Eleven Year-Old Claims Left Wing Classroom Bias

Eleven Year-Old Claims Left Wing Classroom Bias


To me, this interview with the 11 year old proves the article he supposedly wrote in American Thinker is a fraud. He could barely form a sentence and didn't even seen to remember what he wrote. To be fair, part of his inability to speak could be from nerves -- being on Fox and Friends would be scary -- but, to me, he just didn't exhibit the level of competence and use of words expressed in the article.


Also, I love that the interview was posted on Accuracy in Media. There is nothing "accurate" about the website...That is why sometimes it is fun to read. Just when you think wingnuts can't getter nuttier, this site proves they can.

Sheryl Crow - Run,Baby,Run (Original Videoclip)

Take down

Just read Glenn Greenwald's article in Salon on Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg. I love it when Glenn is truly pissed.

Dog Day Charlie

click to enlarge

On Our Central Asia Problem

The dogmatic isolationists want to believe that if we withdraw from the world that is now also a nuclear world, into our own borders, then everything will work itself out and folks will live in peace and prosperity, now that we are not there to cause bad shit to happen.

The neo cons and other militarists want us to believe that our status as the only military superpower in the world demands that we use that military to create a peaceful hegemony by force of arms, or the threat thereof, in every case across the board. Even where there are no apparent vital US interests.

The reality is the world was a warring blood lusting place before we existed. The other reality is that you can’t use the military but for specific reasons, where we have vital interest and they are threatened by another military force. It is not, and should not be used as a politcal weapon. Both the neo con and dogmatic isolationists, and they are on both sides of the left right divide, are some right, but mostly wrong from fixed ideology that does not think, but reacts only.

It is surely the case that our military adventurism has created some real bad stuff to happen that needn’t have, see Iraq for a recent example. But it is also the case that our perceived status as the world policeman has likely either prevented some conflicts, which are impossible to list due to not having happened. And has ended some that were ongoing.

And in a nuclear world, everyone should be concerned about events when they occur in places where such weapons exist.

The situation in Afghan,/Pakistan is exceedingly complex, but to dismiss us as having no interests in that region and clamoring for us to leave completely, either militarily or diplomatically is quite frankly insane, given the ingredients of instability, radical religiousity with militaristic intent, not to mention the possibility of a relaxed and unthreatened AQ to again have the space and time to blow up more civilians in the west, and about everywhere else, including their own kind.

But it is folly, imo, to continue an all out military campaign against a foe that cannot be defeated in a conventional military sense, and I think Obama now gets this and will end the whack a mole with the Taliban. What happens after that is above my pay grade, but it will not, and should not, imo, mean we pack up and go home completely. And we won’‘t.

Cross posted at Balloon Juice

On Current Polling For the 2010 Mid Terms and My Early Predictions

I am not paying much attention to polling in individual races like this one, at least not yet. But if you mine into the internals of these polls, even now, you will find some real bugaboos for the wingnuts, like a surprising, to me at least, persistent laying of larger blame for our current straights on the wingnuts. Where the blame belongs.

Sure many are polling well against incumbent dems, even in some blue states, but most are not really that focused on the actual race and it’s candidates in those states. They never do, until around labor day. So I think much of the negative polling toward dems is just a nay that things haven’t improved to the level most would like, and when faced with an election day choice of what lever to pull, will not pull the lever easily for the party, and it’s candidate they hold ultimately responsible for causing their problems.

Many will vote against dems, and there is no doubt the energy is highest on the winger side, but it has only been two years since the repubs and Bush were running things into the ground. When voters are reminded of this on their teevee sets, some reality will cause them to realize they only have two choices, and one choice they have been there done that for eight years instead of just two with Obama.

I am predicting that dems will lose 5 senate seats and 25 House seats.

The Meaning of IS.

"No one has to be afraid of the Best Party because it is the best party. If it wasn't, it would be called the Worst Party or the Bad Party. We would never work with a party like that."

-- Comedian Jon Gnarr, leader of the Best Party and newly-elected mayor of Reykyavik, Iceland, quoted in a New York Times profile.

