When Trump Goes Low, Kathy Griffin Goes Lower!

I'm surprised Kathy Griffin missed the chance to go after Donald Trump as a "D-List" Reality Star (since that's what he is), or at least Kellyanne Conway as a "D-List" political operative (ditto). But this is pretty great, nonetheless.

Just George W. Bush, Acting Goofy, at a FUNERAL

Michelle Obama trying gamely to play along with the goofball.

Politics is weird, and getting weirder. There are double-standards, and then there are stark, bold-letter, hypocritical double-standards, you know? I mean, think about what it must feel like to be these presidential contenders, listed with the thing that pretty much ended their chance to be president:

- Michael Dukakis: filmed driving a tank, wearing a helmet
- John Kerry: wore a hazmat suit at a science facility, went windsurfing that one time
- Howard Dean: screamed enthusiastically at a rally, magnified by a unidirectional microphone
- Al Gore: sighed audibly at a debate

Why is one of these things not like the other?

Yup. Almost universally, people would agree, those men's hopes of election were stopped by those little events. Matched up against the lengthy list of foibles, flubs, and downright outrageous things said and done by Donald Trump, they don't amount to anything. But that was it for them. For all the whining about there being a double-standard for Bill and Hillary Clinton, Trump seems to have a permanent "SKIP" UNO card when it comes to disqualifying events. Nothing shakes his base, and virtually nothing goes beyond a couple days in the news cycle, before they reset to default.

But here is another double-standard, and it goes to the double-standard for Clintons that is much more rarely addressed. For all of the certainty so many claim to have that the media and the system are "in the tank" for the Clintons, the fact is, they're held to a tougher standard than most. Making it more remarkable when they do manage to bounce back, or shrug off the brutal treatment they get. Case in point.

Bill Clinton was at a funeral for Sec. Ron Brown, and was seen on camera smiling and walking with someone. When he noticed a camera trained in his direction, he did what your grandmother would scold you to do: he wiped that smile off his face right quick, and tried to look somber. This was and remains fodder for right-wingers to this day, as an example of Clinton disingenuousness. When in fact, it's something probably anyone might do. Contrast that with yesterday's memorial for the police officers slain in Dallas this past week.



Presidents Bush and Barack Obama both gave stirring speeches. Dubya's was much shorter, obviously prepared for him, and rehearsed. And he couldn't help but keep his colloquial Texas twang. But it was fine. But check him out later, while holding hands with his much more mannered wife, and our current first lady (who, poor lady, is fairly trapped there with this goon) dancing around and acting goofy. At a funeral.

Think this will be brought up endlessly--or ever--by conservatives? Or even make more than a light ripple on the news before going down the memory hole?

GetEQUAL's Heckling of the First Lady Not Helping

Image from source, Huffington Post

Okay, as a gay person, I don't generally feel the need to opine on each and every activist that does something notable, or notorious. I'm only responsible for myself after all. But as a long-time blogger with a (sometimes) accent on gay rights issues, I just wanted to highlight this little performance. And say that I really dislike this sort of "protest," and think it does far more harm than good.

First of all, the Obamas have been vocal supporters of gay rights, far and away beyond any other First Family, even the Clintons, who have DOMA and DADT to live down. Not perfect, no. In fact, very frustrating at times, but we've made more strides as a community arguably, than during any other administration. And heckling Michelle Obama at an unrelated event like this seems to me disrespectful, out of line, and wholly inappropriate. I can't imagine that GetEQUAL's ENDA agenda (heh) was helped at all, and was in fact besmirched. I'm sure it made hardcore conservatives happy, but what in the world does that accomplish?

Badly done.

[Excerpt]

Michelle Obama DNC Fundraiser Speech Interrupted By LGBT Protester 

First lady Michelle Obama's speech Tuesday evening at a private Democratic National Committee fundraiser was interrupted by a protester, who demanded equality for gays and lesbians. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Rush Limbaugh Attacks Michelle Obama Over Eulogy

Image from ABC News

I know that Rush Limbaugh is essentially a troll (a drug-addled, impotent troll), who lives for attention. But at some point, is there just no lower he can go? I mean, first you have him feeding his listeners' fathomless hatred for the First Lady, and then he's focusing his wrath on her eulogy for a shooting victim? Really? Is there a point where even his listeners say, "that's too far"? Ever?

In case you haven't noticed, dittoheads, Rush Limbaugh is a revolting pig.

