Steven Weber: Sarah Palin's Tea Baggin'

Photo from AOL

I know I've already put up a couple of actor Steven Weber's blog posts recently, but the bolded line in the excerpt below should be nominated for some kind of bloggy award. Hilarious.

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Foxy Lady!

According to what Sarah Palin is trumpeting (well, bleating would be more melodically accurate) on her and John McCain's "Tuesdays with Morrie Express" tour, America is alternately at the threshold of Armageddon, under assault by armies of illegals or crushed beneath a commie/socialist/fascist jackboot. . .

. . .The US is just not a white, hetero, 50's fantasy (was it ever, really?). But just try and tell that to the desperately white, frantically hetero Tea Baggers who have had their sacks steeping in Sarah's brain-free broth for so long that they'd hang you in effigy, put you in the stocks and otherwise excommunicate you from the brotherhood of besotted baggery. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Oklahoma Accidentally Removes Protections for Race & Religion

So, some homophobic jerks in Oklahoma wanted to rip protections away from gay people. . .and they sorta missed. By a mile.

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for pointing me to this hilarious story.

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IN SEEKING TO STRIP LGBT OKLAHOMANS OF HATE CRIMES PROTECTIONS, OKLAHOMA REMOVES PROTECTIONS FOR RACE AND RELIGION

In October, President Barack Obama signed The Matthew Shepard Act, expanding the reach of the 1969 hate crimes law to "authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability." Previously the law only allowed for the federal prosecution of anyone who "willingly injures, intimidates or interferes with another person, or attempts to do so, by force because of the other person's race, color, religion or national origin. . ."

Read more at: Out in Oklahoma City

Obama Bullet Hole Flag at Searchlight Rally

Can we dispense with the fiction that conservatives don't have violent imagery in their agenda? Thank you.

You'd Better Sit Down for This. . .Ricky Martin is Gay

Image from source, Comcast

This is the most shocking news of this type--and as late in being announced--since Sean Hayes of Will & Grace came out a few weeks ago. Shocking, simply shocking. Welcome to the outside, Ricky!

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Ricky Martin is livin' la vida open, says he's gay

Ricky Martin is no longer denying the rumors: He's gay.

In a statement posted via Twitter in both Spanish and English, and later confirmed with his representative, Martin said: "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am."

For many, Monday's announcement will come as no surprise; the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer's sexuality has been speculated about for years. But the Puerto Rican star, who got his start as a child in the teen group Menudo, never directly addressed it and was usually seen at events with beautiful women on his arm. . .

Read more at: Comcast

Message to Florida from George W. Bush

Actually, this is a pretty funny impressionist in an ad for Rep. Alan Grayson.

Hello, It's Me!

Due to some weekend revelry, I totally missed blogging for most of yesterday and only now have a moment for some blogging. So, here I am! And what do I have for you? A totally random video (by request, hi, Mark!) by 80s non-harmonizing girl group, Bananarama! Why not?

Overtime with Bill Maher, March 26, 2010

Ep. 178: March 26, 2010 - Overtime

What Happens in Vegas: Sarah Palin Tea Bags Searchlight

Image from source, LVRJ


Yeah, this wasn't really in Las Vegas, but Searchlight, Nevada is such a small burg, I'm sure most of the visitors were either from here, or at least came here afterward. I'd be especially interested how the hooker trade was for the event. Ahem.

Anyway, I was nowhere near the event, though I did consider going as a roving reporter. But the stupid! It burns! Couldn't do it.

My favorite part is that the crowd left "en masse" after Queen Sarah finished. What, Heidi Harris and Joe the Plumber don't do it for you, tea baggers? Yeah, I said it. I don't care if it doesn't show "respect." I can't respect a movement whose biggest draw is a mental lightweight like Palin, and where the lesser lights are so incredibly dim themselves.

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TEA PARTY EXPRESS RALLY: Palin energizes thousands, declares 'we're not going to sit down and shut up'

Read it at: Las Vegas Review Journal

President Obama Makes Some Recess Appointments

Not just yes, but hell yes. Since the inauguration, Republicans have been blocking President Obama's nominees for all kinds of things. Many, if not most of the blocks have not been put in place because of severe disagreement on the appointees, but just to gum up the works. Republicans might argue that President Bush made his recess appointees for the exact same reason. I might not agree with that, but if it was good enough then, then suck it up, to the conservatives who are bitching about it now.

