Friday, March 13, 2015
The conservative plot to destroy the middle class: Scott Walker, “right-to-work” and America’s new Gilded Age
The conservative plot to destroy the middle class: Scott Walker, “right-to-work” and America’s new Gilded Age
"From the Gilded Age to the Great Depression to today, the economic agenda of conservatives has been easily summarized in two words: “cheap labor"."
"From the Gilded Age to the Great Depression to today, the economic agenda of conservatives has been easily summarized in two words: “cheap labor"."
Your Cable Company Is Teaming Up With Congress To Kill Net Neutrality
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/03/terrible-cable-company-teaming-congress-kill-net-neutrality/
"31 members of the House have co-signed a piece of legislation titled “The Internet Freedom Act,” of which 29 have collectively accepted $800,000 in campaign contributions from major Internet service providers"
"31 members of the House have co-signed a piece of legislation titled “The Internet Freedom Act,” of which 29 have collectively accepted $800,000 in campaign contributions from major Internet service providers"
Military Groups Slam Republicans For Killing A Bill Supporting Veterans
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/03/military-groups-slam-republican/
"Veterans organizations were upset with Senate Republicans after they failed to gain enough votes of support to move forward with a measure that would have expanded federal healthcare and education programs for veterans."
"Veterans organizations were upset with Senate Republicans after they failed to gain enough votes of support to move forward with a measure that would have expanded federal healthcare and education programs for veterans."
Fox News is worse than Bill O’Reilly: Why the pundit’s fabrications are almost beside the point
Fox News is worse than Bill O’Reilly: Why the pundit’s fabrications are almost beside the point
"the real story here is not just the decline of truth telling in television news, it’s the way that the truth has been replaced by fear."
"the real story here is not just the decline of truth telling in television news, it’s the way that the truth has been replaced by fear."
PERRspectives: Six Years Too Late, Media Call Congressional Republicans 'Traitors'
PERRspectives: Six Years Too Late, Media Call Congressional Republicans 'Traitors'
"Sadly, the Daily News and other media outlets are about six years late in reaching that conclusion. After all, with their record-setting use of the filibuster, unprecedented obstruction of judicial and executive branch nominees, threatened and actual government shutdowns, and most of all, their unheard of debt ceiling hostage-taking, Republicans have been undermining the federal government and the U.S. economy since Barack Obama first took the oath office in 2009."
"Sadly, the Daily News and other media outlets are about six years late in reaching that conclusion. After all, with their record-setting use of the filibuster, unprecedented obstruction of judicial and executive branch nominees, threatened and actual government shutdowns, and most of all, their unheard of debt ceiling hostage-taking, Republicans have been undermining the federal government and the U.S. economy since Barack Obama first took the oath office in 2009."
Bibi’s Speech To Congress Backfires As Netanyahu’s Popularity Crashes In US And Israel
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/03/11/bibis-speech-congress-backfires-netanyahus-popularity-crashes-israel.html
"The foreign policy amateurs in the GOP, and their bellicose hero, Prime Minister Netanyahu, may have enjoyed their childish political theater. However, for Americans and Israelis who want their leaders to take security seriously, the Bibi traveling road show flopped. Netanyahu’s poll numbers in both the U.S. and Israel demonstrate how poorly the speech was received by the general public."
"The foreign policy amateurs in the GOP, and their bellicose hero, Prime Minister Netanyahu, may have enjoyed their childish political theater. However, for Americans and Israelis who want their leaders to take security seriously, the Bibi traveling road show flopped. Netanyahu’s poll numbers in both the U.S. and Israel demonstrate how poorly the speech was received by the general public."
Return of a neocon nightmare: Tom Cotton, Rush Limbaugh & the worst deja vu ever
Return of a neocon nightmare: Tom Cotton, Rush Limbaugh & the worst deja vu ever
"Think of all the screw-ups this crew inflicted on us a decade ago. Now they're back, revived and worse than before"
"Think of all the screw-ups this crew inflicted on us a decade ago. Now they're back, revived and worse than before"
Sen. Lindsey Graham Says He Would Use Military Force Against Congress As President
Sen. Lindsey Graham Says He Would Use Military Force Against Congress As President
"Senator Lindsey Graham will certainly try to backtrack on his words, but as one of the most hawkish members of the Senate, there’s no denying his statement which is backed up by his track record on defense spending. His proposed actions go far beyond President Obama’s executive orders he and other Republicans have complained about, and headlong into true dictatorship. Senator Lindsey Graham has finally exposed himself for what he really is – a petty tyrant that represents the military industrial complex, not the people of South Carolina."
"Senator Lindsey Graham will certainly try to backtrack on his words, but as one of the most hawkish members of the Senate, there’s no denying his statement which is backed up by his track record on defense spending. His proposed actions go far beyond President Obama’s executive orders he and other Republicans have complained about, and headlong into true dictatorship. Senator Lindsey Graham has finally exposed himself for what he really is – a petty tyrant that represents the military industrial complex, not the people of South Carolina."
Thursday, March 12, 2015
The Republican Letter To Iran: An Embarrassment for the GOP, A Weapon for Iranian Extremists
The Republican Letter To Iran: An Embarrassment for the GOP, A Weapon for Iranian Extremists
"I’ve often accused Republicans (and conservatives in general) of lacking the ability to think “big picture.” Nearly everything with them is short-sighted, simplistic and requires almost instant gratification. Their entire political ideology is basically predicated on fear, paranoia, anger and talking points that are easily repeatable.
The now infamous “Iran letter” that 47 Republican senators sent to Iranian leaders is a prime example of this. In their minds, they saw this as a way to “get at” President Obama and try to perpetuate this notion that they are the ones in power. And it was also a blatant attempt to try to sabotage the ongoing negotiations between the Obama administration, several of our allies and the Iranian government. In my opinion, the actions by the GOP have been tantamount to treason. Sadly for Republicans, this has all backfired on them in ways they obviously didn’t bother thinking about before they collectively stuck their foot in their mouth. The first thing it did was that it allowed Iranian officials to publicly school the GOP on how international treaties work. Not only that, but Republicans just came off looking incredibly childish sending this letter following Netanyahu’s speech. Other world leaders understand the political dynamics over here, meaning they’re well aware of what it is this president has had to deal with when it comes to the GOP. In the grand scheme of things, this came off as Republicans trying to purposely embarrass the president of the country they’re supposed to love on an international stage in nothing more than some immature stunt. Even just days after it was sent, there are several rumblings emanating from the ranks of the GOP that they’re realizing this letter was a mistake. In other words, this entire situation is spiraling into nothing but an absolute embarrassment for the Republican party. Some Republicans are already publicly regretting signing it, and John McCain even blamed his dumb decision to sign it on the impending snowstorm and “looking forward to getting out of town"." #47Traitors
"I’ve often accused Republicans (and conservatives in general) of lacking the ability to think “big picture.” Nearly everything with them is short-sighted, simplistic and requires almost instant gratification. Their entire political ideology is basically predicated on fear, paranoia, anger and talking points that are easily repeatable.
The now infamous “Iran letter” that 47 Republican senators sent to Iranian leaders is a prime example of this. In their minds, they saw this as a way to “get at” President Obama and try to perpetuate this notion that they are the ones in power. And it was also a blatant attempt to try to sabotage the ongoing negotiations between the Obama administration, several of our allies and the Iranian government. In my opinion, the actions by the GOP have been tantamount to treason. Sadly for Republicans, this has all backfired on them in ways they obviously didn’t bother thinking about before they collectively stuck their foot in their mouth. The first thing it did was that it allowed Iranian officials to publicly school the GOP on how international treaties work. Not only that, but Republicans just came off looking incredibly childish sending this letter following Netanyahu’s speech. Other world leaders understand the political dynamics over here, meaning they’re well aware of what it is this president has had to deal with when it comes to the GOP. In the grand scheme of things, this came off as Republicans trying to purposely embarrass the president of the country they’re supposed to love on an international stage in nothing more than some immature stunt. Even just days after it was sent, there are several rumblings emanating from the ranks of the GOP that they’re realizing this letter was a mistake. In other words, this entire situation is spiraling into nothing but an absolute embarrassment for the Republican party. Some Republicans are already publicly regretting signing it, and John McCain even blamed his dumb decision to sign it on the impending snowstorm and “looking forward to getting out of town"." #47Traitors
John McCain On His Decision To Sign Treasonous Letter To Iran: A Snowstorm MADE Me Do It
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/12/john-mccain-on-his-decision-to-sign-treasonous-letter-to-iran-a-snowstorm-made-me-do-it/
"What else could we expect, honestly? He did choose Sarah Palin as his running mate."