[Excerpt]

Limbaugh Attacks Michelle Obama Over Her Remarks Expressing Sympathy For Shooting Victim



Rush Limbaugh responded to Michelle Obama's recent speech on gun reform by accusing her of having "a chip on [her] shoulder" about the U.S. and of doing "a disservice to the country."
On Wednesday, Obama delivered a speech in Chicago urging action to combat youth gun violence. In her remarks, Obama spoke of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old Chicago high school student who was shot and killed in January, saying that Pendleton reminded her of herself at that age. . .

Read more at: Media Matters

Michelle Obama's Surprise Oscar Appearance Sure to Inflame the Right

Ha! Instantly I was sure--and my Twitter feed was sure too--that the surprise appearance of First Lady Michelle Obama during the Best Picture award presentation of the Academy Awards would send the right wing into orbit. Good, let them stew. She was lovely. She had a gorgeous gown on. She was introduced by Jack Nicholson. And she was introducing the award for Argo as Best Picture, a film about behind-the-scenes daring-do during the Carter administration. Again, ha!

Aside from all of that, the Oscars was--as it usually is--a blend of comedy, variety, hokum, cheese, pageantry, out-of-place production numbers, excruciating acceptance speeches, live faux pas, and the seemingly inevitable bad audio (WTF is that about?). Host Seth MacFarlane is polarizing from the start, and was bound to create controversy of his own. But he's also a mulch-talented performer, and I was mostly cool with his patter. The opening was slow and flat--as it was clearly supposed to be--to be interrupted by William Shatner as James T. Kirk, coming back from the future to warn MacFarlane of his pitfalls as host. The show got better from there, though it suffered--again, as it always does--from just too much stuff.

I think the "In Memorium" segment gave too many deceased celebrities were overlooked (Andy Griffith?), and the tributes to Chicago were curious. But I thought it was okay, if overlong. They steam-rollered it at the end, to wrap things up, which was appreciated. And MacFarlane--who will be vilified and trashed over this, no doubt--was actually better than he will be remembered for.

[Excerpt]

Michelle Obama makes surprise Oscars appearance

 . . .Appearing via streaming video from the White House, Mrs. Obama said all of the nominees demonstrated that "we can overcome any obstacle." She said that message is "especially important for our young people" and thanked Hollywood for encouraging children "to open their imaginations. . ."

Read more at:  CBS News

Right Wing World: Outrage Over Obama's Down Time

People are always trying to say that "both sides do it" whenever there is an argument with a political divide. Of course, there is often also false equivalence, where the preponderance of wrongdoing is on one side or the other. But there is one place where we have some similarity, and one of those would be: presidential vacations. At least for this and the previous president, opponents have bitched about how much downtime they take, what else might be going on, what else they should be doing, and how much it all costs.

Let 'em eat cake!

Did I complain about Dubya's vacationing, and traipsing around? Sure. I really, really, really disliked George W. Bush, and a high percentage of his administration (though I saved my hatin' for Dick Cheney). I don't even like seeing video of Bush, or hearing his or Darth's voice. Ugh. But I'm pretty sure it was fairly low on my list of grievances at the time. The only one that really stands out is the time Dubya was having cake with John McCain, and learning how to play the guitar with country singer Mark Wills, while Hurricane Katrina was bearing down.

So, yeah, I complained. But as far as I know, I didn't make shit up about it. I didn't exaggerate to a ridiculous degree, and then start to believe my own exaggerations. I thought Bush was a dolt, I thought little positive or negative of Laura, but I don't think my rancor--public or private--came anywhere near where the right goes on President Obama. The thinly veiled or openly naked racism, laced with pure hatred is really quite stunning. So, there is an area where "both sides do it," but one side does it much, much worse. Bush Derangement Syndrome may have been over-the-top, but Obama Derangement Syndrome is oh-so-very-low.

It ought to be pointed out that a) all presidents and their family get perks like travel, lodging, fine food, and other niceties; b) Obama's vacation and leisure time is not out of scale (and is actually less) than his immediate predecessor and most other presidents; and c) Michelle Obama has been trashed by the right--for no real (non-racist) reason--far more than any other first lady ever has.

Image from Wonkette

Here's an article from Wonkette, because a story this rancid can only be tolerated with a heaping helping of humor. This is proven often by The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and on a good day, Saturday Night Live. The article focuses on right-wing world's insane reaction to the Obamas' Valentine's Day, and is a prime example of the kind of thing I'm talking about.

