Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Pete Responds
Composer of the #1 Conservative Song Of All Time Pete Townshend (and God of my Youth) comments (sort of) on this new honor:
I am just a song-writer. The actions I carry out are my own, and are usually private until some digger-after-dirt questions my methods. [When I wrote] Won't Get Fooled Again [it] was a song that pleaded '….leave me alone with my family to live my life, so I can work for change in my own way….'. But when Roger Daltrey screamed as though his heart was being torn out in the closing moments of the song, it became something more to so many people. And I must live with that.
In the film Summer of Sam the song is used to portray white-boy 'street' idiocy; a kind of fascist absurdity, men swinging their arms over air-guitars and smashing up furniture. Spike Lee told my manager that '…he deeply understood Who music….'. What he understood was what he himself - like so many others - had made it. He saw an outrage and frustration, even a judgment or empty indictment in the song that wasn't there. What is there is a prayer.
The rest can be found at Pete's Diaries
Let's Hear It For America!
I feel a little better about things today:
From a press release:
Dixie Chicks' latest album debuts at number one
GT12 is too humble to take credit for this of course, but it feels good to know that some sort of bravery in this country isn't punished.
From a press release:
Dixie Chicks' latest album debuts at number one
As Taking The Long Way debuts at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 best-selling albums chart this week, with first week's sales of 525,829, the Dixie Chicks have become the first female group in chart history to have three albums debut at #1, breaking the record the Chicks established in 2002 when the group's last studio album, Home, debuted at #1 and made them the first female group ever to have two albums debut at #1.
With the #1 debut of Taking The Long Way, the Dixie Chicks have also become the first female group in chart history to have three studio albums occupy the #1 slot on the Top 200.
GT12 is too humble to take credit for this of course, but it feels good to know that some sort of bravery in this country isn't punished.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Stosselectomy
GT12 Spent A wonderful Sunday afternoon and evening in Beautiful St. Charles IL, feasting with some of our favorite folks in the whole world. And of course talking and talking and talking Politics. One of our friends, a self described lifelong Republican who was in attendance When Pat Buchanan gave that legendary 'Culture War' Speech at the '92 Rep convention (she was aghast) as us about John Stossell's recent exploration of our Education System. We had missed it. Sad that we at GT12 are not more interested in Education since we spend so much of our time being appalled at stupidity.
Anyway, Mr. S has always struck me as a Geraldo-like fame seeker, but with a little more taste and a much greater need to be seen as a rebel. A rebel against the 'Liberal Media' which of course doesn't really exist. A bit of an empty hat. None-the-less, I haven't watched him or listened to him much.
But David Sirota has and has some observations at the Huff Post:
John Stossel Is A Pathological Liar
... Stossel, in many ways, is exactly why I wrote my new book Hostile Takeover - to strip bare the opportunists, shills and half-wits who dominate our political debate and show them for what they really are: pathological liars.
Here's what I mean. According to the right-wing, Scaife-owned Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Stossel appeared on ABC's "The View" to talk about his book's assertion that the minimum wage supposedly hurts low-income workers. The host was surprised that someone could make such a ludicrous claim. "Why does raising the minimum wage -- this one I don't get -- actually hurt poor people?," she asked Stossel. "I don't understand that one at all."
Stossel replied with a straight face: "The truth is that people on the margins lose jobs when minimum wages go up. We used to have people washing windshields at gas stations. We don't anymore because of the minimum wage. There's no opportunity for kids, for entry-level workers."
Mind you, Stossel is making this claim at the very same time President Bush is claiming we need a guest worker program because there are actually too many entry-level, low-wage jobs that aren't being filled. But beyond that, the actual data exposes Stossel's pathological lying. As I note in my new book's section on this very lie about minimum wages supposedly hurting the job market:
Stossel's latest pathological lie followed one from a few weeks ago when he used ABC's Good Morning America to claim that it is a "myth" that "women earn less" than men for "doing the same work." Yet, as Media Matters noted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) 2004 wage data shows definitively that women earned on average 80.4 percent of men's weekly median earnings in virtually every occupation listed regardless of job title. Again, Stossel used ABC's airwaves to peddle a pathological lie.
This all may seem surprising. After all, how could one of the major networks employ a person with such disdain for the truth and then call him a "journalist?" It's a good question - but Stossel has made a nice career behaving this way. For instance, Stossel has tried to deny the scientific consensus surrounding global warming, despite 928 peer-reviewed scientific papers on global warming published between 1993 and 2003 all concluding that global warming is real, and human-caused.
It was Stossel who penned a column during the Hurricane Katrina energy crisis entitled "In Praise of Price Gouging." Instead of being a "consumer watchdog" as he is regularly billed, Stossel was using his platform to publicize all sorts of reasons why oil industry profiteering at the time was patriotic and heroic.
Read the rest here and then call your school board (and your local ABC Station) and ask about accountability
Anyway, Mr. S has always struck me as a Geraldo-like fame seeker, but with a little more taste and a much greater need to be seen as a rebel. A rebel against the 'Liberal Media' which of course doesn't really exist. A bit of an empty hat. None-the-less, I haven't watched him or listened to him much.
But David Sirota has and has some observations at the Huff Post:
John Stossel Is A Pathological Liar
... Stossel, in many ways, is exactly why I wrote my new book Hostile Takeover - to strip bare the opportunists, shills and half-wits who dominate our political debate and show them for what they really are: pathological liars.
Here's what I mean. According to the right-wing, Scaife-owned Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Stossel appeared on ABC's "The View" to talk about his book's assertion that the minimum wage supposedly hurts low-income workers. The host was surprised that someone could make such a ludicrous claim. "Why does raising the minimum wage -- this one I don't get -- actually hurt poor people?," she asked Stossel. "I don't understand that one at all."
Stossel replied with a straight face: "The truth is that people on the margins lose jobs when minimum wages go up. We used to have people washing windshields at gas stations. We don't anymore because of the minimum wage. There's no opportunity for kids, for entry-level workers."
Mind you, Stossel is making this claim at the very same time President Bush is claiming we need a guest worker program because there are actually too many entry-level, low-wage jobs that aren't being filled. But beyond that, the actual data exposes Stossel's pathological lying. As I note in my new book's section on this very lie about minimum wages supposedly hurting the job market:
"In a comprehensive 2004 study, the nonpartisan Fiscal Policy Institute reported that since 1997, states that had boosted their minimum wage above the federal minimum actually created jobs faster than those that did not. In higher minimum wage states, employment grew by 50 percent more than it did in states still at the pathetic federal level. Even in tough economic times, the minimum wage doesn't hurt jobs: Princeton University economist David Card found that even the minimum wage increases during the 1990-91 recession 'were not associated with any measurable employment losses.'As Republican Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) once noted, "history clearly demonstrates that raising the minimum wage has no adverse impact on jobs."...In Oregon, for instance, the state raised its minimum wage in 1998, and the average earnings of newly-employed welfare recipients climbed by 9 percent, while the percentage of welfare recipients who found a job actually rose."
Stossel's latest pathological lie followed one from a few weeks ago when he used ABC's Good Morning America to claim that it is a "myth" that "women earn less" than men for "doing the same work." Yet, as Media Matters noted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) 2004 wage data shows definitively that women earned on average 80.4 percent of men's weekly median earnings in virtually every occupation listed regardless of job title. Again, Stossel used ABC's airwaves to peddle a pathological lie.
This all may seem surprising. After all, how could one of the major networks employ a person with such disdain for the truth and then call him a "journalist?" It's a good question - but Stossel has made a nice career behaving this way. For instance, Stossel has tried to deny the scientific consensus surrounding global warming, despite 928 peer-reviewed scientific papers on global warming published between 1993 and 2003 all concluding that global warming is real, and human-caused.
It was Stossel who penned a column during the Hurricane Katrina energy crisis entitled "In Praise of Price Gouging." Instead of being a "consumer watchdog" as he is regularly billed, Stossel was using his platform to publicize all sorts of reasons why oil industry profiteering at the time was patriotic and heroic.
Read the rest here and then call your school board (and your local ABC Station) and ask about accountability
Things That Must Be Said
About Hillary. From the LA Times:
The theory was that her centrist positions would endear her to moderates but that it wouldn't cost her on the left, because years of conservative vilification caused liberals to bond with her emotionally.
But instead of moderates focusing on her positions while liberals focus on her persona, the opposite seems to be happening. Moderates fear she remains too culturally divisive to win. And liberals can't stand her centrist positioning. It's the worst of all worlds.
Read the rest here
The theory was that her centrist positions would endear her to moderates but that it wouldn't cost her on the left, because years of conservative vilification caused liberals to bond with her emotionally.
But instead of moderates focusing on her positions while liberals focus on her persona, the opposite seems to be happening. Moderates fear she remains too culturally divisive to win. And liberals can't stand her centrist positioning. It's the worst of all worlds.
Read the rest here
Maybe The Bible Told Him So
From ThinkProgress:
This weekend on the show “Cashin’ In,” Fox News analyst Jonathan Hoenig asserted that global warming was “bogus,” and “dreamed up” by environmentalists to stop economic development:
There’s no scientific proof that global warming even exists. To be honest, it’s a bogus consensus dreamed up by Greens because they hate industry. They hate advancement. They hate technology…Greens will lead us back to the stone ages.
It’s Hoenig that’s living in a dream land. Science Magazine analyzed 928 peer-reviewed scientific papers on global warming published between 1993 and 2003. Not a single one challenged the scientific consensus the earth’s temperature is rising due to human activity.
As Always, I Heart NY
From NY Daily News (who are probably upset by this):
Mike vows he'll honor gay marriage
BY JIMMY VIELKIND and NANCY DILLONDAILY NEWS WRITERS
Mayor Bloomberg landed another left on the right yesterday, coming out strongly in favor of gay marriage - and vowing the city will perform same-sex wedding ceremonies, if allowed.
