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.

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Senate Blocks Potential "Recess Appointments" by Obama

Image of the epically awesome Elizabeth Warren from
source, Raw Story

Huh. Big babies. Apparently this is all to prevent the appointment of Elizabeth Warren to a consumer protection position in the government. The article refers to Warren as "controversial." And that in a nutshell tells me more about the problems in our government than almost anything.

On what planet is Elizabeth Warren controversial? I've seen her interviewed by several different people, and seldom have I seen a smarter, more articulate, more succinct, more capable or quite simply cooler woman! I am truly baffled. When a person this clearly qualified has to be blocked by a special trick maneuver, I have to wonder why. Could it be that they know she'd do a good job, and that they really don't want consumers to be protected?

[Excerpt]

Congress nixes chance of Obama recess appointments

Republican senators on Friday forced the US Senate to stay in session over its week-long Memorial Day break in a bid to prevent President Barack Obama from nominating a controversial head of a new consumer protection bureau.
Obama has the right to make so-called "recess appointments" any time the Senate breaks for four days or more. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Sharron Angle is Back! This Time Running for Congress

Image from KOLOtv.com

In a sort of convoluted shuffling of the deck chairs, John Ensign (R-Hairdo) is "retiring" from the Senate, Congressman Dean Heller is running for his vacated seat, and defeated former Senate candidate (and batshit crazy) Sharron Angle is running for Heller's Congressional seat! Not satisfied with embarrassing the state of Nevada and herself in 2010, Angle is determined to do it again in 2012. But a flameout of a campaign is by no means a disqualifier for political fame in today's GOP, that's for sure.

[Excerpt]

Angle's Entry A Game-Changer in Congressional Race



Barely a day after Congressman Dean Heller signaled he's running for the Senate, the race to replace him just got more interesting.


Former Senate candidate Sharron Angle's announcement that she will be running for the seat in Congressional District Two complicates the Republican party's effort to avoid a divisive primary. . .

Read more at: KOLOTV

Big Omnibus Spending Bill Dead

Image from MSNBC

All these billions and trillions are starting to make me dizzy. I have no idea if I should be for or again' them anymore. But it's big news apparently, and I guess the government could shut down if they don't figure it out. All I know is, I don't want to get stuck behind one of those damned Omnibuses if I'm on my way to work.

[Excerpt]

GOP Senate resistance kills giant spending bill




Democrats controlling the Senate abandoned on Thursday a huge catchall spending measure combining nearly $1.3 trillion worth of unfinished budget work, including another $158 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

Senators Thune and Cornyn Against Earmarks They Themselves Requested

This is a rather lengthy clip from Wednesday's The Rachel Maddow Show, and all of it is worth watching. But zip ahead to about 4:20 to see some stunning hypocrisy on display. There, John Cornyn and John Thune hold a press conference. See, they're voting against the bill to fund the government because it's loaded with "pork" and "earmarks." The problem is, many of the earmarks for pork in the bill were put there by. . .wait for it. . .Senators Thune and Cornyn! Watch how they squirm when they are asked about it. Stupid reporters and their logical questions. Can we just get the guys from FOX "News" in there to ask them a leading, negative question about President Obama?

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House Passes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal

Image from source, The Advocate

Or rather, they passed an "It's okay to repeal DADT if a whole bunch of people agree it's okay." Or something. For the second time. It's a great step, but meaningless unless Harry Reid manages to overcome a sure-to-be-tried filibuster. There is no reason--short of homophobia--to keep this always archaic and ridiculous law in place. The military is for repeal, for the most part. The American public is for repeal in large percentages. And there are already gay people in the military, just as there always have been. That won't stop John McCain and Mitch McConnell from claiming that "America" wants DADT to stay. 

[Excerpt]

House Approves DADT Repeal



The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday approved a stand-alone bill to repeal the 17-year-old law barring lesbian and gay service members from serving openly in the military by a vote of 250-175. . .
 
Read more at: The Advocate

Harry Reid to Conservatives: There's No Whining in the Senate!

The line today about why the Senate can't get anything done before the end of the year is that it would be disrespectful to Christians. You heard that right. Apparently December 15-24 and 26-31 are sacred, right along with Christmas and John Boner Boehner's holy day, New Year's Eve. The real reason of course is that if the lame duck Senate manages to pass anything on the agenda, it might have the side effect of making President Obama look good. And you know they can't have that.

Occasionally, they'll be blunt and upfront about that. But usually, they make up shit like the Christmas excuse. It's getting damned annoying hearing all the bloviation when we all know what they're up to. And I find my self once again feeling proud of my usually milque-toasty Senator, Harry Reid.

