Horrors! Cannibal Woman May be Paroled!

Maybe her husband's favorite mean
phrase to yell was "Eat me!"?

Okay, I know some guys are pricks. They're abusive, and nasty, and deserve almost whatever is coming to them. Almost. But I'm having a hard time getting on board with this lady's husband being so abusive--in a less than 30-day marriage--that it drove her to eat him!


[Excerpt]


Omaima Aree Nelson, ex-model who killed and ate her husband, is now seeking parole

. . .Prosecutors say Nelson killed her husband of less than a month, on Thanksgiving Day. She cooked his head and his hands. She then attempted to get some of her ex-boyfriends to help dispose of the rest of the body parts. . .


Read more at: CBS News

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link

Sarah Palin Said She'd Decide by September 30

Just a grifter all along. Image from source, TPM

Unless Sarah Palin wasn't telling the truth, she's not running for President. Which is a little sad, frankly. I think it would have been stupendously entertaining. And if she'd gotten the nomination, I think it would have been the surest way for Barack Obama to win re-election.

[Excerpt]

Red State Reminds The World That Palin Said She’d Make A POTUS Announcement By Today

Conservative blogger Erick Erickson over at Red State is having a lot of fun with what they’re
calling “P-Day.” That’s their term for the last day of September, the final day Sarah Palin has said
would pass without her making an announcement one way or another about her presidential
campaign. . .

Read more at: TPM

The Scariest Collection of Humans in One Place, EVER

I'm not shitting you, either. . .

If you--like these people--are an absolute freak, you can hear them spew their mindless drivel at the Value Voters Summit. But you'll hate yourself if you do. 

The Onion Freaks Out Twitter Users

This could be used as proof that we're getting dumber. The Onion,a satirical website that has been around for frickin' ever tweeted some "breaking news" about Congress taking a bunch of school kids hostage. And Twitter users freaked out. It's not like Poe's law, where an extremist's views are indistinguishable from a parody of those views. This is The Onion, people!

[Excerpt]


The Onion Live Tweeting Congress Hostage 'Breaking News'

Satirical news publication The Onion broke the news on Twitter about an hour ago of a hostage situation involving Congress, but the story is not true and a number of Twitter users are saying it's not funny.

It all started with this tweet:

@ TheOnion : BREAKING: Witnesses reporting screams and gunfire heard inside Capitol building.

That was quickly followed up by this: "BREAKING: Capitol building being evacuated. 12 children held hostage by group of armed congressmen. . ."

Read more at: Huffington Post

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link. 

Andy Rooney, Out of Context

Did you ever notice that 60 Minutes star Andy Rooney is a bit odd?

Homophobes RELAX! Gay Charachters on TV Down This Year

Gay folk. Image from AOLTV.

It seems like you can't get into an online discussion about "the gay", without somebody making the argument that the "lamestream media" is pushing the "homosexual agenda" down our throats!  Well, I'm here to say to the homophobic bigots to just freakin' relax already. Even though the real percentage of the public that is gay is surely higher than the 1-2% the FReepers like to cite, we aren't being represented in prime time television in anywhere near our real numbers. So, please, STFU.

[Excerpt]

Number of Gay Characters on TV Declines


ABC's percentage is down to 3.4 percent of characters being LGBT compared to 2010's 7.2 percent.

NBC continues to decline. Only 3 out of their 154 characters are LGBT.

The CW features one LGBT series regular characters out of 67.

CBS also only has one LGBT character out 134 total series regulars

Read more at: AOLTV

Facebook Users Are About to Go Insane

Image from source, CNN

Of all the social media platforms, Facebook is the only one I feel I "get." LinkedIn is really new to me, but I understand that it's sort of a business Facebook. Twitter gets me excited when there is a live event like a debate or the Emmys. It's fun to read the real-time comments. But most of the time, I don't know what to do with Twitter. I apparently still have an account at MySpace, but I never figured out what to do with it, and now it is kind of pointless.

I'm actually amazed how many people get flustered or confused about Facebook. I think it's ridiculously easy to grasp. And every time they've made a change to the interface, the users have screamed bloody murder. Then they get used to it, and it becomes the new normal. But now, the Facebook users are about to be greeted by a radically different interface. And they're going to crap themselves over this one. Until they get used to it.

My viewpoint is, change is good. If it isn't good, it will revert, or become something else. If it doesn't change, one day it will look as ugly and dated as Prodigy, The Drudge Report and Free Republic.


[Excerpt]

You'll freak when you see the new Facebook

Facebook users, mark my words: You'll revolt when the site rolls out its new features in the coming weeks.

Facebook is about to completely change the way its profile pages look as part of the website's biggest redesign so far, and only a fraction of the website's 800 million users seem to have the slightest clue. . .


