Anal Exams for Men Added to VA Abortion Law

Blogging tip: If you're searching for images using the term, "anal probe,"
you deserve whatever images pop up. Lesson learned.

I've said many times on this blog that abortion is not my issue. As a gay man, it is exceedingly unlikely that it will ever be anywhere near my decision to make. I would never presume to get on my high horse over an issue that I'll never have to face. But, with so many decisions from the "pro-life" camp being such epic dick moves (such as the Susan G. Koman decision to defund Planned Parenthood), I find myself constantly on the pro-choice side.

All of that said, I find this most recent action to be both hilarious and apropos.

[Excerpt]

VA Lawmaker Adds Male Anal Exam Fairness Rule To New Abortion Law

Hero Virginia state Senator Janet Howell responded to another one of these stoopid bills requiring women seeking an abortion to first undergo a medically pointless ultrasound with a very smart amendment: every man seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction would also by law have to undergo a rectal exam and heart test to get a Viagra prescription. This way, everyone can enjoy the experience of having their nether parts unnecessarily prodded by the cold, uncomfortable indifference of lawmakers’ whims equally. Fair’s fair!. . .

Read more at: Wonkette

Presidential Idol: Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney

Honestly, no contest. Obama--though we only get a snippet--has obviously got a pretty good voice, or at least can do an Al Green impression. Mitt Romney manages to sound like your Dad embarrassing you.

Newt Gingrich Gives Delusional List of Promises (If You Elect Him)

Image from C-Span

Wow! After losing in Florida's primary by an embarrassing margin (and after Mitt Romney's and Rick Santorum's speeches), Newt Gingrich just gave a doozy of a speech. It was not a concession speech. In fact, I'm not even sure he mentioned, let alone congratulated Romney. It was a revved up stump speech, an almost demented list of promises.

Newt isn't only going to end "ObamaCare," he's going to do it an hour after the inauguration! He won't simply decline to appoint "czars," he'll draft an immediate executive order banning them! You know Dodd-Frank, the only meaningful attempt at reigning in Wall Street after the financial meltdown? Newtie's going to have his (apparently puppet) Congress undo it in hour two! He's off-his-rocker bananas if he really thinks he can do all of that and more. If he doesn't, he's just being a giant dick (like that is something new), who has contempt for the people he's trying to dupe into voting for him.

Here's more on Newt's speech from C-Span. I'll post a clip if it becomes available.

Please Join Greenlee Gazette on Facebook & Twitter!

Since I started a Facebook page for Greenlee Gazette a few months ago, I've gotten into the habit of posting most everything from the main blog there, as well as almost as much original (Facebook only) content. This is because sharing on Facebook is quite a bit easier and faster than posting something to the blog. And then, links to everything show up on the Twitter feed.

Click Here for Greenlee Gazette on Facebook  •  Click Here for Greenlee Gazette on Twitter

But, I need your help! Though I appreciate every "like" I've gotten so far, the total (counting me) so far is kind of scanty. My good friend and collaborator Stupid Monkey Planet is faring much better with his Church of Primatheism, having hopscotched (it helps if you have a tail) well past me. He's got a ways to go until he's (in-)famous, but he's well on his way. Greenlee Gazette has remained fairly steady, but is not. . .well. . .growing.

I recently found out that I have far more readers than I ever realized, at least here on the main blog. I'd really like to have some of you like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Just click the buttons below to go directly to my pages. You can even follow the Monkey if you must. Thank you for reading, and bring your friends!

     

Newt Gingrich: Government Should Respect "Our Religion"

Image from WriteChick Press

In this country, the term "religious freedom" means different things to different people. To me, it means (partly) that I have the freedom not to practice a religion. For others (and also me), it means that people in this country are free to practice the religion of their choosing, or not. But to some--such as people who'd like the Constitution replaced with the Ten Commandments, but are fearful of "Sharia Law"--it means everyone should be free to practice a religion. Generally Christianity, but specifically whatever sect or denomination the speaker happens to believe in.

And here, "speaker" is most appropriate. One Newton Leroy Gingrich would seem to be one from the latter example. And, P.S.? There is no "war on religion" being waged by President Obama, or anyone else in government. That's B.S.

Miss Piggy of The Muppets Tells the Truth About FOX "News"

Miss Piggy takes down FOX "News." Image
from source, Raw Story.

Yes, the subject of this is silly. Puppets don't actually say anything, or voice their own opinions of course. But Miss Piggy is a well known and cherished pop culture character, as is Kermit the Frog and the rest of Jim Henson's Muppets. And it was FOX "News" that started this little back-and-forth, with Piggy's Muppeteer simply speaking the truth. . .in a funny way.

If you're wondering if the right-wing bloggers would stoop to reporting on this story, save yourselves the time. They're squealing about how The Muppets are now shamelessly partisan hacks, shilling for the far-left, liberal moonbats. And that's the nicest thing they had to say.


[Excerpt]


Miss Piggy: Attack on Muppets movie ‘as laughable as Fox being news’



In a staged press conference following the debut of their new film, two of puppeteer Jim Henson‘s most famous characters, Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, took questions from reporters about recent criticism lodged by commentators on the conservative Fox News Channel. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Hershey's Targeted for Child Labor in Super Bowl Ad

Somehow now not as sweet. Image from source, Raw Story.

