Soledad O'Brien Schools John Sununu

I'm getting tired of political ads and pundits who repeat known falsehoods and debunked "facts." I don't care who's doing it, it ticks me off. But it seems to be the Romney campaign's modus operandi.  So, it's nice when a high profile-reporter calls out a high-profile campaign surrogate, and Soledad O'Brien did a great job. More puzzling than the now standard lie-pushing though, is why John Sununu is any kind of reliable source, with his history. With people like him and Karl Rove (and anyone who turns up from the Bush Administration), it makes you wonder who couldn't stage a comeback. Can John Edwards and Anthony Wiener come out of the penalty box? Or is it only okay if you're a Republican?

President Obama is Such a Meanie. . .

I mean, just listen to this blistering, vicious attack ad. I warn you, it's kind of hard to take, and may not be safe for work. . .

See what I mean?

Honestly, I really want to know where these claims of nasty, out-of-bounds crap are coming from. Just because Mitt Romney responds to difficult questions with mock horror that it the President would have the temerity to ask it, doesn't mean he's mean and nasty.

Another Shooting, This Time on Right-Wing Group

Image from source, NBC News

We had another shooting today, this one--fortunately--on a much smaller scale, with the gunman only able to inflict a non-life-threatening wound on a security officer. Unlike the Dark Knight Rises shooting (where the purpose of the shooting was vague) or the Sikh temple shooting (where the gunman was a anti-Islam moron) the purpose of this one seems fairly clear. The target was the Washington DC headquarters of the Family Research Council, an anti-gay group. And the gunman seems to have attacked them for their political positions. I say seems, because these things often to turn out to be not what they seem initially.

Now, I'm going to be very clear: what this man did was wrong, stupid and inexcusable. I get no pleasure out of the fact that an organization I abhor was the target. In fact, I think this man's actions have unwittingly given the FRC (and organizations like it) a case to point to, where they are the victim of the "gay agenda". . .which is how they will spin it. Before now, they could only point to some minor (and well done) vandalism at a Chick-fil-A. So thanks, shooter dude, you nearly literally shot yourself and gay rights in the foot.

But there are a couple of ways this story is being spun, by anti-gay groups, and by the right-wing media. The anti-gay groups are leveling charges at The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Human Rights Campaign for calling FRC and its ilk "hate groups," and inspiring the shooter. The right-wing media, such as  Las Vegas Badger and Kevin Wall of KXNT are blaming--unbelievably--President Obama and Vice President Biden. Yes, somehow, they are running a hateful, nasty, terrible, horrible, no good, very bad campaign, and that is what provoked this shooting.

That is a staggering leap in logic. As far as I know, Obama and Biden have never mentioned the FRC by name, nor that of its leader Tony Perkins. While they have been outspoken on gay rights issues, I don't recall either of them leveling charges at any of the (many) anti-gay organizations on the right (curiously, most have "family" in their names). And WTF are they talking about, in regard to the campaign? What is so hateful from Obama/Biden? Just because you assert something doesn't make it true. Are the Prez and VP responsible for the Dark Knight and Sikh tragedies as well?

Finally, after the wounded man at their headquarters, the next biggest tragedy in this case is how the FRC is being portrayed. They are not some right-wing "think tank," going about their business, not bothering anybody. Their entire reason for being is to antagonize gay people, and do everything they can to prevent and take away our rights from being legally recognized. As previously stated, that does not justify what was done today, but neither do they magically become pure as the driven snow now that it happened. They are a hate group. It is not surprising that it seems to have inspired hate in retaliation, thought it is unfortunate.

[Excerpt]

Security guard shot at conservative group's DC office

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

A gunman who shot a security guard Wednesday at the Family Research Council office in Washington, D.C., was carrying a handgun and several additional rounds of ammunition, federal investigators told NBC News. . .

Read more at: NBC News

Rush Limbaugh Compares Obama & Dems to Hitler

Eh. Should I really report on anything that Rush Limbaugh said or did? At this point, is there anything the man wouldn't stoop to? Well, this time it particularly stupid, because he's accusing President Obama and the Democrats of abusing propaganda. Does the man remember the George W. Bush years? Do the names Dick Cheney and Karl Rove ring a bell? Those people specialized in running an alternate reality machine, and in fact bragged about creating their own reality. Bush himself said that sometimes you have to "catapult the propaganda!"

But what Rush should really learn is, that once you've invoked Adolph Hitler and the Nazis, you've lost the argument.*

[Excerpt]

Limbaugh: Like Hitler, Obama And Democrats Are More Concerned With Propaganda Than Truth

Limbaugh: Propaganda versus truth -- which wins? Well, what did -- what was Hitler more concerned with? Propaganda. Did Hitler succeed for a time? Yeah, he did. What was Clinton more concerned with -- truth or propaganda? What's Obama more concerned with -- truth or propaganda? Who would you say is winning? Is propaganda winning or truth winning? We, the virtuous ones in our society -- we think truth wins. We have this investment in the truth. We think it's holy. We think that it is profound, and we think it's persuasive. . .

