Right-Wing Attack On Pelosi Over ‘Union Hypocrisy’ Systematically Debunked

Thankfully, Think Progress put this smear campaign to rest...

House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has made passing critical labor reforms, like raising the minimum wage and enacting the Employee Free Choice Act, a priority for the 110th Congress. To distract from that effort, right-wing media outlets are now engaged in an effort to tar Pelosi as anti-worker.

The conservative claim, initiated by Hoover Institution fellow Peter Schweizer, is that Pelosi and her husband are guilty of hypocrisy over workers’ rights because they own a vineyard in Napa Valley that is non-union. The claim has filtered up through the blogs to Fox News and conservative print outlets like Investor’s Business Daily.

Last night, the ABC News affiliate in San Francisco filed an investigative report that systematically debunks the charge.

Here are the key facts:

1) Pelosi treats her workers better than unionized vineyard workers. “The Pelosis pay more than union workers are paid in the same valley — that from the pastor at St. Helena’s Catholic Church, a well known advocate for farm workers who’s involved in labor negotiations with the same labor manager the Pelosis use. … Monsignor Brenkle says the Pelosis pay a $1.25 an hour more than workers at Napa’s biggest union winery. … Of the more than 300 vineyards, fewer than four are union, and most of the farm workers in the Napa Valley get paid better.”

2) Pelosi is prohibited by law from helping her workers unionize. If Pelosi wanted to have union workers, “she could not ask the union for a contract. It’s illegal and has been since 1975.” Marc Grossman of the United Farm Workers Union explains: “It is patently illegal for any grower to even discuss a union contract, which is the only way you can supply union workers, without the workers first having voted in a state conducted secret ballot election.”

An ABC News reporter asked Peter Schweizer “if he had researched those facts before he called Pelosi a hypocrite.” Schweitzer responded, “It’s not my responsibility to go and find out how every single particular circumstance is handled on the Pelosi vineyard.” Why burden yourself with the facts?

VIDEO / LINK: Right-Wing Attack On Pelosi Over ‘Union Hypocrisy’ Systematically Debunked

Take that, Peter Schweizer!

-Mr. Joseph

MSNBC, Malkin, Drudge, and C-SPAN caller smear Pres. Carter

From Think Progress...

During an interview, an anonymous C-SPAN viewer called former President Jimmy Carter “a bigot and a racist and an anti-Semite,” and accused him of “cozying up with every dictator, thug, Islamic terrorist there is.”

Video of the exchange is being promoted by several popular right-wing websites, including the Drudge Report and Michelle Malkin’s Hot Air.

Apparently, the rantings of this random C-SPAN viewer are considered “news.” MSNBC has already run two segments today on this irrelevant non-story, one titled “Carter Controversy” and another called, “Pres. Carter: Anti-Semetic?”

LINK: MSNBC Airs Multiple Segments On C-SPAN Caller Smearing President Carter

From Hot Air...

Carter went on to reject the charge “with enthusiasm” and a cheesy grin on his face.

Michelle Malkin is a bitch. Drudge had the decency not to make a comment.

The whole thing is disgusting. Jimmy Carter should be remembered as the most dignified U.S. President of recent times.

-Mr. Joseph

Gore Rips into Bush; Answers Tough Questions

From Think Progress...

On NBC, former Vice President Al Gore called Iraq the “worst strategic mistake in the history of the United States.” He urged President Bush “to try to separate out the personal issues of being blamed in history for this mistake and instead recognize it’s not about him. It’s about our country and we all have to find a way to get our troops home and to prevent a regional conflagration there.”

TRANSCRIPT:

GORE: The fact is, this is a very bad situation. Our country has to find a way to get our troops out as quickly as possible without making the situation even worse in the manner of our leaving.

LAUER: It’s described by some as cut and stay as opposed to cut and run. Does it [the Baker-Hamilton report] do enough to acknowledge the results of the mid-term elections and the message voters sending this administration — if these are listened to, these recommendations?

GORE: Well, the report this morning is actually one of several studies. There is one in the Pentagon. There has been reportedly been one in the White House itself. They are all basically saying the same thing, Matt. This is an utter disaster. This worst strategic mistake in the history of the United States. We as a nation have to find a way, in George Mitchell’s words, to manage a disaster. But I would urge the president not to — to try to separate out the personal issues of being blamed in history for this mistake and instead recognize it’s not about him. It’s about our country and we all have to find a way to get our troops home and to prevent a regional conflagration there.

VIDEO / LINK: Gore To Bush On Iraq: It’s Not About You

...

Also, from Men.Style.com...

AL GORE: MOVIE STAR

A former vice president tells the Truth, ignites a global debate, and suddenly looks like a dark-horse candidate. GQ.com presents the complete Al Gore Q&A, including what he really thinks about George W. Bush.

So if you decide to run, do you think we would see the Al Gore from the movie? Or the Al Gore from 2000?
Well, I don’t plan to run. I don’t plan to run. And I don’t expect to run.

How many times a day does somebody ask you this?
Well, I’m doing a lot of interviews and it’s on the list of questions. For every one of them. And I appreciate that. I appreciate that people think enough of me still in that world to ask that question. It’s true that I haven’t, uh, gotten to the point where I am willing to completely rule it out for all time. But, that is really more a matter of the internal shifting of gears. I’m not making plans to run again.

But you’re not ruling it out?
Uh… no. [smiles]

Do you know if President Bush has seen the movie yet?
Well, he claimed that would not see it. That’s why I wrote the book. He’s a reader.

What page do you think he’s on?
I would encourage him to see the movie and read the book. I wish that he would.

Don’t you find it appalling that he won’t?
Well, you know, he’s probably no more objective about me than I am about him.

So have you been offered any other movie parts?
Yes! I actually just performed a voice-over role in a movie last week. I am reprising my role as a disembodied head in Futurama, which is being made into a movie. There are a significant number of people who appear not to know or care that I was Vice President of the United States, but who are very tuned into the fact that I uttered the immortal line, “I have ridden the mighty moonworm.”

And that’s so much more important. So do you think you’ll get an Oscar nomination?
For the disembodied head?

For An Inconvenient Truth.
Well, I think the movie deserves one. I’m not eligible; the movie is. But I don’t want to jinx it by talking about it.

Do you think you have ever been more popular?
Ahhhh. I think non-candidates are inherently more popular than candidates.

What is your relationship with the Clintons like now?
Good. Fine. Uh, I saw him today. We see them every once in a while.

Do you like her?
Sure. We worked together for 8 years, and uh, I think she’s, uh… very capable.

Could she win?
I’m not gonna get drawn into speculation about the potential candidates in 2008.

Okay, then let me ask you this. If you had to have a drink with someone tonight, and it was Bill or Hillary, you couldn’t pick both but you had to pick one, whom would you pick?
Well, Bill doesn’t drink.

Are you sure?
I’m pretty sure, yeah. So, if that were the criterion, to have a drink with them and she’s the only one that does, then it would be her. You know, it’s not the same now as it was, of course. A lot of water under the bridge. But we have been through a lot together and I wish them both well.

Do you want your daughter Karenna to go into politics?
I want her to do what she wants to do. I think her judgment is so good, and if she were to decide to go into politics, she would be soooo good. If I had half of the skills that she has, I would definitely be in my second term as president right now.

What does she have that you don’t have?
Perfect pitch.

