Today's edition of quick hits:
* Rare progress in the Eurozone: "In the face of pressure from the embattled euro zone countries Italy and Spain, European leaders agreed early Friday to use the Continent's bailout funds to recapitalize struggling banks directly, cheering financial markets but prompting unease in Germany, whose taxpayers may face more risk."
* President Obama surveyed damage in Colorado today, caused by the deadly wildfires.
* Good luck with that: "President-elect Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood [promised in a televised speech to hundreds of thousands of supporters in Tahrir Square] to work for the release of the Egyptian-born Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, jailed for plotting to bomb a series of New York City landmarks."
* Good call: "The Justice Department declared Friday that Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to withhold information about a bungled gun-tracking operation from Congress does not constitute a crime and he won't be prosecuted for contempt of Congress."
* Rush Limbaugh really isn't taking yesterday's news well: "Apparently now Marbury v. Madison is out and Roberts v. America is in."
* Peggy Noonan thinks yesterday's health care ruling seems "very bad for the atmosphere of freedom in our country." Oh for crying out loud.
* The RNC filed a pretty important lawsuit last week, which has largely gone unnoticed, "challenging campaign contribution limits set by the federal government, continuing the party's efforts to dismantle the laws restricting money in political campaigns."
* Paul Krugman raises a point about health care reform opponents that I think about every day: "[W]hat was and is really striking about the anti-reformers is their cruelty. It would be one thing if, at any point, they had offered any hint of an alternative proposal to help Americans with pre-existing conditions, Americans who simply can't afford expensive individual insurance, Americans who lose coverage along with their jobs. But it has long been obvious that the opposition's goal is simply to kill reform, never mind the human consequences."
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Leave a Comment:
Damn. I came here looking for a Holder/Issa thread to post to because I just realized something.
Holder should had demanded a jury trial, as is his right! Picking the jury would be a challenge, since all registered Republicans and Democrats would have to be excluded.
And then, Issa, LaPierre and Boehner would get all had to testify under oath. And they would have had to explain to the jury what everything was about.
(By "And then, Issa, LaPierre and Boehner would get all had to testify under oath." I meant "And then, Issa, LaPierre and Boehner would all have had to testify under oath.") Sorry.
Welcome to the new McCartheif Era!
;-)
Re: cruelty -- Republicans are the party of Jesus, you know. Care about you right until you are born, and then again when you are brain-dead (either literally, or enough to be a Republican).
You are so right Idiot-----
From ABC:
First lady Michelle Obama Thursday offered a rare public reflection on her religious faith, telling a conference of the African Methodist Episcopal church that the life of Jesus Christ is a model for democratic organizing.
"It's kind of like church," Obama said. "Our faith journey isn't just about showing up on Sunday for a good sermon and good music and a good meal. It's about what we do Monday through Saturday as well, especially in those quiet moments, when the spotlight's not on us, and we're making those daily choices about how to live our lives.
"We see that in the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus didn't limit his ministry to the four walls of the church," she said. "He was out there fighting injustice and speaking truth to power every single day. He was out there spreading a message of grace and redemption to the least, the last, and the lost. And our charge is to find Him everywhere, every day by how we live our lives."
Obama, who is not a regular churchgoer, said citizenship like the practice of faith is "not a once-a-week kind of deal."
"Democracy is also an everyday activity," she said. "And being an engaged citizen should once again be a daily part of our lives."
Get more pure politics at ABC News.com/Politics and a lighter take on the news atOTUSNews.com.
The first lady said such engagement involved "the tireless, the thankless, relentless work of making change, you know, the phone-calling, letter-writing, door-knocking, meeting-planning kind of work."
Her appearance at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn., was dubbed an official event by the White House to recognize the history and legacy of the AME church, particularly its role in the civil rights movement.
"Time and again, history has shown us that there is nothing - nothing - more powerful than ordinary citizens coming together for a just cause," Obama said. "And that is particularly true of folks in the AME church."
The first lady concluded her trip to Tennessee with a campaign fundraiser in Memphis.
Congratulations to Peggy Noonan for progress in her never-ending struggle to demonstrate to the American people what an airhead Republican bimbo moron looks like. Keep at it Peggy! Nobody does it better!
I dunno, Palin does pretty freaking well in that department.
And let's not forget to recognise Bachmann for her outstanding work in the field of "being a brainless lunatic with crazy eyes."
Please, please, for the love of all that is good, let me forget Bachmann.