Remember when Hershey's chocolate was made in America? I'm pretty sure there was a whole town in America named after it and everything.

[Excerpt]


Hershey’s targeted in Super Bowl ad for alleged African child-slave labor

The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) plans to use the Super Bowl in Indianapolis this year to pressure Hershey’s into taking action over forced labor practices that continue to plague the West African cocoa industry.
The ad, titled “Hershey’s Chocolate: Kissed by Child Labor,” will appear on a jumbotron screen immediately outside Lucas Oil Stadium during the Super Bowl. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Shit People Say in Las Vegas

The "Shit People Say" meme had to finally get around to Las Vegas, didn't it? And this one--while maybe not as technically well made as some--is right on the money. I've lived here for over 17 years, and I've heard every one of these. George Carlin used to have a great bit on it (he played Vegas often), with one of the "shit people say" lines being, "Remember that money I told you not to let me have under any circumstances? Give that to me now."

Dark Side of the Newt

Another great song parody by The Stephanie Miller Show's Mike in Raleigh, this time a riff on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon

Mitt Vs. Newt! Republicans Who Voted Against Newt

The latest ad from Mitt Romney. I'm still having trouble believing this is a race between guys named "Mitt" and "Newt." Unbelievable.

Grover Norquist Tries Blackmailing President Obama

I ask for the hundredth time, who the f**k is Grover Norquist? Why is this unelected, irrelevant asshole given any attention by anybody at all? And to have the nerve to threaten the President with impeachment? The gall. Honestly, he's not a Congressman. He has no ability to make good on this blackmail threat unless he also does the same to some GOP Senators or or Representatives, or at least has them at his beck and call.

Image from source, Addicting Info

I don't want to pay higher taxes any more than you do. But I do know that the "Bush tax cuts" were designed to sunset. They've been extended once, and are due to end at the end of the year. By any real measure, they should all be allowed to expire. But President Obama and the Democrats want to keep those for the middle class in place (whether that is a good idea or not, it is good politics). Grover Norquist isn't upset about that, he's only pissed because rich people would lose their tax cut. It isn't technically even an increase. It is reverted to its original rate, and expiring one year after it was supposed to expire! 

On a side note, I predicted more than three years ago that there would be those in the GOP (and its base) who would attempt to impeach President Obama, or at least make noise about it. As it was with Clinton, it is an impeachment in search of a reason. Any reason--even lying about a blow job--will do. You'd think that since Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Obama let Bush, Cheney and the rest of that corrupt bunch off the hook, they'd cut him some slack, but no.

[Excerpt]

Grover Norquist To Obama: Extend Bush Tax Cuts Or Be Impeached 

You almost have to admire the chutzpah of Grover Norquist. For a man with no elected office and lacking the billions of the Koch brothers, Norquist exerts a phenomenal amount of influence on American politics. From his ability to force the entire GOP to pledge not to raise taxes under any circumstances (except on the Middle Class and poor, of course) to his latest act of arrogance in essentially threatening the President of the United States, Norquist is quite sure of himself. . .

Read more at: Addicting Info

In Case You Missed It: Over Time with Bill Maher, January 27, 2012

Ep. 235: January 27, 2012 - Overtime

I'm Partying Again

No posts today, because we've been readying the joint for a birthday dinner for a friend. I'll be back later, provided the festivities do not get out of control!

Elizabeth Warren on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell

I dislike Newton Leroy Gingrich almost as much as I do Karl Rove, or anybody named Cheney. But I like Elizabeth Warren exactly as much as I dislike them. I'd vote for her for whatever she runs for. People talk about President Obama adding Hillary Clinton to his ticket, which is a cool idea. But I'd be more excited if he recruited Warren. Okay, done gushing now.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Mike in Raleigh: Janfinger!

Another great Mike in Raleigh bit, heard on The Stephanie Miller Show. This one is based on Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's exaggerated "argument" with President Obama. Enjoy!

The Return of Ferris Bueller?

I have no idea, but it's a heckuva tease!

Are Conservative Beliefs, Prejudice and Low Intelligence Linked?

I don't remember Forrest being a
racist conservative!

I'm going to tread lightly here. I could go nuts with this one, right? Instead, I'll just say that I'm not sure what the difference is between having been a lower intelligence child and currently being a prejudiced social conservative. . . Are they still lower intelligence adults? That part seemed to be left out. Anyway. . .

[Excerpt]


Low IQ & Conservative Beliefs Linked to Prejudice

There's no gentle way to put it: People who give in to racism and prejudice may simply be dumb, according to a new study that is bound to stir public controversy. . .

Read more at: Live Science

Wisconsin Gov. Walker's Aides Caught, Illegal Campaigning

Image from source, JSOnline

Soon to probably be recalled Governor Walker has all sorts of problems these days. He's sort of the walking definition of "political overreach." And now, the people who got him where he is are in trouble too. It's so terribly (chuckle) sad.

[Excerpt]


Two ex-Walker aides charged with illegal campaigning

Two staffers who worked directly for Gov. Scott Walker while he was county executive were charged Thursday with illegally doing extensive political work while being paid by taxpayers to do county jobs.

One of the two, Darlene Wink, cut a deal with prosecutors under which she has agreed to provide information in a related investigation about the destruction of digital evidence and to aid in further prosecutions. This is the first indication that the multifaceted John Doe investigation may be pursuing charges of evidence tampering. . .