"What else could we expect, honestly? He did choose Sarah Palin as his running mate."
You Will Be Shocked To Know Who's Been Grooming Tehran Tom
You Will Be Shocked To Know Who's Been Grooming Tehran Tom
"The neoconservatives reached out and groomed Tom Cotton when they saw him coming down the pike." #47Traitors
"The neoconservatives reached out and groomed Tom Cotton when they saw him coming down the pike." #47Traitors
Republicans Brace For Backfire On Iran Letter, Turn Against Colleagues Who Signed It
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/12/republicans-brace-for-backfire-on-iran-letter-turn-against-colleagues-who-signed-it/
"Much like everything the Republicans do – shutdowns, phony scandals, Obama hating – the Iran letter is already making some members of the GOP fear a major backlash for trying to undermine the President." #47Traitors
"Much like everything the Republicans do – shutdowns, phony scandals, Obama hating – the Iran letter is already making some members of the GOP fear a major backlash for trying to undermine the President." #47Traitors
National Outrage Grows As 22 Newspaper Editorials Blast Senate Republican Letter To Iran
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/03/11/national-outrage-grows-22-newspaper-editorials-blast-senate-republican-letter-iran.html
"In this time of great partisan divide, Republicans managed to unify the country with an act that was as blatantly unpatriotic as it was blindingly stupid. The tea partiers who turned the House of Representatives into a three ring circus have invaded the Senate, and the letter to Iran is their most high profile bit of handiwork." #47Traitors
"In this time of great partisan divide, Republicans managed to unify the country with an act that was as blatantly unpatriotic as it was blindingly stupid. The tea partiers who turned the House of Representatives into a three ring circus have invaded the Senate, and the letter to Iran is their most high profile bit of handiwork." #47Traitors
Secretary Of State John Kerry Schools GOP Tool Marco Rubio On Middle East Politics
Secretary Of State John Kerry Schools GOP Tool Marco Rubio On Middle East Politics
"It's common for Republicans to be utterly clueless. 47 of them recently proved that when they violated the Logan Act. During CPAC, nearly every one of them proved it every time they opened their mouth.
Marco Rubio was one of them. The Florida senator and potential presidential candidate pilloried President Obama over the Middle East during his CPAC speech and, in the process, proved he knows nothing about the Middle East. The takeaway sentence was "The reason Obama hasn't put in place a military strategy to defeat ISIS is because he doesn't want to upset Iran."
Yes, Iran, a predominately Shi'ite polity, is going to be upset over President Obama waging war on group of Sunni extremists who've time traveled from the 16 century and are trying to resurrect a Caliphate for purposes of bringing Jesus back so he can repudiate Masih ad-Dajjal and trigger Yawm al-Qiyāmah, The Day of Resurrection (that the goal of ISIS is so scarily similar to the goal of Christian Dominionists and Reconstructionists is purely coincidental)."
"It's common for Republicans to be utterly clueless. 47 of them recently proved that when they violated the Logan Act. During CPAC, nearly every one of them proved it every time they opened their mouth.
Marco Rubio was one of them. The Florida senator and potential presidential candidate pilloried President Obama over the Middle East during his CPAC speech and, in the process, proved he knows nothing about the Middle East. The takeaway sentence was "The reason Obama hasn't put in place a military strategy to defeat ISIS is because he doesn't want to upset Iran."
Yes, Iran, a predominately Shi'ite polity, is going to be upset over President Obama waging war on group of Sunni extremists who've time traveled from the 16 century and are trying to resurrect a Caliphate for purposes of bringing Jesus back so he can repudiate Masih ad-Dajjal and trigger Yawm al-Qiyāmah, The Day of Resurrection (that the goal of ISIS is so scarily similar to the goal of Christian Dominionists and Reconstructionists is purely coincidental)."
The new Ted Cruz: How Tom Cotton made GOP’s showboat problem even worse
The new Ted Cruz: How Tom Cotton made GOP’s showboat problem even worse
"The end result is near-total paralysis as the party is unable to reconcile the grandiose political goals of its showboating members with the ugly realities of legislating. It’s embarrassing for the party and it renders hollow the leadership’s frequently made promise that the GOP is capable of responsible governance. But the paralysis isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, mainly because Republican voters and the national media eat up the antics of people like Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz."
"The end result is near-total paralysis as the party is unable to reconcile the grandiose political goals of its showboating members with the ugly realities of legislating. It’s embarrassing for the party and it renders hollow the leadership’s frequently made promise that the GOP is capable of responsible governance. But the paralysis isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, mainly because Republican voters and the national media eat up the antics of people like Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz."
John McCain Blames A Snowstorm For His Treasonous Decision To Sign Iran Letter
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/03/12/john-mccain-blames-snowstorm-treasonous-decision-sign-iran-letter.html
"There is no excuse that Sen. McCain could offer that would excuse an act of sabotage. Instead of blaming the weather, it would have been refreshing to hear Sen. “Straight Talk” admit that he screwed up and apologize. If there is one thing that the American people know about Republicans, it is that they never apologize. Since Republicans have decided to stand behind their act of sabotage, voters should put their “Country First” when they cast their ballots in 2016." #47Traitors
"There is no excuse that Sen. McCain could offer that would excuse an act of sabotage. Instead of blaming the weather, it would have been refreshing to hear Sen. “Straight Talk” admit that he screwed up and apologize. If there is one thing that the American people know about Republicans, it is that they never apologize. Since Republicans have decided to stand behind their act of sabotage, voters should put their “Country First” when they cast their ballots in 2016." #47Traitors
Iran Responds To GOP Letter: They Don’t Even Understand Their Own Constitution
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/11/iran-responds-to-gop-letter/
"Now, not only are the Republican Senators facing serious allegations of committing treason, they are also now being schooled on international and United States constitutional law by Iran."
"Now, not only are the Republican Senators facing serious allegations of committing treason, they are also now being schooled on international and United States constitutional law by Iran."
“Tehran Tom” Cotton’s Iran Blunder Has Made Him the New Hanoi Jane
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/03/12/tehran-tom-cottons-iran-blunder-hanoi-jane.html
"Republicans were probably beginning to worry by Tuesday that Cotton’s Iran letter was backfiring. That was the day the New York Daily News called them traitors. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had already schooled (i.e. mocked) them not only on international law on Monday, but United States constitutional law, providing the public humiliation before the entire world they so much deserved.
This morning, the verdict seems to be in on Tom Cotton’s letter, with 22 newspaper editorials having joined all the other voices of condemnation raised against the blatant attempt to undermine the president." #47Traitors
"Republicans were probably beginning to worry by Tuesday that Cotton’s Iran letter was backfiring. That was the day the New York Daily News called them traitors. Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had already schooled (i.e. mocked) them not only on international law on Monday, but United States constitutional law, providing the public humiliation before the entire world they so much deserved.
This morning, the verdict seems to be in on Tom Cotton’s letter, with 22 newspaper editorials having joined all the other voices of condemnation raised against the blatant attempt to undermine the president." #47Traitors
Cheney: Congress Must Not Interfere With President's Iran Policy
Cheney: Congress Must Not Interfere With President's Iran Policy
"one Republican leader--Dick Cheney--furiously condemned Congressional interference with the President's policy towards Iran. Condemned it, that is, provided the President was Ronald Reagan and the issue wasn't limiting Iran's arsenal, but enhancing it.
