I had been considering the right wing's wild flip-flopping on Libya. As if there needed to be any more parsing of statement's from craven opportunists like Newt Gingrich. Horsey has a great cartoon that sums it all up better.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Media On Libya - First, Flip. Then, Flop
March 27th, 2011
I had been considering the right wing's wild flip-flopping on Libya. As if there needed to be any more parsing of statement's from craven opportunists like Newt Gingrich. Horsey has a great cartoon that sums it all up better.
I had been considering the right wing's wild flip-flopping on Libya. As if there needed to be any more parsing of statement's from craven opportunists like Newt Gingrich. Horsey has a great cartoon that sums it all up better.
Crazy Bachmann Watch
March 27th, 2011
Dear Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), please run. Please, please, please run for the Presidency. It will be so much fun.
Her latest example of insane disconnect as reported in The Hill:
"We've been told that we need a truce on social issues and I would highly disagree with that because the truth is social conservatism is fiscal conservatism," Bachmann said.
Interesting. Just last week it was widely reported that a small provision tucked away inside the already vile HR3 would require IRS AUDITS of women's abortions. How spending taxpayer money on this is remotely fiscally "conservative" begs the question as to whether or not these people wholly misunderstand the very definition of conservatism?
Dear Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN), please run. Please, please, please run for the Presidency. It will be so much fun.
"We've been told that we need a truce on social issues and I would highly disagree with that because the truth is social conservatism is fiscal conservatism," Bachmann said.
Interesting. Just last week it was widely reported that a small provision tucked away inside the already vile HR3 would require IRS AUDITS of women's abortions. How spending taxpayer money on this is remotely fiscally "conservative" begs the question as to whether or not these people wholly misunderstand the very definition of conservatism?
"The Grass Is Blue"
March 27th, 2011
If you have never curiously clicked some of the links in the right column, our "reader's companion," you are really missing out.
The excerpt below is from "The Book Of Cletis," a terrific blog that ranges from cultural and political observations to wonderful short fiction on Sundays. A native of Kentucky, the publisher takes some time here to lament the sad state of their senate representation today:
No Damn Wonder The Grass Is Blue
Ahhh, March Madness continues. Our beloved Kentucky Wildcats have made it to the Sweet Sixteen and will play Ohio State Friday night. Hopefully, we will prevail and move forward in our quest for a national championship. If, however, we fail, Kentuckians can take solace in the knowledge that no other state can boast two, that's right two, U.S. Senators even close to being as devoutly ignorant and self-serving as ours. Here's a few quotes to bring you up to speed:
"The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." ~Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, (R-Ky.), October 2010
"Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers." Mitch McConnell December 2007 commenting on the deaths of Americans fighting in Iraq.
"This discussion reminds me, somewhat, of the conversations that were going on after the BP oil spill last year," Mr. McConnell said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. "I don’t think right after a major environmental catastrophe is a very good time to be making American domestic policy." Mitch McConnell March 13, 2011 regarding the catastrophic nuclear reactor meltdowns in Japan.
"We need to get insurance out of the way and let the consumer interact with their doctor the way they did basically before World War II." Rand Paul in an interview with Kentucky public TV on Dec. 2, 2002.
No Damn Wonder The Grass Is Blue
Ahhh, March Madness continues. Our beloved Kentucky Wildcats have made it to the Sweet Sixteen and will play Ohio State Friday night. Hopefully, we will prevail and move forward in our quest for a national championship. If, however, we fail, Kentuckians can take solace in the knowledge that no other state can boast two, that's right two, U.S. Senators even close to being as devoutly ignorant and self-serving as ours. Here's a few quotes to bring you up to speed:
"The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president." ~Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, (R-Ky.), October 2010
"Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers." Mitch McConnell December 2007 commenting on the deaths of Americans fighting in Iraq.
"This discussion reminds me, somewhat, of the conversations that were going on after the BP oil spill last year," Mr. McConnell said during an interview on Fox News Sunday. "I don’t think right after a major environmental catastrophe is a very good time to be making American domestic policy." Mitch McConnell March 13, 2011 regarding the catastrophic nuclear reactor meltdowns in Japan.
"We need to get insurance out of the way and let the consumer interact with their doctor the way they did basically before World War II." Rand Paul in an interview with Kentucky public TV on Dec. 2, 2002.
Scenes From Japan - Please Donate To Assist Them
March 27th, 2011
If you can give to support relief efforts in Japan, please do so by either clicking HERE or by texting any of the resources below the video:
The American Red Cross: Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10.
Convoy of Hope: Text TSUNAMI to 50555 to give $10.
Feed My Starving Children: MANNA to 50555 to give $10.
GlobalGiving: Text JAPAN to 50555 to give $10.
Operation Blessing: Text BLESS to 50555 to give $10.
