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Mainly posted for ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) badlydrawnjeff (because we'd be discussing this earlier), but anyone's free to chime in with thoughts, opinions, etc. (hat-tip Nick Baumann)...  A new Rasmussen poll shows just how much the "Tea Party" movement has taken hold. According to the poll, given the choice between a Democrat, a Republican, and a hypothetical "Tea Party" candidate in their congressional district, 23% of Americans say they would vote for the tea partier. 18% would opt for the Republican, and 36% would choose the Democrat. Liberals, however, should resist the temptation to celebrate. The "Tea Party" is not a real political party (yet), and most Tea Party voters will settle for voting Republican if given only two choices. The only way Democrats can capitalize on this will be if Tea Party pressure creates more situations like the one in New York's 23rd congressional district earlier this year, where a very conservative independent candidate ended up splitting the GOP-leaning vote with a moderate Republican and allowing the Democrat to win. In most cases, however, the more conservative candidate will simply run in the Republican primary and win—and economic conditions in October and November 2010 will largely determine whether or not that candidate wins the general. No doubt that 2010 is going to be a very interesting election year. Too bad so few of us will actually show up at the polls. As for 2012, my gut still tells me that our friend Yukon Barbie will make a run for POTUS, but the GOP won't back her, so she'll go Nader on 'em. That would certainly bode well for a second Obama term... Tea-time will tell. Tags: 2010 elections, gop meltdown, politics, tea bagging
From: Chicago
Mood:  Contemplative
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...or completely ruin it. First, watch this mess: Done laughing (and/or gagging)? Gotta be a parody... an awful YouTube gag video.... right? OK, now read this altogether frightening fascinating piece - "The Very Separate World of Conservative Republicans" - based on a focus group study conducted by the Democracy Corps. Seriously, read it all the way through. Thoughts/opinions most welcome (especially from the small handful of right-wingers that read this journal). Excerpted: "(I)t was striking how these voters constantly characterized themselves as part of a group of individuals who share a set of beliefs, a unique knowledge, and a commitment of opposition to Obama that sets them apart from the majority of the country [...] They also believe they possess a level of knowledge and understanding gained from a rejection of the mainstream media and an embrace of conservative media and pundits such as Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, which sets them apart even more.
"Further, they believe this position leaves them with a responsibility to spread the word, to educate those who do not share their insights, and to take back the country that they love [...] confident that their numbers will grow, and that they will ultimately defeat Barack Obama and the shadowy forces driving his hidden agenda.
And yet, remarkably, these voters had virtually nothing positive to say about the Republican Party..." Thanks to darksumomo for the article link. Tags: barack obama, politics, right-wing lunatics, tea bagging, youtube
From: Chicago
Mood:  *boggle*
Now Playing: Juicer (Fresh Pears Today)
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• Well, whattya know... could President's Obama's terrifying stimulus package actually be working? • Ever hear of a guy named Ahmed Wali Karzai? No? You should. Not only is he the drug-running brother of Afghan president Hamid Karzai, you're paying his salary. • Say hello to your new military budget, which includes a broad expansion of hate-crimes legislation and scraps a host of overpriced weapons systems (including the ridiculous F-22 fighter). • It's no secret why lying scumbag Joe Lieberman is trying to kill the public option. Now we learn that Evan Bayh - another "blue dog" against the public option - has a little secret of his own (hint: he's married to it). • Congratulations to former Senator Edward Brooke for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. Well-earned, sir. • And finally - the self-immolation of George W. Bush continues: Tags: asshole, bush, corruption, economy, health care, joe lieberman, jon stewart, politics, rachel maddow
From: Chicago
Mood:  Staphylococcus Epidermidis
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I've seen a lot of mixed reaction to Senator Kennedy's death so far today, ranging from deep sorrow to complete indifference to thinly-veiled, malicious glee... Needless to say, Ted Kennedy was a controversial figure, but one who - in my opinion - spent the better part of his life trying to make life better for his fellow Americans. I won't begrudge anyone else their personal opinions of the man. Hell, I freely admit to celebrating the death of Jerry Falwell, who others, I'm sure, hold up as nothing less than a modern-day American hero...  That being said, James Ridgeway of Unsilent Generation gives us something to think about as the battle for health care reform rages on... Ted Kennedy, who died late yesterday, was much, much more than the Liberal Lion of the Senate. He was all we had left. Even in sickness, he was the anchor for decent health care reform. He was the one man in Congress who could pull quarreling politicians into a united effort. (John McCain and Orrin Hatch were Kennedy best friends.)
