After a rockin' bachelorette party last night, I'm putting the blog down until Monday. Too much to do for the wedding tomorrow (like take a nap).
I'll be back when I'm Mrs. Smartie.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Politics in the Office
You know you talk about politics too much at work when your co-workers through you a surprise shower and the groom on your cake topper is Norm Coleman.
"You can take him to your next Drinking Liberally as a puppet," they said.
"I'm sure he's used to that," I replied.
"You can take him to your next Drinking Liberally as a puppet," they said.
"I'm sure he's used to that," I replied.
In Response to Mr. John Urick
From today's letters in the Strib.
Mr. Urick wrote:
I would like to remind Mr. Urick that nearly half of the people in the United States are Democrats. It is a shame that the Senate and President promotes its conservative agenda daily. A little moderation would do wonders to add to your party's credibility.
Mr. Urick wrote:
Another typical newspaper
Another editorial on John Bolton ("Beyond brusque / Style is the least of Bolton problems,") and another Nick Coleman diatribe about Ann Coulter ("In the Coultergeist's wake, a teaching moment") in the April 27 Star Tribune. Oh, and another shocker, an editorial cartoon by Ben Sargent poking fun at Republicans, President Bush and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Doesn't the Star Tribune realize that nearly half of Minnesotans are Republican?
It really is a shame how the Star Tribune promotes its liberal agenda daily. A little moderation would do wonders to add to your paper's credibility.
I would like to remind Mr. Urick that nearly half of the people in the United States are Democrats. It is a shame that the Senate and President promotes its conservative agenda daily. A little moderation would do wonders to add to your party's credibility.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Capital Press is Capital Pissed
Okay, I have to admit I was just waiting to use that title. He's more like, Capital Peeved.
Now, if only he can get me a photocopy of Krinkie's ass...
This is an entry that has been building up for a few weeks. Independent of my own political beliefs, independent of any policy choices, I have started to get irritated by the Senate Republicans. Here's why. General Orders are just what they sounds like, the general order of events in the Senate, the bills up for votes and for debate, motions, announcements, et cetera. Both the majority and the minority print summaries of the bills that are before the Senate, and occasionally we print these documents for their research offices. Once or twice we've printed these for majority research, and the reason we do so infrequently is because their document usually runs about 30 to 40 pages, which is easy enough to run on an ordinary copy machine.
Minority research is another story altogether. Their documents have peaked (so far) at 272 pages. I've now printed almost forty copies of a documents this large on back to back days. For those of you who don't want to bother with the arithmetic, it comes to over 20,500 images, or 10,250 plus sheets of paper.
I've had a chance to look at both reports, and I'll say this; I found nothing lacking in the reports for the majority. All pertinent information was included. The layout was not as uniform as the reports for the minority, but when so much of the information in the reports is repeptitive it seems pointless to me. If is a bill is controversial (or has a fiscal impact, or whatever other values are in their charts at the begining of a summary), mention it in the summary, there's no need to mention it every time if it is a non-factor. It simply never occured to the Senate Republicans to think about reducing their consumption, especially if it cramps their style.
Yesterday, an aide for Senator Chaudhary (DFL, Majority Whip) brought down a document for me to copy that he wanted to pass around.. The original looked like any normal printout, but the pages she wanted me to copy had been reduced down to 10 point fount, and the margins had been dropped down to a quarter inch. You want proof that the DFL is committed to conservation and the Republican party isn't? It's easy to find. Just take a look at how they do their business when they think no one is watching. This is the Capitol Press, signing off.
Now, if only he can get me a photocopy of Krinkie's ass...
You Know It's The End of the Road
When all of your friends start to abandon you:
(Via Smartie)
(Via Smartie)
Hastert drew little dissent from members of his rank and file at the closed-door meeting.
Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., said the speaker told fellow Republicans it was important to resolve the ethics committee deadlock because it was becoming a distraction for the party at a time when it is attempting to accomplish its legislative goals.
He praised Hastert for being willing to "pivot'' on the issue.
An Open Letter To Liza Bryant
Liza Bryant, in an op piece on the Concerned Women For America homepage, admits that she had an abortion in the past:
There is a reason it is called a choice, Ms. Bryant. You chose to abort your child, and you regretted it. I feel nothing but sorrow for the pain you feel now. But it is still a choice. You had the decision to make, and every other woman deserves the same right. Some may take one path, some another, and regardless of what they choose, many will feel remorse. But it is still their choice. Just as it once was yours. Your regret does not supersede every other woman's right to make that same choice, should the need arise.
I used to be a woman like Ellen Barkin and Amy Richards.
Radically feminist and "hysterically" pro-choice, I had an abortion while I was in college. A mere cluster of cells, poor timing in my life, an inconvenient "thing" to "deal with" I had an abortion and I wasn't sorry. I didn't "blink" either.
That was until I gave birth and looked into the eyes of my newborn - the first of four beautiful children - and saw the very face of God.
As I gave my remorse and shame to God and came to know His Son Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, my heart and life were transformed. I began to see my actions in a totally new light. The years of alcohol abuse and destructive life choices, which preceded and became even worse after my abortion, manifested a tremendous hole in my heart that could only be filled with Christ’s forgiveness and redemption. I began to see how so many women of my generation had fallen victim to the worldview of radical feminism and made a “choice” that would permeate every aspect of their future.
There is a reason it is called a choice, Ms. Bryant. You chose to abort your child, and you regretted it. I feel nothing but sorrow for the pain you feel now. But it is still a choice. You had the decision to make, and every other woman deserves the same right. Some may take one path, some another, and regardless of what they choose, many will feel remorse. But it is still their choice. Just as it once was yours. Your regret does not supersede every other woman's right to make that same choice, should the need arise.
Lying is not a sin
Right? Right?
Via Bitch PhD, a pharmacist delares that since the "Conscience Clause" has been struck down, pharmacists should just lie. I guess that's a different kind of conscience.
The PhD says:
And, the letter itself:
Via Bitch PhD, a pharmacist delares that since the "Conscience Clause" has been struck down, pharmacists should just lie. I guess that's a different kind of conscience.
The PhD says:
Little skirmish: this very disturbing story about an Arizona pharmacist who, when his governor vetoed one of those "conscience" bullshit laws, wrote a letter to the editor of his local paper suggesting that, hey, if pharmacists just lie about being out of stock on birth control, then "problem solved." NARAL Pro-Choice Arizona is calling on KMart to fire him; I see no reason not to contact KMart to explain that you would like to know whether or not they intend to continue to employ a pharmacy manager who thinks it is okay to lie to customers before you decide whether or not to continue shopping there.
And, the letter itself:
Absolving pharmacist's conscience
Apr. 15, 2005 12:00 AM
Since Gov. Janet Napolitano has vetoed the "conscience bill" that would have allowed pharmacists to refuse to fill abortion and emergency-contraception prescriptions based on religious or moral views, I have a solution:
The pharmacist should just tell the patient that he is out of the medication and can order it, but it will take a week to get here. The patient will be forced to go to another pharmacy because she has to take these medicines within 72 hours for them to be effective. Problem solved. - Dan Gransinger, Scottsdale
The writer is a pharmacist and pharmacy manager.
So
Slanderous Minneapolis won Best Blog in City Pages? Well, I could make up stuff, too. But I was afraid people would think I was Powerline.
I will now up my slander quotient 56% in hommage. And I'll throw in some libel, too.
UPDATE: I like The Wege's rant better:
Oh, what a pretty picture that makes.
I will now up my slander quotient 56% in hommage. And I'll throw in some libel, too.
UPDATE: I like The Wege's rant better:
(Sorry, but Slanderous Minneapolis has been more than a little lame. Most days they act like the world owes them gossip and leads even though they seem incapable of finding any interesting stories on their own. I’m not trying to pick a fight with a gossip blog (bad idea) but calling them the best local blog in the Cities is to insult several dozen clearly superior blogs. Hell, they’re not anywhere near as good as Powerline, Shot in the Dark or Fraters Libertas, and I wouldn’t piss on those guys if they were on fire. Now if they were dying of thirst…)
Oh, what a pretty picture that makes.
Looking for some after work fun?
You can always count on Move-On..
It sounds like the perfect way to kill time between work and Drinking Liberally.
Unfortunately for me, I have no time between the two, and will be at Lyle's at 6:30, but Smartie will be holding down the fort until I get there. Hope to see you tonight!
Call to Action
On Wednesday, hundreds of Minnesota citizens will gather
in front of the Federal Courthouse to:
Rally to Stop the Judicial Takeover !
• The U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on the “nuclear option.” This would give absolute power to Radical Republicans.
• Urge Senator Coleman to vote against breaking the Senate’s 200 year-old rule (known as the filibuster) in order to stack the court with Right-Wing judges
• Take part in a symbolic cordoning off of the Federal Courthouse and declare it “Property of Republican Leadership”
• Don’t let Big Corporate Interests and the Far-Right Religious Base mess with our worker’s rights, women’s rights, the environment, privacy
• Sign up at : http://moveonpac.org/event
Host/Coordinator: Leonard Major Media Coordinator: Kathy Stone
Email: major18@comcast.net Email: runrundan@yahoo.com
Sponsors: MoveOn Pac, The Coalition for a Fair and Independent Judiciary, an alliance of the nation’s leading civil rights and public interest organizations opposed to the right wing judicial takeover.
Stop Radical Right-Wing Extremists!
More than 130 rallies are scheduled nationwide
It sounds like the perfect way to kill time between work and Drinking Liberally.
Unfortunately for me, I have no time between the two, and will be at Lyle's at 6:30, but Smartie will be holding down the fort until I get there. Hope to see you tonight!
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
A Man, A Plan, An Interview
The entirety of Robert Fitzgerald's interview is now posted at DFLSenate.
I've decided not to make any personal remarks regarding him on the Senate site, but as this blog is just for me, I would like to mention that I have spoken with him via phone and email since his interview, and his remarks don't do him justice. He has quite a few ideas, and I think that his buses are going to have a lot of active followers, especially once his "mascot" is introduced (I promised I would say no more than that).
Can he be a viable candidate? Again, we all pretty much have to say no. But I think that his candidacy will make for some good special interest stories and variety section pieces. I have no doubt he wants more, but for a third party no name in these highly polarized political times, it may be all he can get.
Enjoy the ride. And be sure to get a nice scrap book for your clippings.
I've decided not to make any personal remarks regarding him on the Senate site, but as this blog is just for me, I would like to mention that I have spoken with him via phone and email since his interview, and his remarks don't do him justice. He has quite a few ideas, and I think that his buses are going to have a lot of active followers, especially once his "mascot" is introduced (I promised I would say no more than that).
Can he be a viable candidate? Again, we all pretty much have to say no. But I think that his candidacy will make for some good special interest stories and variety section pieces. I have no doubt he wants more, but for a third party no name in these highly polarized political times, it may be all he can get.
