Simply All Deplorable (Rocky Mountain Mike Parody-Palooza #4)

To be fair, Hillary Clinton said only half of Donald Trump's followers were in the basket of deplorables. But after feigning outrage (briefly), many of them took the insult as a badge of honor, so just point and laugh if they bring it up as something awful. Mike takes the famed Robert Palmer song, Simply Irresistible, and gives it a Trumpian twist.



EDITOR'S NOTE: I've been neglecting the blog a lot lately, and as such, I've also neglected to post a bunch of very funny, election-related song parodies by Rocky Mountain Mike. Not that the guy made famous on The Stephanie Miller Show needs my help, or is even affiliated with this blog. I'm just a fan who loves to share! So, please enjoy this and several other parodies.

For more Rocky Mountain Mike, go here. And buy his album, Politically Incoherent on Amazon!

The Flaven (Rocky Mountain Mike Parody-Palooza #3)

Though I'm a bit late for Halloween, Mike wasn't. This pitch-perfect redo of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven ("flaven" being a favorite Jerry Lewis nonsense word on The Stephanie Miller Show) as narrated by voice master Richard Henzel is a must-listen. It tells the story of this horrifying election cycle.



EDITOR'S NOTE: I've been neglecting the blog a lot lately, and as such, I've also neglected to post a bunch of very funny, election-related song parodies by Rocky Mountain Mike. Not that the guy made famous on The Stephanie Miller Show needs my help, or is even affiliated with this blog. I'm just a fan who loves to share! So, please enjoy this and several other parodies.

For more Rocky Mountain Mike, go here. And buy his album, Politically Incoherent on Amazon!

You Only Vote Twice (Rocky Mountain Mike Parody-Palooza #2)

This one is about that lady, you know the one, the Trump supporter who voted twice, proving that voter fraud happens, but rarely. And rarely is it a Democrat! Worse, Trump has been encouraging people to do this, which is sure to result in future lawsuits. Rocky Mountain Mike, perfectly, uses the James Bond theme from You Only Live Twice to put the funny to this one.



EDITOR'S NOTE: I've been neglecting the blog a lot lately, and as such, I've also neglected to post a bunch of very funny, election-related song parodies by Rocky Mountain Mike. Not that the guy made famous on The Stephanie Miller Show needs my help, or is even affiliated with this blog. I'm just a fan who loves to share! So, please enjoy this and several other parodies.

For more Rocky Mountain Mike, go here. And buy his album, Politically Incoherent on Amazon!

Comey Comedian (Rocky Mountain Mike Parody-Palooza #1)

First up, we go very topical with Mike's take on the FBI/James Comey/Clinton Clusterf*ck. Based, naturally, on Culture Club's Karma Chameleon



EDITOR'S NOTE: I've been neglecting the blog a lot lately, and as such, I've also neglected to post a bunch of very funny, election-related song parodies by Rocky Mountain Mike. Not that the guy made famous on The Stephanie Miller Show needs my help, or is even affiliated with this blog. I'm just a fan who loves to share! So, please enjoy this and several other parodies.

For more Rocky Mountain Mike, go here. And buy his album, Politically Incoherent on Amazon!

House Conservatives Not Gung-Ho on Impeachment

Sorry, Sarah. Not right now. Put your hand away,
you look like an idiot. Er...more of an idiot.

High crimes and misdemeanors. That phrase is important, because it was largely ignored back in the late 90s when Congress impeached President Bill Clinton. His "high crime" was to lie about having sex with a woman who was not his wife. In a question that was immaterial to the case. In a case that was later dismissed. It was and remains ridiculous.

Now, I'll acknowledge that lo about seven, eight years ago, I really would like to have seen George W. Bush impeached. At the time, there was a very lengthy list of offenses, the majority of which couldn't even be called a stretch. And even if you don't think so, they certainly hit a higher water mark than did the Lewinsky affair. But, as Nancy Pelosi said, impeachment was off the table.