Okay, on to 9-11. What were you really feeling? Was there a part of you that felt a sense of relief that you weren’t in charge that day?
You mean a sense of relief that I didn’t have to deal with it? Oh no. Not at all. Not for one second. Not for one second. Why would I? I mean, well first of all, it just didn’t occur to me to feel anything like that. What did occur to me was to feel what every American felt, the outrage and anger and righteous anger, and support for the President at a time of danger… And, honestly, I was focused on the reality of the situation. And I wasn’t president, so, you know, it wasn’t about me. Now, I do wish, now that we have some distance from the events, and we have all this knowledge about what this administration did do, I certainly feel that I wish that it had been handled differently, and I do wish that I had somehow been able to prevent some of the catastrophic mistakes that were made.

Do you feel that we would be safer today if you had been president on that day?
Well, no one can say that the 9-11 attack wouldn’t have occurred whoever was president.

Really? How about all the warnings?
That’s a separate question. And it’s almost too easy to say, “I would
have heeded the warnings.” In fact, I think I would have, I know I would have. We had several instances when the CIA’s alarm bells went off, and what we did when that happened was, we had emergency meetings and called everybody together and made sure that all systems were go and every agency was hitting on all cylinders, and we made them bring more information, and go into the second and third and fourth level of detail. And made suggestions on how we could respond in a more coordinated, more effective way. It is inconceivable to me that Bush would read a warning as stark and as clear [voice angry now] as the one he received on August 6th of 2001, and, according to some of the new histories, he turned to the briefer and said, “Well, you’ve covered your ass.” And never called a follow up meeting. Never made an inquiry. Never asked a single question. To this day, I don’t understand it. And, I think it’s fair to say that he personally does in fact bear a measure of blame for not doing his job at a time when we really needed him to do his job. And now the Woodward book has this episode that has been confirmed by the record that George Tenet, who was much abused by this administration, went over to the White House for the purpose of calling an emergency meeting and warning as clearly as possible about the extremely dangerous situation with Osama bin Laden, and was brushed off! And I don’t know why—honestly—I mean, I understand how horrible this Congressman Foley situation with the instant messaging is, okay? I understand that. But, why didn’t these kinds of things produce a similar outrage? And you know, I’m even reluctant to talk about it in these terms because it’s so easy for people to hear this or read this as sort of cheap political game-playing. I understand how it could sound that way. [Practically screaming now] But dammit, whatever happened to the concept of accountability for catastrophic failure? This administration has been by far the most incompetent, inept, and with more moral cowardice, and obsequiousness to their wealthy contributors, and obliviousness to the public interest of any administration in modern history, and probably in the entire history of the country!

But how do you really feel?
(cracks up)

What’s the nicest thing you can say about George Bush?
He made a terrific appointment of Ben Bernanke as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

Ok, Is there a second best thing?
I can’t think of another one, actually.

When you see the state things are in now, don’t you feel an obligation to run?
Well, I don’t think I have to apologize for devoting my life to trying to solve the most serious challenge our civilization’s ever faced. But I do understand the nature of the question, and as I said, I haven’t completely ruled it out. It’s just that I don’t expect to—and I don’t really believe that that is necessarily the best use of my skills and experience. [sticks his tongue out and crosses his eyes]

Do you like yourself more now? Do you have more fun now?
Well, you know the old Kris Kristofferson song that Janis Joplin made famous, “Me and Bobby McGee”? It has a great line: Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose. There’s some aspects of that involved here.

What kind of freedom do you feel now that you didn’t feel when you were running?
You know my all time favorite Onion headline—you read The Onion?—sometime in the summer of 2001, the lead story on the front page had a picture of Tipper and me, and the headline was, “Gores Enjoying Best Sex of Their Lives.” And she said, “How did they know?”

Do you have any advice on keeping a marriage together?
I think basically Tipper is the key to it.

Really?
Yeah. Love is such a complicated force, I don’t have the words to speak intelligently about it. I don’t even want to try to universalize what feels true to me, because everybody’s different and—

Yeah, but you know what? A lot of people are real different. You’re devoted. People look at you two and you never wonder if there’s anything stupid going on. What is it about you two?
Well, I think that communicating clearly, and making intelligent decisions about the time that you set aside for one another, not time with you and your spouse and the entire family. That’s also very important, but it doesn’t count in that category of time you need for the relationship itself. Communicating clearly, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually. That’s just really important. And if you need help, get help.

Have you been to therapy?
We went in the aftermath of our son’s accident. We had family therapy. And you know, Tipper has a graduate degree in psychology, and she has had a fairly intensive psychiatric practice for 40 years—with one patient. I’m seriously not joking when I say the secret is mostly her. She’s just an amazing partner in life.

What’s the last really romantic thing you did for her?
I made her an iTunes list that communicated things that are important.

What was on it?
That’s too personal.

How often do you think about 2000?
Uhhhh… (feigned shock) The 2000 election?

Yes, that little tiny thing that happened in American history.
I’d almost forgotten! Oh, gosh.

You are so much more relaxed now. I think you’re having more fun this way.
Um, compared to what?

To being a candidate.
Gee, how could anything be more fun than that?

LINK: AL GORE: MOVIE STAR

Mr. Gore, the Sierra Club, and Moveon.org are all making pleas for people to host screenings of An Inconvenient Truth at their homes...

This man should be our President right now...

-Mr. Joseph

Feingold Argues Emergence of Al Qaeda Leader Shows ‘Insanity’ Of Misplaced Priorities

From Think Progress...

On NBC’s Meet the Press, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) argued that the broader al Qaeda network is gaining strength as a result of the Iraq war. Feingold cited Somalia, where an individual listed by the U.S. State Department as a suspected al Qaeda collaborator was yesterday named as the new leader of a militia that has seized control of Somalia’s capital...

Full transcript:

FEINGOLD: Our number one moral responsibility is to protect the American people — to focus on those who attacked us on 9/11, to not be distracted into a situation where even the administration did not have Iraq as one of the 45 countries that was connected with al Qaeda.

Our number one responsibility is to protect the American people from being killed by terrorists. Iraq has very little to do with that at this point. Iraq is obviously a place where they’re training people, but the idea of standing up and keeping a military involvement forever in Iraq will actually weaken the American people’s ability to go after terrorists who, frankly, look like they’re taking over Somalia right now.

You know, Tim, today it was announced that a guy named Hassan Dahir Aweys is now the head of the government that has taken over in Mogadishu in Somalia. He is on the State Department’s terrorist list. He is known as an al Qaeda operative, or somebody that is connected with al Qaeda. While we were asleep at the switch, while we were bogged down in Iraq, while we were all focused on Iraq as the be all and end all of our American foreign policy, we are losing the battle to al Qaeda because we’re not paying attention.

I asked [Coordinator for Counter Terrorism in the State Department] Ambassador Crumpton at a hearing the other day, how many people in our federal government are working full time on the problem in Somalia? He said one full time person. We’ve spent $2 million in Somalia in the last year while we’re spending $2 billion a week in Iraq. This is insanity if you think about what the priorities are of those who have attacked us and those who are likely to attack us in the future.

VIDEO / LINK: VIDEO: Feingold Argues Emergence of Al Qaeda Leader Shows ‘Insanity’ Of Misplaced Priorities

St. Paul Pioneer Press has more...

Feingold faults Bush on Somalia policy

Returning from a recent trip to Africa, Sen. Russ Feingold faulted the Bush administration for what he called a failure to develop a policy on Somalia, even as he praised U.S. efforts to combat AIDS on the continent.

Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat who will lead the Senate Foreign Relations African Affairs subcommittee next year, visited Ethiopia and Kenya, two countries that neighbor Somalia, during a weeklong trip. An Islamic militia has taken over much of Somalia, including the capital, and the country's prime minister said this week his troops were bracing for war.

"The stakes are very high for us," Feingold said in a telephone interview.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., agreed the African nation needs more attention from the U.S.

