Today's edition of quick hits:
* Medal of Honor: "President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor to celebrated Army veteran Clinton Romesha on Monday afternoon, making the former active duty staff sergeant just the fourth living person to receive the military's highest honor for service in Iraq or Afghanistan."
* Another deadly shooting: "A man opened fire at a Delaware courthouse on Monday, killing two women and wounding two others before he was fatally shot, officials said."
* Papal abdications are extremely rare: "When Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday morning that he would step down at the end of the month, the news spread around the world in minutes. The last time this happened, things were a bit different. When Pope Celestine V abdicated in December 1294, five months after being elected, just 37 years had passed since the first recorded meeting of the seven electors of the Holy Roman Empire, according to Ohio State University's History Timeline."
* The new right-wing conspiracy theory: John Brennan, President Obama's choice to be the new head of the CIA, is actually a secret Muslim. (He's really not.)
* Speaking of peak stupidity: "Ted Nugent, the gun-loving, bow-hunting rocker whose staunch defense of Second Amendment rights and inflammatory insults of President Obama have made him a hero with many conservatives, will attend the president's State of the Union address on Tuesday night."
* Politico told readers today that the federal budget deficit "is set to exceed $14 trillion by the end of the fiscal year." Politico is only off by $13.2 trillion, a detail the editors probably should have noticed before publication.
* Guilty plea in Florida: "After two weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling, former GOP party chairman Jim Greer walked into court Monday morning and pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering charges that could put him behind bars for 3 and 1/2 years."
* And Mike Huckabee to the list of prominent voices on the right outraged by Karl Rove's Conservative Victory Project. Huckabee called the initiative "absolutely repulsive."
* And when Fox News runs a photo of two women getting married, but the network thinks one of the women is a man, let's just say the results are pretty amusing.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Leave a Comment:
The interweb income stream only works for Politico when they publish he said / he said articles and the occasional error strewn article just for the dust up it will cause.
Those "reporters" over there at Politico are having a hell of a sophomoric good time, while strolling to the bank with all that Right Wing largesse coming their way because they bend the narrative a bit to the right of center even when it deserves not to be written that way! -Kevo
Announcement from "Tiger Beat on the Potomac" (as Charlie Pierce calls the far right disinformation project known as "Politico:"): "Facts? Facts??!! We don't need no steenking facts, steenking lib'ruls!"
"Politico is only off by $13.2 trillion"
"Math is Hard!!!"
So goes it at the website Charles Pierce calls: "Tiger Beat on the Potomac."
John Brennan is NOT a secret muslim. Wake up to reality people, Obama is a secret republican. This allegation actually fits the the facts that are known today, 4 years after we voted for change.
I'm feeling sick. I just watched Touré on the Spin Cycle. His comments today make him an apologist for Obama's use of drones in implementation of current US foreign policy. Firstly, Touré proclaimes that "if you join al Qaeda, you have given up your citizenship". Of course, that's a convenient (and false) presumption on an issue that has not been determined in any duly constituted and authorized body of our government. Worst of all, Touré proclaimed that we may be in a permanent war against al Qaeda. Yes indeed folks. I guarantee it will be permanent until the moment citizens STAND UP to stop it.
This is just like the utterly corrupt "war against drugs". Did the war against drugs eliminate drugs? No. It was never intended to do that. In fact, that's just how the policy was "sold" to us to make it politically acceptable and palatable. What it REALLY does is it allows the US military to keep forces in South America to project hegemeny of the Western Neocon Establishment into Columbia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Latin America. So isn't the new permanent war against al Qaeda just like the old permanent war against drugs? You bet your ass it is. Sadly, Touré has shown himself to be a cheerleader for the SAME FOREIGN POLICY THAT PRESIDENT GW BUSH IMPLEMENTED. The SAME FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA AND TACTICS THAT DICK CHENEY CHAMPIONED.
Where is the change? Is this what we voted for when we voted to end the war in Iraq? Didn't we vote to end US involvement in foreign conflicts? That didn't happen, did it? Instead we got secret wars perpetrated by the CIA with drones and fake revolutions called the "Arab Spring" which are entirely astroturf and mercenaries. We were fooled by a liar and a poser. Obama betrayed the most fundamental demand of our last election.
After watching the Senate hearings on Brennan's nomination, I got the distinct impression that the GOP is fully behind Obama's drone program and they pointedly want Brennan to withhold all information related to it. They reminded me of Archie Bunker shouting ixnay! at his talkative wife Edith, trying to stop her before she said too much.