That's right. In the wake of the arms-for-hostages scandal that engulfed President Reagan in 1986, the minority Republican response to the Congressional Iran-Contra investigation declared that Congress, not the White House, had done something wrong."
"one Republican leader--Dick Cheney--furiously condemned Congressional interference with the President's policy towards Iran. Condemned it, that is, provided the President was Ronald Reagan and the issue wasn't limiting Iran's arsenal, but enhancing it.
That's right. In the wake of the arms-for-hostages scandal that engulfed President Reagan in 1986, the minority Republican response to the Congressional Iran-Contra investigation declared that Congress, not the White House, had done something wrong."
22,000 American Lives Were Lost The Last Time A Republican Blocked Negotiations
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/03/republicans-block-negotiations/
"It is one thing to attempt to undermine a sitting president using the legislative process, but quite a different matter when U.S. Senators reach out to a foreign power deliberately to disrupt ongoing negotiations."
"It is one thing to attempt to undermine a sitting president using the legislative process, but quite a different matter when U.S. Senators reach out to a foreign power deliberately to disrupt ongoing negotiations."
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
White House Petition: File Charges Against 47 Republican Traitors Who Tried To Sabotage Iran Nuclear Deal
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/10/white-house-petition-file-charges-against-47-republican-traitors-who-tried-to-sabotage-iran-nuclear-deal/
"Violation of the Logan Act is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison, as well as fines. While these Senators are elected officials, they do not have the right to negotiate or interfere in negotiations with foreign powers."
"Violation of the Logan Act is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in prison, as well as fines. While these Senators are elected officials, they do not have the right to negotiate or interfere in negotiations with foreign powers."
GOP Senator Writes Letter To Iranian Leader To Stop Deal, Then Meets With Defense Companies
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/10/gop-senator-writes-letter-to-iranian-leader-to-stop-deal-then-meets-with-defense-companies/
"This is dangerous behavior, and the Republicans involved should be held accountable."
"This is dangerous behavior, and the Republicans involved should be held accountable."
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The Real Reason The GOP Wants To Sabotage The Iran Nuclear Deal
The Real Reason The GOP Wants To Sabotage The Iran Nuclear Deal
"These Republicans aren’t just refusing to allow a treaty with Iran because they’re stubborn and hateful partisan ideologues who place sabotaging President Obama over everything else, they are also extremely loyal to two separate interests that I mentioned before. These two interests are defense contractors and religious extremists (both Jewish and Christian), both of which are huge supporters of the Republican Party. Neither of these groups want peace in the Middle East, because war is profitable if you’re the producer of tanks and bullets, and if you’re a religious extremist, war against your religious enemy is required by your twisted interpretation of what your god wants. Bernie Sanders is right when he said Republicans are “itching” for war with Iran, and the fact that Bobby Jindal (who has pandered hard to Christian extremists) is urging Republican presidential candidates to sign on to this letter is proof that the GOP is playing hard to the Christian fringe in this attempt to sabotage peace talks. The religious right, especially here in the United States, believes that a war involving Iran and Israel is part of a series of events needed to fulfill a Biblical prophecy found in the book of Revelations."
"These Republicans aren’t just refusing to allow a treaty with Iran because they’re stubborn and hateful partisan ideologues who place sabotaging President Obama over everything else, they are also extremely loyal to two separate interests that I mentioned before. These two interests are defense contractors and religious extremists (both Jewish and Christian), both of which are huge supporters of the Republican Party. Neither of these groups want peace in the Middle East, because war is profitable if you’re the producer of tanks and bullets, and if you’re a religious extremist, war against your religious enemy is required by your twisted interpretation of what your god wants. Bernie Sanders is right when he said Republicans are “itching” for war with Iran, and the fact that Bobby Jindal (who has pandered hard to Christian extremists) is urging Republican presidential candidates to sign on to this letter is proof that the GOP is playing hard to the Christian fringe in this attempt to sabotage peace talks. The religious right, especially here in the United States, believes that a war involving Iran and Israel is part of a series of events needed to fulfill a Biblical prophecy found in the book of Revelations."
47 GOP Senators and Members of Congress Violated the Logan Act | Alternet
47 GOP Senators and Members of Congress Violated the Logan Act | Alternet
"The letter by 47 Senators and members of Congress trying to undermine negotiations between Iran, the United States and the 5 + 1 group is a pretty clear violation of the Logan Act"
"The letter by 47 Senators and members of Congress trying to undermine negotiations between Iran, the United States and the 5 + 1 group is a pretty clear violation of the Logan Act"
GOPs Traitorous Letter to Iran: Breathtaking Attempt to Sabotage U.S. Foreign Policy, Stampede U.S. Into War | Alternet
GOPs Traitorous Letter to Iran: Breathtaking Attempt to Sabotage U.S. Foreign Policy, Stampede U.S. Into War | Alternet
"By overwhelming numbers, Americans support diplomacy and do not want another war in the Middle East.
The GOP letter to Iran is an attempt to undermine the negotiating position of our own government -- and to back our own government into a corner that forces it into an unpopular war. That is nothing short of shameful."
"By overwhelming numbers, Americans support diplomacy and do not want another war in the Middle East.
The GOP letter to Iran is an attempt to undermine the negotiating position of our own government -- and to back our own government into a corner that forces it into an unpopular war. That is nothing short of shameful."
New York Daily News blasts Cotton, Cruz, McConnell, and Paul over Iran letter: ‘TRAITORS’
New York Daily News blasts Cotton, Cruz, McConnell, and Paul over Iran letter: ‘TRAITORS’
"the letter could be considered a violation of the Logan Act"
"the letter could be considered a violation of the Logan Act"
‘Embarrassing’: GOP senators get the Constitution wrong while lecturing Iran about US law
‘Embarrassing’: GOP senators get the Constitution wrong while lecturing Iran about US law
"it appears that the senators are the ones who “do not understand our constitutional system or the power to make binding agreements"."
"it appears that the senators are the ones who “do not understand our constitutional system or the power to make binding agreements"."
There’s No More Denying It: Republicans Have Committed Treason
There’s No More Denying It: Republicans Have Committed Treason
"If this were reversed and Democrats were doing this to a Republican president, Fox News and the conservative media would be losing their damn minds. So to the conservatives reading this, spare your bullsh*t about how this isn’t underhanded and corrupt. You damn well know you would be calling for sitting members of Congress to be arrested if this were happening to a Republican in the White House. Hell, when the Dixie Chicks simply criticized President Bush, conservatives threw a massive hissy fit. And that was just a country music band expressing an opinion about a president with which they disagreed. Could you imagine if several congressional leaders from the Democratic party were deliberately trying to sabotage the foreign policy of a Republican president? It is unconscionable how pathetic many conservatives can act. And no, I’m not going to mince words with any of this. The childish invite of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was bad enough, but this letter is a whole other issue. Because what this letter does is it effectively says to Iran that you shouldn’t even listen to this president, because Republicans are going to do whatever they can to undermine his authority.
If that’s not treason, then what is? How is it not betraying your country to actively and willfully carry out such actions as to not only try to sabotage a sitting president’s foreign policy, but to try to embarrass him on an international stage? This showing of disrespect goes beyond the typical partisan politics we see all the time between Democrats and Republicans – this is a blatant betrayal of the office of the President of the United States by members of our Congress."
"If this were reversed and Democrats were doing this to a Republican president, Fox News and the conservative media would be losing their damn minds. So to the conservatives reading this, spare your bullsh*t about how this isn’t underhanded and corrupt. You damn well know you would be calling for sitting members of Congress to be arrested if this were happening to a Republican in the White House. Hell, when the Dixie Chicks simply criticized President Bush, conservatives threw a massive hissy fit. And that was just a country music band expressing an opinion about a president with which they disagreed. Could you imagine if several congressional leaders from the Democratic party were deliberately trying to sabotage the foreign policy of a Republican president? It is unconscionable how pathetic many conservatives can act. And no, I’m not going to mince words with any of this. The childish invite of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was bad enough, but this letter is a whole other issue. Because what this letter does is it effectively says to Iran that you shouldn’t even listen to this president, because Republicans are going to do whatever they can to undermine his authority.
