Over Time with Bill Maher, October 5, 2012

Ep. 261: October 05, 2012 - Overtime

Blast from the Past: See the USA in Your (Shitty) Chevrolet!

The car from hell. Image from AOL.

This post is a combination of my usual Sunday Blast from the Past feature, and a complaint to General Motors and its Chevrolet division. Now, I will concede that the modern-day fleet of Chevys is pretty cool: the new Malibu, Sonic, Spark, Volt, Corvette, Cruze and Camaro are awesome to look at. And I'm also aware that the Chevy Impala is due for a complete makeover. But it cannot be said loudly or often enough, the 2013 Chevrolet Impala sucks for air! Not only does the body style date back to the Bush era--2005 for the 2006 model year--but it has either been de-contented or has never been good, at least for the rental market.

Our recent trip to the Oregon coast was fantastic in nearly every way, except for the rental Impala, driven nearly 600 miles each way from San Francisco. The front driver seat was tolerable, barely. The front passenger seat had no back support, and the seat was insufficient for long drives. The backseat? intolerable. Horrible. We actually thought that it had been folded down, then reinserted improperly. It was like sitting on a foldout, convertible sofa from the 1970s. 200 miles into our adventure, we stopped at a Walmart for dining room chair cushions, just so that we could mitigate the torture! We used them for the rest of the jouney, and still weren't comfortable. Add to that a set of barely usable cup holders (wobbly coffee, anyone?) tiny visors, and a glovebox the size of a macho burrito, and you have a fairly shitty driving experience.

A Chevrolet I actually owned and liked!

Beyond all of that, for a full-sized car, the passenger cabin was woefully cramped. We had two six-footers with us, true. But we have more room--far more room--in the backseat of our Toyota Corolla-based Scion xB at home. And the cabin of the car was no bigger than the interior of my mid-sized Mitubishi Galant. The only place the Chevy excelled was in the trunk, which sleeps six. The car sucked. Hard. So, here then is my salute to all the shitty Chevys over the years (even though one of my favorites was my 1986 Chevy Cavailier RS). GM, you can do so much better.

SNL: MSNBC Responds to the Debate

While I'm sure I have a little bit of trouble laughing at "my side," something about Saturday Night Live's deconstruction of the first debate felt off. I think mostly, it was the speed of the modern-day news cycle. The debate already feels like old news, in light of the jobs numbers, and the events since Wednesday. Also, while the Rev. Al Sharpton and Chris Matthews are ripe for parody (I wasn't happy with Matthews either, or Ed Schultz), I think Rachel Maddow and Sharpton actually were pretty good, post-debate, fairly realistic, and not overly in "spin"-mode. So, it didn't feel like SNL nailed this one to me. But they had funny moments.

Mitt Romney: Better Than No One!

Thank you, Conan O'Brien!

Liberal Democrats are Evil, Especially Nancy Pelosi!

Huh. I'm watching Dateline on NBC as I type this, and I'm being bombarded by political ads. There are almost no ads for anything but politics, and NBC shows tonight (as with most nights lately). But I noticed something interesting. While the pro-Obama, pro-Democratic ads are fairly standard issue, there's a common thread in the Republican ones.

One ad was an official Mitt Romney ad (he approved this message), and one was against Shelley Berkley, from the National Republican Senatorial Committee . The theme of both? Democrats are bad. Particularly liberal Democrats! Especially President Obama and his liberal Democrat "friends." Both feature shots of Nancy Pelosi, both with ominous graphics, and a sharp, staccato emphasis on words like "liberal, Democrat."  Naturally, the word "Democratic" is never used, it sounds too nice.

It's certainly not new to try and make liberal and Democrat into dirty words. It has been a mission of the Right for decades. But the similarity of these ads was striking, and the deliberate emphasis on those two words, and the somehow evilness of Pelosi was unmistakable. The stimulus, bank bailout, Affordable Care Act--all are attributed to Pelosi, and her reckless liberal spending. Two of the three big votes are also described with a hard rightward spin: wasteful stimulus, government takeover of health care, facts decidedly not in evidence. See for yourself:

The Romney one is only interesting because it's from the candidate himself. Rather than strictly focusing on Obama = bad, or Romney = good, it's trying to tar the entire Democrat[ic] Party. Unfortunately, I can't find the exact ad. The one I did find from earlier in the week seems to be a prototype of the one I saw on television, but you'll get the idea.

