Miami-Dade Polling Places to Close Bathrooms? For Fairness?

Only in Florida, man. Miami-Dade election officials have responded to a question regarding restroom accessibility for the disabled by closing all restrooms. That's right, in polling places with hours-long lines, there will be no potty breaks. Tough it out, or go home. A third option would be to pop a squat right there in line, I suppose. But this strikes me as just ridiculous. You?

[Excerpt]

New Rule Prohibits Voters In Miami-Dade County From Using The Restroom, No Matter How Long The Line

During the 2012 presidential election, voters reportedly waited on line for upwards of six hours. That wait alone is enough to deter would-be voters from going to the polls. But now residents in Florida’s most populous county will have another disincentive: they won’t be able to go to the bathroom. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Stephen Colbert to Take Over for David Letterman on The Late Show

 

I'm of mixed feelings about this one. As a Daily Show with Jon Stewart fan since it was . . .with Craig Kilborn, I of course have watched The Colbert Report since the beginning. At first, I wasn't sure he could sustain his pompus, "educated Archie Bunker" news reporter character through a regular series. But sure enough, he could and did. Colbert's show was the perfect follow-up to Stewart's, and the interplay was terrific. And it has to be said, Colbert's in-character roasting of George W. Bush at the White House Correspondent's' Dinner was masterful.

I've also watched The Late Show with David Letterman since it was Late Night. I watched from episode for all of the above. And though, more often than not, I watch the Comedy Central line up instead of CBS's, I'd come back to Dave whenever Jon and Stephen were in reruns. And it's only due to those guys that I ever left. I still find Dave preferable to the Jimmys. But Dave is leaving. And Stephen is moving in!

But not Stephen Cole-bear. This will be Stephen Cole-BURT. The real guy, not the character. Having seen the real Stephen in other things--not to mention being able to see through the character to the brilliance of the real dude--I'm cool with that. While he'll surely need to tone down the politics a bit, and will have to spoon-feed a little more to the larger general audience, I believe he's deft enough to pull it off. Still, I'm hoping he retains the old guy in some capacity. Whether it's a Colbert Report show-within-a-show segment, or just one of a roster of characters, I'd hate to see that persona retired forever.

As for Comedy Central, I think they may have as tough a choice as CBS had. They fortunately have a lengthy list of performers to choose from, many from The Daily Show, past and present, or from other Comedy Central shows. They'd be wise to create  something in the mold of either Stewart's or Colbert's current shows, to be a companion to The Daily Show, rather than trying to plug in a Tosh.O or Workaholics, and hoping it keeps the audience.

My choice--though I'd miss his current new-ish show--is Chris Hardwick. His @Midnight is a hoot, and I never miss The Talking Dead. He's smart, funny, irreverent, cute and nerdish. The perfect combination. But I'll bet you John Oliver is sorry he deserted for a weekly HBO show.

[Excerpt]

Why Stephen Colbert is the perfect choice for CBS

CBS nailed this. Stephen Colbert, just named to replace David Letterman, might seem in some ways an odd choice for a late-night broadcast host: He's an intensely satirical comedian who at least until now has hosted his show in the guise of a self-righteous buffoon. But he may also be the smartest person in late night. And the most likable. . .

Read more at: MSN

Mass Stabbing at Pennsylvania School

When I first heard about this, it was presented like yet another school shooting, then I heard stabbing. What? Stabbing? Yes. And predictably, much of the response from Right Wing World was, "See, it's not just guns! Should we take knives away from people now?" First, yes, at least at schools we should take away the knives. But secondly, it should be noted that though there were some critical injuries, nobody--at least of this writing--has died. Which is the only good news beyond the fact that the kid responsible is alive also, and in custody.

I'm waiting to hear that the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a knife is a good guy with a knife.

[Excerpt]

Student named, charged as adult in Pennsylvania stabbing rampage: police

[Continued after the break because of an auto-playing video I can't turn off.]

Could Religious Fundamentalism Be a Curable Mental Disorder?

"Dark sided!"

As an atheist, it can be tempting for me to look at this headline and say, "Well, obviously! All religions are crazy!" But by that, I really just mean preposterous. And by that, I mean to me. But I think even a religious person could acknowledge that some people take their brand of religiosity a bit (or a lot) too far. I mean, there are religiously-driven people whose entire livelihood hangs on trying to turn gay people into second-class citizens. Or worse. That's nuts, right?

Turns out, maybe so.

[Excerpt]

Kathleen Taylor, Neuroscientist, Says Religious Fundamentalism Could Be Treated As A Mental Illness
 
An Oxford University researcher and author specializing in neuroscience has suggested that one day religious fundamentalism may be treated as a curable mental illness. Kathleen Taylor, who describes herself as a "science writer affiliated to the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics," made the suggestion during a presentation on brain research at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales on Wednesday. . .