The Republican mayor used his weekly Sunday radio address on Memorial Day weekend to say he is "firmly opposed" to any constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage.
Read the rest then get fitted for your tux.
Mike vows he'll honor gay marriage
BY JIMMY VIELKIND and NANCY DILLONDAILY NEWS WRITERS
Mayor Bloomberg landed another left on the right yesterday, coming out strongly in favor of gay marriage - and vowing the city will perform same-sex wedding ceremonies, if allowed.
The Republican mayor used his weekly Sunday radio address on Memorial Day weekend to say he is "firmly opposed" to any constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage.
Read the rest then get fitted for your tux.
Onward, Christian Vigilantes
And you thought adult dismay at violent video games was only for the right.......
From Daily Kos
Imagine: you are a foot soldier in a paramilitary group whose purpose is to remake America as a Christian theocracy, and establish its worldly vision of the dominion of Christ over all aspects of life.
You are issued high-tech military weaponry, and instructed to engage the infidel on the streets of New York City.
You are on a mission - both a religious mission and a military mission -- to convert or kill Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, gays, and anyone who advocates the separation of church and state - especially moderate, mainstream Christians.
Your mission is "to conduct physical and spiritual warfare"; all who resist must be taken out with extreme prejudice.
You have never felt so powerful, so driven by a purpose: you are 13 years old. You are playing a real-time strategy video game whose creators are linked to the empire of mega-church pastor Rick Warren, best selling author of The Purpose Driven Life.
From Daily Kos
Imagine: you are a foot soldier in a paramilitary group whose purpose is to remake America as a Christian theocracy, and establish its worldly vision of the dominion of Christ over all aspects of life.
You are issued high-tech military weaponry, and instructed to engage the infidel on the streets of New York City.
You are on a mission - both a religious mission and a military mission -- to convert or kill Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, gays, and anyone who advocates the separation of church and state - especially moderate, mainstream Christians.
Your mission is "to conduct physical and spiritual warfare"; all who resist must be taken out with extreme prejudice.
You have never felt so powerful, so driven by a purpose: you are 13 years old. You are playing a real-time strategy video game whose creators are linked to the empire of mega-church pastor Rick Warren, best selling author of The Purpose Driven Life.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Maybe Jesus Thinks That I Don't Need Saving
An ex-patient of Dr Nicholosi writes to Andrew Sullivan:
As a former patient of Joseph Nicolosi, my parents and I were promised that I would be a very successful candidate for becoming straight (because "I was more masculine and never had sex with other guys"). Raised as a Christian evangelical, I knew I was different from the other boys at about six. I prayed and tried everything from charismatic healings, to ex-gay groups like Desert Streams and finally ended up in reparative therapy with Nicolosi.
I spent two years of hard work, determination and money to become straight with Nicolosi.(The trick according to reparative therapy is to first find out how your dad mistreated you sometime in early childhood and try to heal and make peace with dad, next develop as many same-gender non-sexual friendships as possible, then get in touch with your masculine side by working out, playing sports and going to a gym! Add lots of pray and church and bang you will be straight!)
Needless to say, neither I nor any of the other ten guys in group therapy turned straight. At the beginning I was sure I was straight and told others I was "ex-gay". Was I wrong!
I finally came to the point of asking myself, "Do I want to be happy as a gay man and damned to hell or lead a horrible, depressing life on the verge of suicide, celibate and all alone but on the way to heaven?"
I chose the first route and have never looked back. (Many of us call ourselves "ex-ex-gays.")I consider Nicolosi and the ex-gay leaders con-men and hucksters. They know the truth, but push ahead deceiving and hurting so many. This is just another example of "Quack Science," that so many Christianists are pushing on our country.
From "Intelligent Design," to the denial of global warming, and refusal to allow stem-cell research, these zealots are trying to make science fit their literal interpretations of the Bible.
As a former patient of Joseph Nicolosi, my parents and I were promised that I would be a very successful candidate for becoming straight (because "I was more masculine and never had sex with other guys"). Raised as a Christian evangelical, I knew I was different from the other boys at about six. I prayed and tried everything from charismatic healings, to ex-gay groups like Desert Streams and finally ended up in reparative therapy with Nicolosi.
I spent two years of hard work, determination and money to become straight with Nicolosi.(The trick according to reparative therapy is to first find out how your dad mistreated you sometime in early childhood and try to heal and make peace with dad, next develop as many same-gender non-sexual friendships as possible, then get in touch with your masculine side by working out, playing sports and going to a gym! Add lots of pray and church and bang you will be straight!)
Needless to say, neither I nor any of the other ten guys in group therapy turned straight. At the beginning I was sure I was straight and told others I was "ex-gay". Was I wrong!
I finally came to the point of asking myself, "Do I want to be happy as a gay man and damned to hell or lead a horrible, depressing life on the verge of suicide, celibate and all alone but on the way to heaven?"
I chose the first route and have never looked back. (Many of us call ourselves "ex-ex-gays.")I consider Nicolosi and the ex-gay leaders con-men and hucksters. They know the truth, but push ahead deceiving and hurting so many. This is just another example of "Quack Science," that so many Christianists are pushing on our country.
From "Intelligent Design," to the denial of global warming, and refusal to allow stem-cell research, these zealots are trying to make science fit their literal interpretations of the Bible.
Friday, May 26, 2006
If John Kerry Is An S.O.B. and John Edwards is a Slime ...Then What Are The People Who Put Your Dad's Fat Ass In Power? Will You Say Anything?
From AmericaBlog:
One of the lead religious right groups, the Family Research Council, is attacking Mary Cheney by name in a fundraising letter, and accusing the openly-gay daughter of the vice president of "working to undercut the importance of marriage to our survival as a society."Here's a bit more from the email solicitation they sent out yesterday (see letter on the right):
We have our work cut out for us as you know. In the past few weeks, the media have been filled with appearances by Mary Cheney and others who are working to undercut the importance of marriage to our survival as a society.
The media have delighted in the fact that Vice President Cheney's daughter publicly opposes the very convictions that brought her father's political party into the White House.
Do We Want A Beer Drinking Buddy or A Leader?
As we do every day, GT12 was spending the morning in the smoking lounge reading the NY Times. As we do several times a week we read Krugman. We still don't know if Al Gore can save the world or even the Democratic Party, but we have always agreed w/ the points Professor K makes today:
Since 2000, we've seen what happens when people who aren't interested in the facts, who believe what they want to believe, sit in the White House. Osama bin Laden is still at large, Iraq is a mess, New Orleans is a wreck. And, of course, we've done nothing about global warming.
But can the sort of person who would act on global warming get elected? Are we — by which I mean both the public and the press — ready for political leaders who don't pander, who are willing to talk about complicated issues and call for responsible policies? That's a test of national character. I wonder whether we'll pass.
Thelma! Could You Get Out The White Sheets For Me?
The IRS will stop collecting a tax on certain long distance phone calls. The specifics are unimportant here, other than this will result in some nice refunds for corporations (and maybe a tiny tiny one for you).
Anyway, why I'm telling you this is so that I can post this sentence from the Bloomberg summary:
"Running out of taxes to cut"..... And since the entire domestic policy apparatus of the modern Republican Party is based on tax cuts for their campaign contributors, what will they do now?
Time for more Anti Flag-Burning and Pro Fag-Burning legislation!
Anyway, why I'm telling you this is so that I can post this sentence from the Bloomberg summary:
The courts' involvement may deliver a victory to tax-cutting Republicans in Washington who are running out of taxes to cut and are facing a projected $300 billion budget deficit for this year.
"Running out of taxes to cut"..... And since the entire domestic policy apparatus of the modern Republican Party is based on tax cuts for their campaign contributors, what will they do now?
Time for more Anti Flag-Burning and Pro Fag-Burning legislation!
Show Some Support For Free Speech
Look, these girls took one for the team and continue to be shunned by Country Radio (which is horrible anyway). Their new motto? "What Would Bruce Do?"
Buy this album. You can afford $13 to show the world that speaking out against the Crazyman From Crawford is not a an offense punishable by (commercial) death.
And it's not a bad album. A little shiney but enjoyable.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Clueless and Even More Desperate
The National Review has assembled a list of 50 rock tunes it claims to be 'conservative'. You have to pay to get that list on-line (either at The Review's Web site or NY Times).
Being a progressive, I think the Music Criticism is for the people.
Sympathy For The Devil????. Revolution!!!!!!???????
Obviously, they've been Colbert'ed. They have also included that fire breathing rock goddess Tammy Wynette.
The List and The Rationales:
1. "Won't Get Fooled Again," by The Who.The conservative movement is full of disillusioned revolutionaries; this could be their theme song, an oath that swears off naive idealism once and for all. "There's nothing in the streets / Looks any different to me / And the slogans are replaced, by—the—bye. . . . Meet the new boss / Same as the old boss." The instantly recognizable synthesizer intro, Pete Townshend's ringing guitar, Keith Moon's pounding drums, and Roger Daltrey's wailing vocals make this one of the most explosive rock anthems ever recorded — the best number by a big band, and a classic for conservatives.
2. "Taxman," by The Beatles.A George Harrison masterpiece with a famous guitar riff (which was actually played by Paul McCartney): "If you drive a car, I'll tax the street / If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat / If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat / If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet." The song closes with a humorous jab at death taxes: "Now my advice for those who die / Declare the pennies on your eyes."
3. "Sympathy for the Devil," by The Rolling Stones.Don't be misled by the title; this song is "The Screwtape Letters" of rock. The devil is a tempter who leans hard on moral relativism — he will try to make you think that "every cop is a criminal / And all the sinners saints." What's more, he is the sinister inspiration for the cruelties of Bolshevism: "I stuck around St. Petersburg / When I saw it was a time for a change / Killed the czar and his ministers / Anastasia screamed in vain."