We are left with weak, squabbling, visionless Democratic puppets and a President whose domestic reform policies are adrift — sliding towards the horizon with each passing day. The lost battle for Afghanistan. Seriously. The British. Then the Soviets. Now us. The phony victory on Wall Street, one bubble replacing another; health care in the hands of right-wing screwballs at the town meetings. The very idea that Obama, amidst the rightwing anger of the town meetings, and with health care reform in flux, is vacationing on a huge estate at Martha's Vineyard with the wealthiest of the wealthy, is smack out of the George Bush playbook.
So, without Kennedy, even as a shadow in the background, who will it be for health care reform? Max Baucus, pawn of the health care industry? Christopher Dodd, bag man for Wall Street? Lieberman, turncoat? Harry Reid?
To be sure there are decent senators — Dorgan, Conrad, Rockefeller, Levin, Harkin, Leahy. None of them with the knowledge, experience, and political acumen of Kennedy, though.
The flag will be at half mast across the country today. Not on Wall Street, where as the sun goes over the yardarm, you’ll be hearing the popping of corks. Tags: death, farewell old friend, health care, mortality, politics
From: Chicago
Mood:  Contemplative
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(Ganked from ms_daisy_cutter)• In a rather cunning move to force the GOP to put up or shut up on health reform, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) introduced an amendment this week that would have repealed Medicare, thereby forcing the 'Pugs to show their support for the largest form of government-run healthcare in the U.S. Watch Weiner's exchance with Rachel Maddow here. • Speaking of shrewd moves, our friends at Media Matters (who've been critical of CNN for not reining in Lou Dobbs’ birther obsession) have purchased air time to run a TV ad attacking “CNN’s Lou Dobbs problem” — during Dobbs’ show — leaving CNN in a quite a pickle. • Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he dealt a fatal blow to the funding-starved Yucca Mountain Project, announcing that President Obama and Energy Secretary Chu both have agreed to eliminate all money for pursuing a license for the nuclear waste disposal project in 2011. Congratulations to the people of Nevada on not being turned into this nation's nuclear toilet. • Hats off to the government of Bolivia for outlawing the use of all animals — wild or domestic — in circuses. Every little bit helps! • GOP Lizard Queen Michele "Re-Education Camps" Bachmann finds herself facing an ethics violation complaint filed by a group on Minnesota citizens and bloggers. One way or another, this whackjob needs to be ousted. This might just help. Tim Bradley and Nate Campbell square off for the WBO Jr. Welterweight belt tonight on Showtime. Youth vs. experience. Oughta be a very interesting match-up. • More shameless idiocy from the teabag nutters, this time on health care. These people are not only stupid, they're insane. • Speaking of health care (and dirty tricks), the GOP — in direct league with the usual suspects in right-wing talk radio — is elbow deep in some pretty twisted shit, telling our nation's seniors that Obama's plan will lead to "government-encouraged euthanasia." • Yet another phony "pro-life, pro-marriage" 'Pug resigns after he's caught screwing an intern behind his (second) wife's back. Family values FTW! And finally - a few more pics from our July charity event, during which we raised close to $8,000 to help send seriously ill and disabled kids on the hunting, fishing and outdoor adventures of their dreams. Thus far, we've been able to send more than 3,000 kids on these dream trips, thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors, hunting & fishing lodge owners/outfitters and individual donors. Very rewarding, indeed. ( Click for Pics )Tags: animals, boxing, children, family values, fatherhood, gop lizard queens, photography, politics, republican sex scandals, republican smear, right-wing lunatics
From: Chicago
Mood:  Fight Night!