If that’s not treason, then what is? How is it not betraying your country to actively and willfully carry out such actions as to not only try to sabotage a sitting president’s foreign policy, but to try to embarrass him on an international stage? This showing of disrespect goes beyond the typical partisan politics we see all the time between Democrats and Republicans – this is a blatant betrayal of the office of the President of the United States by members of our Congress."
Monday, March 9, 2015
47 Republicans May Have Just Broken the Law By Writing An Outrageous Letter To Iran
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/03/how-not-to-do-diplomacy/
"While the letter’s signatories are U.S. senators, that does not mean they have the “authority of the United States” as required by the law since when it comes to conducting foreign policy, the executive branch is the United States, taking into consideration the occasional “Advice and Consent of the Senate” as prescribed by the Constitution. However, this letter is neither advice, nor consent. It’s directly addressed to leaders of a foreign government presently involved in talks with the U.S., and it is designed to thwart those talks. Unless the senators were authorized by the president to address Iran’s leaders in this letter, a case can be made that 47 U.S. senators just violated a federal law that carries a prison term of up to three years."
"While the letter’s signatories are U.S. senators, that does not mean they have the “authority of the United States” as required by the law since when it comes to conducting foreign policy, the executive branch is the United States, taking into consideration the occasional “Advice and Consent of the Senate” as prescribed by the Constitution. However, this letter is neither advice, nor consent. It’s directly addressed to leaders of a foreign government presently involved in talks with the U.S., and it is designed to thwart those talks. Unless the senators were authorized by the president to address Iran’s leaders in this letter, a case can be made that 47 U.S. senators just violated a federal law that carries a prison term of up to three years."
Why Do Republicans Focus On Make-Believe Scandals? They Have No Winning Policy
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/09/why-do-republicans-focus-on-make-believe-scandals-they-have-no-winning-policy/
"Republicans are liars.
They lie about creating jobs: Keystone XL Pipeline? Lie… it would only create 35 permanent jobs.
They lie about Obama hurting the economy — under Obama the stock market has never been higher and we’ve had consistent job GROWTH since he took office.
What “kills” jobs? Exactly what Republicans want to do and have been doing since Reagan was in office — deregulation and thinking a supply-heavy and driven economy is what works. All lies… just like with a football game; rules are needed to keep the game fair, so the bigger players and teams who want to cheat get called out on their nonsense. And economies that work best recognize that they need to be consumer driven, demand driven. Without a demand for a product, supply is useless. Without people able to afford the product, supply is useless. That’s why we need to raise wages — to put money back in the hands of consumers, to create demand, which in turn creates profit, which in turn creates more jobs and more demand. See how that works?? Democrats get it; however, Republicans want their same strategy of widening in the income gap to give all the money to the top as the rest of America struggles to keep their heads above water. Don’t believe me? Look at wages since Reaganomics took hold"
"Republicans are liars.
They lie about creating jobs: Keystone XL Pipeline? Lie… it would only create 35 permanent jobs.
They lie about Obama hurting the economy — under Obama the stock market has never been higher and we’ve had consistent job GROWTH since he took office.
What “kills” jobs? Exactly what Republicans want to do and have been doing since Reagan was in office — deregulation and thinking a supply-heavy and driven economy is what works. All lies… just like with a football game; rules are needed to keep the game fair, so the bigger players and teams who want to cheat get called out on their nonsense. And economies that work best recognize that they need to be consumer driven, demand driven. Without a demand for a product, supply is useless. Without people able to afford the product, supply is useless. That’s why we need to raise wages — to put money back in the hands of consumers, to create demand, which in turn creates profit, which in turn creates more jobs and more demand. See how that works?? Democrats get it; however, Republicans want their same strategy of widening in the income gap to give all the money to the top as the rest of America struggles to keep their heads above water. Don’t believe me? Look at wages since Reaganomics took hold"
GOP In Chaos: ‘We Really Don’t Have 218 Votes To Determine A Bathroom Break Over Here On Our Side’
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/09/gop-in-chaos-we-really-dont-have-218-votes-to-determine-a-bathroom-break-over-here-on-our-side/
"The Republican Party is being dragged into the black hole of Tea Party rage, paranoia, and stupidity it created to oppose President Obama and has very little chance of breaking free."
"The Republican Party is being dragged into the black hole of Tea Party rage, paranoia, and stupidity it created to oppose President Obama and has very little chance of breaking free."
The Republicans Are Ruthless and Relentless in Their Drive to Push Down Wages | Alternet
The Republicans Are Ruthless and Relentless in Their Drive to Push Down Wages | Alternet
"From the Gilded Age to the Great Depression to today, the economic agenda of conservatives has been easily summarized in two words: "cheap labor"."
"From the Gilded Age to the Great Depression to today, the economic agenda of conservatives has been easily summarized in two words: "cheap labor"."
How to Become a Conservative in Four Embarrassing Steps | Alternet
How to Become a Conservative in Four Embarrassing Steps | Alternet
"1. Ignore Facts
Research shows that conservatives tend to modify facts to accommodate their beliefs and convictions, while liberals are more willing to deal with the complexity of multiple sources of information that help determine the true facts.
In simpler terms, numerous studies (here, here, here, and here) conclude that conservatives are not very smart."
"1. Ignore Facts
Research shows that conservatives tend to modify facts to accommodate their beliefs and convictions, while liberals are more willing to deal with the complexity of multiple sources of information that help determine the true facts.
In simpler terms, numerous studies (here, here, here, and here) conclude that conservatives are not very smart."
Bill O’Reilly’s sick pathology: Why his systematic lying is even worse than reported
Bill O’Reilly’s sick pathology: Why his systematic lying is even worse than reported
"Fox News' bully may be in hot water for lying about his war correspondence. But his lies go much deeper than that"
"Fox News' bully may be in hot water for lying about his war correspondence. But his lies go much deeper than that"
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Saturday, March 7, 2015
President Obama Delivers His Most Profound Speech Ever At Selma Anniversary (TRANSCRIPT/VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/07/president-obama-delivers-his-most-profound-speech-ever-at-selma-anniversary-transcriptvideo/
"President Obama spoke at the 50th Anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’ in Selma, Alabama, on Saturday — and there’s really no way to sum up his words in a few snippets because the entire speech was beyond profound, it was could be considered his best speech to date."
"President Obama spoke at the 50th Anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’ in Selma, Alabama, on Saturday — and there’s really no way to sum up his words in a few snippets because the entire speech was beyond profound, it was could be considered his best speech to date."
From Nixon to Walker: The death of the GOP’s racist ‘Southern Strategy’ has been greatly exaggerated
From Nixon to Walker: The death of the GOP’s racist ‘Southern Strategy’ has been greatly exaggerated
"Walker’s Republican allies also diluted the voice of poor and working-class voters, especially minorities in the state’s industrial cities through a secretively crafted redistricting plan that put Democratic-leaning voters into smaller number of districts. In 2012, the Democrats won 174,000 more votes than the Republicans in Wisconsin legislative races, yet the electorate wound up with an overwhelming 60-39 Republican majority in the Assembly. The Republicans won 46 percent of the vote, but due to the newly drawn districts that translated into 61 percent of the seats."
"Walker’s Republican allies also diluted the voice of poor and working-class voters, especially minorities in the state’s industrial cities through a secretively crafted redistricting plan that put Democratic-leaning voters into smaller number of districts. In 2012, the Democrats won 174,000 more votes than the Republicans in Wisconsin legislative races, yet the electorate wound up with an overwhelming 60-39 Republican majority in the Assembly. The Republicans won 46 percent of the vote, but due to the newly drawn districts that translated into 61 percent of the seats."