4. "Sweet Home Alabama," by Lynyrd Skynyrd.A tribute to the region of America that liberals love to loathe, taking a shot at Neil Young's Canadian arrogance along the way: "A Southern man don't need him around anyhow."
5. "Wouldn't It Be Nice," by The Beach Boys.Pro—abstinence and pro—marriage: "Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true / Baby then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do / We could be married / And then we'd be happy."
6. "Gloria," by U2.Just because a rock song is about faith doesn't mean that it's conservative. But what about a rock song that's about faith and whose chorus is in Latin? That's beautifully reactionary: "Gloria / In te domine / Gloria / Exultate."
7. "Revolution," by The Beatles."You say you want a revolution / Well you know / We all want to change the world . . . Don't you know you can count me out?" What's more, Communism isn't even cool: "If you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao / You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow." (Someone tell the Che Guevara crowd.)
8. "Bodies," by The Sex Pistols.Violent and vulgar, but also a searing anti—abortion anthem by the quintessential punk band: "It's not an animal / It's an abortion."
9. "Don't Tread on Me," by Metallica.A head—banging tribute to the doctrine of peace through strength, written in response to the first Gulf War: "So be it / Threaten no more / To secure peace is to prepare for war."
10. "20th Century Man," by The Kinks."You keep all your smart modern writers / Give me William Shakespeare / You keep all your smart modern painters / I'll take Rembrandt, Titian, da Vinci, and Gainsborough. . . . I was born in a welfare state / Ruled by bureaucracy / Controlled by civil servants / And people dressed in grey / Got no privacy got no liberty / 'Cause the 20th—century people / Took it all away from me."
11. "The Trees," by Rush.Before there was Rush Limbaugh, there was Rush, a Canadian band whose lyrics are often libertarian. What happens in a forest when equal rights become equal outcomes? "The trees are all kept equal / By hatchet, axe, and saw."
12. "Neighborhood Bully," by Bob Dylan.A pro—Israel song released in 1983, two years after the bombing of Iraq's nuclear reactor, this ironic number could be a theme song for the Bush Doctrine: "He destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad / The bombs were meant for him / He was supposed to feel bad / He's the neighborhood bully."
13. "My City Was Gone," by The Pretenders.Virtually every conservative knows the bass line, which supplies the theme music for Limbaugh's radio show. But the lyrics also display a Jane Jacobs sensibility against central planning and a conservative's dissatisfaction with rapid change: "I went back to Ohio / But my pretty countryside / Had been paved down the middle / By a government that had no pride."
14. "Right Here, Right Now," by Jesus Jones.The words are vague, but they're also about the fall of Communism and the end of the Cold War: "I was alive and I waited for this. . . . Watching the world wake up from history."
15. "I Fought the Law," by The Crickets.The original law—and—order classic, made famous in 1965 by The Bobby Fuller Four and covered by just about everyone since then.
16. "Get Over It," by The Eagles.Against the culture of grievance: "The big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing." There's also this nice line: "I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little ass."
17. "Stay Together for the Kids," by Blink 182.A eulogy for family values by an alt—rock band whose members were raised in a generation without enough of them: "So here's your holiday / Hope you enjoy it this time / You gave it all away. . . . It's not right."
18. "Cult of Personality," by Living Colour.A hard—rocking critique of state power, whacking Mussolini, Stalin, and even JFK: "I exploit you, still you love me / I tell you one and one makes three / I'm the cult of personality."
19. "Kicks," by Paul Revere and the Raiders.An anti—drug song that is also anti—utopian: "Well, you think you're gonna find yourself a little piece of paradise / But it ain't happened yet, so girl you better think twice."
20. "Rock the Casbah," by The Clash.After 9/11, American radio stations were urged not to play this 1982 song, one of the biggest hits by a seminal punk band, because it was seen as too provocative. Meanwhile, British Forces Broadcasting Service (the radio station for British troops serving in Iraq) has said that this is one of its most requested tunes.
21. "Heroes," by David Bowie.A Cold War love song about a man and a woman divided by the Berlin Wall. No moral equivalence here: "I can remember / Standing / By the wall / And the guns / Shot above our heads / And we kissed / As though nothing could fall / And the shame / Was on the other side / Oh we can beat them / For ever and ever."
22. "Red Barchetta," by Rush.In a time of "the Motor Law," presumably legislated by green extremists, the singer describes family reunion and the thrill of driving a fast car — an act that is his "weekly crime."
23. "Brick," by Ben Folds Five.Written from the perspective of a man who takes his young girlfriend to an abortion clinic, this song describes the emotional scars of "reproductive freedom": "Now she's feeling more alone / Than she ever has before. . . . As weeks went by / It showed that she was not fine."
24. "Der Kommissar," by After the Fire.On the misery of East German life: "Don't turn around, uh—oh / Der Kommissar's in town, uh—oh / He's got the power / And you're so weak / And your frustration / Will not let you speak." Also a hit song for Falco, who wrote it.
25. "The Battle of Evermore," by Led Zeppelin.The lyrics are straight out of Robert Plant's Middle Earth period — there are lines about "ring wraiths" and "magic runes" — but for a song released in 1971, it's hard to miss the Cold War metaphor: "The tyrant's face is red."
26. "Capitalism," by Oingo Boingo."There's nothing wrong with Capitalism / There's nothing wrong with free enterprise. . . . You're just a middle class, socialist brat / From a suburban family and you never really had to work."
27. "Obvious Song," by Joe Jackson.For property rights and economic development, and against liberal hypocrisy: "There was a man in the jungle / Trying to make ends meet / Found himself one day with an axe in his hand / When a voice said 'Buddy can you spare that tree / We gotta save the world — starting with your land' / It was a rock 'n' roll millionaire from the USA / Doing three to the gallon in a big white car / And he sang and he sang 'til he polluted the air / And he blew a lot of smoke from a Cuban cigar."
28. "Janie's Got a Gun," by Aerosmith.How the right to bear arms can protect women from sexual predators: "What did her daddy do? / It's Janie's last I.O.U. / She had to take him down easy / And put a bullet in his brain / She said 'cause nobody believes me / The man was such a sleaze / He ain't never gonna be the same."
29. "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," by Iron Maiden.A heavy—metal classic inspired by a literary classic. How many other rock songs quote directly from Samuel Taylor Coleridge?
30. "You Can't Be Too Strong," by Graham Parker.Although it's not explicitly pro—life, this tune describes the horror of abortion with bracing honesty: "Did they tear it out with talons of steel, and give you a shot so that you wouldn't feel?"
31. "Small Town," by John Mellencamp.A Burkean rocker: "No, I cannot forget where it is that I come from / I cannot forget the people who love me."
32. "Keep Your Hands to Yourself," by The Georgia Satellites.An outstanding vocal performance, with lyrics that affirm old—time sexual mores: "She said no huggy, no kissy until I get a wedding vow."
33. "You Can't Always Get What You Want," by The Rolling Stones.You can "[go] down to the demonstration" and vent your frustration, but you must understand that there's no such thing as a perfect society — there are merely decent and free ones.
34. "Godzilla," by Blue Ayster Cult.A 1977 classic about a big green monster — and more: "History shows again and again / How nature points up the folly of men."
35. "Who'll Stop the Rain," by Creedence Clearwater Revival.Written as an anti—Vietnam War song, this tune nevertheless is pessimistic about activism and takes a dim view of both Communism and liberalism: "Five—year plans and new deals, wrapped in golden chains . . ."
36. "Government Cheese," by The Rainmakers.A protest song against the welfare state by a Kansas City band that deserved more success than it got. The first line: "Give a man a free house and he'll bust out the windows."
37. "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," by The Band.Despite its sins, the American South always has been about more than racism — this song captures its pride and tradition.
38. "I Can't Drive 55," by Sammy Hagar.A rocker's objection to the nanny state. (See also Hagar's pro—America song "VOA.")
39. "Property Line," by The Marshall Tucker Band.The secret to happiness, according to these southern—rock heavyweights, is life, liberty, and property: "Well my idea of a good time / Is walkin' my property line / And knowin' the mud on my boots is mine."
40. "Wake Up Little Susie," by The Everly Brothers.A smash hit in 1957, back when high—school social pressures were rather different from what they have become: "We fell asleep, our goose is cooked, our reputation is shot."
41. "The Icicle Melts," by The Cranberries.A pro—life tune sung by Irish warbler Dolores O'Riordan: "I don't know what's happening to people today / When a child, he was taken away . . . 'Cause nine months is too long."
42. "Everybody's a Victim," by The Proclaimers.Best known for their smash hit "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," this Scottish band also recorded a catchy song about the problem of suspending moral judgment: "It doesn't matter what I do / You have to say it's all right . . . Everybody's a victim / We're becoming like the USA."
43. "Wonderful," by Everclear.A child's take on divorce: "I don't wanna hear you say / That I will understand someday / No, no, no, no / I don't wanna hear you say / You both have grown in a different way / No, no, no, no / I don't wanna meet your friends / And I don't wanna start over again / I just want my life to be the same / Just like it used to be."
44. "Two Sisters," by The Kinks.Why the "drudgery of being wed" is more rewarding than bohemian life.
45. "Taxman, Mr. Thief," by Cheap Trick.An anti—tax protest song: "You work hard, you went hungry / Now the taxman is out to get you. . . . He hates you, he loves money."
46. "Wind of Change," by The Scorpions.A German hard—rock group's optimistic power ballad about the end of the Cold War and national reunification: "The world is closing in / Did you ever think / That we could be so close, like brothers / The future's in the air / I can feel it everywhere / Blowing with the wind of change."
47. "One," by Creed. Against racial preferences: "Society blind by color / Why hold down one to raise another / Discrimination now on both sides / Seeds of hate blossom further."
48. "Why Don't You Get a Job," by The Offspring.The lyrics aren't exactly Shakespearean, but they're refreshingly blunt and they capture a motive force behind welfare reform.