Project Hope: Text HEALTH to 90999 to give $10.
United Way Worldwide: Text JAPAN to 864833 to give $10.
Volunteers of America Southeast: Text VOA to 27722 to give $10.
World ReliefCorp of National Association of Evangelicals: Text WAVE to 50555 to give $10.
If you can give to support relief efforts in Japan, please do so by either clicking HERE or by texting any of the resources below the video:
The American Red Cross: Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10.
Convoy of Hope: Text TSUNAMI to 50555 to give $10.
Feed My Starving Children: MANNA to 50555 to give $10.
GlobalGiving: Text JAPAN to 50555 to give $10.
Operation Blessing: Text BLESS to 50555 to give $10.
Project Hope: Text HEALTH to 90999 to give $10.
United Way Worldwide: Text JAPAN to 864833 to give $10.
Volunteers of America Southeast: Text VOA to 27722 to give $10.
World ReliefCorp of National Association of Evangelicals: Text WAVE to 50555 to give $10.
Radiation "10 Million Times Normal" Or was it?
March 27th, 2011 6:41AM CST
Please click HERE and donate to support relief for Japan
It is hard to know what to believe. TEPCO's history of dishonesty and increasingly contradictory releases of information do not help us parse the situation.
UPDATE 8:34AM CST from AP via Yahoo:
"Emergency workers struggling to pump contaminated water from Japan's stricken nuclear complex fled from one of the troubled reactors Sunday after reporting a huge increase in radioactivity — a spike that officials later apologetically said was inaccurate.
The apology came after employees fled the complex's Unit 2 reactor when a reading showed radiation levels had reached 10 million times higher than normal in the reactor's cooling system. Officials said they were so high that the worker taking the measurements had withdrawn before taking a second reading.
On Sunday night, though, plant operators said that while the water was contaminated with radiation, the extremely high reading was a mistake.
"The number is not credible," said Tokyo Electric Power Co. spokesman Takashi Kurita. "We are very sorry."
He said officials were taking another sample to get accurate levels, but did not know when the results would be announced."
ORIGINAL POST - As most experts and advocates for "the peaceful atom" continue to assure us that there is no substatntial threat beyond Fukushima, this is being reported by Channel 4:
UPDATE 8:34AM CST from AP via Yahoo:
"Emergency workers struggling to pump contaminated water from Japan's stricken nuclear complex fled from one of the troubled reactors Sunday after reporting a huge increase in radioactivity — a spike that officials later apologetically said was inaccurate.
The apology came after employees fled the complex's Unit 2 reactor when a reading showed radiation levels had reached 10 million times higher than normal in the reactor's cooling system. Officials said they were so high that the worker taking the measurements had withdrawn before taking a second reading.
On Sunday night, though, plant operators said that while the water was contaminated with radiation, the extremely high reading was a mistake.
"The number is not credible," said Tokyo Electric Power Co. spokesman Takashi Kurita. "We are very sorry."
He said officials were taking another sample to get accurate levels, but did not know when the results would be announced."
ORIGINAL POST - As most experts and advocates for "the peaceful atom" continue to assure us that there is no substatntial threat beyond Fukushima, this is being reported by Channel 4:
"Radiation in the water of the Number 2 reactor was measured at more than 1,000 millisieverts an hour, the highest reading since the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11.
Officials said there was 10 million times the amount of radioactive iodine than is normal in the reactor at Fukushima, but noted the substance had a half-life of less than an hour, meaning it would disappear within a day.
The latest radiation scare is confined to inside the reactor. Radiation levels in the air beyond the evacuation zone and in Tokyo have been in normal ranges.
The Japanese government said that, overall, the situation was unchanged at the plant which lies 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo, even if there were hitches from time to time.
"We did expect to run into unforeseen difficulties, and this accumulation of high radioactivity water is one such example," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news briefing.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned the nuclear emergency could go on for weeks, if not months."
TOKYO (AP) reports: "There's been a huge jump in radioactivity in water at one unit of Japan's tsunami-crippled nuclear plant. The water has radiation levels 10 million times the norm and the air in the same unit is hot too -- four times the safety limit. It's a major setback to efforts to control and cool the leaking complex."
Officials said there was 10 million times the amount of radioactive iodine than is normal in the reactor at Fukushima, but noted the substance had a half-life of less than an hour, meaning it would disappear within a day.
The latest radiation scare is confined to inside the reactor. Radiation levels in the air beyond the evacuation zone and in Tokyo have been in normal ranges.
The Japanese government said that, overall, the situation was unchanged at the plant which lies 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo, even if there were hitches from time to time.
"We did expect to run into unforeseen difficulties, and this accumulation of high radioactivity water is one such example," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news briefing.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned the nuclear emergency could go on for weeks, if not months."