Enjoy the ride. And be sure to get a nice scrap book for your clippings.
The Left Hates All Religion
It must be true...the Republicans told me so.
(Via MNGOPWatch)
(Via MNGOPWatch)
THE LEFT'S CONTEMPT FOR RELIGION -- The Washington Post's Tina Brown gives a breathtaking example of the visceral hatred of religion evident in the op/ed pages some of the nations most influential newspapers. This week the target is Catholicism, but make no mistake, it's all religion they hate. Brown's rant is worthy of a place alongside similar columns from Maureen Dowd and Frank Rich in The New York Times.
Deal in the works
New reports are coming out that Frist and Reid are working on a deal.
In the meantime, why don't we take a look at one of the judges that all of this fuss is over:
In the meantime, why don't we take a look at one of the judges that all of this fuss is over:
Democrats blocked [Janice Rogers]Brown's confirmation by the full Senate, charging that she held extremist views that interfere with her ability to render objective judgments. She has a history of delivering provocative speeches.
Democrats have questioned speeches in which she called the New Deal the "triumph of our socialist revolution." She has described herself as a "true conservative" who believes that "where the government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates…. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible."
Questioned in 2003 about her comments, Brown conceded that she was blunt when addressing conservative audiences.
"I don't have a speechwriter," she said. "I do these myself. And it speaks for itself."
As the article describing Brown's remarks was circulated Monday on websites and in e-mails, one advocacy group opposing Bush's nominees charged that her remarks were a timely reminder of why the California judge should not be promoted.
"It's so shocking that in the middle of this battle she would say such extraordinarily intemperate things," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
From the Depeartment of "Ewwwww"
Via Pharyngula:
Suggestions for movie titles?
I like "Night of the Living Dead Toad".
Visitors to Hamburg parks are being warned to watch out for exploding toads.
Several thousand toads in the city's parks have so far mysteriously spontaneously exploded, sending entrails and toad body parts over a wide area.
Vets and animal welfare workers said the mystery has decimated the city's toad population as well as the unpleasant problem of leaving toad parts scattered around parks and open spaces.
Eyewitnesses say the toads swell up to three and a half times their normal size before suddenly exploding - sending entrails flying metres into the air.
Nature protection worker Werner Smolnik from Hamburg said over the last four days at least a thousand toads had died in this manner in scenes reminiscent of a science fiction film.
Suggestions for movie titles?
I like "Night of the Living Dead Toad".
From the Powerliberal Email Bag
I have been contacted by an organization based on the post I ran back in February about Concerned Women for America declaring homosexuality is not genetic. The organization, which can be accessed here, is looking for participants for a study, and have asked me to run this press release for them:
Happy to help. Please contact them if you are interested, or check out their website.
Dr. Alan R. Sanders is leading a research team to recruit approximately 1,000 volunteer families across the country for a genetic study of male sexual orientation. This five-year study, the largest of its kind in history, is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and asks gay men with at least one gay brother to answer a questionnaire and donate blood for DNA analysis.
The study is recruiting volunteers from across the United States and Canada through the gay and lesbian press, at various gay and lesbian social gatherings such as Pride events, and from various gay and lesbian oriented groups and on-line. With permission, research staff members contact parents of these brothers to learn whether they would be willing to donate blood as well, as part of the genetic analyses.
Prior studies have provided compelling evidence that genes play a role in sexual orientation in some men. None of those studies has been definitive in the sense of identifying particular genes. This study is designed to detect which genetic regions might be linked to male sexual orientation, which will help clarify how genes contribute to human behavior.
During the study, the research team will communicate with the public about the nature and goals of the study. Specifically, the research team has developed materials to address the ethical, social, and legal implications of the study, and made these available as a matter for public education (http://www.gaybros.com/). When completed, this study will make a significant contribution to the scientific debate about the origins of sexual orientation. For further information, please write to malegene@enh.org or call toll-free (866) 364-7571.
Alan R. Sanders, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University. He is the Director of the Behavior Genetics Unit at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute.
Happy to help. Please contact them if you are interested, or check out their website.
From the Star Tribune
Letter of the day:
Clear sinuses, black hearts
If you ban Sudafed, only criminals will have decongested sinuses.
Steve Sheldon, Eden Prairie.
I must be writing about Bachmann too much
The spammers are starting to think it's my real name:
FROM THE DESK OF BARRISTER JERRY SPIFF,
125 BROAD STREET LAGOS ISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA.
Tel:234-1-4763175
Fax:234-1-7592161
DEAR BACHMANN
COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON,IT IS INDEED MY
PLEASURE TO WRITE YOU THIS LETTER,WHICH I
BELIEVE WILL BE A SURPRISE AS WE ARE BOTH
STRANGERS.
I AM BARRISTER JERRY SPIFF,A SOLICITOR AT
LAW AND A PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO {Ms CAROLIN
BACHMANN}
A NATIONAL OF YOUR COUNTRY WHO
PERISH IN AN EGYPTIAN AIRFLIGHT 990 WITH THE
WHOLE PASSENGERS ABOARD ON 31st OCTOBER
1999.
BEFORE HER DEATH ON 31st OCT 1999 MY LATE
CLIENT DEPOSITED THE SUM OF $9.7M{NINE
MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS} IN OCEANIC BANK PLC
HERE IN LAGOS,WITH THE HOPE
OF TRANSFERING IT TO HER COUNTRY AS SOOSN AS
SHE IS ON LEAVE.
SINCE HER DEATH I HAVE MADE SEVERAL
ENQUIRIES TO YOUR EMBASSY HERE IN NIGERIA
AND EVEN SEARCH WITH HER LAST NAME ON THE
INTERNET TO LOCATE ANY EXTENDED RELATIVES OR
MEMBER OF HER FAMILY THIS HAS ALSO PROVE
UNSUCCESSFUL.I HAVE CONTACTED YOU TO ASSIST
IN REPARTRATING THE MONEY LEFT BEHIND BY MY
LATE CLIENT BEFORE THEY GET CONFISICATED OR
DECLARED UNSERVICEABLE BY
OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL WHERE
THIS HUGE DEPOSITS WERE LODGED
AT THE MOMENT.THE AFFORMENTION
BANK WHERE THE DECEASED HAD A DEPOSIT
VALUED AT {$9.7M} HAS ISSUED ME {HER
PERSONAL ATTORNEY}, A NOTICE TO PROVIDE THE
NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED OR HAVE THE
ACCOUNT CONFISCATED WITHIN THE NEXT 21
BANKING WORKING DAYS.
SINCE I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOCATING
THE RELATIVES NOW,I SEEK YOUR
CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE NEXT OF KIN OF
THE DECEASED HENCE YOU HAVE THESAME LAST OR
FIRST NAME{BACHMANN} SO THAT
THIS AMOUNT VALUED ${9.7M} CAN BE PAID TO
YOU THEN YOU AND I CAN SHARE THE MONEY
70%=$6.79M FOR ME AND 30%=$2.9M FOR YOU,
THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOUR
HELP.
I HAVE ALL NECCESARY LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT
CAN BE USED TO BACK UP ANY CLAIM WE MAY
MAKE.
ALL I REQUIRED FROM YOU IS YOUR HONEST
CO-OPERATION TO SEE THIS DEAL THROUGH.I
GUARANTEE YOU THAT THIS WILL BE EXECUTED
UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL
PROTECT YOU FROM ANY BREACH OF LAW.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IMMEDIATLY FOR
MORE
DISCUSION ON THIS BUSINESS.
DONT FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR TEL/FAX NUMBERS
WHILE REPLYING THIS MAIL FOR EASY
COMMUNICATION.
REGARDS
BARRISTER JERRY SPIFF.
SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA{S.A.N}
FROM THE DESK OF BARRISTER JERRY SPIFF,
125 BROAD STREET LAGOS ISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA.
Tel:234-1-4763175
Fax:234-1-7592161
DEAR BACHMANN
COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON,IT IS INDEED MY
PLEASURE TO WRITE YOU THIS LETTER,WHICH I
BELIEVE WILL BE A SURPRISE AS WE ARE BOTH
STRANGERS.
I AM BARRISTER JERRY SPIFF,A SOLICITOR AT
LAW AND A PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO {Ms CAROLIN
BACHMANN}
A NATIONAL OF YOUR COUNTRY WHO
PERISH IN AN EGYPTIAN AIRFLIGHT 990 WITH THE
WHOLE PASSENGERS ABOARD ON 31st OCTOBER
1999.
BEFORE HER DEATH ON 31st OCT 1999 MY LATE
CLIENT DEPOSITED THE SUM OF $9.7M{NINE
MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS} IN OCEANIC BANK PLC
HERE IN LAGOS,WITH THE HOPE
OF TRANSFERING IT TO HER COUNTRY AS SOOSN AS
SHE IS ON LEAVE.
SINCE HER DEATH I HAVE MADE SEVERAL
ENQUIRIES TO YOUR EMBASSY HERE IN NIGERIA
AND EVEN SEARCH WITH HER LAST NAME ON THE
INTERNET TO LOCATE ANY EXTENDED RELATIVES OR
MEMBER OF HER FAMILY THIS HAS ALSO PROVE
UNSUCCESSFUL.I HAVE CONTACTED YOU TO ASSIST
IN REPARTRATING THE MONEY LEFT BEHIND BY MY
LATE CLIENT BEFORE THEY GET CONFISICATED OR
DECLARED UNSERVICEABLE BY
OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL WHERE
THIS HUGE DEPOSITS WERE LODGED
AT THE MOMENT.THE AFFORMENTION
BANK WHERE THE DECEASED HAD A DEPOSIT
VALUED AT {$9.7M} HAS ISSUED ME {HER
PERSONAL ATTORNEY}, A NOTICE TO PROVIDE THE
NEXT OF KIN TO THE DECEASED OR HAVE THE
ACCOUNT CONFISCATED WITHIN THE NEXT 21
BANKING WORKING DAYS.
SINCE I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOCATING
THE RELATIVES NOW,I SEEK YOUR
CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE NEXT OF KIN OF
THE DECEASED HENCE YOU HAVE THESAME LAST OR
FIRST NAME{BACHMANN} SO THAT
THIS AMOUNT VALUED ${9.7M} CAN BE PAID TO
YOU THEN YOU AND I CAN SHARE THE MONEY
70%=$6.79M FOR ME AND 30%=$2.9M FOR YOU,
THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOUR
HELP.
I HAVE ALL NECCESARY LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT
CAN BE USED TO BACK UP ANY CLAIM WE MAY
MAKE.
ALL I REQUIRED FROM YOU IS YOUR HONEST
CO-OPERATION TO SEE THIS DEAL THROUGH.I
GUARANTEE YOU THAT THIS WILL BE EXECUTED
UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL
PROTECT YOU FROM ANY BREACH OF LAW.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IMMEDIATLY FOR
MORE
DISCUSION ON THIS BUSINESS.