Read more at: CNN

 

Amazon Unveils "Kindle Fire" Tablet to Rival iPad

Image from CNet

Over the years, we've adopted new technologies with more and more monthly charges. My $50 cable bill swelled to nearly $200 when high-speed internet and cable phone are added in. I've got a $7.99 Netflix subscription that I can't seem to get rid of. I have a smart phone (as does The Other Half), which has pushed our $60 mobile phone bill to $120. It happens in stages. But my media charges are now up to nearly $320 per month! And now various companies are trying to convince me I should have a tablet computing device too? Bah!

Right now, I have a desktop PC and a Mac PowerBook, in addition to my 4G phone. Near as I can figure, the iPad, the new Amazon Kindle Fire, and other tablets are basically jumbo smart phones that aren't phones. Which kind of makes sense, since smart phones are used as phones only part of the time. But these pads are still very small. 7"? My phone is 4.3". My Mac is 15". I really don't need a middle step, and can't figure out why I would. And I'm certainly not adding yet another monthly fee. If I could figure out a use for it though, the Kindle Fire is priced right. As long as it hooks to wi-fi, maybe I'll check it ut.


[Excerpt]

Kindle Fire an iPad killer? Yes. It's the price, stupid


The company's new Kindle Fire tablet, a 7-inch touch-screen device powered by Amazon's content ecosystem and priced at just $199, may be an orange toApple's iPad apple, but I'd argue that it's an iPad killer all the same. . .

Read more: Cnet

Rick Perry, Comedy Star

This is one of the funniest things I've seen a long time (and that sadly doesn't include 2 Broke Girls or Whitney). Somebody dubbed words into Rick Perry's mouth, making him sound dumb. Dumber.  Dumber than usual.

House Democrats Ask Boner Boehner to Explain Support for DOMA

The badly named "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) is presumed to be un-Constitutional by the Obama Administration. But the John Boner Boehner-lead House of Representatives has decided to defend it anyway. But House Democrats decided to make it an issue. In a statement, they asked,

"As Members who believe that DOMA is unconstitutional and support the President’s decision to stop defending it, we believe that the law is not factually or legally justifiable and were interested in hearing what arguments might possibly be made in its defense."

In response, they got this (non-) answer:

"Following the Department of Justice decision to stop defending a law passed by strong bipartisan majorities in Congress, the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group voted to retain counsel to defend the law." 

So, much like the past four or five GOP presidential debates, the questions are not really answered.

Read more at: Washington Blade

Get Christie on Speed Dial, NOW!

Hilarious.

Found at: Joe.MyGod.

Obama Called "Anti-Christ" at Fundraiser

You know, Republicans--particularly the spectator variety--really ought to learn how to control their emotions. We've already had outbursts at three out of the four last GOP debates. And now, we have an over-excited extreme right-winger shouting that first, "Jesus is God" (repeatedly). Really? I thought he was Lord. Isn't God his dad? Anyway, the crazed freak followed up by calling President Obama The Anti-Christ. Which is a totally made-up, non-biblical creation, popularized in such Hollywood movies as The Omen. And also such direct-to-video tripe as Left Behind II: Tribulation Force. As Lawrence O'Donnell said, if Obama is going to take over the world, his poll numbers in Florida are going to have to improve a lot.

Jon Stewart Responds to Latest Republican Debate

One of the unfortunate things about The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is that it isn't really daily. With its four-days per week schedule, everything from Thursday afternoon to Monday morning has to be covered in the Monday show. So, Stewart was a bit late getting around to last Thursday's FOX "News"/Google Republican debate. You know, the one where the gay soldier was booed? Yeah, that one.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Chris Christie Not Entering Race. . .Or Is He?

Chris Christie, apparently "The Ronald Reagan of the United States"
immediately before he ate the microphone. Image from Politico.

I don't know which is funnier, the fact that Republicans are desperate for a replacement candidate for President, or that the beltway press can't take no for an answer. All eyes were on a Chris Christie speech being given on Tuesday night. When asked whether or not he was running, he mentioned a Politico video clip of Christie saying "no," over and over again. That is the answer, he said. And yet, Politico itself is saying he left the question open? That's the only reason I have a question in my headline. . .I'm not a beltway pundit, what do I know? But it sounded like an answer to me.

[Excerpt]


Chris Christie leaves 2012 run question open, attacks Obama

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie confirmed he’s thinking about getting into the presidential race to an audience literally begging him to get in. . .



Read more at: Politico

DNC Ad Highlights Rowdy GOP Debate Crowds

Actually, this seems a little bit late. I have to wonder though, if in the next couple of debates, the crowds are admonished to shut the f up!

If You Want Rick, Come and Get Rick!

Rick Perry's fortunes have taken a bit of a tumble since his lackluster performance at the Florida FOX "News"/Google debate. The bloom is so off of the rose, people are crying for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to jump in (watch out!!!). Here's a little ditty that lays it out.

