Shameless Gossip: Trent Lott GOP Sex Scandal?

Shameless Gossip is a Greenlee Gazette feature that departs from the usual straight-ahead news and commentary. Stories under this banner should be read with a great deal of skepticism. But you never know, they could turn out to be true. . .

Some bloggers (John Aravosis of AmericaBlog in particular) are reluctant to post this item, and that is why I've elected to put it under the banner of "Shameless Gossip," my take it for what it's worth area. That said, on with the gossip!

Photo from source within a source, TowleRoad

[Excerpt]

Whole Lott of Trouble?

Is gay hustler Benjamin Nicholas the real reason Senator Trent Lott has suddenly announced his resignation? We all know that Lott's "buddy" Strom Thurmond was the segregationist with a black daughter, so it certainly wouldn't be hard to believe that this anti-gay leader is a Mississippi sissy when no one's looking (he has the official creepy closet-case haircut, after all). And this certainly fits in nicely with what Larry Flynt promised us in October. . .

Read a little more (and follow the links) at: Kenneth In The (212)

UPDATE: And this from LarryFlynt.com. . .

"HUSTLER RESPONDS: HUSTLER Magazine has received numerous inquiries regarding the involvement of Larry Flynt and HUSTLER in the resignation of Trent Lott. Senator Lott has been the target of an ongoing HUSTLER investigation for some time now, due to confidential information that we have received. "

Rudy Giuliani: Wanted to Vote Nixon, But Didn't

Huh? Politicians routinely backpedal and tap dance around issues their "base" might see them as squishy on. But Rudolph Giuliani's vote for McGovern rather than Nixon, and his subsequent explanation, reach new levels of flip-flopping.

[Excerpt]

Rudy: Yes, I Voted For McGovern, But I Actually Preferred Nixon

As he seeks to court GOP primary voters, one potential sticking point has been his opposition to the Vietnam War in the early 1970s and his vote for Dem George McGovern in 1972. But Rudy has now concocted a new explanation for that vote: He didn't mean it. . .

Read the rest at: TalkingPointsMemo

Presidential Signing Statements: Bush's Law

Photo from source, Boston.com

This blog has only been in existence since June 2, 2007. But I've been interested in politics for far longer than that, and most intensely since George W. Bush was selected President. I've grumbled and groused for many years, and now I finally have an outlet for expression. So, from time to time, I like to revisit some of the things that irk me in politics, even if there isn't necessarily a story on it in today's news.

Friend and contributor, John Asmussen, sent me the following article, because of his own irritation with the issue of signing statements. As John pointed out to me, this President has used his power of veto precious few times (a total of six so far, five of those in the Democratic 110th Congress), and instead just announces what parts of a law he is not going to follow.

Bush apologists will tell you that Bush isn't the first President to use signing statements. That is true. But other Presidents tended to use them to "tie a bow" on the law they'd just signed, a platitude, something they want to say about it. Bush, on the other hand, announces what parts of the law he is not bound by. That's virtually unprecedented, and used by Bush an astonishing amount of the time.

From John: "[One of] the only bill[s] he ever vetoed was, while obviously pandering to his evangelical Christian "base," Federal funding for stem cell research. But why bother? [He can] just pass the bill and then ignore it. His imperial majesty, as The Decider, has taken upon himself the Emperor's robes, or at least the robes of the Supreme Court Justices, and interprets laws that Congress has passed, often with compromises necessary for passage, but which are subsequently ignored.

Here is the article with some background.

[Excerpt]

Bush challenges hundreds of laws

President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution. . .

Read more at: Boston.com

If He Only Had a Heart: Cheney Medical Drama

Photo from (of course): FOX "News"

Vice-President Richard Cheney (Tin Man to George Bush's Scarecrow), has a bum ticker, we all know that. It's telling that this has become fodder for comedy, on virtually every late-night talk show and political cartoon page. Heart problems funny? It's probably because of the irony: Dick Cheney isn't known for his boundless big heartedness.

While I wish no particular human ill will, I am frankly more troubled by the political ramifications on this issue. If it is determined that ol' Darth is no longer medically fit for his office, what then? Bush would have to nominate a replacement, and that person would have to be confirmed by the Senate. The same Senate that contains contenders for the Oval Office.

