Today's edition of quick hits:
* An unpleasant day for the Pentagon nominee: "Chuck Hagel, President Obama's nominee to be secretary of defense, came under sharp and sometimes angry questioning Thursday on a wide range of issues from fellow Republicans at his Senate confirmation hearing."
* Chicago is still reeling after the shooting that left Hadiya Pendleton dead.
* Another school shooting: "A 14-year-old boy was shot and a teacher was injured at a middle school in Atlanta on Thursday afternoon, officials said."
* Alabama hostage standoff: "The family of an Alabama boy abducted from his school bus and being held in an underground bunker is 'holding on by a thread,' a state representative said Thursday as the hostage drama stretched into a third day."
* Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced an a/v element to today's hearing, hoping to smear Chuck Hagel with a 2009 clip from a call-in talk show on Al Jazeera. The problem: Cruz and his staff appear to have edited the clip to take Hagel wildly out of context.
* Syria: I"sraeli officials remained silent on Thursday about their airstrike in Syrian territory the day before, a tactic that experts said was part of a longstanding strategy to give targeted countries face-saving opportunities to avoid conflict escalation. But Syria's own confirmation of the attack, followed by harsh condemnation not only by Israel's enemies Iran and Hezbollah but also by Russia, may have undercut that effort, analysts said, increasing the likelihood of a cycle of retaliation."
* Sensible standards: "Cecilia Munoz, director of the White House's Domestic Policy Council and the president's top adviser on immigration, said that the administration has a plan in its immigration package to move the undocumented population through the green card process without having to wait 'decades and decades' for approval."
* 49 states have approved some kind of limits on abortion access. The sole exception in the United States? Oregon.
* And my friend Chris Mooney has a fascinating interview with Paul Krugman on science and pseudoscience in economics.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Leave a Comment:
Is this what Taratino meant by “going medieval on you”? ThinkProgress: “GOP Montana Legislator Wants State To Spank Criminals”
Of course there's no sense applying Montana justice on Wall Street folks. They pay good money for that sort of thing and it would only encourage them.
Nice to see t hat drooling moron Cruz caught out with his b.s. If it comes from a "conservative blog," that's all you need to know to know it's wrong, inaccurate, probably a lie, likely made up.
Just remember: The Right is wrong. Always.
He obviously went to the same conservative school of journalism that brings us pimps and prostitutes a la James O'Keefe (who's hiring, btw, if you're conservative enough to pass his personal reference requirement and mailable enough to have no conscience).
If Cruz doesnt get reelected in Texas, he can always get a job with MSNBC. then again, they have so many people who already do that type of editing that they might not need another one.
just saying...
How many?
Well...there is Andrea Mitchell, Martin Bashear and Ed Schultz to name three...
just saying...
Well...those guys have nothing on Beck, O'Reilly, all those folks at Fox & Friends-Gretchen, and Brian, Clayton Morris and Alisyn Camerota of Fox news, and all their rather long laundry list of how many times that crew has deceptively edited all of their clips, but hey, EVERYONE does it, right?
Donna...,
(sarcasm alert!)
But those on the right are Ideologically Sound/Theologically Correct, so it's okay for them to do it!
I have never said they didnt do it. It was this site that made the comment about Fox.
Once again, the hypocrisy from the left raises its ugly head.
just saying...
And trying to use the "both sides do it" meme is absolutely ridiculous.
Once again the idiot right wing talking points that trolls bring up raises its ugly head.
just saying....
and once again instead of addressing the point, the left attacks the poster.
surprise surprise...
just saying...
I did address the point, but you lack the reading comprehension skills to understand that.
And if you think my post is an "attack" then you acknowledge the fact that you are a troll with nothing but right wing talking points.
surprise surprise....
just saying...
Republicans are zombies that want to eat Democrats but now they seem to want to eat their own, too.
unpleasant day
Not only was it an unpleasant day for Chuck Hagel it was an unpleasant day for America, to have a senior US Senator act like an inquisitor from the Salem Witch Trials was embarrassing.
It was embarrassing for any decent person. Those on the right probably got a thrill out of it, if you get my drift.
mark, you must have missed all the inquisitions the Bush administration had to suffer through. In things like that Democrats always set the standard.
Wow! The Blank must have set a new low with this bit of contrary-to-fact whining!
That whole Bork thing still bothering you?
The Blank is probably livid because Bork didn't get on the SC.
The teapubs go after Hagel for the same reason they went after Kerry. Anyone that has served their country in war and doesn't promote war on ever other country in the world as an answer to any disagreement cannot be tolerated in their party. Especially when it is one of their own.
your insane! there are no bigger anti war advocates in the world than those that have seen it first hand.
by, john mcain is a vet too.
captain kid, McCain has been suffering from grumpy old man syndrome. He bears no relationship with the McCain who first ran for the Senate. In this life, he is a serious hawk - remember "bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran?" There are many many bigger anti war advocates than some vets. McCain as an elder should model professional and constructive behavior. Instead he acted like a resentful, nasty brat. NO ONE who appears before a government committee should be treated like a terrorist. Disgusting.