Fifty Years On, Gains Achieved by Those Who Bled in Selma Are Under Attack
Fifty Years On, Gains Achieved by Those Who Bled in Selma Are Under Attack
"The push to restrict voting came after a surge in participation among African-Americans and certain other groups in 2008. Recent studies found that the more a state experienced increases in minority and low-income voter turnout, the more likely it was to push and pass laws cutting back on voting rights. The Brennan Center similarly found that of the 11 states with the highest black turnout in 2008, seven passed laws making it harder to vote. Of the 12 states with the largest Hispanic population growth in the 2010 Census, nine states did so. And of the 15 states that used to face special monitoring under the VRA because of a history of racial discrimination in elections, nine states passed laws that make it more difficult to vote."
"The push to restrict voting came after a surge in participation among African-Americans and certain other groups in 2008. Recent studies found that the more a state experienced increases in minority and low-income voter turnout, the more likely it was to push and pass laws cutting back on voting rights. The Brennan Center similarly found that of the 11 states with the highest black turnout in 2008, seven passed laws making it harder to vote. Of the 12 states with the largest Hispanic population growth in the 2010 Census, nine states did so. And of the 15 states that used to face special monitoring under the VRA because of a history of racial discrimination in elections, nine states passed laws that make it more difficult to vote."
50 Years After Bloody Sunday, Voting Rights Are Under Attack | The Nation
50 Years After Bloody Sunday, Voting Rights Are Under Attack | The Nation
"In 2011 and 2012, 180 new voting restrictions were introduced in forty-one states, with new laws adopted in nineteen states that made it harder to vote, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Many of these laws were blocked in court in 2012, but a year later the Supreme Court gutted the VRA, dealing a devastating blow to voting rights. As a result, twenty-one states had new restrictions in place in 2014."
"In 2011 and 2012, 180 new voting restrictions were introduced in forty-one states, with new laws adopted in nineteen states that made it harder to vote, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Many of these laws were blocked in court in 2012, but a year later the Supreme Court gutted the VRA, dealing a devastating blow to voting rights. As a result, twenty-one states had new restrictions in place in 2014."
Obama Delivers Speech to Mark 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights March in Selma
Obama Delivers Speech to Mark 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights March in Selma
"At ceremony commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the historic civil rights march that began in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965, President Barack Obama delivered a speech on Saturday in which he celebrated the spirit and deeds of those who risked their lives facing down local police and state troopers as they demanded equal protection under the law and the right to vote half a century ago."
"At ceremony commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the historic civil rights march that began in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965, President Barack Obama delivered a speech on Saturday in which he celebrated the spirit and deeds of those who risked their lives facing down local police and state troopers as they demanded equal protection under the law and the right to vote half a century ago."
Friday, March 6, 2015
Thanks To President Obama, Unemployment Just Did Something It Hasn’t Done In 30 Years
Thanks To President Obama, Unemployment Just Did Something It Hasn’t Done In 30 Years
"Oh, but I know what most conservatives reading this will say, “What about wage stagnation!?” Listen, wage stagnation has been an issue since Reagan was elected and shoved “trickle-down” economics down all of our throats. Anyone who supports the ridiculous “tax cuts create jobs” propaganda, then says we have a problem with stagnant wages for middle class Americans, is simply admitting that trickle-down economics is a failure."
"Oh, but I know what most conservatives reading this will say, “What about wage stagnation!?” Listen, wage stagnation has been an issue since Reagan was elected and shoved “trickle-down” economics down all of our throats. Anyone who supports the ridiculous “tax cuts create jobs” propaganda, then says we have a problem with stagnant wages for middle class Americans, is simply admitting that trickle-down economics is a failure."
Middle Class Incomes Suffer Without Collective Bargaining | Economic Policy Institute
Middle Class Incomes Suffer Without Collective Bargaining | Economic Policy Institute
"As a broad attack on unions continues, with Republican politicians leading efforts to eliminate unions or weaken them in Illinois and Wisconsin, Missouri and West Virginia, and county-by-county in Kentucky, it’s wise to think about what’s at stake. We now know what happens when employers hold most of the cards and employee power is diminished: profits and CEO pay skyrocket, and worker pay flat lines.
It is no coincidence that, as the Figure shows, the share of income going to the broad middle class began to fall as union membership and power were reduced. The middle 60 percent of families depend primarily on wages for their income, so as the unions’ ability to raise wages diminished, so did the ability of middle class families to earn a fair share of the nation’s growing income."
"As a broad attack on unions continues, with Republican politicians leading efforts to eliminate unions or weaken them in Illinois and Wisconsin, Missouri and West Virginia, and county-by-county in Kentucky, it’s wise to think about what’s at stake. We now know what happens when employers hold most of the cards and employee power is diminished: profits and CEO pay skyrocket, and worker pay flat lines.
It is no coincidence that, as the Figure shows, the share of income going to the broad middle class began to fall as union membership and power were reduced. The middle 60 percent of families depend primarily on wages for their income, so as the unions’ ability to raise wages diminished, so did the ability of middle class families to earn a fair share of the nation’s growing income."
What We Lose With a Privatized Postal Service
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/29463-what-we-lose-with-a-privatized-postal-service
"In 2006, Congress required the Postal Service — known as USPS for short — to “pre-fund” 75 years of its retirees’ health benefits. This added $5.7 billion to its costs last year.
No other private company or federal agency has to pre-fund retirement health care benefits. If they did, many corporations would run huge deficits or tumble into bankruptcy. Without these retiree health payments, USPS would actually turn a profit.
Using the deficit created by this requirement as an excuse, the USPS board of governors is closing distribution centers, cutting worker hours, eliminating delivery routes, and slashing jobs."
"In 2006, Congress required the Postal Service — known as USPS for short — to “pre-fund” 75 years of its retirees’ health benefits. This added $5.7 billion to its costs last year.
No other private company or federal agency has to pre-fund retirement health care benefits. If they did, many corporations would run huge deficits or tumble into bankruptcy. Without these retiree health payments, USPS would actually turn a profit.
Using the deficit created by this requirement as an excuse, the USPS board of governors is closing distribution centers, cutting worker hours, eliminating delivery routes, and slashing jobs."
Reporters And Lawyers Who Worked On Murdered Nuns Case Blast O'Reilly's Tall Tales
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/03/05/reporters-and-lawyers-who-worked-on-murdered-nu/202762
"Bill O'Reilly's false claim that he witnessed the brutal 1980 murders of four American women in El Salvador -- and his excuse, after his lie was exposed, that he meant he saw photos of their bodies -- is drawing harsh criticism from journalists who covered the story and lawyers who worked with the nuns' families to bring justice in the case."
"Bill O'Reilly's false claim that he witnessed the brutal 1980 murders of four American women in El Salvador -- and his excuse, after his lie was exposed, that he meant he saw photos of their bodies -- is drawing harsh criticism from journalists who covered the story and lawyers who worked with the nuns' families to bring justice in the case."
Thursday, March 5, 2015
The Only Physicist In Congress Finally Able To Join Science Committee, Vows To Explain Science To Colleagues
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/03/the-only-physicist-in-congress-finally-able-to-join-science-committee-vows-to-explain-science-to-colleagues/
"If asking an actual scientist to help oversee Congress’s decisions regarding science funding and research seems kind of like a no-brainer, then you are officially smarter than Congress. Unlike Foster, most of the Republican-led Science Committee is filled with politicians who are intentionally anti-science."
"If asking an actual scientist to help oversee Congress’s decisions regarding science funding and research seems kind of like a no-brainer, then you are officially smarter than Congress. Unlike Foster, most of the Republican-led Science Committee is filled with politicians who are intentionally anti-science."
Welcome to the New Corporate Feudalism
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/29456-welcome-to-the-new-corporate-feudalism
"This is a disaster in the making for Wisconsin.
Workers in right to work-for-less-states make less money, get skimpier health benefits and are more likely to die on the job than their workers in non-right-to-work-for-less states.
The line from Wisconsin Republicans, of course, is that the proposed right-work-for-less law will improve their state's economy and help build the middle class. But in reality, the exact opposite will happen."
"This is a disaster in the making for Wisconsin.
Workers in right to work-for-less-states make less money, get skimpier health benefits and are more likely to die on the job than their workers in non-right-to-work-for-less states.
The line from Wisconsin Republicans, of course, is that the proposed right-work-for-less law will improve their state's economy and help build the middle class. But in reality, the exact opposite will happen."
