Right Wing World: Sarah Palin/Louie Gohmert 2016?

This is submitted without comment, except to say that FreeRepublic.com is basically Tea Party Central, and this is a direct screen grab from that site. And to say that This. Would be. Hilarious.

 

Facepalm: Ann Coulter's Islamophobia and Racism

UPDATE: I should have stopped with the first piece, as it would seem that the second here is originally from The Daily Currant, which is a parody site that is very, very good at writing believable stories. The source was obscured, and I missed it. Totally my bad, but it should be acknowledged that it is also entirely believable that Ann Coulter would say such a thing. Apologies. The first piece? Totally true.


Harpie's Bizarre, image from Mediaite

It's just. . .I mean I can't. . . This is just so. . .

[Excerpt]

Ann Coulter to Hannity: Putin Is Making a ‘Monkey’ Out of Obama on Syria

Ann Coulter joined Sean Hannity on Monday night to bash President Obama for a failure of leadership on Syria. Hannity called Obama “confused” and “wimpy,” while Coulter derided the White House for thinking this is a simple Aaron Sorkin monologue away from being solved, adding that she believes Vladimir Putin has made Obama into a “monkey” on Syria. . .

Read more at: Mediaite



The following is redacted because it has been found to be originally from a parody site, as noted above.

[Excerpt]

Ann Coulter On Syria: ‘Why is Gassing Arabs a Bad Thing?’

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter generated fierce criticism today for suggesting that the gas attack in Syria last month was good for the United States. In an interview with Fox and Friends this morning, she argued that since the victims were Arabs such attacks would reduce the number of future terrorists and that therefore president Obama shouldn't intervene to stop them. . .

 

Read more at: Codewit

More Facepalm: Limbaugh Says Syria is Obama's "Shuck and Jive"

It's been a while since I've busted out the Facepalm banner, and here we're in only the second of three at a stretch. Now, of course I know that Rush Limbaugh lives to rile people with the asinine things he says. And I'm aware that those of us who give him digital "ink" are in some ways just playing into his hands. But it's also important to tell people who maybe aren't paying attention, that this man is vile, and a racist, and just a despicable human being.
 

El Douchebo, image from source, Raw Story

[Excerpt]
 
Limbaugh: Obama’s Syria plan is ‘Shuck and Jive’ instead of ‘Shock and Awe’
 
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh says that if former President George W. Bush’s Iraq invasion was called “Shock and Awe” then President Barack Obama’s attack of Syrian should be called “Shuck and Jive. . .”

Read more at: The Raw Story

Lawrence O'Donnell to Anthony Weiner: "What is Wrong With You?"

Did you watch The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell on Monday night? If you didn't, I've got to tell you, you missed probably the most interesting live interview you're likely to see all year. It was riveting, but at the same time repelling. It was uncomfortably awkward, but I couldn't turn away. And I had food on the grill! Suffice it to say, Lawrence wrung all the drama that was left out of Anthony Weiner's failed mayoral campaign, and Weiner--who I'd have felt for, before he proved to be such a douchenozzle--didn't come off so well. You could argue that Lawrence didn't come off well either, but I really think he accomplished exactly what he set out to do.

[Excerpt]

‘What is wrong with you?’ Weiner answers O’Donnell

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

Democratic NYC mayoral candidate joined MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell for his last television interview the night before the Democratic primary election. O’Donnell had one big question for him, asking the disgraced former congressman, “What is wrong with you? . .”

Read more at: The Last Word


And if you just didn't get enough from that clip, here's the web exclusive:
 

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

Facepalm: Michele Bachmann Embarrasses Herself (And Us) One More Time

Michele Bachmann is not running for reelection to Congress in 2014. But that doesn't mean she's going to stop embarrassing herself, or the country. Just take a look at this. Marcus, come get your beard wife! She's doing that thing again!

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

George Zimmerman in Trouble with the Law Again

Image from source, Think Progress

For the third time since he was acquitted of the murder of Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman has had a run-in with the cops. Unlike the previous two, this one didn't have anything to do with speeding, but like one of them, it had something to do with a gun. All of this activity, together with his very sketchy story about "rescuing" people from a car crash, adds up to a very odd post-acquittal set of activities. When this all becomes a miniseries--and you know it will--it's going to play as though the writers were trippin' balls during this part.

[Excerpt]

Report: George Zimmerman Allegedly Threatened Family Members With A Gun

Trayvon Martin shooter George Zimmerman is under police investigation for a possible domestic battery following a fight with his wife and her family on Monday afternoon. According to news channel WKMG Local 6, police are “trying to determine what exactly happened” but they report a gun was present. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Sausage Being Made: From Karl Rove to GOP to FOX

He's a prize, ain't he? Image from source, Media Matters

This is how it's done, folks, it's just not always quite as easy to follow.

