Rachel Maddow Proves that Dick & Liz Cheney are Liars

Oh, I know. Rachel Maddow is wicked smart, but it doesn't take a huge brain to figure out that Cheneys = liars. All you need is some time alone with the Googles or the YouTubes. Still, most of us don't have the wit (or the forum) do deliver the news in such an entertaining way.

Sarah Palin Still Making Word Salad, Also

The article excerpted below is an annotated transcription of a Sarah Palin introductory speech. She was introducing former first son and right-wing radio host, Michael Reagan. I'm more of a Ron Reagan fan myself, but I digress.

Reading the piece is somewhat entertaining, mostly for the transcriber's comments. But the thing that really stands out to me is what hell we will be put through should this woman attempt a run for the White House. If she does jump off of that cliff, I can only hope that it is a short, spectacular failure. Because I can't take months and months of this:

". . .But you, you here tonight I know that you understand. Some though, they're empowered by national figures and some in the press who, who want to put not just me, but anybody who dares speak up it seems nowadays right back down in their place if one dares speak their mind nowadays, and here in Alaska it's kind of like this new normal it's a little bit being accepted it seems like that we're dealing in, but so be it. . ."

Ugghhhh! Such babble, such nonsense. The repetition of "nowadays," the insertion of "here in Alaska," the way she injects "some in the press" or "dares speak their mind" into any sentence. Even the "so be it." Go read the whole thing to see what I mean. And be afraid for my sanity if this woman actually makes it. Also.

Source: "Screw Political Correctness" -- Sarah Palin in Her Own Words at Huffington Post

Wingnuts Believe Dead People Voted in Minnesota

Image from Blueboard

Norm Coleman's chances of re-defeating Al Franken for Senator from Minnesota have been almost universally nixed. Every challenge has ultimately gone Franken's way. Even Governor Tim Pawlenty has said he'd certify the vote after the latest challenge wraps up.

But the wingnuts around the blogosphere have a new ace up their sleeves. They--and apparently only they--believe that almost 3,000 dead people voted in the election. And as you know, the only dead people who vote are Democrats. Or something.

Anyway, I haven't found any source other than an arch-right wing site that has this story. But I thought I'd present it anyway, so my readers would know what's going on. Take it with a grain of salt. And notice, even though they report initially that nearly 3,000 dead people voted, they later sort of contradict that.

[Excerpt]

MINNESOTA VOTE FRAUD: 2,812 Dead Voters

A review of Minnesota’s statewide database of registered voters revealed at least 2,812 deceased individuals voted in last November’s general election, according to a new report by the “traditional values” advocacy group Minnesota Majority.

After obtaining the list of voters who participated in November’s election, the group hired an independent firm who specializes in “death suppression” for direct mailing lists to review the data. The process, which involved matching names and addresses to state death records, bore troubling results. . .

Read more (if you dare) at: Red State

What the Hell is a Frumpet?

Image from Horn-U-Copia.net

This post exists for no other reason than to answer the question, "what did you play in band?"

Yes, I'm a band geek. But oddly, in my school at least, the band members were not known--at least to each other--as geeks. The band was heralded in our school. Sure, there were probably those in the school who looked down upon us, but we didn't know it. Our band was fairly acclaimed, and we didn't suffer ostricization.

But when I answer the question, "what did you play," and answer, "the frumpet," nobody knows what I'm talking about. During the winter doldrums of the school year, I played the French horn. You couldn't be in marching band without also finishing out the year in concert band, or symphonic band. And in those more austere bands, the French horn was the instrument of choice for those of us who couldn't play melody, with the trumpets.

During marching band season however (the most fun part of band), the French horn was deemed too clumsy. So we marched with either an alto horn (even more obscure), or the frumpet. A frumpet looks sort of like a pregnant trumpet. It isn't as flashy as a Flugelhorn, or as sexy as the alto saxophone. It's heavy, has a tiny dime-sized mouthpiece that causes lip indentation, and holds copious amounts of spit. But we held the more-important-than-realized responsibility for producing harmony, and reproducing other sounds from popular music otherwise performed by bass guitars and such.