Everglades To Be Killed This October by Florida's Own Koch Brothers | Alternet
Everglades To Be Killed This October by Florida's Own Koch Brothers | Alternet
"Most Floridians don't even know who they are. I wish I didn't. You probably haven't heard of them.
But you are paying them.
TIME magazine has called them the "First Family of Corporate Welfare"
John Ellis Bush (JEB), Rick Scott, and other GOP politicians kowtow to this family like no other. They were a top donor for W. And they are almost singlehandedly destroying our Everglades.
Welcome to Keeping up with the Fanjul family of Palm Beach. The Fanjul family is synonymous with the term "Big Sugar" here in Florida. They control 1/3 of our nation's raw sugar.
This family collects over 60 million a year in Federal subsidies. As a result, you pay an artificially high price for raw sugar, but of course that's not all. You not only support their hedonistic lifestyle (such as Casa De Campo, their 7000 acre multimillion resort), horrible labor practices, and right-wing politics: you support the killing of our Everglades National Park."
"Most Floridians don't even know who they are. I wish I didn't. You probably haven't heard of them.
But you are paying them.
TIME magazine has called them the "First Family of Corporate Welfare"
John Ellis Bush (JEB), Rick Scott, and other GOP politicians kowtow to this family like no other. They were a top donor for W. And they are almost singlehandedly destroying our Everglades.
Welcome to Keeping up with the Fanjul family of Palm Beach. The Fanjul family is synonymous with the term "Big Sugar" here in Florida. They control 1/3 of our nation's raw sugar.
This family collects over 60 million a year in Federal subsidies. As a result, you pay an artificially high price for raw sugar, but of course that's not all. You not only support their hedonistic lifestyle (such as Casa De Campo, their 7000 acre multimillion resort), horrible labor practices, and right-wing politics: you support the killing of our Everglades National Park."
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Middle Class Incomes Suffer Without Collective Bargaining | Economic Policy Institute
Middle Class Incomes Suffer Without Collective Bargaining | Economic Policy Institute
"As a broad attack on unions continues, with Republican politicians leading efforts to eliminate unions or weaken them in Illinois and Wisconsin, Missouri and West Virginia, and county-by-county in Kentucky, it’s wise to think about what’s at stake. We now know what happens when employers hold most of the cards and employee power is diminished: profits and CEO pay skyrocket, and worker pay flat lines."
"As a broad attack on unions continues, with Republican politicians leading efforts to eliminate unions or weaken them in Illinois and Wisconsin, Missouri and West Virginia, and county-by-county in Kentucky, it’s wise to think about what’s at stake. We now know what happens when employers hold most of the cards and employee power is diminished: profits and CEO pay skyrocket, and worker pay flat lines."
Shooting the Messenger: ALEC Allies Attack Academic Studies on Right to Work
Shooting the Messenger: ALEC Allies Attack Academic Studies on Right to Work
"The leading study on the economic effects of right-to-work, from Elise Gould and Heidi Shierholz (who is now Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor), found that wages in right-to-work states overall are $1,500 lower."
"The leading study on the economic effects of right-to-work, from Elise Gould and Heidi Shierholz (who is now Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor), found that wages in right-to-work states overall are $1,500 lower."
O'Reilly Justifies Fantasies by Making Bellicose Macho Threats
O'Reilly Justifies Fantasies by Making Bellicose Macho Threats
"When you build a propaganda TV network that specializes in wrapping fiction and false information around diced-up news, you have to react to charges of lying in a manner that appeals to the ignorance, prejudices and fear of your audience. In short, you can't admit that you strategically falsify information to appeal and influence a biased emotional world view, one that regularly propagates the image of heroic, virtuous and morally superior white males. Therefore, neither O'Reilly nor Fox could concede that "Bill-O" concocted stories of his own heroism and valor (even though they primarily occurred before he was with Fox).
In fact, given that many Fox viewers are locked into the myth of being victimized and misinformed by a "liberal media," the proven charges against O'Reilly were just red meat for him - a chance for him to react brashly, as if he is above reproach. More significant than words or excuses is what O'Reilly conveys emotionally to his aging white viewers: He is a white male who doesn't back down and his virtue is unchallengeable."
"When you build a propaganda TV network that specializes in wrapping fiction and false information around diced-up news, you have to react to charges of lying in a manner that appeals to the ignorance, prejudices and fear of your audience. In short, you can't admit that you strategically falsify information to appeal and influence a biased emotional world view, one that regularly propagates the image of heroic, virtuous and morally superior white males. Therefore, neither O'Reilly nor Fox could concede that "Bill-O" concocted stories of his own heroism and valor (even though they primarily occurred before he was with Fox).
In fact, given that many Fox viewers are locked into the myth of being victimized and misinformed by a "liberal media," the proven charges against O'Reilly were just red meat for him - a chance for him to react brashly, as if he is above reproach. More significant than words or excuses is what O'Reilly conveys emotionally to his aging white viewers: He is a white male who doesn't back down and his virtue is unchallengeable."
Clear Proof Bill O'Reilly is a Serial Liar About His Past | Alternet
Clear Proof Bill O'Reilly is a Serial Liar About His Past | Alternet
"Fox News' Bill O'Reilly has been under fire following a series of revelations that seem to show he lied about numerous major reporting milestones in his career, from witnessing the murder of nuns in El Salvador to being witness to combat in the Falklands War to personally seeing the suicide of a figure involved in the JFK assassination investigation.
O'Reilly and his bosses at Fox have tried to explain away these apparent lies as simply matters of semantics, for example, claiming that he simply meant he viewed photographs of the assassinated nuns.
But a pair of new investigations provides the most damning evidence yet that O'Reilly outright lied about several events in his career"
"Fox News' Bill O'Reilly has been under fire following a series of revelations that seem to show he lied about numerous major reporting milestones in his career, from witnessing the murder of nuns in El Salvador to being witness to combat in the Falklands War to personally seeing the suicide of a figure involved in the JFK assassination investigation.
O'Reilly and his bosses at Fox have tried to explain away these apparent lies as simply matters of semantics, for example, claiming that he simply meant he viewed photographs of the assassinated nuns.
But a pair of new investigations provides the most damning evidence yet that O'Reilly outright lied about several events in his career"
Boehner caves, Pelosi triumphs as House passes 'clean' Homeland Security funding bill
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/03/1368301/-Boehner-caves-Pelosi-triumphs-as-House-passes-clean-Homeland-Security-funding-bill
"Speaker John "there's no deal" Boehner finally yielded to House Democrats and the saner members of his caucus, holding a vote to pass a "clean" bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security through September 30. The bill passed, 257-167, with Democrats providing a boost of 182 votes. Not a single Democrat voted against the bill."
"Speaker John "there's no deal" Boehner finally yielded to House Democrats and the saner members of his caucus, holding a vote to pass a "clean" bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security through September 30. The bill passed, 257-167, with Democrats providing a boost of 182 votes. Not a single Democrat voted against the bill."
Why Louisiana Is Facing A Health Care Disaster
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/03/04/3628712/jindal-healthcare-obamacare/
"Because Jindal has refused to set up a state health care exchange or expand Medicaid, as many as 250,000 Louisianans could lose their coverage.
The damage could be exacerbated if the state legislature approves the budget Jindal released last week. Faced with a $1.6 billion budget shortfall and unwilling to raise any taxes, the Governor’s new proposal would further slash spending from an already struggling state health care system. Louisiana’s hospitals say they need a $142 million increase in funding to be able to serve the population — especially the poor and uninsured who turn to emergency rooms for primary health care. Instead, Jindal’s budget cuts funding for the Department of Health and Hospitals by nearly $15 million.
Soon, these cuts will have a real impact. In less than a month, the emergency room at Baton Rouge General Hospital — which saw more than 45,000 patients last year — will close its doors. Urgent care clinics in the area are currently scrambling to expand in time to take on those additional patients. And if the legislature can’t find about $10 million in funding, a network of health clinics that serves about 60,000 New Orleans-area residents will also shut down."