Coleman said "that a major problem with U.S. policy on Somalia in recent history has been its absence."

"A failed state in this part of the world would be a security threat to our nation, and we need a robust strategy to ensure that this does not happen," Coleman said.

Feingold warned that the militants could have an impact not just in Somalia but in the entire region. The U.S. has said the Islamic movement has links to al-Qaida, which Islamic leaders deny.

"So this is just the kind of situation that we should be paying real attention to, instead of only obsessing about Iraq," Feingold said. "Our failure to have a policy in this area is a threat to the American people, and our government has a very serious responsibility to turn this around."

The State Department responded by referring to remarks made last week by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer, who said the U.S. is working with all sides to prevent Somalia from becoming a safe haven for terrorists.

Feingold won passage in October of a defense bill amendment, co-sponsored by Coleman, requiring the U.S. government to coordinate a comprehensive strategy for Somalia and the region.

Feingold said Tuesday that U.S. policy should be to try to get negotiations going between the current secular government, known as the transitional federal government, and the Union of Islamic Courts, the umbrella group behind the militia, to create a coalition government in Somalia. The U.S. has supported such a dialogue, but Feingold argued it hasn't done enough to start one.

In Minnesota's Somali community, the largest in the United States, American policy is a huge concern, said Omar Jamal, executive director of the St. Paul-based Somali Justice Advocacy Center.

"Somalis feel that the administration hasn't done anything on the Somali issue," Jamal said. "The administration's main focus was the war on terror, and right in front of our eyes, Somalia is run over by Taliban-style extremists. The administration hasn't done squat."

Meanwhile, Feingold praised the impact that President Bush's AIDS initiative has had on the countries he visited. The initiative, announced in 2003, targets 15 countries that have about half of the world's 39 million people who are HIV-positive.

"It's hard to ever describe this issue as good news, but I am proud of the effect that the president's program is having," Feingold said. "We received profuse thanks for the very significant funding increases that are going into it.

"It appears that in both Ethiopia and Kenya, the government is fully behind the efforts and sees the American bilateral aid as being one of the most important things."

Feingold said that while more must be done, the progress has been striking. He said he visited a slum in Kenya in 2002, where he witnessed a "pitiful" program to help people with AIDS.

"There was absolutely no money whatsoever for treatment," he said. "Now there is significant funding — not enough — but at least significant funding to treat people who already have AIDS."

LINK: Feingold faults Bush on Somalia policy

Make a note, Russ will be on Countdown tonight with Keith Olberman to discuss what the Iraq Study Group had to say...

-Mr. Joseph

Gov. Doyle not celebrating Festivus this year

The holiday season will be different for Gov. Jim Doyle this year, because he won't be celebrating Festivus any more.

Festivus is an "airing of grievances" holiday created by character Frank Constanza on the long-running sitcom Seinfeld - a show that Doyle used to avidly watch.

Not any more, Doyle said. Recently, Seinfeld star Michael Richards, who played "Kramer," landed in hot water when he launched racial epithets at audience members during a stand-up show. Since then, Doyle said he hasn't watched an episode, and he doesn't plan to any time soon. And he won't be celebrating Festivus this year because of Richards.

"It will be a long time before I watch one again," Doyle said. "It was totally outrageous and for a total Seinfeld fan, I'm deflated by it. I'm not going to watch a show with a guy who's so openly racist. I'm not celebrating Festivus this year, I'm afraid, because of Michael Richards."

LINK: Gov. Doyle not celebrating Festivus this year

-Mr. Joseph

Feingold Contemplates VP Run in '08

From Crooks and Liars...

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold admitted Monday he'd have to seriously think about it if asked to be a presidential running mate.

But Feingold's flirtation with the White House has given way to renewed enthusiasm for life in the Senate, now that there's a Democratic majority.

At a listening session in Onalaska City Hall, Feingold talked enthusiastically about chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee's Constitution Subcommittee - and getting to hold hearings about the loss of habeas corpus. Read on…

LINK: Feingold Wants to Focus on Habeas Corpus, Contemplates VP in ‘08

Well, this is definitely some good news!

-Mr. Joseph

Kramer's "Rage"

TMZ.com broke this story...

Michael Richards exploded in anger as he performed at a famous L.A. comedy club last Friday, hurling racial epithets that left the crowd gasping, and TMZ has obtained exclusive video of the ugly incident.

Richards, who played the wacky Cosmo Kramer on the hit TV show "Seinfeld," appeared onstage at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood. Kyle Doss, an African-American, told TMZ he and some friends were in the cheap seats and he was playfully heckling Richards when suddenly, the comedian lost it.

The camera started rolling just as Richards began his attack, screaming at one of the men, "Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f***ing fork up your ass."

Richards continued, "You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherf**ker. Throw his ass out. He's a nigger! He's a nigger! He's a nigger! A nigger, look, there's a nigger!"

The crowd is visibly and audibly confused and upset. Richards responds by saying, "They're going to arrest me for calling a black man a nigger."

One of the men who was the object of Richard's tirade was outraged, shouting back "That's un-f***ing called for, ain't necessary."

After the three-minute tirade, it appears the majority of the audience members got up and left in disgust.

Attempts to reach Richards' reps were unsuccessful.

LINK: "Kramer's" Racist Tirade -- Caught on Tape

YouTube Video:

LINK: Kramer's Racist Tirade -- Caught on Tape!!!

He then appeared on the Late Show with Dave Letterman. Jerry Seinfeld asked him to come on and explain...

YouTube Video:

LINK: Michael Richards (Kramer) apologizes on Letterman

VIDEO / LINK: Crooks and Liars: Say It Ain’t So, “Kramer”

I watched his apology and he was visibly sick about what he had done. I saw remorse and I believe he was being genuine. And I can't stand that Al Sharpton "rejected" his apology.

-Mr. Joseph

Ex-Gov. of WI to Run in '08?

From Yahoo! News...

He's far less known than some of his potential rivals, but former Cabinet secretary and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson says he'll form a committee allowing him to test the waters for seeking the Republican nomination for president.

Thompson says health care will be one of the top three issues in the next presidential election and that his background heading the Health and Human Services Department makes him a natural fit. The other issues, he says, will be energy independence and the war in Iraq.

...

He resigned as HHS secretary in December 2004 shortly after Bush won a second term.

Born in Elroy, Wis., Thompson prided himself on his small-town roots — his father was a grocer. Thompson introduced himself to voters during his first gubernatorial campaign in 1986 as a proud son of Elroy, "located between Kendall and Union Center, north of Wonewoc and south of Hustler."

LINK: Ex-Bush aide to explore presidential run

LINK: Another GOP hat tossed in the ring

-Mr. Joseph

CNN's Beck to first-ever Muslim congressman: "[W]hat I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies' "

This one is all over the blogosphere... Media Matters picked it up first...

TRANSCRIPT:

From the November 14 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:

BECK: History was made last Tuesday when Democrat Keith Ellison got elected to Congress, representing the great state of Minnesota. Well, not really unusual that Minnesota would elect a Democrat. What is noteworthy is that Keith is the first Muslim in history to be elected to the House of Representatives. He joins us now.

Congratulations, sir.

ELLISON: How you doing, Glenn? Glad to be here.

BECK: Thank you. I will tell you, may I -- may we have five minutes here where we're just politically incorrect and I play the cards face up on the table?

ELLISON: Go there.

BECK: OK. No offense, and I know Muslims. I like Muslims. I've been to mosques. I really don't believe that Islam is a religion of evil. I -- you know, I think it's being hijacked, quite frankly.