McCAIN ?.. the McCain who picked what turned out to be the 'Stupidest" vice presidential candidate since Dan "potatoE"Quayle ?.. That John McCain ?..
Dude !.. That's why you never became PRESIDENT in 2008 !..
You don't have one IOTA of credibility !.. Two words.. "SARAH PALIN" !....
You remember her right ?.. Caribou Barbie ?..
The chick that can see Russia from her house ?..
STFU McCAIN !... We went into Iraq for personal vengeful reasons !..
Had nothing to do with AL QUAIDA !.. And everything to do with settling a score with Sadam Hussein !..
Just ask George W. Bush and "Dick " Cheney !...
Chuck Hagel is NOT a Neocon WAR MONGER !.. That's why all the Hate !..
Or is it the "Fear" of a Black Planet ?..
Just saying ...
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0603/Political-misquotes-The-10-most-famous-things-never-actually-said/I-can-see-Russia-from-my-house!-Sarah-Palin
Pee party patriot = Yet another reason to support voter suppression.
More right-wing unwarranted self-pity.
As for Krugman, how could the left not love someone whose every economic prescription is mo money, mo money, mo money. Why he's the high priest for the party of free stuff!
The Blank once again shows that those on the right love to lie.
Maybe you will prove more competent than the others who throw around the term "left" so freely. At one time it meant people who wanted to nationalize industry and replace the market with central planning. I haven't met one of those since the collapse of Russia.
The right wing seems to use "left" to mean anyone who thinks government can improve the lives of average citizens better than our corporate CEOs can on their own. Shoot, Shooter, even F,. A. Hayek and Milton Friedman wanted a government minimum guaranteed income. Are they 'left' these days?
Enlighten us all with what you mean by the term. If you can. (You'll be the first in my experience if you do- consider it a challenge.)
One flaw in your argument. You say,
Corporate CEOs are not looking to improve the lives of average citizens! They disdain as the 47% or the takers? They are only looking to improve the bottom lines of the wealthy.
Not a flaw. My point exactly. Anyone who thinks government is an appropriate tool to help people live better lives seems to be "the left" for these sociopathic followers of Ayn Rand and those like her.
Well Gus, Obama nationalized GM and Chrysler, AIG, and the Student Loan industry. He also has arranged to support the now ever bigger than ever banks and killed the coal generated power companies. And there's another term to go. Some people think 401k's are the next shoe to be taken over. Central planning gets covered once again by propping up the banks, and regulating health insurance while deciding who gets free coverage and waivers from said regulation.
But you misunderstand the right. No one objects to the idea of Govt and it's role in facilitating all sorts of things. The issue we have is, how much is enough. Should Govt take someone elses efforts to support strangers? When welfare pays better than working, is that a good thing? When Govt takes property belonging to one individual and gives it to another individual, is that right? Should Govt ban every gun that isn't a revolver?
While the intentions of the left may be noble, the actual results are usually not. And yes, the right can be as restrictive as the left. Any questions?
blanks: the troll who knows absolutely nothing....
WOW Donna, shooter hit so close to home he almost left you speechless.
Another three pointer shooter. LOL
Oh looky...The Blank brought in another troll so they could have a mutual stroking session!
Endoscopy emerges from the dark cavern to shed light on the earth.
Trolls always emerge to use non-conservative blogs as their toilet.
Equal Rights Amendment, because we have been waiting a very long time for full citizenship.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/vigorously-support-womens-rights-fully-engaging-efforts-ratify-1972-equal-rights-amendment-era/16XQWXpS
So we have a United States Senator who uses the tactics of James OKeefe in a Senate hearing to sabotage a distinguished war hero, that should not stand. Editing a clip should be beneath the dignity of a senator but this guy is a very ambitious viper. Ted Cruz has only been in the Senate for a few weeks and has shown himself to be a dishonest show boat. The press secretary Jay Carmey should call him out on that dishonesty at tomorrow's briefing.
I do not think you are treating vipers fairly.
Soooo nothing about MSNBC's altering video of person who "heckled" the Sandy Hook parent? Come clean MSNBC...you just like every other news channel from ABC to FOX
What, nothing on the Menendez sexcations?
Another school shooting: Last night on Lawrence Gail Trotter tried to defend a mothers choice to have an assault weapon in the home for self defense. I think Lawrence missed an opportunity to point out to this woman that it was a mother who had an assault weapon in her home for "self defense" that led to the Sandy Hook shooting.
gun "control" advocates always say more gun will result in more shootings, but there are never any mass shootings at gun shows, gun shops, and shooting ranges.
Raul of Dorchester
Gail Trotter was advocating that mothers with children should choose an assault rifle to protect her and her children in her home. Your comments about Liberals are misguided at best if you are directing them towards me. I probably own more of these weapons than you do and have enough firearms training to say that an assault rifle is a poor choice for anybody to use inside a home, for self defense or any other reason. If you knew your a$$ from a hot rock when it comes to the practical use of firearms you would know this already.