Come And Get Rick - With Commentary by Mike In Raleigh

Obama Insulted Black Caucus (Or Did He?)

This kind of story is irritating. First, it has President Obama sort of wandering off script when he got wound up in a speech. So, he used an unusual phrase ("take of your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes"), and a string of don't do this, do that sort of phrases. The speech was for the Congressional Black Caucus, and was the latest in a series of campaign speeches. The news, and much of the internet has been treating the speech as a stunning rebuke by the President of the Caucus, or maybe black people in general. But was it?

I didn't think so when I first heard it. In fact, having argued on several liberal blog comments boards, I knew exactly what the President was going for. There is a tremendous amount of whining and grousing on those things. Liberal Democrats all cranky, and saying they're not voting, or they're voting Green or whatever. I've wanted to put a boot in their asses too. And that's what I heard in the speech. Not the President yelling at the Congresspeople in attendance, but about getting their help shutting down that attitude. 

Particularly when put into context with the other speeches, it is clear that the storyline being written in the press is more than a little bit skewed.

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

Roger Ailes Admits FOX "News" Has a Conservative Bias?

Ain't he somethin'? Image from source.

I'm shocked, shocked, I tells ya!

[Excerpt]

Roger Ailes Admits Fox ‘News’ Has Conservative Bias

. . .Recently, Fox News President, Roger Ailesz, a former Republican strategist and employee for the Nixon administration, was interviewed by reported Howard Kurtzz. During the interview, Ailes admitted the conservative spin from Fox News proving that the channel is anything but “Fair and Balanced”. . .

Read more at: Addicting Info

Over Time with Bill Maher, Sept. 23, 2011

Oops, forgot to run this on Saturday. Enjoy!

Ep. 225: September 23, 2011 - Overtime

Blast from the Past: Sitcom Bloopers

This week's edition of Blast from the Past was inspired by the movie Bridesmaids, which I got on blu-ray today. I finished the film--funny, but oversold, much like The Hangover--by watching the gag reel. If you like the performers in a movie or TV show, the bloopers can be spectacularly entertaining. And with TV in particular, you are very familiar with the performer and the character. So the bloopers seem even funnier.

So, I decided to raid the YouTubes, and see what I could come up with for some classic sitcom bloopers. And here we go. . .

First up is Friends, a 10-season classic. Second, The Big Bang Theory, a currently-airing show. But since this is from season 3, it counts as a blast from the past, I guess.



Next, is one of my favorite shows, Laverne & Shirley, with an unfortunately short clip. Naturally, Three's Company, the innocently dirty show that followed is next.



Frasier deserves a slot, given its longevity (I'm sure there are bloopers for parent show Cheers available too), followed by Two and a Half Men, before they killed off Charlie Sheen's character.


I couldn't leave Roseanne off the list. Or Will & Grace either.

And I could probably keep going with this. But since the Google Blogger interface is literally EATING the clips as I put them up, I'd better finish now before they're gone! Happy Monday!

Saturday Night Live's: GOP Debate!

Saturday night was Saturday Night Live's 37th season premiere. As a guy who has seen nearly all of them (including the first one), I have to say they did a good job. Easily top five. The show was funny nearly all the way through. Even the less than stellar sketches had their funny moments. The only downbeat (and it was significant for me) was the musical act, Radiohead.

I'll cop to being 45, and maybe not "with it," but I thought Radiohead sucked. Hard. Anyway, here's the highlight of the show, a FOX "News" GOP Debate, hosted by Shepard Smith. Very, very well done. Though the Newt Gingrich impression needs work. Or maybe not, Newt isn't in it for the long haul.

Stupid Monkey Planet: The Frothy Santorum Drink

Stupid Monkey Frothy Santorum:

Double Shot Glasses, cordials or small tumblers suggested

Need one glass for mixing & one for serving each guest

1 jigger rum
1½ jiggers apple juice
1 pinch cinnamon
1 chocolate covered peanut
1 tbsp. Whipped Cream (per drink)
Set aside: 1 tbsp. kosher salt & 1 tbsp. sugar mixed

Warm apple juice & cinnamon in microwave to desired temperature

Add rum & gently mix

Top with each drink with 1 tbsp. whipped cream

Lick phalanges choosing thumb, middle or index finger or combo (personal preference here) & mix vigorously until mixture is nice & frothy

Coat rim of selected drinking glass with flavored lube

Dip rim into salt, sugar mix

Add previously frothily phalanges mixed drink to each glass

Drop in one chocolate covered peanut

Enjoy.

There are some traditionalists that insist on adding a kernel of sweet corn too... Up to you.

With that suggestion in mind,  I say Halloween is upon us... Why not make it candy corn!!!

Fuck you Rick.

Mrs. Stupid Monkey is appalled at my recipe... so it's perfect.