With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, "Let's cut and run." And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, "Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies."

And I know you're not. I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.

ELLISON: Well, let me tell you, the people of the Fifth Congressional District know that I have a deep love and affection for my country. There's no one who is more patriotic than I am. And so, you know, I don't need to -- need to prove my patriotic stripes.

BECK: I understand that. And I'm not asking you to. I'm wondering if you see that. You come from a district that is heavily immigrant with Somalians. And I think it's wonderful, honestly, I think it is really a good sign that you are a -- you could be an icon to show Europe, this is the way you integrate into a country. I think the Somalians coming out and voting is a very good thing. With that --

ELLISON: I'd agree with you.

VIDEO / LINK: CNN's Beck to first-ever Muslim congressman: "[W]hat I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies' "

LINK: Crooks and Liars: When is CNN gonna dump this guy?

-Mr. Joseph

Pat Robertson: All Others Worship “Demonic Powers”

Crooks and Liars found this...

A viewer wrote in to ask Pat Robertson a question

Why [do] evangelical Christians tell non-Christians that Jesus (God) is the only way to Heaven? Those who are Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, etc. already know and have a relationship with God. Why is this? It seems disrespectful.

Robertson replied that it is not all disrespectful because all other religions really just worship "demonic powers."

No. They don't have a relationship. There is the god of the Bible, who is Jehovah. When you see L-O-R-D in caps, that is the name. It's not Allah, it's not Brahma, it's not Shiva, it's not Vishnu, it's not Buddha. It is Jehovah God. They don't have a relationship with him. He is the God of all Gods. These others are mostly demonic powers. Sure they're demons. There are many demons in the world.

Watch the video here

LINK: Pat Robertson: All Others Worship “Demonic Powers”

-Mr. Joseph

Think Progress presents... 21 Reasons To Give Thanks

This Thanksgiving, progressives have a lot to be thankful for. Here’s our list:

We’re thankful for our country’s troops.

We’re thankful America dumped the 109th Congress.

We’re thankful Rick Santorum will have more free time to find the WMD.

We’re thankful we don’t have to go to war with the Secretary of Defense we had.

We’re thankful for “red state values,” like protecting reproductive rights, supporting stem cell research, and rejecting discrimination.

We’re thankful Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who calls climate change the “greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people,” will no longer chair the Senate environmental committee.

We’re thankful Matt Drudge does not rule our world.

We’re thankful Al Gore helped the country face an inconvenient truth.

We’re thankful Bill O’Reilly does not resort to name calling - well, besides labeling ThinkProgress as “far left loons,” “kool-aid zombies,” “hired guns,” “vile,” “haters,” a “far left smear website,” and “a very well-oiled, effective character assassination machine.”

We’re thankful minimum wage ballot initiatives passed in six states.

We’re thankful the Dixie Chicks aren’t ready to make nice.

We’re thankful Ted Haggard bought the meth but never used it.

We’re thankful for the 100,000 readers who responded to our Tell the Truth About 9/11 campaign.

We’re thankful for “the Google” and “the email” (and the “series of tubes” that make them possible) — but not iPods, which are endangering our nation.

We’re thankful Maf54 isn’t online right now.

We’re thankful people send us Jack Abramoff’s email.

We’re thankful Keith Olbermann’s ratings are up and Bill O’Reilly’s ratings are down.

We’re thankful President Bush’s secret plan for Iraq is safe with Conrad Burns.

We’re thankful we won’t spend Thanksgiving turkey hunting with Dick Cheney.

We’re thankful the “Decider” only gets to make the decisions 789 more days.

And last but not least: We’re thankful to the Think Progress readers for their tips, energy and support.

LINK: Think Progress presents... 21 Reasons To Give Thanks

-Mr. Joseph

O’Reilly: iPods Are Endangering America

GamePolitics.com caught this gem from the Radio Factor with Bill O’Reilly:

I don’t own an iPod. I would never wear an iPod… If this is your primary focus in life - the machines… it’s going to have a staggeringly negative effect, all of this, for America… did you ever talk to these computer geeks? I mean, can you carry on a conversation with them? …I really fear for the United States because, believe me, the jihadists? They’re not playing the video games. They’re killing real people over there.

Remember, if you want to defeat the jihadists, don’t buy a premium membership on billoreilly.com:

LINK: O’Reilly: iPods Are Endangering America

-Mr. Joseph

Larry King Admits He’s Never Used The Internet

This is ridiculous. Thanks to ThinkProgress...

TRANSCRIPT:

LARRY KING: On your blog you write, “Bush is going to declare war on China next, I swear.”

ROSEANNE BARR: I was so scared because I woke up and there was the Drudge, you know. I always read the Drudge Report and it said on there that the Chinese were like, you know, spying on our subs or doing something with our subs and I was like, “Oh no, he’s going to think that’s an act of war and then we’re going to go over there next.” I mean we’re everywhere. We’re everywhere.

KING: The Internet as a political medium viable?

BARR: Yes, it’s like the only one left, absolutely, and that’s not just me saying it. That’s everybody saying it.

KING: But there’s 80 billion things on it.

BARR: Yes, but if you know where to look, you know, it all can come together. When you’re looking for the particular information that you’re looking for after you do the big search, this is what I found out by going on there, it just takes your mind and then you live in there forever. You can never come out.

KING: I’ve never done it, never gone searching.

BARR: Oh, my God! It just opens up the whole universe. It’s so awesome. You would love it.

KING: No, I wouldn’t.

BARR: Anything you want to know.

KING: The wife loves it. I wouldn’t love it. What do you punch little buttons and things?

BARR: You just click on this thing. The thing is you got to be able to read, so you have to have strong glasses when you’ve over 50 and then you just scroll down and click. It’s not that hard. I can show you how to do it.

KING: No, thanks.

LINK: Larry King Admits He’s Never Used The Internet: ‘Do You Punch Little Buttons and Things?’

And he's one of the most respected men is journalism?

-Mr. Joseph

Conservatives distraught

From Think Progress...

Michelle Malkin: Trent Lott is an “eternal Maalox moment.”

Right-wing bloggers: Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) is “the Harriet Miers of RNC chairs.”

Dick Morris: “Oust John Boehner and Roy Blunt.”

LINK: Conservatives distraught.

In the words of Michelle Malkin, "Boo-freakin'-hoo!"
-Mr. Joseph

Olbermann Slams Savage with "Worst"

Media Matters covered Keith Olberman's smackdown of Michael Savage.

TRANSCRIPTS:

From the November 13 edition of Talk Radio Network's The Savage Nation:

SAVAGE: And I want to tell you something, and I'm going to say it to you loud and clear. The radical homosexual agenda will not stop until religion is outlawed in this country. Make no mistake about it. They're all not nice decorators. You better get it through your head before it's too late. They threaten your very survival. They went after the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is now caving into the homosexual mafia. They will not stop until they force their agenda down your throats. Gay marriage is just the tip of the iceberg. They want full and total subjugation of this society to their agenda. Now, if you want that and if you don't think it's a threat -- believe me, that is what's going to occur in this country.

Olberman responded with...

From the November 14 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:

OLBERMANN: Our runner-up tonight, Michael Weiner-Savage, back on the radio declaring, quote, "The radical homosexual agenda will not stop until religion is outlawed in this country," and "they want full and total subjugation of this society to their agenda." Hey, fella, you're just nuts, huh?

LINK: Olbermann named Savage "Worst Person" runner-up for declaring "[t]he radical homosexual agenda will not stop until religion is outlawed in this country"

Good shot, Keith!

Mr. Joseph

A Liberal's Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives

From Michael Moore...

