Facepalm: Michele Bachmann Embarrasses Herself (And Us) One More Time

Michele Bachmann is not running for reelection to Congress in 2014. But that doesn't mean she's going to stop embarrassing herself, or the country. Just take a look at this. Marcus, come get your beard wife! She's doing that thing again!

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Romney Defenders: Here is Why the Rest of Us Are Upset With Mitt

If you are a conservative who is thus far on Mitt Romney's side, regarding the politicization of the attacks in Libya and Egypt, I have an answer for you. Short answer: Mitt says there was an "apology" when there wasn't, and waded into the fray while the attacks were ongoing. For the longer, more nuanced answer, check out this clip from The Rachel Maddow Show. I'm serious, watch it. If nothing else, you may gain a little perspective on why so many people are so upset with Romney.

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

What Happens in Vegas: President Obama Visits

I'm getting a late start on blogging, having had an unexpected work night on Wednesday, so that's why my blogging is going to be light.

Following the deaths of a US Ambassador and three other officials in Libya, the news and commentary on the subject has been odd. First, though this seems to have been a coordinated terrorist attack on September 11, the weight of the news doesn't feel very impactful. It's a topic of discussion, everybody is sad about it, but it's just. . .oddly detached or something.

Secondly, we had Mitt Romney weighing in as though he were President, but if this was a preview, it's not a very strong selling point. He jumped the gun, got the facts wrong, jumped on the actual President in the middle of national crisis, and then doubled down on his error when he could have possibly dialed it back. Right-wing World doesn't know what to do with this, wanting instinctively to kick Obama at any opportunity, but also wanting to appear patriotic. Some of them have chastised Romney, others have bizarrely doubled down with him, still using flawed story lines and reasoning (I'm looking at you, Kevin Wall of KXNT).

President Obama had been scheduled to stop in Las Vegas on Wednesday since at least last weekend. There was a scramble for tickets when they were made available. There was talk of whether or not he'd keep the engagement, and he did. Right-wing world is squawking about that--campaigning during a national crisis!--though I'm sure we could find a dozen times Bush campaigned during one crisis or other (Katrina comes to mind). They'd complain if he cancelled too, disappointing all of those people and dissing Las Vegas yet again!!!1!!11!!!  There is literally nothing the man could do that the right wouldn't complain about. If he cured cancer, they'd complain he cut jobs at cancer clinics.

[Excerpt]

Obama's Las Vegas stop waxes somber in wake of consulate attack in Libya


Appearing somber, President Barack Obama on Wednesday opened a campaign visit to Las Vegas by remembering four Americans who died in an attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya, saying they gave their lives to uphold American values of freedom in a dangerous land. . .

Read more at: LVRJ

 

Hillary Clinton Responds to Death of State Dept. Officer, Romney Takes Advantage

Mrs. Clinton doing her job. Image from TPM.

Oy. I'm no fan of any religion in particular, and find some reactionary Muslims' hyper-sensitivity to "blasphemy" to be utterly and completely ridiculous. I find the very notion of blasphemy ridiculous, Muslim or not. But to deliberately stoke this irrational beast? To provoke a reaction on purpose? That is insanity, and this "pastor" Terry Jones guy ought to be excommunicated, or shunned, or whatever his idiotic sect does to assholes.

That said, I of course find the use of violence--up to and including murder--to be utterly unacceptable, and unbecoming of this "religion of peace," to say the very least. It takes a couple of typical reactions of religious people--1) overreaction and 2) believing that people not of your faith must follow your faith's rules--and magnifies them to insane proportions.

As for our politicians and their reactions to this terrible turn of events, I find Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's response to be typically very good. I find the Embassy's response to be just fine, provided that it was before the attacks happened, as stated. Mitt Romney has jumped in, trying to burnish his lacking foreign policy credentials, and finger-wagged the White House for "apologizing" for. . .what. . .that we have a douchebag "pastor" inflaming crazy people? I don't know, and Romney really doesn't yet either.

For all the crap President Obama got for "politicizing" the killing of Osama bin Laden--something Bush/Cheney would've had as part of a re-election slogan--Romney politicizing this horrible event right after it freakin' happened shows a real lack of restraint, and I find that inappropriate.