My kind of politician. I love convoluted and cryptic (or appearing cryptic) brain teaser parables about politics. And this one is a keeper. The dude can mayor me anyday.

via - Political Wire

Rep. Gohmert Warns Of Terrorist Babies - Say wha....?

Charlie The Wonder Dog - In Soft Focus

Confederate Wanker Says For the Lazy Bums To Get a Job

Confederate Yankee -

This is pretty much par for true wingnuts, especially those with a job or some other means of paying the rent/mortgage and food to survive on. But it never ceases to amaze me the cold hearted selfishness. And the terms to vilify those who are hurting. To Whit, the title of his post.

Boo-Hoo: Leftists, Media Cry Out Because Filibuster May Mean End of Unemployment Gravy Train

Some gravy train. Most benefits are so slim, all they do is provide enough to still let bills go unpaid, especially mortgages, and some less so rent. Maybe for enough food to barely subsist on. Some gravy train. Made of bread and water.

The filibuster has support because Republicans and Nelson understand that you can't keep plunging the country further into debt and expect to climb out of a recession. By stopping unemployment benefits, the Senate will force those lazy Americans enjoying "funemployment" to get off their backsides and get back to work.

I know that many long-term unemployed people have made a sincere effort to return to work, but I know for a fact that many haven't.

All yes, the DINO Nelson, darling of the right wing, always eager to provide a fig leaf of bipartisanship for the wingnuts when they need on. He needs to be cut loose from the democratic party and left to fend for himself. He serves no useful purpose for democrats other than stab them in the back when it counts.

And By stopping unemployment benefits, the Senate will force those lazy Americans enjoying "  funemployment"

They are such clever little rascals, aren't they, always with the pithy wordsmithing. Yes, being unemployed in a near dead job market that has persisted for going on two years now.

And he goes on to prove he is right, and there are oodles of jobs out there, wanking about his two good brother and brother in law, and smears another brother in law with the lazy brush. Confederate Wanker must be a hoot at family gatherings.

We can't keep subsidizing such people, and it isn't right to ask others who work hard to go deeper in debt to bail out those who won't work.

And this is the best part, and where these hypocritical fools show their stupidity and psychotic priorities. He and his fellow lizard brains were all for every single Bush mis adventure, in Iraq, screwing up Afghanistan, passing the Big Pharma Wingnut Welfare Prescription Bill For Milking Seniors and Enriching Wingnuts Bill. All the Bush tac cuts redistributing the national treasure to rich people to make them even richer. He was all for deregulation across the board for all business, that gave us the Wallstreet Meltdown that caused all these people to lose their jobs in the first place.

And it never dawns on them, that unemployment benefits go directly into the economy as stimulus to help end the recession. They are not dead end dollars.

Never mind --Photo taken by Gen. Stuck in Pinos Altos, NM on 6-24-10

LOL

Love the Kansas farmer who posted a sign on his semi saying the Democrats are the "Party of Parasites." Seems he has received approx. a $1 million in farm subsidies since 1995. Clearly a genuine Republican....

Love religious right radio that today talked about "Euthanasia" and how it devalues human life. They went on and on about how EVERY human life has value, and how it is reflective of the culture under Obama, who clearly believes that unborn babies and old people are expendable. Several things come to mind. First, I, too, have issues with Euthanasia, but my concerns are open for dialogue and debate. Secondly, I have never heard Obama preach the virtues of Euthanasia nor advocate for it as administration policy. Third, these are the same people who scream when Gitmo is mentioned, go crazy over detainees having due process, and preach anti-Americanism when progressives argue that detainees have rights. These same individuals feel nothing for detainees that have committed sucide, for those detained for years and have literally lost everything, and for those still being held. Clearly, not EVERY human life has equal value.

My Hike In the Gila Forest

Enters the Senator From Massachusetts

Multiple sources tonight say that in all likelihood the hedge fund loophole (known as a 'de minimis exemption') will be included in the offer that the conference committee considers this week.

Senator Loophole. Great

"I think Senator Dodd's doing a wonderful job," Brown said tonight. "We're trying to address everybody's concerns. Obviously it's important...for Massachusetts businesses, and businesses throughout the country to continue to operate as they have as many many years."