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Hat-tip filkertom... Joseph Carmine Bonsignore, better known as Joey Styles (former ECW and WWE wrestling announcer and current Director of Digital Media Content for Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment) recently opened up his own personal Twitter account. It turns out that, in addition to updates about what's going on in the WWE, Styles has been using his Twitter to make postings that reveal him to be a total right-wing nutjob. Well his postings haven't gone unnoticed by TNA wrestling promoter (and unabashed liberal) Jim Cornette, who went into a righteous rant at the beginning of one of his appearances on the Who's Slamming Who podcast, including a few choice digs at McMahon. This rant is a thing of beauty. Even if you're not a pro wrestling fan, it's worth every minute:
Full Transcript HereTags: ouch, politics, republican scum, right-wing lunatics, wrestling
From: Chicago
Mood:  Hell Yes
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Randomness from the day...  • Y'know, I just don't get it. How can a guy that does good stuff like this and this turn right around and do something truly shitty like this? • Miguel Cotto vs. Joshua Clottey tonight on HBO. Oughta be a war. • Took my son on his first official driving lesson this afternoon. Man, that was scary. • Cenk Uygar hits the Iran election nail right on the head. Hopefully, the Iranian people (with whom I bear no ill will) will turn it into a revolution. • Have a I mentioned lately that Bill O'Reilly is a fucking pig? No? Well, he is.• As I was telling jdack the other day, Chik-Fil-A's fried chicken biscuit was one my favorite (guilty) breakfasts when I lived in Atlanta. And it appears they're coming to Chicago. Nom. ☺ • My on-again, off-again fandom of Nancy Pelosi is on again. Until it's off again. • Seems that South Carolina GOP bigwig Rusty "Trombone" DePass just "misspoke" when he compared the First Lady to a gorilla. You stay classy there, Rusty - and keep up the good work as we roll into the 2010 election season, m'kay? • And finally - Want to help homeless animals and get something cool in return? Click the image below, damnit! All proceeds (less postage) go to my pals at PAWS...  Tags: barack obama, bill o'reilly, boxing, cool links, fatherhood, food, friends, iran, politics, republican implosion, teenagers
From: More Sleepover Racket
Mood: Happy Hour
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Of interest to few... • Am I the only LJer who has Russians mysteriously friend me one day and un-friend me the next? As in all the time? WTF, Ivan? • Time to 'fess up: I have an insane crush on Naomi Klein. There, I've said it. • To John Demjanjuk: I don't give a damn that you're 89 years old and in ill heath. There's no statute of limitations on being a scumbag, and I hope you die a slow, agonizing death. Alone and fucking terrified. Just like your victims. • And speaking of Nazis: Check out the extraordinary anti-Nazi photomontages of John Heartfield. • I wonder what the people who donated to Norm Coleman's unsuccessful Senate campaign think about this. • Y'know, the end product actually looks pretty tasty, but this is one recipe that I won't be trying anytime soon, thanks. • And speaking of food, looks like the Great Cheese War has come to an end. And not a moment too soon, I might add. I do loves me some Roquefort. ☺ • From the '"Dear Santa" file: Hello, Fuckin' Kitty!• Happy to report that Li'l V is — far as I can tell — sticking to the terms of the cease-fire agreement. He hasn't lipped off or done anything stupid/self-destructive in more than a week now, so I've given him back his laptop, Internet, cell phone, iPod and TV. We'll revisit the situation when his report card comes in. Could be a very good summer for him (e.g., a paid science lab internship at NU, theatre group, midnight curfew), or a very bad one (e.g., chained to the water pipes in the basement, eating gruel from a rusty bucket, cleaning the cat boxes by hand). • Wanda Bray is my kinda gal. • Andrew Sullivan explains Cheney's Full Panic. Recommended reading. • Val Kilmer... for governor? Interesting... • I must say, the folks at DataVision Electronics are a pleasure to do business with. I ordered this birthday gift for my daughter on Sunday night, and not only was the price right (and the shipping free), it arrived today in perfect condition. Two thumbs up. • Gay marriage: Is New York the next state to get with the program? • Now here's a bomb worth dropping all over the place. • Something tells me that this probably wouldn't have happened a few years ago. (I'd insert a snarky remark here, but frankly, I like my kneecaps just the way they are, thank you. The family portrait is precious, though. ☺) Tags: cool links, dick cheney, environment, fatherhood, friends, politics, teenagers