Read more at: JSOnline

Rachel Maddow: PolitiFact, You're Fired!

Agreed. When their "lie of the year" turned out not to be, the writing was on the wall. Rachel Maddow took them to task on Wednesday night and again on Thursday. Here's her first piece, to be followed by the new one when it is posted.



And here is the followup.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Blogger Break!

Sorry nothing new is posted for today. Partying and revelry last night! I'll be back later today!

Herman Cain Gives Tea Party Response to State of the Union

What? The "Tea Party," a loose amalgamation of conservatives who really, really don't like President Obama, gave another response to a State of the Union Address? A leaderless movement with a dwindling presence and decreasing relevance is responding to the President's address why exactly? And they picked Herman Cain, former GOP presidential candidate/performance artist to do it? Why?

Well, at least it isn't Michele "Crazy Eyes" Bachmann, looking into the wrong camera this time.  


[Excerpt]


Herman Cain Delivers Tea Party Response To State Of The Union 




At the National Press Club tonight, former presidential hopeful Herman Cain delivered the official State Of The Union rebuttal on the behalf of the Tea Party, marking the second time the nascent conservative movement has fulfilled that role. But while Herman Cain improved on the performance of his predecessor, Michele Bachmann, and managed to deliver the standard Tea Party talking points against the Obama administration, he didn't do much to prove the necessity of a Tea Party rebuttal. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Gingrich Lives for Applause

Possibly the least likeable candidate who's gotten this far.
Image from Raw Story.

Well, there was no doubt that Newt Gingrich had an ego, was there? But Newt's love of applause is beside the point. In many of the previous debates (in this seemingly endless series), the participation of the audience became the story. And it was a decidedly unflattering--if illustrative--story at that. They booed a gay soldier. Cheered executions. Whelped with approval at the notion of letting a sick man die if he has no insurance. It hasn't been pretty.

But you know what else isn't pretty? A Republican debate with no feedback. Sure, this is how it was always done in the (not so) old days. Debates were supposed to be a very serious, somber affair. They were kind of dull sometimes, but that's just how they were. Now that we've gotten accustomed to the crass noises from the GOP crowds, an installment without them is deathly dull. Betcha they're back in the next debate.

Image from Mother Jones

[Excerpt]


Gingrich threatens to boycott debates without applause

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on Tuesday warned that he might not participate in future debates if moderators didn’t allow his fans to cheer.

NBC News had asked the audience at Monday night’s debate in Florida to hold their applause until the commercial breaks — and Gingrich was perceived to have done significantly worse than in previous debates. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Birthers Score a Victory of Sorts

The birthers just won't go away. They started with President Obama's birth certificate, claiming it wasn't the "long form" or the "certificate of live birth." They insisted that the long form be released, and while they waited, they came up with endless loopy theories. When they ran up against 1961 birth announcements in two Hawaii newspapers, a bunch of birthers bailed. I mean, it takes a hell of a tinfoil hat to try to spin a theory that explains that one away. Still, some birthers have heavy duty foil and lots of time. Some still think Obama was born in Kenya or Canada or elsewhere.

Orly, with the of an equivalent of an "I'm with stupid"
sign. The arrow should go both ways. Image
from ThinkProgress.org.

Then, Obama released the danged long form, and the birthers gave up.

Just kidding. That probably peeled off quite a few more of them, but the true nuts are still on board. They said the long form was fraudulent, and had many "experts" "prove" it, by dissecting the "layers" in the White House's scan of the document. Let me say that again, this was the scan of the document, not the document itself that the birthers were examining. Zooming in, talking about pixels. . .it was insane. And I proved them wrong here.

Since the birth certificate thing just makes them sound nuts, the after-birthers arrived. They've mostly ditched that issue, and the issue of the President's birthplace, in favor of a variety of technical issues that they believe will retroactively disqualify Barack Obama, and send him packing. Things like Obama's dad having been born in Kenya, obscure legal theories on the term "natural born citizen," among others. They really think they're going to bounce Obama on a technicality.

They got a tiny glimmer of hope from a daft Georgia judge, who thinks he can compel a sitting President into his courtroom, so that Orly Taitz can go on a fishing expedition on this and other issues (she insists he's had several invalid Social Security numbers, among other things). Obama obviously will not go, and nothing is likely to come of this. But they'll keep tilting at that windmill, you can count on it.


[Excerpt]

Georgia Judge Thinks Obama Needs To Testify In Birther Case 


In a decision that broke with every other judge to consider the issue, including at least one judge who effectively fined birther queen Orly Taiz $20,000 for pressing the absurd claim that President Obama is not a citizen eligible to serve as president, a Georgia administrative law judge sided Taitz and several of her clients’ in an effort to force President Obama to testify in a birther case. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

President Obama's Third State of the Union Address

I liked the speech. I thought it was funny watching John Boner Boehner try to figure out when to clap by watching his side of the audience. It was a lot easier to watch than any of Dubya's, that's for sure. But it wasn't quite a barnburner. And I thought it was odd that the Republicans disliked it so much. This was far from a lefty liberal moonbat speech. It was quite centrist, in my opinion.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rude Pundit Takes Newt to the Woodshed

I rarely litter the blog with words worse then damn or hell (though I've been known to sneak a few shits and fucks through!). But truth be told, I often censor myself. I've hit the delete key, and replaced a colorful word with one that is less so. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind taking that self-imposed restriction off a little more often. The world today often calls for it. But even if I did, I'd be unable to match the flair and the organic profanity of The Rude Pundit. With or without expletives, he's always on point.