DONT FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR TEL/FAX NUMBERS
WHILE REPLYING THIS MAIL FOR EASY
COMMUNICATION.
REGARDS
BARRISTER JERRY SPIFF.
SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA{S.A.N}
Monday, April 25, 2005
It's Super GUV!
Faster than a horse at a racino, able to leap all taxes in a single bound, more powerful than the long established campaign finance subsidies, he's Super Guv!
Oh, well if Krinkie thinks it's a good idea....
Pawlenty and his House Republican allies are pushing through bills that would scrap the political contribution refund program, cut direct campaign subsidies from the general fund and change the campaign "checkoff" system so that income-tax payers would have less incentive to use it.
...
"The governor feels that in times of tight state budgets using hard-earned taxpayer dollars to fund political campaigns is simply not a high priority," Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said. "Putting this budget together is all about prioritizing."
But DFLers and campaign overhaul advocates say the bills threaten Minnesota's reputation for clean and competitive politics. The cuts will protect incumbents and could deliver a severe blow to the Independence Party of former Gov. Jesse Ventura, they say.
"This is not a smart idea," said David Schultz, a campaign finance expert at Hamline University. Since Wisconsin slashed its subsidies recently, up to a third of legislative incumbents have gone unchallenged and in a few races the campaign spending has topped $1 million by each candidate, he said.
...
Jack Uldrich, a U.S. Senate candidate and a former Independence Party chairman, is particularly irate about the proposed changes.
"This could be a blatant benefit to Pawlenty himself, because it's clear that he's thinking about not abiding by the limits this time," Uldrich said. "This puts way too much special interest money in the process and eliminates the one source of truly clean funding. And it really makes it difficult for us, because our party platform prevents us from accepting any special-interest or political action committee money."
Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, who supports the governor's proposed cuts, acknowledges that they might produce some "unintended consequences." If those consequences are found to be unacceptable, the Legislature might decide in future years to restore some of the funding, he said.
Oh, well if Krinkie thinks it's a good idea....
Question of the Day
Via Sister:
Sing it, Sister...
Can someone explain to me why on earth churches who hosted viewings of Justice Sunday should continue to receive tax exempt status?
Sing it, Sister...
I Miss Gukert
And so did White House Security.
Frequently.
Frequently.
On a first read, the documents raise a few questions that we'd like to see McClellan address. First, if White House day passes -- and the abbreviated security check that goes along with them -- are meant for the occasional use of reporters who don't need a permanent "hard" pass, why was Gannon allowed to use such day passes more than 200 times in less than two years? Is anyone else allowed, in effect, to turn a day pass into a "hard" pass, or was Gannon alone in his near-constant day pass access?
Second, in the post-9/11 world, is it too much to ask that the Secret Service keep track of who is coming and going at the White House? As Raw Story notes, the Secret Service security logs produced to Conyers and Slaughter contain some days where Gannon appears to leave the White House never having arrived in the first place. On other days, Gannon is shown arriving but not leaving. Maybe it's just sloppy bookkeeping, but how hard can it be to get this stuff right? The White House isn't exactly Grand Central Station, and the Secret Service checks everyone who comes and goes. Is there a reason other than ineptitude for missing many of Gannon's entries and exits? And if it's just ineptitude, what is the president going to do about that?
The Dark Ages
From Pilgrim/Heretic...
[Gasp, wheeze] I'm recovering from two evenings of on-again-off-again, and mostly off-again, Internet service. Didn't know what to do with myself - I couldn't check the weather, couldn't post, couldn't read anyone's blogs, couldn't email, couldn't finish my library browsing, couldn't look up the journal articles I wanted to check, couldn't grade any papers (since my students turn everything in online). Couldn't even order pizza online as we usually do.
But I wasn't the most helpless one. We'd planned to get pizza last night, and when it became clear that the connection wasn't going to be restored soon enough to get to papajohns.com, my husband began a panicky search for other things we could have for dinner. I let him fuss for a while, and then gently suggested that back in the old days, people used to use the phone to order pizza, and perhaps we could try that.
He didn't speak to me for most of the rest of the evening, but he was happy to get the pizza.
I'm not saying Students for Bachmann aren't bright
but...
I recommend less politicin' and more book learnin'.
$59,032
The official number for the amount of money Sen. Bachmann is $59,032 according to the FEC.
I recommend less politicin' and more book learnin'.
Sticks Tackles Gay Marriage
Or should I not use the word "tackle", either?
There are good comments in the post. I recommend. Every time I'm about ready to give up on that curmudgeon, he woos me back.
There are good comments in the post. I recommend. Every time I'm about ready to give up on that curmudgeon, he woos me back.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Round-Up
A big week for equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans, with wins and losses all over.
Se article above for all updates.
No vote was taken last week on the Alabama bill that prompted Patricia Todd's remark about hate. The measure, which may be voted on this week, would prohibit schools from spending public funds on books or other materials that recognize or promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle.
"This is not about hate," said the sponsor, Rep. Gerald Allen. "This is about our culture being under attack."
Todd disagreed, telling the House Education Committee: "We are your brothers and sisters, your aunts and uncles. We go to church with you. And the message I get from you is: 'We hate you.'"
Se article above for all updates.
Quote of the Day
Mitch, at Shot in the Dark:
I just want to post this now, so I can link back the next time he accuses someone of hating America for disagreeing with the Republicans in power.
"Dissent does not equal hate!"
I just want to post this now, so I can link back the next time he accuses someone of hating America for disagreeing with the Republicans in power.
Filibustering the Death of the Filibuster
Via Yeti, Carleton College has been mock-filibustering the nuclear option:
We did it. I just got back from the grand finale of our 100 hour effort. I am still a little shocked that it actually happened, but it did. For 100 continuous hours we held our mock senate floor.
The last hour was a lot of fun. We attracted a good size crowd despite the freezing temperatures and blustery wind. Grant Woodward, President of College Democrats of America, gave a great talk and congratulated us on our work.
I’m going to post some of my favorite stories about what people read and did over the course of the filibuster soon, but now it is off for a shower and some food.
That Which We Cannot Fix
Ignore.
Via New Patriots:
Via New Patriots:
In a move that is utterly consistent with the Bush administration's habit of simply eliminating the evidence of facts they don't like, Condi Rice has cancelled a 19-year-old terrorism report. The reason? It documents that more terrorist attacks occured in 2004 than in any year preceding it, including the previous record-holder, 2003.
From the Powerliberal Email Bag
Star Tribune Story Here:
Here's the latest insanity. A Minnesota State Rep has introduced language to the House Health Omnibus funding bill that would prohibit state HIV prevention funding for any publication, web site or "other communication" that contains sexually explicit content. This is aimed in particular at Minnesota AIDS Project, the state's oldest AIDS service organization, with whom the state contracts for HIV prevention and testing outreach. The intention is obviously to prohibit targeted HIV prevention education materials aimed at adult gay and bisexual men. How do you educate sexually active gay/bi men about HIV and STD prevention without talking about sex? The implications of this broad language are far-reaching. Will this cover photos which help people determine whether that little sore is something they should be concerned about? Does "other communication" include conversations between Minnesota Department of Health-funded doctors and their patients?
A full release is available here:
http://www.mnaidsproject.org/pdf/HIVPreventionUnderAttack.pdf
Paul Demko of Minneapolis's City Pages has already blogged the story here:
http://babelogue.citypages.com:8080/blotter/stories/storyReader$254
Feel free to call or email if you need any more background.
Cody Hanson
Public Relations and Web Coordinator
Minnesota AIDS Project
(612)373-2476
http://www.mnaidsproject.org
Here's the latest insanity. A Minnesota State Rep has introduced language to the House Health Omnibus funding bill that would prohibit state HIV prevention funding for any publication, web site or "other communication" that contains sexually explicit content. This is aimed in particular at Minnesota AIDS Project, the state's oldest AIDS service organization, with whom the state contracts for HIV prevention and testing outreach. The intention is obviously to prohibit targeted HIV prevention education materials aimed at adult gay and bisexual men. How do you educate sexually active gay/bi men about HIV and STD prevention without talking about sex? The implications of this broad language are far-reaching. Will this cover photos which help people determine whether that little sore is something they should be concerned about? Does "other communication" include conversations between Minnesota Department of Health-funded doctors and their patients?
A full release is available here:
http://www.mnaidsproject.org/pdf/HIVPreventionUnderAttack.pdf
Paul Demko of Minneapolis's City Pages has already blogged the story here:
http://babelogue.citypages.com:8080/blotter/stories/storyReader$254
Feel free to call or email if you need any more background.
Cody Hanson
Public Relations and Web Coordinator
Minnesota AIDS Project
(612)373-2476
http://www.mnaidsproject.org
Friday, April 22, 2005
Interview, the Sequel
Part Two of Robert Fitzgerald's interview has been posted at DFLSenate.
I've had the chance to chat with him a bit more since the interview, both via email and phone. He has very interesting campaign ideas, and I find myself wishing that he was running for something less of a longshot, or running a campaign for another candidate. He also reminds me a good deal of a friend of mine who worked for the Ken Pentel campaign and established a bipartisan think tank that, well, tanked, before he went back to newspaper.
Good luck, Robert. I don't know how long you'll last, but I have no doubt you'll be fun to watch. Even if it's only us bloggers who get to notice your antics.
I've had the chance to chat with him a bit more since the interview, both via email and phone. He has very interesting campaign ideas, and I find myself wishing that he was running for something less of a longshot, or running a campaign for another candidate. He also reminds me a good deal of a friend of mine who worked for the Ken Pentel campaign and established a bipartisan think tank that, well, tanked, before he went back to newspaper.
Good luck, Robert. I don't know how long you'll last, but I have no doubt you'll be fun to watch. Even if it's only us bloggers who get to notice your antics.
From Americans United
AU's Lynn Urges Full Senate To Block Nomination Of Janice Rogers Brown:
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State today criticized the Senate Judiciary Committee for advancing the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown, one of the Bush administration's most extreme federal appeals court nominees.
....
"We are disappointed in the Senate committee's support of a nominee who has clearly shown a desire to re-write constitutional law on a number of important fronts," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. "Janice Rogers Brown is a threat to the U.S. Constitution, and we urge senators to keep her off the federal appeals court bench."
In letters sent to the Senate committee, American United has cited rulings and speeches by Brown, revealing her contempt for the separation of church and state as well as federal court precedent upholding privacy rights.
Fecke goes nuclear on the nuclear
Now, personally, I call a pox on everyone's house when it comes to confirming judges. The GOP blocked scores of Clinton appointees using rules that--funny--no longer exist now that a Republican is in the White House. Meanwhile, the Democrats were rightly aghast at GOP tactics in 1999 that suddenly seem wonderful when used against Bush in 2005.