[Excerpt]

Americans Very Angry King Barack And Ugly Wife Did Not Have Mac And Cheese With Cut-Up Hot Dogs For Valentine’s Dinner

. . .Yes, Barack Obama flew home from Atlanta in time for his dinner date with the beautiful First Lady, and Yahoo News commenters went full Victoria Jackson. (Because Barack Obama was not supposed to fly home from Atlanta, we guess, but should have either taken a Greyhound bus or stayed in Atlanta forever.) There are your usual comments about monkeys and heaping platters of baby back ribs and buckets of KFC, but those are to be expected, because “postracial. . .”

Read more at: Wonkette

(Moving) Picture of the Day: Michelle Obama Gives John Boner Boehner the Stink Eye

"Whatever, dude." Image from Wonkette

President Obama Begins 2nd Term

Image from source, CNN

POTUS has a bit more grey in his hair, and FLOTUS has bangs. Those are just two of the things that have changed since the last time Barack Obama took the presidential oath. This time there was no flub between Obama and Chief Justice Roberts, which is nice. It remains to be seen if the Republicans are having a secret meeting to plan to obstruct everything, like they did last time. Although at this point, it kinda goes without saying I guess. Here's to four more years. Good luck, Mr. President. You'll need some. It's not going to be easy.

[Excerpt]

Obama sworn in to second term, faces new challenges

With the official business of the 57th inauguration out of the way, Washington began preparing Sunday for a day of revelry -- and for the challenges facing President Barack Obama over the next four years. . .

Read more at: CNN

Democratic National Convention, Day #1

Yeah, as a graphic artist, I'm not digging the logo.

Wow, what a difference a party makes. Well, the party and the fact that I don't have a brain-splitting sinus headache as I did all through the RNC last week. And I know that I'm biased as a liberal. But, so far, the mood of the DNC is quite different, much more uplifting and positive. And the crowd seems to be connecting, rather than just hooting an hollering (and booing).

This being the first day, you wouldn't expect the speakers to be the top-shelf speakers. You'd be wrong, or rather, I was. There were a couple of clunkers in there, some only suffering for placement after a spectacular speaker. But from what I saw, the DNC's first night was a spectacular sucess, and there was at least one star born.

I'm in the Pacific time zone, so after work (and after my nightly exercise), I could only watch from about 5:30 pm (8:30 EDT). The first speaker I caught was Tammy Duckworth, who was quite good, very engaging and inspiring. I was watching MSNBC while also preparing dinner, so the next speaker I caught was Kathleen Sebelius, and she was fine. Boilerplate speech, nothing bad, a few good points. Rahm Emanuel spoke next, and I'll be honest: I'm not a fan. I had the mixer on, and didn't pay a lot of attention to him. He may have been great, I don't know. [Story continues below]

Following Rahm though was one of the best speeches of the night, by actor Kal Penn (of Harold & Kumar), who has worked with Obama on youth outreach. His tone was strong, his interaction with the audience intuitive, and he had a perfect balance between seriousness and humor (even getting a zinger off on Emanuel). The energy in the room for Penn's speech was warmer and more engaged than anything I saw at the RNC last week. And it was just getting warmed up.

I saw Lilly Ledbetter next, of the Ledbetter Act, the first legislation signed by President Obama. Her speech was great--though with her thick Southern accent, she reminded me of Flo from TV's Alice on occasion. She was emphatically for Obama, and got in some digs at Romney. Very good for a non-professional. But it was Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts (since Romney vacated) who had the first real barn-burner of a speech. Like a revival preacher--but without the annoying evangelical theatrical speech inflections--Patrick steered the audience everywhere he wanted them to go. If you could see a crescendo, it would have occurred a couple of times during his speech. [Story continues below]



The Governor of Maryland, Martin O'Malley came out next and. . .well, he was okay. He had a hard act to follow. And he had a line he kept getting the crowd to repeat that quickly became tedious. It had a great payoff, but the buildup was far too prolonged. But he ended strong, and set the stage for quite possibly a future star. Or two.

I'll be honest, before Tuesday night I'd never heard of  Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio. He had the crowd in his hand, much like Patrick, but with a much different style. Castro is very youthful, energetic, personable, charming. And he also comes off quite intelligent and well spoken. It's quite the package, and surprise, surprise, he has a twin brother who is also active in politics. Keep your eyes on these guys. [Story continues below]



A gauzy (but well done) Michelle Obama video followed, and then the First Lady was introduced by military mom Elaine Brye. Mrs. Obama then came out, and proved every single right-wing hatemonger wrong about her. I'm sure they don't see it that way (but I don't know what inspires their hatred in the first place). Mrs. Obama was warm, well spoken, charming, and had the audience in the palm of her hand like some of the others, but much more so. The major difference between Mrs. Obama and, say, Ann Romney is easy: realness. She seems like a real, approachable woman. The appeal of Mrs. Obama's speech is difficult to encapsulate, because it's an emotional reaction. Which is likely proof to critics that it's style over substance. [Story continues below]