By all means, let's keep doing business like we have for "many many years"

via tpm

Today's Wingnut Moment of Zen

The presumptive GOP nominee for Minnesota's upcoming governors race pulls the "tenther" card.

Minnesota state Rep. Tom Emmer, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor, has further expounded on his theories of nullification, declaring that states have the power under the Constitution to undo federal legislation.

Of course these vapid supporters of the constitution, and blasters of the Obama cult of tyranny in shredding the constitution haz them a wee problem.

There's one problem that Emmer and other nullifiers -- or to use a modern term from the blogosphere, "Tenthers," after the Tenth Amendment -- would face: State nullification of federal laws has consistently been found to be unconstitutional throughout this country's history.

I suppose all those federal judges over he centuries must have "liberal Activists" and a quick processing through the wingnut alternate truth machine should wash all that marxist yackety yak out and bring us some God sanctioned republican truth.

Via/TPM

Interesting Tidbit

On the way out of work today, I noticed a small magazine -- mostly ads -- geared towards college students. One small column said that a student will spend approximately $3,000 on textbooks during their college years. It went on to tell us what else the money could be used for -- a down payment on a car, a trip to Europe, a flat-screen TV. The column went on to advocate for E-readers as a cheaper alternative.

I thought about this on the way home. First, $3,000 over four years is not a lot of money. Granted all textbooks are not of equal quality -- and many students won't pick up them up again after the class ends -- but books to me have more value, potentially life long value, than a car payment or a trip. I guess I just don't understand the comparison.

Second, I love books. I still have books from college that not only have moved with me through the years, but also have followed through all my years living abroad. They have notes in the margins, which I periodically look back on, and these scribbles remind me how my thinking has grown and changed as my experiences have accumulated. I have shared my books with colleagues and friends, both in the US and abroad, and have had books given to me by people from other countries that I still cherish.

While I was in Peace Corps in Liberia, where I didn't even have electricity for two years, it was a common practice that books sent to us were put in our main office library when we finished them. Then each time we traveled to Monrovia, the first stop for most of us was to the "library" to drop off our finished books and happily re-fill our packs with new books for those long hours of village life, where reading by candle light was a huge treat.

I understood the value of having a reader. I even have one. It does make travel easier -- you can carry a lot of novels in a case that fits easily in your briefcase. But, you cannot make notes in the margin, you cannot go back and re-think your assumptions and thoughts, and you cannot share them with others. For college students, who are just starting to explore their worlds and potential futures, books -- the old fashioned kind have value.

It Isn't Easy Being Obama

Some remarks on the latest nonsense coming out ot the pundit class, both MSM and on the Blogs, concerning he situation with General Stanley McChrystal and his insubordinate remarks made in an ill considered expose in Rolling Stone. Being a vet, and for all the vets out there, it is an easy call to state that this General not only crossed over the line, but turned around and spat on it. The chain of command in the military is like reverence to Jesus, and when you break that vow of disrespecting those who outrank you, especially at the level of POTUS and top field commanders, then something must be done

It goes to the heart of our separation of military from our civilian political leadership that is crucial to separate us from military juntas and the like. The constitution is clear that the military is subordinate to the whims and orders of the POTUS. No exceptions, ever. Historically, when commanders disagree to such a degree they cannot carry out POTUS commands or feel they need to criticize them publically, they resign, and then exercise their free speech rights as a civilian. These things cannot be tolerated in this society. The most famous example of this sort of breach of our constitution, was Harry Truman sacking General MaCarthur over Korea.

Obama does not have to remove, or accept McChrystal's resignation, but the general must submit it, and Obama will have to weigh the need, or relative critical need to maintain operational momentum in the Afghanistan theater of war we are currently bogged down in, and how the general's departure would effect that, and to troop morale.

But of course this is not the first time this general has pulled such a stunt, running his mouth in public concerning the Obama Administration and individuals in it. There is a pattern, and also McChrystal apparent role in the Pat Tillman cover up of the army putting out lies concerning the nature of Tillman's death in Afghanistan. For me, this should have kept him from ever being put in such a high command position  in the first place.