What's the Matter With Reno?

Every once in a while, my friend Stupid Monkey Planet sends me a series of links, and it's my job to turn them into an epic post. So, here we go.

Far away from Las Vegas is our second biggest biggest city--in fact, the biggest little city in the world--Reno, Nevada. Reno has taken it in the shorts during the recession, so they're already in a bad mood. But lately? Things have been going very, very badly. To wit. . .




Late in June, Reno was the scene of a terrible Amtrak accident.


[Excerpt]

Driver Tried To Brake Before Hitting Amtrak Car


Authorities say a truck driver tried to stop his big rig before it slammed into the side of an Amtrak passenger car in the Nevada desert, killing himself and at least one person on the train and injuring about 20 others in the fiery crash. . .

Read more at: KTVN


Then, in early September a Reno IHop was the scene of a mass murder.

[Excerpt]


People killed in Carson City IHOP shooting identified; emergency calls described




Crying and panicked, one of the people who called 911 to report the shooting in Carson City said he was “shooting people in the parking lot” as gunfire could be heard in the background.
Frantic, people told the 911 dispatcher that people were dead on the ground. . .

Read more at: Reno Gazette Journal


Most famously, a recent World War II airplane race in Reno ended in a shocking disaster.

[Excerpt]

Nine dead [More since then-Ed.] in Reno air race crash

 

The death toll rose to nine Saturday in an air race crash in Reno as investigators determined that several spectators were killed on impact as the 1940s-model plane appeared to lose a piece of its tail before slamming like a missile into a crowded tarmac. . .

Read more at: USAToday


And now, Reno's latest big story is a shooting in a casino. Maybe CSI should've been based in Reno rather than Vegas?

As Stupid Monkey Planet said in his email:
"Looks like Reno picked the wrong time to quit sniffing glue."

[Excerpt]

One Dead; Two Injured in Shooting in Reno Casino

Authorities are investigating a shooting at the John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks Friday night.Police say a large group of people got into a fight inside near the Trader Dick's bar around 11:30 p.m. Several shots were reportedly fired. . .

Read more at: 8NewsNow

Crazy Pizza Guy Wins Florida Straw Poll!

"Five dollar foot loooonnnnngggg!!! Wait, wrong restaurant."
 Image from Huffington Post

As further evidence of an extremely weak GOP field, Herman Cain--that's right, the Godfather's pizza guy with zero political experience--won Florida's Republican 2012 straw poll. And there's word that they're trying to draft New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Is there any wonder?

[Excerpt]

Herman Cain Wins Florida Straw Poll Ahead Of 2012 

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain came out on top in the Florida straw poll on Saturday.
The former CEO of Godfather's Pizza won the test of conservative strength with roughly 37 percent of the vote. Texas Governor Rick Perry came in second place, followed by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who did not actively compete in the event. Here's a full breakdown of the result. . .

Read it at: Huffington Post

Product Placement: King Size Package, Low, Low Price

What do you do if you're a big, big man, but only have a pocket full of change? Get your jumbo package wrapped at Big Lots for just three bucks! Now, if you can scrape up a few more bucks, maybe you can take your Craig's List date out to Jack in the Box.  And again, sorry for the blur. I've got to get the hang of this camera!

What Happens in Vegas: Las Vegas Gets a New Slogan

Oh, they're still using "What Happens Here, Stays Here."  But they're refining it, to deal with smart phones and social media. Sure you can share your experiences. . .just know when to say when!

It should be pointed out that those of us who live in the Las Vegas Valley are not allowed to use the "hey, it's Vegas, baby!" excuse when we misbehave. We don't think it's fair and just might document those things that "the code" disallows! So, watch yourselves. . .




Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Product Placement: Douche Body Wash!

On my weekly visit to Big Lots (don't look at me like that, I get some great deals there!), I spied this funny combo. Right next to the AXE Body Wash was a knock-off brand called UMBRO. Which is helpfully labelled "GEL DE DOUCHE."  Sorry about the blur, I still haven't got the hang of my cell phone camera. . .

Gun Nuts: NRA Thinks Obama's Lack of Gun Control a Conspiracy

Yeah, I don't get it either. Image from SodaHead

As I have said in the past, I'm not a typical liberal in all ways. I'm not particularly against guns, for instance. But I do think there should be reasonable limits. You shouldn't be able to go to Walmart and buy a rocket launcher, for instance. And I'd draw the line pretty low. If a person wants to kill somebody and can't get a gun, they'll find something else. But you can't commit mass murder with a butcher knife either (unless you're Jason Voorhees). So, restrictions on automatic weapons and the like make sense to me.

Oddly enough, President Obama seems to not have guns or gun control anywhere on his agenda. Even so, gun nuts (and here I'm talking gun fetishists, not just your ordinary gun owner) have been deeply suspicious of Obama ever since he was elected.  Nothing has materialized. But that's the plan! Don't you see??? Yeah, me either.