No! If I have to remember her, so do you! I refuse to suffer alone.
No pity for the corpulent, cigar chomping gasbag, whose hero let him down. He has a tiny taste of what caring Americans have felt for the last 11 years, while waiting for the GOP to participate in government for the people.
I have decided that to amuse myself from now on, after I hear the words "Obamacare" I will repeat to myself, "yes, he does, Thank you Mr. President".
This will be especially amusing given the bile "Obamacare" is usually uttered with.
I am thinking of calling this tactic, Civil Civil Disobedience.
Oh, I've been calling it "Obamacare" ever since the Right decided to use that as an epithet. It's not perfect, but it's a damned sight better than status quo, and I think the Pres should bet all the credit he deserves!
I think we should call the ACA "Nationalized Romneycare." Maybe not. That might be too messy. It could make their heads explode.
Please MSNBC/RachelMaddow show --don't take Obama's campaign funds for political ads on your network. I'll bet that anyone watching wouldn't vote for Romney on a bet!
Is there anything Piggy Nooner won't say to get a rise out of thinking individuals? What a retarded media whore! Somebody has got to slap her already..
Every chance I get I remind people how she called Bush 43 a "visionary president" on Hardball a few years ago...
My take back then was he wasn't the sort to see things, but he was definitely hearing voices...
Please MSNBC/Rachel Maddow Show: don't accept Obama's campagin dollars for political ads on your show. Anyone watching wouldn't vote for Romney on a bet.
Lillikins: I agree with you. It would be crazy for Obama to pay for ads on MSNBC when they get it for free.
@Robert - indeed, only because truth has a liberal bias.
Nice one Mr. Intriago.
I thought last night's show was fantastic. I learned a lot about health care in general, and I loved hearing her recommend that Obama should sell the ACA to the public. I couldn't agree more. Fantastic show all around. Love it when Rachel goes on a tear! Thank you!
Did you really expect alternative ideas from the zombie brigade? They never think about anything, they prefer to be hand fed lies and misconceptions.
I must admit that when the tea party and the FOX followers first crept into existence I thought it was just a few idiots from some backwoods Bircher Broncs area. However my brother put it into perspective when we were discussing the second Bush appointment. Although we both agreed it was far from a fair election he mentioned the fact that even if you corrected for the possible miscounts Bush still got millions of votes.
Now each state is ignoring their citizens as they pass anti-abortion,anti-gay,anti-contraception and of course voter suppression laws.
So tell me where America and the one "man"one vote, government of the people by the people , for the people go?
I read the Wall Street Journal once a week on Saturdays just to get a laugh from Peggy Noonan's columns. Has anyone else tried to watch her on television? What absolute arrogant certitude!!
docgroucho: you are very insightful, she reminds me of a conservative Rachel Maddow. It is very comparable to Ed Schultz and Rush. They both call women names.
"A conservative Rachel"... you know, except for the facts, insights, and truth... and that whole "worth paying even a bit of attention to" which Noonan doesn't have.
Grumpy: as your name implies it, you seem to be an unbiased observer and therefore, I rest my case.
Robert, I've seen your name on here before, and since I know you're a GOP troll, your case has no standing and is thrown out of court. Good day, and don't let the door hit your ass on the way out; I don't want to have to clean the door.
Outstanding and clever answer. I vote for the person rather than the party. I just love to uestion why people always think that one party is bad and the other one is all good, it happens in the extreme right also. Is like making generalization about race, religion or place of origin. Each individual stands alone and should judged that way. By the way this is a public blog and I will troll if I want to (was that a song?) and if you do not like it, do not read my posts. I promise I will not read yours. I also troll in the right.
Those on the right invariably need to get over themselves.
@Robert -- That attitude may have worked 30 years ago, but quite frankly it's obsolete now. When you have Republicans creating legislative ideas, voting for their own ideas in committee, and then voting against their own carefully-nurtured ideas when the rubber meets the road -- to simply "hurt some people" as Allen West opined about -- as well as to actively undermine a sitting president because he is not a Republican -- then it is called "burying one's head in the sand" to not acknowledge that among Republicans, there is no such thing as "the person," there is only the Party. Just take a look at Mitt Romney's pandering -- he signed into law an individual mandate, and yet, now, rails against it, because the Party demands it. That is a concrete example that when it comes to the GOP, there is no "person," only Party.
Next thing you know Rush will be calling Robert's a slut and a prostitute.
I will be honored as long as Ed does not call me that.
