Just what products does the RNC propose you buy with your new Obama credit card? Anti-semitic, anti-Latino, and overtly pornographic literature - with pictures to boot.

Basically, the RNC site is set up as a faux online business, like Amazon.com, where you can buy goods by doing word searches. Search for the word "car," for instance, and you get pictures of various cars and how much you can pay for them with your ObamaCard.

But don't stop there. Do a search for products dealing with the word "Jew" and the RNC suggests you buy the book "The Jews and Their Lies" (bottom left).

Type in "Latino" and get "The Latino Threat."

But the real fun starts when you type in the word "gay."

Gay, you see, is banned by the RNC (at least they haven't lost their sense of irony). "Homosexual," however, is a product you can buy at the RNC site, and oh what they showcase with that word (note the two men in the upper left corner - perhaps they're just very close friends, like Lindsey Graham and Aaron Schock).

I'll stop there. Please go to AMERICAblog for the rest. If you dare.

AUDIO: Americans Will Die If Health Care Reform Passes

By GottaLaff

Dear god! Help! He-e-e-elp! The Socialist Commie Democrat Evildoers are trying to kill us! G-A-A-A!

Interviewed by the Washington Times, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) was asked if “government-run health care” will “end up killing more people than it saves?” Coburn responded, “Absolutely.”

A couple of right-wing congressman voiced similar doom-and-gloom rhetoric on the House floor yesterday:

Rep. Steve King (R-IA): “They’re going to save money by rationing care, getting you in a long line. Places like Canada, United Kingdom, and Europe. People die when they’re in line.”

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX): “One in five people have to die because they went to socialized medicine! … I would hate to think that among five women, one of ‘em is gonna die because we go to socialized care.”

That's right, folks, improving health care will kill you. Hmm? What's that? Hang on, something's coming through my imaginary earpiece:

[A]s the chart below shows, the U.S. spends the most per person on health care, but actually has worst life expectancies than many countries which spend less:

(click on image to enlarge)

Compared with Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, the United States ranks last in all dimensions of a high performance health system: quality, access, efficiency, equity, and healthy lives. The United States currently ranks 50th out of 224 nations in life expectancy, with an average life span of 78.1 years, according to 2009 estimates from the CIA World Factbook.

Ogeez, I just read that last part!

The Bullying Behind GOP Young Republican Chair's "Racist" Win

By GottaLaff

The story that just won't end. I've posted about Audra Shay's winning the Young Rushpublics chairmanship here, here, and here. Now we get some behind-the-scenes crasskerfuffletrashitude:

Perhaps less remarkable than the outcome–new Young Republicans Chairman Audra Shay bragged on her Facebook page that she had pledges from the majority of delegate going in–was how the vote played out. Yesterday’s election was closed to members of the press, but The Daily Beast has pulled together an account of the vote, and the runup to it, and the details are shocking. Some highlights:

• Shay’s opponent, Rachel Hoff, was the subject of an ugly sexual innuendo whisper campaign that questioned her reasons for supporting civil unions.

• Shay’s electoral slate, dubbed Team Renewal, battled desperately–some likened it to intimidation–and, ultimately, successfully to block a motion that would have allowed delegates to cast their votes by secret ballot, for fear they’d lose.

• Near-fistfights on the floor, and finally something of a boycott, as some of Hoff’s slate of candidates lower on the ticket chose to remove their names from the ballot after her defeat.

“They just took a vote that may have set the party back 30 years,” said the co-founder of HipHopRepublican.com, Lenny McAllister, speaking from the floor of the Hyatt convention hall. “They just voted for a candidate who has a demonstrated tolerance for racial intolerance. She has joked about lynching and then claimed to be a victim. As a black man, I still don’t see what’s funny about that.”

Classy bunch, huh?

VIDEO: GOP shrugs off Cheney’s Concealment Of CIA Program

By GottaLaff

In support of DickFail:

On the Sunday shows this morning, several Republican lawmakers attempted to defend or divert attention away from the revelation about Cheney. “I don’t think we should be jumping to any conclusions,” said Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) on ABC’s This Week. Kyl claimed that Cheney’s alleged actions were “not out of the ordinary” [...]