Being confirmed the new Vice-President would give a John McCain or Mike Huckabee quite the leg up. On the other hand, the confirmation process could be brutal. It will be interesting political theater, in any event, should it come to pass.

[Excerpt]

Cheney Recovering at Home After Being Treated for Irregular Heartbeat

Vice President Dick Cheney was recovering at home Monday night after being treated for an irregular heart beat, found Monday morning during a checkup for lingering cold symptoms, Cheney's office said.

Doctors found atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm involving the upper chambers of the heart. . .

Read the whole story at (where else): FOX "News"

Trent Lott to Retire from Senate; Become Lobbyist?

Photo from source, CNN

All of the old guard seems to be cashing in their chips. Whether by election or retirement, the big bogey-men (at least to the left) Republicans seem to keep vanishing. Just a few years ago, there was Bill Frist, George Allen, Rick Santorum, Denny Hastert, Tom DeLay, and of course Trent Lott. He of the fabled porch that Bush would reconvene on after the Gulf Coast cleanup, post-Katrina.

Lott apparently couldn't wait to get out, even though he was just re-elected last year. There's some sort of Congress-to-lobbyist law going into effect next year, and if Lott stayed in much longer, he'd have to wait two years to rake in some cash.

[Excerpt]

Pro-Business Republican Lott To Retire From US Senate

Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott's decision to retire from the U.S. Senate by year's end shocked Washington Monday, catching lawmakers and lobbyists alike off guard.

The departure of the pro-business, conservative Republican, who as minority whip was the No. 2 GOP senator, also sent the clearest signal yet that Republicans could be in serious trouble in the 2008 election. . .

Read more at: CNN.com

Are You Pro or Con?

The Center for American Progress has a couple of new ads up, both in the same vein, laying out the difference between Progressive (the new word for "liberal") and Conservative. Take a look!

Fred Thompson Thinks FOX Isn't Fair & Balanced

Photo from source, Raw Story

Yesterday morning, I slept in a bit and missed the Sunday morning political shows. But I have my DVR set to record FOX "News" Sunday. Why? Because I usually watch the others when they air, and prefer to watch FNS with the fast-forward button available. I mean who cares who FOX's "Power Player of the Week" is (if you're wondering, it was Ashley Judd--seriously)?

So today that was the show I watched. And their guest today was Fred Thompson. Fred sounds like Foghorn Leghorn, and looks like. . .well. . .like this. His biggest ideas seem to be even more tax cuts (particularly for corporations). And he seems to have had an epiphany, one that I wish a lot more people would realize, or admit to as the case may be: FOX "News" is not "Fair & Balanced."

[Excerpt]

Fred Thompson: Fox 'skews things' against me

After a Fox News anchor used two of the network's own pundits to "show how" the Thompson campaign was experiencing negative buzz, Fred Thompson hit back hard, suggesting that Fox "skews things" by presenting only the opinions of their own analysts. . .

Read on at: Raw Story

The Holiday is Over, Prepare for the Holidays!

Now that we've finished Thanksgiving IV: The Revenge at our house, we can finally put away the roasting pan, and eat like normal people. For a few days at least, before the Christmas parties (and, ugh, cookie baking) start. But for a while, life should be reverting to normal.

And so should the blog. I'm in good company in the blogosphere, taking it a little easy these last four days. It's funny, on those days when I actually have more time to get creative, it's actually harder to fill this space with interesting things. The news basically going on vacation at the same time doesn't help.

But hey, something must have happened that was newsworthy in the last four days, right? I'll be digging, and hope to bring it to you later this evening. Until then, loosen your belt a notch to make room for the overindulgences of the last few days. No sense in being uncomfortable! Going back to work after such a stretch is uncomfortable enough!

Ted Stevens: The Internet Is TUBES! Music Video

Photo from Wikipedia

Thanks to John Aravosis of AmericaBlog for the link to this hilarious video. You folks all remember Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), don't you? He's the guy with all the pork spending for a bridge to nowhere. Need another hint? He's under investigation for all sorts of bad stuff. . . More? OK, he's the guy who was famous for saying that the internet was a series of tubes. His hilariously bad analogy is put to great effect in this video:

There's another great video covering the same ground with a different twist at AmericaBlog, at the link above.