[Excerpt]

State Dept. Confirms Death In Libya; Romney Attacks ‘Disgraceful’ White House

. . .Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirmed the death at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, according to the Associated Press. Angry mobs descended on the consulate in Libya and the embassy in Egypt to protest an online film by American pastor Terry Jones that denounces Islam. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

FOX "News" Alert: Sarah Palin Has Issued a Tweet on Egypt!

No, sadly, I'm not kidding.

Rachel Maddow vs. Glenn Beck & Sean Hannity

I post a lot of news stories and video clips by and about Rachel Maddow. As I've said before, I've been a fan of hers since she was on the radio show Unfiltered with (Daily Show creator) Lizz Winstead and (Public Enemy's) Chuck D, way back in 2004. I was excited to see her getting exposure on MSNBC and CNN, notably with Tucker Carlson, David Gregory and Keith Olbermann. Since she got her own program, I've been a regular viewer, and obviously, have championed her show.

But if you're a conservative reader, you probably see her name, and let out a "Pffft! That commie, pinko, moonbat, hard lefty, lesbian (or is it a dude, dude?), Mad Cow?" Because, first, conservatives must think that is the height of insightful and/or humorous commentary, and second because they dismiss anything Maddow has to say on principle. Most critiques of Rachel's work come from people who seem to only have the barest familiarity with her style, and her views. She's not the liberal Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity.

There's a difference in tone, material, and delivery.  Here are two clips from Thursday's show, about the conflict in Egypt.  In the first clip, Rachel discusses the attacks on journalists, and what that's all about. It's informative and compelling stuff. In the second clip, she shows us what Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity's perspectives are on the crisis. The contrast is very, very stark.

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

The Real Reason Anderson Cooper Was Attacked in Egypt

Anderson Cooper and Other Journalists Attacked in Egypt

Image from Huffington Post

Wednesday in Egypt, many journalists and news crews covering the potentially revolutionary riots, were sought out and attacked. Included in these attacks were NBC's Richard Engel (though he was not injured) and CNN's Anderson Cooper (who was repeatedly punched in the head). These attacks apparently came from pro-Egyptian government counterprotesters, believed to be paid by the government itself.

[Excerpt]

Anderson Cooper Attacked, Punched In The Head By Pro-Mubarak Mob In Egypt



Anderson Cooper and his crew were attacked by supporters of Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on Wednesday. CNN's Steve Brusk tweeted that Cooper was punched in the head ten times. . .
 
Read more at: Huffington Post

Egyptian Conflict Takes a Turn

Since the conflict in Egypt started a few days ago, I've struggled to pay attention. I still have trouble, and wonder why this is capturing virtually all of the news' attention. I get that it's important, but I'm not sure why it's getting the entire focus of the media. But on Wednesday night, The Rachel Maddow Show began with an encapsulation of exactly what is going on. Rachel explained--in the context of other similar uprisings--the desperate desire of the Egyptian government to steer the revolt to their own advantage. The government injected paid protesters of their own, to stir up trouble, and make the whole movement look like lawless, violent rogues. They even began attacking journalists. Hey, you mess with Anderson Cooper, and you've gone too far!

If you've had difficulty getting a handle on this story, like me, watch the clip below. I think you'll find a new appreciation for what's going on.

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Something Happened in Gaza

Photo from source, TIME

I know it's an important story, but darned if I know enough to write intelligently about it. So, I'll just shut up and get right to the story excerpt. Make of it what you will.

[Excerpt]

Hamas Beats Israel's Gaza Siege

It took explosives to do what diplomacy couldn't: allow Palestinians to go on a shopping spree. The siege of Gaza, imposed by Israel and the international community after Hamas seized control of the Palestinian territory last July, ended abruptly before dawn on Wednesday when militants blew as many as 15 holes in the border wall separating the territory from Egypt. In the hours that followed, over 350,000 Palestinians swarmed across the frontier, nearly one fifth of Gaza's entire population. . .

Read more at: TIME

Smart Egyptian Monkey Prosthetics

Posted by Stupid Monkey Planet

I just thought this was cool. Some of the times we monkeys can be smart. Just not enough of the times.

The prosthetic toe in the Cairo Museum. Credit: Jacky Finch

Egyptian Monkey Cleverness...