But on to Obama's no win decision in this problem, and his eternal political trap that has even military personnel matters polarized politically. On the one hand, he has a liberal activist base, mostly on the internet that hates us still being in Afghanistan, and many who thought we should have never gone, being reactionary and demanding McChrystal's sacking, mostly as a matter for objection to the war itself, and getting a scalp to further their cause. Then there are the wingnuts and neocons, who adore this particular general as being some kind of military wunderkind that can do no wrong. And if Obama cans the general, will cry that Obama and liberals hate the military, and it's mission. The cable teevee pundits will flop back and forth and stoke the controvery between these political tribes, all the while fanning the flames of partisan warfare for the drama that attract viewers.

I do not have enough info on the decision Obama has to make, but my instinct is that this guy needs to go. There is a principle here, that outweighs all the other considerations pro and con. And that is the sanctity of the military doing the bidding of our civilian leadership. There is pattern that has developed with Gen. McChrystal, and he has had his second chance, and maybe a third.

You Can't Make This Shit Up

Former Rep. JD Hayworth is making a pretty strong run against Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as a True Conservative, Tea Partying stop-all-the-government-spending insurgent. But it turns out that right after he got bounced from Congress back in 2006 he signed on as a celebrity endorser for one of those late-night You Too Can Get Free Money from the Government informercials.

The hypocrisy, it burns.

Stay Classy Mike Huckabee

"The only thing worse than a torrid affair with sweet, sweet Nancy would be a torrid affair with Helen Thomas. If those were my only options, I'd probably be FOR same-sex marriage!";

He's just a Gawd fearin' good ole boy from Arkansas

via - Political Wire

It's hard to keep up

Charlotte Hays, a conservative, from something called the Independent Women's Forum, wrote a little blip on June 18, 2010 on an event she attended at the Hudson Institute. Apparently what she heard was SO profound that she had to write 2 blips. She wrote:


"One of the panelists...made the point that it is not enough that politicians have a commitment to the Constitution and small government, though that is important. And it is not sufficient that they get elected, though that is essential. They need to be prepared to govern."


OMG....Elected officials elected to govern need to be prepared to govern. Wow!


Not to rain on her parade, but I would point out to Ms. Hays that Republicans in Congress are governing...Being an elected official in Congress is being part of the governance structure. That the Republican approach to governance under the Obama administration has been nothing but obstruction, smears, etc., seems lost on Ms. Hays. The Republicans ARE prepared to govern. It is not their preparation that is the problem -- it is what they deliver.

Legal system, what legal system?

Hmmmm. Republicans, or now as they are known -- FBPs (friends of BP) -- say that the $20 billion escrow account is not needed because we have a court system already in place where claims against a corporation can be litigated. In fact, they argue that this escrow account amounts to a "shakedown" of the US government against private business.


Interestingly, FBPs are now crying out for the US court system and due process, arguing that the system for submitting claims already is in place and should be followed.


However, when it came to actual humans and unlawful detention, Republicans believed the US court system and due process were not good enough. Using the US court system would somehow favor the "terrorists."


I would argue that what BP has done in the Gulf does amount to a type of terrorism. Lives have been lost. The environmental disaster is one of the worst ever on US soil. Individuals, families and businesses have lost their incomes.


So the main question is, why suddenly is the US court system sufficient when it comes to BP vs the US?

Sarah Serendipity Is Poutraged

RahmEmanuel= as shallow/narrowminded/political/irresponsible as they come,to falsely claim Barton's BP comment is "GOP philosophy"Rahm,u lie

Sarah needs some quality mirror time.

via - Political Wire

Conflict of Interest

Virgina Thomas (Clarence's wife) is a prominant member of one of the organized Tea Party groups. She is even speaking at a "Tea Party Convention" in Las Vegas in July. Something about this doesn't smell right.

We're Going To Kill Them, We're Going To Kill Them All

Colorado Senate hopeful Jane Norton (R) has given her campaign website a facelift. And as part of that facelift she's hitting Barack Obama for...not going to war against Islam.