In Case You Missed It: Obama's Post-Debate Ad

Working mostly evenings on this here blog thingy, I often miss hot topics that percolate during the day. But I also realize that not everyone catches these things right as they happen either. Anyway, I was glad to see the President rebound from his panned debate performance, right into a boisterous rally, and that his campaign has already culled some Romney footage and parlayed it into a pretty decent anti-Romney ad. Here's hoping he keeps it up, and carries it through the rest of the debates.

Another Perspective: Obama Won The Debate?

Magic Mitt? Hardly. Image from The Telegraph.

As you can see if you scroll below, I was not a fan of the first 2012 presidential debate. I agree that the President turned in a lackluster performance, but I think the scale of his "defeat" has been vastly overblown, starting with the howling by some MSNBC pundits like Chris Matthews and Ed Schultz, and ending with the cartwheels and backflips on evidence at FOX "News." I think that Mitt Romney won sort of by default. It wasn't that Romney sparkled--he didn't--it's just that his bombast outshone Obama's subdued demeanor. Plus he lied a lot.

So, I fall in the both of them sucked category, and while disappointed in the President's performance, I'm not buying the Romney love. It remains to be seen if the conventional wisdom that gelled in the minutes and hours after the debate will remain set in the history books, but it bears mentioning that not everyone agrees with it. In fact, something like 1 in 4 people think that the President won the debate. And some have some pretty good arguments for it. I'm not saying I agree, but I like to see different views on a topic, so here you go.

[Excerpt]

Last night, Mitt Romney lost. Yes, you read that right

Barack Obama won last night’s debate. Or to be more precise, Mitt Romney lost it.  That’s obviously not the conventional view of the commentators or pollsters, who gave the GOP candidate a clear win. But that doesn’t matter. He still lost. . .

Read more at: The Telegraph

History Lesson on Presidential Debates and Winners

As I said, I got slammed with work, so my posts have been short, even if my choices have been entertaining. Now, I'm going to throw you something entertaining and educational. Did you know there have only now been seven televised first debates for incumbent presidents? It's true, they only go back as far as the Ford/Carter debate of 1976, which was marred by technical difficulties.

What I like about this clip from The Rachel Maddow Show is that--contrary to right-wing critics' expectations--Rachel makes no effort to spin President Obama's debate performance as anything other than a loss. What she does is put the debate itself into a historical perspective: the challenger to almost all modern incumbent presidents win in the first debate. But how many go on to win the election? Watch the clip below to find out.

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

Assholes on the Right (Rocky Mountain Mike Parody)

I don't usually run posts back-to-back from the same source. I make exceptions in the case of Rocky Mountain Mike's parodies. This one hits my sweet spot: politics, vulgarity and Pat Benatar! Shadows of the Night is my favorite song by Benatar, one of my very favorite artists. The Stephanie Miller Show may have to edit this clip down, but it is very funny and well done! Way to go, Mike!

Mitt Romney Sings, I Like Big Bird (Rocky Mountain Mike)

As I said in a previous post, I had an unexpected work night, so my postings will be quickies, but entertaining quickies. This one is from fabulous parodist Rocky Mountain Mike (of The Stephanie Miller Show), spoofing Mitt Romney's declaration to defund PBS and Sesame Street. To the tune of Baby Got Back.

Romney & Obama Tell Jim Lehrer to "Shut the F* Up" (Jimmy Fallon)

Unexpected work night means quickie posts. But that doesn't mean they aren't entertaining! This is a spoof of the first presidential debate, from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Unspinning President Obama’s ‘Say What’ Debate Tactics

Fact Checking Mitt Romney

Image from source, PoliticsUSA

So, the first debate is over. And whether you buy the common wisdom that "Mitt Romney won" or not, there is the undeniable fact that he was. . .factually challenged. How much that mitigates things, I have no idea. But if attention to the details has no affect on the perceived outcome of the debate, what is the point of them? Anyway, here is an early analysis of the biggest whoppers of Mitt's night. See what you think.

[Excerpt]

Mitt Romney’s Five Biggest Lies of the First Half of the Presidential Debate

Mitt Romney is telling so many lies at the first presidential debate with Barack Obama that we had to take a half time break. Here are Romney’s 5 biggest lies of the first half of the debate.