And now, the hard right--having hated President Obama from his first election day or before, and thwarted in his second--has a similar bottled-up rage. From my vantage point, it's misdirected, viewed through a ideologically distorted prism. Though I don't agree with the President on everything (not big on drones, wish the war was over), the "scandals" he's been through have mostly been nothingburgers, or--funny enough--extensions of Bush Era policies.

But, the red meat base wants impeachment. But you can tell there may be a lot of hot air behind it when they can't seem to agree on a charge. Sarah Palin wants the impeachment to be based on the border crisis, which makes no sense (surprise!). I've seen others that want it to be the IRS "scandal," something that has never implicated Obama, and has fizzled out. I'm sure Darrell Issa would point to Benghazi!!! But what's the crime? If Benghazi a crime, what was 9/11? I mean, come on.

Fortunately, it sounds like Congress isn't really in the mood anyway. Who knows what will happen if the GOP takes the Senate in November (something that wouldn't be possible in a sane world). But for now, sounds like impeachment is off the table.

[Excerpt]

Sorry, Sarah Palin: House Conservatives Oppose Impeachment Of Obama
 
Sarah Palin, your wish is not granted. A panel of the House's staunchest conservatives on Tuesday rebuffed the former Alaska governor when asked about her call last week for impeaching President Barack Obama. Some said impeachment was impractical, some said it would hurt the GOP politically and others cautioned that Obama hasn't committed high crimes and misdemeanors. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

Dipping a Toe into FOX News, It Hasn't Changed

FOX "News" has pretty much been banished in my household by the Other Half. I can get away with FOX "News" Sunday--since that is on regular FOX TV, I usually zip through it on DVR, and frequently turn it off before it even ends--but the likes of Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly are effectively banned.

Not that I ever liked them, oh no. I considered it opposition research; basically just a way to keep tabs on what the wacky Right Wing World is up to. Occasionally, when the Other Half is away, I'll sneak in a show, just to see what they're saying. Friday's experiment consisted of part of On the Record with Greta Van Whatsername and The O'Reilly Factor. On Greta's show, things were exactly as I remembered them: Greta running exceedingly rightward-canted segments, interviewing heavily-skewed rightward-canted panels, and short of a few leading questions, staying somewhat above the fray. I suspect that she's in it for the dough. But I was not hit with anything I wasn't expecting.

The Factor was a different story. Bill-O was away this week, so there was a blonde lady in his chair, and oh, what an unpleasant woman! The picture you see here is what she looked like through almost all of the episode, either a scowl-frown or a snarly smile. I'm wondering, "who is this woman?" Most of the blonde foxbots are a little more pleasant, even if they're basically chewing over the same material! And though O'Reilly's motto of "The No-Spin Zone" has always been as laughable as "Fair & Balanced," it would be a bald-faced lie, applied to this lady.

Monica Crowley is her name, I found out later. Virtually the entire show was about SCANDALS! Specifically, President Obama's second term scandals, such as they are. They're still peddling Benghazi, still harping on each of the scandal-ettes that have cropped up since, and hammering them home. To be fair, so was Greta, and based on the advertising on both shows, so is the rest of the network. Apparently, all the time. There was some push-back from the token "liberal" guests, but they were summarily dismissed, and the thick layer of contempt was practically visible. While I found Greta's show to be a bit groan-worthy, I found Crowley's version of The O'Reilly Factor to be so over-the-top, it was practically parody.

And while the Democrat the article below highlights was perhaps not the best defender the President could have had, I have to ask, who was he? Dick Harpootlian? Who? Yet, I'm sure he's held up as balance. Harrumph. Sure, this experiment was not on one of the FOX "News" hard news programs, but one of the opinion ones. I've found little difference in my sampling over the years. I can say this, I can't imagine--even if my sympathies were with conservatives--that I could enjoy watching this stuff all the time. It's no wonder tea baggers are always so frothing mad about something.

[Excerpt]
 
Monica Crowley Slams Dem. Activist: Obama Can’t Face Press Because That ‘Only Works If You’re Not Guilty’




O’Reilly Factor guest-host Monica Crowley fought with former South Carolina Democratic Chairman Dick Harpootlian Friday night over whether the mess of scandals around the Obama administration is destroying the president’s credibility or merely distracting the right from policy. . .