Lazy Sunday

Photo from Wikipedia

We're wrapping up the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in a very special way at our house: another Thanksgiving dinner! I mean, what the heck, the 21.5 pound turkey was only $6, and none of us feels quiiiite fat enough yet. So, the big fancy-schmancy dinner was at friend Lesto's house, and the low-frills version is over here.
As a consequence, I will likely only get a post or two up today. I know, no big loss, right? I've perused a few of my favorite blogs, and found them to be remarkably light for the last four days. And you should see my SiteMeter (a service that tells you how many visits you get each day) graph for the week. It's plunged lower than George Bush's, Dick Cheney's (and yes, Congress') approval ratings! I hope everybody comes back after the tryptophan and starch wear off. . .

War On Christmas. Really? Again?

I flipped on FOX "News" just briefly today, while eating lunch. Weekend news is usually bad: second-stringers with no useful information, on second-string shows. Well, when you add in the fact that it's a holiday weekend, you are on the D-List of news people and stories.

If I'd woken from a coma, I'd have no idea what year it was based on the news today. There are California wildfires again, that missing blonde chick in Aruba (who will not be named) is still in the news, even though there is almost no information to relay. And, yes, the first signs of The War on Christmas!

Let me first say that "the War on Christmas" is a ridiculous myth that is only believed by drooling, mouth-breathing FOX-heads. It's stupid, sooooo stupid, and yet every year they get energized by it. The very fact that "Christians" are all up in arms because the holiday of Christmas is not commercial enough, is part of the stupid.

Let me lay this out for you, Christmas Warriors: "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons' Greetings" are not a new invention. They've been around for decades, possibly over a century. People who say these phrases and print them on cards, packaging and advertising are not trying to insult anybody. They're not trying to denigrate your religious beliefs or anyone else's. It's a nice thing to say, and is universally relayed with the best of intentions. You taking offense is stupid.

Get this through your thick skulls. Christmas is one day. Two if you count Christmas Eve. It makes no sense to be wishing people "Merry Christmas" from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons' Greetings" are nice catch-all phrases that not only spare you from having to guess your intended's religious holiday beliefs, the phrases cover: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, not to mention Advent, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Chanukah. It's not a freaking war on Christmas.

Christmas is the most over-celebrated, over-prepared for, over-abundant holiday there is. The fact that any sane person thinks it is somehow under attack; in some sort of danger of being cancelled; or somehow not celebrated enough is stupid.

Romney Judge's Freed Murderer Kills Again

Photo from source, AmericaBlog

Yow! What a headline! Yes, every murder is a tragedy. No, the Judge probably isn't 100% wrong all of the time, freeing murderers willy-nilly. And no, Mitt Romney can't be held responsible for every appointed Judge's every action. But this is a chink in the armor that Karl Rove (and Lee Atwater before him) would have pounced all over in a Democratic race during their time.

Now, I wouldn't advocate that Democrats take on a Rovian/Atwatery method of operation. But it would be nice if they were as tenacious, and go for the throat--but with a distinction from those guys--using only the truth.

Ahem, I got sidetracked, here's the story:

[Excerpt]

Romney-appointed judge frees murderer who then kills again

Romney is desperately trying to short-circuit his own little Willy Horton controversy before it gets started, calling on the judge the resign. But the fact remains that Mitt Romney is a huge liberal, even by Massachusetts standards, and he appointed judges in his liberal image (not that I think liberal judges are pro-murder, but whatever the judge's reasoning, Romney appointed this judge because he approved of her reasoning - he can't now say "oops" after two more people are murdered because of his best (aka poor) judgment - how many more life-threatening "oopses" can America afford from yet another incompetent commander in chief?) . . .

Read more at: AmericaBlog

Talking Rumsfeld Doll. Yes, It's for Real.

Photo from source, FireDogLake

I saw this posted on a few lefty web sites, and honestly thought it was just a joke. It's not.

