Feb 20th, 2012
by F. Grey Parker
Last week, I had more than a little egg on my face after posting a bit of satire regarding Rick Santorum as if it were factual. When I realized my error, I updated it promptly and left it posted in the interest of disclosure. I do take responsibility for my mistakes.
Was the post I am discussing patently absurd? Yes. But nearly every actual pronouncement from the Santorum campaign has also been absurd. So, yeah, I got fooled. That said... can anyone blame me?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Charting The Political Climate
Feb 20th, 2012
Brian Beutler highlights two sets of indicators that bode very well for Obama over at TPM:
Brian Beutler highlights two sets of indicators that bode very well for Obama over at TPM:
Anything But Exceptional
Feb 20th, 2012
The smart moves to prepare for a sustained industrial future are being being made everywhere but here.
The latest news reflecting our failure to keep up with the rest of the Western world comes via Care2:
"As the sovereign debt crisis unfolds in Europe, onlookers have questioned whether the region will stay committed to renewable energy. The answer so far is “yes.”
Even with a few countries pulling back on government support of the industry because of fiscal troubles, 2011 was still a huge year for deployment — with wind and solar alone representing almost 70% of new capacity.
That’s almost a 10-fold increase over deployment in 2000, when only 3.5 GW of renewable energy projects were installed. Last year, 32 GW of renewables — mostly wind and solar — were deployed across European countries.
The figures come from the European Wind Energy Association, which just released a report on industry growth."
While "conservatives" continue to push for both the subsidy of destructive early 20th Century technologies as well as the demonization of public sector investment in alternatives, they are also guaranteeing that we are being left behind. Alas, the opponents of successfully adapting to the future have reduced the concept of American Exceptionalism to "America, fuck yeah!"
The smart moves to prepare for a sustained industrial future are being being made everywhere but here.
The latest news reflecting our failure to keep up with the rest of the Western world comes via Care2:
"As the sovereign debt crisis unfolds in Europe, onlookers have questioned whether the region will stay committed to renewable energy. The answer so far is “yes.”
Even with a few countries pulling back on government support of the industry because of fiscal troubles, 2011 was still a huge year for deployment — with wind and solar alone representing almost 70% of new capacity.
That’s almost a 10-fold increase over deployment in 2000, when only 3.5 GW of renewable energy projects were installed. Last year, 32 GW of renewables — mostly wind and solar — were deployed across European countries.
The figures come from the European Wind Energy Association, which just released a report on industry growth."
While "conservatives" continue to push for both the subsidy of destructive early 20th Century technologies as well as the demonization of public sector investment in alternatives, they are also guaranteeing that we are being left behind. Alas, the opponents of successfully adapting to the future have reduced the concept of American Exceptionalism to "America, fuck yeah!"
Quote Of The Day
Feb 20th, 2012
"The office of reformer of the superstitions of a nation, is ever more dangerous."
-- Thomas Jefferson
-- Thomas Jefferson
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Quote Of The Day
Feb 18th, 2012
"One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous."
-- Aldous Huxley
-- Aldous Huxley
Friday, February 17, 2012
Maddow On The GOP's Birth Control Insanity
Feb 17th, 2012
The amount of daylight between GOP elites and most ordinary Americans continues to increase.
The amount of daylight between GOP elites and most ordinary Americans continues to increase.
The GOP War On Women, cont...
Feb 17th, 2012
UPDATE: We may have been taken in by a parody here. If so, we apologize. That said, that we found it plausible in the current climate is worth noting.
If you think there is any way to argue that senior members of the GOP are not actively engaged in a war against women's rights, you are not paying attention. It is being reported that Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum made the following statement recently while speaking before a Nebraska audience:
"It has been my experience that when dealing with females, you need to treat them as though they have a mental disorder… especially those that are constantly seeking equality in the workplace, the military, and in the home. Women need to know their place and need to know when it is okay for them to speak. They were put on this earth for two reasons, and two reasons alone: taking care of their husband, and giving birth to his children… that is all. Any woman who tells you otherwise is obviously touting the liberal agenda of equality, and they need to be told the truth of their purpose. It is a disorder that can be fixed, but not until they go through several years of therapy to understand that they need to be subservient." EMPHASES OURS
This man is now the darling of the GOP base. His vision for a world of barefoot, pregnant, docile and obedient females whose primary destiny lies in their breeding status actually appeals to them.
UPDATE: We may have been taken in by a parody here. If so, we apologize. That said, that we found it plausible in the current climate is worth noting.