[Excerpt]


Gingrich Wins South Carolina as the GOP Embraces the Devil

. . .The idea that Newt Gingrich is positioning himself as some kind of Washington outsider is so laughable that it's pathetic. He has physically lived in the DC area for over 30 years. That meeting with members of Congress in 2008 wasn't some kind of anomaly: it's what he's been doing since he was whipped out of Congress by the members of his own party, not by Democrats, not by the elite media he so derides and uses as a safe foil for his own arrogance. The idea that a multimillionaire can position himself as the poor man against Romney is mind-boggling. The idea that he can keep berating the press without anyone in the press calling him on it is just depressing. . .

Read more at: The Rude Pundit

Mitt Romney Finally Releases Tax Records

Laugh it up, Mittens! Image from Raw Story

And as Raw Story said on their Facebook page: "Boom."


[Excerpt]


Romney’s released tax return reveals 13.9% rate, holdings in foreign ‘tax havens’

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney released tax records on Tuesday indicating he will pay $6.2 million in taxes on a total of $45.2 million in income over the years 2010 and 2011.


Bowing to increasing political pressure to provide more detail about his vast wealth, the former private equity executive released tax returns indicating he and his wife, Ann, paid an effective tax rate of 13.9 percent in 2010. They expect to pay a 15.4 percent rate when they file their returns for 2011. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Paul and Romney Go After Newt's Ethics

It is not, of course, only Newt Gingrich's competition for the GOP nomination that are pointing out his rather considerable flaws. And it isn't just them and Democrats, but Republicans, like George Will, Mike Murphy and even New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Keep tenderizing him guys. If he's going to be the nominee, we need him pulpy. Thanks.

[Excerpt]


Ron Paul, Mitt Romney Open Fire On Newt Gingrich Over Ethics Charges 

Ron Paul tore into Newt Gingrich early in Monday night's debate, claiming that he had left the speakership due to lack of support from his conservative colleagues, not voluntarily -- as Gingrich has suggested -- following the GOP's poor performance in the 1998 elections. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Come to the Caymans, Mitt Romney!

Mike in Raleigh, famous Stephanie Miller Show contributor, strikes again!

In Case You Missed It: Over Time with Bill Maher, January 20, 2012

Forgot to post it earlier. A good panel. Enjoy.

Ep. 234: January 20, 2012 - Overtime

Blast from the Past: Ugly Cars of the 1970s, Pt. 2!

Continuing last week's Blast from the past theme, here is another batch of the ugly cars of the 1970s. And please note, that the first car in the list--though a 1980 model billed as "the first Chevy of the 80s"--was being sold in April 1979! And the '70 Ford Maverick may have been released in 1969, but it was sold well into the 1970s. Mmmkay?

1. Chevy Citation (1980) - This ugly car was the next size up from a Chevette. . .with no visible improvements. And what's the deal with the missing back wheels in the ad? Who thought that was a good idea?

2. Ford Maverick (1970) - This one doesn't look ugly to me anymore. But it did in the seventies. It seemed to me to be the Pinto's big brother.




3. Mustang II (1976) - Yes, there were a couple of models of the Mustang II that managed to be somewhat attractive. But there were some homely ones too. More importantly, how could they put the Mustang brand on a Pinto?


4. Dodge Omni (1978) - Chrysler's projects were often inferior imitations of other manufacturer's products back in the old days, but seldom were they as ugly as the Rabbit/Chevette knockoff Dodge Omni.




5. Plymouth Horizon TC3 (1979) - Identical to the Omni except in name, was the Horizon. They stretched the brand with this somewhat more attractive fastback version. But it was still pretty ugly.

6. AMC Matador (1977) - Mitt Romney's dad's company produced a huge amount of ugly. But the Matador--with it's Pacer-esque front end--was it's own special kind.




7. Mercury Bobcat (1976) - When you've got two car divisions, you apparently have to spread the ugly around. Lincoln-Mercury produced this upscale version of the Pinto to virtually no acclaim.


8. Oldsmobile Starfire (1975) - This was apparently Olds' answer to the Chevrolet Vega/Monza. Having lived through the 70s myself, this one is apparently burned from my memory. Evidently though, they manage to make over 125 thousand of them in five model years.



Okay, so I think that will do it for this week's edition of Blast from the Past, and from this category. Have a great week everybody. Happy Monday!

Obama Wins Nevada!

Image from (not kidding) BlackSnob

Oh, this was a foregone conclusion, I know. But with 90% of precincts reporting, President Obama got 98.3% of the caucus goers' (including moi's) votes. That's pretty good right there. If there were a Democratic backlash, you'd think that it would have shown itself in some sort of protest vote. All they needed in any precinct was 15% to register their protest. Clearly, that barely happened.

Now, on with the Gingrich-gasm. >shudder<

Breaking News: Gingrich Wins South Carolina Primary

Newt smash!!! Image from Wikipedia.