To: Conservatives and Republicans

I, and my fellow signatories, hereby make these promises to you:

1. We will always respect you for your conservative beliefs. We will never, ever, call you "unpatriotic" simply because you disagree with us. In fact, we encourage you to dissent and disagree with us.

2. We will let you marry whomever you want, even when some of us consider your behavior to be "different" or "immoral." Who you marry is none of our business. Love and be in love -- it's a wonderful gift.

3. We will not spend your grandchildren's money on our personal whims or to enrich our friends. It's your checkbook, too, and we will balance it for you.

4. When we soon bring our sons and daughters home from Iraq, we will bring your sons and daughters home, too. They deserve to live. We promise never to send your kids off to war based on either a mistake or a lie.

5. When we make America the last Western democracy to have universal health coverage, and all Americans are able to get help when they fall ill, we promise that you, too, will be able to see a doctor, regardless of your ability to pay. And when stem cell research delivers treatments and cures for diseases that affect you and your loved ones, we'll make sure those advances are available to you and your family, too.

6. Even though you have opposed environmental regulation, when we clean up our air and water, we, the Democratic majority, will let you, too, breathe the cleaner air and drink the purer water.

7. Should a mass murderer ever kill 3,000 people on our soil, we will devote every single resource to tracking him down and bringing him to justice. Immediately. We will protect you.

8. We will never stick our nose in your bedroom or your womb. What you do there as consenting adults is your business. We will continue to count your age from the moment you were born, not the moment you were conceived.

9. We will not take away your hunting guns. If you need an automatic weapon or a handgun to kill a bird or a deer, then you really aren't much of a hunter and you should, perhaps, pick up another sport. We will make our streets and schools as free as we can from these weapons and we will protect your children just as we would protect ours.

10. When we raise the minimum wage, we will pay you -- and your employees -- that new wage, too. When women are finally paid what men make, we will pay conservative women that wage, too.

11. We will respect your religious beliefs, even when you don't put those beliefs into practice. In fact, we will actively seek to promote your most radical religious beliefs ("Blessed are the poor," "Blessed are the peacemakers," "Love your enemies," "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," and "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."). We will let people in other countries know that God doesn't just bless America, he blesses everyone. We will discourage religious intolerance and fanaticism -- starting with the fanaticism here at home, thus setting a good example for the rest of the world.

12. We will not tolerate politicians who are corrupt and who are bought and paid for by the rich. We will go after any elected leader who puts him or herself ahead of the people. And we promise you we will go after the corrupt politicians on our side FIRST. If we fail to do this, we need you to call us on it. Simply because we are in power does not give us the right to turn our heads the other way when our party goes astray. Please perform this important duty as the loyal opposition.

I promise all of the above to you because this is your country, too. You are every bit as American as we are. We are all in this together. We sink or swim as one. Thank you for your years of service to this country and for giving us the opportunity to see if we can make things a bit better for our 300 million fellow Americans -- and for the rest of the world.

Sincerely, Mr. Joseph G. Kay

The Undersigned

Sign the Petition

I signed it as a gesture of good will.

Mr. Joseph G. Kay

Feingold rules out run for president in 2008

This kills me...

From the AP...

U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold has decided against seeking the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, saying he wanted to focus on his work in the Senate.

In a letter posted on his political action committee's Web site, Feingold said he was excited that Tuesday's elections gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress, giving them the chance to "undo much of the damage that one-party rule has done to America."

"We can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed health care, dependence on oil and our unbalanced trade policies," he wrote.

Feingold, 53, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he realized he would be a long-shot candidate in a bid for the presidency.

He said running as an underdog appealed to him, but not the way it would "dismantle" his work in the Senate and his personal life.

An outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, the Patriot Act and other Bush administration policies, Feingold had formed his PAC, the Progressive Patriots Fund, and visited key presidential primary states such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

Still, he said he started the process more predisposed against a run than for it.

"I began with the feeling I didn't really want to do this but was open to the possibility that getting around the country would make me want to do it. That never happened," he told the newspaper in a story posted on its Web site late Saturday.

Feingold leaves a crowded field of possible Democratic candidates, including Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who announced his candidacy last week.

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is widely considered the front-runner for the nomination. Others considering or positioning themselves for a run include U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic nominee; former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the vice presidential nominee two years ago; U.S. Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Joe Biden of Delaware and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner announced last month that he was bowing out of the race.

Feingold said he had come closer to making his decision in the past few weeks, and the final factor came when Democrats won both chambers of Congress because it provided added appeal to focus on work in the Senate.

Feingold spokesman Zach Lowe did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press early Sunday seeking comment.

LINK: Feingold rules out run for president

AND From the Daily Kos:

While many of you have probably already seen my statement, here it is again:

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On Sunday, November 12th in Racine, I will hold my 1000th Listening Session with the people of Wisconsin. Before reaching that milestone, I want you to know that I've decided to continue my role as Wisconsin's Junior Senator in the U.S. Senate and not to seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2008.

Like many Americans, I am excited by the results of the November 7th election. My fourteen years in the Senate have been the greatest privilege of my life and I am extremely pleased with what we have accomplished. During so much of that time, however, we Democrats have not only been in the minority but have often been so deeply mired there that my role has often been to block bad ideas or to simply dissent. That is a very important role but I relish the thought that in this new Congress we can start, not only to undo much of the damage that one-party rule has done to America, we can actually advance progressive solutions to such major issues as guaranteed healthcare, dependence on oil, and our unbalanced trade policies. The Senate of the 110th Congress could also well be a place of greater bi-partisan opportunities for change; something I am very proud to have been effective at in both Republican and Democratic Senates.

I hope all of you know how much I have appreciated the incredible response you have given me and the efforts of our Progressive Patriots Fund since January, 2005. In addition to all of our work in Wisconsin and D.C., I have traveled to seventeen states trying to promote the election of progressive Democrats in all states. At every stop from Birmingham, Alabama to Burlington, Vermont, to Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to Las Vegas, Nevada, people have agreed with my view that we need to stand up for a strong, principled Democratic party that is willing to replace timidity with taking the risks of promoting a platform of bold solutions to our nation's problems. Unfailingly, people responded well to my positions: opposition to the Iraq war; calling for a timeline to redeploy our troops from Iraq so we can focus on those who attacked us on September 11th, 2001; my opposition to the flawed provisions of the USA Patriot Act that threaten the freedoms of law-abiding Americans; my call for accountability for the Administration's arrogant disregard for the law especially with regard to illegal wiretapping; fighting for fiscal responsibility including tough common sense budget rules that will help end the reckless policies that have heaped a mountain of debt on our children and grandchildren; as well as my strong belief in guaranteed healthcare for all Americans and substantial investment in alternative energy sources and technologies.

Yet, while I've certainly enjoyed the repeated comments or buttons saying, "Run Russ Run", or "Russ in '08", I often felt that if a piece of Wisconsin swiss cheese had taken the same positions I've taken, it would have elicited the same standing ovations. This is because the hunger for progressive change we feel is obviously not about me but about the desire for a genuinely different Democratic Party that is ready to begin to reverse the 25 years of growing extremism we have endured.

I'm sure a campaign for President would have been a great adventure and helpful in advancing a progressive agenda. At this time, however, I believe I can best advance that progressive agenda as a Senator with significant seniority in the new Senate serving on the Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Judiciary and Budget Committees. Although I have given it a lot of thought, I cannot muster the same enthusiasm for a race for President while I am trying simultaneously to advance our agenda in the Senate. In other words, if I really wanted to run for President, regardless of the odds or other possible candidates, I would do so. However, to put my family and all of my friends and supporters through such a process without having a very strong desire to run, seems inappropriate to me. And, yes, while I would strongly prefer that our nominee in 2008 be someone who had the judgment to oppose the Iraq war from the beginning, I am prepared to work as hard as I can through the Progressive Patriots Fund, and consistent with my duties in the Senate, to maintain or increase our gains from November 7 in the Congress and, of course, to elect a Democrat as President in 2008.