On Face The Nation today, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) defended Cheney, saying that "some of the Intelligence Committee people are pushing back on those stories. "I don't know what the facts are. But I believe that Vice President Cheney served his country with as much fidelity as he could possibly give to it. And he tried to serve us in an effective way. And I hope that nothing like this would impact on his outstanding record," said Sessions.

The Nation of Dick lied again? Yaaaawwwn. Torture? ::Shrug:: Secret spy program? Z-z-z-z-z-z.

The Fox Nation Declares Victory Over Obama

By GottaLaff

Who's up for some yummy winger deceit? Hands? Oh goody, because here's some now! Lookee how The Fox Nation set this up:

Thanks to News Corpse, we get a heaping bucket of extra crispy Rushpublic lunacy:

To compound the absurdity of this item, the article linked to the headline is a story in the Washington Post that merely describes a delay due to the fullness of the Senate calendar. The Senate is busy with its top priority, the healthcare bill, and Sen. Barbara Boxer, the chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, insists that the Climate Change bill will be addressed when the Senate returns from its August break. In other words, there is no “victory” in any legislative sense. The bill is moving forward in a relatively routine fashion.

So while the Fox Nation swaggers before its Mission Accomplished banner, the only real victory they have achieved is the unmasking of their deceit and their intent to manipulate public opinion. Now that is a cause to celebrate.

Young Republicans Choose Hate

By GottaLaff

Chip Sommedevilla / Getty Images

Original posts here and here. Freedom of choice just took on a whole new meaning:

Audra Shay, the Young Republican leader accused of endorsing racism on Facebook, was elected head of the group for GOP members under 40 this afternoon.

Audra Shay, the Young Republican leader who became the subject of a national controversy after The Daily Beast uncovered racist comments she wrote on Facebook and other social networking sites, won the race to become head of the Young Republicans by approximately 50 votes (out of about 950 voting delegates) at their national convention this afternoon in Indianapolis.

Are we surprised? No we are not. Especially not in light of this big, steaming, racist pile of Commenters at Freeperland, we aren't.

According to George P. Bush, son of Jeb Bush, “Rachel’s professionalism, hard work, and leadership will well-represent the GOP.” Sarah Huckabee, daughter of Mike Huckabee, said, “Rachel Hoff’s approach to politics and life seems to be: ‘Stand Up and Lead.’”

Change you can gag at. So much for rebranding. Just ask Ba-ba-ba-Bobby Jindal:

She ran on the platform of “Restore, Revitalize, Reinforce,” which emphasized rebranding the Young Republicans as more hip through Facebook and Twitter, and spreading "our message of lower taxes and less government to these corners and let people know that we’re here and we’ll hold the Democrats’ feet to the fire.” She was endorsed in the election by her governor, Bobby Jindal.

And here's how she deals with controversy. Those accusations about her being a racist? Well, she would have none of that!

Shay responded that the allegations against her were “political attacks” which “proves that my opponents will stoop to the lowest levels to steal this election from the jaws of victory.”

How's that for young, hip, and change-y? Yup, she'll fit right in with them cool, edgy, youthy Partiers of No Way.

Free Republic slurs Obama girls: "A typical street whore... Wonder when she will get her first abortion"

By GottaLaff

Paddy posted about The Tee Shirt, expecting that something like this would happen:

"A typical street whore." "A bunch of ghetto thugs." "Ghetto street trash." "Wonder when she will get her first abortion."

There they are, folks. The Family Values Crowd. See how they value other people's families?

These are a small selection of some of the racially-charged comments posted to the conservative 'Free Republic' blog Thursday, aimed at U.S. President Barack Obama's 11-year-old daughter Malia after she was photographed wearing a t-shirt with a peace sign on the front.

A... peace sign? A peace sign?! Really? No more killing? What was she thinking? These would have obviously been so much more acceptable:

The thread was accompanied by a photo of Michelle Obama speaking to Malia that featured the caption, "To entertain her daughter, Michelle Obama loves to make monkey sounds."