What parent would buy this for their kid? I've got to think this product only exists for political junkies, and gag gifting. I mean, what the hell? By the way, the company that makes the doll also makes dolls featuring Elvis, Dr. Laura, Ann Coulter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and several others. Unbelievable.

[Excerpt]

Your Holiday Shopping Conundrums Solved!

It’s a 12-inch “Rummy” doll that looks vaguely like him and features bits of his historic news conferences that you can play just by pressing a little button on the back of his coat.

Yes, you can listen to 28 of former defense secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld’s greatest displays of impeccable logic:

– “What they do with themselves is up to them, and what the people around them do with them is up to the people around them.”

Read more at: FireDogLake

Fred Thompson Out of Gas?

Photo from source, Politico

I have to say, in the days before Fred Thompson declared himself as a candidate, I was a little worried. I heard an interview on Sean Hannity's radio show (I know, I'm a political masochist), and thought, "Uh oh. This guy's full of it, but he sells it well."

I thought he'd take the country by storm, despite being a well-spoken version of Bush. Luckily, he hasn't quite caught on.

[Excerpt]

Thompson motivation hard to pinpoint

Fred Thompson prefers plain talk. So he might bridle at using a famous Winston Churchill quote to sum up his presidential campaign: "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma."

But with fewer than 50 days to go until the Iowa caucuses, no piece of the primary puzzle is more perplexing than just what sort of impact the former Tennessee senator will have. . .

Read more at: Politico

Movies I Love: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Thanksgiving may be over, and the Christmas spending orgy already commencing, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a good Thanksgiving movie this weekend, does it? I would say the list for that genre is pretty short, but even if it wasn't, Planes, Trains and Automobiles would still have no trouble making the top of that list.

Starring Steve Martin and John Candy, it contains more laughs per minute than most comedies, maybe even surpassing Airplane! and What's Up, Doc? Marred only by a sappy ending, and an atrocious 80s soundtrack, it is simply one of the best comedies of all time. Surely John Candy's best movie, and possibly Steve Martin's as well (though All of Me might nudge it out), PT&A can leave you laughing days later, and you'll be quoting it for years to come: "I want a f***ing car, right f***ing now!"

WARNING: Clips may contain hilarious profanity. . .

#1 - Car Rental - This clip with Edie McClurg is one of the funniest scenes in comedy history, and was severly butchered in TV airings. Enjoy it uncut here.

#2 - Doin' the Mess Around - I can't hear this Ray Charles song without picturing John Candy. I can't.

#3 - You're Going the Wrong Way! - How do they know where we're going?

#4 - Gus' Son, Owen - A very unplesant ride to Wichita. . .

Naomi Wolfe Gets the FOX Treatment

A while back, I wrote about Naomi Wolfe, an author who has outlined the similarities between the United States and fascism in other countries throughout history. She's a remarkably intelligent woman with a lot to say, whether you agree with it or not. John Kasich, subbing for Bill O'Reilly, never gave her the chance to lay out her case.

In a textbook FOX "News" example of their take on "fair and balanced," Kasich brings on someone with an opposing view, and then scarcely lets her speak. Take a look, and then read our previous piece for a little clarity.



And check out NewsHounds for their piece on the video.

Republicans Getting Desperate

It turns out I'm still on the RNC mailing list. I got another of their money-drive letters, complete with a poll, to be sent in with my contribution. But, unlike previous mailings, this one didn't come with an obvious push-poll.

This time they start of with scare tactics (big surprise), stating, "I need to share with you some shocking news and ask you to immediately take two very important steps to help save our Party from an election disaster in 2008."

"Recent reports of both Parties' campaign fundraising show that after the contributions given to ALL Party campaign committees and our respective Presidential and other federal candidates are totaled--The Democrats have raised nearly $100 MILLION more than Republicans this year." [emphasis theirs]

Boo-frickin'-hoo. I'm surprised it wasn't more. Anyway, they then launch into the "gift giving" to save the party, and follow it with a poll. The poll only includes three questions. 1. Who do you support for the 2008 Republican Presidential Nomination? 2. Please rank the following policy positions and issues [by level of importance] and 3. Which qualities and characteristics do you feel are important. . .?