But if republicans are behind Obama's secret drone program, then Obama is completing their unfinished agenda started under the Bush Administration. Obama is their man pursuing their agenda.
In regards to Rachel's question from the other day ~"How much evidence does Obama need before he decides to target an American Citizen for death?" The answer is exactly the same amount of evidence GW Bush needed to invade Iraq. Nothing. At least no real evidence. This much is already established by the aftermath of the war in Iraq, -a war which killed 5000 Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. As a substitute for real evidence, a couple of emphatically stated lies like Bush's claims of WMD, mushroom clouds, and Saddam's drones overflying America can be repeated as necessary.
In regards to Bush's allegation that Saddam could use drones against America, it turns out that WE are the country doing that. The neocon establishment behind Bush (and now Obama) knew Americans would not tolerate these drones. However, they fully expect us to remain silent while the same kind of drones -only in this case US drones that are REAL, -NOT IMAGINARY, -fly over the homes of people in other parts of the world. Are we such sheep that we can be herded and manipulated like this?
Lastly, by now it should be dawning even on the most stalwart Obama supporters here that he is not the man we thought we elected. Even Touré can't stop this awakening. When measured by his acts, -and not by his words and promises, the picture of this man changes.
ACTS: Obama twice acted at the UN to block lawful resolutions designed to advance the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. First, Obama used his veto (being the only vote against) to block a UNSC resolution designed to force Israel to stop all Settlement construction in occupied territory, which is something Israel agreed to do when it signed the Road Map. It is also something that MUST happen BEFORE negotiations begin for core issues and final status. This is a specification of the Road Map. It is what Israel agreed to do. Obama blocked that effort to move the peace process forward by enforcing Israel's Road Map obligations. Second, Obama used diplomatic pressure to lobby against a General Assembly resolution to recognize Palestine as a non-member state. This second resolution was attempted only after Obama blocked the first one. The GA resolution passed overwhelmingly. Still, Obama's vote was against it, on the wrong side of history and on the wrong side of his promises.
In addition, Obama has used the US leadership position in the Quartet to cripple it and prevent advancement of the agenda for peace it was created to pursue. This is one reason why George Mitchell resigned. He saw Obama for what he really is: -a neocon puppet of Israel posing as a democrat.
Look around you: All the political and social horrors we have had to deal with here at home were entirely self-inflicted. Examples include the debt ceiling, the economic collapse, the home foreclosure crises, the fight over health care reform, etc. These things function as a distraction to keep us worried about our homes and our asses while Obama completes the unfinished neocon agenda of the prior administration to topple every Arab state in the mid east.
For me, the most disconcerting part of that thought is the possibility that Obama and Israel are conspiring to create "Arab democracies" in the region, -not for advancement of human rights, but specifically so that Palestinians will have places to relocate when Israel drives them out of Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the occupied West Bank. If this happens, it will be a war crime on a scope equivalent to Hitler's Final Solution. And our president will have sullied the public image of the USA permanently by involving us in it.
Let's go further. IF the public decides to vote against more wars, -as they did in 2007, -and continued overt war seems unlikely to gain public approval, the political forces behind the push for war and continued extension of western hegemeny can just tell the president to shift the war to the CIA, where there is no real oversight, no right for the public to be advised, and apparently no way to stop it, short of impeachment of the president and replacement of his cabinet and department heads.
In this manner these political forces can do an end-run around us that circumvents the democratic will of the citizens of the United States -to get what they want. In this case, that would be the toppling of every Arab state in the mid east, whether the public backs it or not. That effectively makes our military and CIA the private army of these groups. But WHO do these groups serve? I bet you already know that answer.
I wouldn't let Toure get under you skin, he's a two-bit VJ from a second tier video-music channel that MSNBC is using to appeal to the young and disconnected demographic. Same as CNN did with Soledad and Today with that Hoover girl.
His media status or popularity is of no concern to me. What offends me is his message. Toure has made himself a tool of the establishment to garner minority support for the drone program.
Where did that come from? Did you wonder if any other left leaning person was defending the drone program to garner "minority support"? Tipping your hand a little bit. The conservatives in GA are not the only ones with issues about race.
I have no problem with skin color. The issue is one of propaganda intended to shore up political support for the drone program in specific demographic groups. Since its inception, this war has been carried primarily on the backs of minorities. If there were a real draft, there would be no war. You know it and I know it.
For the moment, let's focus on TV news talking heads. FOX News talking heads who support the drone program: All of them. MSNBC talking heads: Most of them. Toure and Chris Matthews are good examples. Chris also says "we have to do something to stop Iran". You can read that as advance support for war against Iran. CNN talking heads who openly support the drone program: None that I know of. This might be because they remember the difference between news and propaganda.
