Dec 24th, 2010
Peace to all.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Quote Of The Day - Christmas Eve Edition
Dec 24th, 2010
"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys." -- Charles Dickens
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The Dec 21st Lunar Eclipse -Time Lapse
Dec 23rd, 2010
One William Castleman created this time lapse wonder of the other night's lunar eclipse and set it to the strains of Debussy's "Nocturnes -- Sirènes". Simply beautiful...
Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.
One William Castleman created this time lapse wonder of the other night's lunar eclipse and set it to the strains of Debussy's "Nocturnes -- Sirènes". Simply beautiful...
Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.
Farewell To Politics Until The 26th
Dec 23rd, 2010
I have spent quite a bit of time over the last week finding fun Christmas stuff for my blog. That's right, kids... there will be no politics in this space until the 26th.
If I can tear myself away from the fights for a couple of days, you can too. I will be posting "the happy" for 2 days straight.
Be kind and decent. Give love in abundance and treasure every fleeting moment. For those of you who will be so very blessed to have Christmas morning with your children, remember that yours will be the greatest gift of all.
If I can tear myself away from the fights for a couple of days, you can too. I will be posting "the happy" for 2 days straight.
Be kind and decent. Give love in abundance and treasure every fleeting moment. For those of you who will be so very blessed to have Christmas morning with your children, remember that yours will be the greatest gift of all.
Are Dogs Better Than People?
Dec 23rd, 2010
This is simply amazing. The video below shows an act of courage by a humble dog. It is selflessness of a kind that is not often matched in people. Be warned, the first portion of the video is hard to watch.
This is simply amazing. The video below shows an act of courage by a humble dog. It is selflessness of a kind that is not often matched in people. Be warned, the first portion of the video is hard to watch.
U.N. Looking Into Bradley Manning's Confinement
Dec 23rd, 2010
If reports are true that hero/traitor Pfc. Bradley Manning has been kept in solitary confinement for 7 months, this was bound to happen.
"HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- The United Nations' top anti-torture envoy is looking into a complaint that the Army private suspected of giving classified documents to WikiLeaks has been mistreated in custody, a spokesperson said Wednesday. The office of Manfred Nowak, special rapporteur on torture in Geneva, received a complaint from one of Pfc. Bradley Manning's supporters alleging conditions in a Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Va., amount to torture, said spokesperson Xabier Celaya. Visitors say he spends at least 23 hours a day alone in a cell. The U.N. could ask the United States to stop any violations it finds. The Pentagon has denied mistreating Manning. A Marine Corps spokesman says the military is keeping Manning safe, secure and ready for trial."
Obama's Victories Vs. The Failure Of Dialogue
Dec 23rd, 2010
by F. Grey Parker
It has been a remarkable "lame-duck" session of congress. There is no disputing that. From the repeal of DADT to the ratification of the new START treaty to the 11th hour passage of the 9/11 responders bill, it has been a whirlwind of victories for President Barack Obama. These were also all victories for the American people. How easily we forget that a mere 7 days ago, the people were handed an equally significant defeat when Sen Harry Reid (D-NV) pulled the omnibus spending bill.
In the glow of the aforementioned accomplishments, we have all but ceased discussion of the fact that our government is technically not funded through the current fiscal year. Considering the American people's overwhelming response to these other last minute initiatives, the failure to hold a full floor debate on the omnibus spending bill seems all the more unforgivable. As I argued last week, we didn't have to win that fight. The fight for the bill was more important than it's passage.
The average citizen should have been given the opportunity to witness openly just whom is on their side and what the next round's stakes are. Aside from the most rabidly libertarian and the incredibly uninformed, the politically educated know that earmarks aren't bad; Rather, BAD earmarks are bad. It's as simple as that.
After thirty years of misguided Reaganomic extremism and radical "free-marketeerism," the earmark has become one of the primary tools to fix infrastructure, secure the stability of utilities in trouble and support research that pays off roughly 10 fold for the health and well being of the country. Most Republicans know this to be true but chose to play cynical little games during the election for short term political capital.
Majority leader Sen. Harry Reid gave up without any of these points being made in front of the people. To be sure, the far-right of the Republican party has been given pause by the last few day's Democratic successes. But Reid's failure to set up the grassroots of the left to start pushing back now against the incoming Republican majority house is an error of epic proportions. The right is not so much licking their wounds as they are rubbing their hands together.
As the 112th congress-of-crazy rolls in, we should be prepared for a full shutdown of the federal government and blistering fights waged by those who piously spout platitudes about America while simultaneously attempting to undermine the last 70 years of progress that define her.
I will concede that we do have a much stronger figure in President Obama than we did even 4 weeks ago. It may be all up to him and the bully pulpit. If I had Obama's ear, I would simply say this:
"Fight like Teddy Roosevelt, man. Because these guys are assholes!"