Long, but/and good:
Mr. Sticks has a "troll"
Quote of the Day
I'm starting to dig Kevin McKay:
I’ll say right out that I’m not in favor of people walking into
Wal-Mart and buying hundreds of boxes of nasal decongestants.
The most basic part of drug etiquette (and I think this applies
to over-the-counter formulations too) is that you leave some for
everyone else. You don’t bogart the Sudafed.
No Cat Blogging
The cats are being punished for trying to eat RubberBand Ball last night.
I think the fame is going to their heads.
I think the fame is going to their heads.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Am I Easily Amused?
Oh yes, I am...
When I was younger, I remember my friends and I playing a
game called "How Much Would It Cost?". The idea was to
try and think up some disgusting, embarrassing, or otherwise
unlikely act and then discuss everyone’s theoretical price
for doing it. How much would it cost, for instance, for you
to go and take a crap in that public fountain right now? How
much would it cost for you to fondle the butt of the biggest
policeman you can find? How much would it cost for you
to drink a bucket of your own urine?
The fun came when the first person who answered set an
absurdly low price on something. I remember being ridiculed
for weeks after I confessed that I would parade up and down
Broadway in a gigantic vagina outfit for a mere $50,000. The
going rate for this among my associates was much closer to
a million, right up there with making out with that crazy
street person or masturbating in a crowded elevator. To
come up with such a reasonable figure suggested that, deep
down, I wanted to dress up as a vagina, that I thought such
a thing wouldn’t be that bad. So the game sort of helps
explore the judgement calls we put on behaviors. Sure,
flashing a vicar is only worth $100 or so, but eating a
plate of spaghetti vomit demands something more in the
neighborhood of $2,500,000 to $5,000,000. The more
expensive acts demand the most intensive moral accounting.
Sure, I’d be repulsed, beaten, arrested, etc., etc., but after that
I could live comfortably forever...went the thinking. Those of
us with dismal jobs felt this most longingly. We ate meta-
phorical vomit every day for $9 an hour, so the real thing had
its undeniable temptations. One unpleasant half-hour in
exchange for a financially untroubled life, one buried shame
as the price of eternal leisure.
Which brings me, in a roundabout way, to the subject of Ann
Coulter. It is my theory that, at some point in her early career,
someone asked her, "How much would it cost for you to be-
come a ridiculous, bullying, violence-advocating, racist, nean-
derthal pundit?". The young Ann then put a finger to her
prominent chin, thought for a moment, and named a figure
in the respectable millions per annum. The game was only
different in that both sides actually held up their ends of the
bargain.
Off My Naughty List
The Norwegian is off my naughty list. How can I be mad at someone who posts this?
The Cap’n has abandoned conservative principles, and is now just pushing for political advantage. I think he knows that anything that doesn’t pass this year, will never get passed. The wingnuts have had their day in the sun and now, even with both houses of Congress, the presidency and the overwhelming majority of the judges, they still can’t get shit done.
Captain Ed, has it ever occurred to you that they never meant to do most of those things? It’s always been about more for the wealthy and less for the social conservatives. The bankruptcy bill passed, and the repeal of the estate tax is in the bag. So why can you still get an abortion on demand, and why is Terri Schiavo dead? Because George lied to you.
But turn on Frist and tear him up. I like a good cockfight.
Another first hand account
From Capital Press (via Tom, although I would have gotten there eventually):
A small tent was set up to one side where people were lined up to get signs that said "One Man - One Woman" and had similar slogans. I even saw a few that said "This Is Not A Civil Rights Issue." I won't even begin to dissect how incorrect that statement is. The placement of the stage left the actual Capitol steps empty, which is where I spent most of the rally, along with other pages and staff. Everyone up there was keeping their distance, interested in the spectacle, but no more than that. I even ran into an old classmate from my days at the U of M.
Pawlenty gave a lackluster speech. So did Bachman, and every single other speaker. Even the (semi) clever joke Bachman made didn't get many laughs (she said she wasn't going to beat about the bush, a nod to the photos of her spying on the GLBT rally a few weeks ago). It seems that you can make a crown boo just by saying 'activist judges.' I'm going to try that next time I'm at a White Sox game (actually I shouldn't say that because this year they're playing ball like a team one should respect; make that a Yankee [or Dodger] game). And all you have to say to make them cheer was to suggest that God defined marriage as one man and one woman.
Quote of the Day
(Via Smartie)
"Capital punishment is vile, and I always find it strange that people who don't trust the government enough to spend tax dollars have no problems with it putting citizens to death."
Atomic Space Vixen
Drinking Liberally Debriefing
Last night was a smaller group, but in some ways that was kind of nice. Everyone could participate in the same conversation, rather than so many little group conversations. DL will eventually decide which way suits the group, but I except it to go back and forth quite a bit until then.
We did have a couple of new faces. One, Mohammad, was a Somali immigrant who brought up some very important issues. I have a tendency to assume that as a "liberal" religious communities are lost to our platform, simply because of disagreements over abortion and gays. But the immigrant community is worried about economics, worried about the growing underlying fear of immigrants hidden in the "Patriotic American" agenda. In a check off between liberal and conservative, they would probably pick conservative. But if the choices were progressive or regressive, they find progressive more appealing.
There are no one issue voters, as much as we tend to think otherwise. No one is a lock, and no one is a lost cause. If nothing else, we need to continue to talk to people, and find our similarities.
Drinking Liberally is a great way to do that.
Also, I would like to make it clear that although it is called Drinking Liberally, everyone is welcome who wants to have good, meaningful conversation with intelligent people. And everyone is welcome to a button.
Every Wednesday, 6-9, Liquor Lyles.
We did have a couple of new faces. One, Mohammad, was a Somali immigrant who brought up some very important issues. I have a tendency to assume that as a "liberal" religious communities are lost to our platform, simply because of disagreements over abortion and gays. But the immigrant community is worried about economics, worried about the growing underlying fear of immigrants hidden in the "Patriotic American" agenda. In a check off between liberal and conservative, they would probably pick conservative. But if the choices were progressive or regressive, they find progressive more appealing.
There are no one issue voters, as much as we tend to think otherwise. No one is a lock, and no one is a lost cause. If nothing else, we need to continue to talk to people, and find our similarities.
Drinking Liberally is a great way to do that.
Also, I would like to make it clear that although it is called Drinking Liberally, everyone is welcome who wants to have good, meaningful conversation with intelligent people. And everyone is welcome to a button.
Every Wednesday, 6-9, Liquor Lyles.
So Conneticut legalized Civil Unions
Does that make them "activist legislators"?
Edit: Yeah, I was drinking last night, so what?
Edit: Yeah, I was drinking last night, so what?
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
First hand account of Anti-Gay Marriage Rally
From BlueMinnesota (posted on DumpBachmann):
Senator Warren Limmer made an impassioned speech about how frustrating and unfair it is that the marriage amendment has to go through the same process as every other bill introduced.
Freaky Next Door Neighbors
Sometimes, I get a hit from the person who hits "Next Blog" on the top of the blog page they are checking out (eh, who am I kidding, up until February, that was at least half of my "readers"). When I see that, I often like to take a gander at what they were reading before they got to me.
Check out my next blog neighbor. I call him Elijah.
Check out my next blog neighbor. I call him Elijah.
Yippee Ki Yi
I wish this surprised me more. Instead, it just saddens me....
(Via Francesca)
I have to ask though, how do you prove a person bisexual? Does it count that I made out with a girl once in college? I was drunk, but I think I kind of liked it.
(Via Francesca)
AUSTIN, Texas Apr 20, 2005 — The state House tentatively approved legislation that would prohibit homosexuals and bisexuals from becoming foster parents.
Legislators voted 81-58 Tuesday to approve the ban in an amendment tacked on to a bill that would revamp the state's Child Protective Services agency. The full bill was tentatively approved 126-16. Final approval was expected Wednesday.
"It is our responsibility to make sure that we protect our most vulnerable children and I don't think we are doing that if we allow a foster parent that is homosexual or bisexual," said Rep. Robert Talton, a Republican, who introduced the amendment.
I have to ask though, how do you prove a person bisexual? Does it count that I made out with a girl once in college? I was drunk, but I think I kind of liked it.
Intriguing
From the Brain Trust of the Frat Boys
So, this is your audience, huh?
Honey, it seems big because they took it out all at once instead of in little tiny piece like they normally do. You're the people who say give me my tax money so I can do something with it instead of loaning it to the Government. If it's such a hardship every three months, get it deducted.
Maybe the Frat boys need to get that 10-year old fan of Lileks to start writing in.
If any of your readers don't think taxes need to be reformed, I would like to issue a challenge: for the next three months stop federal withholding from your paycheck, and write a check to the IRS for that quarter. It hurts. Try doing it four times a year, and then again on April 15th. Federal withholding of taxes is the biggest Ponzi Scheme ever devised by the Federal Government.
Honey, it seems big because they took it out all at once instead of in little tiny piece like they normally do. You're the people who say give me my tax money so I can do something with it instead of loaning it to the Government. If it's such a hardship every three months, get it deducted.
Maybe the Frat boys need to get that 10-year old fan of Lileks to start writing in.
Let's Get Ready to Rumble III
Sequels usually suck. But in this case, Ready to Rumble III is much better than I and II.
Watch the blow by blow on KvM. I'm starting to dig AK, he's my new favorite KvM troll.
Watch the blow by blow on KvM. I'm starting to dig AK, he's my new favorite KvM troll.
Drinking Liberally
Same Bat Time (6-9 pm)
Same Bat Channel (Liquor Lyle's, 2021 Hennepin, back room)
I may run a little late if things at the office are screwy. Smartie will be there to make sure no one throw a beer at Mark in the meantime.
I know there are a few of you going to the Dean event, so be sure to stop by after so we can get the scoop.
Same Bat Channel (Liquor Lyle's, 2021 Hennepin, back room)
I may run a little late if things at the office are screwy. Smartie will be there to make sure no one throw a beer at Mark in the meantime.
I know there are a few of you going to the Dean event, so be sure to stop by after so we can get the scoop.
Counting on the knowledge of the people
I promise, this is my only "me" post of the day...
Anyone know of a good restaurant for a group of 12 in Grand Rapids, MN? Also, I am looking for a bakery there, as well.
Anyone know of a good restaurant for a group of 12 in Grand Rapids, MN? Also, I am looking for a bakery there, as well.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Blogs mean never having to say you're sorry
but I will.
Posting will be very sporadic for the rest of the month. We've decided to move up our wedding and will be having a simple ceremony outdoors on April 30th.
However, I found out that even simple ceremonies require a little bit of planning, in order to make them pretty. So right now I'm looking at dresses and flowers instead of humor and outrage.
Don't worry. I'm sure I'll be just as rage-y when this is over.