"Because Jindal has refused to set up a state health care exchange or expand Medicaid, as many as 250,000 Louisianans could lose their coverage.
The damage could be exacerbated if the state legislature approves the budget Jindal released last week. Faced with a $1.6 billion budget shortfall and unwilling to raise any taxes, the Governor’s new proposal would further slash spending from an already struggling state health care system. Louisiana’s hospitals say they need a $142 million increase in funding to be able to serve the population — especially the poor and uninsured who turn to emergency rooms for primary health care. Instead, Jindal’s budget cuts funding for the Department of Health and Hospitals by nearly $15 million.
Soon, these cuts will have a real impact. In less than a month, the emergency room at Baton Rouge General Hospital — which saw more than 45,000 patients last year — will close its doors. Urgent care clinics in the area are currently scrambling to expand in time to take on those additional patients. And if the legislature can’t find about $10 million in funding, a network of health clinics that serves about 60,000 New Orleans-area residents will also shut down."
Minnesota Republicans Look To Gain From Walker's Folly
Minnesota Republicans Look To Gain From Walker's Folly
"Increasingly over the past few years, Minnesota has been kicking Wisconsin's butt on almost every economic measure. Minnesota has lower unemployment, higher wages and a better gross domestic product.
With Scott Walker poised to ram Right To Woe down Wisconsin's collective throat, the gap between the two states are about to grow even bigger as Minnesota State Representative Pat Garofalo, a Republican, seeks to capitalize on Walker's folly"
"Increasingly over the past few years, Minnesota has been kicking Wisconsin's butt on almost every economic measure. Minnesota has lower unemployment, higher wages and a better gross domestic product.
With Scott Walker poised to ram Right To Woe down Wisconsin's collective throat, the gap between the two states are about to grow even bigger as Minnesota State Representative Pat Garofalo, a Republican, seeks to capitalize on Walker's folly"
“Cultural fascism has arrived”: How the GOP blew its outreach to racial minorities
“Cultural fascism has arrived”: How the GOP blew its outreach to racial minorities
"Despite their best efforts to suppress the vote, gerrymander districts in their favor and otherwise try to rig the system, they simply cannot win a national election unless they change their approach toward racial minorities. At the moment the white tail is wagging the multicolor dog and there’s little evidence that’s going to change any time soon."
"Despite their best efforts to suppress the vote, gerrymander districts in their favor and otherwise try to rig the system, they simply cannot win a national election unless they change their approach toward racial minorities. At the moment the white tail is wagging the multicolor dog and there’s little evidence that’s going to change any time soon."
From Nixon to Walker: The death of the GOP’s racist ‘Southern Strategy’ has been greatly exaggerated
From Nixon to Walker: The death of the GOP’s racist ‘Southern Strategy’ has been greatly exaggerated
"Walker’s Republican allies also diluted the voice of poor and working-class voters, especially minorities in the state’s industrial cities through a secretively crafted redistricting plan that put Democratic-leaning voters into smaller number of districts. In 2012, the Democrats won 174,000 more votes than the Republicans in Wisconsin legislative races, yet the electorate wound up with an overwhelming 60-39 Republican majority in the Assembly. The Republicans won 46 percent of the vote, but due to the newly drawn districts that translated into 61 percent of the seats."
"Walker’s Republican allies also diluted the voice of poor and working-class voters, especially minorities in the state’s industrial cities through a secretively crafted redistricting plan that put Democratic-leaning voters into smaller number of districts. In 2012, the Democrats won 174,000 more votes than the Republicans in Wisconsin legislative races, yet the electorate wound up with an overwhelming 60-39 Republican majority in the Assembly. The Republicans won 46 percent of the vote, but due to the newly drawn districts that translated into 61 percent of the seats."
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Wait Till You Hear What Petraeus Handed Over To His Mistress
Wait Till You Hear What Petraeus Handed Over To His Mistress
"All eight books “collectively contained classified information regarding the identifies of covert officers, war strategy, intelligence capabilities and mechanisms, diplomatic discussions, quotes and deliberative discussions from high-level National Security Council meetings… and discussions with the president of the United States.
The books also contained “national defense information, including top secret/SCI and code word information,” according to the court papers. In other words: These weren’t just ordinary secrets. This was highly, highly classified material."
"All eight books “collectively contained classified information regarding the identifies of covert officers, war strategy, intelligence capabilities and mechanisms, diplomatic discussions, quotes and deliberative discussions from high-level National Security Council meetings… and discussions with the president of the United States.
The books also contained “national defense information, including top secret/SCI and code word information,” according to the court papers. In other words: These weren’t just ordinary secrets. This was highly, highly classified material."
Christie Obscures Big Wall Street Gift In Fine Print
Christie Obscures Big Wall Street Gift In Fine Print
"Under Chris Christie, the New Jersey pension system paid more than $600 million in fees to financial firms in 2014 -- 50 percent more than a year ago, and a higher rate than almost any other state reports paying for pension management. The figures are buried within an otherwise routine annual report that appeared to change the way the fees were counted to make them look smaller than they actually are.
That accounting change comes at a time when the Christie administration is under scrutiny for investing pension money in high-fee firms whose executives made campaign contributions to Republican political groups. The move obscuring the increase in reported fees also comes on the heels of Christie telling New Jersey teachers, firefighters, cops and other public workers that “there are no alternatives” to cutting their retirement benefits because the state pension system is so strapped for cash."
"Under Chris Christie, the New Jersey pension system paid more than $600 million in fees to financial firms in 2014 -- 50 percent more than a year ago, and a higher rate than almost any other state reports paying for pension management. The figures are buried within an otherwise routine annual report that appeared to change the way the fees were counted to make them look smaller than they actually are.
That accounting change comes at a time when the Christie administration is under scrutiny for investing pension money in high-fee firms whose executives made campaign contributions to Republican political groups. The move obscuring the increase in reported fees also comes on the heels of Christie telling New Jersey teachers, firefighters, cops and other public workers that “there are no alternatives” to cutting their retirement benefits because the state pension system is so strapped for cash."
Exposing Libertarianism: The Belief That We Should Give More Power to Those Who Are Corrupting Government
Exposing Libertarianism: The Belief That We Should Give More Power to Those Who Are Corrupting Government
"In a perfect libertarian utopia where things like human nature, greed, reality and facts didn’t exist, libertarianism might work. But, unfortunately for libertarians, all of those things do exist. That’s why when I ask them to name a successful society, either now or in the past, that’s been built on their ideologies – they can’t name one. The truth remains that libertarianism is built on fantasy and driven by the avoidance of reality."
"In a perfect libertarian utopia where things like human nature, greed, reality and facts didn’t exist, libertarianism might work. But, unfortunately for libertarians, all of those things do exist. That’s why when I ask them to name a successful society, either now or in the past, that’s been built on their ideologies – they can’t name one. The truth remains that libertarianism is built on fantasy and driven by the avoidance of reality."
The Libre Initiative: A Koch-Funded Group Being Passed Off As Empowering Hispanics
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/03/02/the-libre-initiative-a-koch-funded-group-being/202450
"Fox News is passing off the Koch-funded Libre Initiative as a grassroots organization founded "to empower Hispanics" and advance "liberty, freedom and prosperity." In reality, the group urges Hispanics to support policies that experts say go "against their own interests" and "disenfranchise Hispanic voters."
The Libre Initiative was founded in 2011 and claims to be a "non-partisan, non-profit grassroots organization that advances the principles and values of economic freedom to empower the U.S. Hispanic community." The group "has a presence in eight states" and "plans to expand to Wisconsin and North Carolina this year and increase its staff by about 30 percent ahead of 2016."
Fox has portrayed the group as the product of "a coalition of Hispanic leadership organizations." But Libre is staffed by veteran Republican operatives, and the group has received over $10 million in funding from oil billionaires Charles and David Koch."
"Fox News is passing off the Koch-funded Libre Initiative as a grassroots organization founded "to empower Hispanics" and advance "liberty, freedom and prosperity." In reality, the group urges Hispanics to support policies that experts say go "against their own interests" and "disenfranchise Hispanic voters."
