A Summary of Current Events

By Stupid Monkey Planet

 

I would've put 'Education' in there... but I am pretty sure that has been flushed already.

Don't forget to jiggle the handle.

Right Wing World: Really, Really, Really BIG Government

When Republicans claim to be for smaller, reduced government, they don't mean it. Sure, they don't like social programs that help people. They don't want any of their taxes going for stuff they don't like (art, science, helping people).  If government is spending money on things they like (guns, bombs, wars), and supporting things they like (prisons, border fences), it's all good. But nowhere does the hypocrisy shine more than when you look at what they really focus on, as soon as they regain power:

- Abortion
- Anti-gay legislation
- Pro-religion anything
- Pro-gun anything

It doesn't matter that they got in by promising to do something about the economy and jobs. Those aren't their real priorities. And when they tick off those four things? They go deeper into crazy town to things like contraception. Yes, seriously.

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

Really, REALLY Big Government: Benton Harbor, Michigan

For my badger friend from the other side of the political aisle. . .watch this.

Michigan GOP Taking Over a Town? Strips Voting Rights?

Image from source, Detroit News

What does "limited" or "small" government mean to you? It's the mantra of the so called (dwindling) tea party. Nearly every prominent Republican touts it, as do all of the right-wing talk radio personalities. Get government out of our lives! Government does nothing right! Government isn't the answer to the problem, government is the problem!

So why do the Republicans govern so differently from their big talk? Why do conservatives want to be able to strip my right to marry in California? Why do conservatives want to decide what goes on in any given pregnant woman's uterus? Why do they think they can just decide to get rid of things that unions fought for? Why do they think that a certain brand of a certain sect of a certain religion ought to have the rule of law over people who are not of the same faith? And when you've answered all of those questions, what about the crap that's going down in Michigan?

When The Rachel Maddow Show began commenting on the ridiculously overreaching policies going into effect in Michigan, many on the right laughed her off. Oh, she's just a "True Twit," making mountains out of mole hills. But what Rachel was getting at seems to be coming to pass. Legislators in Michigan think that if a town isn't doing so well, they can appoint somebody to swoop in, and take over, duly elected representatives be damned. How is this small government?

[Excerpt]

Emergency manager cuts roles of Benton Harbor officials



In a move believed to be the first under sweeping new state legislation, Emergency Manager Joseph Harris suspended decision-making powers of city officials Friday.


Officials only can call meetings to order, adjourn them and approve minutes of meetings as part of the order issued Friday. . .

Read more at: The Detroit News

"Small Government" Conservative Think Tank Uses Government Against Professors

Gov. Walker's Fans, Photo from TPM

This one's just a little weird. Using the government to go after professors who may have used terms like "Wisconsin," "Madison" (wow, that isn't too broad!) and oddly, "Maddow" in email correspondence. See, conservatives really don't like professors, for their book learnin' and liberal leanings. So they're trying to git 'em, but they're doing so in a way that sort of uses the very "big government" they supposedly deplore. And along the way, they're going against the "nobody watches MSNBC" meme, as well as the "what Governor Walker is doing is very popular" line.

[Excerpt]

Conservative Think Tank Seeks Michigan Profs' Emails About Wisconsin Union Battle ... And Maddow



A free enterprise think tank in Michigan -- backed by some of the biggest names in national conservative donor circles -- has made a broad public records request to at least three in-state universities with departments that specialize in the study of labor relations, seeking all their emails regarding the union battle in Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) and MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, TPM has learned. . ."
 
Read more at: Talking Points Memo

Is a Government Shutdown on the Way?

My Senator, Harry Reid. He doesn't do
"tough guy" very well. Image from AOL

Last time there was a government shut down, it didn't go so well for Republicans or then Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. This time, a potential shutdown is still pretty much at the feet of the GOP if it happens, but they're scrambling like mad to paint it as the President's fault, or the Democrats' fault at least. I just wish they'd all get their shit together, realize that there's more than just politics at stake here (barely recovering economy, three or four wars going on). It isn't going to be pretty, and it wouldn't be particularly surprising to see everyone getting blowback on this one.

[Excerpt]

Government Funding Talks Devolve Into Widespread Recriminations



Negotiations over a resolution to keep the government funded until the fall have devolved into recriminations, with Senate Democrats arguing that House Republicans moved the goal posts, party operatives criticizing the White House's negotiating tactics, and GOP leadership calling congressional Democratic demands unreasonable. . .
 
Read more at: AOL

Tax Hell: My Ordeal with the IRS

I received a letter from the IRS this weekend, saying I owed them over $4,000.  This, as you might imagine, was a little distressing!  Especially since I filed my return on time, and actually paid an additional amount in April. Of course, the IRS is not open on weekends, so relief was still a ways off.  I was confident that I didn't really owe that much, so I kind of looked at it with humor, albeit mixed with trepidation.

The soonest I could do anything about it was this evening, so when I got home, I called the helpful number supplied in the letter. After 15 minutes or so on hold, I finally got a human.  She was kind, and seemingly helpful, putting me on hold several times. I explained to her that I'd only ever filed 1040-EZs in the past, since my taxes are relatively straightforward. But in 2009, I started dabbling in the stock market online. Last year, I managed to net $634 (dwarfed by losses this year, but that doesn't count).  Because of this, I was rather clueless as to how to file, so had an "expert"* friend help me out.