Posting will be very sporadic for the rest of the month. We've decided to move up our wedding and will be having a simple ceremony outdoors on April 30th.
However, I found out that even simple ceremonies require a little bit of planning, in order to make them pretty. So right now I'm looking at dresses and flowers instead of humor and outrage.
Don't worry. I'm sure I'll be just as rage-y when this is over.
Book Rationing
Via Nowegiantity, it appears that reading material is a new no no on flights.
From Boing-Boing:
I'm not terribly surprised. It's most likely another attempt to make you have to buy things in the airport stores and news stands.
But if there is a library that these confiscated books may be going to, can someone please look for my copy of "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" I left on my flight to Vegas last week? Thanks!
From Boing-Boing:
TSA screener: 2-book max on flights
My pal Ross Mayfield was told by a TSA screener that effective April 14, American fliers are only allowed a maximum of two books on flights.
En route from San Jose to Phoenix, I was told by a Transportation Security Agency (TSA) screener about a ban on lighters (cough) starting April 14th, but the book allowance has been cut from 4 to 2...
...
Update 2: In comments on his blog, Ross confirms that the screener was definitely talking about actual books -- the kind you read -- and not matchbooks.
I'm not terribly surprised. It's most likely another attempt to make you have to buy things in the airport stores and news stands.
But if there is a library that these confiscated books may be going to, can someone please look for my copy of "Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" I left on my flight to Vegas last week? Thanks!
Monday, April 18, 2005
Sing it, Bitch!
Bitch PhD has a post on her "brand" of feminism:
My entire political philosphy, be it feminism or liberalism, can be summed up in the fact that unfairness pisses me off. I have to be what I am, and fix what I can, because anything else puts me in a perpertual bad mood.
And you won't like me if I'm in a bad mood.
In many ways, I suspect my feminism is fairly bourgeois. I don't want a revolution that doesn't allow me to dance, flirt, and buy shoes. On the other hand, my feminism is fairly absolute in that I will not allow myself (or others) to demonize "radical feminists" or to ignore poor women or women of color, and I object very strongly when I see women fighting with each other over crumbs. I'm sure I do it too, sometimes, but I try very hard not to. My feminism is material in the sense that I believe that the body is irreducible (more and more so, as I age, and more since becoming a mother). I do not believe that there are no differences between men and women; but I believe that what differences there are have been vastly exaggerated by social conditioning, and I reject essentialism. My feminism likes men, and is sympathetic to the ways that they, too, suffer from narrow definitions of gender. My feminism insists on being heard, and will not give up a fight, and will not back down. On the other hand, my feminism deplores unfairness, meanness, and insensitivity. I believe in principles, including the principle that people matter. I believe in forgiveness and second chances, and in teaching, and in learning; and I also believe in having high expectations and firm boundaries. My feminism is polemical but embraces ambiguities. My feminism is aggressive and protective.
My entire political philosphy, be it feminism or liberalism, can be summed up in the fact that unfairness pisses me off. I have to be what I am, and fix what I can, because anything else puts me in a perpertual bad mood.
And you won't like me if I'm in a bad mood.
I supposed this is going to start
another round of judge bashing:
High court turns down buffer-zone case
By The Associated Press
04.18.05
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court today declined to consider the constitutionality of state laws that regulate speech and activities within a buffer zone around abortion clinics.
Without comment, justices let stand a lower court ruling upholding a Massachusetts law that was passed after the 1994 fatal shooting of two abortion clinic workers. Anti-abortion protesters say the state-mandated zones have unfairly become a place where only abortion-rights rhetoric can be uttered.
The law, which creates a six-foot buffer zone around patients within an 18-foot radius of a clinic entrance, prohibits anyone from approaching without their consent for the purpose of passing out leaflets or “engaging in oral protest, education or counseling.”
The law created an exemption for clinic workers so long as they’re “acting within the scope of their employment.”
State lawmakers began pushing for a buffer zone after John Salvi walked into two Boston-area clinics and opened fire, killing two receptionists and wounding five others. He killed himself in prison in 1996.
Massachusetts Citizens for Life, an anti-abortion group, had argued the law denies protection to women and their unborn children. Women considering whether to have abortions benefit by having information distributed to them outside clinics, the group said.
The case is McGuire v. Reilly, 04-939.
And from the WTF department
I really can't say much more that, "Oh, Michele":
Read the rest of the "rivetting" Bachmann interview here.
Here are some very interesting facts about Canada that the Senator pointed out. Did you know that only about 1 to 2% of Canadians are gay? And only 2% of that 2% actually want to get married or have gotten married, a minority of a minority as she put it. That means that only 0.04% of the people in Canada can benefit from the law the courts made allowing same sex marriages. The other 99.96% are out of luck. Their entire country was changed for such a few people.
Read the rest of the "rivetting" Bachmann interview here.
For some reason
Everyone in the GIMEC is really jumping on the "lefties are Communists" meme the last few days:
Can we start a new Godwins Law?
"Combining her Q1 fundraising and command of the Marxist dialectic, Klobuchar is establishing herself — for the moment — as the one to beat for the DFL endorsement." Gary
"Nonetheless, it is an ideal whine for any formal socialist gathering or just hangin' with your comrades, although expensive at between $11,000 and $13,000 per guest unit, perhaps because it takes a village to ferment it." Mr. Sticks
"Now, consider the scene. These dimbulbs, "Billionaires for [name GOP politician] dress up like characters from a game of Milton Bradley's Monopoly, and mince about like big bad Daddy Warbuckses from a mid-thirties Laurel and Hardy flick. It's about as on-point as dressing in wool khakis and Astrakhans and marching about DFL events as "Stalinists for Klobuchar"." Mitch
Can we start a new Godwins Law?
Monday Morning Guffaws
from who else but Tom?
This almost makes up for that nasty plate of whatever I had to look at on his site all weekend.
There have been plenty of examples of fiction that have 9/11 deeply woven into the story line.
Here's an example of fiction from one Colin Powell, its titled Iraq: Denial and Deception according to the White House. Rumor has it there are two sequels already in the works.
Also notable is this series of vignettes by George W. Bush all entitled The State of the Union.
This almost makes up for that nasty plate of whatever I had to look at on his site all weekend.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Bloody Mary Blogging
Here are the things that strike me as important after a leisurely brunch and a couple of hours with a newspaper:
Dump Bachmann has an interesting (and very long) post about Michele Bachmann pushing Creationism to be taught in the classroom. Be sure to check it out after the coffee and before the mimosas. Especially unsettling after the talk this week about the Christian Flag over at New Patriots.
Mr. Sticks accuses lefties of wanting to set up a totalitarian regime:
He also says some bad stuff about conservatives, too.
Mr. Sticks is a conundrum topped with a stylin' hat. I don't know what to do with him. I highly recommend finding a way to break through in dialogue, but I'm too pigheaded to figure out how. Libertarians and democrats aren't nearly as far apart as we used to be, especially with the republicans both growing the federal power and their own spending. A funny thing about republicans, they say they want to limit spending, but once they are in charge, it's very difficult to decide which one of their jobs they want cut.
I'm hoping to talk Mr. Sticks into coming to a Drinking Liberally night in the future. I don't think there is a conversion potential, but the conversation potential is too great to ignore.
Finally, Norwegianity would like you all to know that he didn't screw up the Sybil/Sylvia Plath quote. It was Matt, the one who posts when he's too busy to pay attention. Not to be confused with Mike, who posts when he's asleep, and Manny, who posts when Mark is eating a good steak (or is that Morton?).
And now I must go bowling.
Dump Bachmann has an interesting (and very long) post about Michele Bachmann pushing Creationism to be taught in the classroom. Be sure to check it out after the coffee and before the mimosas. Especially unsettling after the talk this week about the Christian Flag over at New Patriots.
Mr. Sticks accuses lefties of wanting to set up a totalitarian regime:
I don't want to live in the totalitarian world the Left envisions -- for one cannot have the kind of equalitarianism it preaches without coercion.
He also says some bad stuff about conservatives, too.
Mr. Sticks is a conundrum topped with a stylin' hat. I don't know what to do with him. I highly recommend finding a way to break through in dialogue, but I'm too pigheaded to figure out how. Libertarians and democrats aren't nearly as far apart as we used to be, especially with the republicans both growing the federal power and their own spending. A funny thing about republicans, they say they want to limit spending, but once they are in charge, it's very difficult to decide which one of their jobs they want cut.
I'm hoping to talk Mr. Sticks into coming to a Drinking Liberally night in the future. I don't think there is a conversion potential, but the conversation potential is too great to ignore.
Finally, Norwegianity would like you all to know that he didn't screw up the Sybil/Sylvia Plath quote. It was Matt, the one who posts when he's too busy to pay attention. Not to be confused with Mike, who posts when he's asleep, and Manny, who posts when Mark is eating a good steak (or is that Morton?).
And now I must go bowling.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Because he's got a big head
I shall poke fun at Norwegianity:
"I just can’t figure out what took so long. These traders make Mary Poppins look like Sybil Plath."
I thought Sybil Plath wrote much better poetry before Joanne Woodward meshed all of those personalities back into one.
"I just can’t figure out what took so long. These traders make Mary Poppins look like Sybil Plath."
I thought Sybil Plath wrote much better poetry before Joanne Woodward meshed all of those personalities back into one.
A Hand for Centrisity
Secretly, I adore Flash, but tend not to give him a lot of public love, because I don't want to taint him with my nasty radical left cooties.
But I would just like to point out that this week he has gone the full gauntlet with his moderation mojo, be it at home or away.
Fight the power, Flash. Next drink is on me.
But I would just like to point out that this week he has gone the full gauntlet with his moderation mojo, be it at home or away.
Fight the power, Flash. Next drink is on me.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Spin much?
Just remember, the White House has stopped using public resources as a propoganda machine.
Read the rest here at Ask John Snow.
Greg, from Wisconsin writes:
Filing taxes is still very complacated and time consuming. And I don't know how much money is spent running the IRS.Why prevents us from having a national sales taz? It would be nice to take home the money I earn, so I can decide how to spend it.
John Snow
Greg, these are great questions and some of the many issues that are being examined right now by the President’s Advisory Panel on Tax Reform.
While America remains known for its economic flexibility and dynamism, our tax code has grown larger, bulkier, more burdensome and lethargic with every passing year. The Internal Revenue Code and regulations are terribly complex, and overwhelmingly long at more than a million words. The code is so filled with loopholes, exceptions and lengthy explanations that individuals and businesses spend more than six billion hours every year on paperwork and other tax headaches. Some research places the total compliance costs of the income tax at roughly $130 billion annually – about 13 cents for every dollar in income tax revenues collected. Of this $130billion, individuals have born the brunt, spending about $85 billion trying to comply with our maze of a tax code. In fact, the average American spends around 25 hours preparing their tax return.