Oh, boy. Liberals and Democrats are rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a Gingrich nomination!!! I know that it is tempting fate, but I'm quite sure that Gingrich is less electable in a general election than Romney would be. Gingrich is thoroughly unlikeable, mean, petty. . .the list goes on and on. I know that the arch conservative right-wing is thirsty--a blood lust really--to have somebody, anybody beat the stuffing out of President Obama. That can be the only thing that is inspiring a Gingrich surge. Because he's a doughy pant load. Really.

My Experience at the Nevada Democratic Caucus

I only heard about the Nevada Democratic Caucus a week or so ago. I got an email, and went to try and find my caucus location. I tried the website twice, and then again on a different computer, and just got errors. But I finally did get a postcard with my location: Silverado High School, which is coincidentally the school a friend's kids go to. But, should I go? I mean, Barack Obama is running unopposed, so what's the point?

This is a professional operation,
I tells ya!

Well, I figured I ought to do my civic duty, and go regardless. The Other Half--likely story--wasn't feeling well *cough* *cough*, so he didn't go with me. When I got to the school, there was little indication of where to go. And the wind was ferocious, kicking up dust and debris. My very short hair was mussed anyway, and I had dirt in my eyes and teeth. Shielding my eyes with my hand, I followed a couple of likewise staggering people, hoping I was going the right way. Then I saw a sign taped to the door.

We lined up inside at the A-E, F-L, M-S, S-Z tables. There was no ID check, but they did ask my address. Which was good, because there are two James Greenlees in my area, apparently! I got my caucusing ballot, and headed inside the gymnasium. Wow, those Silverado Sky Hawks are apparently good at everything! State champs at most, runners up at others. I was impressed.

Not a tough choice.

Anyway, at first I was amused by the very small turnout. I wasn't sure if the few people there were like me, supporters of the President, or people determined to embarrass him by voting "uncommitted." Slowly, over the half hour, more people streamed in. All said, there were over 150 people in our group, by my estimate. And strikingly, the racial makeup of those assembled was varied. As a Caucasian, I very well may have been in the minority. The crowd was also much older than in 2008, with my 45-year-old self a relative youngster. Lastly, I noticed--especially in retrospect, after shopping at Sam's and Walmart--that the caucusers were noticeably not fat. I don't know what that means, but there you go.

Not a big crowd at first, but it got bigger.

So, we listened to a guy who wasn't meant for public speaking, read letters from President Obama, Senator Harry Reid, and Congresswoman Shelley Berkely. Then we separated into precincts, and it got kind of sad. The precinct to the left and right of mine were filled with people, 25 or 30 each. Our group consisted of five, led by a man of indeterminate foreign extraction. As difficult as he was to understand, and as ill-equipped to lead as he was, we elected him permanent chair anyway. Who wants to do that? And because there were so few of us, all of us were eligible to be delegates! Two went for it, I did not.

The groups on either side of us seemed to be run by much more experienced, much more enthusiastic people. It was okay though, since this was all pretty much for show anyway. A vote of "uncommitted" would have required at least 15% to even be viable, and I'm not sure that happened anywhere in the room. If President Obama gets less than 85% of the overall vote, I'll be very surprised.

So, I participated. It took at most an hour and a half out of my day, and it felt good. It felt American. I'd do it again, whether it matters or not.

Newt Gingrich Can Do All Three! Wives? Mistresses?

Newt with bug-eyed, helmet-haired Calista, former
mistress, most recent wife. Image from ScrapeTV.

Newt Gingrich inspired a gag reflex in me all the way back in the mid-90s, when he shut down the government. He was responsible for the birth of the current hyper-partisanship we may never dig out from under. He was responsible for the phrase "whiny titty baby," I'm pretty sure.

Newt is a thoroughly unlikable, doughy, pant-load (™The Stephanie Miller Show). So, the fact that Newt may win South Carolina. . .and even have the possibility of winning the GOP nomination is stunning. This man was shamed out of the speakership, and had to pay a six-figure fine. Since then, he's used various scams to enrich himself. He's married to the chick he was boffing when he was married to his second wife, who he was boffing when he was married to his first wife!

One of the deepest mysteries in life is the fact that Newt Gingrich (and one of his latest defenders, Rush Limbaugh) can be so hypersexual as to leave a trail of broken marriages and mistresses. And these are just the women we know about. Can you imagine lining up to be the next gal to make it with Newt (or Rush)? That is a lot of man-boob to lie beneath. >shudder<

Anyway, here's Newtie Patootie's latest stupid ad, where he says he can "do all three." Yay.

Keith Olbermann's Worst Persons in the World, Friday, January 20, 2012

I haven't posted a Countdown with Keith Olbermann clip in a while. I still (grumble) don't get Current TV on my Cox Cable, so. . .outta sight, outta mind. But I happened to catch this one, and it's a goodie.

"Find out why Steve Beshear, the Democratic governor of Kentucky, is WORSE; Newt Gingrich is WORSER; and Dr. Keith Ablow, psychology pundit on the political whorehouse that is Fox News, is the WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD for Jan. 20, 2012."

In Case You Missed It: Stephen Colbert's Latest SuperPAC Ad

And it's against Stephen Colbert!

Vote For Newt!

Newt.


Plucky.


Newt.


Scrappy.


Newt.


A survivor!


Vote for Newt. Or nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure. Game over, man. Game over.