From: Chicago
Mood: Cold & Wet
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Of interest to few... • To my (now-former) mechanic Sal: Thanks for the $45 quote on my "broken" turn signal. I went to Pep Boys, bought a bulb and changed it myself. For three bucks. Fuckin' criminal. To Diaper Dave: I hope your house gets swept into the Gulf of Mexico this hurricane season. Just yours. With you & your idiot wife in it. • To Manny Pacquiao: You're the man. Next stop(page): Mayweather, son! • To my sweet, otherwise-adorable daughter: 682 text messages in April? After you promised me in March (after 371 text messages) that you'd put those busy little thumbs of yours on ice? What 10-year old on the planet needs to send an average of 23 text messages a day? • To my fellow politicos: If you're not reading syreene and/or ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) ontd_political, you're missing out on some good stuff. • To the Chicago Bulls: Yeah, I know you made it further than most of us thought you would (and congratulations on that), but even you have to admit that was a pretty sorry-ass finish. At least there's still hope for the Blackhawks. (Insert instant jinx here.) • To the Kemp Family: While I disagreed with much of what Jack stood for (especially on the economic front), I offer you my sincere condolences. He was definitely one of the best among a very bad bunch. • To the gods in heaven: Please let this wretched woman win the 2012 nomination, I beg of you. And finally... • Happy birthday wishes this coming week to the_carrot, vyrdolak, anadart, newport12, boxbrown and playgirl (and anyone else I may have overlooked). Tags: children, fatherhood, friends, gop lizard queens, politics, reality_hammer, rip-off report, sports
From: Chicago
Now Playing: Spring Cleaning
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... as some of us guessed it might:  Illinois Sen. Roland Burris admitted today that indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother asked him for a campaign contribution before the governor appointed Burris to the Senate. The disclosure is "at odds" with Burris' testimony in January when an Illinois House impeachment committee specifically asked if he had ever spoken to Robert Blagojevich or other aides to the now-deposed governor about the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. Another little detail that seems "at odds" (a decorous way of saying " he lied") with testimony Burris gave last month is this little nugget: The affidavit also discloses for the first time that Burris told former Blagojevich advisers Doug Scofield and John Wyma of his interest in the post at a fundraiser in June, and later with Blagojevich chief of staff John Harris, who was arrested with Blagojevich on Dec. 9th. Scofield, Wyma and Harris were among the Blagojevich associates Burris was asked about in his Jan. 8th testimony by state Rep. Jim Durkin, the impeachment committee's ranking Republican. In response, Burris said he had spoken only to Lon Monk, a former Blagojevich aide-turned-lobbyist, last summer about his willingness to take the seat. "This wasn't a couple of questions that I can understand someone may forget, it goes way beyond that," Durkin said today. "To say that he wasn't given the opportunity to explain himself is a load of B.S." So, our newly-minted Senator lied to an impeachment panel about being shaken down, yes. But he also suddenly remembered that he had, in fact, expressed interest in the seat to a couple of other people he previously forgot to mention, including a guy who was arrested. Hey Roland... can you say perjury?Tags: corruption, democrats, lies, loathsome people, politics
From: Land Of Lincoln
Mood:  Pyew
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OK. Now this is seriously funny... 
(Hat-tip Pam Spaulding)Former GOP congressman and KKK Grand Wizard David Duke is going apeshit over the selection of Michael Steele to run the RNC, going as far as calling Steele “Obama Junior”: To Hell with the Republican Party!