Imagine what this great country could do if we could get a few billion hours back… and a few billion dollars in lower compliance costs as well. And that’s why the President has asked that a bipartisan panel work together to come up with some options for tax reform. He has asked that the fine people on that panel be guided by the goals of increased fairness, simplicity and ease of understanding, and economic growth and job creation. The President has also asserted that any reform proposal should carry on the good traditions of recognizing the importance of homeownership and charity in our society.
The panel has held six meetings so far… two here in Washington and one apiece in Tampa, Chicago, New Orleans and San Francisco. They are hearing expert testimony at each meeting, and receiving a wide range of critiques and ideas from all over the country. They’re doing great work, and I am looking forward to receiving their recommendations by the end of July. You can find out more about their work – and what they’re hearing about your idea of a national sales tax – at www.taxreformpanel.gov.
John, from AZ writes:
Why does the Federal Income Tax laws have to be so copliicated? Is it only to favor the rich and corporationa???
John Snow
John, the President believes that the tax code doesn’t have to be so complicated. That’s why he has tasked the Advisory Panel on Tax Reform with coming up with some options for tax reform, guided by the goals of increased fairness, simplicity and ease of understanding, and economic growth and job creation.
...
Kevin, from Hawaii writes:
Hello I recently read the proposal found on this website on Social Security reform. It seems like a justified and realistic plan under my initial reading. Why do you think that it is achieving such opposition? I would also like to be able to read more about it. Any direction would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.
John Snow
Hello, Kevin! It’s great to hear from a Hawaiian; you live in a very beautiful state. Thanks so much for your interest in Social Security reform; I’m glad you see the leadership and good sense in the President’s principles for reform, and I encourage you to also visit www.strengtheningsocialsecurity.gov to learn more.
As the President often says, if fixing Social Security was easy, it would have been done by now. The President understands the challenges we face, but he believes it the responsibility of elected officials to fix problems, not pass them on to future generations.
...
Paul, from Donora, PA writes:
I am interested in receiving the full details on the president's social security reform plan. I have a liberal coworker I have been arguing with over several issues and I would greatly appreciate more ammunition when next we meet.
John Snow
I appreciate this question, Paul – I’m engaged in daily discussions on this topic myself, and I know how helpful it is to have good information. I think you’ll find www.strengtheningsocialsecurity.gov to be a very informative website. Additionally, since no one explains the President’s vision better than the President himself, I’d recommend reading his speeches on the topic, which can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/social-security/map.html.
...
Elizabeth, from Boston Mass. writes:
Hi, Chuck I have a Question to ask you?Ihave disability type social security and I was wondering if that will be effeective
John Snow
Hello, Elizabeth! Allow me to reassure both you and Chuck: benefits will not change for those currently receiving them. Furthermore, the safety net of benefits for future generations of workers with disabilities is a top priority for the President in any reform scenario.
Read the rest here at Ask John Snow.
Look at all those people
without jobs...
UPDATE: MAWB Squad has a play by play (in retrospect) and I am pleased to see that our side did some representing of our own.
UPDATE: MAWB Squad has a play by play (in retrospect) and I am pleased to see that our side did some representing of our own.
Morning Norwegianity Rant
Our favorite instigator goes off his meds here:
I too once worked with those who were between jobs. Mine were generally of a somewhat higher social standing than his on average, but I still saw enough people come through who were scared to death of what was going to happen if they couldn't find work before their severance ended. Numerous people who came though my company had both breadwinners out of work, and had no idea what they would do.
Speaking as someone who has just finally gotten to the point where she has spent more of this administration employed than unemployed, and having watched a lot of people deal with job loss, both personally and professionally, I cannot express how horrible President Bush has been for the unemployed. Something few people seemed to talk about was the well-timed unemployment extension cut-off, making it impossible for anyone to extend unemployment more than an additional 12 weeks after it expired. I say well-timed, because it coincided with when Bush would start issuing unemployment numbers for his re-election campaign. If they aren't collecting unemployment, they are no longer considered "unemployed". Just royally screwed.
God bless the compassionate conservative.
The MN Observer is as pissed as I am regarding the bankruptcy bill, and passed along this hard to use link as to who voted how on the bill to legalize penury and indentured servitude. But it’s good enough to let me know who the local fuckheads were: Mark Kennedy, Colon Peterson, Gil Gutknecht, John Kline, and Jim Ramstad all voted to fuck the poor and further enrich the obscenely rich.
I’m not an Iron Ranger, so I guess it’s none of my business, but I’m sick of Colin Peterson voting like a spreadlegged whore everytime the Republicans come up with new infamies. Fuck the blue dogs — if you can’t count on a Democratic officeholder to vote protect the poor and unlucky, then they’re not a Democrat. In this Congress there are Democrats, Republicans, and whores. Peterson’s a whore. This vote makes absolutely no fucking sense for his district, but will be a godsend for his fundraising efforts.
While I’ve been guilty of mood swings on a few occasions, this anger stems from having worked with over 7,000 people looking for work, and from having a much better than average understanding of how our economic realignment has crushed working and middle class families. Hitler went into Poland with more grace and finesse than our Republican Congress has managed the economy and now there is virtually no reprieve.
I too once worked with those who were between jobs. Mine were generally of a somewhat higher social standing than his on average, but I still saw enough people come through who were scared to death of what was going to happen if they couldn't find work before their severance ended. Numerous people who came though my company had both breadwinners out of work, and had no idea what they would do.
Speaking as someone who has just finally gotten to the point where she has spent more of this administration employed than unemployed, and having watched a lot of people deal with job loss, both personally and professionally, I cannot express how horrible President Bush has been for the unemployed. Something few people seemed to talk about was the well-timed unemployment extension cut-off, making it impossible for anyone to extend unemployment more than an additional 12 weeks after it expired. I say well-timed, because it coincided with when Bush would start issuing unemployment numbers for his re-election campaign. If they aren't collecting unemployment, they are no longer considered "unemployed". Just royally screwed.
God bless the compassionate conservative.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
His Party Sounds Much Better Than Mine
Looks like Capital Press got to watch some people drink liberally, too...
I did pick up a few notes of interest, well, one in particular. For my sake and his, I will call the man Councilman X. I noticed X immediately, as he was the best dressed man in the room, and the only one with a vest under his suit jacket. The vest was the same color as the suit, jet black, his shirt was white with a sharp collar, and his tie was periwinkle, blue and silver striped. His hair was carefully arranged in waves drawn from his forehead back over his head. His glasses completed the picture, small rounded frames that gave him the air of an intellectual. The best way to describe him would be to say that he looked like a made-over Clark Kent. The other reason I noticed Councilman X right away was that his date for the evening was the best looking woman in the room, looked at least eight years younger than him, and only had her first name (Heather) written on her nametag. When I asked one of the fellows at my table later that night, he informed me that X was indeed a Councilman from the Twin Cities and that the girl with him was not his wife. He went further to tell me that there were several other "illicit couples" in the room.
This was about the point in the night when people had really began to drink heavily from the cash bar and the free beer, and if I'd stayed, I'm sure I would at least have had a story about an intern dancing on a table. Unfortunately, my job starts too early for me to stay out drinking all night, and the band was too loud to allow for normal conversation. This will have to be good enough for the time being.
Now not just Barbie(tm) says math is hard
This is the kind of thing that makes my mommy cry:
My mother is a high school math teacher. Her first major disappointment in life is when she was told she couldn't be an astronaut because she was a girl. Her second was when I showed very little aptitude for math or science. She was always convinced that if she had just tried a little harder, I could have been the astronaut she never got to be.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In a study, girls in advanced mathematics classes said they thought they were worse at math than boys who were in basic math classes.
"Boys believed they were better than their grades actually are, while girls believed they were worse than their grades actually are," study author Dr. Pamela Davis-Kean of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor told Reuters Health.
Furthermore, despite girls' report cards, parents tended to believe that girls have to work harder at math than do sons.
These early influences may discourage many capable girls from entering careers in math and science, Davis-Kean said.
...
Starting early in school, the researchers found that girls overall received better grades than boys in school, and teachers generally said girls were stronger students than boys. However, even girls receiving excellent grades in advanced or honors math classes said they were worse at math than boys in basic math classes, receiving lower grades.
Girls also tended to say they worked harder at math than at English, but time diaries showed that girls logged more time working on language arts than on math.
Furthermore, parents of girls tended to say math was harder for their daughters than did parents of sons, and parents of daughters also believed their children had to work harder at math to do well.
Parents also tended to say they wanted their daughters to be happy in life, but wanted their sons to be successful.
These findings suggest that parents' expectations for their daughters may be discouraging them from math and engineering careers, the researcher said. Girls "may be getting steered away."
My mother is a high school math teacher. Her first major disappointment in life is when she was told she couldn't be an astronaut because she was a girl. Her second was when I showed very little aptitude for math or science. She was always convinced that if she had just tried a little harder, I could have been the astronaut she never got to be.
Team Liberal Needs a Nap
I think for the first time in weeks, I'm going to bow out of Keegans. Between Vegas and DL, I need to take a night off, have a glass of wine, work through some Netflix tv and go to bed early.
Why battle demons at the pub when I can stay home and watch Buffy do it for me?
Why battle demons at the pub when I can stay home and watch Buffy do it for me?
Yuk of the Day
We need more yuk of the days.
From Mr. Sticks:
From Mr. Sticks:
Like the rest of us, cats must realize that these are dangerous times, which is why the Borowitz Report notes the United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has commented on the matter.
[According to Gonzales] a Wisconsin proposal to hunt feral cats may be unconstitutional, but [he] said that under certain circumstances it may be permissible to detain the cats and torture them.
Threat Becomes Reality
I'm moving to Canada.
Hey, it's not often you're offered a dictatorship. And the bonus is, I get good wine, too.
Hey, it's not often you're offered a dictatorship. And the bonus is, I get good wine, too.
Quote of the Day
"I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe."
Go read New Patriot.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
DL Update
I have just returned from the first Drinking Liberally Minnesota meeting in three months, and turnout was excellent. We had nearly 30 people, about 15 of them arriving because of the Nick Coleman show earlier today. Bloggers who showed came from Centrisity, Norwegianity, and New Patriot. We also had a DFLer, a local lawyer from the old school Drinking Liberally days, and some people brought in by REAL, a Liberal real estate PAC that is counteracting Minnesota Association of Realtors (which I will be talking more about in the next few days).
Also, a big shout out to Eva Young for showing that drinking is a bipartisan event.
We will be out at Lyle's every Wednesday from 6-9, so please stop by. And for those who feel brave, Team Liberal will most likely be competing at Keegans again tomorrow night, unless I wake up with a hangover.
For more updates on tonight's Drinking Liberally meeting, listen to the Nick Coleman show at 8:30 AM tomorrow on 950 AM.
Also, a big shout out to Eva Young for showing that drinking is a bipartisan event.