Read more at: Mediaite

Scandal: That Whole Spying On Us Thing

I haven't written much about the whole NSA-spying-on-us thing, for a fairly good reason: I don't have a handle on it. Firstly, there's the fact that we've known that this was going on--to some degree--since deep into the Bush administration. Secondly, though the amount of surveillance seems to be egregious, it also seems like it was legally obtained. Such as "legal" is in these post-PATRIOT Act days. So, even putting "Scandal" as the banner of this post is maybe the wrong word. Maybe I need a new banner for "legal, but really rubs me the wrong way" stories.

Also--as often happens with breaking news and developing stories--the details keep shifting, and some of what has been said might not be altogether true. Por ejemplo:

Glenn Greenwald broke the NSA story. Image from
source, The Daily Banter.

[Excerpt]

NSA Bombshell Story Falling Apart Under Scrutiny; Key Facts Turning Out to Be Inaccurate

It turns out, the NSA PRISM story isn’t quite the bombshell that everyone said it was. Yes, there continues to be a serious cause for concern when it comes to government spying and overreach with its counter-terrorism efforts. But the reporting from Glenn Greenwald and the Washington Post has been shoddy and misleading. . .

Read more at:  The Daily Banter



Now, that is an opinion piece, and as such may not be the whole story either. But it would be wise not to come out with a full-bore, angry opinion piece without really knowing what the facts are, right? Also, much like the other "scandals" we've been dealing with, involving now not just the NSA but the Justice Department, the IRS and State Department, we've got a question of how high does it go? Does any of this come from the Executive Branch? How autonomous are our myriad government agencies? How secret is secret? Do these things span presidencies regardless of who is in power? Should they?

And what about the whistleblower/leaker? This Edward Snowden guy, who didn't graduate high school, and was working for a contractor had access to all of this sensitive information? Why? My first thoughts on this guy were a) kinda cute [sue me], b) awfully young, and c) sounds like he's exaggerating. Notice his phrasing, in how he could have "wiretapped" anybody he chose. He speaks in the hypothetical. My main thought with this guy, is how do we know he isn't vastly overstating things, drawing conclusions based on office chatter, maybe even bragging? I'm not the only one with questions about Snowden:

But should we stand with Snowden? I'm not sure.
There's a thin line between "whistleblower" and "traitor."
Image from source, CBC.

[Excerpt]

NSA data leaker Edward Snowden polarizes observers

Since allowing The Guardian and The Washington Post to reveal his identity on Sunday, the 29-year-old contractor has been described as everything from “a national hero [who] should be immediately issued a full, free, and absolute pardon” to “a grandiose narcissist who deserves to be in prison. . .”

Read more at: CBC


And so, I don't think I know enough about this to get overly energized about it, but I recognize that it's a hugely important story. I think it raises a lot of questions, and--as with all the other scandal-ettes of recent weeks--could be used to reign in, or even prune some government agencies, and maybe make things better. Isn't that what government is really supposed to do? The only way for that to happen is to pay attention, and demand action. We've just got to be clear on the facts first.

Right Wing World: If the Right is Hyping a Scandal, It's Probably Not Much of a Scandal

Let me predict something: if nothing comes of the IRS/Tea Party thing, the Justice Department/AP thing, and Benghazi thing, Right Wing World will continue to hype them through the end of President Obama's term, and beyond. Years after, when we have a Republican candidate caught in a scandal, you'll hear shrill cries of "Benghazi!!!!" and "Eric Holder was a traitor!!!"

Now, I'm not saying that nothing will come of these controversies, though I suspect there is far less to them than FOX "News" and Right Wing World are hoping for. Only that all it takes for them is an accusation. A patched together conspiracy theory. It can be completely debunked, and it will still be trotted out as though it is the Worst. Thing. Ever! And of course, grounds for impeachment.

So, they'll keep doing it. Truthiness is more important than truth. If it's bad, it's Obama's fault. If it's good, Obama is "spiking the football" if he claims any credit for it. It's all very weird, at least to anyone outside of the RWW bubble. Advice: don't poke your head in there if you don't have a strong stomach.