[...] I am glad these traitorous leaders of the Republican Party appointed this Black racist, affirmative action advocate to the head of the Republican party because this will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, “To Hell With the Republican Party!” And we will take 90 percent of Republicans with us into a New Party that will take its current place!
I think the insanity of nominating “Mr. Amnesty” John McCain and now this Black racist — will lead to insurgency in the Republican ranks, and a lot of dissidents getting elected in Republican Party primaries around the country. This will result over the next four years a real move by millions of Republicans to take the party back... Let’s make this abomination in the Republican Party, the last major party of White redoubt, as a rallying cry of resistance! (Read the whole mess here.) So, what are the ignorant McCain/Palin mobs going to do now that their party is being headed up by a black dude? The GOP has let this slide for years because race-baiting worked. Now, after getting massacred in November - and seeing that minority voters made a huge impact - now they prop up a token African-American as their "leader." Trouble is, a big chunk of their base - the frightened, slack-jawed bigots who actually swallowed their thinly-veiled racist bullshit during the campaign are, according to Duke, going to crash the gates of the castle with torches and pitchforks. Y'know, I kinda feel sorry for the 'Pugs. I mean, think about this poor bastard Steele, who now has to contend with the Limbaugh/Duke wing of the party he now leads... On second thought, I don't feel sorry for them one bit. While I certainly don’t think Duke’s sentiment is as widespread as he thinks it is, I do think it is a significant enough percentage to cause some nasty, self-inflicted wounds within the party over the next few years. As if they don't have enough to worry about already. ☺ Tags: comedy, gop meltdown, loathsome people, politics, racism, republican implosion
From: Chicago
Mood: Amused
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Tip o' the big, silver Aretha Hat to Greg Palast...  Republicans are right. President Barack Obama treated them like dirt, didn't give a damn what they thought about his stimulus package, loaded it with a bunch of programs that will last for years and will never leave the budget, is giving away money disguised as "tax refunds," and is sneaking in huge changes in policy, from schools to health care, using the pretext of an economic emergency. Way to go, Mr. O., Mr. Down-and-Dirty Chicago pol. Street-fightin' man. Covering over his break-you-face power play with a "we're all post-partisan friends" bullshit... ( And it's about time... )Tags: barack obama, democrats, politics, republicans
From: Chicago
Mood: Making Popcorn
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So you're not a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and you're not an Arizona Cardinals fan, but you've been invited to a Super Bowl party and you need to know who to root for. Before you pick the Cardinals because you're a progressive and you love underdogs, consider a few facts... 
(Hat-tip Mojo)Dan Rooney, the 76-year-old owner of the Steelers and a lifelong Republican, endorsed Obama and stumped for him, not just in Pennsylvania but in the surrounding swing states. He did so despite the fact that Obama's promise of increased taxes on the wealthy forced Rooney's family to restructure the ownership of the team. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin is also a vocal Obama supporter. At a recent press conference he said, "Barack is selling hope. And I'm buying." Steelers players have spoken out about how they hope to win the Super Bowl in part because it would mean they would be the first championship sports team to visit Obama's White House. The Cardinals' owners, on the other hand, are major Republican donors. Their donor history can be found on opensecrets.org, but to save you time: The LA Times reports that team President William Bidwell and Vice President Michael Bidwell each gave $50,000 to Republicans this past election season. Politico adds that as fundraisers for McCain, they bundled upwards of $350,000 for the Republican presidential candidate. Oh, and Arizona's bible-thumping quarterback Kurt Warner? He starred in an commercial opposing stem cell research in 2006. Mull that over as you tip back your favorite adult beverage on Sunday evening. ☺ Tags: football, politics, republican scum, sports, super bowl
From: Chicago
Mood: Amused
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This leads me to believe that this is not going to end well.