Visit Sharron Angle's Underground Bunker!

Nevada's Sharron Angle doesn't want you to know what she's really all about. Neither does the RNC, or other Republican groups currently spearheading her newly sanitized candidacy.  But her opponent for U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid does what you to know just how nutty Angle is, and he's doing it with a sense of humor. Harry isn't my favorite politician, and he's prone to gaffes sometimes.  But I'd vote for him in a heartbeat over this character. Give 'em Hell, Harry!

Go there! Sharron Angle's Underground Bunker

Morning Joe on Sharron Angle: This Race is Over

One last video (at least for now), this one from Morning Joe. Though the show is on MSNBC--often derided as the flip side of FOX "News"--it is helmed by conservative former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough.  And somehow Joe missed that Nevada's Sharron Angle (Harry Reid's Opponent) had suggested "Second Amendment" solutions to things voters don't like in Washington.  And he makes no excuses for her. Good for you, Joe.

Countdown: Sharron Angle Doesn't Want Harry Reid to Quote Her

After the long holiday weekend, I'm finding blogging a little harder to get into. So, I'm posting a few easy--but entertaining and relevant videos, to get the ball rolling.  This one is a doozy from Countdown with Keith Olbermann on my favorite new political punching bag, Sharron Angle. After Angle won her primary, the Republican establishment swooped in to clean up her image, and polish away the crazy. But Harry Reid (her opponent for the Nevada Senate seat) dug up her original web page, you know, to spotlight the crazy.  Angle is trying to legally bar him from doing so, which would set a very strange precedent for future political races if successful.

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Sen. John Ensign's Doo-Doo Gets Deeper

Image from source, Las Vegas Now

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) had yet another terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. The ethics complaints keep rolling in, and this one isn't even about the affair, and the stuff swirling around it. This is about the C Street investigation that is going on separately.

[Excerpt]

Senator Ensign Named in Another Ethics ComplaintSenator Ensign Named in Another Ethics Complaint

Nevada Senator John Ensign was one of three lawmakers named in a complaint alleging a cushy room rental deal in Washington, DC. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas Now

Thanks yet again to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link. Time for that blog of yours to bust out, Monkey!

Health Care Passes Senate and House Again: All Fixed?

Image from source, MSNBC

Well, that was anti-climactic. After a year of out-and-out craziness alternating with tedium, the health care reform vote last weekend was full of drama. It was as tense and nail-biting worthy as the 2008 election. Then, it was off to the Senate for the "fixes" bill, where Republicans vowed to really gum up the works. They gave it a go, even going all night Wednesday night. But by Thursday, they were apparently out of gas. The Republicans caved--even though they did put a dinky little stick in the spokes, causing a further vote in the House to get it done. But with no drama at all, the fix-it bill went to the House, was voted on, and. . .done. That's it!

I am among the Democrats who isn't 100% thrilled with the final outcome. This is the real reason that it appeared that health care reform was massively unpopular. Many of us thought it didn't go nearly far enough. But most of those on the left side of the issue would agree that something needed to be passed. If it had failed, it would likely be a dozen or more years before it was even tried again. This way, there is a foundation to build upon. Could a public option come down the pike? A single-payer plan? Maybe, and I hope so. But that wouldn't have been possible without something to build it on.

[Excerpt]

Dems victorious in final health bill 'fixes' vote

Capping an epic struggle, congressional Democrats put the final touches Thursday to historic legislation enshrining health care as the right of every citizen. Republicans vowed to campaign for repeal in the fall election season, drawing a quick retort from President Barack Obama: "I welcome that fight. . ."

Read more at: MSNBC

Republican Meow Mix: No, No, No, No!

Cute? Too cute?

Jon Stewart: A Majority of 100 is 60?

This is one of the better clips The Daily Show with Jon Stewart has done in a while. How Democrats got cowed into believing that they need 60 votes to get anything done--and still can't manage to do anything without watering it down--is one of the most baffling political facts around. Jon puts all of our frustrations (and by "our" I mean we "far left liberals") into a very funny, and very true rant. Excellent.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Harry Reid Steps in It; Steele Overplays It

Image from source, Chicago Tribune

For the second time in the past two weeks the antiquated term "negro" has been in the news. Last time, it was the use of the word in the census. This week, it has been revealed in a tabloidy political book that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) used the word in relation to then Senator Barack Obama. Now, to be fair, Reid was not using the word in a pejorative way.