Image from source, TPM

[Excerpt]

Why GOP Scandal Mongers Can’t Have Nice Things

As Bill Clinton and John Edwards and Bill Jefferson and various others have made clear, Democrats do have scandals. Plenty of them actually. But here we have another good example of why Republicans so often have bad luck these days with bogus scandals they’re so hyped up about or ones that actually are legitimate scandals but which get overrun by so much hysterical nonsense that the actual scandal gets forgotten amidst a lava-like deluge of The Crazy. In a few words, most of the right-wing press is just astonishingly bad. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

GOP Approval Rating in Dumper Amid "Scandal Week"

What a boner. Image from source, Examiner.com

It's made the news in the last few days that several polls show President Obama's approval rating to be doing just fine, even amid the heavy focus on three or four (if you count the idiotic umbrella-gate) potential scandals. But did you know polls are now showing that the GOP's approval raging is going down? I didn't know they could go lower, but there you go. And good for America, you're making me proud.

[Excerpt]

New poll: GOP favorability hits record low following 'Obama scandal' week

After a week of scandals, the dreaded "three-headed monster" of Benghazi, the IRS/Tea Party and the AP/DOJ phone records were supposed to sink the president, harm Hilliary Clinton and catapult the Republican party into the 2014 mid-term elections. While the media focus has highlighted the "three-headed monster," the American people don't seem to be pointing the finger of blame at the president. . .

Read more at: Examiner.com

Scandal: Does it Matter That Bush Targeted Enemies with Gov't Agencies?

In politics, there are double-standards. For instance, if something pertaining to treatment of the president is perceived as racist, simply calling it that can be labelled "playing the race card," which is treated as an equal and opposite infraction. Similarly, if Party A is upset with something Party B has done--even though Party A has done precisely the same thing in the past that they're accusing B of--just pointing that out is seen as somehow out of bounds.

But this is my blog, and I really don't care about those dumb rules. The plain fact of the matter is, the various "scandal-ettes" as I'm calling them, the IRS/Tea Party one--the Justice Department/AP one and the Benghazi one--all have analogs to things in the Bush administration. And let's make this clear: all three of these controversies (umbrella-gate doesn't count) are merely alleged. There has been, as far as I know, no proven misbehavior by the President himself, or the executive branch on any of them.

Someone in this photo likely causes a visceral reaction in you, right?
Image from Alternet.

The same cannot be said of Bush and Co. Their politicization of every department of the government was legendary. They couldn't govern or conduct foreign policy for beans, but they played politics hardball well. Not good mind you, well. So, I think it's worth pointing out that even if each of these brouhahas, even if the go all the way to the top, has a precedent in the previous administration. And it's also worth pointing out that "impeachment was off the table." I always knew that Nancy Pelosi's diplomacy in that area was a bad idea that would never be repaid.

[Excerpt]

Bush Used the IRS, FBI, CIA and Secret Service to Go After Opponents -- Where Was the Fox and GOP Outrage?

As your kindergarten teacher probably told you, two wrongs do not make a right. But the discrepancy in reactions to wrongs does, indeed, show how Washington so often serves the interests of the political right. . .

Read more at: AlterNet

Right-wing World: Fast & Furious, Dragged from the Fringe to the Capitol

For a long time, I've seen and heard the right wing going bonkers over "Fast & Furious," a failed so-called "gunwalking" program, started under the Bush administration, and continuing under Obama. Now, when it comes to law enforcement programs gone bad, ending in deaths of some people, I say investigate. Go for it. Get to the bottom of it, and make sure that stuff doesn't happen again.

But this isn't really about that. The right's desire is to turn Fast & Furious into a Watergate-level scandal. And it's also an incoherent conspiracy theory, in which Obama is going to take all of your guns away, after turning public sentiment against them, by letting them get into the wrong hands. Or something. It's moved from a very hinky, conspiracy theorist blogger named Michael Vanderboegh, all the way up to the House of Representatives, and Congressman Derrell Issa (a guy with his own problems with guns and whatnot).  Anyway, if it's all Greek to you, maybe this will help. It's (again) Rachel Maddow, and (again) kind of lengthy, but it is interesting, entertaining, and you might at least get an inkling of what your crazy FOX-watchin' uncle is going on about.