Assuming, of course, that this ever ends at all.What a wonderful world, am I right?UPDATE 1/03:: CNN is reporting that leaflets signed by the commander of the Israeli military were dropped over northern Gaza this morning, warning residents to "leave the area immediately" to ensure their safety. "Due to the terrorist actions undertaken by terrorist elements from the region of your residences against the state of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces are compelled to respond immediately in the region of your residences. For your safety, you are ordered to leave the area immediately," CNN said the leaflets read. Tags: hamas, israel, jews, palestinians, politics, racism, terrorism, war
From: Chicago
Mood:  Not For Me
Now Playing: 'Emma' - Hot Chocolate
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(Hat-tip Devilstower)If you stop to catalog the things that Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has done wrong, expect to go through a couple of pencils in the effort. There's no doubt that Blago is more tangled than a Twister tournament, and with his "if I can stay one step ahead of the investigation, I could be president!" theories, more than a little bit crazy. But dim? No. In selecting Roland Burris, Blago made the best choice possible to hit the target he was aiming for: causing the maximum amount of heartburn among his critics. Burris was once a respected figure in Illinois politics. As state Comptroller back in '79, and later as state Attorney General, he was the first African-American to hold statewide office. The credentials alone make Burris a credible option and difficult to dismiss as a bad choice. However, we're also talking about the Roland Burris who was a failed candidate for Senate. A failed candidate for Governor. A failed candidate for Mayor of Chicago. When the Senate seat came open in Illinois, who first suggested Roland Burris for the post? That would be Roland Burris. In his persistent quixotic tilts at office, Burris has turned himself into the dotty old man of Illinois politics — Ralph Nader without any goal aside from holding office. Burris was the one guy that Blagojevich knew would jump at the opportunity, no matter the circumstances, while holding enough "oh yeah, I kinda remember him" name recognition to make his rejection more than perfunctory. You have to hand it to Blago. When it comes to be an absolute self-serving asshole, he's the best. And Burris isn't far behind. Tags: democrats, loathsome people, politics, scandal
From: Chicago
Mood:  Pyew
Now Playing: Hog Butcher For The World
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"There is a time for calm and a time for fighting, and now the
time has come to fight." - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak More proof that Hamas is not only a pack of loathesome terrorist thugs, they're fucking morons as well...  GAZA: A rocket fired by Palestinian militants fell short of its target in Israel, striking a house in northern Gaza and killing two schoolgirls - 5-year-old Hanin Abu Khoussa and her 12-year-old cousin, Sabah Abu Khoussa. Three other young people were wounded. One is left to wonder when it will finally occur to the innocent Palestinian people that their Iranian-funded leaders are purposefully using them as military pawns... and bragging about it. ETA: For those of you that have taken the time to send e-mails accusing me of "celebrating" or "gloating over" the tragic deaths of Palestinian civilians, you're either illiterate or stone-cold stupid. Or both. Do us both a favor and GTFO my friends list. Tags: iran, israel, jews, middle east, palestinians, politics, self-defense, terrorism
From: Chicago
Mood: Bastards
Now Playing: 'When There's No More Room In Hell' - Deny Everything
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The AP has released its Top 10 News Stories of '08...
 ( Here They Are )Stories that almost made the Top 10 included Cyclone Nargis, which killed more than 84,000 people in Myanmar; Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, which wreaked deadly damage in the Caribbean and on the U.S. Gulf Coast; and the seesaw fate of same-sex marriage in California, where a court ruling approving it was later overturned by a ballot measure. Several write-in votes were cast for two late-breaking stories — the indictment of Rod Blagojevich and the efforts of struggling U.S. automakers to get a federal bailout. The alleged financial scam involving Bernard Madoff also was revealed too late to make the ballot. Any other stories missing from the list, IYO?Tags: '08 elections, '08 in review, china, corruption, economy, environment, iraq, natural disasters, oil, politics, terrorism, war
From: Chicago
Mood:  Good Riddance '08
Now Playing: 'Shame, Shame, Shame' - Shirley & Company
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Last week, we learned that Minnesota's Norm Coleman is under FBI investigation in connection with charges that he & wife Laurie accepted a little extra "spending money" from a wealthy supporter... 
(H/T MissLaura)No shock, then, to learn that he's lawyered up... big time: Four of Minnesota's biggest legal guns have cast their shadows over two lawsuits that have drawn the attention of the FBI.