That's just peachy. One billion Muslims in the world and this tea bag loon wants to declare war on the lot of them. Why not the Buddhists, Hindus, Shintos, and my little Church of Reformed Druids.

And if we have any bullets left, let's waste those pussy Quakers and Mennonites, Mormons and Wiccans.

Crazy ass wingnuts. This country is goddamn lousy with them..

via TPM

Jerk

This morning in the Wash Post David Broder writes:

"The eagerness with which Democrats pounced on the foolish comment of Rep. Joe Barton...that BP had been the victim of a White House 'shakedown" tells you everything you need to know about their need to change the subject from the problems confronting the Obama administration."

WTF? Criticism of Barton is guided by the need to "change the subject...?" How about there would be less written about the problems confronting the Obama administration if the press would stop writing stupid columns and editorials about the supposed problems confronting the administration, including how much he smiles, shouts, cries, poos, and changes his shoes. Secondly, maybe Democrats and other sane people reacted strongly to Barton's comments out of principle. Yes, David, individuals actually do act out of principle. To apologize to a corporation that willing circumvented safety measures and knowingly violated regulations AND not only caused one of the worst environmental disaster, but ALSO the loss of life, is beyond repugnant. But, somehow in Broder's little mind, the reaction was not out of disgust for a disgusting comment, but out of a need to "change the subject."

Trail Dog Charlie - The Hurry Up Slow Poke Look

No One Could Have Predicted This

Rep Darrell Issa gives us a glimpse of what Obama, the deomcrats, and America can look forward to if Republicans take back the House and gain subpoena power to investigate stuff. He would become Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

HERSHEY, Pa.— Rep. Darrell Issa, the conservative firebrand whose specialty is lobbing corruption allegations at the Obama White House, is making plans to hire dozens of subpoena-wielding investigators if Republicans win the House this fall.

This will be a 3 ring circus that should make the Clinton Era witchhunts look Bush League, so to speak. You think these fools are crazy now, just wait if they get their Chairman Gavels back. And any sensible restraint coming from a sense of creating blowback when the country gets time travelled back to the 90's will not be near enough to moderate them. They have tea bag fear and fervor pounding their veins, and they will scour every nook and corner to dig dirt on Obama.

The media and other wingnuts have been trying to do this since Obama won the primary and have found nothing of substance. At first, not knowing Obama very well, I was afraid they would come up with typical politician shit, maybe an affair, or some other financial screwup by Obama, especially coming out of the notorious corrupt Chicago political realm. But nothing of any import has surfaced, and watching Obama the past 2 years, I have come to believe he is a crafty and ethical man, relative to normal politicians. So I doubt they will find anything of substance. But they are flush with ideological fervor and will likely hold up any shred of something, most likely ideological in nature, and quite permissible, unless you are a socialist screaming crackpot that inundates the GOP these days. That tribe will dance around the campfire with these meaningless tidbits as some kind of victories and red meat for true believing wingnuts. But the rest of the country will not much care, other than be outraged at silly tribal bullshit when the country has so many problems to solve, and most of them made while the Republican party has been in power the past 30 years.

At a recent speech to Pennsylvania Republicans here, he boasted about what would happen if the GOP wins 39 seats, and he gets the power to subpoena.

“That will make all the difference in the world,” he told 400 applauding party members during a dinner at the chocolate-themed Hershey Lodge. “I won’t use it to have corporate America live in fear that we’re going to subpoena everything. I will use it to get the very information that today the White House is either shredding or not producing.”

Talk about being tone deaf, after the Wall Street heist and now an oil giant killing the Gulf Coast and very possibly the east coast as well, before it's all said and done. I sure hope America is not so stupid as to put these malevolent shitheels back into power, but I fear they might.

Now For Some Local News

One of the really cool things about living in NM is that it is filled compulsive artists, which could be one reason it's nickname is "Land of Enchantment". There are small towns all around the state each that seem to have different specialties of art. Some it's canvas painting, others it's buildings, and still others are jewelry artists. There is some of all of them in these towns, but usually one form stands out.