49. "Abortion," by Kid Rock.A plaintive song sung by a man who confronts his unborn child's abortion: "I know your brothers and your sister and your mother too / Man I wish you could see them too."
50. "Stand By Your Man," by Tammy Wynette.Hillary trashed it — isn't that enough? If you're worried that Wynette's original is too country, then check out the cover version by Motörhead.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Damn, I Was Right! They Are Stupid!
Tom Delay is using an interview from the Colbert Report to defend Himself. Because he thinks Colbert is serious......
From Think Progress:
This morning, DeLay’s legal defense fund sent out a mass email criticizing the movie “The Big Buy: Tom DeLay’s Stolen Congress,” by “Outfoxed” creator Robert Greenwald.
The email features a “one-pager on the truth behind Liberal Hollywood’s the Big Buy,” and the lead item is Colbert’s interview with Greenwald on Comedy Central (where Colbert plays a faux-conservative, O’Reilly-esque character). The headline of the “fact sheet”:
Hollywood Pulls Michael Moore Antics On Tom Delay; Colbert Cracks the Story on Real Motivations Behind the Movie
DeLay thinks Colbert is so persuasive, he’s now featuring the full video of the interview at the top of the legal fund’s website. And why not? According to the email, Greenwald “crashed and burned” under the pressure of Colbert’s hard-hitting questions, like “Who hates America more, you or Michael Moore?”
Apparently the people at DeLay’s legal fund think that Colbert is
actually a conservative. Or maybe they’re just that desperate for supporters.
Jesus Gonna Save ME! If Only I Had A Tennis Racket
On A CNN Report Viewable here we get inside a Gay Cure Center!
Highlights:
1. Where the gay guy in "therapy" says that the reason he turned gay is that he had "emotional incest" with his mom. Uh huh.
2. The wacky "ex-gay 'therapist'" showing that one way to cure yourself is to take a tennis racket and beat the crap out of a pillow while screaming your mother's name (it's totally freaky). This will help you release "hidden memories in your muscles." Yes, your muscles store memories that make you gay. And don't forget, this "therapist" is pretty much the top guy in this "field." He's one of their "best."
The Power Of The Lord ... In A Smoothie!
From the Right Reverend Pat Robertson's Web Site:
Pat Robertson's Age-Defying Shake
Did you know that Pat Robertson, through rigorous training, leg-pressed 2,000 pounds! How did he do it?
Where does Pat find the time and energy to host a daily, national TV show, head a world-wide ministry, develop visionary scholars, while traveling the globe as a statesman?
One of Pat's secrets to keeping his energy high and his vitality soaring is his age-defying protein shake. Pat developed a delicious, refreshing shake, filled with energy-producing nutrients.
Discover what kinds of natural ingredients make up Pat's protein shake by registering for your FREE booklet today!
By the way... 1320 pounds is the current record, and that guy burst all the veins in his eyes.
Sweet Buddah, wotta loser.
Pat Robertson's Age-Defying Shake
Did you know that Pat Robertson, through rigorous training, leg-pressed 2,000 pounds! How did he do it?
Where does Pat find the time and energy to host a daily, national TV show, head a world-wide ministry, develop visionary scholars, while traveling the globe as a statesman?
One of Pat's secrets to keeping his energy high and his vitality soaring is his age-defying protein shake. Pat developed a delicious, refreshing shake, filled with energy-producing nutrients.
Discover what kinds of natural ingredients make up Pat's protein shake by registering for your FREE booklet today!
By the way... 1320 pounds is the current record, and that guy burst all the veins in his eyes.
Sweet Buddah, wotta loser.
Desperate Anchorman
So, I just ventured down to the smoking lounge here at GT12 Central and started scanning the cable guide. I saw that Fox News' Show w/ John Gibson (he of the imaginary war on Christmas and the great concern that our white country will be overrun by brown people if you White Heteros don't do your duty) was on so I clicked.... Just in time for him to try to make the case that Osama's latest audio masterpiece ends with a call for America to elect Democrats.
Can our country be any more endangered by these maniacs?
Can our country be any more endangered by these maniacs?
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr., (February 11, 1921– May 23, 2006)
The passing of Sen. Bentsen allows us here At GT12 to reflect, no, bask in the warm light of his place in our mission of shaming the antics of The Bush Crime Family. Remember, before there was the Moron in Chief, there was the Nincompoop In Chief. And NIC had his own history of foolish and irresponsible personnel choices.
From the 1988 Vice Presidential Debate, this classic moment:
QUAYLE: Three times that I've had this question - and I will try to answer it again for you, as clearly as I can, because the question you are asking is what kind of qualifications does Dan Quayle have to be president, what kind of qualifications do I have and what would I do in this kind of a situation. And what would I do in this situation? .... I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. I will be prepared to deal with the people in the Bush administration, if that unfortunate event would ever occur.
WOODRUFF: Senator Bentsen.
BENTSEN: Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy. (Prolonged shouts and applause) What has to be done in a situation like that is to call in the -
WOODRUFF: Please, please, once again you are only taking time away from your own candidate.
QUAYLE: That was really uncalled for, Senator. (Shouts and applause)
BENTSEN: You are the one that was making the comparison, Senator - and I'm one who knew him well. And frankly I think you are so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country that I did not think the comparison was well-taken.
Aaaah, that's Good
Even With This Unbalance, 70% of the People Know That The Republican's Have Screwed Them and Their Country
Of course, it's would unbalance the "Democrats Have No Ideas" spin if progressives were actually represented.
Damping Dobson, Routing Robertson, Spanking Santorum...With God
From The NY Times Today
Clergy Group Aims to Block Gay Marriage Amendment
The heart of the matter is at the end:
Exactly.
Clergy Group Aims to Block Gay Marriage Amendment
The heart of the matter is at the end:
The clergy members at the news conference on Monday said that although the groups opposing the amendment were not of one mind on homosexuality or same-sex marriage, passage of the amendment would give deference to a single point of view and would make the Constitution an instrument of discrimination against a class of citizens.
"When one group is singled out for discrimination, it's not long before other groups will be singled out, too," said Rabbi Craig Axler of Congregation Beth Or in Maple Glen, Pa. "It's the first time we see the Constitution in danger of enshrining discrimination against one party, one class, and to remain silent as a Jew is unconscionable."
Exactly.
Monday, May 22, 2006
A True Schmoe
I've never like Joe Lieberman, and am enjoying his struggles. Krugman can be a bit excessive but he's quite good here.
I Think though that we all shrink away from the fact that Talk Show Joe is, by most American's standards, just as extreme religion-wise as The Moron in Chief and his Christianist covey of hypocritical Jesus Jumpers.
True Believers are all alike:
Paul Krugman Today in the NY Times:
Mr. Lieberman isn't the only nationally known Democrat who still supports the Iraq war. But he isn't just an unrepentant hawk, he has joined the Bush administration by insisting on an upbeat picture of the situation in Iraq that is increasingly delusional.
Moreover, Mr. Lieberman has supported the attempt to label questions about why we invaded Iraq and criticism of the administration's policies since the invasion as unpatriotic. How else is one to interpret his warning, late last year, that "it is time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge that he will be Commander-in-Chief for three more critical years, and that in matters of war we undermine Presidential credibility at our nation's peril"?
And it's not just Iraq. ...'Hillary Clinton ...credited Mr. Lieberman with defending Social Security "tooth and nail." Well, I watched last year's Social Security debate pretty closely, and that's not what happened.
In fact, Mr. Lieberman repeatedly supported the administration's scare tactics. "Every year we wait to come up with a solution to the Social Security problem," he declared in March 2005, "costs our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren $600 billion more."
This claim echoed a Bush administration talking point, But the talking point was simply false,
There's more.
Mr. Lieberman supported Congressional intervention in the Terri Schiavo affair, back when Republican leaders were trying to manufacture a "values" issue out of thin air.
And This Is The Kicker:
And let's not forget that Mr. Lieberman showed far more outrage over Bill Clinton's personal life than he has ever shown over Mr. Bush's catastrophic failures as commander in chief.
Nothing worse than sex. Useless Fascist Shithead
I Think though that we all shrink away from the fact that Talk Show Joe is, by most American's standards, just as extreme religion-wise as The Moron in Chief and his Christianist covey of hypocritical Jesus Jumpers.
True Believers are all alike:
Paul Krugman Today in the NY Times:
Mr. Lieberman isn't the only nationally known Democrat who still supports the Iraq war. But he isn't just an unrepentant hawk, he has joined the Bush administration by insisting on an upbeat picture of the situation in Iraq that is increasingly delusional.
Moreover, Mr. Lieberman has supported the attempt to label questions about why we invaded Iraq and criticism of the administration's policies since the invasion as unpatriotic. How else is one to interpret his warning, late last year, that "it is time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge that he will be Commander-in-Chief for three more critical years, and that in matters of war we undermine Presidential credibility at our nation's peril"?
And it's not just Iraq. ...'Hillary Clinton ...credited Mr. Lieberman with defending Social Security "tooth and nail." Well, I watched last year's Social Security debate pretty closely, and that's not what happened.
In fact, Mr. Lieberman repeatedly supported the administration's scare tactics. "Every year we wait to come up with a solution to the Social Security problem," he declared in March 2005, "costs our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren $600 billion more."
This claim echoed a Bush administration talking point, But the talking point was simply false,
There's more.
Mr. Lieberman supported Congressional intervention in the Terri Schiavo affair, back when Republican leaders were trying to manufacture a "values" issue out of thin air.
And This Is The Kicker:
And let's not forget that Mr. Lieberman showed far more outrage over Bill Clinton's personal life than he has ever shown over Mr. Bush's catastrophic failures as commander in chief.
Nothing worse than sex. Useless Fascist Shithead
We Must De-Accession Florida
Pastor: Lord Revealed Next Fla. Governor
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON AP Political Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- A reverend who introduced Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist during a breakfast with other pastors Monday said the Lord came to him in a dream two years ago and told him Crist would be the state's next governor.