I understand your a democrat,I get it, but wow having a different opinion is good,but you take it to the next level. I watched your show and saw nothing about what dems do that is dumb and awful,only what rep do. I decide election to election who I vote for, because saying every dem or every rep is good or bad just makes you stupid. I want news that gives me the good and bad of both parties. Watching your show made me Ill and I felt like you couldn't kiss obamas tail any harder. He has faults like every one else, but you could never admit that. I won't be watching again and you shouldn't call yourself a newswoman. Also anyone who says personal attacks about anyone is just a hater and I bet your life reflects that. This world needs more love and discussions about our differences not snotty little cute comments, like we are in school again. It's hard to decide anymore, because everyone lies. I can't wait until we have someone running who really wants America to do well, not just sit in Washington and enjoy the benefits. Someday someday.....
Nana: I like your input and wish you would stay on. Your desire for facts and substance and not characterizing others in a personal way would be good example to hopefully improve the language.
Very well said Nana. You stand and manner of expressing your point of view is refreshing for this blog. All you have to do is read the nasty comments on Ms. Noonan. It does not natter whether you agree with her, but state the reason why you disagree. Instead they call her piggy, arrogant, airhead bimbo, moron and retarded.
Forgive me, board, but I'm tired of coddling this kind of rank ignorance. @ Nana - if facts make you so ill, you need to get out more.
Nana, both you and Robert need to go to a board that supports your delusional and incoherent thinking. The fox news boards is where you belong.
I agree with you June, I am tired of ignorant posters coming on this site spewing nonsense and lies.
You ever heard of the 1st Amendment?This is a public blog. If you do not like what we say you have the following options, either:
1. Leave this blog and write on Keith Olberman's blog.
2. Do not read our posts
3. Do like the radio and turn us off. Go to your profile and do so.
4. Join a "confirmation bias" circle, or
5. Grin and bear it like an adult.
Sure I have.
1. The 1st amendment gives you the right to sound like an absolute idiot.
2. Do not read my posts.
3. You can do the same to my posts as well.
4. You have all ready joined a "confirmation bias"circle which is why you are so ignorant.
5. Go f*ck yourself.
Excuse me, @Robert - Donna is indeed exercising her right to free speech, and yet, your first instinct is to banish her. P'shaw!
Nana--
You obviously missed the part about Rachel's show (and this blog, for that matter) being commentary. Kind of like the opinion/editorial page of your newspaper. When Rachel is hosting her show she is providing commentary on the day's news. You need to watch more often--Rachel takes Democrats to task when they deserve it, but it's hard to ignore the more prolifically silly/stupid/mendacious current crop of Republican politicians. . .
She and the rest of the trolls here have to know that (unless they are psychotic), but as always, they are insufferably arrogant and will tell any self-serving lie they think they can get away with. Every day in every way, the trolls here demonstrate why those on the right have totally forfeited any legitimate claim to civility, let alone courtesy.
Just because Peggy Noonan and Michelle Bachmann are right-wing lunatics, that doesn't give anyone the right to call them a "bimbo" or "media whore" or say that they should be assaulted.
Seriously, people. If you're going to call yourself a liberal or a leftist, you shouldn't need a damn Feminism 101 class, here. When you say things like that, it makes you just as ignorant as the Bible thumping fake Christians in the GOP.
Knock it off.
Thank you Patrick. You do honor to you cause.
I actually happen to agree with you, Patrick. 'Loon', "clinically insane', "delusional" - fair enough for Bachmann and Noonan. But I don't like it when one of our own is the target of right-wing sexist rhetoric, and it's not cool or excusable when "we" do it either.
Happy Friday suckers, lol
QUOTER OF THE DAY
“I’ve had it with the abortion issue. Millions of wannbe followers of CHRIST have when over to the dark side for no other reason than anti-abortion? Pastors in Evangelical Churches all over the nation have spent the last 30 years organizing for the Republican Party still have their tax exempt status intact. The “Conservative Labyrinth” (John S. Saloma III) has spent billions on religious broadcasting and church tidings. They spent SO MUCH money they actually convinced Christians, who aren’t using their brains, that JESUS and War Profiteers are on the same side.
The GOP used Conservative Christians like a $10.00 crack ho. They convinced the flock to support/vote for them using anti abortion and spent 30+ years doing nothing about it. Think about it you idiots, 8 years of Reagan. 4 years of Bush Sr, a Republican controlled Congress from 1994-2006, 8 years of Bush Jr and HOW MANY SUPREME COURT APPOINTMENTS? …abortion was hardly and after thought except before election time.