They have been retained by U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman; his wife, Laurie; Jim Hays, her insurance company employer; and Nasser Kazeminy, a multi-millionaire friend of the Colemans who is accused in the lawsuits of sending them money in 2007 through Hays' company. Coleman's Senate ethics form reports no such payment. As Minnesotans wait to find out who their next senator will be, how many of 'em now regret buying into Coleman's open character attacks on Franken? P.S. Out of nowhere, Madame & I just discovered hundreds upon hundreds of tiny, black gnats, clinging lifelessly to the skylight, patio door and window frames in our family room. Not a single one of 'em alive. Mother Nature has a strange sense of humor, to be sure. Tags: '08 elections, insects, politics, republican corruption
From: Insect Jonestown
Mood:  Eskimo
Now Playing: Vacuum Cleaner
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 Caroline Kennedy has reportedly decided to pursue Hillary Clinton's vacated U.S. Senate seat. The decision came after a series of "deeply personal and political conversations," in which Kennedy, whom friends describe as "unflashy but determined," wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight. Gov. David Paterson of New York confirmed that she was interested in being appointed. “She told me she was interested in the position,” Paterson said at a news conference. “She realized it was not a campaign, but she was talking to other people because she thought that a number of people, she felt, should know that she’s interested in the position. She’d like at some point to sit down and tell me what she thinks her qualifications are.” Senator Charles Schumer said that he had also spoken to Kennedy and that said she was “clearly interested... bottom line is that the Governor and I talk regularly on this,” he said in a television interview, “but we have decided to keep each other’s counsel, so that is all I am going to say right now.” If appointed, Ms. Kennedy would fill the seat once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy... ( More )Just a hunch here, but give this woman two successful (i.e. productive) terms in the Senate, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see her get the #2 spot on the 2016 presidential ticket... or maybe more. ETA: Apparently, Jane Hamsher finds my optimism ignorantly misguided. ☺ Tags: democrats, politics
From: Chicago
Mood:  Yes
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The Asshole of the Week Award goes to... 
(Hat-tip John Amato)Senator Arlen "Snarlin'" Specter, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, who just threw a wrench into the Eric Holder hearings planned for early January, saying Holder's involvement in the Marc Rich pardon is a "red flag" and a "very serious matter." Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) has been pushing for an early January hearing so that Holder could quickly be confirmed as attorney general and be in his office by the Jan. 20 inauguration. But Specter is already applying the brakes, indicating that Republicans are going to make a big deal out of Holder at the hearing. Specter said he sees "no way" the Holder hearings could happen before Jan. 26th, claiming he still needs to see thousands of pages of background documents and Holder's FBI background check. "There are questions that need to be addressed," Specter said in a Senate floor speech. Specter, a former prosecutor himself, said he was troubled that Holder did not stand up to President Clinton on the pardon of Rich, who was a fugitive living abroad at the time of the pardon. "To run counter to the views of the [law enforcement] professionals is a red flag," Specter said. "We're looking at a very, very serious matter." Specter did not say he was leaning one way or another on the Holder nomination, but clearly the Judiciary Committee Republicans are going to have a field day with the Rich pardon. I guess Obama just got his first lesson on the meaning of the word "bipartisan" in the Republican Dictionary, eh? Hopefully, it's a lesson he'll only have to learn once. These bastards want four years of war. Let's give it to 'em.
Tags: asshole, barack obama, loathsome people, politics, republican scum
From: Chicago
Mood: Slit Their Throats
Now Playing: 'Oliver's Army' - Elvis Costello
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 Well, we've certainly had our share of political skullduggery this year, that's for sure. That in mind, my question to you, dear reader, is... Poll #1312965 Political Scandal of the Year
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 59 Who's the Political Scumbag of the Year? Tags: cheating, corruption, democrats, lies, politics, reader poll, republicans, scandal
From: Chicago
Mood:  Inquiring Minds...
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Glee
Satisfied
1 (1.7%)
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