[Excerpt]


NRA claims ‘massive Obama conspiracy’ not to ban guns 

You just can’t please some people. . .
In the eyes of National Rifle Association (NRA) executive vice president Wayne LaPierre, President Barack Obama’s decision not to pursue gun control legislation is a “massive conspiracy,” and just another reason not to give him a second term. . .

Read more at: Raw Story 


Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet (who has guns, but isn't a gun nut).

Texas Bans Last Meal Requests for Death Row Inmates

Even Jesus got a last meal.

Is it my imagination, or does it seem that politicians--Republicans in particular--are just getting meaner and meaner? Seemingly meanness just for the sake of it. Let the sick die! Execute more people! Boo a gay soldier! Everything they've been doing seems to be geared toward sticking it to somebody. The latest news is out of Texas, where prisoners about to be executed will no longer be served the last meal of their choice. Which just sounds pointless and mean to me.


Now, in the story excerpted below, you'll find lists of extravagant meals, and I would agree to putting an end to that silliness. But good grief, how hard is it to put a rule list together? Limit it to a meal, a typical meal you might get at a restaurant. Make it standard portion sizes, limit the number of courses. Easy peasy. But it is more Republican to just shut it down all together. It's like in school where one kid acts up, and the teacher punishes the whole class.


[Excerpt]


Special Last Meals: Texas Prisons End Special Last Meals For Inmates Facing Execution 

Texas inmates who are set to be executed will no longer get their choice of last meals, a change prison officials made Thursday after a prominent state senator became miffed over an expansive request from a man condemned for a notorious dragging death. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

How to Improve the GOP Debates: Gongs!

I cannot claim credit for this idea. I found it at DailyKos from a commenter there named Anthony Page aka SecondComing.

The Incredible Wealth of the Koch Brothers (And Their Shrinking Work Force)

Right now, the right-wing is charging President Obama with  "class warfare," for saying that the rich should be paying their fair share. The irony is, in the class war, only the rich are winning. Many on the right see any attack on the Koch brothers--the ridiculously wealthy oil barons--as a retort for the demonization of billionaire George Soros by the right. The difference of course, is that Soros uses his money to fight for things that are actually against his financial interests. And the Kochs usually do anything they can to make themselves even richer.

But so what, right? Should we be bagging on people for being successful? No, probably not. Not for that alone. But the Kochs are the lucky recipients of the genetic lottery. They got their money the old fashioned way: they inherited it. But I won't accuse them of not growing the money they got from pops. They've done that. But just check out the video below. Check out the graph that shows the ballooning billions in the Koch's wallets, and the amount of layoffs they've put into effect in their companies. And these guys are buying elections now to make their profit margin even larger. I am insanely curious as to why these two guys need even one more dollar with $50 billion between them.

 

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

Oh, Hell No: GOP Debate Audience Insane (Proof)

I'm really not sure what to say. The Republicans are holding a debate, and the audience thinks it is their version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. They have shown up in costume. They're insane.

[Excerpt]

Wanted: Crowd Control

As happened in previous debates, the audience in the Fox News/Google debate stole the show—and shocked the conscience. When a gay soldier asked a question, the audience booed. They booed a man who is risking his life for their freedom. Rarely have I seen a more unpatriotic public display. Not long thereafter, Mitt Romney gave a sappy paean to cheap patriotism, saying we're the only country whose citizens put their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem. Fine. But shouldn't someone have spoken up for that brave soldier?. . .

Read more at: The Daily Beast

Crowd at GOP/Google/FOX "News" Boos Gay Soldier

Each of these Republican debates seems to have a defining moment, doesn't it? One was the crowd cheering capital punishment. One had the crowd cheering "let him die" over a hypothetical man without health insurance. And Thursday's had the crowd booing a soldier. Nice. Apparently, they only  "support the troops" if they aren't gay.

And it must be pointed out that a) the question was only asked of irrelevant Rick (don't Google me) Santorum, and b) Santorum's answer was nonsense. "Any type of sexual activity has no place in the military. . ."  Really Rick?  Lifting  Don't Ask, Don't Tell was about letting people have sex in the military? What a douche. Oh, and c) that soldier could probably kick any of the boo-ers' asses. And lastly, it should be pointed out that in all of the above GOP debate audience ass-holisms, nobody on the dais uttered one word of admonishment to the crowd.

Lawrence O'Donnell on Capital Punishment

This post is particularly for my conservative friend from the Las Vegas Badger, who pointed out that people were only protesting one execution on Wednesday, and not the other one going on in Texas. My reply was that the guy in Texas was a) guilty of one of the most heinous crimes in recent history, and b) his guilt was not in dispute. In Georgia, the man who was executed had quite a lot of supporters questioning his guilt, and there was very little evidence that put the gun in his hand. But Lawrence O'Donnell had a different take. It isn't 100% my opinion (as I'm a quasi-capital punishment supporter. . .I guess), but it is an excellent counterpoint to the Badger's point.