The Rev. O'Neal Dozier said that before the dream he did not know Crist, nor had Crist made known his plans to run for governor.
"The Lord Jesus spoke to me and he said 'There's something I want you to know,'" said Dozier, pastor of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach. "'Charlie Crist will be the next governor of the state of Florida.'"
Read The Whole Miraculous Article Here
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON AP Political Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- A reverend who introduced Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist during a breakfast with other pastors Monday said the Lord came to him in a dream two years ago and told him Crist would be the state's next governor.
The Rev. O'Neal Dozier said that before the dream he did not know Crist, nor had Crist made known his plans to run for governor.
"The Lord Jesus spoke to me and he said 'There's something I want you to know,'" said Dozier, pastor of the Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach. "'Charlie Crist will be the next governor of the state of Florida.'"
Read The Whole Miraculous Article Here
Anything To Stop Her, I Say
From Raw Story:
"When the subject of Bill and Hillary Clinton comes up for many prominent Democrats these days, Topic A is their marriage, and how their relationship might affect Sen. Clinton's possible bid for the White House in 2008," the New York Times' Patrick Healy will report on page ones Tuesday, RAW STORY has learned.
The story is slated as the offlead story above the fold on the front page.
"Democrats say it is inevitable that, in a campaign that could return the former president to the White House, some voters would be concerned about Bill Clinton's political role and his potential for the kind of episodes that led the House to vote for his impeachment in 1998."
"When the subject of Bill and Hillary Clinton comes up for many prominent Democrats these days, Topic A is their marriage, and how their relationship might affect Sen. Clinton's possible bid for the White House in 2008," the New York Times' Patrick Healy will report on page ones Tuesday, RAW STORY has learned.
The story is slated as the offlead story above the fold on the front page.
"Democrats say it is inevitable that, in a campaign that could return the former president to the White House, some voters would be concerned about Bill Clinton's political role and his potential for the kind of episodes that led the House to vote for his impeachment in 1998."
No Need For Any Inconvenient Truths
From the AP
Is President Bush likely to see Al Gore's documentary about global warming?
"Doubt it," Bush said coolly Monday.
Is President Bush likely to see Al Gore's documentary about global warming?
"Doubt it," Bush said coolly Monday.
Record Breaking By A GT12 Honoree
Stephen Colbert Hits #1
The audio version of the roast of President Bush by Stephen Colbert "rose to the rank of No. 1 album at Apple's iTunes store," according to the New York Times.
"By many accounts, Mr. Colbert's performance landed with a thud among his influential audience of journalists and politicians, who were more overtly enthusiastic about a comedy routine involving Mr. Bush and a professional George W. Bush impersonator. But the broadcast of the speech is enjoying a lucrative afterlife online, an unusual development for its owner, the nonprofit cable network C-Span."
Again, proof that all interpretation from MSM are suspect.
The audio version of the roast of President Bush by Stephen Colbert "rose to the rank of No. 1 album at Apple's iTunes store," according to the New York Times.
"By many accounts, Mr. Colbert's performance landed with a thud among his influential audience of journalists and politicians, who were more overtly enthusiastic about a comedy routine involving Mr. Bush and a professional George W. Bush impersonator. But the broadcast of the speech is enjoying a lucrative afterlife online, an unusual development for its owner, the nonprofit cable network C-Span."
Again, proof that all interpretation from MSM are suspect.
What Whacko Northern Republicans With No Sense Of Proportion Say
"Those who hire large numbers of illegal aliens are the 21st-century slave masters. And in my opinion, that's just as immoral as the 19th-century slave masters we had to fight a civil war to get rid of," - James Sensenbrenner, back in March.
And Home Is....Connecticut
(London-AP, May 22, 2006 12:50 PM) _ Rolling Stones Guitarist Keith Richards has returned to his Connecticut home after being treated for a head injury in New Zealand.
His publicist says Richards is feeling great, happy to be home and looking forward to getting back on the road with The Rolling Stones next month.
His publicist says Richards is feeling great, happy to be home and looking forward to getting back on the road with The Rolling Stones next month.
Friday, May 19, 2006
OMIGOD! A Sane Comment From A Right Wing Blog
Must be a Libertarian......
Now, if they could just learn how to spell 'Whining'.
The Real Da Vinci CodeEntire Post Here at Balloon Juice. You should visit... there's a lovely swipe at that ridiculous twit Michael Medved.
It seems like everywhere I turn, I am hearing people squeal about how the Da Vinci Code is anti-Christian and more evidence of Hollywood’s anti-Christian bias....
I have no problem with critics panning this movie, but the sheer idiocy of the professionally aggrieved religious right is, as always, a bit too much to swallow. I will say this one last time- the Da Vinci Code is fiction. Much like creationism, for that matter. If I hear any more whinging on this subject, I am going to begin to think the Romans had the right idea.
Now, if they could just learn how to spell 'Whining'.
How Can You Not Love This guy?
Bush: People are unsettled. They don't look at the economy and say life is good. They know we're at war and I'm not surprised that people are unsettled because of war.
Gregory: But they're just not unsettled, sir. They disapprove of the job you're doing.
Bush: That's unsettled.
Feel Good Story Of The Week
Mounties get their men -- each other
The Force is with them as RCMP officers to wedBy
DAN ARSENAULT Staff Reporter
METEGHAN — On a Friday night in Yarmouth this June, Const. Jason Tree and Const. David Connors will don their scarlet dress uniforms, stand before family, friends and co-workers and wed in the first same-sex marriage in the RCMP’s storied history.
In an interview in their Meteghan home Wednesday afternoon, the men said they’ve had great support from the national police force, the community and their families.
"I’ve never had a single problem," said Const. Tree, 27, a native of Fredericton, who has worked in southwestern Nova Scotia for six years and is posted in Meteghan.
The pair, who’ve dated since meeting at the University of New Brunswick more than eight years ago, will be married by a justice of the peace at the Rodd Grand Hotel on June 30. Each will write his own vows, and each will have a best man. They expect plenty of fellow officers to attend and have yet to decide if they’ll have their colleagues form an honour guard for them. They plan to honeymoon in France and England.
Read The Rest Here. Oh, Canada!
Reasons to Stay Alive
At the end of Sunday night's series finale of The West Wing, NBC premiered a 30-second preview of the new Aaron Sorkin series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
The trailer can now be seen on YouTube in all its glory .
We Sometimes Forget That They Don't Know Our History Any better Than They Know The Teachings Of Jesus
Some choice quotes lifted from Americablog:
GOP Senator Jeff Sessions referring to the rightness of Bush's domestic spying after 9/11 declared melodramatically:"Over 3,000 Americans have no civil rights because they are no longer with us."
On February 3rd, Kansas Senator Pat Roberts similarly claimed:"You really don't have any civil liberties if you're dead."
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said on December 20, 2005:"None of your civil liberties matter much after you're dead."
The Tradition they Think That They represent?
Patrick Henry: Give me liberty or give me death.
Well, what should I expect for a movement that thinks shopping is the way to 'support our troops' and 'show the terrorists that they didn't win'.
Cowardly Slime.
GOP Senator Jeff Sessions referring to the rightness of Bush's domestic spying after 9/11 declared melodramatically:"Over 3,000 Americans have no civil rights because they are no longer with us."
On February 3rd, Kansas Senator Pat Roberts similarly claimed:"You really don't have any civil liberties if you're dead."
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said on December 20, 2005:"None of your civil liberties matter much after you're dead."
The Tradition they Think That They represent?
Patrick Henry: Give me liberty or give me death.
Well, what should I expect for a movement that thinks shopping is the way to 'support our troops' and 'show the terrorists that they didn't win'.
Cowardly Slime.
More Gore!
I admit that I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Arianna, flibberti-gibbet that she is. Now she's jumping on the Go-For-The-Gore bandwagon. We are so lacking in leaders with guts that Al's non-politico status seems, no, is fresh. I dunno, Nixon did it and he didn't really believe in anything. Maybe Al can have a second act. Is he wise enough to ignore the consultants in the heat of battle.
I miss President Bartlett. Sigh.
From The Huffington Post (please also attent to the review of Hilary's pathetic about face on the laziness of thday's youth. Say what you will about W or Reagan or Sharpton, at least they stick to their guns) (I think the beard works; he should grow it again):
Last night, I attended the premiere of An Inconvenient Truth, the powerful new
global warming documentary featuring an impassioned and surprisingly humorous Al Gore.
After the screening, as I watched him interact with well-wishers, accepting congratulations and answering questions, he radiated commitment and confidence. Here was a man truly comfortable in his own skin.
And it got me thinking how unlike his old self -- and the vast majority of our would-be leaders -- he has become. I'm talking about the timid, walking-on-eggshells, pusillanimous poltroons that dominate modern politics.
They are Beltway versions of the Cowardly Lion of Oz, driven by the fear of saying the wrong thing (wouldn't want to give the other side ammo for the inevitable attack ad), of offending someone (anyone!), of going out on a limb (the branches of government get a little shaky out there). And, the Wickedest Bitch of them all, the fear of having a giant red "Loser" stamped on their foreheads and their resumes.
...
I couldn't help but flash on the stiff, robotic Gore of the 2000 campaign. You could smell the fear on the Gore of 2000. Just as you could smell it on Kerry in 2004, as he ran a campaign that consistently chose caution over boldness.
And it's the same sickening scent that Hillary Clinton is wearing today: Eau de Don't Let Me Screw Up and Flush My Chances Down the Toilette.
There she was recently -- uptight, tentative, inauthentic -- trying to throw an off-handed bone to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by implying that young people are lazy and "think work is a four-letter word." And the minute there was some blowback, she turned around and apologized to the youthful voters whose fingers she'd slammed in the Chamber of Commerce door. And even used Chelsea as a crutch to explain her turnaround.