[Excerpt]

From Karl Rove's Mouth, To A GOP Talking Point, To Fox's Ear 

Fox contributor Karl Rove lobbed a line of attack at President Obama during a Fox News Sunday appearance that quickly found its way into a Monday morning Republican press release. While the release was being distributed, Rove returned to Fox to repeat the talking points -- the latest example of Fox News' role as the communication arm of the Republican Party. . .

Read more at: Media Matters

A Solution in Syria?

Image from source, Slate

Who cares if this was an accidental solution, whether it was planned or somewhere in between? If it works, it won't matter.

[Excerpt]

Did John Kerry Just Accidentally Find a Workable Solution for Syria?

Speaking in London earlier today, John Kerry appeared to issue a long-shot ultimatum to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, suggesting that if he turned over his complete stockpile of chemical weapons within the next week he could avoid an attack from the United States. The State Department, however, would later walk back those comments, saying they were a "rhetorical argument" and not an actual proposal, adding that Assad "cannot be trusted" to take such action. . .

Read more at: Slate

Blast from the Past: Saturday Morning Super Heroes

I've been kind of sick over the last week or so, with a combination of allergies and/or head cold plus the added attraction of some sort of intestinal bug. Lovely, right? Consequently, not only have I been out of the blogging habit (this time with an excuse), and also out of the exercising habit. Instead, I've been indulging in binge viewing of a series on DVD. In this case, my series of choice was Smallville.

I'm a superhero fan since practically infancy, so a show about Superboy/Superman should have been appointment viewing for me. But for some reason (probably because we didn't used to get The WB--now The CW--on our cable service), the network it aired on is always off of my radar. I simply forget it is there. I missed almost all of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all of Angel too, originally. Those were other binge parties. Anyway, it got me to thinking that superheroes ought to in some way figure in to my feature for the week.

So, why not the ones I grew up with? Superhero cartoons are some of my earliest memories of television, and Saturday mornings were event viewing at my house. Sugary cereal and the big three networks had more than enough.

 

And oddly enough, that's pretty much it for my era of Saturday morning TV. I guess I could have thrown in Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, but nah. That'll wrap it up for this week. Happy Monday, everyone. Wish me well with my intestinal woe!

Right Wing World Rep. Joe Wilson Thinks Syria Crisis is Obama-Invented Distraction

We already know that there is a very fuzzy line between Right Wing World: Media Edition and Right Wing World: Elected Officials, which is scary enough. But when the elected officials start believing the fake scandals from their own media, I get a little more scared.  Rep. Joe Wilson (R-YouLie!) seems to think the IRS non-scandal (now thoroughly debunked, and never successfully linked to Obama anyway), and the Benghazi attack (not a scandal by us, but an attack on us) were so overwhelming the Obama administration, that they cooked up the Syria problem as a distraction.

Idiot.

You heard me, I'll say it again: Idiot.
Image from source, Think Progress.

[Excerpt]

GOP Congressman Accuses Obama Of Using Syria To Distract From Benghazi, IRS

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) used Wednesday’s hearing on whether or not the United States will take military action in Syria to ask whether the whole debate was a ruse to cover-up the many “scandals” the Obama administration is facing. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

And in addition to being an idiot, he's a right wing troll. . .

 

Right Wing World: Spinning Syria

Do you remember the run-up to the Iraq War? I do, but FOX "News" and other conservative outlets seemingly do not. In the period after September 11, 2001 all the way through "Shock and Awe" and pretty much up to "Mission Accomplished," President George W. Bush and his administration was given the kid glove treatment from the press, and much of the public. I mean, I'm a lefty liberal moonbat blogger, and I didn't much question the Iraq decision at the time. I was skeptical, but what the heck did I know? No, it was a very slow burn, a very gradual awakening of the press, the birth of the blogosphere, and the dawning realization that we were lied into war that shook us out of the"Freedom & Liberty" free pass we were giving Bushco.

Image from the fabulous NewsCorpse

But Right Wing World is revising history, or trying to. They're conflating Syria and Iraq, but they're not using what actually happened. . .which is completely expected of course. I'm also seeing in various places (Iowa radio host Steve Deace, for one) that the liberals who did speak out against the war are somehow now marching in lock-step behind President Obama. Which--if you pay attention to Left Wing World (such as it is)--is completely wrong. 10 minutes of The Ed Show should disabuse anyone of that notion. But again. . .to be expected.