While in marching band, I dutifully learned the parts to Hawaiian War Chant, String of Pearls, On Broadway, and Hit Me With Your Best Shot. This was, after all, 1980-1984. But truth be told, I never actually learned every note of the Whitehall-Yearling High School fight song. And I never memorized the Star Spangled Banner. Faked 'em, all the way through. The Alma Mater too. But I faked it gooood.

Something to Remember During Obama's Middle East Trip

When you see and hear all sorts of allusions made to President Obama being "too cozy" with Muslims on his Middle Eastern trip--and you will--never forget these images of former President George W. Bush. And share them, won't you?



Source: Prophet of Doom

Frivolity Break: ABC's TV Shows Move in Together

This is pretty cute, though I only know about 2/3 of the characters. As a Lost fan, I particularly liked Hurley's ending.

Today's Scary News: Another Cheney in Politics?

What new, fresh horror is this? Dick Cheney's spawn, Liz Cheney running for elected office? Why don't they just pair her with Jeb Bush, and cause 50% of America to turn into shrieking howler monkeys?

[Excerpt]

Cheney on daughter Liz: ‘I’d love to see her run for office some day.’



For the last few weeks, Liz Cheney, daughter of the former vice president, has been an omnipresent force in the news. For example, she made 12 appearances in the 10 days between May 12 and May 22, prompting many to wonder whether she jumpstarting her own political career. In an interview with Fox News’s Greta Van Susteren that aired last night, Dick Cheney said he’d love to see his daughter follow in his footsteps. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Olbermann's WTF? Moment: Bush the Bookworm?

I remember when we heard about George W. Bush's voracious reading habit, and thought they must be lying about it. Bush didn't seem like much of a reader, and was in fact known for having little patience for briefings and such. But what if it were true? That he really read hundreds of books during his tenure? How could a man as busy as the President of the United States have enough time to read that much?

The theory that Dick Cheney was the real President for the last eight years is getting more and more credible.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Betty Bowers Explains Traditional Biblical Marriage

Take it from "America's Best Christian."


Found at: AmericaBlog

Tiller Murderer to Use "The O'Reilly Defense?"

Image from BlackLiberalFiles

Well, this will make Bill O'Reilly uncomfortable. As well he should be.

[Excerpt]

Scott Roeder Attorney To Use The O'Reilly Defense?

. . ."It's a variation of a Twinkie Defense," said legal expert Jonathan Turley. "They will attempt to connect Mr. Roeder's heavy intake of Bill O'Reilly combined with a talk-radio hate-speak rush to prove that Roeder did not have the capacity to make a rational decision when he shot Dr. Tiller. "The deluge of 'Tiller is a Nazi, mass murderer, baby killer' verbiage by Mr. O'Reilly surely can drive one into a state of what we in the legal profession call 'righteous assassination. . .'"

Read more at: Huffington Post

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, I'm aware this blog post is very likely parody. But how much do you want to bet that a variation of the above will be used?

New Hampshire 6th State to Allow Gay Marriage

All right, Rhode Island, what's your excuse?

[Excerpt]

New Hampshire Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

The New Hampshire legislature approved revisions to a same-sex marriage bill on Wednesday, and Gov. John Lynch promptly signed the legislation, making the state the sixth to let gay couples wed. . .

Read more at: The New York Times

Somebody Wants to Buy Hummer?

Image from Car Buyer's Notebook

To many of us, Hummers were tacky and over-the-top when they were first released. They were not only gas-hogs, they were garish, tarted up Tonka trucks. The thing that would pop into my head whenever I'd see one was "Overcompensate much?"

But for a while there, the ugly buggers were very popular. Growing outside of a niche, cult following, we started seeing them everywhere. Part of it was probably a post-9/11 patriotism/bravado thing. But you'd see tiny blonde women driving them, not necessarily loaded up with kiddies. Incongruous describes it pretty well.

Then, for a while, gas prices hit $4+ per gallon, and the Hummer seemed to lose its appeal overnight. Suddenly everyone saw them for the big shiny uglies that they were. And GM kept building them anyway. When they said they were going to try to sell the brand off, I thought "who'd want it?" Well, apparently the Chinese want to overcompensate for something too.