[Jeff's note: I just hate her now]
As a result of the soul-sapping tyranny of trying to please and placate everybody, she's become more processed than Velveeta. You can almost see every word that comes out of her mouth first being marched through the different compartments of her brain -- analyzed, evaluated, and vetted by each of them.What will the consultants think of this? How will it poll? Will working women between 25-35 in eastern Ohio think it's okay? How about likely voters in northern Oklahoma?
Her fear has caused a complete disconnect from who she really is and what she really thinks (that is, if she even knows anymore).
...
Whether Al Gore ends up running in 2008 or not, he is modeling the way our public figures, and especially our would-be presidents, should be operating -- from the heart and true to themselves. Standing for something more important than just winning, and more powerful than the fear of losing.
Candidates -- and especially Democratic ones -- need to stop fooling themselves that the road to victory is paved with pandering.
Someone should shoot a training film for the Democrats, featuring Gore as a D.C. version of Robert Duvall in Apocalypse Now. As the Election Day bombs of 2000, 2002, and 2004 drop all around him, he sucks in the fumes and declares: "I loathe the smell of fear on a candidate. It smells like... defeat."
Thursday, May 18, 2006
We Have Them Surrounded!
President Bush . . . has a positive job approval in just three of the 50 United States. This according to 50 separate but concurrent statewide public opinion polls conducted by SurveyUSA for its media clients across the country. Only residents of Utah, Wyoming and Idaho view the president favorably.
Wow, Forgiveness Is Even Harder Than I Thought, But I'm Trying
Almost has hard as restraining myself from comments like 'Told Ya So' or 'Duh!'
AN APOLOGY FROM A BUSH VOTER
By Doug McIntyre
Host, McIntyre in the Morning
Talk Radio 790 KABC
There's nothing harder in public life than admitting you're wrong. By the way, admitting you're wrong can be even tougher in private life. If you don't believe me, just ask Bill Clinton or Charlie Sheen. But when you go out on the limb in public, it's out there where everyone can see it, or in my case, hear it.
So, I'm saying today, I was wrong to have voted for George W. Bush. In historic terms, I believe George W. Bush is the worst two-term President in the history of the country. Worse than Grant. I also believe a case can be made that he's the worst President, period.
*** Thirty Event-By-Tragic-Event Paragraphs Later***
I believe that George W. Bush has taken us down a terrible road. I don't believe the Democrats are offering an alternative. That means we're on our own to save this magnificent country. The United States of America is a gift to the world, but it has been badly abused and it's rightful owners, We the People, had better step up to the plate and reclaim it before the damage becomes irreparable.
So, accept my apology for allowing partisanship to blind me to an obvious truth; our President is incapable of the tasks he is charged with. I almost feel sorry for him. He is clearly in over his head. Yet, he doesn't generate the sympathy Warren Harding earned. Harding, a spectacular mediocrity, had the self-knowledge to tell any and all he shouldn't be President. George W. Bush continues to act the part, but at this point whose buying the act?
Does this make me a waffler? A flip-flopper? Maybe, although I prefer to call it realism. And, for those of you who never supported Bush, its also fair to accuse me of kicking Bush while he's down. After all, you were kicking him while he was up.
You were right, I was wrong.
Just For The Record.... Calm, responsible reflection has forced us at GT12 to withdraw our original decision on Worst President Ever because the whole Union Split under Buchannon. We need to think some more....
AN APOLOGY FROM A BUSH VOTER
By Doug McIntyre
Host, McIntyre in the Morning
Talk Radio 790 KABC
There's nothing harder in public life than admitting you're wrong. By the way, admitting you're wrong can be even tougher in private life. If you don't believe me, just ask Bill Clinton or Charlie Sheen. But when you go out on the limb in public, it's out there where everyone can see it, or in my case, hear it.
So, I'm saying today, I was wrong to have voted for George W. Bush. In historic terms, I believe George W. Bush is the worst two-term President in the history of the country. Worse than Grant. I also believe a case can be made that he's the worst President, period.
*** Thirty Event-By-Tragic-Event Paragraphs Later***
I believe that George W. Bush has taken us down a terrible road. I don't believe the Democrats are offering an alternative. That means we're on our own to save this magnificent country. The United States of America is a gift to the world, but it has been badly abused and it's rightful owners, We the People, had better step up to the plate and reclaim it before the damage becomes irreparable.
So, accept my apology for allowing partisanship to blind me to an obvious truth; our President is incapable of the tasks he is charged with. I almost feel sorry for him. He is clearly in over his head. Yet, he doesn't generate the sympathy Warren Harding earned. Harding, a spectacular mediocrity, had the self-knowledge to tell any and all he shouldn't be President. George W. Bush continues to act the part, but at this point whose buying the act?
Does this make me a waffler? A flip-flopper? Maybe, although I prefer to call it realism. And, for those of you who never supported Bush, its also fair to accuse me of kicking Bush while he's down. After all, you were kicking him while he was up.
You were right, I was wrong.
Just For The Record.... Calm, responsible reflection has forced us at GT12 to withdraw our original decision on Worst President Ever because the whole Union Split under Buchannon. We need to think some more....
Aiming Toward 12
I saw this this AM in the NY Times and wanted at least to give a shout out to one of my fave 'artistes'. I love Stephin Merritt and so want people to love him that I once sent The Magnetic Field's magnum opus 69 Love Songs out as Christmas presents, confusing the hell out of at least one true VanHalen fan in my circle. I do believe that if Cole Porter were alive today, and was my age or a little younger, this man's music is what he would be generating.
So imagine my joy when I find out that he's a lightening rod for the ugly confluence of Rock Snobbery and Political Correctness. Rock Snobs and Liberals (and of course I am Both) are refreshingly shamed in this article.
One Man's Musical Tastes as Fodder for a Flame War
People argue that the music someone listens to says a lot about who he is, but that discussion rarely concludes in descriptions like "cracker" and "racist."
..... Some bystanders could not help but be amused by all of the dancing on the head of a guitar pick in spite of the serious accusation at the core of the argument.
Count Me As One of Those Bystanders.
How'd That Happen?
I awoke this morning to find a sudden surge in comments to my posts. Thanks for all the nice words. How did all of you anonymous commenters wind-up here?
I proceed onward with a little more spring in my step.
I proceed onward with a little more spring in my step.
And I Predict That Tomorrow Will Be Called.... Friday
What's worse, one man's pathetic need for news coverage or the Media's acquiesence to participate in his desparate quest?
More on our senile Nostradamus here.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- The Rev. Pat Robertson says God has told him that storms and possibly a tsunami will hit America's coastline this year.The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network has told viewers of "The 700 Club" that the revelations came to him during his annual personal prayer retreat in
January.
"If I heard the Lord right about 2006, the coasts of America will
be lashed by storms," Robertson said May 8.
More on our senile Nostradamus here.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Just Breathtaking Incompetence
So, hiring an experienced TV guy should at least ensure that you don't have your inbred racism showing on DAY ONE!!!!!
Kee-Rist.
Snow 'hugs the tar baby' at first press briefing
At his very first briefing as new White House press secretary, Fox News personality Tony Snow has raised eyebrows by using the phrase "hug the tar baby" to describe the prospect of commenting on the NSA wiretap and phone traffic database programs. The phrase is considered by many to be racist in origin.
"I don't want to hug the tar baby of trying to comment on the program," Snow remarked, interrupted by laughter. "The existence of the alleged program--the existence of which I can neither confirm or deny."
"We could trace that back to American lore," he explained of the description.
The story of the tar baby first came into popular American culture through Joel Chandler Harris's Uncle Remus stories. In the popular version, the character of Brer Rabbit encounters a baby made of tar on the street. When the black, sticky dummy doesn't respond to him, he strikes it repeatedly, becoming stuck to it. In his preface, to the book, Harris wrote:
History Buffs (and you all should be history buffs) can read the whole sticky article here.
Kee-Rist.
Snow 'hugs the tar baby' at first press briefing
At his very first briefing as new White House press secretary, Fox News personality Tony Snow has raised eyebrows by using the phrase "hug the tar baby" to describe the prospect of commenting on the NSA wiretap and phone traffic database programs. The phrase is considered by many to be racist in origin.
"I don't want to hug the tar baby of trying to comment on the program," Snow remarked, interrupted by laughter. "The existence of the alleged program--the existence of which I can neither confirm or deny."
"We could trace that back to American lore," he explained of the description.
The story of the tar baby first came into popular American culture through Joel Chandler Harris's Uncle Remus stories. In the popular version, the character of Brer Rabbit encounters a baby made of tar on the street. When the black, sticky dummy doesn't respond to him, he strikes it repeatedly, becoming stuck to it. In his preface, to the book, Harris wrote:
"I trust I have been successful in presenting what must be, at least to a large portion of American readers, a new and by no means unattractive phase of negro character--a phase which may be considered a curiously sympathetic supplement to Mrs. Stowe's wonderful defense of slavery as it existed in the South."
History Buffs (and you all should be history buffs) can read the whole sticky article here.
Monday, May 15, 2006
President Gore - For Real?
Hey, Nixon did it and nobody ever really liked him.....
Andrew Sullivan explores a new ground swell of support for Al Gore.
.....My own preference for Bush over Gore in 2000 was primarily because I feared Gore would increase government spending and regulation too much. Yeah: I know....
[Note from Jeff: Andrew makes these type of mistakes almost constantly, but he is one of the saner and centered people on the blogosphere. The crushing of all his conservative ideals at the hands of the Bush's has been, in fact, painful to watch]
...Gore's credibility on the environment - a growing issue - his history of foreign policy hawkishness but opposition to the Iraq war, and his general association with what has become Clinton era nostalgia, do indeed make him an interesting possibility. Then there's just the karma. If we're looking to heal the wound of 2000, who better?
Andrew Sullivan explores a new ground swell of support for Al Gore.
.....My own preference for Bush over Gore in 2000 was primarily because I feared Gore would increase government spending and regulation too much. Yeah: I know....