Newt Gingrich Is A Liar
Dec 23rd, 2010
It might not be news to you that Newt Gingrich is a bald faced liar, but here's the lie:
"Democratic leaders today have been sending clear signals that they are willing to use the lame duck session of Congress to pass the most unpopular and destructive parts of their agenda."
Right. I keep telling folks that if one party has far less respect for the will of the people than the other, it's still Republicans. Gingrich is one of their exemplars and here is the proof:
Lastly, the number of Americans who support the 9/11 First Responders Bill? Figures unavailable (But, if you think it's a minority, we think you need to view this post)
The Totalitarian Impulse Toward Wikileaks
Dec 23rd, 2010
Over at Rolling Stone, Tim Dickinson makes the case that Bill Keller, executive editor of the NY Times, would have done exactly as Julian Assange did at Wikileaks had it been the Times which had received the massive number of leaked cables from our government.
He then asks us to try and picture our political class calling for the same level of malevolent legal action or even violence against Keller:
"The behavior is outrageous on its face and totalitarian in its impulse. Indeed, we should all be alarmed at the Orwellian coloring of the Obama administration’s official response to the publishing of the cables:
“President Obama supports responsible, accountable, and open government at home and around the world, but this reckless and dangerous action runs counter to that goal.”
Secrecy is openness. What the fuck?!"
“President Obama supports responsible, accountable, and open government at home and around the world, but this reckless and dangerous action runs counter to that goal.”
Secrecy is openness. What the fuck?!"
11 People Liked This...
Dec 23rd, 2010
11 people clicked "like" on this FOX comment... and that's 12 people that "liked" it too many.
11 people clicked "like" on this FOX comment... and that's 12 people that "liked" it too many.
Tim Pawlenty FAILS The Smell Test
Dec 23rd, 2010
In just the latest example of jingoistic, right-wing corruptocrats who seem hell-bent on exploding any appearance of a lack of impropriety:
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty reached around the standard judicial selection process Tuesday for one of his last appointees to Hennepin County District Court, naming Jamie L. Anderson, the 35-year-old wife of his deputy chief of staff, to the state's busiest bench."
We are sure it's just a coincidence.
"Gov. Tim Pawlenty reached around the standard judicial selection process Tuesday for one of his last appointees to Hennepin County District Court, naming Jamie L. Anderson, the 35-year-old wife of his deputy chief of staff, to the state's busiest bench."
We are sure it's just a coincidence.
Misinformer of the Year Award
Dec 23rd, 2010
Media Matters has named Sarah Palin "Misinformer of the Year." Priceless.
Media Matters has named Sarah Palin "Misinformer of the Year." Priceless.
Quote Of The Day
Dec 23rd, 2010
"It's much harder to be a liberal than a conservative. Why? Because it is easier to give someone the finger than a helping hand." -- Mike Royko
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Curmudgeon!
Dec 22nd, 2010
Some readers have noted that I've been taking more than a few shots at McCain this week. Yeah? So? I was actually going to try and get through today without publishing an unflattering picture of him.
This was too good to pass up.
This was too good to pass up.
An Interesting Take on DADT
Dec 22nd, 2010
There is an editorial over at the very right-wing Hot Air by Cassy Fiano, the wife of a currently serving marine infantryman. She is opposed to the repeal of DADT. Her focus is something else altogether. What really has her incensed is the vile excess of other repeal opponents.
She frames their rhetoric, literally, as contrary to the principles of service. It's worth a read.
"The question I have for the people who feel this will destroy our military is this: do you think all of the men and women currently serving are so severely homophobic that they cannot continue to serve their country with honor? If your answer to that question is yes, then shame on you."
The Eclipse
Dec 22nd, 2010
There are some amazing photos of the Dec 21st lunar eclipse over at National Geographic. We recommend you view them all. This is definitely our favorite.
There are some amazing photos of the Dec 21st lunar eclipse over at National Geographic. We recommend you view them all. This is definitely our favorite.
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| Photo © copyright 2010 National Geographic |
Abstinence Only Education, part 3
Using actual "instructional" materials, Amplify Your Voice takes aim at Abstinence Only Programs.
It's About Time
Dec 22nd, 2010
The 9/11 first responders bill has pass despite the lingering obstructionism of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK).
From ABC:
"The bill passed after Senate Democrats struck a deal Wednesday with Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who agreed to drop his objections when the cost of the bill was reduced by about $2 billion.
The 9/11 first responders bill has pass despite the lingering obstructionism of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK).
From ABC:
"The bill passed after Senate Democrats struck a deal Wednesday with Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who agreed to drop his objections when the cost of the bill was reduced by about $2 billion.
The Oklahoma Republican had come under withering criticism for opposing the bill on the grounds that it provided "overly generous funding" and included "unnecessary and duplicative compensation funds."
Coburn emerged Wednesday from a closed-door meeting that included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and New York Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to reveal that that a deal has been worked out that will likely enable the bill to pass the Senate – and then the House – by the end of the day."
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