IN Silver City, where I live at the foothills of the Gila (Gila National Forest and Wilderness) in SW NM, there are metal and steel artworks everywhere it seem, some are quite large scattered around town in peoples yards. This one of Our Lady of Guadalupe is about eight feet tall, or about average size for them. Not far from where I live some people have a huge iron sculpture of a T - Rex with a large rag doll in it's teeth. Always makes me smile to drive by it.

From our local paper, The Silver Sun-News

A Flower Grows Amongst the Tarballs

Remember all the gloom and doom predicted by our progressive and wingnut friends about Obamacare being Barrack's Waterloo. Seems rumors of his demise were exaggerated.

Support for Health Care Law Hits New High
A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds public support for President Obama's new health care law has risen to its highest point with 45% in favor and 42% opposed.

It is the trend that is important. As the constant GOP misinformation campaign of doom over the HCR bill diminishs, and people have time to think for themselves without being inundated with lies about the reforms, this trend toward approval and acceptance will continue to rise. And the wingers know it, and that was what motivated them to go metal to the floor to stop it from being passed. It is starting to sink in, that the roughly 80 percent of people already with HC insurance begins to realize they have more security now from their existing insurance, they will realize they are better off than they were.

Too Lazy To Blog

It's hot as hades again here, so my brain is overheated and not functioning properly. Cooler tomorrow, or supposed to be.

Shitty Day with some Laughs

Shitty Day...While my work was praised, my boss told me the money for me, and others, is running out. She wants me to stay, but at a reduced salary -- the same work, the same teaching and advising responsibilities, but to be done in less time. If I raise some funds, my salary will go back up...The perils of hard and soft funding...

But on the bright side, Lady Sarah informed us that Obama should have consulted the Dutch, who are experts at building dikes and dams. It left me wondering what a dam would look like in the middle of the Gulf...As for dikes, not really sure how to wrap my creative mind around that...

And, Lady Michelle informed us that requiring BP to provide an initial $20 billion towards claims and clean-up amounts to a redistribution of wealth...Coming from someone who receives farm subsidies, which does amount to a redistribution of our wealth, I am amazed that she still has a job and an audience.

For the right, no matter what Obama does, it is not only not enough, but somehow shows his contempt for the American way of life. Free market and no regulation, until we have an environmental disaster...Then, he is criticized for the lack of government control and regulation. When he pushes for government solutions, he is criticized for subverting free enterprise and at the same time not doing enough.

So all is all, while I had a shitty day, I think Obama's day was even shittier.

Annie + 3 and continuing

Blue Oyster Cult- Don't Fear The Reaper - Open Music Thread

Gather Your Armies

Just your local Tea Party unplugged, unhinged, and unAmerican.

Doesn't Anyone Tell the Truth Anymore?

We are all used to politicians telling us lies, but this is getting ridiculous. All the Vietnam false stories and other military fibs, jeebus christ. Maybe it is the internet that makes it easier to look this stuff up, but it is embarrassing for the country that we are inundated with this crap.

Though U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul (R) says he is a "board-certified" ophthalmologist, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports that "the national clearinghouse for such certifications says he hasn't been for the past five years."

When the newspaper tried to interview Paul over the weekend, he wouldn't comment.

Asked when he would talk, Paul said: "Uh, you know, never... What does this have to do with our election?"

via/Political Wire

Out of the mouths of Idiots

"Yet if we carried out a targeted campaign against Iran’s nuclear facilities, against sites used to train and equip militants killing American soldiers, and against certain targeted terror-supporting and nuclear-enabling regime elements, the effects are just as likely to be limited." William Kristol.

Why does anyone listen to this guy? After Iraq and Afghanistan, you would think he would learn that the effects of targeted campaigns are not limited -- people still die.

Rattlesnakes Under Your Porch

Today's drive to work was informative as ever -- Apparently there are rattlesnakes living under my porch, and the administration isn't doing anything to contain them. According to one passionate Pastor, Muslims -- really Muslims -- are free to roam around the US (even those who are citizens) and are increasingly becoming comfortable on our patios and backyards....And, I guess, under our porches.

The second thing I learned this morning is that Lady Sarah is going to England to chat with Lady Margaret. Does she still think that Margaret Thatcher is PM?