[Excerpt]

GM strikes Hummer deal with China machinery maker

General Motors Corp(GMGMQ.PK) said on Tuesday it reached a tentative deal to sellits Hummer brand to a privately held Chinese heavy machinerymaker, part of an effort to drop four unprofitable vehiclelines and leave bankruptcy as a leaner company. . .

Read more at: Reuters

Keith Olbermann on the Very Chatty Dick Cheney

A lot of people complain that Countdown with Keith Olbermann focuses too much on the previous administration. Frankly, I'm glad somebody is. A lot of crap went down there. Stuff that make Watergate and the little blue dress seem rather silly.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Gov. Tim Pawlenty to Retire?

Image from source, Washington Post

This doesn't bode well for Al Franken getting seated in the US Senate anytime soon. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has every reason to keep delaying it, considering that the conventional wisdom is that his retirement as Governor is a hint that he wants to run for President in 2012. So, keeping Franken out could only help his image in the now hardcore-only GOP.

I never thought a guy with a goofy name like Pawlenty would have a chance, but after "Barack Hussein Obama," I suppose that little bit of wisdom is out the window.

[Excerpt]

Pawlenty To Retire With An Eye on 2012

Gov. Tim Pawlenty formalized his decision not to seek a third term in 2010 moments ago even as he acknowledged: "I still have a lot of ideas and energy left."

In response to suggestions from Democrats that he was leaving because he could not win a third term, Pawlenty insisted he "could have and would have" won in 2010, rattling off a series of recent polls showing his electoral strength.

Pawlenty did not directly address questions about whether he would run for president in 2012 but did note that he was "not ruling anything in or out" in regards a national bid. . .

Read more at: The Washington Post

Economy a Sign of ARMAGEDDON?

Until recently, we as a nation lived under a policy of fear. "Be afraid, be very afraid" could easily have become our national motto. What works out for politics also seems to be one line of attack in religion as well.

We know why. Because fear sells. It works on all of us at times, but some people seem to be masochists for it, dreaming up rich conspiracy theories that show they're out to get us! And religion--it claims--offers a solution. But the scary thing is, some religions seem to be eager for the scary stuff to happen. They're really itching for Armageddon, because it means paradise after. Or something.

Look, I've read the doomsday religious series, Left Behind. Nearly as scary as the terrible writing is the "tribulation," the nasty stuff those of us who aren't "raptured bodily into heaven" will have to live through before the "glorious appearing" of Jesus. And then it gets even worse.

Jesus isn't the warm, loving being we learned about in Sunday school, if you believe these stories (and way too many do). He's apparently a slaughterific, blood-n-guts, friggin' destroyer of souls! And you don't even have to be a bad person. You just have to not be a believer.

But it's trickier than it sounds. You have to be a particular kind of believer.

Being Catholic won't save you. Even being a protestant won't save you. You have to be a believer in the tribulation and rapture and all that comes with it. To make matters worse, there are at least three schisms even in that: Pretribulationism, Midtribulationism and Posttribulationism. Yikes!

I of course pick none of the above. It's all rather gruesome and hard to square with the rest of the religion. Plus, if I did throw in with them, the kind of people who are believers aren't the sorts of people I really want to hang around with anyway.

Which is a long way to go to show you these scans of an invitation I got in the mail from a group called "Creation to Revelation." They're having a big gig this week tying the current economic crisis with the end of the world!!! The creepiest part is the last photo of the jubilant children with the notice, "Bring the whole family!" Worse, the event is being held at the Boy Scouts Resource Center. Which is a whole 'nother level of creepy.

I Love Eliza Dushku

Photo from Celebitchy

You know, when I started this blog, I proclaimed that it wouldn't be a "gay rights" blog. And it hasn't really been that, primarily. I've featured "the gay thing" often, but not overwhelmingly so. And I'm still not sure that it will ever become that, but with my new move to change the blog up a little, I'm no longer worried, no longer bothered by what the blog becomes.

I survived as a blogger for two years. Managed to get linked by CNN and others. Managed to stick it out when many others just fizzled out. So I won't apologize for going too deep into "the gay thing." I won't worry if I post too many posts of Rachel Maddow. And I'm not going to worry about geeking out about celebrities, or my love for all things Joss Whedon and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

So of course I'm not going to apologize for posting something that is nothing more than a post about one of my favorite actresses from one of my favorite genres of pop culture, from one (actually three) of my favorite TV shows.