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Obama makes 15 recess appointments, blames Republicans

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday announced his plan to make 15 recess appointments held up by Republican delays, including two Treasury Department positions and two on the National Labor Relations Board that have been vacant for more than a year. . .

Read more at: Reuters

Rachel Maddow & Hal Sparks: Trying to Prove She is NOT Running Against Scott Brown

If you've been here before, you know I love Rachel Maddow. And I love Rachel's guest in this segment, Hal Sparks, perhaps. . .uh. . .too much. Anyway, Rachel and Hal discuss ways to convince Sen. Scott Brown (R-Cosmopolitan) that she is not running against him for Senate. Maybe he'll get it this time?

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

Dogs Vs. Police Car. Guess Who Wins?

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Eric Cantor's Office Attack. Real?

Image from source, Gawker

I mused yesterday whether or not Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) really had his office window shot out in a political threat/attack. Turns out. . .well, probably not. Unless this was a very clever shooter, who staged an arial attack! I thought it sounded too convenient.

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Will Eric Cantor, Victim of Random Bullet Rain, Support Gun Control?

After Eric Cantor is done apologizing for lying about his office being shot at, he should probably do something to address the gun problem in his district—which is apparently so bad that bullets are raining from the sky. . .

Read more at: Gawker (with a hat-tip to Tracy for the link)

Sarah Palin Scores Reality Show on TLC

Image from source, TV Newser

Does "TLC" stand for thoroughly lousy candidate? Ha! I kid. Not really. Just kidding. Not really.

It is easy (oh, so easy) to snark on Sarah Palin. Her list of gaffes and goofs easily outstrips Vice President Joe "This is a big f*cking deal" Biden, and his political career is decades longer than hers. But let's put aside Palin's uniquely polarizing effect on the voting populace. Let's concentrate on her abilities as a TV host.

She's trained in journalism, despite having a rather large beef with journalists. She's telegenic, and does manage to en-swoon a sizable portion of the potential viewing audience. She loves Alaska, and likes talking about it. But there's the problem. She'll be talking, probably narrating. The voice. The constantly "on" folksy colloquialisms. The dropped Gs on everything ending in an "-ing." The rambling, impossible-to-diagram sentence structure. Her speeches are not "a bridge to nowhere," they are "paragraphs to nowhere." And the whole nature format is going to be turned on its head by a lady who likes to hang out of a helicopter shooting the wildlife. And settin' up oil rigs right in the middle of national parks! Also.

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Sarah Palin Alaska Documentary Goes to TLC

Fox News analyst Sarah Palin's life on TV just got a lot busier. Discovery Communications announced this morning they have acquired the rights to "Sarah Palin's Alaska," an 8-part series helmed by "Survivor" and "Apprentice" creator Mark Burnett. . .

Read more at: TVNewser

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.

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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

Rep. Eric Cantor: Drama Queen

Okay, so after health care reform passed (and the few days leading up to it), the over-heated, over-blown rhetoric from the right got turned up to eleven, right? Epithets and loogies were hurled, windows broken, Congress members threatened. It was getting ugly. Some of the Democratic politicians spoke out. I don't recall any of their statements to be overtly political. But being a Democrat myself, I didn't have my antennae up. But their statements seemed warranted, and the escalating vitriol from the other side did seem. . .I don't know. . .worth mentioning.

Republicans for their part have made a few statements too, always couched in the "People are angry, but they shouldn't act out violently" way, without taking much (or any) responsibility for stirring them up in the first place. Rep. Eric Cantor has since said that his window was shot out, putting this--as all political things are these days--a story where both sides are as guilty as each other. Which doesn't make a lot of sense, since all of the foaming, rabid craziness has been coming from the right.

I don't want to say that Cantor made it up, or that it didn't happen. I don't want to say it, but it sure has crossed my mind. As the Church Lady would say, "how convenient." Regardless of the authenticity, it seems a bit disingenuous that Cantor (and other Republicans) are decrying the "playing politics" angle of making these sorts of announcements. . .by making the same sorts of announcements themselves.

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Eric Cantor accuses Democrats of 'fanning flames' on member threats

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) angrily lashed out at Democratic leaders for their handling of reported threats against members of Congress Thursday, accusing them of "dangerously fanning the flames" by blaming the GOP and confiding that he has also been the recipient of threats. . .