Quote Of The Day
March 27th, 2011
As true today as it was then...
"There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle." -- Alexis de Tocqueville
As true today as it was then...
Friday, March 25, 2011
Quote Of The Day
March 25th, 2011
"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it." -- Patrick Henry
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Keith's Worsts For 3/23
March 24th, 2011
Ah. Spring is in the air. And soon, Keith will be back ON the air. Good times. In the meantinme, enjoy his website at FOK NEWS.
Ah. Spring is in the air. And soon, Keith will be back ON the air. Good times. In the meantinme, enjoy his website at FOK NEWS.
Quote Of The Day
March 24th, 2011
"When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it." -- Clarence Darrow
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Herman Cain Is A "Darling" Of The Tea Party?
March 23rd, 2011
Introducing a new friend here at The Hand, David Klopp.
Herman Cain sure has raised some excitement on the right. He is the latest darling of the Tea Party. How is he winning their hearts and minds? How has he suddenly thrust himself upon the national stage? What kind of pronouncements are firing up that beleagured TP base?
Well, things like this: Mr. Cain has essentially alleged that all Muslims in America have a duty to either "convert" or "kill" non-Muslims. But, rest assured xenophobic and fearful patriots... he's pushing back!
From The Daily Caller:
"The role of Muslims in America is not to convert the rest of us to the Muslim religion. That I resent,” Cain said in an interview with Christianity Today. “I push back and reject them trying to convert the rest of us. And based upon the little knowledge that I have of the Muslim religion, you know, they have an objective to convert all infidels or kill them."
"The role of Muslims in America is not to convert the rest of us to the Muslim religion. That I resent,” Cain said in an interview with Christianity Today. “I push back and reject them trying to convert the rest of us. And based upon the little knowledge that I have of the Muslim religion, you know, they have an objective to convert all infidels or kill them."
What "little knowledge" is right.
Our newest contributor, David Klopp fights back with humor:
"I think we should put some statistics to these claims about converting so that we can report them to the proper authorities... and Sean Hannity."
"I think we should put some statistics to these claims about converting so that we can report them to the proper authorities... and Sean Hannity."
"Last month when I was jogging in the park I was beckoned by a darkish complected man to accompany him into a public bathroom near City Hall. I assumed that is where the ceremony would have taken place. I also was boldly approached at home by several seemingly "normal" heavyset women who attempted to lure me into their Islamic snare by referring to their religion as the Jehovah Witness branch of Islam. They feigned confusion about my question regarding the funding of terrorism, and claimed their headquarters were located on Mississippi Avenue, and not in Mecca. They must have deigned that I was on to them because they left rather quickly, though they handed me a Koran described as a bible. I assumed it was a Koran because everyone inside it was smiting or had smote someone in the not too distant past."
The Fukushima Crisis Continues...
March 23rd, 2011 5:05am CST BREAKING
Please give to Japanese Relief HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE
The Fukushima Dai-Ichi facility has evacuated again as plumes of black smoke are pouring from the building that houses troubled reactor #3 itself. Radiation has reached Iceland and is expected in France soon. Japanese food products have been banned from export to the U.S. Fear continues to dominate the world’s reaction in spite of expert pronouncements that it's not the level of disaster it could have been.
The number of dead and missing in Japan has now exceeded 24,000
Please give to Japanese Relief HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE
The Fukushima Dai-Ichi facility has evacuated again as plumes of black smoke are pouring from the building that houses troubled reactor #3 itself. Radiation has reached Iceland and is expected in France soon. Japanese food products have been banned from export to the U.S. Fear continues to dominate the world’s reaction in spite of expert pronouncements that it's not the level of disaster it could have been.
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| Image © copyright 2011 WSJ - SOURCE |
The number of dead and missing in Japan has now exceeded 24,000
"A Vaccine Against Fear"
March 23rd, 2011
Last night, Rachel Maddow reminded us of the importance of not allowing our fear to overwhelm us.
Last night, Rachel Maddow reminded us of the importance of not allowing our fear to overwhelm us.
Conniption In Wisconsin
March 23rd, 2011
Please support the efforts to recall Wisconsin's anti worker corporatists HERE, HERE and HERE
Hey! Are you a disgruntled Wisconsin conservative who feels depressed that the tide of public opinion does not actually support your initiatives? Are you angry that so many of your fellow citizens are trying to use the tools guaranteed them under the law to recall valiant corporatists working against those greedy "workers"?
Do you fear that close to a million dollars in out of state astro-turf propaganda just isn't enough to get "your" message across? Are television ads showing a Wisconsin teacher (stock video of a model/actress pretending to be a teacher who is not actually from Wisconsin) not winning over hearts and minds to "your" fight? Well, one man felt just that way.