Though this may sound like the sort of thing one might read on an Aryan Nation or white power website, they actually appeared on what is commonly considered one of the prime online locations for U.S. Conservative grassroots political discussion and organizing [...]

Moderators of the blog left the comments - and commenters - in place until a complaint was lodged by a writer doing research on the conservative movement, almost a full day later.

I'm sure it was just an oversight. No, wait. Freepers don't believe in oversight.

"Could you imagine what world leaders must be thinking seeing this kind of street trash and that we paid for this kind of street ghetto trash to go over there?" wrote one commenter.

"They make me sick .... The whole family... mammy, pappy, the free loadin' mammy-in-law, the misguided chillin', and especially 'lil cuz... This is not the America I want representin' my peeps," wrote another.

How American of them. How inclusive and Big Tenty. Why, I bet their next convention will have at least two African Americans... if the Tee Vee camera can find/train on them long enough before the planted "ghetto thugs" slip out the back door to collect their paychecks. The Extras Union is fussy that way.

Now take a deep breath, because you'll need oxygen after you read the next part. Check out the Freeps' "disclaimer", and then take in how well the Commenters abided by the rules:

A note on the front of the blog reads, "Free Republic does not advocate or condone racism, violence, rebellion, secession, or an overthrow of the government," but one comment on the thread read, "This disgusting display makes me more and more eager for the revolution," while another read, "I never actually wnated [sic] to be a pistol before but..."

Ahh, the inevitable mention of guns. We all knew they'd make an appearance. There's that Very Special violent streak we all know and abhor.

After attention from other blogs, the thread was suppressed and placed under review, but before long it was returned to the site intact, and attracted a new series of racial slurs when the original complaint email was posted publicly to the site, with the sender's email address intact.

But there's always that one deeply sensitive soul, in this case the Creepy Freepy Leader, whose wisdom is passed down to his Fellow Freepers:

"The writer has a point," wrote site owner Jim Thompson sarcastically. "We should steer clear of Obama's children. They can't help it if their old man is an American-hating Marxist pig."

His kindly influence was felt instantly. Why, just look at the resulting, er, empathy:

"I agree Jim," wrote commenter, by the nickname NoobRep. "The kids didn't pick their commie pinko pansy of a father. Nor did they choose to be put into the spotlight. But Obama/Soetoro is fair game and so is his witch of a wife."

"Poor kids. I hope they're not 'punished with a baby'," wrote another. "Hopefully they won't deal cocaine like the Kenyan."

"DIRTBAGS! All of them. Our [White House] is now a joke to the rest of the world. We have no respect and this is not going to turn out well, mark my words. We will be hit, and much worse than last time. We are now seen as weak and vulnerable. Ghetto and Chicago thugs have taken over."

And then they all donned their fishing waders, joined hands in a show of unity, and dove back into the cesspool from which they originally oozed.

H/t: Misha1234 via Twitter

Excuse me?? Senate Finance Committee may deny access to abortion

By GottaLaff

Unacceptable.

Allow me to repeat not only myself, but the last part of the following Think Progress report: No more bipartisanship if it means ending up with bad legislation, especially when the Rushpublics wouldn't think of returning the favor:

[...] [S]everal blogs are reporting that Republicans on the Committee are pushing legislation that would require insurers operating within the new Exchange to to deny coverage for abortion services. From Raising Women’s Voices:

The Senate Finance Committee has been writing a health care reform bill and struggling to create legislation that will have bipartisan support. Chairman Max Baucus [...] considered several compromises to win Republican support, so they can claim it is bipartisan legislation. One of these potential compromises comes in the form of an abortion exclusion, which would prevent abortion services from being covered by some or all insurance plans in the Health Insurance Exchange. We fear that members of the Senate Finance Committee are considering such a compromise.

Should it pass, the Senate Finance version would be the only bill that specifically prohibits a medical service. As the Wonk Room points out, “if denying abortion services to women is the price of bipartisanship, then perhaps winning those one or two Republican votes isn’t worth the price of jeopardizing women’s health and well-being.”

A-freakin'-men.