His statement--saying essentially that in America today, a fairer skinned black person with an educated, middle-American speaking style would do better running for President than would a darker skinned person with a more colloquial speaking style--is true. It may be uncomfortable, and it for sure was inartfully articulated, but it is true. Predictably, conservatives are making hay with it. But true to form, they're taking it way around the bend. Having Michael Steele, lord god king foot-in-his-mouth--with his own racially insensitive statement last week--be their point man is just bizarre. Comparing Reid to former Leader Trent Lott, who said that a segregationist would have solved all of our problems as President in the forties is even weirder. And demanding that Reid step down as speaker is just stupid.

As a Nevadan, I have my gripes with Reid. But we also have Senator Ensign, so come on now, which has had a worse offense?

[Excerpt]

Sen. Harry Reid and the 'double standard'

GOP Chairman Michael Steele and other Republicans on Sunday accused Democrats of a double standard, saying they accepted Sen. Harry Reid’s apology for racial comments about President Obama, but they also should have demanded that the Nevada Senator step down. . .

Read more at: Chicago Tribune

Senate Passes Health Care Reform

Image from source, MSNBC

Good thing? Bad thing? Too soon to tell. What the decision will lead to is a steaming batch of family arguments between warring political factions. Feliz Navidad!

[Excerpt]

Senate passes historic health care bill

Senate Democrats passed a landmark health care bill in a climactic Christmas Eve vote that could define President Barack Obama's legacy and usher in near-universal medical coverage for the first time in the country's history. . .

Read more (with video) at: MSNBC

"Death Panels" Stage a Comeback

Image from source, Think Progress

Even though the Sarah Palin-created "Death Panel" talking point has been named "lie of the year," the GOP is resurrecting it, in a last ditch effort to derail health care reform. Sigh.

[Excerpt]

In Last-Ditch Effort To Derail Reform, Right Wing Calls Medicare Commission A ‘Death Panel’

Last Friday, Politifact declared that former Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s infamous claim that health care reform legislation included a “death panel” for “the sick, the elderly, and the disabled” is the “lie of the year.” Palin’s claim was widely interpreted to be about voluntary end-of-life counseling provisions in a version of the House’s health care bill that were not included in the Senate legislation because of the uproar caused by Palin’s lie. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Sonia Sotomayor Joins Supreme Court; Al Franken Presiding!

I really would love to have seen the level of blotchiness and the condition of the veins and arteries in Bill O'Relly's face when he first saw this clip. Sean Hannity's too, for that matter. Sonia Sotomayor is confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice with Senator Al Franken presiding? I hope their eyes at least twitched.

Did Nancy Pelosi Know All About Bush Era Torture?

Photo from source, Raw Story

Nancy Pelosi has spelled out in no uncertain terms that she was briefed that "enhanced interrogation (torture)" was deemed legal by the Bush Administration, but not that it had actually been used. Moreover, she said that she was barred from saying anything or doing anything about it by Senate rules.

But now, there are reports that she did know about it. And if she did--in my opinion--I say we let the chips fall where they may. This whole "rule of law" anti-torture thing is not a vendetta to me, a way to punish George W. Bush and his cronies. Not to me anyway. But you have to wonder if this is the reason politicians are dragging their feet on the issue.

[Excerpt]

Pelosi was briefed on waterboarding in 2002, despite saying she wasn’t: report

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was briefed on the Bush Administration’s torture techniques in 2002 — even though she’s publicly said she was never told about the use of waterboarding, according to a new report. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Senate Reaches Stimulus Deal?

Photo from source, Huffington Post

I've tried to stay on top of the whole stimulus deal. But I have to admit, it's not really in my realm of understanding. I'm reasonably sure that the old mantra of "tax cuts!" isn't working. And when prominent Republicans--who've been wrong about everything in the last eight years--are against the thing, I've gotta think it's smarter to go the other way.

But as vexing as the whole issue is, I'm equally baffled by how the enacting of the thing works. The "breaking news" tonight is that the Senate has reached a deal. But they haven't voted on it yet. So is it really a deal? I'm bettin' there is much more drama to ensue before this thing is over.

[Excerpt]

Senators reach deal to cut stimulus bill to $780B

With job losses soaring nationwide, Senate Democrats reached agreement with a small group of Republicans Friday night on an economic stimulus measure at the heart of President Barack Obama's plan for combatting the worst recession in decades.

"The American people want us to work together. They don't want to see us dividing along partisan lines on the most serious crisis confronting our country," said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of three Republican moderates who broke ranks and pledged their votes for the bill. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post