Sometimes the Apple Does Fall Far From the Tree

Barbara Bush, the 28-year-old daughter of President George W. Bush, told Fox News on Sunday that she was "glad" the Democrats' health care reform package passed, and declared that "health care should be a right for everyone."

I will give kudos wherever it is deserved. Thank you spawn of GWB!!!

Saturday Night Netflix Open Thread

I am getting ready to watch the final episode on Netflix disc of a teevee miniseries called "Intelligence"/ You Canucks out there are probably familiar with it as it is Canadian and set in Vancouver BC. Very well made, not about terrorism, but mostly organized crime in that city, and a very complex plot, but also simple to follow.

Saturday morning

In my house, we waste a lot of food. We make something for dinner, and the leftovers die a slow death in the frig, where the remains remain until someone decides to clean it out. This morning I decided to change policy and practice. I made a rather nice spagetti sauce with a half package of leftover ground beef, and added the just about to turn green hunk of cheese to the sauce. Then, I took old veggies and made chicken salad -- actually with so many vegetables it turned out to be salad with chicken -- with chicken from a few nights ago. All in all, I feel very productive and very full, as I can't cook without lots of tasting...

OPEN THREAD

I been posting on this blog since 2007 and have never had an open thread. Guess it's about time for one.

Pink - glitter in the air

Just Plain Crazy

Driving to work this morning I subjected myself to my usual self-torture. I listen to wingnut radio, sometimes political and sometimes religious. Being that today was Friday, I chose religious. Well today's rant was about "the gays," and how God is apparently judging America and that is why things are rapidly going downhill. Not so unusual -- I have heard that rant before. But, today had a little twist. The two speakers somehow tied support for Israel into the message, as well patriotism, the Constitution, and Democrats. Not bad. So essentially the message was that promoting gay rights leads us to foresake Israel, support Israel's enemies, and lead us down a path to subverting the Constitution, electing Democrats, and spitting on our patriotism....Normally, I would write this off to a particularly bizarre message, except that I am aware that millions listen to this kind of message...Never about corruption, always about sex.

Electoral Skies Brightening For Democrats?

I have been getting the sense that this was occurring the past month or so, and all the polls are showing similar upticks in dem unity and enthusiasm. Hard to know why, but my guess is the increasing crazy factor of the GOP is turning on that little light in dems head, that these maniacs should not be put in charge of anything, lest it be the national asylum. PPP is a little gracious in it's polling toward the goopers, though they claim to be left of center. Other polling outfits have dems up by more than two percentage points. But it is the unity and enthusiasm factor improving that is the main good news, especially critical in mid term elections, especially for a new presidents party in his first term. Dems will still loose seats, but it may not be the blood bath cable teevee pundits and the wingnuts predict. I also think this represents at least a lessoning of economic anxiety amongst the voting public, though things are still bad, and a double dip recession is still possible.

Unified Democrats Grab Lead in Generic Ballot

For the first time since December, a new Public Policy Polling survey finds Democrats leading in the generic congressional ballot, albeit by the insignificant margin of 43% to 41%.

The biggest reason for the shift is that the party is becoming more unified. Democratic voters are now planning to support their candidates by a 76 point margin, 84% to 8%. That represents an 11 point increase from March.

Via/ Political Wire

Iran

McCain and crowd still talk about invading Iran...A friend of mine, who has worked in Iraq for years, just returned. She said that Iraq is crazier and more dangerous than ever before. Contractors no longer have US military protection. Crime has increased, the factions are at each other's throats, and it's nearly impossible to tell who is in charge...Yes, let's invade Iran because we have done such a great job of bringing democracy and stability to Iraq...And, let's not forget how well Afghanistan is turning out.

Blanche Lincoln Doesn't Blink

Lincoln Keeps Pressure on Banks/via Political Wire

"Lincoln wrote a controversial provision in the bill that could force banks to spin off their lucrative derivatives-trading operations. Bankers and many lawmakers assumed the provision would wither once Ms. Lincoln lost her primary -- or even if she won, given the diminished political imperative to look tough on Wall Street. But her victory appeared to have the opposite effect, with Democrats saying her standing is now strengthened, particularly as it appears the populist provision resonated with voters."