The Libre Initiative was founded in 2011 and claims to be a "non-partisan, non-profit grassroots organization that advances the principles and values of economic freedom to empower the U.S. Hispanic community." The group "has a presence in eight states" and "plans to expand to Wisconsin and North Carolina this year and increase its staff by about 30 percent ahead of 2016."
Fox has portrayed the group as the product of "a coalition of Hispanic leadership organizations." But Libre is staffed by veteran Republican operatives, and the group has received over $10 million in funding from oil billionaires Charles and David Koch."
Koch Mandates to Cut Education Spending Spread Like a Cancer
Koch Mandates to Cut Education Spending Spread Like a Cancer
"The Koch brothers' philosophy of the consolidation of wealth by the few is spreading like a cancer. Just look at how their hand-picked governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker - who received massive financial backing from the Kochs - is now being touted in the corporate media as a Republican contender for president in 2016.
Walker, who never graduated from college (leaving Marquette University in Milwaukee for mysterious reasons), has mercilessly attacked education in Wisconsin - starting with the teachers unions and recently extending to the University of Wisconsin."
"The Koch brothers' philosophy of the consolidation of wealth by the few is spreading like a cancer. Just look at how their hand-picked governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker - who received massive financial backing from the Kochs - is now being touted in the corporate media as a Republican contender for president in 2016.
Walker, who never graduated from college (leaving Marquette University in Milwaukee for mysterious reasons), has mercilessly attacked education in Wisconsin - starting with the teachers unions and recently extending to the University of Wisconsin."
Right-To-Work Laws: Designed To Hurt Unions and Lower Wages
Right-To-Work Laws: Designed To Hurt Unions and Lower Wages
"RTW is associated with a $1,500 reduction in annualized wages, on average, even when the analysis takes into account lower prices in those states. (On average, wages in RTW states are nearly $6,000 less.)"
"RTW is associated with a $1,500 reduction in annualized wages, on average, even when the analysis takes into account lower prices in those states. (On average, wages in RTW states are nearly $6,000 less.)"
5 Signs Scott Walker Is Using GOP’s Racist 'Southern Strategy' to Win in 2016 | Alternet
5 Signs Scott Walker Is Using GOP’s Racist 'Southern Strategy' to Win in 2016 | Alternet
"The legacy of “right to work” laws reaches back to the 1930s, when white supremacists like oil lobbyist Vance Muse initially pioneered the concept to divide and eliminate unions. Muse formed the Christian American Alliance to spread the combined gospel of racism and anti-unionism, pushing the “right-to-work” notion and developing alliances with like-minded groups including the Ku Klux Klan. Muse concluded that the only solution for maintaining segregation was to make union membership or any payment of union dues or fees voluntary. Without such laws, whites would be “forced” to mingle with blacks, although there had been many interracial unions over previous decades.
Crude as it was, Muse’s segregationist argument intersected perfectly with the mentality of corporate managers committed to holding down wages. They recognized that Muse’s “right-to-work” concept would serve to break up unified worker efforts to claim therights granted under the 1935 National Labor Relations Act. Some major corporations directly fused the segregationist and anti-union appeals."
"The legacy of “right to work” laws reaches back to the 1930s, when white supremacists like oil lobbyist Vance Muse initially pioneered the concept to divide and eliminate unions. Muse formed the Christian American Alliance to spread the combined gospel of racism and anti-unionism, pushing the “right-to-work” notion and developing alliances with like-minded groups including the Ku Klux Klan. Muse concluded that the only solution for maintaining segregation was to make union membership or any payment of union dues or fees voluntary. Without such laws, whites would be “forced” to mingle with blacks, although there had been many interracial unions over previous decades.
Crude as it was, Muse’s segregationist argument intersected perfectly with the mentality of corporate managers committed to holding down wages. They recognized that Muse’s “right-to-work” concept would serve to break up unified worker efforts to claim therights granted under the 1935 National Labor Relations Act. Some major corporations directly fused the segregationist and anti-union appeals."
Full Koch Press for ALEC Right-to-Work Bill in Wisconsin
Full Koch Press for ALEC Right-to-Work Bill in Wisconsin
"Wisconsin is governed by the 43 ALEC members who make up the leadership and GOP majority of both houses. Governor Scott Walker is an ALEC alumnus who signed 19 ALEC bills into office in his first year as governor."
"Wisconsin is governed by the 43 ALEC members who make up the leadership and GOP majority of both houses. Governor Scott Walker is an ALEC alumnus who signed 19 ALEC bills into office in his first year as governor."
Monday, March 2, 2015
Republican Rep. Peter King Annihilates ‘Delusional Wing’ of GOP (Video)
Republican Rep. Peter King Annihilates ‘Delusional Wing’ of GOP (Video)
"So it’s nice to hear Rep. King basically acknowledge how his party has made a conscious effort since 2008 to do everything it possibly can to make people irrationally loathe and hate this president. And what we’re seeing now – blind opposition to anything and everything he supports – is the result of those blatant and calculated campaigns of lies and misinformation levied against President Obama by the GOP."
"So it’s nice to hear Rep. King basically acknowledge how his party has made a conscious effort since 2008 to do everything it possibly can to make people irrationally loathe and hate this president. And what we’re seeing now – blind opposition to anything and everything he supports – is the result of those blatant and calculated campaigns of lies and misinformation levied against President Obama by the GOP."
Boehner’s worst failure yet: Incompetence, near-shutdown & sorry state of GOP “governance”
Boehner’s worst failure yet: Incompetence, near-shutdown & sorry state of GOP “governance”
"There are a lot of words to describe that process, but “governance” is not one of them."
"There are a lot of words to describe that process, but “governance” is not one of them."
It’s worse than Scott Walker and Ted Cruz: Secrets of conservatives’ decades-long war on truth
It’s worse than Scott Walker and Ted Cruz: Secrets of conservatives’ decades-long war on truth
"When Governor Walker replaced “the search for truth” with “meet the state’s workforce needs” in the charge to the University of Wisconsin, he did not make an error. He was articulating the principle that has driven Movement Conservatives since their earliest days: Facts and arguments can only lead Americans toward a government that regulates business and supports working Americans, and they must be squelched."
"When Governor Walker replaced “the search for truth” with “meet the state’s workforce needs” in the charge to the University of Wisconsin, he did not make an error. He was articulating the principle that has driven Movement Conservatives since their earliest days: Facts and arguments can only lead Americans toward a government that regulates business and supports working Americans, and they must be squelched."
Bill O'Reilly's Meltdown and the 10 Most Disgraceful Moments From the Fox News Hall of Shame | Alternet
Bill O'Reilly's Meltdown and the 10 Most Disgraceful Moments From the Fox News Hall of Shame | Alternet
"Quite often, Fox News is too busy being racist and xenophobic to let facts get in the way."
"Quite often, Fox News is too busy being racist and xenophobic to let facts get in the way."
42 Statements Made By Ted Cruz Were Fact-Checked – The Only One That Was True Was About Toilets
42 Statements Made By Ted Cruz Were Fact-Checked – The Only One That Was True Was About Toilets
"As most people are well aware, Cruz is possibly the most absurd member of our Congress. It has been clear since the very beginning that Cruz has had no intention of actually governing while serving as a U.S. Senator. He has essentially used his time as a senator to set up his glaringly obvious intention to run for president in 2016. Nearly everything that comes out of his mouth is nothing more than some sort of drivel he believes that ultra right-wing conservative voters want to hear, because he’s well aware that those are the most consistent voters during primary season."
"As most people are well aware, Cruz is possibly the most absurd member of our Congress. It has been clear since the very beginning that Cruz has had no intention of actually governing while serving as a U.S. Senator. He has essentially used his time as a senator to set up his glaringly obvious intention to run for president in 2016. Nearly everything that comes out of his mouth is nothing more than some sort of drivel he believes that ultra right-wing conservative voters want to hear, because he’s well aware that those are the most consistent voters during primary season."
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