We will be out at Lyle's every Wednesday from 6-9, so please stop by. And for those who feel brave, Team Liberal will most likely be competing at Keegans again tomorrow night, unless I wake up with a hangover.
For more updates on tonight's Drinking Liberally meeting, listen to the Nick Coleman show at 8:30 AM tomorrow on 950 AM.
Tonight I Toast
Tonight I toast to the end of the Global Gag Rule.
To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Dayton - Yea,
Coleman - Nay
To prohibit the application of certain restrictive eligibility requirements to foreign nongovernmental organizations with respect to the provision of assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Dayton - Yea,
Coleman - Nay
Jason Lewis is Coming to Town
May I be the first to say yip- freaking -ee?
Authors' note: This is the first in a series of articles and visual maps describing the unholy alliances that have been formed between American leftists and radical Islam, unlikely allies who have joined efforts to oppose America's defensive War on Terror and its war of liberation in Iraq. These are mainly (but not exclusively) de facto alliances, much as the Hitler-Stalin Pact was an alliance of convenience based on a common interest: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. This article is accompanied by a "visual map" which displays the actual alliance between the so-called American "peace left" and organizations that are part of, or supportive of, the radical Islamic jihad against the United States. This map is one of the hundreds of similar maps we have devised for DiscoverTheNetwork.org, our encyclopedic guide to the political left.
One Last Time
Drinking Liberally, tonight, 6-9, Liquor Lyles, Franklin and Hennepin.
If you don't make it, it better be because you were too wrapped up in "Revelations" to leave your house.
If you don't make it, it better be because you were too wrapped up in "Revelations" to leave your house.
For God's Sake
Powerline "Blast From the Past"
May 26, 2002:
One thing that amazes me
One thing that amazes me is that there is no consistent standard for dealing with ethics issues in government. Here is just one example: Tom Daschle is a very wealthy man, not because of his government salary, but because his wife is an extremely highly-paid lobbyist. Now why do you think his wife makes so much money? Is is because she is so exceptionally persuasive? Or is it possibly because her husband is the Majority Leader of the United States Senate? Gosh, I dunno....... This would appear to be an obvious conflict of interest, requiring full disclosure at the very least. But one of the many bad effects of feminism is that it is now considered impolite to assume that there is some relationship between a husband and a wife...OK, admittedly, there are a few instances where there is no relationship at all, like the Clintons, but the vast majority of the time this is an absurd supposition. Yet it is the assumption that apparently governs conflict of interest analysis. According to the official doctrine, it is of no concern to Tom Daschle that his wife is becoming a multi-millionaire through her lobbying efforts, and to Mrs. Daschle it is the merest coincidence that her husband happens to be the Senate Majority Leader. Does this make any sense whatsoever? Of course not. But feminism rules, and therefore Mr. Daschle, the sources of whose wealth are unknown and can only be speculated about, has no compunction whatever about refusing to disclose his joint tax returns. This obviously makes no sense, and it seems fair to assume, absent disclosure, that Daschle is feathering his nest at the public's expense, but don't wait for a story on this in the Washington Post or New York Times.
Posted by John at 07:16 PM
The Waxman Cometh
Via TrueBlue Liberal:
By Ann Imse, Rocky Mountain News
April 8, 2005
Spurred by the ouster of three Denver residents from a speech by President Bush last month, a congressman is seeking a formal accounting of the cost of Bush's Social Security trips.
Rep. Henry Waxman, of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Government Reform, also is questioning whether the White House is using taxpayer funds for political purposes.
"Informing the public is the president's responsibility; using taxpayer resources to mount a sophisticated propaganda and lobbying campaign is an abuse of the president's high office," Waxman said.
Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Wayne Allard on Thursday became the seventh member of the Colorado congressional delegation to say that people should not be removed from a presidential event for a bumper sticker - as happened March 21 in Denver.
Still Looking for the Chicks?
Here they are:
On Sunday, women leaders held a protest outside of NBC’s Washington, DC studio where "Meet the Press" is taped to highlight the exclusion of women of faith invited to appear on the show to discuss religion and public policy. The protest, organized by Catholics for a Free Choice (CFFC) and attended by leaders from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) and the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER), was prompted by an episode of “Meet the Press” that aired March 27 and featured a panel of six religious leaders – all men – to discuss “Faith in America.” On November 28, 2004, a similar show aired with the topic of religion and values with no women represented in the panel of guests. This initial incident prompted women’s and religious organizations to send a joint letter to host Tim Russert in protest, eliciting no response from NBC or from Russert himself.
“Where religion is concerned, ‘Meet the Press’ seems to be cast in the mold of patriarchal religions, where women, almost invisible, are only called on rarely,” said Frances Kissling, president of CFFC.
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), a media watchdog group, is preparing to release a study which found that only 39 percent of the guests on “Meet the Press” are women, and only one of those women in the six-month period examined was a woman of color. Comparable television shows were also studied, with NBC’s “Chris Matthews Show” featuring the most women with 49 percent of guests being female. The worst offenders were ABC’s “This Week,” featuring only 22 percent female guests, and Fox News Sunday, featuring only 25 percent female guests. Even worse, out of all the women featured over a six-month period on all four of these shows, only two were women of color.
In its study, FAIR traced the scarcity of female pundits on television to the scarcity of women in the newsroom. The issue of under representation of women as editorialists and columnists in the nation’s newspapers has been a hot topic of late, prompting prominent women journalists to comment on how few women writers there are at the highest levels of journalism. In the Washington Post, columnist Terry Neal elaborated on this connection, saying, “Most of the people who make decisions about booking guests [on political talk shows]…would theoretically like to see more diversity. But the problem is that they don’t cast a wide enough net…they scout primarily in the upper echelons of the networks, the two main newsmagazines and four top newspapers…[which] consist almost solely of white guys over 50.”
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
I am now a big huge geek
I will be doing a short appearance on the Nick Coleman show tomorrow at around 8:30 AM to promote Drinking Liberally. I assume I will manage to not only sound like a drooling fool, but still get off enough words to be thoroughly humiliated by the GIMEC.
I guess that is my come-uppance for making fun of Powerline all of the time.
Maybe I'll get bumped.
I guess that is my come-uppance for making fun of Powerline all of the time.
Maybe I'll get bumped.
Cue Circus Music
From Electric Kool-Aid Acid Report:
/Horshack Voice OOOO! OOO! OOOO!
I have one!
Oh, wrong party. My bad!
Calling all Lawyers!!
It's time to fight. I call all lawyers - I'm a lowly marketing guy - to plow through the laws of Minnesota and find each and every Lefty Law that was passed because it was attached to a second bill of no relation to the first.
I suggest you start with the proabortion ones. That oughta get the Left to sit up and take notice.
(emphasis added)
/Horshack Voice OOOO! OOO! OOOO!
I have one!
Saint Paul, Minnesota— Hours after the Senate passed a restrictive 24-hour waiting period on abortion that had been inserted by the House into a bill that deregulates circuses, Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the measure. The bill has several new components from previous years’ versions of the so-called “Woman’s Right to Know” bill.
The House inserted the anti-abortion package as an amendment to the Circus Bill on March 31 in order to bypass the Senate Committee process, where some provisions may have been stripped or weakened.
Oh, wrong party. My bad!
What Concerns CWA
Now the Concerned Women of America gears up for (or against, I guess) the Day Of Silence:
Is it going to look a little something like this?
Editor’s Note: To learn about the agenda of April 13’s “Day of Silence,” read this excellent column. Then, for more information on how to counter homosexual activism, check out our resources:
When Silence Would Have Been Golden
Reasons to Oppose ‘Sexual Orientation’ (Homosexuality) Codes in the Schools
Eleven Ways You Can Fight the Homosexual Agenda
Commentary
Well, soon schools will be taking another well-deserved break from academics and plunge headlong into political advocacy. Yes, Virginia, there is a “Day of Silence” (DOS) and it is coming to a school near you.
The DOS is an advocacy day sponsored by the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN). According to GLSEN’s Web site, the DOS will occur on April 13 and involve 4,000 schools and 450,000 students and teachers. During the school day, those participating will refuse to speak, even during class. Students hand out cards calling attention to what GLSEN calls “the bias and harassment experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and their allies.”
Is it going to look a little something like this?
Scandia Scandal
It appears I missed a scandal. Sigh.
Centrisity wraps it up well here.
I think Michele Bachmann is an ugly, hateful woman who feeds on bigotry for her own power. But I think that sometimes when an opportunity presents itself, the zeal of going for blood can start to look like the hate mongering that happens over here.
I'm not going to play this one. A majority of Minnesotans may not believe in gay marriage, but they also don't think that gay couples should be forced to have no protections. Ms. Bachmann can sink her career on her own, she doesn't need my help.
Centrisity wraps it up well here.
I think Michele Bachmann is an ugly, hateful woman who feeds on bigotry for her own power. But I think that sometimes when an opportunity presents itself, the zeal of going for blood can start to look like the hate mongering that happens over here.
I'm not going to play this one. A majority of Minnesotans may not believe in gay marriage, but they also don't think that gay couples should be forced to have no protections. Ms. Bachmann can sink her career on her own, she doesn't need my help.
Mr. Sticks and the Clause
Mr. Sticks and I started to talk about the Conscience Clauses a few weeks ago. He's weighing back in over in the Land o' Sticks.
For anyone who hasn't been paying much attention, a little about Karen Brauer and Physicians for Life:
For anyone who hasn't been paying much attention, a little about Karen Brauer and Physicians for Life:
Pharmacists for Life president Karen Brauer was fired by a Kmart pharmacy in Ohio for refusing to fill birth control prescriptions. As Brauer acknowledged during an April 16, 2001, appearance on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, Brauer didn't merely refuse to fill a patient's prescription, she lied to the patient, as well:
O'REILLY: I got you. Now, when the customer complained, what happened there? Did you refer that customer to somewhere else?
BRAUER: I asked -- I -- she did not complain to me. OK? What happened is, she came in for a refill. I informed her that we did not carry the drug at the time. And I offered to call a copy of her prescription to the pharmacy of her choice.
O'REILLY: And then she complained. But did you -- how -- why would she complain about that, if you didn't have the drug on hand?
BRAUER: Somehow she found out that this pharmacy actually did have the drug at the time.
O'REILLY: So you lied to her.
BRAUER: Yes, I did.
O'REILLY: Ohh. Well, that wasn't good.
BRAUER: The situation concerning her privacy and concerning the people present did not really -- it was not really amenable to giving her information about her drug.
Presumably, the mere act of lying to a patient would have been reason enough for Brauer to be fired; at the least, it seems to be a direct violation of the American Pharmacists Association's "Principles of Practice for Pharmaceutical Care," which state: "Interaction between the pharmacist and the patient must occur to assure that a relationship based upon caring, trust, open communication, cooperation, and mutual decision making is established and maintained."