If you think there is any way to argue that senior members of the GOP are not actively engaged in a war against women's rights, you are not paying attention. It is being reported that Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum made the following statement recently while speaking before a Nebraska audience:
"It has been my experience that when dealing with females, you need to treat them as though they have a mental disorder… especially those that are constantly seeking equality in the workplace, the military, and in the home. Women need to know their place and need to know when it is okay for them to speak. They were put on this earth for two reasons, and two reasons alone: taking care of their husband, and giving birth to his children… that is all. Any woman who tells you otherwise is obviously touting the liberal agenda of equality, and they need to be told the truth of their purpose. It is a disorder that can be fixed, but not until they go through several years of therapy to understand that they need to be subservient." EMPHASES OURS
This man is now the darling of the GOP base. His vision for a world of barefoot, pregnant, docile and obedient females whose primary destiny lies in their breeding status actually appeals to them.
Quote Of The Day
Feb 16th, 2012
"The most practical kind of politics is the politics of decency."
-- Theodore Roosevelt
-- Theodore Roosevelt
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Obama & The GOP War On Birth Control
Feb 16th, 2012
The GOP has terribly misfired. There is little discernible damage to Obama even among American Catholics.
Via Gallup
The GOP has terribly misfired. There is little discernible damage to Obama even among American Catholics.
Via Gallup
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Quote Of The Day
Feb 15th, 2012
"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
-- Aldous Huxley
-- Aldous Huxley
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
"World's Holiest Sausage Fest"
Feb 14th, 2012
Stewart calls out the bullshit, all male, anti-contraception gathering hosted by Sean Hannity and spots a pretty ridiculous Godwin violation.
Stewart calls out the bullshit, all male, anti-contraception gathering hosted by Sean Hannity and spots a pretty ridiculous Godwin violation.
Quote Of The Day - Valentines Day Edition
Feb 14th, 2012
"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."
-- Ingrid Bergman
-- Ingrid Bergman
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Ray Of Light At CPAC
Feb 13th, 2012
Although CPAC 2012 was predictably depressing (coverage HERE and HERE) and largely represented the worst that the elites who have taken control of the "conservative" movement have to offer, there was one development about which I had to smile...
Frank Gaffney's 15 minutes appear to be nearly over.
Although CPAC 2012 was predictably depressing (coverage HERE and HERE) and largely represented the worst that the elites who have taken control of the "conservative" movement have to offer, there was one development about which I had to smile...
Frank Gaffney's 15 minutes appear to be nearly over.
At least they have some standards.
Quote Of The Day
Feb 13th, 2012
"I like to be alone so I can write. But focus can hurt you. I don't want to be some stress casualty in early middle age."
-- James Ellroy
-- James Ellroy
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The GOP Mission To Re-Elect Obama
Feb 12th, 2012
First, there was the Ryan Medicare debacle. Then came the GOP-driven debt ceiling disaster. Now, we have the "conservative" movement waging open war on contraception, a strategy which the vast majority of Americans aren't buying no matter how they frame it. In between these iconoclastic moments, we've had no meaningful legislation drafted in the House, demonization of the working poor, defense of corporations as people and an adherence to a social and economic orthodoxy so rigid that even a majority of registered Republicans oppose it point by point.
Perhaps, Team Obama should be thanking these guys.
Jonathan Chait writes:
"...President Obama has rehabilitated his own political standing in large part by highlighting the opposition of congressional Republicans. The Republican strategy has been to block and delay Obama’s agenda at every turn, and Obama has absorbed most of the backlash from a public that tends to hold the president singularly responsible for all political outcomes. Obama’s campaign of publicly highlighting Republican opposition has simultaneously helped to absolve him of at least part of the blame and made him look more like a strong leader.
First, there was the Ryan Medicare debacle. Then came the GOP-driven debt ceiling disaster. Now, we have the "conservative" movement waging open war on contraception, a strategy which the vast majority of Americans aren't buying no matter how they frame it. In between these iconoclastic moments, we've had no meaningful legislation drafted in the House, demonization of the working poor, defense of corporations as people and an adherence to a social and economic orthodoxy so rigid that even a majority of registered Republicans oppose it point by point.
Perhaps, Team Obama should be thanking these guys.
Jonathan Chait writes:
"...President Obama has rehabilitated his own political standing in large part by highlighting the opposition of congressional Republicans. The Republican strategy has been to block and delay Obama’s agenda at every turn, and Obama has absorbed most of the backlash from a public that tends to hold the president singularly responsible for all political outcomes. Obama’s campaign of publicly highlighting Republican opposition has simultaneously helped to absolve him of at least part of the blame and made him look more like a strong leader.