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

Yet Another GOP Debate (This Time With More Johnson!)

Rick (don't Google me) Santorum, and Governor Goodhair,
Rick Perry. Image from Huffington Post

I did not watch the beginning of Thursday's surely scintillating GOP debate. I could have, but I didn't want to. Still, there is a debate going on, this one in Florida, on FOX "News" (or as Randi Rhodes says, "a home game"). So, here is one of the early reports. If time allows this weekend, I'll delve into the clips and see what's what. Meantime, I'm catching the end of it. Stellar so far.

[Excerpt]


GOP Debate: Republican Presidential Candidates Face Off In Florida

Nine candidates vying for the Republican presidential nomination are facing off in a primary debate in Florida on Thursday night.
The two-hour event is sponsored by Fox News and Google. GOP contenders participating in the forum include: U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Irony Alert: Michele Bachmann Photographed with Dead Meat

Image from source, Yahoo! News

And I understand her husband has a thing for meat as well. Allegedly.


[Excerpt]

Michele Bachmann poses with dead meat in Iowa

In her quest for votes in Iowa, Michele Bachmann visited a Des Moines meat-packing plant today, where she was photographed touring a locker of hanging beef carcasses. . .

Read more at: Yahoo! News

Thanks to Faye for the link.

Troy Davis Executed Despite High-Level Pleas

Image from source, MSNBC

I didn't know much about this case before Tuesday night. Davis's was the latest in a series of executions of people who just might not have been guilty of the crime they were accused of. The things that stand out to me:

- This crime happened in 1989. 22 freaking years ago.
- This guy was in his mid-40s, but was in his early 20s when this happened. Very different ages.
- One of the other guys associated with this crime seems just as likely to have done it.
- 7 out of 9 witnesses have recanted their testimony. That's a lot.
- Despite pleas from former President Jimmy Carter and the friggin' POPE, the US Supreme Court wouldn't hear it. Which means nothing would sway them I guess.

I have no idea if Troy Davis was guilty. But the possibility is very, very frightening.  If this man wasn't guilty, I can only hope that the attention he has drawn will help prevent any further innocent people from being executed.


[Executed]

Georgia executes Troy Davis after his last pleas fail 

Troy Davis was put to death by lethal injection late Wednesday for the 1989 murder of an off-duty police officer, maintaining his innocence until the end after convincing thousands of it, but not the justice system. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

News of the Weird: Man Takes Shotgun to Taco Bell Over Missing Hot Sauce

Well, it is good sauce. . .

I've never had a real jones for or against guns. I was raised around them, and if only sane people had them, there wouldn't be much issue.  But it's the gun fetishists, the mission to have them concealed or open carry in churches, parks and bars and other nuttiness that freaks me out a bit. And then there are cro-mags like this guy. . .

[Excerpt]

Taco Bell Hot Sauce Beef Ends In Patron's Bust

Angered that his Taco Bell drive-thru order failed to include hot sauce, a Missouri man returned to the fast food restaurant and allegedly pulled a shotgun on an employee, who fled in fear from the takeout window. . .

Read more at: The Smoking Gun

Nevada Number 1 in Domestic Violence Murders

Quite a lot was made of the "sanctity of marriage" in Nevada back in 2000 and 2002. Those were the years that Question 2--the constitutional amendment to bar same-sex marriage--went on the ballot, ultimately to pass. It was quite ludicrous to use that "sanctity" argument in a state with quickie marriages, quickier divorces, Elvis officiators, drive-thru chapels and spouses won on game shows. And now further shredding the sanctity: Nevada is number one in domestic violence murders. Wow.

[Excerpt] 

Nevada First in Domestic Violence Murders



More women are killed in domestic violence incidents in Nevada than in any other state in the country. According to the Violence Policy Center's Report, Nevada has been first four out of five years. The numbers were released ahead of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. . .

Read more at: 8NewsNow

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the link.

Gay Soldier Comes Out to His Dad

I know this video is everywhere. But to cap off my "coverage" of the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," I couldn't resist posting this. It's a tough thing for anyone to do, coming out to a parent. But I'd wager a bit tougher for a military man.

What Happens in Vegas: Caesar's Bust!

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for once again bringin' the weird!


[Excerpt]


Free Vegas Attraction: Caesars Palace Freak-Out



All right, we’ll admit up front we’re using the term “attraction” pretty loosely here, but we think this qualifies as a fun Vegas diversion. . .

Read more at: Pulse of Vegas Blog

AOL Highlights End of DADT With Sexy Photo?