And you may have noticed that this writeup is about the style of the speakers. That has to do more with my writing ability and the late hour that I write this, rather than a lack of substance. Almost all of the speakers I heard spoke out about helping the poor, gay rights, the right to choose, the military, veterans, health care. And all of them were clearly there to support the re-election of Barack Obama. While Patrick and Castro may get some mileage out of their speeches, none of the speakers seemed to be auditioning for 2016 as they did at the RNC.  The speakers were clear on the President's accomplishments, and on the point that they think we need to let him continue to complete the job.

Oddly enough, the digs at Romney (and to George W. Bush, for that matter) were fairly mild. . .except for former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who I caught in a replayed clip. He was clearly the attack dog of the night! But I'll give the night a solid A grade, particularly in comparison to the RNC.

NASCAR Fans Boo Michelle Obama and Jill Biden

That's some real class, there. I think conservative audiences in general really need to get hold of themselves. They're thisclose to a Roman Colosseum.


[Excerpt]

Michelle Obama booed at NASCAR event

 

When First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, appeared at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday in support of a charity that works to obtain employment for military veterans, they were met with a round of boos from the audience. . .

Read more at: The Raw Story

Pizza Sauce as a Vegetable?

Image from source, ThinkProgress

Yes, pizza sauce classified as a vegetable. Incredibly--unbelievably--it was already classified as such. But an attempt to strike that ridiculous notion, and to improve the healthiness of school lunches was thwarted by the GOP. Who are apparently so put off by the First Lady's "Let's Move" campaign--or let's face it, in bed with the corporations making the unhealthy food--that they'd come out against healthy food for kids.

[Excerpt]


House GOP Classifies Pizza As A Vegetable To ‘Prevent Overly Burdensome’ School Lunch Regulations

The spending bill also would allow tomato paste on pizzas to be counted as a vegetable, as it is now. The department’s proposed guidelines would have attempted to prevent that.
The changes had been requested by food companies that produce frozen pizzas, the salt industry and potato growers. Some conservatives in Congress have called the push for healthier foods an overreach, saying the government shouldn’t be telling children what to eat. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Huckabee Defends First Lady Against Sarah Palin?

Image from Reuters

Politics in this country tends to wallow in the stupid, this is not news. But the far-right outcry that First Lady Michelle Obama is trying to be "the food police" tops the list. Every first lady has her "cause," of course. With Nancy Reagan, it was "Just say no to drugs." With Laura Bush, it was literacy. Mrs. Obama's happens to be fighting obesity in America. What could be wrong with that?

Well, right-wing world doesn't like being told to put down the fries and pick up some cauliflower.  And since anything supported by an Obama must by definition be bad, they've amped up their faux outrage to ridiculous levels. Riding the crest of faux outrage is what Sarah Palin does best, so it is no surprise that she'd take a shot at Mrs. Obama. But since she doesn't have an actual political position to squawk from, she has to do it via her reality show (!) or FaceBook.  Gotta hand it to her, she's got a zinger for everything, and the ability to have every thought--no matter how well formed--make a splash in politics.  But, Palin's possible political future makes her a target, even on her own side.

[Excerpt]

Mike Huckabee Defends First Lady in Food Fight With Sarah Palin



Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee knows a thing or two about obesity. Huckabee, who lost more than 100 pounds after learning in 2003 that hew had diabetes, says fellow Republican Sarah Palin maybe doesn't get it when it comes to First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign against childhood obesity. . .

Read more at: AOL

Dubya vs. Obama

I'm sorry, I can't help it! This gave me giggle fits, and I couldn't help but post it.

Source: Joe.My.God

Radio Talker Tammy Bruce Calls Obamas "Trash"

Photo from Super Country 105

Some time ago, I ran a post called, "Who the Hell is Tammy Bruce?" She's apparently a radio talker, who had said something stupid, but I didn't have any idea who she was. I still don't, really. From what I can glean she was at least once a liberal, but I don't gather that from anything I've read about her. Now, she's hit a low even for talk radio, calling the Obama family "trash." Nice.

[Excerpt]

Tammy Bruce Calls The Obamas "Trash In The White House"

Tammy Bruce, guest host for Laura Ingram's radio show, had some harsh words for First Lady Michelle Obama.