[Note from Jeff: Andrew makes these type of mistakes almost constantly, but he is one of the saner and centered people on the blogosphere. The crushing of all his conservative ideals at the hands of the Bush's has been, in fact, painful to watch]
...Gore's credibility on the environment - a growing issue - his history of foreign policy hawkishness but opposition to the Iraq war, and his general association with what has become Clinton era nostalgia, do indeed make him an interesting possibility. Then there's just the karma. If we're looking to heal the wound of 2000, who better?
Swiping Sully's E-mail For The Founding Fathers
I think this is important so I'm just posting it verbatim from Andrew Sullivan:
Email of the Day
15 May 2006 04:37 pm
One thing you cannot repeat enough: The founding fathers were the opposite of Christianists. In fact, their constitution is designed to protect us from Christianism. And, by and large, it does. But in the Christianists' attempt to stack the courts and in undermining critical secular institutions like the military, they still represent a threat to limited government and religious freedom. And that threat needs to be exposed and resisted.
Email of the Day
15 May 2006 04:37 pm
A reader writes:
I just finished a biography of James Madison - the father of the Constitution. He was a weighty advocate for the separation of Church and State. For example, he didn't want religious education at the University of Virginia. As for the current debate regarding prayer by military chaplins, Madison was against having chaplains in the military at all. Now, the Christianists are not only ignoring that stricture, but they want a Christian prayer whenever there is prayer. Madison is turning over in his grave.
One thing you cannot repeat enough: The founding fathers were the opposite of Christianists. In fact, their constitution is designed to protect us from Christianism. And, by and large, it does. But in the Christianists' attempt to stack the courts and in undermining critical secular institutions like the military, they still represent a threat to limited government and religious freedom. And that threat needs to be exposed and resisted.
Yes, It's Just Like You Thought
From Illinois' own University in Champaign:
'Bush speak' a sophisticated 'deception'
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., May 15 (UPI) -- U.S. President
George Bush has waged a verbal "operation of deception" that shows an impressive use of language, two University of Illinois authors say.Far from being verbally challenged, so-called "Bush speak" has used deceptions and policies that are "a massive campaign to change the ways Americans think about democracy, globalization and empire," wrote authors Stephen Hartnett and Laura Ann Stengrim.
Their book, which says Bush colleagues also employ the practice, is titled "Globalization and Empire: The U.S. Invasion of Iraq, Free Markets, and the Twilight of Democracy."
The analysis says Bush administration statements often conflict with reality.
The statements show "the remarkably complicated ways" the administration has used the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks "as an elastic justification for waging wars of globalization and empire under the banner of free trade and democracy."
The authors said their book is offered "from positions of deep sadness and unflagging hope" to preserve the U.S. form of democracy.
The First Thing That I Thought
Gee, just when the press was getting a spine....
When I heard about the latest phone spying scam at the NSA, I immediately thought 'this is how they catch leakers'. I will try not to pat myself to strenuously on the back as I post this:
From ABC:
Read The Rest (but watch who you call) here.
When I heard about the latest phone spying scam at the NSA, I immediately thought 'this is how they catch leakers'. I will try not to pat myself to strenuously on the back as I post this:
From ABC:
Federal Source to ABC News: We Know Who You're Calling
May 15, 2006 10:33 AM
Brian Ross and Richard Esposito Report:
A senior federal law enforcement official tells ABC News the government is tracking the phone numbers we (Brian Ross and Richard Esposito) call in an effort to root out confidential sources.
"It's time for you to get some new cell phones, quick," the source told us in an in-person conversation.
ABC News does not know how the government determined who we are calling, or whether our phone records were provided to the government as part of the recently-disclosed NSA collection of domestic phone calls.Other sources have told us that phone calls and contacts by reporters for ABC News, along with the New York Times and the Washington Post, are being examined as part of a widespread CIA leak investigation.
One former official was asked to sign a document stating he
was not a confidential source for New York Times reporter James Risen.
Read The Rest (but watch who you call) here.
President Gore Speaks On SNL
President Al Gore:
Good evening, my fellow Americans.
In 2000 when you overwhelmingly made the decision to elect me as your 43rd president, I knew the road ahead would be difficult. We have accomplished so much yet challenges lie ahead.
In the last 6 years we have been able to stop global warming. No one could have predicted the negative results of this. Glaciers that once were melting are now on the attack.
As you know, these renegade glaciers have already captured parts of upper Michigan and northern Maine, but I assure you: we will not let the glaciers win.
Right now, in the 2nd week of May 2006, we are facing perhaps the worst gas crisis in history.
We have way too much gasoline. Gas is down to $0.19 a gallon and the oil companies are hurting.
I know that I am partly to blame by insisting that cars run on trash.
I am therefore proposing a federal bailout to our oil companies because - hey if it were the other way around, you know the oil companies would help us.
On a positive note, we worked hard to save Welfare, fix Social Security and of course provide the free universal health care we all enjoy today.
But all this came at a high cost. As I speak, the gigantic national budget surplus is down to a perilously low $11 trillion dollars.
And don't get any ideas. That money is staying in the very successful lockbox. We're not touching it.
Of course, we could give economic aid to China, or lend money to the Saudis... again.
But right now we're already so loved by everyone in the world that American tourists can't even go over to Europe anymore... without getting hugged.
There are some of you that want to spend our money on some made-up war. To you I say: what part of "lockbox" don't you understand?
What if there's a hurricane or a tornado? Unlikely I know because of the Anti-Hurricane and Tornado Machine I was instrumental in helping to develop.
But... what if? What if the scientists are right and one of those giant glaciers hits Boston? That's why we have the lockbox!
As for immigration, solving that came at a heavy cost, and I personally regret the loss of California. However, the new Mexifornian economy is strong and el Presidente Schwarznegger is doing a great job.
There have been some setbacks. Unfortunately, the confirmation process for Supreme Court Justice Michael Moore was bitter and devisive. However, I could not be more proud of how the House and Senate pulled together to confirm the nomination of Chief Justice George Clooney.
Baseball, our national passtime, still lies under the shadow of steroid accusations. But I have faith in baseball commissioner George W. Bush when he says, "We will find the steroid users if we have to tap every phone in America!"
In 2001 when I came into office, our national security was the most important issue. The threat of terrorism was real.
Who knew that six years later, Afghanistan would be the most popular Spring Break destination? Or that Six Flags Tehran is the fastest growing amusement park in the Middle East?
And the scariest thing we Americans have to fear is ... Live From New York, its Saturday Night!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Fuck Saddam, We're Taking Him Out
- President Bush, March 2002.
This from The Assasins Gate p.45
Save your breath, the president has already made up
his mind
- Condeleeza Rice, June 2002. Same page.
Only 407 pages to go....
100% Failure!
Making sure that no one ever grows up to be smart enough to question creationism or the wisdom of pre-emptive wars, or tax cuts w/o spending cuts, or threat of the homosexual agenda...
From CNN:
Education law leaves children behind
'The day of reckoning is here, and it's not going to pass'
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Not a single state will have a highly qualified teacher in every core class this school year as promised by President Bush's education law. Nine states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico face penalties.
The Department of Education on Friday ordered every state to explain how it will have 100 percent of its core teachers qualified -- belatedly -- in the 2006-07 school year.
In the meantime, some states face the loss of federal aid because they didn't make enough effort to comply on time, officials said.
They are Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina and Washington, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Read It All (because at least you can read)
Something To Look Forward To Next Week
More coming from the man who told us about Warrantless Wiretapping.
From ThinkProgress
From ThinkProgress
NSA Whistleblower To Expose More Unlawful Activity: ‘People…Are Going To Be Shocked’
CongressDaily reports that former NSA staffer Russell Tice will testify to the Senate Armed Services Committee next week that not only do employees at the agency believe the activities they are being asked to perform are unlawful, but that what has been disclosed so far is only the tip of the iceberg. Tice will tell Congress that former NSA head Gen. Michael Hayden, Bush’s nominee to be the next CIA director, oversaw more illegal activity that has yet to be disclosed:A former intelligence officer for the National Security Agency said Thursday he plans to tell Senate staffers next week that unlawful activity occurred at the agency under the supervision of Gen. Michael Hayden beyond what has been publicly reported, while hinting that it might have involved the illegal use of space-based satellites and systems to spy on U.S.citizens. …
[Tice] said he plans to tell the committee staffers the NSA conducted illegal and
unconstitutional surveillance of U.S. citizens while he was there with the knowledge of Hayden. … “I think the people I talk to next week are going to be shocked when I tell them what I have to tell them. It’s pretty hard to believe,” Tice said. “I hope that they’ll clean up the abuses and have some oversight into these programs, which doesn’t exist right now.”…Tice said his information is different from the Terrorist Surveillance Program that Bush acknowledged in December and from news accounts this week that the NSAhas been secretly collecting phone call records of millions of Americans. “It’s an angle that you haven’t heard about yet,” he said. … He would not discuss with a reporter the details of his allegations, saying doing so would compromise classified information and put him at risk of going to jail. He said he “will not confirm or deny” if his allegations involve the illegal use of space systems and satellites.
Tree Fightin' Man
Get Better Keef!
You don't think that this was retaliation for that Hotel disagreement mentioned below, do you?
I Want A Piece Of This
Verizon Sued for Giving NSA Phone Records
By BETH DeFALCOAssociated Press WriterMay 12, 2006, 5:48 PM EDT
TRENTON, N.J. -- Two New Jersey public interest lawyers sued Verizon Communications Inc. for $5 billion Friday, claiming the phone carrier violated privacy laws by turning over phone records to the National Security Agency for a secret government surveillance program. Attorneys Bruce Afran and Carl Mayer filed the lawsuit Friday afternoon in federal district court in Manhattan, where Verizon is headquartered.
The rest here.