Yeah, I still use AOL, both for mail and for browsing. I don't care to go into why, I just do, okay? Anyway, since Arianna Huffington's Huffington Post squerged with AOL, there is a lot more "front page" content highlighted, with today's top stories easy to get to, and encapsulated. Not surprisingly, on Tuesday, the welcome screen's #1 story was the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. But Arianna, please tell me why the story used a super-sexy photo of two guys smooching? REALLY?!?

 

Bill O'Reilly May Quit if Taxes are Raised

Well, what are you waiting for Congress? Raise the man's taxes!!!

So, Could All the Noise About Solyndra be Just Noise?

Whenever a story or scandal seems to only be getting play on right-wing talk radio, blogs and FOX "News", my antennae go up. Especially when said outlets are whining that "nobody" in the "mainstream media" is covering the story. When this happens, it is usually something like the "new Black Panthers" non-story. Or one of Breitbart's or his lackeys' "sting" operations. But the Solyndra "scandal" actually turned up on a reliable (if comedic) source, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.


So was there something to this scandal after all? Well, maybe not.

[Excerpt]


Chris Hayes Explains Why Solyndra Bankruptcy Is Not A Scandal

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

On Sunday’s sophomore edition of Up with Chris Hayes , freshly-minted host Chris Hayes took on the burgeoning Solyndra “scandal,” and made the case that it was, at worst, a case of bad optics. House Republicans have been trying to make a dollar out of this fifteen cents, and the conservative media have been peddling it like funnel cake, but despite Jon Stewart‘s credulous purchase of the “scandal,” it doesn’t really amount to much upon closer inspection. . .

Read more at: Mediaite

Right Wing World: Crazed Reactions to Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal

As usual, when a big political thing happens that I know will drive right-wing world crazy, I dip a toe into the roiling waters of FreeRepublic.com. FR used to be an internet outpost for only the fringiest of the fringe of right-wingers. Then something happened. The people stayed just as nutty, but the politics of the Republican party and/or conservatives lurched as far to the right as is possible. Making the FReepers mainstream conservatives, as unlikely as that seems.

But I'm hoping the rabidly anti-gay sentiments of FReepers (and from the tea baggers) are still sort of fringy. Because their reaction to the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is frickin' insane:

"Purely pandering to the f*ggot and d*ke voters."


Editor: Yes, this type of language (sans asterisks) is typical on FR on any "Gay Agenda" (yes, they call it that) topic.

"barf alert doesn’t even come close. Maybe weeping, wailing, tearing our outer garments and throwing dirt onto our heads while sitting in ashes would express our sorrow and revulsion."


Ed.: Go ahead, I'm not going to stop you. But you might want to examine why this freaks you out so much.

"I’m SO close to meeting the physical requirements to serve, and the more I see of this garbage the more I wonder at what the hell I’m choosing to do. It’s disgusting. And all I can say is I’m glad Obama won’t be in charge forever..."

Ed.: I'm SO curious what this dude's physical requirement is that won't let him serve! Apparently, it's disgusting.

"Now comes the screaming for partner Bennie's and housing."

An example of the FReepers' impenetrable humor.

Ed.: Yeah, because it would be so terrible for gay people to be treated equally.

"It’ll be interesting to see how the first sexual harassment complaint against a homo is resolved."

Ed.: I'd imagine, in exactly the same way as if it were heterosexuals. Though I'd also wager that most gay service members are already so used to playing it straight, they're unlikely to step out of line any time soon. So don't worry so much about the "homos" for a while, 'k?

"Now homo’s can have homo parties in base.
Men can wear dresses after work on base.
same sex can kiss and hold hands on base.
Homo officers will give promotion to their homo.
women can buy strap on and both sexes can buy homo mags.

men forced to ahve showers with homos acting up.
survival training consists of men having to share sleeping bags with other men in cases of hypothermia.  the list is endless and this had better be overturned."

Ed.: This list is so paranoid and deluded, I don't really know what to say. Anyway, I'm more entertained by the bad grammar, bad punctuation and bad capitalization. This dude is really beside himself, apparently. But the next guy, one "LibWhacker" (oooh!) takes the prize:


"How long do you think we'll have to wait before we begin hearing of homosexual NCOs (or even officers) raping recruits? Gonna happen. Count on it.

Sending your son off to serve in the military is going to be a lot like sending him off to serve a prison sentence, with organized homosexual gangs preying on the weak and, where gays manage to attain rank in numbers in a unit, forcing those soldiers who don't accede to their sexual demands to do all the most dangerous jobs in war zones."


Didn't I tell you? Is that one magical, delusional rant, or what? Homosexual gangs? I swear, on one hand we're mincing fairies, and on the other, we're unstoppable rapists? They really need to make up their minds.

If you want to see more (and oh, there's so much more), you can go here: FreeRepublic.  And if that doesn't fill your need for freak, check out anything under the misnamed "homosexual agenda" banner. . .or. . .uh. . .well, just about anything else.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell is OVER!