[Excerpt]

Fox News Dementia: Media Is Not As Hard On Obama/Syria As They Were On Bush/Iraq

On Fox News this morning there was a segment debating the media coverage of the “Crisis in Syria” (video below). On any other network this would have been a legitimate subject for debate and a fascinating topic. But leave it to Fox News to broadcast a version of history that makes Snow White’s adventures with seven diminutive forest dwellers look like a PBS documentary. . .

Read more at: NewsCorpse

The Gay Thing: Military To Extend Benefits To Same-Sex Spouses Of Gay Veterans

I have a good (straight) friend who is an Army veteran, who advised me that the whole marriage equality issue will be settled in a positive way, because for a coherent cohesive military policy, it must be. I've got to admit, that seems to be how it's playing out. The military operates on rules and order. You can't throw their veterans' benefits into disarray over state squabbles about who was married where, and just who is considered married there. It's all or nothing, and it's looking inevitable that it's going to be all. It's just a shame that it has to take so many baby steps. At least this story is a big step.

[Excerpt]

Obama, Holder Direct Military To Extend Benefits To Same-Sex Spouses Of Gay Veterans

In a dramatic move, Attorney General Eric Holder, on President Barack Obama‘s authority, has directed the military to extend benefits to same-sex spouses of gay veterans. Previously, Title 38, a military provision specifically defining marriage as a man and a woman, had prevented spouses of gay vets from accessing benefits that heterosexual spouses are entitled to. The Attorney General, in a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner, announced the Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling had allowed him to now ignore that provision. . .

Read more at: New Civil Rights Movement

Frivolity Break: Crew of the Starship Enterprise Encounters Miley Cyrus

Very clever.
 

Found at: Voenix Rising

Castro, Cleveland Kidnapper Found Hanged to Death

Image from source, NBC News

This is sad news to nobody.

[Excerpt]

Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro found dead, prison official says

Ariel Castro, the Cleveland man who was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years in July after pleading guilty to imprisoning and raping three women for a decade, was found dead in his jail cell, a prison spokeswoman said early Wednesday. . .

Read more at: NBC News

Gimme a Break! Next Android Operating System: "Kit Kat"

For months, the tech sites have speculated that the next iteration of the Android phone and tablet operating system would be called "Key Lime Pie." It was so prevalent I thought it was official. Turns out, they all got it wrong. The next version will be called Kit Kat after the Hershey (Nestlé outside the US) candy bar. Most previous versions have been named after sweet treats, such as Cupcake, Éclair and Ice Cream Sandwich. Now, apparently they're opting for a brand name, which is interesting. It's low-risk for Hershey and Nestlé, since even if the operating system turned out to be buggy and glitch, would be unlikely to damage the reputation of a top-five favorite candy bar. I bet you the Jelly Belly people are sorry to have missed the boat with the last release though.

[Excerpt]
 
Break Me Off a Piece of That: Kit Kat Will Be the Name of the Next Version of Android

". . .Android chief Sundar Pichai announced Tuesday via Twitter and Google Plus that Android had hit 1 billion activations and also added a little treat. The next version of the operating system -- Android 4.4 -- won't be named Key Lime Pie, as rumored, it will be called or codenamed Kit Kat. And don't worry, that's a fully licensed name and partnership too. . ."

Read more at: ABC News

The Gay Thing: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Performs Same-sex Wedding

You go, you adorable, tiny little judge you! Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the first Supreme Court Justice to officiate a wedding for a gay couple. I haven't checked yet (but you know I'm right), but surely Right Wing World is spinning all wobbly over the news. I'm sure there will be calls for her to recuse herself from any case that has a whiff of "the gay" about it. I hope she refuses. As long as Clarence Thomas' wife is allowed to lobby her conservative causes, there is really no room to talk from the right. And why should performing a wedding--something SCOTUS justices are permitted to do--be a political act anyway?

Image from source, Salon

[Excerpt]
 
Ruth Bader Ginsburg becomes first Supreme Court justice to officiate at same-sex wedding

On Saturday, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg put on her finest neck doily and made history as the first member of the United States Supreme Court to officiate at a gay wedding. Ginsburg conducted the ceremony between John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts President Michael M. Kaiser and economist John Roberts, both longtime friends. . .

Read more at: Salon

Take My Country Back (Rocky Mountain Mike Original Song)

Imagine your weird, conservative Uncle Al was not just a tea bagger, but was a talented singer/songwriter? He might produce something like this. Unlikely, since Rocky Mountain Mike is one-of-a-kind, and conservatives aren't usually this self aware. . .

Enjoy! And, thanks again, Mike!
 

Senate Syria Resolution Would Limit Use of Force and Time Frame

On a side note, John Kerry looks. . .different somehow.
Image from source, LA Times

So, the Senate is responding to the President's challenge on Syria. So far, it's not freaking me out. You?