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

Get Your Bush Administration Scandal Map Here!

Image from source, Slate

Well, not here exactly. This is just a static version of it. But go to the Slate link below for a fully interactive version. Very nifty, and handy for keeping your Bush Administration scandals straight. Perhaps this should be emailed to all of the House and Senate? They seem to be only vaguely aware of this stuff. . .

[Excerpt]

Crimes and Misdemeanors

Each scandal is represented by a colored circle that encompasses the people who are implicated. As it's easy to see, many of the players here are mixed up in two, three, or more of the alleged crimes. Hence all the overlapping circles (Venn-diagram heaven!). . .

Read more at: Slate

Found at: AmericaBlog

Scandals in the News: Right vs. Left

Though it is mostly out of the news now (unless you watch FOX "News"), the Rev. Jeremiah Wright/Barack Obama "scandal" was fodder for weeks. It was one of those surreal moments: Hillary Clinton and John McCain supporters were insisting that Obama was getting a "free ride" from the press, while he was being assailed for something somebody else said.

Right around the same time, a story broke about something unsavory that John McCain had said to his wife. It was a multiple-sourced story, and to date, I don't think it has been debunked. The comment was incendiary to say the least, and would logically deter any of Clinton's disgruntled supporters from ever voting for the man. But, funny thing, the story never grew legs. Ask yourself seriously, if Obama was on record saying the same thing to Michelle, how many hours of cable news time would be spent eviscerating him?

This video puts it into perspective. Fair warning: This video uses a word from McCain's remark repeatedly. . .and it is most definitely not suitable for work, nor should it be played around any women who haven't been given the same warning. Or maybe not even then. You've been warned.

Nevada Governor's Appointee at the Heart of Scandal?

Photo from source, KLAS

One weird thing about living in Las Vegas all these years is the frequency of the "Nevada Connection" to all sorts of crimes and scandals that make the national news. I'm from Columbus Ohio, which is also a cross-roads of sorts, but it pales in comparison. Check this out.

[Excerpt]

I-Team: Gibbons Appointee Denies Wrongdoing in D.C. Scandal

The newly appointed head of a Nevada commission to investigate state spending says he will not resign voluntarily because he's done nothing wrong. So far, Governor Jim Gibbons is standing by his man.

Allegations were first reported on Friday by the Channel 8 I-Team after a high ranking Nevada Republican sent a private letter to the governor demanding the resignation of Bruce James from the state commission. . .

Read more at: KLAS

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.
For part one of this story check the "Republicans that are Republicans" post below.

Six Degrees of Scott Bloch: A Scandal Scorecard

Photo from Raw Story

The Bush Administration scandals are convoluted, and so tangled, they look like a pile of clothes hangers left in the bottom of the closet. Trying to explain them to your conservative friends and family can be difficult--as I just found out on my family vacation. So this link is sort of invaluable. . .laying it out in nice, easy mouse-overs. Check it out.

[Excerpt]

Six Degrees of Scott Bloch: A Scandal Scorecard

Several Bush administration officials have become ensnared in an interlocking set of investigations into allegations of Hatch Act violations, whistleblower misconduct and other prohibited personnel practices. At the center of these investigations is Scott Bloch, head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Characters drawn into the drama include former General Services Administration chief Lurita Doan, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and top Bush adviser Karl Rove. . .

To see what it's all about, go here: GovExec.com

Are Liberal Talkers Staging "Scandals?"

Photo of Ed Schultz from source, Radio Equalizer

I only pose this question because of the right wing site I stumbled upon (below). I personally don't think that Randi Rhodes' scandal was staged. If it was, it was a huge roll of the dice. Her fans are pissed. Her detractors are jubilant. And her absence from Air America Radio belies any gains that would have been made by the story.