Discussing the first lady's visit to a Washington D.C. classroom last week, Bruce incredulously recalled Obama's story about wanting to get A's in school and called out her use of a "weird, fake accent. . ."

Read more at: Huffington Post

RuPaul as Barack and Michelle Obama

Love it!




Source: Towleroad

Still Boogeying in the Jeep!

From time to time, I like to revisit some old posts. Hey, if TV can do re-runs, why can't I? And this picture still gives me a kick. I'd like to think that Barack and Michelle Obama and Joe Biden felt a little of this vibe on Tuesday night. Though I'm not sure that Hillary Clinton would be as jubilant as the rest of the people in the jeep!

Original Post:

Barack, Hillary, Joe and Michelle in a Jeep


There really is no reason for this post, other than the graphic is hypnotizing. It's cute, doesn't unfairly malign anybody, and is just kind of fun. I don't know if somebody made this as an homage or a slam. . .but it really doesn't matter. It doesn't work as a slam, and I think it's fun!


Now, let's see if Blogger is capable of displaying the thing. . .



Source: Qweerty

Another Missing Obama Tape Riles Right-Wing

A while back, the right-wing blogs and radio shows were ablaze with speculation about a missing video tape, showing Michelle Obama railing against "whitey." Despite the incredible implausibility of the alleged tape, I have no doubt that there are still wingers out there anxiously awaiting its unveiling. Forget that if such a tape exists, Mrs. Obama is likely saying "why'd he" or even quoting something with reference to "whitey," and that she'd have to be completely insane to use such a slur on purpose. They're convinced she and her husband are evil, and there is simply nothing they believe they wouldn't do.

And now, there is another "missing tape." But this one actually exists. It is of a "going away" party for some Chicago professor, attended by Barack Obama. The professor is apparently affiliated with the PLO, or at least was decades ago. And the wingers are frothing mad that The Los Angeles Times has a copy of it, but won't release it. They're just certain that Obama is on that tape, agreeing to light Molotov cocktails, and throw them into synagogues. Or something.

Trouble is, John McCain is also associated with this professor, Rashid Khalidi. Whoops. But you know what? Until this tape is revealed in all its (likely) anticlimactic glory, it will be another right-winger Holy Grail.

[Excerpt]



Woops: McCain Funded Rashid Khalidi

I guess some are tempted to file this under the category of "October surprise," a blockbuster the McCain campaign tucked away for a rainy day:

"A major news organization is intentionally suppressing information that could provide a clearer link between Barack Obama and Rashid Khalidi," said McCain campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb. " . . . The election is one week away, and it's unfortunate that the press so obviously favors Barack Obama that this campaign must publicly request that the Los Angeles Times do its job -- make information public. . ."

Read more at: Fire Dog Lake

More Daily Show: Michelle Obama

I had to post this for one simple reason. I listen for a few minutes to local right-wing talk radio on my commute to and from work, to see what the "other side" is up to. And there, regardless of the show, Michelle Obama is regularly demonized. The right-wing seems to absolutely hate her. No insult is too nasty, no slime is left unthrown.

I simply don't get it. I didn't understand the hatred for Teresa Heinz Kerry either, but Michelle Obama seems perfectly lovely and nice to me. Why does partisanship so nasty?

Barack, Hillary, Joe and Michelle in a Jeep

There really is no reason for this post, other than the graphic is hypnotizing. It's cute, doesn't unfairly malign anybody, and is just kind of fun. I don't know if somebody made this as an homage or a slam. . .but it really doesn't matter. It doesn't work as a slam, and I think it's fun!

Now, let's see if Blogger is capable of displaying the thing. . .

Source: Qweerty

Meghan McCain's Unfortunate War Comment

I almost didn't run this video of John McCain's daughter, Meghan, stating that only her family that understands war. Why? Because I don't really believe she meant to say that. She probably meant, "we're the only family in this campaign that understands war." That wouldn't be accurate either--Sarah Palin and Joe Biden both have kids in the military--but it probably is closer to what she meant.

But in this increasingly stupid campaign, what a candidate (or surrogate) says seemingly must be taken as the 100% literal truth of what they meant. Michelle Obama has been assailed for her "first time I've ever been really proud of my country" comment. Barack Obama is smeared for literally thinking that there are 57 states, when he was clearly counting up the number of primaries and caucuses.

This is why questions about Palin's church have relevance. I personally don't give a flying fig about her church. But if you rake Obama through the coals over his church for months, then turnabout is definitely fair play.