Brauer's decision not to give her patient "information about her drug" would also seem to be contrary to the APA's guidelines, which repeatedly emphasize that "The pharmacist holds the patient's welfare paramount" and declares that "The pharmacist must also assure that the patient has a thorough understanding of the disease and the therapy/medications prescribed in the plan."
Ready to Rumble, II
Hopefully, more exciting than "Ready to Rumble I".
The Frat Boys would like to remind you that taxes are evil. What better way to show it than a rally on the 15th?
Speaking of the people with the Orange Signs, here's something to stick it to the "Taxes are Unpatriotic" crowd:
Show you love America enough to actually try and pay for some of the things that make it the land of promise, instead of supporting the $36,000 birth tax.
The Frat Boys would like to remind you that taxes are evil. What better way to show it than a rally on the 15th?
The movement to raise taxes in Minnesota is gathering strength. You can see and hear it building in the local media, and every advocacy group looking for a bigger piece of the pie, such as teachers unions and government employees, is echoing the call: "_______ (education, the environment, health care, etc.) in Minnesota is going to hell because of that tax-cutting theocrat Pawlenty and the radical Republicans refusal to raise taxes."
It's going to take a united front of concerned taxpaying citizens to thwart this effort. On Friday morning, come to the Capital and stand with those who are standing for you. Remember, the people with the orange signs are out there and they're more than happy for YOU to pay.
Speaking of the people with the Orange Signs, here's something to stick it to the "Taxes are Unpatriotic" crowd:
The Bush gang is cutting funding to healthcare, local law enforcement, afterschool programs, environmental protection, veterans benefits. But we know that we're all in this together -- and we all need to pay our fair share.
Donate part of your refund to a group that's promoting a more just society and demanding that citizens come before corporations: Citizens for Tax Justice, the leading organization lobbying for a more equitable tax system. And we mean truly fair, not the fake "flat tax" or other tricks Republicans have proposed to swindle regular Americans and give kick-backs to the top 1%.
Show you love America enough to actually try and pay for some of the things that make it the land of promise, instead of supporting the $36,000 birth tax.
Drinking Liberally - Final Countdown
Drinking Liberally will meet in 32 hours (I wish I had a cool countdown ticker like Gary's group to put up), at Liquor Lyles in the back room by the pool table.
Go here for more information. First two pitchers are on me. The rest are on all y'all. (Hey, if I was made of money,I'd probably be a Republican).
Cross-Posted with Message Board
Go here for more information. First two pitchers are on me. The rest are on all y'all. (Hey, if I was made of money,I'd probably be a Republican).
Cross-Posted with Message Board
And we're back
Vacation over. Three days with no contact with the real world was fantastic. The closest I got to current events was catching a glimpse of the Royal Wedding while I was getting a Bloody Mary.
I would like to give a big shout out to budget cuts in the Minnesota State that has forced them to eliminate whatever position it was that wrote you a letter warning you that your driver's license is about to expire and you need to renew. Smartie only realized that his had expired two weeks earlier when we got kicked out of a bar at the Luxor. Had it kept happening, I would have been very annoyed, but since it just occurred the one time, I found it hilarious.
I guess that's what we get for trying to pay for our drinks instead of waiting for the free ones.
I would like to give a big shout out to budget cuts in the Minnesota State that has forced them to eliminate whatever position it was that wrote you a letter warning you that your driver's license is about to expire and you need to renew. Smartie only realized that his had expired two weeks earlier when we got kicked out of a bar at the Luxor. Had it kept happening, I would have been very annoyed, but since it just occurred the one time, I found it hilarious.
I guess that's what we get for trying to pay for our drinks instead of waiting for the free ones.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Vegas, Baby!
Smartie and I are leaving town in a few hours to attend a wedding. No more posting until Tuesday.
While I go to Sin City, please enjoy this video...
While I go to Sin City, please enjoy this video...
Frustrating Tales of War Pigs
I've had a couple of things I wanted to link to on my cyber boyfriend's site, but the jerk has been linking to me so damn much I didn't want it to look like it was quid pro quo.
But finally I decided, "Hey, why can't we quid every now and then? You're not the boss of me!"
I've been storing it up, and now I'm going to explode...
There. I'm spent.
But finally I decided, "Hey, why can't we quid every now and then? You're not the boss of me!"
I've been storing it up, and now I'm going to explode...
Tom's Sweet Cyber-Nothings:
The high drama of "Nuclear Option-A-Thon, 2005!" begins! Who are you going to trust, Tom DeLay, or some freak in a robe?
HAMMER V. GAVEL
This time... its judicial.
Bush is not a tough guy, he's just always gotten his way like every other privileged brat with a sense of entitlement. He is vindictive, bratty, spoiled, and fitful. Not to mention boorish and dull. Just because he never got his ass kicked when he was a kid, which I understand was about until the time he was 40 years old, doesn't mean the guy is tough, it means that people who think he is are weak.
Animal Control officers didn't respond, she said, "because they don't deal with wild turkeys.". Heh, I've had Wild Turkey on the Government Plaza. No, seriously. We went swimming in the Government Center fountain that night too. That is a nice fountain.
There. I'm spent.
Bachmann in the Hand
is worth 2 in the bush (Click link for photos).
Via Dumpbachmann:
Via Dumpbachmann:
Andy has photos of Bachmann's body guard watching the rally from a distance, with Bachmann cowering in the Bushes.
Notice the white blouse, light blue trousers, and the bald head of her bodygourd are very similar in all four shots. Bachmann's cowardly Minnesota Taliban self was COWERING in the bushes.
See Smartie Rage
Smartie reads Lileks. I don't. I don't even bother to read his sometimes funny newspaper columns anymore because I find him so annoying.
So, via Smartie:
You can see why I love him so, can't you?
UPDATED: I used Smartie's email without permission. To atone for my sins, he has asked me to add Mitch to this post, because Mitch is as big of a dink as Lileks.
So, via Smartie:
Got your living will? Not in a persistent vegetative state? Well, then you’ve nothing to worry about. Unless someone decides you really want to die. I mean, you’re old. Who wouldn’t want to die when they get all old and wrinkly?
-Forehead boy (that is, Lileks)
Because, see, the lesson of Schiavo is that everyone over the age of fifty deserves to die and if you disagree with me than you don’t understand ABSOLUTES you stupid culture of death nuance seer. Right.
You know, I resist with every fiber of my being calling people I disagree with stupid. I honestly believe it is possible to hold opinions contrary to my own legitimately, but this is STUPID. YOU ARE A M-O-R-O-N if you think these two cases are related. Now, go read your intelligent design textbook and let the adults talk.
You can see why I love him so, can't you?
UPDATED: I used Smartie's email without permission. To atone for my sins, he has asked me to add Mitch to this post, because Mitch is as big of a dink as Lileks.
Updates From SaveRoe
SaveRoe has some updates on controception battles across the nation. Go here for additional links.
First the ugly. The governor of Colorado has vetoed a bill that would require hospitals to give sexual assault survivors INFORMATION about and referrals for emergency EC. Even though the bill did not require hospitals to dispense EC, Governor Bill Owens (R) apparently rejected the bill because he wanted health care institutions to be able to refuse to provide the information — never mind that the bill already allowed individuals to opt out of providing the information. Perhaps he feels it’s a matter of conscience to deny rights to rape survivors. Others opposed to the bill made their opposition abundantly clear: "The more troubling aspect is the referral," said Timothy Dore, spokesman for the Colorado Catholic Conference. "That in itself is a cooperation with evil that we cannot tolerate or participate in." Who does this guy’s talking points, Karen Hughes?
While the Colorado legislature was foiled in its efforts to serve women, Wisconsin Attorney General, Peg Lautenschlager (D) has issued a ruling on proposed legislation that may bolster education about and access to EC. Said legislation, proposed in response to an ad in the campus paper urging students to take EC with them on spring break, would have prohibited the University of Wisconsin from promoting the use of EC or dispensing it. Lautenschlager’s ruling said that such legislation would be unconstitutional, and that because of the vague way the bill was drafted, the ban could have been extended to all birth control.
Meanwhile, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) have promised to hold up the nomination of Lester Crawford to head the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — until the FDA takes action on the proposal to grant EC over-the-counter status. You may remember that at his nomination hearing the two senators asked Crawford for a follow-up meeting to discuss the approval process for the drug. Unsatisfied with the results of the meeting, and expecting more of what we’ve had so far — which is stall, stall, and more stall — the two senators have said, enough. "We will be putting a hold on this nomination when it goes to the [Senate] floor until a decision is reached on Plan B... any decision," Murray said.
All the Friday hits in one
It's a crazy day, so I didn't have a chance to upload my catblogging this morning. So You can find it here.
Trust me, it's worth it.
Also, for those who dig that kind of thing, here's what I heard on the way to work this morning:
Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera
Angels - Tori Amos
Mercedes Benz - Janis Joplin
I Shall Be Released - The Band
My Happy Ending - Arvil Lavigne
What's New, Pussycat? - Tom Jones
Dancing Queen - Abba
Miss Independant - Kelly Clarkson
My ipod has an attitude problem this morning.
Grrrrrrrrr.
Trust me, it's worth it.
Also, for those who dig that kind of thing, here's what I heard on the way to work this morning:
Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera
Angels - Tori Amos
Mercedes Benz - Janis Joplin
I Shall Be Released - The Band
My Happy Ending - Arvil Lavigne
What's New, Pussycat? - Tom Jones
Dancing Queen - Abba
Miss Independant - Kelly Clarkson
My ipod has an attitude problem this morning.
Grrrrrrrrr.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Merchandising
How long until this is on Ebay?
Three volunteers patrolling the border for illegal immigrants were being investigated after a man told authorities he was held against his will and forced to pose for a picture holding a T-shirt with a mocking slogan.
The volunteers said they were members of the Minuteman Project a monthlong effort that has people from around the country fanned out along the border to report undocumented migrants and smugglers. Law enforcement officials have said they fear the project will lead to vigilante violence.
Border Patrol agents called in deputies from the Cochise County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday afternoon to report that an immigrant was detained by three men who identified themselves as project volunteers.
Carol Capas, a sheriff's office spokeswoman, said the 26-year-old Mexican man told agents he was physically restrained and forced to hold a shirt while his picture was taken and he was videotaped.
The shirt read: "Bryan Barton caught an illegal alien and all I got was this T-shirt."
Barton is one of the three volunteers. He told agents that they waved the man over to them, offered him food and water, and gave him the T-shirt and money before the Border Patrol arrived.
"All they did was provide water and wait for the Border Patrol," Minuteman spokesman Grey Deacon said. "What's the big deal?"
Deacon said project organizers were told by sheriff's officials that the incident wasn't a problem. But Capas said the investigation was continuing and authorities were reviewing a videotape that Barton provided to deputies.
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