I hate to say it but the LEFT has got to stop defending abortion. We have many, MANY other more important issues to FOCUS on at this time. Women should do as the ancient Greek women who withheld sex until the men come to their senses”. Joe the Eunuch
lol
I will probably regret asking this, but what the frak is Limbaugh talking about? I can't imagine any way in which the ACA ruling can be taking as overturning Marbury v. Madison, unless Rush (you wish they were all sluts) Limbaugh believes that Marbury requires the overturning every bill passed into law during the Obama administration. Short version: Limbaugh must be an idiot, yeah?
Marbury vs. Madison was the original "activist" judicial decision...
If you want to see smoke come out of Republican's ears, remind him of that fact...
Hey, I could use an opinion. The Reverend Al referred to Rush as Rush Scumbutt...
My contribution was The Humbaugh®... Hey, I love Al, and I know he's a man of the cloth, but I think mine was just an itsy bit more inspired...
Opinions wanted...
What is the ‘real’ difference to Republican leaders, between Republicans ‘leaving’ everybody else to fend for their selves to buy their own health insurance, or health care services, and the Individual Mandate? The GOP does not want the government to help some people pay for their health care, when the government already ‘is’ helping some people and the government, including Republican leadership, keep collecting the same amount of taxes for it. (Do Republican Constituents want the GOP to keep collecting ‘the same’ amount of taxes, and ‘not’ spend it, as long as they get their GOP-funneled share out of tax revenue in a tax cut, or what? This tax game is not getting any of us anywhere.)
As far as Republican leaders being against the Individual Mandate, The Ryan Medicare voucher plan ‘mandates’ seniors to pay any added out-of-pocket costs from expected price growth from here on out. (Here we have again, Republican Party collecting ‘the same’ amount of taxes for the Medicare Fund but not being responsible to pay the full bill out it. It is not a good idea to let the government start to do that.)
The Republicans should know they were the original tax collectors which started in Greece between 60B.C.-100B.C. If they actually had any kind of a plan why haven't they started using it yet? How many more people have to die, before they step in with their magic plans, I've looked all over but, I haven't seen any.They have plenty of States to show off their new test Models. The problem is a very old test model worked a long time ago, and then somebody, we won't name names, decided to fix something that wasn't broke.So, what other bright idea do they have hidden under their sleeves. some more knives in which to twist into our backs. I don't think so. Obama's in the House. Paint it Black.
President Obama apparantly has given the World a booster shot. Believe me there's more where that came from. Positive energy has a way of invoking more positive energy, and so on and so on. Democrats should be strutting their stuff, as long as they give thanks where thanks are due.Dear Father, thank you for hearing the prayers of the oppressed ,the little people, the munchkins, the muppets. Signed Your Motley Crew.
Here we go again. When Republicans win, it's a MANDATE!!!!!!!
When Democrats win, Republicans claim they have to have to fight against it for THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND FREEDOM!!!!
The old - "Heads they win, tails we lose".
They have to find something to fight about why not Abortion for another 100 years. They just really don't know what else to talk about ,this issue seems to get the right all fired up. Keeping them angry I guess. They don't understand that only very few people have total recall. Most people don't start remembering things until about 4 years old. My very first memory was that of my Mom crying when John Kennedy was shot, she asked me to pray for him while he was in the hospital. I also remember waving goodbye to Robert Kennedy. The strength of a man is always measured by how well he protects and defends a woman.Sometimes to the death.
I don't know that anyone will see this or be able to answer it, but: if George Romney was born in Mexico, how did he qualify to run for president? (Because his parents were American?)
Now, I think Holder's being held in contempt is a sham. Still, is it really appropriate for the Justice Department he runs to decide whether or not it warrants prosecution? How is that not a conflict of interest?
Somebody should give Chris Hayes some credit for calling the SCOTUS decision on the mandate in his 6.24.12 show. He made the comment that the ACA personal mandate was solidly constitutional when considered as a tax.
The WH said yesterday that it was not a tax. Who is right, Hayes or the WH?
Hayes & the SCOTUS
Thanks for your honesty.
What do you call it when you do not file income taxes on time, when you owe IRS money? A tax penalty. And the point being they called it a penalty, not a tax? So? SCOTUS said it's over, so are we debating what Romney plan after he repeals (essentially Romneycare) (on day one) the whole thing?