Most telling to me was number 2, which doesn't include "saving marriage" or abortion, or putting the 10 Commandments in the public square. Those things may be covered by "Appointing conservative judges," but it's pretty opaque. Things it does include are, "Improving ethics in government," and "Reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil," which would seem to preclude a Republican in the Oval Office.

In number 3, there are choices for "Pro-life," "Pro-choice," and "Embraces religious faith," but they only apply to the candidates' personal beliefs, not proposed policy initiatives. Take it for what you will, but the tone of this fundraising drive is decidedly more muted on the Focus on the Family Research Council for Religious Dominance in Politics issues. I find that interesting.

Featured Blog: Dickipedia

Photo from source, Dickipedia

Occasionally at Greenlee Gazette, we like to spotlight noteworthy blogs found out there on the Internets. Usually, featured blogs are those like AmericaBlog or RawStory, sites that bring you "the news behind the news," or that offer a more in-depth analysis of the day's stories than is available in the mainstream media.

This is not that sort of recommendation. Dickipedia is a parody of sorts of Wickipedia, the online encyclopedia. Wickipedia contains entries on everything from apples and oranges to superheroes, movies, politics and geography. It's an endless source of knowledge, though one to be slightly wary of due to the openness of its contributions. Dickipedia, on the other hand, contains entries of--well--dicks. Dicks in the literal sense, like Dick Cheney, and in the figurative sense like the excerpt below of Pat Robertson.

It looks like they're only getting started, so the entries are limited. But what I've seen so far has impressed me, and made me laugh. Oh, and their logo is hilarious. Check it out!


[Dickipedia Excerpt]

Pat Robertson

Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson (born March 22, 1930) is an American televangelist, the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and the Christian Coalition, the host of The 700 Club, a one-time candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, and a dick. . .

Read more at: Dickipedia

Man Shortening the Life Expectancy of the Universe?

Image from source, Telegraph.co.uk

If you thought my last post was hard to fit into your head, try figuring this one out: Man may be shortening the lifespan of the universe, merely by observing it. Hurts your brain, don't it?

[Excerpt]

Mankind 'shortening the universe's life'

Forget about the threat that mankind poses to the Earth: our activities may be shortening the life of the universe too.

The startling claim is made by a pair of American cosmologists investigating the consequences for the cosmos of quantum theory, the most successful theory we have. Over the past few years, cosmologists have taken this powerful theory of what happens at the level of subatomic particles and tried to extend it to understand the universe, since it began in the subatomic realm during the Big Bang. . .

Read on at: Telegraph.co.uk

Your Lyin' Eyes: The Full Moon Illusion

Image froms source, Science.NASA.org

I'm a real fan of science, and also of logic. But the "full moon illusion" still eludes me. I just can't wrap my brain around it. This evening, we watched the moon rise over the Las Vegas Valley, and as it often seems when the moon is full, it looked huge. Not E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial huge, just ordinary, non-theatrical magic huge.

I've read about this optical illusion before. They tell you that the moon is always pretty much the same size, no matter where we see it in the sky. They'll tell you it's just your eyes (and your brain) playing tricks on you, and that it's just a perspective thing. You can even try a trick: extend your arm, and you can blot the moon out with your finger tip, no matter where it is in the sky. I've done the trick, and it is true.

But I've also tried to un-trick my brain, and remove the perspective issue by blotting out the landscape with my hands. And the moon still looks huge to me. When the moon is high in the sky--and looks smaller--I've tried to line it up with our roof top, or with trees or lamp posts--and it still looks smaller. I'll defer to the science, but I still don't get it. . .

[Excerpt]

Summer Moon Illusion [Editor's note: It ain't just a summer illusion!]

Sometimes you can't believe your eyes. This week is one of those times.
Step outside any evening at sunset and look around. You'll see a giant moon rising in the east. It looks like Earth's moon, round and cratered; the Man in the Moon is in his usual place. But something's wrong. This full moon is strangely inflated. It's huge!

You've just experienced the Moon Illusion.

Sky watchers have known this for thousands of years: moons hanging low in the sky look unnaturally big. Cameras don't see it, but our eyes do. It's a real illusion. . .

Read on at: Science.NASA.org