Read more at: The Washington Post

Columbus's Embarrassment Gets Caught, Apologizes

Image from source, The Columbus Dispatch

Remember that dude from Columbus--my home town--who berated a man with Parkinson's Disease, threw money at him, and embarrassed the whole town (and nation)? Well, somebody figured out who he was, and now he's suddenly oh so sorry. This is what is so worrisome about the whole "mob mentality" that has taken over the conservative/Republican/tea bagger crowd. The feeling of camaraderie makes you do things you might not ordinarily do.

I doubt it will make much of an impact on them though. They have a "tax day" protest planned for April 15th again (though most of them have been unaffected by tax increases). Worst of all, there is a "bring your guns" rally as close as they can legally get to Washington D.C. scheduled for April 19th. . .my friggin' birthday. That's the anniversary of both the Waco standoff and the Oklahoma City bombing. I hope I don't have another "notorious" birthday.

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Man who threw money at Parkinson’s patient calls behavior ‘shameful’

The man protesting federal health-care legislation who berated and tossed dollar bills at a supporter with Parkinson's disease last week says he is remorseful - and scared.

"I snapped, I absolutely snapped, and I can't explain it any other way," said Chris Reichert in a Dispatch interview. . .

Read more at: The Columbus Dispatch

Robert Culp Dead at 79

Image from source, TVSquad

This probably doesn't qualify for "The Greenlee Curse," but it's close. While it has happened many, many times in my life, the most memorable ones are Elvis Presley and Isabel Sanford. Both died at points in their lives when their careers weren't particularly on fire, and both died the day after I had a fairly significant conversation about them. With Robert Culp, I just happened to notice--while The Other Half was watching the movie The Pelican Brief--that Culp played the President. I said, "Oh, I like him. Is he still alive?" Gulp.

I was too young for I Spy, but I loved him in The Greatest American Hero, and also in Everybody Loves Raymond. Everybody's got to go sometime, but it's sad. RIP, Mr. Culp.

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'I Spy' star Robert Culp dead at 79

One half of the 'I Spy' team is gone: Robert Culp has died near his home in Hollywood at the age of 79. What's even more troubling is the way he died. Culp apparently fell and hit his head while out for a walk and was found by a jogger. He later died at a hospital. . .

Read more at: TVSquad

Threatening Voice Mails to Rep. Bart Stupak

I've already covered my feelings about health care reform opponents and their despicable behavior during the fight and since their loss. It's wrong, it looks like it could get worse, and it needs to stop.


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George W. Bush Shakes Haitians Hand, Wipes it on Bill Clinton

I'm not sure if George W. Bush was doing this to be funny. More likely he was trying to wipe off the poor or the black. Take your pick. Either way, classy.

Health Care Reform Opponents Turning to Threats, Violence

Image from source, Politico

My prediction, after the passage of health care reform, was that this massive over-the-top rage from conservatives and tea baggers would fizzle out. I still think it will, eventually. But not right away. They've had their paranoid, delusional anger stoked by FOX "News" for a steady year. Big corporations have funded their "grass roots" gatherings, and given them a place to congregate where everyone else also hates the Marxist, communist, Muslim, statist, fascist, Maoist, Kenyan, socialist, black President Obama and all of his associates. Right-wing talk radio has spewed forth the afore-mentioned adjectives, along with many others at the speed of a machine gun. And politicians like John Boehner, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann have visibly and vocally egged them on.

Health care reform was painted as the most evil, anti-American, democracy-ending issue to ever roll down the pike. This thing was puffed up as a death-blow to our very nation. And it passed. Some recognize all the invective as merely political rhetoric, over-inflated hyperbole to get the electorate agitated enough to pay attention (and grab ratings, of course). But we aren't an overly bright nation. Or rather, the dumb tends to rise to the top. And the crazy. What do these now rabid people now do with all their rage? We're starting to find out. The question is, will this ultimately fizzle? Or will it just gather more steam?

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The backlash: Reform turns personal

Reps. Louise Slaughter and Bart Stupak have received death threats.

A tea party participant published what he thought was Rep. Thomas Perriello’s home address and urged disgruntled voters to “drop by” for a “good face-to-face chat.”

Vandals broke windows at Slaughter’s office in New York and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’s office in Arizona. . .

Read more at: Politico