Source: Media Matters


*An exception to the "Nazi = Fail" rule is when it is exceedingly clever, and loaded with dark humor. Think Springtime for Hitler from Mel Brooks' The Producers. Or, this scathingly funny song, actually "sung" by Mr. Limbaugh.

No, Obama Didn't "Gut" Medicare

It's become standard operating procedure with Mitt Romney's ads, and it hasn't abated with the addition of Paul Ryan to the ticket: whatever the ad is saying, it's probably not true. This time, it's the allegation that President Obama "gutted" Medicare to fund "Obamacare." But that's not really what happened. I know that "scare the olds" is a time-honored tradition on both sides in politics, but is Romney ever going to latch onto a campaign theme that isn't bogus?

[Excerpt]

Obama’s Medicare Reforms Expanded Benefits For Seniors

The Romney campaign’s new ad blitz reinforces its latest attack — that President Obama cut Medicare spending by $716 billion — with an ominous warning to seniors. But the Affordable Care Act’s cuts and other Medicare reforms don’t touch benefits, they target waste in provider payments. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

Lawrence O'Donnell Rewrites Paul Ryan's Love Affair with Ayn Rand

How can a person go on at length for years about how much they love the philosophy of Ayn Rand, and then--once a potential candidate for Vice President--say that you disagree with her philosophy? Paul Ryan couldn't have overlooked that she was an atheist, and kind of a nutjob, cold he? And how could Rand's philosophy of selfishness put Ryan on the idea of public service anyway? I'll never understand Republicans.

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Alan Grayson on Stephanie Miller: Paul Ryan, "Throw Grandma from the Train"

Jim Ward's comment, "Psy-Ops for Morons" and Grayson's observation that the GOP has swept the gullible vote are runners up to the quote in the headline. Good stuff. I really hope Grayson gets back into Congress this fall.  From Tuesday's Talking Liberally: The Stephanie Miller Show on Current TV.

Right Wing World: Paul Ryan is Controversial? Really?

This clip from Monday's The Rachel Maddow Show brings up a point that I hadn't really considered: In Right-wing World, Paul Ryan isn't controversial. At all. In the FOX "News", talk-radio, FreeRepublic.com, Red State world in which a whole bunch of the conservative base spend most of their time, Ryan is a rock star, a super hero. But this isn't Right-wing World, and it isn't the primaries anymore. Ryan has to prove himself on the stage in front of everybody, which may be alarming, for right-wing voters, Mitt Romney and for Ryan himself.

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Meanwhile, on Facebook: Paul Ryan and the Money Cake

I don't know why Chris Wallace--amazingly--gave Paul Ryan a birthday cake with a big dollar sign on it. . .but there's something perfect about the FOX "News" bug in the corner of this graphic.

Mitt Romney Chose Eddie Munster (Rocky Mountain Mike)

Sure, we'll tire of the Eddie Munster jokes soon, but not before we hear the Rocky Mountain Mike Munsters song parody!

Romney and Ryan: Really Not into "The Gay"

For two guys who could be catalogue models, they sure are anti-gay.
Image from source, The Advocate.

If the Log Cabin Republicans and their hardcore off-shoot GOProud endorse Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan (assuming they haven't already done so), you are free to stop taking them seriously (assuming you haven't already done so). Honestly, there's just no excuse for any gay person to support or vote for this particular same-sex couple.

[Excerpt]

Paul Ryan as VP Matches Mitt Romney on Homophobia

Paul Ryan has voted to ban same-sex marriage and adoption by gay couples, and he voted against repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military. . .

Read more at: The Advocate

Blast from the Past: Night Time Soaps of the 80s

Sometimes in my weekly Blast from the Past feature, I go on at length about each clip. Frankly, this week, I'm a little tired. And I recently watched several episodes of my favorite 80s soap, Dynasty. And I thought, hey there's a topic. . .and some of those theme songs were really catchy.  Here then, with no further input from me, are the themes to the best 80s TV had to offer when it came to cat-fights, back-stabbing, fashion and fortune.

And that will do it for this week! Maybe next week, I'll have a little more oomph. Until then, happy Monday, and have a great week!

Paul Ryan = Heartless, Brokeback Munster

I calls 'em how I sees 'em. . .

My Take on The Romney/Ryan Ticket

You saw it here first, folks!

What could be more natural than the Rolls-Royce logo for
Romney/Ryan?

Mitt Romney to Announce VP Pick on Saturday?

The Budget Munster? Really? Image from Politico.