Most important, I want to continue my work as a Senator from this wonderful State of Wisconsin. Our fourteen year ongoing conversation that has taken place in hundreds of communities in Wisconsin in the form of open Listening Sessions is the principal reason I have been perceived as "ahead of the curve" on many key issues. Simply listening to the reasoning and passions of Wisconsinites remains the best source of good ideas and common sense I've ever encountered.

I love this country very much and am so lucky to be able to serve it in the United States Senate. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
Middleton, Wisconsin

LINK: 2008 by Senator Russ Feingold

Humor Wrap-Up of the 2006 Elections

Credit to Crooks and Liars for these...

Bill Maher: "I don't want to say that George Bush is a lame duck, but today Dick Cheney shot him."

VIDEO / LINK: Bill Maher’s Post-Election Opening Monologue

Keith Olberman...

VIDEO / LINK: The 2006 Election… A Comedic Roundup

Mr. Joseph

I saw Michael J. Fox give a speech!

This is my grandmother, myself, and Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton.

The Michael J. Fox campaign for WI Gov. Jim Doyle was amazing. He gave a great speech on the importance of supporting Stem Cell research and why it was important to Vote for Doyle. He was probably one of the major reasons that Doyle won in such a landslide.

I have pictures from the event, which are posted here. You can see all the pictures from the event (including some of WI State Sen. Jim Sullivan, Kathleen Falk, plus more of Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, Gov. Jim Doyle, and Mr. Michael J. Fox) on my facebook account.

The local news media also covered this event...

From JS Online...

Fox touts Doyle on stem cells
Green ad aims to link casino deals, donations

With the election two weeks away, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle returned to the stem cell issue Tuesday, unveiling a TV ad with actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease.

The ad suggests that the Doyle campaign sees the stem cell issue as a powerful way to woo undecided voters. Stem cell research is seen as holding the promise to cure or lead to treatments for a host of debilitating diseases.

Meanwhile, Republican challenger Mark Green launched a new ad that slams Doyle for contributions from casino interests, picking up an issue he raised Friday in the final debate before the Nov. 7 election.

As Green did Friday, the ad alleges Doyle changed his position on casino expansion because of money spent by American Indian tribes and casino interests in the 2002 election and since then. An accompanying news release listed $1.9 million in spending.

Both sides said the other is lying and desperate.

"They have made up every wild accusation they can," Doyle said. "It seems to me their ads are getting more desperate."

In a statement, Green said: "In his desperate attempt to hold on to power, Jim Doyle continues to run the most dishonest campaign Wisconsin has ever seen."

A look at the developments:

Doyle stem cell ad: The 30-second ad featuring Fox will begin running today in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Wausau. It features Fox talking directly to the camera, the shifts and shakes in his body underscoring the impact of the disease.

The ad is similar to ones Fox has cut for Democrats in Missouri and Maryland. The effort drew national attention when radio host Rush Limbaugh questioned whether Fox had stopped taking his medication or exaggerated the effects of the disease by acting - a notion dismissed by others.

"I think the statement (by Limbaugh) was sad," said John Rogers, Fox's political adviser.

He declined to respond directly to Limbaugh's charge.

"I'm not going to get into Michael's meds," said Rogers, who also serves as chairman of Stem Cell Champions for Doyle.

An excerpt from Fox's autobiography that appears on the Web site of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, says this about a 1999 appearance before Congress: "I had made a deliberate choice to appear before the subcommittee without medication. It seemed to me that this occasion demanded that my testimony about the effects of the disease, and the urgency we as a community were feeling, be seen as well as heard. For people who had never observed me in this kind of shape, the transformation must have been startling."

The star of the "Back to the Future" movies and TV shows such as "Spin City," Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991. He toured stem cell laboratories at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Doyle in February 2005. About a month ago, he helped Doyle with fund raising in New York, Rogers said.

In the ad, Fox says Doyle "knows the promise (the research) holds and the jobs it can create," while saying Green "has stood in the way of embryonic stem cell research."

He closes by saying that what voters decide here "can affect millions of people - like me, like your family. Please re-elect Governor Doyle. For all of us."

Green has said he is a strong supporter of stem cell research, including votes to fund research going on at UW-Madison. As a member of the U.S. House, he voted against a measure, however, that would have expanded the number of embryonic stem cell lines for which researchers could obtain federal grants.

His chief objection, Green says, is federal funding for research that destroys embryos. During the campaign, he proposed spending $25 million over four years for research into techniques that would allow the stem cells to be obtained without destroying the embryo.

Green said the ad "flat out lies about my record" and called it "part of a national smear campaign by Democrats."

Green casino ad: Among other accusations, the ad says Doyle changed his position on casino expansion because of money from American Indian tribes and other casino interests.

The $1.9 million cited by Green is from a compilation of past press reports and other filings. In many cases, the money went to outside groups that advanced Doyle's cause or was spent by the tribes as issue ads.

After Friday's debate, Doyle said tribes "can't make contributions to me and they didn't make contributions to me." He reiterated that Tuesday.

In the 2002 campaign, Doyle expressed an openness toward long-term compacts with the tribes for current casinos. One of the first things he did after taking office was negotiate new compacts that expanded the types of casino games that could be played but required tribes to pay much more to the state.

Doyle also changed his mind on whether the Legislature should be able to veto those agreements, and vetoed a legislative oversight bill.

The Green tally includes money spent by the Troha family, which is involved in a proposed Kenosha casino that would be run by the Menominee Tribe.

Kenosha casino developer Dennis Troha contributed $50,000 to the Democratic Governors Association during the most recent reporting period with the Internal Revenue Service. That's on top of $50,000 he gave to the group in December 2005.

Troha and his family have contributed more than $192,000 to Doyle's campaign since 2002, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

LINK: Fox touts Doyle on stem cells

...

Today's TMJ4 covered the story as well...

Fox said, "'I'm coming to Wisconsin because it's the birthplace of embryonic stem cell research, where pioneering scientists may one day unlock the cures for humanity's oldest and deadliest diseases. For millions of Americans like me, who hope that stem cell research might one day bring cures, the choice between Governor Doyle and Congressman Green couldn't be more clear or more important.'"

LINK: Fox In Milwaukee

And...

Actor Michael J. Fox was campaigning for Doyle in Milwaukee Monday. Fox has Parkinson's disease and believes stem cell research could lead to a cure.

Fox is supporting Doyle and other candidates across the country who support embryonic stem cell research. "America is about hope, it's about promise, it's about always moving forward and we deserve leaders who will deliver that hope to their constituents," Fox said at a rally in Milwaukee.

"What is at stake is Wisconsin's future as the absolute center of medical research that may one day find the cures for diseases that we long thought to be incurable," said Doyle.

Challenger Mark Green wants limited use of stem cells and accused Doyle of wooing the "Hollywood vote." "He's (Doyle) looking to Hollywood. I'm looking to Appleton, Neenah, Oshkosh, West Bend, Port Washington, Green Bay, Hudson, Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, all over the place," Green said.

LINK: Governor's Election

Here are some pictures...

Mr. Michael J. Fox

United States Senator Herb Kohl

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle

You can check out the rest of my album at my facebook page.

All in all, the event was amazing. I was excused from class to attend it, and it was worth every minute.