You can expect in the coming SOTU speech Obama will suggest the Bush-named war on terror, -now renamed by Obama as the war against al Qaeda, -will be a permanent war that never ends. Obama expects the public to accept this, even though we voted to end all involvement in foreign conflicts. If the public is not in control of these decisions, then whose agenda does the war serve? I think thats a fair question.
On a lighter note. If Cardinal Angelo Scola becomes Pope, Coca Cola bottling Co. will become highly insulted by all the free advertising. You see if he becomes Pope he will be known as Pope Scola. I must have to much free time.
Yeah, the very moral Red Hat Gang, including "Cardinal" Roger Mahoney, exposed as a conspirator to hide perverts and obstruct justice (who gave up all "public duties" other than his Cardinal's right to vote for Pope), will gather with his other hiders of perverts and obstructors of justice to elect one of their own to continue to conspiracy.
Ratzi's "ill health" was brought on by the likely discovery of the smoking gun in the Vatican archive of him orchestrating the harassment of the victims back when he was running the Inquisition.
I was surprised to learn that the U.N.’s drone investigator backs Brennan's nomination. (Spencer Ackerman's story at Wired)
Speaking of drones- And the fact they are using them to search for the ex-LA cop- and the fact that the police chief in LA said he was a domestic terrorist- Do you think Obama will authorize a missle to take him out when it finds him? As Brennan said, relative to terrorists- he sort of gave up his right to surrender when he went on his rampage...
One Billion Women on the Planet will be Raped or Beaten in Their Lifetime...
JOIN V-DAY ON FEBRUARY 14. Raise your voice to be heard TO DEMAND AN END TO Violence
It is time for women and the men who support them, to rise together to be heard!
Please Contact: onebillionrising.org or V-Day on facebook to find an event near you to join
Wonder if there is a set of facts to back up this claim
yeah, didnt figure there was...
Obama has put cutting Social Security benefits on the table again.
Send an email to the White House telling President Obama to immediately stop proposing any cuts to Social Security.
Thanks for spotting this, fave. It's no surprise, of course, but it's very disappointing. You know, probably, that the c-cpi will affect seniors taxes as well as their benefits. I guess it's because all us seniors are so rich we can afford to pay more taxes on $1400/mo so the rich Americans, the ones who really count, can pay less. I'm disgusted with Obama and the entire democratic party.
That makes sense.
Social Security and Medicare Trustees Reports show the combined unfunded liability of these two programs has reached nearly $107 trillion in today's dollars! That is about seven times the size of the U.S. economy and 10 times the size of the outstanding national debt.
The unfunded liability is the difference between the benefits that have been promised to current and future retirees and what will be collected in dedicated taxes and Medicare premiums. Last year alone, this debt rose by $5 trillion. If no other reform is enacted, this funding gap can only be closed in future years by substantial tax increases, large benefit cuts or both.
nolaughingmatter
Why don't you let people know where you got those fantasy figures from?
It's from the National Center for Policy Analysis
That's a conservative propaganda machine people.
Check out their website -- http://www.ncpa.org/index.php
Guess who is their next big event on Feb 27 - Karl Rove!
Think people.
How about a further description of these scum from Right Wing Watch
Yup - devoted to privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Ain't that sweet.
How does Ted Nugent even get clearance? Shouldn't he be on some kind of watch list?
Not to worry, there will be armed Secret Service Agents in the chamber. I am sure the head of the service will assign at least two agents to watch Mr. Nugent.
(glitch)
Thank you, John. I was hyper-ventilating. I feel much better now.
Can they legally duct-tape his mouth?
Who cares if it is legal...they should do it anyway...Da Nooge deserves at least that much. ;-)
He's a washed up blow hard that would probably have trouble finding his seat.
I bet Obama could take care of him while giving the speach.
It would be funny to have some folks in the peanut gallery with laser pointers cover Nugent with red dots. But that would be wrong (?) or not allowed? It was used in the TV show Monk.
If the camera pans to him, I recommend any SOU parties have some laser pointers to aim at the screen. Hi-larry-us,
lol sandy. wouldnt it be neat if they did the same to obama?
Did this guy Ted Nugent, not threaten to shoot Obama ?..
I hope the secret service pats down this hillbilly red neck, before he even enters the halls of Congress. I'm sure there must be an assault rifle hiding around there some where in one of those orifices...
This dude need's a cavity search besides a pat down !...
I'm just saying...
"Did this guy Ted Nugent, not threaten to shoot Obama ?.."