The helpful IRS lady did some re-jiggering of my figures, but she still ended up with over $4,000 owed. . .gulp.  Knowing that is was flat-out impossible that $600 in profits could grow to that big of a tax, I of course objected, and she agreed to put me on hold again for an "advanced" specialist.  I was on hold for an eternity (with one interminable tune being played on an endless loop). In the meantime, I had The Other Half refigure my form for me. This turned out to be fortuitous, as it turns out there were several errors on my tax form.

It also turns out that I don't owe, I'm owed.  Quite a bit actually.  When the advanced guy finally came on the line, I explained all of this, and. . .he couldn't help me. But he did give me the address and phone number of an IRS office here in town that should be able to help me.  So, I'm going to fill out all of the forms I need again (1040, 1040-X, Schedule-D), and take all of my paperwork with me on Friday.  Cross your fingers for me.

*EDITOR'S NOTE:  This is not a slam of my friend who tried to help me.  I appreciated the help, and frankly probably shouldn't have imposed. He gave it a go. It's my responsibility.

Military Says They Were Source of "UFOs" in Texas

Photo from source, AOL News

Mmm hmm. It might be a bit tin-foil hatty of me, but I'm always immediately skeptical of anything out of our government these days. They say one thing, and I'm automatically starting to contemplate the opposite. So what's the opposite of "there weren't any UFOs?" Is it, that there are? Or maybe that they are technically UFOs, but only of terrestrial origin; something the military doesn't want to tell us about it?

[Excerpt]

Military Blames UFO Reports on Jet Drills

So much for aliens in Texas dairy country. At least that was the message Wednesday when the military said 10 F-16 fighter jets were training in the Stephenville area the night dozens of residents reported seeing a UFO. . .

Read more at: AOL News

Vouchers for Mandated Digital TV: Get Yours

Next year, the government is requiring all TV transmissions to go digital. Not a problem if you have digital cable boxes on all of your TVs. But if you're like me, you have one or two TVs running the standard cable or even rabbit ears. Fortunately, the government is offering vouchers to help offset the cost of digital converter boxes. But you better get in now before they're gone! Click through to the link at the end of this excerpt to find the link for the vouchers.

[Excerpt]

Feds share coupons to help TV transition

Millions of $40 government coupons become available Tuesday to help low-tech television owners buy special converter boxes for older TVs that might not work after the switch to digital broadcasting.

Beginning Feb. 18, 2009, anyone who does not own a digital set and still gets their programming via over-the-air antennas will no longer receive a picture. . .

Read more at: Yahoo News

UPDATE: According to the article, cable users will not be affected, but I'm not convinced. Right now, if I want digital cable, I have to rent a digital cable box from Cox Cable. Two of my TVs currently get standard analog cable, and a third gets rabbit ears only. The big screen, of course, gets the full digital treatment. Anyway, I'm hedging my bets, and applying for two vouchers, just in case the analog cable needs a box. If not, I'll give it to somebody who needs it.

An Honest Government Report. Imagine That.

While we can't count on the President to be honest about what it said, the government actually managed to produce an honest document on Iran. If you're interested in a little background on the actual report, read on. . .

[Excerpt]

For those who have doubts about miracles, a double one occurred today. An honest National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran’s nuclear program has been issued and its Key Judgments were made public.

With redraft after redraft, it was what the Germans call “eine schwere Geburt”—a difficult birth, ten months in gestation.

I do not know how often Vice President Dick Cheney visited CIA Headquarters during the gestation period, but I am told he voiced his displeasure as soon as he saw the first sonogram/draft very early this year, and is so displeased with what issued that he has refused to be the godfather. . .

Read more at: Consortium News

If the Government Has Nothing to Hide. . .

Dr. Robert Bowman is quoted as saying, “If the government has nothing to hide,then why are they hiding everything?” He said it about his belief that the government is withholding information about 9/11. But it would seem that it applies to almost everything this administration does. The most current example is George Bush's refusal to comply with Congress' subpoenas regarding the attorney-firing scandal.

Freepers will tell you that the US Attorneys serve at the pleasure of the president (sounds kinky), and so there is nothing to this scandal. Maybe not. But Alberto Gonzales lied about it. Why? Most people lie to save face or cover their collective behinds. Considering all the things that have been revealed so far, I'd say that this particular scandal has the ability to tumble the whole house of cards. It's not the crime (or in this case, action), it's the cover up.

WASHINGTON — President Bush, in a constitutional showdown with Congress,
claimed executive privilege Thursday and rejected demands for White House
documents and testimony about the firing of U.S. attorneys.

His decision was denounced as "Nixonian stonewalling" by the chairman
of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Bush rejected subpoenas for documents from former presidential counsel
Harriet Miers and former political director Sara Taylor. The White House made
clear neither one would testify next month, as directed by the subpoenas.

Presidential counsel Fred Fielding said Bush had made a reasonable
attempt at compromise but Congress forced the confrontation by issuing
subpoenas. "With respect, it is with much regret that we are forced down this
unfortunate path which we sought to avoid by finding grounds for mutual
accommodation." More at Huffington Post.

AND THIS:

"President Bush moved one step closer to a constitutional showdown with Democrats on Thursday, as the White House asserted executive privilege in refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas for documents related to the dismissal of federal prosecutors," the New York Times is set to report on Friday's front page. More at RawStory.