A Mitt & A Newt

I'd have thrown in some Santorum, but this is a clean blog!

Rick Perry Leaves the 2012 Race

Oops. Image from source.

With The Little Dumber Boy (™The Stephanie Miller Show), Rick Perry officially out of the race, he will quickly be forgotten on the national scene.* Sure, he may turn up as a throw-away reference if there is another bumbling Texas governor. Or maybe as a Trivial Pursuit question. But otherwise, he's going to slink back to Texas, and I doubt he's going to be very high profile for a while.

So, it's pretty much my last chance to make fun of the guy in any kind of timely manner. Enjoy.

*There is the chance, of course, that FOX "News" will throw Perry a bone now and again, I suppose. Or he could even get a folksy spin-off of the politics-meets-Hee-Haw program, Huckabee.

[Excerpt]


Rick Perry’s top ten ‘oops!’ moments of his campaign

Rick Perry’s presidential campaign may be best remembered for a single word and an exclamation point.

Oops!

Perry’s propensity for verbal gaffes contributed to his rapid decline from leader of the pack to also-ran presidential wannabe. . .

Read more at: Perry Presidential

Romney Has Millions Stowed Away Off Shore in the Cayman Islands

I think a President should be--or at least have once been--a man (or woman) of the people. He should at least have some idea of what the average, American experience is. Our previous President, The Decider, was a rich boy with something of a free ride, but he did at least associate with the little guy sometimes. One thing about Dubya, the people who liked him, really liked him. They wanted to sit down and have a beer with him, even though he is an alcoholic. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton came from more humble beginnings, and only later in life became wealthy and powerful. Whatever you think of them, putting the title of "elitist" on them is an empty insult. But Mitt Romney? Mitt Romney has been rich since day one, and super-rich almost as long. [Story continues below]



Is that a bad thing? No, in-and-of itself, I suppose not. But every "human" moment that Romney has attempted on the campaign trail (which dates back years) has come off stiff, forced and odd. He doesn't ad lib well with ordinary Joes. No, something about Romney sets him apart from we ordinary mortals.  And lately, he's been making an effort to seem like he's not a 1%-er. His speaking fees of nearly $400K in a year were "not much." His tax rate of 15% was on money he made from investments, not from working. This doesn't mean he's bad, it just means he's different. Different from the people he wants to vote for him, and different from the man he is (badly) attempting to portray on the campaign trail.

Now, this.


[Excerpt]


Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands

Although it is not apparent on his financial disclosure form, Mitt Romney has millions of dollars of his personal wealth in investment funds set up in the Cayman Islands, a notorious Caribbean tax haven.
A spokesperson for the Romney campaign says Romney follows all tax laws and he would pay the same in taxes regardless of where the funds are based. . .

Read more at: ABC News

Newt Gingrich Thinks His Adultery is the Media's Fault

The most memorable part of the Thursday night South Carolina debate will likely be Newt going all "no you di'n't" on John King for daring to bring up Newt's tawdry marital issues. This is the top political story of the day (vying with Rick Perry calling it quits, and Rick Santorum "winning" Iowa, sorta), and was a valid question. Maybe the teabaggers in the audience fell for Newtie's trick, but nobody else should. All through these debates, when Gingrich gets an uncomfortable question, he lashes out at the questioner. It's a great tactic. You might instinctively leap to his defense, he seems so put out. Except that he's a lying, despicable, odious toad.

[Excerpt]

Newt Gingrich Responds To Ex-Wife's 'Open Marriage' Claims, Slams CNN During 2012 GOP Debate 

Sparks flew on the stage of the CNN debate in Charleston, S.C., Thursday during the very first question. The charges, however, were not directed between the candidates, but between former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and debate moderator John King. . .


Read more at: Huffington Post

GOP Candidates Against SOPA & PIPA

Finally, something nearly all of us seem to agree with. Though Rick (don't Google me) Santorum hedged a bit.

Rick Santorum on Better Homophobes and Gardens

Source: Mad Magazine, found at Kennethinthe212.com

Republicans Trust FOX "News". ONLY.

Image from Think Progress

I understand that people of different political persuasions tend to view things slightly differently from each other. For instance, I bristle when I hear that MSNBC is the flip-side to FOX "News." I think that is objectively not true (and stand by that), but I also understand that I'm feeling a bit of "I know you are, but what am I?" when I hear it. So, I believe it is probable that the reverse is true. Conservatives who watch FOX probably are a bit defensive about it, and they probably see MSNBC in the same harsh light that I see FOX. They're wrong, but that's not the point.

The point is, they see all media (other than the 99% of talk radio that is right-wing, which somehow doesn't count) as liberally biased, with only FOX "News" speaking the truth. What is that story? You know, the one where the mother sees her kid marching in a parade, and proudly claims that he's the only one in step? Yeah, this is kinda like that. And it gives credence to my theory that conservatives think any media that isn't right-leaning, is de facto left-leaning.


[Excerpt]


Survey: Republicans Trust Fox News And Nothing Else 

A new PPP poll confirms what many have long suspected — that many Americans get their news from sources that hew to their pre-existing beliefs. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Comedian Todd Glass Comes Out of the Closet

Image from source, JDJournal

This news has been out a couple of days, I'm aware, but I just found it, so apologies if you've already heard.