1). Mitt Romney claims he is not cutting taxes for the wealthy. . .

Read more at: PoliticsUSA

Obama vs. Romney, Debate #1

Image from NBCNews

Ugh. Well, that was unpleasant. I am not only referring to the pervasive opinion in the punditry that "Romney won," but to the whole affair. I'm a political junkie, and I painfully endured the whole thing, while relying on my Twitter feed to keep me sane. The Other Half--slightly less interested in politics--left the room after twenty minutes. You'd think that we were cringing at President Obama's lackluster performance. But no. It was just an interminable, wonkish, unpleasant hour and a half.

It is true that the President was off his game. He was reactive, allowing Mitt Romney to run roughshod over the (very loose) debate format, and thus allowing Romney the last word far too often. The President was so reserved, I honestly suspected him to come out blazing in the third quarter, and when that didn't happen, I wondered if he intentionally threw the first match in some of that three-dimensional chess strategy he's famous for.

Whatever it was, it was something different from what it will likely be spun to be in the beltway media. This may have been a "win" for Romney in the technical sense, but he is presented with several problems as well. First, he came off no more likable than he ever has been. In fact, he furthered the impression that he's just a dick. If his aim from the start was to trample Jim Lehrer, the moderator, and set the agenda throughout, he was successful, so points for that. Dickish points, but points nonetheless. He also supplied quite a bit of material for fact checkers to refute, while also coming off quite caffeinated. Which is rather odd for a Mormon. There is also the problem of his terse, artificial smile/smirk. More of that dick thing, I guess. [Story continues below]

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

The President had his moments, and a couple of times I thought, "here we go!" But he never went for the knockout punch. He didn't use "47%," he didn't pierce the Medicare cuts lie, and he certainly didn't try for any Romneyesque lie/zingers. But he was mostly playing defense, only rarely turning the narrative around on Romney to an effect. The biggest criticism I'd have of the President is to say that when he saw Romney being a dick, he didn't act dickish in return. Actually, I'm kind of glad he didn't. But I'd liked for him to at least spike the ball back into Romney's court.

The only way this debate will be any kind of game changer, hinges more on perception than anything that actually happened in it.  MSNBC--contrary to their "in the tank for Obama" reputation--may have unwittingly made things worse by making the debate seem more dire than it actually was. I mean it was bad--all around--but with "friends" like Chris Matthews and Ed Schultz, who needs enemies? They've done their part to cement the perception of a big Romney win, whether or not it really was. When it was over, I was just happy it was over. The format, the debaters, the questions, the answers. . .all of it was just boring and mind numbing. But if you believe the pundits, it was some huge performance by Romney. Again, maybe in style. Certainly not in substance.

Frankly, I'm more interested in how this debate plays into the next. Will Romney be cocky (and dickish, of course), and jinx himself? Will the President overcompensate, and come off desperate? Will the scales balance? Hard to say. But it would be difficult to be more uncomfortable to sit through. One thing is for sure: Obama will have a different approach.

[Excerpt]

Candidates battle over tax plans in first debate

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's tax cut proposals consumed the opening moments in his first debate versus President Barack Obama, as the two candidates sparred over whether the math behind the Republican presidential nominee's plans matched his rhetoric. . .

Read more at: NBCNews

October Non-Surprise #3: Paul Ryan Also Dislikes Percentage of America

The only surprise here is that Paul Ryan sets the bar so much lower than his boss. 30% Paul? Get with the program!

[Excerpt]

Paul Ryan: 30 Percent 'Want Welfare State,' 70 Percent 'Want The American Dream' 

Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, share a similarly dim view of a very large portion of Americans, according to previously unreported remarks by Ryan. Both believe that many of their fellow citizens are dependent on government and have no motivation to improve their lives -- but they disagree over the precise number. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

October Non-Surprise #2: Jeremiah Wright, Again

I don't get it either, but an already aired, five-year-old video of President Obama talking about Rev. Jeremiah Wright, has become a Drudge Report/Sean Hannity/FOX "News" sensation.

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

October Non-surprise #1: Joe Biden Gaffes Again (Sorta)

Joltin' Joe, from Huffington Post

I'm back from vacation, so I expected a lot to work with. But I didn't expect the "October Surprise" moments to be fast and furious on October second. Here, as I type, we have three of them. Two of them are of the "opposition research" mold, and this one is of the "self inflicted" variety. All of them--unless I miss my guess--are fairly weak tea.