I agree that the edited "heckler" vid was a bad deal. But you are here to be trolls, and you have dominated a lot of the conversation just to throw insults. You know this is a liberal blog and you have come to piss on the carpet. Yet you are flaunting your superiority? Even my dog knows better than to misbehave in someone else's home. This is all you got going, I guess. You feel more manly when you insult people? When you pull out your guns? How 'bout you get your head out of your a$$, grow up, and be a good boy.
No matter how much they try to obfuscate (and outright lie), it is quite obvious that the Gun Cult wants guns so they can overthrow the Government. They are insurrectionists, one and all.
Raul,
The best type of gun for home defense is a shotgun. For one, you don't need to do much targeting; if you point at someone and shoot (especially for short distances) you will hit them (unless you point at the floor or ceiling). Plus, you avoid the danger to your neighbors that a bullet will go through the wall or a window and cause injury to someone OUTSIDE your home. I have a double-barrelled 12ga shotgun that I purchased after carefully considering which type of gun would be safest for my neighbors and still an effective home self-defense weapon.
i think it's totally amazing that the network that edited the zimmerman call and the newtown hearing are critical of ted cruz. i guess liberals don't like when thier own tactics are used by others. by the way, how many ad hominum attacks are people going to sling here?
I find it equally amazing that while Hannity can make such a stink about the Zimmerman call, but is more than happy to go along with Romney editing Obama's quote of John McCain "we'll lose" and the "you didn't build that" campaign quote, and shamelessly play those edits over and over again to bolster his vile hate rhetoric.
There you go again, with your fact-free tin-foil-hat Ideological Soundness.
Why is it that Raul always makes me think of that film Eating Raul.
nolaughingmatter commented just now
How many of these people voted for President Obama?
Did you watch the Super Bowl!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR9NV7D4FVY
NLM has a serious ego problem.
Here's something that I'd like to see start happening. When the next news report comes along about another shooting, I'd like the reporter to refer to the shooter as the 'gun owner' instead of the generic 'gunman'. Now, I know, the gun nuts are going to tell me that the kid who shot up Sandy Hook stole the gun from his mother. And that information, when received, should be corrected in subsequent reports about a shooting. But the percentages are with me. Most shooters are owners. So I think we should default to that phrase instead of just saying 'gunman' like it was someone who just happened to have a gun.
I believe in the Constitutional right to bear arms...
But I don't need a 100 bullet clip, to do so...
I believe mandatory universal background checks is a good common ground compromise that should be enacted into law . As is making these high capacity clips illegal... Unless I am going on a hunting trip to Africa... I don't need an assault weapon...
I believe ONLY military personnel should be allowed to carry assault weapons...
But that's just me...
and are you determining what an assault weapon is based off of how it looks or the damage it inflicts when fired? Why is one gun legal because of the way it looks, yet the same gun firing the same projectile at the same velocity is illegal because of the type of grip that is on the weapon?
There are lots of guns that fire more powerful ammunition than an "assault weapon".
I have no problem at all with background checks...
just saying...
@ PeePartyPatriot
I agree with mandatory universal background checks.
However... I defer to the law enforcement individuals that I know that don't support the ban... why... because they consider that it's been done before and studies don't bear out that it was effective.
NYS had reasonably tough gun laws before enacting the SAFE act in the dead of night. Now law enforcement and law abiding citizens will be strapped with this feel good piece of legislation that does nothing to solve the real issues.
We need to look at the origins... namely school bullying and extreme mental health issues.
We need to aggressively address how crisis mental health issues are managed via outpatient and inpatient treatment. We need to look further on the criterion for admission and for discharge of inpatient services... (i.e. compliance with the new treatment regime and mood/behavioral stability for multiple days)... this is a big issue. Family and friends trying to support an individual with severe mental health concerns do not always have the level of professional intervention that the situation warrants and are left with few options.
All of that is a thinly-disguised plan for allowing Gun Cult insurrectionists to "have their way" with the US. There are already way too many guns in the US, and I have no doubt that you heartily approve of that.
There you go again, with your fact-free tin-foil-hat Ideological Soundness.
Your words but I couldn't have said it better
Lol! Trolls are so cute when they get all petulant!
the amazing thing to me is that everything prez. obama proposes is always kicked to death by the gop. some genius in one of their think tanks must have decided that its better to argue about everything. now i realize some things may not be in the gops ballpark but everything? come on! senator mccain is acting like a spoiled old man. what a shame! he could be leading his party and trying to help america back on its feet. the one thing the gop prays about every night is that one of their old supreme court justices doesn't have the big one. that scares them to death! palin runs for govenor of arizona in two years. mark my words. i read a comment the other day about a middle eastern leader who says that he only has jobs for about 50% of kids who graduate. no wonder those countries are constantly fighting and killing each other. they need to spend some of that oil money and create some jobs. it would be interesting to do some research and see just how much of the defense budget is spent in gop states. i bet it would shock you. the prez is doing a good job because he is focusing on the middle class. they are the engine that drives the bus forward. i have seen many people who have retired say 10 to 20 years ago are struggling. higher taxes, gas prices, food,utilities all put these people that have a frozen amount of money to live on; in a very,very tight spot. i have seen many people in their 70s having to get a part time job to make ends meet.