Said Lincoln: "We're going to work hard to keep it in."

The Firebagger left wingnuts will get their knickers in a twist over this. They hate Blanche so much, this will be viewed as just another devious plot to destroy progressive morale. How dare she stick to her guns after diabolically defeating lefty icon Bill Halter in Tuesday's democratic primary.

Hot Off the Grassely

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has an idea about how to rid the Gulf of Mexico of oil forever, and all we need is a brewery, some yeast, and “those microscopic things.”


More genius politicking from clueless wingnuts. This will not go down easy with the "Bubba" vote in Loosiana. Sacrificing good beer like this will be viewed as added tragedy akin to pouring Holy Water into your radiator.

And BTW Chuck, those "microscopic things" are dead brain cells.

Yipee

I have been asked to contribute to this blog. I consider this an honor. The General always has been a favorite of mine at BJ...With this new blogging pleasure comes the responsibility of finally becoming more tech savy than I am now -- which is less than nothing. In the immediate future, I am going to take pictures of my two darlings -- Smrda and Diesel -- and hopefully post them. I am lucky to have graduate students who work with me, who are quite tech savy and who can guide me through a learning process. They will love the fact that for once, they know more than me...Although in truth, in class, they continually amaze me with their knowledge, skills, and experiences. Most of my graduate students are former Peace Corps volunteers, like me, and it amazes me how we can share experiences across the years that separate us. I was a volunteer in the 1980s in Liberia, while they are all recent returnees.

Anyway, I will end here with a new beginning....

Charlie Heading Out For Afternoon Drive

I/m Baaack!

Was going to wait till the end of the month to end my internet vacation, but my landlord is raising the rent in 3 months, so I need it to look for a new place. Great, and now with a doggy to find something. Unless I can work out a long term lease to keep the same price. The good news is the wife of one of the owners likes me and is working on her hubby to relent. Our friendship is just friends, but it could all backfire anyways. We shall see.

Meantime Charlie is doing just great, though it is hot as hell here now and his thick fur doesn't help and he kind of mopes around till nightime and cooler temps. Politics still sucks and I am in no rush to start writing about it just yet. till later

A little Charlie pick me up. From yesterday our romp around the Historic mining town of Pinus Altos NM, He is pooped and so was I after our walk in 98 degree tems.

Library Blogging cont.....

Happy Memorial Day. Or something. Still enjoying the offline life. Starting my second week internet vacation and have gotten past the early acute withdrawals. Don't miss it much now, though it is a hassle handling my bank account without web access. And a few other business thingys you get used to having at the fingertips.

Seems we killed the sixth number 3 Al Quaeda dude with another drone attack. I don't think it is worth it in light of killing civilians in the process, but nobody asked me. At least the military is questioning itself with a report condemning some drone crews for being trigger happy, in a report.

Big bidness is still killing the gulf of mexico slowly, and Obama is getting the blame. Not his fault but he has done poorly doing the politics with it and will likely get dinged for that. As for the cracker populace crying over it it all, I find it hard to muster much sympathy for them. The good peeps of LA, especially along the coast have been the lead morans with the "Drill Baby Drill" crowd for many decades, even more than Palin and Alaska and even Texas. I feel for the environment and the critters, but not much else.

Started watching BSG again and it is just as good the second time around. Charlie is doing most excellent being a cute doggie and all. I feel no rush to get back online, so don't know when I will hook back up. Hummingbird photo season is about to begin on July 1, so that may prompt me to reconnect for my flickr friends to share our pics, but I could care less about following politics like I was, and especially the dumbass blogs and all the wanking from the right and mostly from the left. I am convinced that poeple who blog are the second dumbest people on the planet, just below the News Media in general. I guess that has included me in the past on left wing blogs, so I hope to not rejoin that crap. Writing here is more like just keeping a diary, and if a few or no folks read it, either way will be just fine. I do miss some people at Balloon Juice, my former haunt, but not the blog as a whole. Till later.