Ed Schultz, on the other hand could have been deliberately inflammatory to sort of ride the wave Randi caused with her cannonball. But I still think probably not. A deliberate "scandal" would have been far more calculated than calling John McCain a "warmonger." I mean for heaven's sake, worse is said about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton daily on the right-wing radio froth-fests.

Others disagree. . .

[Excerpt]

'BIG F-ING' SCAMS?

Are both fans and detractors of liberal talk radio being taken for a ride?

With two "progressive" talkers enjoying an unprecedented wave of publicity in recent days, fishy signs of stunt-dom have begun to emerge. How did we not see this days earlier? . . .

Read more at: Radio Equalizer

Governor + 1 + 1 = 3-some

I thought I'd start off the night with a Stupid Monkey joke.
Turns out the Shameless Gossip just isn't so gossipy. David Paterson governor of BJ... er, uh, I mean NJ has admitted to a torrid threesome affair with the "driver". These three give a whole new meaning to TGIF (just read).
So wifey pooh just ain't so innocently victimized... I am sure she was some kind of "ized" though. Not only is she aware of her hubby's tendencies... she f*cking participated in them. Pun is most definitely intended.
Poor, poor wifey... I wonder if they will offer a refund for her, ahem, book.
Funny, huh?
Read more here for the what I am sure is just the beginning of this rogue wave.
Story Courtesy of the AP via Mailtribune.com

More on Michelle Obama and Faux Outrage

Photo from source, AP

In a previous post, I commented on Michelle Obama's "proud of my country" remark, and how I find the whole "scandal" ridiculous. I thought it might be appropriate to post how the Obama campaign is handling the matter, and also show you the predictible faux outrage from the right.

First up, Michelle Obama:

[Excerpt]

Michelle Obama Clarifies `proud' Remark

. . ."What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process," she said. . .

Read more at: Associated Press

And now, some comments from the wingnuts at Free Republic:

"Michelle Osama’s true colors are showing through, no pun intended."

"Michelle Obama is one angry black woman! The anger preceeds her in every speech she makes."

"It speaks boatloads. She was an America hater until she tasted the fruit.
You can’t fix stupid."

"Only a liberal with their head up their you-know-what would buy a totally bogus, completely transparent, blatant line-of-crap like that. "

And then this, the rare, voice of reason (I know, I was shocked too):

"What has happened to this forum? Does anyone here HONESTLY believe she hates America? I'm not defending her policies or her husbands but geez -- she mispeaks and everone is ready to declare her Al Queda. Here's a thought -- just because someone is from a different political party doesn't make them traitors. They're called "elections" and we have them every four years. Get over yourselves. For people who loudly claim how much they love their country, you apparently don't care for much of you fellow citizens."

Read more (if you enjoy that sort of thing) at: Free Republic

Mitt Romney's "Whisperer" Grows its Own Blog

I was trying to get at this before, but looky here at what's going on in the blogosphere. A political "scandalet" has grown its own blog in just a couple of days. The event, covered previously here, has now got a blog devoted to it called RomneyWhisper.

[Excerpt]

Updates On Both Whispers

I've posted the 'click' processing on YouTube ... it's nothing revolutionary, since the click can be heard on the unedited video, but it can be heard better here, and the whisper is easier to make out as well. Video will play the unprocessed audio first, then the processed audio. There's another video out where the whisper has been enhanced, but that one adds some other artifacts that can confuse the subject of the click.




Read more (with audio and more video) at: RomneyWhisper.blogspot.com

List of Bush's Scandal-plagued Administration

Photo from source, TPM Muckraker

The internets are full of year-end wrap-ups of all types. I've already run a couple here myself. This one is educational. There have been so many scandals in this White House (the low level of attention given to them by the press and public is itself a scandal), it is easy to lose track of them. Here's a handy-dandy list to refresh your memory.

[Excerpt]

TPM´s Great List of Scandalized Administration Officials

Boy, was it time for an update.

Late last year we decided to take stock of all the Bush Administration officials who'd been accused of corruption and/or resigned in the face of scandal. Although we had fun doing it, we altruistically started the project in order to help our friends at Powerline, who professed an inability to think of any Bush officials beset by scandal. . .

Read more at: TPM Muckraker