Image from source, The Advocate

I would have been kept out of the military for plenty of reasons besides the gay thing. Uncoordinated. Lazy eye. I'd have made a lousy soldier. But I'm thrilled that the ridiculous "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Persue" (DADT) policy is finally consigned to the dustbin of history. 

Yes, I know that the policy was born in the Clinton presidency. I also know that Clinton wanted to allow gays in the military from the beginning, but was a decade and a half too early for his wish to be politically viable.  A gay Republican (I know, right?) friend of mine gleefully leaves this at Clinton's feet. But truth be told, it was pressure from Republicans that forged DADT. And they've been squealing like stuck pigs about the end of the policy. GOP presidential candidates are actually saying they'd reinstate the policy. There were futile attempts to gum up the works for 60 days. But it is over now, and my guess is, it will stay that way. Now, on to ENDA and the repeal of DOMA!

[Excerpt]


DADT is Dead

The military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, one described in 1993 by President Bill Clinton as “an honorable compromise” that eventually destroyed thousands of careers, ended Tuesday at 12:01 a.m., nine months after Congress repealed the law. . .

Read more at: The Advocate

Michele Bachmann's Parade of Crazy

Found at Joe.My.God.

Rep. John Fleming Only Has $400,000 Left After Feeding His Family

Horrors! The worst part of this Congressman's story is that he nets $600,000. . .but after "feeding his family," he's only got $400,000 left! He must shop an Whole Foods! And the poor guy then has to get by in Louisiana on only 400G per year.

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

Hahaha! Unapologetically swiped from VoenixRising.com!

Tying it All Together: The Tea Party Death Cult

This is good stuff about a bad thing. And it needs to be pointed out again, and again.

Image from DailyKos

[Excerpt]

The tea party death cult 

Many remember the moment when it was said that Rep. Alan Grayson had gone too far. The speech that signaled that he had far exceeded the reasonable political bounds of his swing district and had violated the supposed normative decorum of the hallowed House of Representatives. . .


. . .Grayson had a different characterization of the so-called Republican plan for healthcare:

Don't get sick. And if you do get sick, die quickly. . .

 . . .Until last week, Grayson's speech about Republican perspectives on health care could theoretically have been considered a rhetorical exaggeration. But not any more. It's now a simple fact that a good number of tea party voters actively like to see people die. . .

Read more at: DailyKos

Blast from the Past: Emmy's Best Comedies of the 80s

Since the Emmys are on tonight (Sunday night), I thought I'd switch gears from the music-focused Blast from the Past entries, and go to television. When it comes to television of today, I'd have to say that comedy is in fine form. In fact, I think we are currently in a real golden era for fantastic sitcoms, which today often means single-camera shows with no laugh track. Going back to the 80s--though the shows are stuffed with nostalgia--there is often more of a "stage play" feel to sitcoms. Many wouldn't play well today.

Starting with 1980 (though technically speaking that is the last year of the 1970s. . .look it up), Taxi was the coda to the stellar ABC Tuesday night line-up. Though it had its moments, I never cared for it much. It certainly had the harshly lit, playing to the audience stage feel I was talking about. But for some reason, I didn't like it, and particularly loathed the theme song Angela, which never really fit the absurdest vibe of the show. Taxi won both 80 and 81. So, I'm including WKRP in Cincinnati, a runner-up both years, and a vastly superior show, with a vastly superior theme song.



In 1982, both of the above shows were still in contention. But the winner was the long-running Barney Miller. It wasn't one of my favorites, but might be were it on today. It was a little "old" for me at the time. But I always dug the theme song.  1983 brought the first win for Cheers, the long-running Ted Danson comedy. I was slow to liking Cheers, but then, so was the rest of America. I still can't believe it was started when I was a sophomore in high school. Soooo long ago.



1984 was the year I graduated high school, and started college. Cheers was still the Emmy winner. So, I'll choose a period runner-up I always liked, the Susan St. James/Jane Curtin comedy, Kate & Allie. For 1985, The Cosby Show took the crown. Due to un-embeddable YouTube clips though, I had to settle for the final season's theme song. Why the f*&k to people do that to the videos? Ticks me off!



1986 and 1987 were both won by a comedy about retirees living in Florida. Yes, a cast with primarily 60+ year-old women, The Golden Girlsmanaged to not only win the Emmy, but also was extremely popular on Saturday nights, a night the networks don't even try to program anymore. By 1988, it was finally time to sentimentalize the late 60s and early 70s. The Wonder Years, a sitcom that seems very un-80s, picked up the award.



1989 saw a return win for Cheers, so to quote Wolf Blitzer and David Gregory, "we're going to have to leave it there. Happy Monday, and welcome to the new fall TV season!