Many times when a celebrity comes out of the closet, I'm rather unsurprised. Pleased, happy for them. . .but unsurprised. I'm not the only one with functional gaydar, I know. Anybody can spot some of them (George Michael, Ricky Martin). But, there are a few moderate surprises, like Neil Patrick Harris (though he didn't fool everyone) or Portia DeRossi. It's rare though--for me--to find out a famous person is gay, and have been taken by surprise.

Todd Glass is a very funny comedian, who's logged some time on Comedy Central, and participated in a season of Last Comic Standing. He's a big, burly guy. He looks like Huey Lewis crossed with John Goodman. Finding out he's gay is precisely as surprising as if either of them came out! Anyway, good for you, Todd. And if you read this, I hope my comparison doesn't rub you the wrong way! Anyway, I have to take my gaydar into the shop, 'cause it's obviously broken.


[Excerpt]


Todd Glass Comes Out on Podcast 

Todd Glass, a stand-up comic, publicly announced that he is gay when he appeared on Monday’s episode of ‘WTF with Marc Maron.’ Glass told Maron that his decision to come out publicly stems from the rising number of suicides by gay youths in America. . .

Read more at: JDJournal

Stop SOPA and PIPA

 Show your support... Stop SOPA and PIPA 

Follow Greenlee Gazette on Facebook and Twitter!

Okay, so there's this thing called "Insights" on Facebook. All kinds of nifty information is available there. But I don't qualify, because the Greenlee Gazette Facebook page doesn't yet have enough followers. Which is embarrassing. But not surprising. Even though I get over 200 visitors to the main page daily, in addition to 50 or so RSS readers and unknown numbers of mobile readers, all of those numbers are smallish. I know and accept this. Plus, my Facebook page is relatively new, and has had even less promotion than this here blog thingy.

Still, I want to grow this venture. And I want to help the Stupid Monkey Planet Church of Primatheism grow too (even though his Facebook page has already passed me by). So, I'm trolling again for the both of us. There are buttons on the upper left of the page, and here they are again. Click 'em! Like us! Please? Thank you!

   

The (Not) Colbert SuperPAC's New Anti-SuperPAC ad

When I heard Newt Gingrich lamenting Mitt Romney's dollar-rich SuperPAC, I just about did a spit take. I totally expected that Bill Maher, SNL, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert would have some great material. But with Colbert's faux campaign, and Stewart's. . .uh. . .stewardship of The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert SuperPAC, there is potentially a much larger audience for it. That can only be a good thing.

Notable Quotable: Attention, Corporate America!

Image found at Dvorak.org

"Attention, Corporate America: If the Bill of Rights interferes with your business model, the problem ISN'T the Bill of Rights."

-- Huffington Post commenter, DatelessNerd

Wikipedia and Others to Shut Down for 24 Hours on January 18

In this image, logos of other companies were used to
illustrate the ABC stories. Would that be a violation,
or fair use? What about here?

Don't be surprised if you try to go to your favorite website and find it unusable on Wednesday. Some of them, notably Wikipedia, will be protesting a couple of intrusive "anti-piracy" bills in the House and Senate. In the worst case, if the bills were enacted into law, blogs like this one would be in danger of being shut down. Anything that could be considered someone else's intellectual property could be a violation, and it looks like corporations would be the arbiters. Sounds sort of like a corporatocracy or something, doesn't it? I don't like it, and I don't really care if it's left, right or bipartisan. And the big question: if site owners are responsible for content posted by others, how fast would Facebook and Twitter be out of business?

[Excerpt]


Wikipedia Blackout: Websites Wikipedia, Reddit, Others Go Dark Wednesday to Protest SOPA, PIPA

Do not try to look up "Internet Censorship" or "SOPA" or "PIPA" on Wikipedia, the giant online encyclopedia, on Wednesday. SOPA and PIPA are two bills in Congress meant to stop the illegal copying and sharing of movies and music on the Internet, but major Internet companies say the bills would put them in the impossible position of policing the online world. . .

Read more (with video) at: ABC News

Mitt Romney, Born This Rich! (Lady Gaga Parody)

Thanks to Mike in Raleigh (famous from The Stephanie Miller Show) for allowing me to share his hilarious parodies. This one is particularly good, a riff on Lady Gaga's Born This Way. Enjoy.


INTERNET EXPLORER USERS: If you find this doesn't work for you, click the "Soundcloud" logo above, or use Firefox!

GOP Debate Audience Boos Mitt Romney's Mexican Roots

Romney looks like Ken, Gingrich looks like a Fisher-Price person.
Image from Raw Story.

I avoided the first half of this most recent debate, mostly because I didn't know there was one until it had already started. By that time, I was watching my Rachel, so I saw no point in changing the channel. I did catch some commentary during TRMS, by reading my twitter feed. My feed is populated so many funny politicos and comedians (and porn stars), I can't bear to watch a debate without them. But after Rachel was done, I did switch over. It's the same thing, only minus Jon Huntsman vacillating between being rational, and being a a hard-right zealot. And there is something still missing, what with Cain and Bachmann out.

The one steady thread through most of the debates is the audiences. For the life of me, I do not know why they've turned debates into a spectator sport. These things are supposed to be serious, dare I say it, even sorta classy. Not this year. They've booed and hissed at a gay soldier and a hypothetical dying man, while cheering executions. They might as well hold these things in The Coliseum.