I'm glad I voted Doyle for Michael J. Fox.

-Mr. Joseph

Election Wrap-Up

The liberal blogosphere has been posting out of control about this election and I thought I would sit this one out. However, here are a few brief links that sum up the important parts.

LINK: CBSNews: Election Results

LINK: Media Matters Presents... Media election coverage Wall of Shame

But here are the top two stories as far as I'm concerned...

LINK: Crooks and Liars: Ladies & Gentlemen…The Next Speaker of the House

Wow, you can hear Matt Drudge grinding his teeth about that one!

LINK: Think Progress: BREAKING: Rumsfeld Will Step Down

That was icing on the cake!

I really hope the Democrats will productive with their new power. I wish them the best and I truly believe they will do what they can to fix the mistakes the Bush Administration has made.

However, I have some bad news. Unfortunately, there are new restrictions for websites at school, so my posting will decrease. However, you can rest assured it will stay busy around here.

Also, blogger.com updated! I can post labels for each post! Check them out!

Well,

Election Day

Get out and Vote!

AND... check these out...

Democratic Underground Presents...

LINK: The Top 10 Conservative Idiots, No. 267: Top Ten Reasons to Vote Republican (If you're an idiot)

Media Matters Presents...

LINK: Top election falsehoods, myths, and talking points

LINK: 2006 Elections Coverage

Think Progress Presents...

LINK: 109 Reasons To Dump The 109th Congress

And just for fun, from Crooks and Liars...

VIDEO / LINK: The Simpsons Take on the Iraq War

Go Democrats!
-Mr. Joseph

The Michael J. Fox Controversy

Since we here at Political Thunder had the opportunity to see Michael J. Fox give a speech in Wisconsin today, we figured we should give some context to the current controversy surrounding him.

Be sure to check back for pictures and story of the event soon.

Meanwhile, check out these links regarding Michael J. Fox controversy...

Original story...
LINK: Rush Limbaugh On the Offensive Against Ad With Michael J. Fox

Follow up...
LINK: Fox Responds To Limbaugh Claim That He’s ‘Cruel’ For Creating ‘False Hopes’ About Stem Cells

LINK: Michael J. Fox: ‘I Could Give a Damn About Rush Limbaugh’s Pity…I’m Not A Victim’

LINK: Limbaugh on Michael J. Fox: 'I Take Back None of What I Said'

LINK: Fox & Friends Anchor Perpetuates Myth That Michael J. Fox Was Acting

LINK: Laura Bush on Michael J. Fox: ‘It’s Always Easy To Manipulate People’s Feelings’

LINK: VIDEO: Michael J. Fox Responds To Limbaugh Smear (Also, at the event, he sarcastically referred to Rush Limbaugh as "compassionate conservative".)

LINK: Parkinson Foundation Debunks Limbaugh's False Smears of Michael J. Fox

See ya!
-Mr. Joseph

Anti-Gay Evangelical Leader Resigns After Accusations of Gay Affair

Think Progress is all over this one...

LINK: Anti-Gay Evangelical Leader Resigns After Accusations of Gay Affair

LINK: REPORT: Major Right-Wing Evangelical Leader Accused Of 3-Year Relationship With Male Prostitute

VIDEO / LINK: Ted Haggard on homosexuality (“We don’t have to debate about what we should think about homosexual activity, it’s written in the Bible.”)


YouTube Video

-Mr. Joseph

There is too much on this to post. Just follow the links and read the deatils.

Funny Campaign Ads

Political Humor has made a great collection of the ads of the season. Check it out.

Here's a sampling of some of the funnier campaign ads from recent weeks, as well as a few parodies:

Talking to the Bush A clever left-wing campaign ad produced by the September Fund.

John Tester: Creating a Buzz Democrat Jon Tester's first television ad in his Senate campaign in Montana.

Kinky Friedman: Talking Action Figure An ad for Kinky Friedman, running as an Independent for Governor of Texas.

Harold Ford: Call Me An ad produced by the Republican National Committee attacking Democrat Harold Ford Jr., which critics denounced as racist.

Congressman: Call Me A clever spoof of the RNC's anti-Harold Ford ad.

Ken Mehlman: Call Me Another parody ad poking fun at the RNC’s anti-Harold Ford ad, produced by BlogActive.com.

Ned Lamont Has a Messy Desk Democratic Senate candidate Ned Lamont spoofs attack ads.

The Daily Show on 2006 Campaign Ads Jon Stewart looks at outrageous campaign ads, splices them all together, and presents the official 2006 Midterm Commercial.

Saturday Night Live's Glimpse Into Final Week of RNC Ads SNL takes a humorous look at what we can expect from the Republican National Committee in the final week of campaign ads. Animated cartoon by Robert Smigel.

LINK: Political Humor Presents... Funny Campaign Ads

Good stuff!

-Mr. Joseph

Ann Coulter Says She Won't Cooperate in Voting Probe

Well, duh.

From Editor & Publisher...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. Conservative columnist Ann Coulter has refused to
cooperate in an investigation into whether she voted in the wrong precinct, so
the case will probably be turned over to prosecutors, Palm Beach County's
elections chief said Wednesday.

Knowingly voting in the wrong precinct is a felony punishable by up to five
years in prison.

Elections Supervisor Arthur Anderson said his office has been looking into
the matter for nearly nine months, and he would turn over the case to the state
attorney's office by Friday.

Anderson added that Coulter, since the allegations surfaced, made "efforts
to distract and divert focus on the process regarding this complaint. ... I did
express my frustration to the state attorney in a recent meeting and warned him
I may need his services," according to an article in the Palm Beach Post.

But Anderson said Coulter's voting rights would not be rescinded for next
week's election. Coulter's TV comments and newspaper columns routinely spark
outrage, an effect that she cultivates. The columnist has bashed widows of the
Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack victims as pro-Democrat propagandists, and has
repeatedly ridiculed Islam and Muslims.

Coulter's attorney did not immediately return a call Wednesday. Nor did her
publicist at her publisher, Crown Publishing.Anderson's office received a
complaint in February that Coulter voted in the wrong precinct during a Feb. 7
Palm Beach town council election.

Anderson, a Democrat, said a letter was sent to Coulter on March 27
requesting that she clarify her address for the voting records "or face the
possibility of her voter registration being rescinded." Three more letters were
sent to Coulter and her attorney, but she has yet to respond with the
information requested, Anderson said.

In July, Anderson said, he received a letter from Coulter's attorney,
Marcos Daniel Jimenez D'Clouet. The letter said the attorney would only discuss
the matter in person or by telephone because, he complained, Anderson had given
details to the media. Anderson said the matter had to be discussed in
writing.

LINK: Ann Coulter Says She Won't Cooperate in Voting Probe

Crazy bitch...

-Mr. Joseph

Dornan Smears Pelosi

Think Progress...

Former Rep. Bob Dornan (R-CA) launched a vicious attack on Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), claiming that “loyal catholics” and others who “believe in Christianity” should make sure she stays out of power. The failure to do so would mean jumping “into the hell fire of a Nancy Pelosi Catholic who votes for abortion and rights for perverts.”

VIDEO / LINK: Dornan: ‘Loyal’ Christians Should Not ‘Jump Into The Hell Fire Of A Nancy Pelosi Catholic’

This is the same guy that Michael Moore tried to get committed to a mental health facility.

Quotable Quotes...
"People elected a governor and I have a screaming transvestite in my ear." - Bob Dornan
"Every lesbian spearchucker is hoping I get defeated." -- Bob Dornan

Check this link for his history of wife beating, congressman beating, and his military history of crashing three jets and one helicopter.