When it comes to the Joe Biden gaffe, you're grading on a curve. He is prone to speaking off-the-cuff, and when he does so, he sometimes leaves out words, or gropes for the wrong one. In this case, he didn't attribute the middle class being "buried" to the policies of the previous administration, nor to the Republican Congress, both of which are valid points. So it gives the Romney campaign--always searching for a change-of-storyline--with the opportunity to pounce. But it is kind of like a mouse being caught by a toothless, clawless cat. It's just not going to change the news cycle, especially not in the midst of the first debate tomorrow. Nice try though.

[Excerpt]

Joe Biden 'Buried' Comment About Middle Class Seized On By Republicans Ahead Of Debate

Republicans pounced on comments by Vice President Joe Biden about the middle class being "buried" for the past four years as proof that President Barack Obama’s economic policies have failed. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

4 Years Ago Today: Voter Rolls in at Least 19 States Being Purged

The more things change, the more they stay the same. . .

ORIGINAL POST: October 2, 2008

Conservatives often rail about "voter fraud," where dead people, illegal aliens, criminals, and unregistered voters allegedly vote--apparently for Democrats. The cases have been pretty thin, with people convicted of voter fraud numbering somewhere around a few handfuls. Maybe not even enough to matter in Palm Beach County, Florida in the 2000 election.

But election rigging--a specialty of Republicans--is real, and much more effective. By various means, they attempt to sway elections, and probably (almost certainly, by my estimation) even decided both elections for George W. Bush.

Image from source, BradBlog

Unfortunately, the issue apparently isn't very sexy to your average American, and only crops up in the news right before an election. Usually to late to do anything about it. And just as unfortunately, even when the rigging becomes known, very few people go to jail for it (Karl Rove, anybody?). You'd think in America that people messing with thousands of legitimate voters would be a big deal. But if they care at all, they're worried that Mickey Mouse cast one vote in Chicago or something. If they're going to focus on an illegal voter, you'd hope they'd finally go after Ann Coulter.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Even if you don't want to read this article, I urge you to click the link at the bottom of the story, and find out if you are registered to vote. Even if you know you are, it doesn't mean you haven't been "purged." It's an easy and useful tool, and took me all of two minutes.

[Excerpt]

BS News: New Study Details Massive Voter Roll Purges Underway in At Least 19 States

Tonight's CBS Evening News finally covered what may well be the November Surprise that we've been trying to warn about for months here at The BRAD BLOG: Massive voter roll purges being done in secret, with little or no oversight, and often under federal Justice Department cover, in states and counties around the country. . .

Read more at: BradBlog

Travelogue, Part the Second

Fun times on the beach.

The Google Blogger software is eating this post worse than the food we were consuming in mass quantities on our just completed trip. I don't even remember what my intro was, other than to say that we spent several days in Yachats, Oregon, and then drove back to Oakland to fly home. We got the Cliff's Notes tour of San Francisco, including lunch at the Wharf. Here is what remains of my post, I know not where the rest went. . .

Friends we were traveling with were expert "foodies," so the eating was a large part of the trip. We ate in great restaurants, and had one incredible home-cooked meal. The six of us have been travel buddies many times in the past, so it was quite an interesting adventure to visit two of them, now ensconced in a tourist destination of their own, separate and apart from Las Vegas.

Homemade grilled peaches with prosciutto!

It will not be possible to encapsulate the trip, its pleasures and its warm memories in this post. Particularly not in the waning hours before returning to work on Tuesday morning. Let it suffice to say that a great time was had by all. And though we spent a small fortune between us, we are now eagerly starting travel funds to do it all again!

The "Gone Fishin'" banner will remain until Tuesday evening, to allow me until then to recharge and start blogging again. Until then, as you were!

See you soon. And thanks to my friends for a wonderful experience.

See what I mean about the diet?

Rocky Mountain Mike Replay: Sayin' a Lie

Yup, still on vacation. So, just in case I don't get anything new posted today (and would you if you were at a beach house?), here's one of Rocky Mountain Mike's (of The Stephanie Miller Show) best song parodies, to the tune of the Bee Gees' Stayin' Alive!