[Excerpt]


GOP debate audience boos Romney’s Mexican heritage

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney may be in the lead in the Palmetto state, but that doesn’t mean South Carolinians necessarily like him.

During a Fox News debate at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Monday, the Republican audience booed loudly after being told that Romney’s father was born in Mexico. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

New Colbert SC Ad: Vote Herman Cain!

There's Something About Mrs. Frothy Mix

This story seems kind of tabloidy and skeevy, I know. But GOP Presidential candidate, Rick (don't Google me) Santorum has made his name on basically two subjects: the gay thing and abortion. So, as oogey as story is, it is also somewhat germane. And it points out that the perfect li'l family with the perfect li'l wife does have some uncomfortable details.

[Excerpt]


The Freaky Wife Of Frothy Mix


Before she married Rick "Marriage Defender" Santorum, his now-devout wife Karen wasshacking up with an abortion doctor forty years older than she was. If that's not freaky enough, he was also the doctor who delivered her. Can I get an "ewww" up in here?. . . 

 Read more at: Joe.My.God.

Blast from the Past - Ugly Cars of the 1970s! (Part 1)

I don't think the new Dodge Dart will land on many
"ugly" lists. Image from MSNBC.

I got the idea for this week's Blast from the Past from the news story that Chrysler is bringing back the Dodge Dart. The new one is a much different critter from the old 60s and 70s Dart, which started kind of classic, and became desperately ugly by the mid-1970s. But so many did!

There is no doubt that Detroit made a lot of ugly iron in the 1970s. Whatever brand loyalty and reputation they may have earned in the previous 50 years was all but destroyed by those crappy cars. Some of them became classics anyway, whether ironically or not. But most of these beasties can only be loved with buckets full of nostalgia thrown on them.


1. Chrysler Cordoba - Only remembered for Ricardo Montalban's "rich Corinthian leather!"
2. Chevrolet Chevette (1976) - This ugly duckling debuted with fanfare it didn't deserve. It never, ever turned into a swan.



3. AMC Pacer - Ugly inside and out, even with a Chevy Nova inside.
4. AMC Gremlin - They took a reasonable looking Hornet, chopped off the trunk, then made it as ugly as possible.



5. Ford Pinto (1970) - Much like the Chevette, Ford tried to make this sound like something wonderful and exciting, and "care free." If you don't care about fires. . .
6. Dodge Dart Swinger - Ten kinds of ugly, swinger or not.



7. Plymouth Duster (1972) - This one actually looked uglier to me in its original time. Given how ugly so many other cars of the era look now, this one is growing on me.
8. Oldsmobile Omega Broughm (1976) - I picked this car because almost nobody remembers it. Unlike the others, it doesn't have a legend that goes with it. But it is a great example of how little thought went into making cars attractive in America in the 1970s.



That will just about do it for me for the week. I know there are many unrepresented ugly 70s cars, so I tagged this as "Part 1."And we've got other decades to hit too! Happy Monday!

Breaking News: Jon Huntsman Dropping Out of Race

Yeah, I'm a little fuzzy on a couple of these guys.

Interesting. Weird timing, actually, since not much has happened in the last couple of days. And so, the "not-Romney" field is winnowed down before even the third state votes. Huntsman was arguably the most broadly palatable candidate, though he tacked hard right in recent weeks. That really leaves Mitt (who the right hates) and Newt (who has a host of problems). Way to go, Republicans!

[Excerpt]


Sources: Huntsman to drop out of 2012 race tomorrow, endorse Romney 

Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor who was seen by Democrats months ago as the potential biggest threat to President Obama in a general election, is dropping out of the race tomorrow and will endorse Mitt Romney, a campaign official confirms to POLITICO. . .

Read more at: Politico

Another Creationist Bill in Missouri

C'mon, are they serious? When I was growing up (and I'm aware that was a while ago), there were certain things that were understood to be true. Like, child labor was bad. Unregulated, laissez faire  capitalism was bad. Combining church and state was bad. These weren't radical things, they were simply "social studies." And in science, we learned about evolution. Nobody made a big deal about it. Religious people manage to square it on Sunday with their Bibles. I, on the other hand, gravitated into the "non-believer" category.

But evolution wasn't denied by people openly, or at least not that I remember. Inherit the Wind, which chronicled the Scopes "Monkey" Trial was seen as a lesson from a less enlightened time. It was shown to us in school! Somewhere along the way, all of these "accepted" things have been seemingly coming undone. Newt Gingrich advocates forced child labor, at least for poor kids. Unregulated capitalism is championed by every single Republican candidate for president. And they're all in favor of combining church and state, going so far as to say they were never supposed to be separate in the first place! Evolution though, has been under attack going back a little longer.

As a heathen myself, I find the creationist and "intelligent design" stories to be greatly lacking as any kind of "theories." They are certainly not science. And they don't even answer the question! If a religionist is going to say that the universe is too complicated to have "just happened," how do they figure that inserting an all-powerful super-being into the story simplifies things? They've just inserted hugely complicated new step.

[Excerpt]


Missouri GOP Introduces Second Creationism Bill In State Legislature


As if one creationism bill wasn’t enough already, Missouri Republicans have introduced a second one in an attempt to force Christianity on schools one way or another. . . 

Read more at: Addicting Info