LINK: Robert Dornan's Skeleton Closet

-Mr. Joseph

Urban Dictionary on Ann Coulter

This is a pretty funny link...

LINK: Urban Dictionary: ann coulter

Page 3 is where the conservatives try to catch up. So, skip page 3.

-Mr. Joseph

The New Chuck Norris Column

Think Progress brought the new World Net Daily column to my attention.

Chuck Norris Sets The Facts Straight: Evolution Is ‘Not Real. It Is Not The Way We Got Here’

Actor and high-profile conservative Chuck Norris became an internet phenomenon last year after a website called “Chuck Norris Facts” attracted over 150 million hits. Some sample facts: “Guns don’t kill people. Chuck Norris kills people.” Another: “Chuck Norris wins Connect Four in three moves.”
Now, the right-wing website World Net Daily has given Chuck Norris a regular weekly column. In his first column, he takes on an “alleged” Chuck Norris fact:
Alleged Chuck Norris Fact: “There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.” It’s funny. It’s cute. But here’s what I really think about the theory of evolution: It’s not real. It is not the way we got here. In fact, the life you see on this planet is really just a list of creatures God has allowed to live. We are not creations of random chance. We are not accidents.

You can keep up with Chuck Norris’s columns HERE.

LINK: Chuck Norris Sets The Facts Straight: Evolution Is ‘Not Real. It Is Not The Way We Got Here’

Here are some excerpts from his first column...

"While I have as much fun as anyone else reading and quoting them, let's face it, most "Chuck Norris Facts" describe someone with supernatural, superhuman powers. They're describing a superman character. And in the history of this planet, there has only been one real Superman. It's not me."
...
Alleged Chuck Norris Fact: "There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live." It's funny. It's cute. But here's what I really think about the theory of evolution: It's not real. It is not the way we got here. In fact, the life you see on this planet is really just a list of creatures God has allowed to live.
...
Alleged Chuck Norris Fact: "Chuck Norris' tears can cure cancer. Too bad he never cries. Ever."
There was a man whose tears could cure cancer or any other disease, including the real cause of all diseases – sin. His blood did. His name was Jesus, not Chuck Norris.
...
But I am not the characters I play. And even the toughest characters I have played could never measure up to the real power in this universe.
...

Wow, Chuck Norris makes it really hard for me to like him...

Related Links...

No joke! Chuck Norris becomes columnist

Read Chuck's debut column on WND

The Official Chuck Norris Website

Chuck Norris Facts

-Mr. Joseph

Stay the Course?

Think Progress notes this latest line of crazy from our President...

SUMMARY:
During an interview today on ABC’s This Week, President Bush tried to distance himself from what has been his core strategy in Iraq for the last three years. George Stephanopoulos asked about James Baker’s plan to develop a strategy for Iraq that is “between ’stay the course’ and ‘cut and run.’”
Bush responded, ‘We’ve never been stay the course, George!’

...

On CBS this morning, White House Counselor Dan Bartlett claimed that the administration has “never” had “a stay-the-course strategy.”
President Bush made the same claim over the weekend. It’s not true. For years, the White House has repeatedly described their Iraq policy as “stay the course.”

TRANSCRIPTS:
STEPHANOPOULOS: James Baker says that he’s looking for something between “cut and run” and “stay the course.”
BUSH: Well, hey, listen, we’ve never been “stay the course,” George. We have been — we will complete the mission, we will do our job, and help achieve the goal, but we’re constantly adjusting to tactics. Constantly.
...
TRANSCRIPTS (cont'd)
STORM: So, Mr. Bartlett, staying the course is no longer the operative strategy?
BARTLETT: Well, Hannah, it’s never been a stay-the-course strategy. Strategically, we think it’s very important that we stay in Iraq and we win in Iraq. And if we were to cut and run and go and leave that country too early it would be a disaster for American policy.
But what we aren’t doing is sitting there with our heads in the sand. We’ve completely changing and making tactical changes on a week-by-week basis as we respond to the enemy’s reactions to our strategies.
...
QUOTES:
BUSH: We will stay the course. [8/30/06]
BUSH: We will stay the course, we will complete the job in Iraq. [8/4/05]
BUSH: We will stay the course until the job is done, Steve. And the temptation is to try to get the President or somebody to put a timetable on the definition of getting the job done. We’re just going to stay the course. [12/15/03]
BUSH: And my message today to those in Iraq is: We’ll stay the course. [4/13/04]
BUSH: And that’s why we’re going to stay the course in Iraq. And that’s why when we say something in Iraq, we’re going to do it. [4/16/04]
BUSH: And so we’ve got tough action in Iraq. But we will stay the course. [4/5/04]

VIDEO / LINK: Bush: ‘We’ve Never Been Stay The Course’

VIDEO / LINK: Bartlett: ‘It’s Never Been A Stay The Course Strategy’

Kinda makes you think of this, doesn't it?

Diane Sawyer: You still have a minute-twenty, Mr. Vice-President.
George Bush: Well, more has to be done, sure. But the programs we have in place are doing the job, so let's keep on track and stay the course.
Diane Sawyer: You have fifty seconds left, Mr. Vice-President.
George Bush: Let me sum up. On track, stay the course. Thousand points of light.
Diane Sawyer: Governor Dukakis. Rebuttal?
Michael Dukakis: I can't believe I'm losing to this guy!

-Mr. Joseph

UPDATE (10/30/06): Keith Olberman weighs in... R.I.P. “Stay the Course” 1885-2006

Sen. Brownback's Litmus Test

From the WashingtonPost.com

May a federal judge have lesbian friends?

IF YOU THOUGHT that fights over judicial nominations couldn't get any worse, consider the case of Janet T. Neff, whom President Bush has nominated to a federal district judgeship in Michigan. Judge Neff, who serves on the Michigan Court of Appeals, is part of a multi-judge deal between the White House and Michigan's two Democratic senators resolving a long-standing fight over federal court nominees from that state. Yet in reaching an accommodation with the home-state senators, Mr. Bush finds himself with another problem. For Judge Neff, it turns out, once attended a commitment ceremony for a lesbian couple -- and that has Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback (R) reaching for the smelling salts and blocking the nomination.

Mr. Brownback has said he wants to satisfy himself that the judge was not presiding over an "illegal marriage ceremony" in Pittsfield, Mass., in 2002 -- before the state legalized same-sex marriage. He has written to Judge Neff asking for an explanation, his spokesman says, and will hold up her nomination until he learns the nature of the ceremony and its legality. "It seems to speak about her view of judicial activism," the senator told the Associated Press.

In fact it does nothing of the kind. A commitment ceremony is not a marriage; it has no legal force whatsoever but is a private expression of the love and devotion of two people. The idea that such a ceremony could be "illegal" is deeply offensive; Americans are entitled to gather, speak, celebrate and worship as they see fit. An administration official says Judge Neff has told Mr. Brownback that she didn't preside. But even if she did, that would say nothing about her jurisprudential views -- merely that she wished to help a couple recognize their relationship informally in the absence of state sanction for it. Keeping Judge Neff off the federal bench over such a matter is perilously close to declaring her unfit to serve because she has lesbian friends.

It also does a disservice to Mr. Bush. We have criticized Democrats for obstructing qualified judicial nominees; it is no more acceptable when Republicans do it. In this case, Mr. Bush has finally reached a compromise with Michigan senators to ease one of the more intractable irritants in the wars over lower court nominations. Judge Neff is a piece of that deal, all of which could get derailed if Mr. Brownback does not back off.

LINK: Sen. Brownback's Litmus Test

Ridiculous...
-Mr. Joseph