The only advantage I see to Mitt Romney announcing his pick on a Saturday is that it will instantly be the #1 topic on all the Sunday political shows. And sure, it'll rule the early part of the week's news cycle. But you know what else it does? Gives opposition research time to happen in full-force by Monday, when ordinary (read: not that interested in politics) people finally notice. Obviously, I don't know all the angles, but I just question the timing a bit.

And they're saying it might be Paul Ryan? Really? So, for weeks, "insiders" have been saying that Romney's going to go safe and boring. No "Palin" this time, they all said. Well, if it's Ryan, they've got their Palin. Oh, he's not stupid and inarticulate, but he's extremely polarizing. His "Ryan Budget" doesn't hold water, except in Right-Wing World. The only advantage I can see is that he's got a rockin' bod. Is that what Republicans are going for these days?

[Excerpt]

'All signs point to Ryan' with Romney to name VP pick today

Mitt Romney will announce his vice presidential pick tomorrow morning in Norfolk, Va. and there are strong signs that he’ll tap 42-year-old House Budget Chair Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to be his running mate.
A source deeply involved in the vetting process said “the obvious clue is in the Romney press release” — alluding to Romney’s event taking place at the USS Wisconsin. . .


Read more: Politico

Chris Hayes Shines a Light on Supposed "Voter Fraud"

The reasoning for Voter ID laws sounds really good, I'll give them that. But it presupposes there's a rampant voter fraud problem--which there isn't--and that Voter ID would stop it--which it won't. Besides, the "official" reasons behind Voter ID aren't the real ones anyway. It's voter suppression. You knew that, right?

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Daily Show: Barack Obama Kills Golden Girls?

Hilarious.

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The Rude Pundit Assesses Mitt Romney's Chances

The Rude Pundit, Lee Papa.

I am far too skittish when it comes to politics to count my chickens before they're hatched. Even given the large margin by which President Obama beat John McCain in 2008, I was still on pins and needles. I think I'm primed for defeat, given 2000, 2004, 2010 and all of the lost marriage equality votes. Also, while I think that Mitt Romney is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad candidate, I also know that Right-Wing World hates Obama. To the level of delusion. There's a reason they call it Obama Derangement Syndrome. They've actually invented a "Barack Hussein Obama" who bears little resemblance to the genuine article.

It's actually kind of amazing that we're where we are. Though I don't blame the state of the union on the President, I certainly can see how people could. It would be an ideal year for a party switch, historically. So, how did Republicans end up with Romney? He was literally the best they could do. Remember the clown show that was the primary fight? There is nobody on deck. Even the potential VP picks are spectacularly underwhelming or of limited appeal. Still, I'm gonna be sweating it until November, I just know me. Oh, to have the confidence (and wit) of The Rude Pundit.

[Excerpt]

The Real Reason Mitt Romney Is Losing and Will Lose

". . .As people begin to write pre-mortem postmortems of Mitt Romney's campaign, you're going to see many question why and how, how in the world, indeed, could a candidate of Romney's vintage be losing. There will be conservatives who are smug about Romney having never been a true crazy right-winger. There will be conservatives who try to throw him a life preserver, like bald demon Reihad Salam at CNN, whose "Why Mitt Romney Is Losing" editorial is full of floaties. For instance, Salam posits a fantasy Romney, one who actually comes up with plans to, say, regulate banks once the weak Dodd-Frank bill is burned by some fantasy Congress. On the left, Charles Blow in the New York Times says of the one-term governor's strategy of just plain, f*cking lying about what Barack Obama is doing, "Romney has to find a line of attack that works because there is a creeping feeling beginning to overtake part of the electorate that his candidacy is in trouble. The problem is that these sorts of desperate, baseless attacks only amplify the sense of panic. . ."

Read more at: The Rude Pundit

Romney Campaign Continues to Distort

Image from ThinkProgress

This is getting ridiculous. Are they seriously going to carry this campaign through to November with a series of ads that take their potential voters for fools? I mean I know there is a subset of the American public that is eager to believe any and every negative thing they hear about President Obama. But not everyone has Obama Derangement Syndrome, and not everyone is willing to be spoon-fed distortion and lies. Or at least I hope so.

[Excerpt]

New Romney Campaign Distortion: Falsely Claims Obama ‘Promised Today To Bail Out Every Industry’

The Romney campaign, which has apparently exhausted the selectively edited clip of President Obama saying “you didn’t build that,” has seized on a new soundbite to distort. The campaign sent an email blast Thursday afternoon featuring a video of an Obama rally in Colorado from earlier that day and falsely claimed that he wants the government to bail out every industry. “I Want To Do The Same Thing With Manufacturing Jobs … In Every Industry,” it read. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Romney Hood!

A good turn of a phrase, I'd say.