Meet Nick Hanauer
Feb 12th, 2012
Meet Nick Hanauer. Self-made multi-millionaire, venture capitalist and member of the so-called 1%, he recently spoke with Yahoo! Finance commentator Henry Blodget and more than a few folks are sitting up to take notice:
Meet Nick Hanauer. Self-made multi-millionaire, venture capitalist and member of the so-called 1%, he recently spoke with Yahoo! Finance commentator Henry Blodget and more than a few folks are sitting up to take notice:
"We are systematically destroying our customer base in this country by undercutting the middle class... If it was true that the rich and business were job creators, we'd be drowning in jobs today."
Revoking The Church's Tax Exemption?
Feb 12th, 2012
A few days ago, I quipped that if we are to conflate churches with businesses then we ought to reexamine the tax exempt status of the former. I was being facetious at the time. Today, PoliticsUSA actually makes a strong argument to do just that:
"It was reported in this column that the USCCB sent out letters to be read in parishes around the country informing Catholics of the Obama Administration’s alleged “war on religious liberty.” When parish priests read the letter to their congregations, they politicized the pulpit and violated their tax-exempt status as a religious organization. Senator Rubio is complicit in not reporting the violation to the IRS, and for following the bishops’ orders and drafting legislation imposing the Vatican’s ban on contraception. It is time to revoke tax-exempt status from all Catholic churches and end their taxpayer-funded entitlements once and for all. There is no doubt the USCCB violated their agreement with the IRS and Rubio’s statement that he directed his staff to draft legislation after an officiant read a letter from the Catholic archdiocese opposing the administration’s decision proves it. Rubio claims he was ignorant of the issue prior to hearing the archdiocese’s letter and his willingness to obey the USCCB precludes him from serving as a U.S. Senator. Either Rubio follows Vatican law, or he follows U.S. law and the Constitution; he cannot do both."
Agreed.
A few days ago, I quipped that if we are to conflate churches with businesses then we ought to reexamine the tax exempt status of the former. I was being facetious at the time. Today, PoliticsUSA actually makes a strong argument to do just that:
"It was reported in this column that the USCCB sent out letters to be read in parishes around the country informing Catholics of the Obama Administration’s alleged “war on religious liberty.” When parish priests read the letter to their congregations, they politicized the pulpit and violated their tax-exempt status as a religious organization. Senator Rubio is complicit in not reporting the violation to the IRS, and for following the bishops’ orders and drafting legislation imposing the Vatican’s ban on contraception. It is time to revoke tax-exempt status from all Catholic churches and end their taxpayer-funded entitlements once and for all. There is no doubt the USCCB violated their agreement with the IRS and Rubio’s statement that he directed his staff to draft legislation after an officiant read a letter from the Catholic archdiocese opposing the administration’s decision proves it. Rubio claims he was ignorant of the issue prior to hearing the archdiocese’s letter and his willingness to obey the USCCB precludes him from serving as a U.S. Senator. Either Rubio follows Vatican law, or he follows U.S. law and the Constitution; he cannot do both."
Agreed.
The GOP's Ala Carte Religious War
Feb 12th, 2012
Juan Cole takes aim at the hypocrisy of the GOP's Dominionist darlings:
"The right wing Republican politicians who have been denouncing the requirement that female employees have access to birth control as part of their health benefits as an attack on religious freedom completely ignore the church teachings they don’t agree with. Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are both Catholics, and wear their faith on their sleeves, but they are hypocritical in picking and choosing when they wish to listen to the bishops."
By ignoring the Catholic Church's opposition to pre-emptive war and the death penalty as well as their support for expansion of welfare programs and organized labor - all argued in the name of theological duty - the candidates have demonstrated a conveniently narrow interest in "protecting" religion in public life.
Juan Cole takes aim at the hypocrisy of the GOP's Dominionist darlings:
"The right wing Republican politicians who have been denouncing the requirement that female employees have access to birth control as part of their health benefits as an attack on religious freedom completely ignore the church teachings they don’t agree with. Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are both Catholics, and wear their faith on their sleeves, but they are hypocritical in picking and choosing when they wish to listen to the bishops."
By ignoring the Catholic Church's opposition to pre-emptive war and the death penalty as well as their support for expansion of welfare programs and organized labor - all argued in the name of theological duty - the candidates have demonstrated a conveniently narrow interest in "protecting" religion in public life.
Quote Of The Day
Feb 12th, 2012
"The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason."
-- Benjamin Franklin
-- Benjamin Franklin
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