From The River Falls Journal:
"River Falls police were asked to track down and find a suspect who had made off with a batch of Sen. Sheila Harsdorf recall petition signatures late Sunday afternoon. The alleged theft occurred on the sidewalk near EconoFoods. The male suspect pretended he wanted to sign the petition to recall Harsdorf but instead swiped the forms with signatures and drove off.
The man drove back in five minutes and tossed the petition toward the group of volunteers. Either it was a poor throw or they couldn’t catch. The paperwork landed on wet pavement.With a vehicular and suspect description, an officer traced the man to his home near the River Falls Area Hospital.
Please support the efforts to recall Wisconsin's anti worker corporatists HERE, HERE and HERE
Do you fear that close to a million dollars in out of state astro-turf propaganda just isn't enough to get "your" message across? Are television ads showing a Wisconsin teacher (stock video of a model/actress pretending to be a teacher who is not actually from Wisconsin) not winning over hearts and minds to "your" fight? Well, one man felt just that way.
From The River Falls Journal:
"River Falls police were asked to track down and find a suspect who had made off with a batch of Sen. Sheila Harsdorf recall petition signatures late Sunday afternoon. The alleged theft occurred on the sidewalk near EconoFoods. The male suspect pretended he wanted to sign the petition to recall Harsdorf but instead swiped the forms with signatures and drove off.
The man drove back in five minutes and tossed the petition toward the group of volunteers. Either it was a poor throw or they couldn’t catch. The paperwork landed on wet pavement.With a vehicular and suspect description, an officer traced the man to his home near the River Falls Area Hospital.
The man seemed indignant that a police officer was at his door and denied being near EconoFoods. Then he said he couldn’t be accused of stealing the petition signatures because he returned them.
When informed of his arrest, he allegedly resisted being handcuffed and began yelling about police brutality. His wife, also home, told her husband to calm down."
Douthat Questions Libyan Intervention
March 23rd, 2011
From the NY Times:
"Libya is (we can hope) a far smaller affair than the invasion of Iraq, and thus a far less dangerous venture. But we seem to be recapitulating the same kind of mistakes: We’re intervening against a regime that should be a second-tier problem for the United States (at best!), and our plan for victory is ambiguous, to put it mildly. Getting hung up on U.N. resolutions and Arab League endorsements seems like a way to evade the more important question, which is not whether this war is multilateral but whether it is wise."
From the NY Times:
"Libya is (we can hope) a far smaller affair than the invasion of Iraq, and thus a far less dangerous venture. But we seem to be recapitulating the same kind of mistakes: We’re intervening against a regime that should be a second-tier problem for the United States (at best!), and our plan for victory is ambiguous, to put it mildly. Getting hung up on U.N. resolutions and Arab League endorsements seems like a way to evade the more important question, which is not whether this war is multilateral but whether it is wise."
He's Still Out There
March 23rd, 2011
Don't let up. Don't capitulate. Don't give in. Keep pushing back.
Quote Of The Day - Voting Rights Edition
March 23rd, 2011
"Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Things You Can't Make Up
March 22nd, 2011
Please donate to planned Parenthood by clicking HERE
Some propaganda is just so wildly dense as to leave me mostly speechless. Today, Jezebel shone a light on arguably the most questionable medium for an anti-choice message I have ever seen. A coat hanger. Seriously. The picture says it all.
Please donate to planned Parenthood by clicking HERE
Some propaganda is just so wildly dense as to leave me mostly speechless. Today, Jezebel shone a light on arguably the most questionable medium for an anti-choice message I have ever seen. A coat hanger. Seriously. The picture says it all.
Ending "Duplicative" Spending?
March 22nd, 2011
Where did all that Republican zeal To End "Duplicitave" Spending Go? Gosh, it was everywhere right up through last week. The "non-partisan" Heritage blog, The Foundry, even ran a piece lionizing Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) under the banner "Lawmakers Form House-Senate Effort To Eliminate Duplicitive Government Programs." Sounds good to me. Seriously. As a progressive I have always argued for better government, not less.
Then came the weekend. Suddenly, there is a lot less chatter around this initiative. I suspect it is because a certain piece of data from the GAO has been picked up more widely. We'll be watching this one closely.
Where did all that Republican zeal To End "Duplicitave" Spending Go? Gosh, it was everywhere right up through last week. The "non-partisan" Heritage blog, The Foundry, even ran a piece lionizing Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) under the banner "Lawmakers Form House-Senate Effort To Eliminate Duplicitive Government Programs." Sounds good to me. Seriously. As a progressive I have always argued for better government, not less.
Then came the weekend. Suddenly, there is a lot less chatter around this initiative. I suspect it is because a certain piece of data from the GAO has been picked up more widely. We'll be watching this one closely.
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