No doubt, that is exactly why Rustbucket is supporting Da Nooge.
Mr. Nugent will be at the state of the union I gather. Now I know he can be a bit bombastic about the amendment #2 sometimes. Dear, I feel his pain, I know his frustration.I know, at the moment no one is talking of an outright ban on guns.Howeva, many on the left have been calling for a repeal. That's why the NRA and Ted will not budge on any compromise.They fear the inch will lead to mile.You can't blame them, they've been hearing it for years.An assault weapons ban will lead to more and more.Sweety, criminals are not concerned with statutes, codes, or legislation.Laws keep honest people honest, and that is the truth.
I keep a shooting iron in my bedside table.I shoot skeet with my hubby.I love to eat fresh quail and waterfowl taken with a fine shotgun.I don't think that seizing these from our family will lead to the lion lying down with the lamb. Shangra La and Utopia are myths and legendary tall tales.Mankind is in a fallen condition and that being said, We have the sovereign right to defend our homes and selves with deadly force if needed.
Yall have a great evening.
And decent human beings have the right to defend themselves with deadly force from Neo-Confederates. This time, they don't get to keep their horses and guns. It's off-topic, I know, but Robert E. Lee should have been hanged for treason. Leading the army of the insurrectionist states was treason no matter how you try to slice it or dice it.
magnolia, what do you think teddy's gonna do? Crap his pants for a couple weeks in advance of the SOTU speech like he did before his induction exam?
Is teddy going to show up with two week's worth of crapola in his panties? Oh, you've got yerself a real hero to get behind (teehee) and you should foist him for a major public office in whatever place he calls home and isn't under charges for molestation of a minor.
Let's see. He goes to extremes to avoid serving his country during a time of war, commits carnal knowledge of a minor and brags about both to bolster his 'creed' to other gun fondling penis deficient wannabe rambos all in the name of patriotism and freedom. Right?
Yep, sounds likes the senatorial material the republican party has been waiting for. Maybe now they can retake the Senate if only Th' Nudge would clean his nasty buttocks and run for office. What's he afraid of now?
We already know serving his country is not on his list of priorities. We also know that he doesn't feel bound to conform to laws regarding the sanctity of marriage, protection of children or the laws against corrupting said children for sexual gratification and then boasting about it, flaunting the legal and moral laws of society.
Mag, you've got yourself one heck of a candidate there and I sincerely hope you donate as much as you can to his campaign. Heck, talk your friends into donating all they can afford to his campaign as well. Ask yourself the question 'what would th' nudge do?' Hell, that's easy. Th' nudge would take your donation and buy a couple grams of meth! See, he's just like you! All the more reason you should donate every single dime you have to his campaign. Please don't let this opportunity escape you!
Act now before this offer is withdrawn and Th'Nudge finds some other grifting scheme to milk for the next decade. Please act now! Dirty bottom Teddy Nudge for Senator of whatever state he's not under criminal charges for at the moment. There's a bumper sticker for you, Mag. You don't need to thank me. Th'Nudge running for political office will be reward enough for me, darlin'.
You're welcome.
Bravo, gordano!
Something to contemplate as the ever-so-moral leaders of the Catholic Church gather to elect an ever-so-moral leader. This guy (Roger Mahony) still has a vote:
Pressed to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars to settle clergy sex abuse lawsuits, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony turned to one group of Catholics whose faith could not be shaken: the dead. Under his leadership in 2007, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles quietly appropriated $115 million from a cemetery maintenance fund and used it to help pay a landmark settlement with molestation victims. The church did not inform relatives of the deceased that it had taken the money, which amounted to 88 percent of the fund. Families of those buried in church-owned cemeteries and interred in its mausoleums have contributed to a dedicated account for the perpetual care of graves, crypts and grounds since the 1890s. Mahony and other church officials also did not mention the cemetery fund in numerous public statements about how the archdiocese planned to cover the $660-million abuse settlement. In detailed presentations to parish groups, the cardinal and his aides said they had cashed in substantial investments to pay the settlement, but they did not disclose that the main asset liquidated was cemetery money.
An academic paper showing the origins of the Tea party.
‘To quarterback behind the scenes, third party efforts’: the tobacco industry and the Tea Party'
http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2013/02/07/tobaccocontrol-2012-050815.abstract
Don't forget to find a One Billion Rising flashmob on Feb. 14 and dance: http://onebillionrising.org/
Here's a link to the Brooklyn H.S. girls teaching the steps to "Break the Chain":
http://youtu.be/zJQvJNfn0kc