[Excerpt]

Draft Senate Syria resolution would limit use of force and time frame

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday will consider a newly drafted resolution to authorize military force against the Syrian government that specifically rules out any commitment of ground forces and would narrow the time frame for action to no more than 90 days. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

OK, Everybody. Back to Work!

"So, what is it you'd say that ya DO here?"
Back to work!

This marks the end of not only a nice extended break from real life, but the symbolic end of summer. We really have a few weeks left of the season, and until early November before we get back to Standard Time (and really dark early evenings), but this is when the year starts to landslide into Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year's. Faster every year (trust me, kids).

For me, it's also the end of the summer I was least engaged in blogging, since I started this little enterprise in 2007. It's not that there wasn't any news to report, or outrages to be outraged about. There was and is. But I make it my policy to report on mostly things that interest and engage me. And while I will occasionally comment on big newsworthy events that aren't really in my "zone," this summer I haven't been much interested in the endeavor. But that was the summer. Fall is falling soon, and it's time to get back in the game.

So, for the small group of people who checks in here on a regular basis (and thanks to both of you!), expect a renewed vigor to the blog in the coming days and weeks. There will be a down week in October--everyone needs an actual vacation, and not just a staycation--but it's mostly going to be back to blogging at usual strength from here on out. Blast from the Past will return next week, and I'm going to be trying to focus on my regular features again, where possible.

So, happy Monday Tuesday, everybody! Let's get to work!

More Technology Woes, With a Happy Ending

After nearly a month of computer and technology woes at Greenlee Gazette, Greenlee Graphics (my home business) and at my work-a-day job as well, you'd think I'd get to breathe a little sigh of relief, and get back to ordinary life, no more dabbling in "new" electronic doohickies and whatnot, right?

But I'm destined to always have to be upgrading and then problem solving, it would seem. The problem was straightforward: my 2007 flat-panel Toshiba HDTV/DVD combo player died. It's my office TV, and it gets a lot of use, not just because I'm at my computer too often, but because The Other Half is so often to bed so early, for work. I get stuck in my office frequently. But solving the problem isn't quite so easily solved as you would think.



It's beginning to look a bit like Mission Control in here! Now, to add another video card to the computer, and
run another cable to the TV, and. . . .

I wanted the DVD built in, because that's the way I've been doing things for my last two (yes, I've had two previous flat-panel TVs, can you believe time flies that fast?) set-ups, and was thinking small. I did the research, narrowed my search down to an RCA 24" model at Fry's. I should mention that I was replacing a 19" set that had an enormous bezel on it, so a 24" takes up about the same space. Anyway, the RCA was the best pick out of a small pool  of options, and it was $169.99 on Fry's website. So, I decided to go get one on Sunday.

Not recommended:
RCA LED24C45RQD 24"
Just trust me.

Surprise, surprise, they had plenty of them, but they were $219.99. Up $50 overnight! But it was really all they had to choose from, so I bought it. I assembled it, plugged it in, and. . .I was underwhelmed to say the least. The screen was clearly pixelated, especially up close, and the sound was atrocious. I mean, so bad that it was a real deal-breaker. I tried plugging in some USB speakers that came with my computer, and it was an improvement, but only barely. It had to go back, or I would have been very disappointed. Too bad I packed it up, and forgot the three screws to the base, and that The Other Half had to drive them to the store for me while I waited! Anyway. . .

Recommended:
Insignia NS-24E400NA14
Sure, just a store brand, but good!

After taking the RCA back to Fry's, I headed to Best Buy, a place that feels oddly out-of-time. I'm wondering how much time they have left, just a gut feeling. But they had a 24" HDTV/DVD combo, by their in-house brand, Insignia. It looked good. It sounded good. And it was $189.99. Cool, I'll take it! And then the salesman dude sold me the wrong set. And here I thought the $139.99 price was an unexpected Labor Day discount*. I'd already been rung up, and would have had to wait in line at customer service, and said to myself, screw it. I put it in the car, drove down to Sam's Club, and bought a Samsung Blu-Ray wifi player for $79.99.


Also a good buy: Samsung Blu-ray Player
BD-FM57C

Long story short (I know, too late), I'm now setup with blu-ray on a really nice 24" set in my office. Though I don't need Netflix or YouTube on my TV (I have a second monitor on my computer) in my office, I now can. The sound is good, the picture is great (Family Guy was alarmingly clear and bright), and the player is small enough that it's not a problem. The best part: I came in about $9 less than the crappy RCA cost me!

On to the next problem!

* As it turns out, it was a Labor Day sale, $40 off to be specific, so it was a good day indeed.