Here is a picture of Eliza Dushku, star of Buffy, Angel and Dollhouse--a former (perhaps Jack?) Mormon--supporting gay rights. Thank you, Eliza!

Blogiversary: 2 Years! And More. . .Oh, And Less.

Wow, I'm finally here! Two years of blogging. 5,034 posts. Over 74,000 visitors. I'd hoped for 75,000 to hit something of a trifecta of statistics, but alas, it is not to be. These seem to be the blogging doldrums kiddies. Not a lot of people stopping by lately.

I've worked a lot on this blog over 24 months. After a full day at work in front of a computer screen, I've come home to another one. And frankly kids, it's wearing me out a bit. Stuck in a rut, you might say. So I've made the decision to cut back a bit.

Oh, I'm not really going anywhere. I like it too much to give it up completely. But I'm going to try to stop obsessing about how many posts I've put up in a day, or with how many visitors have logged in. It'll be interesting to see if I can do it. I plan to continue posting a couple of interesting items per day. But I'm not going to plow ahead when I'm having difficulty finding anything. I'm not going to sweat it if I only get one or two things up on a given day. And I might just entertain taking entire days off.

With the low traffic I've been getting the last several months, I doubt the hit-meter is really going to notice. And there will still probably be those days where I'm a blogging dynamo. I've redesigned the logo a bit, with a note to this effect. I even entertained putting the word "Lite" into the logo to denote the change. I decided not to, because I don't expect things to change much. Just two or three things per day rather than seven or eight. We'll see how it goes.

In the meantime, keep dropping by. The break might just make me a little more creative, rather than less. Oh, and bring your friends!

Dick Cheney Supports. . .Gay Marriage?

Image from source, Huffington Post

Dick Cheney has said a lot of wacky things lately. You can't seem to shut him up. Usually, he says things that are patently--and provably untrue--and more often than not seems to implicate himself even further in the torture scandal. But now and again, he goes off-script, and says something really unexpected. This time, it is that he's in favor of same-sex marriage.

I know, what? Of course, his daughter is gay, but I thought she'd been mostly banished from any public mention. A lesson here might be that any conservative can be moved to change their minds when they find out they actually know a gay person. I'd say "love," but is Cheney capable of that emotion? Dunno. Anyway, it's interesting.

[Excerpt]

Cheney Offers Support For Gay Marriage

Dick Cheney rarely takes a position that places him at a more progressive tilt than President Obama. But on Monday, the former vice president did just that, saying that he supports gay marriage as long as it is deemed legal by state and not federal government. . .

Read more at (with video) at: Huffington Post

Is FOX "News" Partially Responsible for Tiller's Death?

As I've said a few times on the blog, you don't see much here reported on the subject of abortion, because it isn't one of my personal issues. I know no one--to my knowledge--and will never likely be in a situation where the issue will effect my life. Surely, I'll never be in the position where the decision is ever any of my business.

But when (flashback to the 90s) an abortion doctor gets assassinated, and makes big news, it is difficult to let the whole story go unremarked upon. And when it is clear that an issue I am interested in--namely, the illegitimacy of FOX "News" as a news outlet--the story comes closer to my wheelhouse.

Apparently, the FOX "News" Channel made quite a go at demonizing Dr. George Tiller, calling him "Tiller the Baby Killer" repeatedly, for years. Nice. Fair and balanced much?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

NV Senate & Assembly Override Governor's Veto on Civil Unions

Photo of Gov. Gibbons from TPM Muckraker

Well, boy howdy, who'd have thunk it? Gov. Jim Gibbons--a man embroiled in a nasty divorce, complete with embarrassing affairs--was all high and mighty about "traditional marriage" and tried to put an end to a civil unions bill here in Nevada. But the state senate and assembly have surprisingly overridden Gov. Happy Pants' veto.

I have no idea how this will effect The Other Half and I, who were legally married in California (and, surprise again, still are). But woo-hoo, way to go Nevada! Of course we still have that pesky constitutional amendment blocking true equality. And DOMA. But it's a start!

[Excerpt]

Assembly overrides veto; bill becomes law Oct. 1

Read it at: Las Vegas Review-Journal