By BETH DeFALCOAssociated Press WriterMay 12, 2006, 5:48 PM EDT
TRENTON, N.J. -- Two New Jersey public interest lawyers sued Verizon Communications Inc. for $5 billion Friday, claiming the phone carrier violated privacy laws by turning over phone records to the National Security Agency for a secret government surveillance program. Attorneys Bruce Afran and Carl Mayer filed the lawsuit Friday afternoon in federal district court in Manhattan, where Verizon is headquartered.
The rest here.
An Old Fashioned Democrat - Southern Variety
We should remember that before LBJ, the Dems were the party of stupid white men.
Whole ugly thing here.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A Democratic candidate for Alabama attorney general denies the Holocaust occurred and said Friday he will speak this weekend in New Jersey to a "pro-white" organization that is widely viewed as being racist. Larry Darby concedes his views are radical, but he said they should help him win wide support among Alabama voters as he tries to "reawaken white racial awareness" with his campaign against Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson.
Whole ugly thing here.
The Taliban Is Still A Long Way Off But...
Today Terri Gross interviewed Michelle Goldberg, a writer for Salon. Goldberg's new book, "Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism" explores and explains what really is driving the Christianist movement here in the US.
Some Quotes:
Anyone raised Catholic will of course find this all absurd intellectually (The whole rapture millenialism is foreign to us) and frightening in it's uber-protestant bent. Or they should except that conservative Catholics have made common cause with these medieval thinkers.
For a more complete exerpt check out Salon.com.
The problem is of course that believers of this sort cannot be reasoned with and in no way see a diverse thinking population as acceptable, let alone good.
The effect of such black and white style-thinking is easily seen in the abomination that is the Bush Presidency. Or Iran.
Some Quotes:
... dominion theology, which asserts that, in preparation for the second coming of Christ, godly men have the responsibility to take over every aspect of society.
Dominion theology comes out of Christian Reconstructionism, a fundamentalist creed that was propagated by the late Rousas John (R. J.) Rushdoony and his son-in-law, Gary North. Born in New York City in 1916 to Armenian immigrants who had recently fled the genocide in Turkey, [h]e was a prolific writer, churning out dense tomes advocating the abolition of public schools and social services and the replacement of civil law with biblical law. -- he called for the death penalty for gay people, blasphemers, and unchaste women, among other sinners. Democracy, he wrote, is a heresy and "the great love of the failures and cowards of life."
Reconstructionism is a postmillennial theology, meaning its followers believe Jesus won't return until after Christians establish a thousand year reign on earth. ...
Since the 1970s, though, in tandem with the rise of the religious right, premillennialism has been politicized. ... A Christian Manifesto, published in 1981, described modern history as a contest between the Christian worldview and the materialist one, saying, "These two world views stand as totals in complete antithesis to each other in content and also in their natural results -- including sociological and government results, and specifically including law."
..."It is time we consciously realize that when any office commands what is contrary to God's Law it abrogates its authority," [Robert Schaeffer, a prime leader] wrote.
Tim LaHaye, who is most famous for ...the Left Behind thrillers that he co-writes with Jerry Jenkins, was heavily influenced by Schaeffer, to whom he dedicated his book "The Battle for the Mind." That book married Schaeffer's theories to a conspiratorial view of history and politics, arguing, "Most people today do not realize what humanism really is and how it is destroying our culture, families, country -- and, one day, the entire world. Most of the evils in the world today can be traced to humanism, which has taken over our government, the UN, education, TV, and most of the other influential things of life.
"We must remove all humanists from public office and replace them with pro-moral political leaders," LaHaye wrote.
Between 1984 and 1986, [a group of bosth pre- and post millenialists] developed seventeen "worldview" documents, which elucidate the "Christian" position on most aspects of life. Just as political Islam is often called Islamism to differentiate the fascist political doctrine from the faith, the ideology laid out in these papers could be called Christianism. The documents outline a complete political program, with a "biblically correct" position on issues like taxes (God favors a flat rate), public schools (generally frowned upon), and the media and the arts ("We deny that any pornography and other blasphemy are permissible as art or 'free speech'").
Anyone raised Catholic will of course find this all absurd intellectually (The whole rapture millenialism is foreign to us) and frightening in it's uber-protestant bent. Or they should except that conservative Catholics have made common cause with these medieval thinkers.
For a more complete exerpt check out Salon.com.
The problem is of course that believers of this sort cannot be reasoned with and in no way see a diverse thinking population as acceptable, let alone good.
The effect of such black and white style-thinking is easily seen in the abomination that is the Bush Presidency. Or Iran.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
The Things You Miss....
GT12 rec'd this forwarded e-mail from our man Tom H in TX. Yet another example of why Illinois is a great state. Tom would like to tip his Stetson to his home state of Iowa and so we will too.
Equality Texas applauds Illinois governor's extending domestic partner benefits to state employees; encourages Austin residents to support Proposition 6 to allow access to healthcare benefits for city employees.
Austin, May 8, 2006 Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich today issued an executive order extending domestic partnership benefits to all state employees under the authority of the governors office. Some Illinois state employees recently received domestic partnership benefits under their new AFSCME contracts.
Illinois becomes the nations 13th state, and the third largest, to adopt domestic partnership benefits for a major segment of its state employee population. The 12 other states are California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The District of Columbia also offers domestic partner benefits to its employees.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Life Imitates Art
Remember that post where I told you about Altar Boyz? I ran across this today:
BACKSTREET STAR EMBRACES GOD
BACKSTREET BOYS star BRIAN LITTRELL is back on the music scene - but he has ditched his boy band persona and is now performing as a Christian pop singer. Littrell admits fans are wondering why he has abandoned the lucrative life of a mainstream chart star, but he insists being a Backstreet Boy was just a "stepping stone" to where he is now. He says, "I had an opportunity to go to the University of Cincinnati Bible College, but God basically took my life south to Florida, and I started singing in the Backstreet Boys and he has truly multiplied my audience. "But being a Backstreet Boy is a mere stepping stone for me."
Brass Ones
Cause ya got have 'em to say something like this:
Maybe it takes even brassier ones to refuse to rule it out:
The current President Bush said Wednesday that younger brother Jeb would make a great [president] too, and has asked him about making a run. The first President Bush likes the idea as well.
Maybe it takes even brassier ones to refuse to rule it out:
His own father says no one believes him when he says he's not interested in running at some point.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Clean Getaway...So Far
Were at our gate at Laguardia w/o hassles, searches or
delays.
To provide some tension, as we sat down at the gate
CNN was reporting Keith Richards brain surgery. Boy,
thats a set up for a few jokes...
Time To Go
Packing up now. Emptying the fridge of milk and beer.
Assessing last minute shopping opportunities.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Hop Heaven
100s of beers, Darkness on the Edge of Town (whole
album), a smoking garden...sounds like a place to call
home, no? Whatta closer!
Dehli-versary
having a remarkable Indian meal in the East Village.
Stumbled upon the 2nd anniverary celebration of Angon
on the Sixth. Champagne! Live Sitar! Live
Testimonials! Great zagat rating! Prix Fixe! A great
capper for the trip.
Sunday On The Square With Daffys
Refreshed and wiser today. We planned our shopping
excursion and dropped a lot of cash around Herald
Square without the need for medical intervention.
We are now resting up for the last evening.
Middle Ages
Eight years ago this wasnt so demanding! Due to such
middle aged complaints as I dont think I shouldve
drank that and Did I taken my blood pressure medicine
twice? our trip has had some downtimes for
recovery....
So, after getting our Diovan and Pepto Bismol levels
stabilized we saw Altar Boyz, a Forever Plaid meets
InSync at the parish youth group review. The show is
full of well studied satire of dance-pop, pop
Catholicism and popular theories of cultural
diversity. A good good time but if you dont own a
Backstreet Boys album theres nothing for your Ipod in
the show (Unlike Plaid or Hedwig).
Dinner before was at a tiny tiny (Dans chair also
functioned to keep the front door open) place called
Nook where we dined on pan seared salmon and thai
marinated rack of lamb.
Post show we took a liesurely walk through Times
Square to 42nd street, heading west on 42nd past
Bryant Park and Grand Central Station.
Ended the evening watching SNL and drinking Oragina.
Just try to keep up with that.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Good Morning
Its a bit, um, brisk this AM. We are recovering from
the effects of high priced drinks at high altitudes.
Sweeney Todd was truly brilliant. I have long
cherished my vhs tape of the original production but
its sheen has certainly paled dramatically thanks to
last nights visit to the Demons tonsorial parlor on
49th street.
Both Patti Lupone and Michael Cervais bring a humanity
to their roles that serves to make their crimes less
cartoonish and much more plausible. Isnt that Sweeney
there beside you? indeed.
I thin today will be shopping. Maybe not. Still not
quite awake enough for final decisions.
A technical note- I am posting via yahoo e-mail
andnhave noticedb that K and some punctuation are not
coming thru. What can you do?
Friday, May 05, 2006
Renovation Pt II
A healthy hie later, we were at MoMA. The new space is
neither more attractive nor better laid out than the
old. It is much bigger and allows for both a greater
chun of the permanent collection to be on view as well
as sizable special exhibitions. The special currently
is a greay Edvard Munch show. We all now his Scream
but we didnt realize how cheery it is compared to a
lot of his other stuff. A moving exhibition.
As for the permanent collection, Dan and I always
forget how monumental in size Picassos Demoiselles is.
And how vibrant. It and MoMas Pollacks have benefitted
greatly from their new galleries. I was truly confused
by the continued placement of 6 Brancusis (including a
good tae on bird in space) in one crammed area. None
of them shine or soar in that configuration. I
begrudgingly understood the decision in the old space
but now it is inexcusable.
Its been a perfect day weatherwise and - always,
walking here is invigorating and electrifying. Of
course we cabbed back to the hotel after MoMa. We must
freshen up before Sweeney Todd tonight. Cant wait to
here Patti Lupone play tuba....
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