Read more (with video) at: Huffington Post

Louie Gohmert is an Idiot, Part #87

Texas should be embarrassed. Eric Holder deserves a medal for putting up with Gohmert, and for the masterful asparagus dig.
 

Frivolity Break: Would You Have Sex with Paul Rudd?

I'm tired, and didn't get around to blogging for Wednesday. Sorry. Here's something funny to watch instead. Oh, and the obvious answer to the above is, "Yes, please."

Billy on the Street: Would You Have Sex with Paul Rudd? from Billy on the Street

Jon Stewart Rips Rumsfeld & Cheney on Torture

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm playing with Raw Story's "post it legally" feature. Of course, as far as I know, I always post things legally. but I thought I'd give it a go. And since I didn't have anything to add to this one beyond, "You, go, Jon Stewart!," I thought this was a good enough post to try it on. I have a feeling I'm going to have to do some tweaking of this service in the future though.

Jon Stewart rips Rumsfeld and Cheney: ‘Look how f*cking proud’ they are to avoid discussing torture (via Raw Story )

Daily Show host Jon Stewart observed on Monday that, as the Senate moves closer to declassifying a report trashing the Central Intelligence Agency’s “enhanced interrogation” techniques, the political figures behind it — including former Vice…

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The Gay thing: Supreme Court Declines Photographer "Religious Freedom" Case

When marriage equality activism started reaping widespread results, and began to seem inevitable in all 50 states, counter-forces tried a new tactic. Christian business owners began to claim that it was a violation of their "religious freedom" to have to sell products or services to gay couples for their weddings. There were several things wrong with these cases.

In most, there were public accommodations laws which forbid discrimination toward gay people. In most, oddly enough, there wasn't even legal "gay marriage" in the localities involved, at least not at the time. And in several, notably bakeries, the dispute wasn't even a gay wedding, but the reception after. Which is kind of strange, since receptions are seldom religious affairs.

Image from source, Washington Post

There were other problems, such as why a company would care who they sell a cake or flowers to. Why a customer's religious beliefs should have to align with the sellers. And then the practical implications, like, would it be the clerk's or the owner's religious beliefs that had to be followed? Which religions get this exemption? Which businesses should get this exemption? What law would be immune from being potentially exempted? It's a can of worms in a Pandora's Box. And it's still not clear how selling something would violate religious freedom.

The case that was before the Supreme Court was a wedding photographer. Or, more precisely, a commitment ceremony photographer,* who didn't want to take pictures for a gay couple. But SCOTUS declined to hear the case, so the lower court decision stands: the photographer loses.

*It should be noted that in the marriage equality fight, we're often confronted with the "why do they have to call it marriage?" argument. Allegedly, if we were to only be happy with civil unions, domestic partnerships and commitment ceremonies, all would be well, and the battle would end. Except that in this case, as with several others, there was no legal marriage.

[Excerpt]

Supreme Court declines case of photographer who denied service to gay couple
 
The Supreme Court declined on Monday to consider whether a New Mexico photographer had a right to refuse service to a same-sex couple who wanted her to record their commitment ceremony. . .

Read more at: Washington Post

So, That Happened: Star Trek's Kate Mulgrew Narrates Wacky Geocentrist Documentary

Why, Kate, why? I know that Star Trek: Voyager never got the respect it deserved. And I know that jobs can be scarce for actresses "of a certain age," who have some trouble getting work. But you've got Orange is the New Black going for you! It's a hit! Why oh why would you narrate some pseudo scientific clap-trap documentary, where Earth is the center of the universe? Don't you know that your voice gives gravitas to this ludicrous "theory?" Oh, Kate.

In all seriousness, I'm a Star Trek fan, and always liked Voyager, despite all of the fan whining. I got to meet Kate Mulgrew right when she first got the gig, on an autograph line in Pasadena. She was elegant, poised, friendly, and amazingly composed sitting out there in the hot California sun. Since then, I've seen her a few times at conventions. She is--without fail--one of the most interesting panelists, with compelling stories, and tangents into topics you just wouldn't expect. She's a little Shirley McClain spacey for a few moments, then comes back and ties it all together. In short, she's great. So this is a disappointment. I'll be very interested to hear her reasoning on this gig.

[Excerpt]

‘Star Trek’ actress lends her gravitas to film promoting idea that sun revolves around Earth

A new documentary film, narrated by a former Star Trek actress, promotes the long-ago disproven idea that the sun revolves around the Earth. “Everything we think we know about our universe is wrong,” says actress Kate Mulgrew as she narrates the trailer for “The Principle.” The film, which is set to be released sometime this spring, was bankrolled in part by the ultra-conservative and anti-Semitic Robert Sungenis, who maintains the blog “Galileo Was Wrong. . .”

Read more at: Raw Story

Mickey Rooney Dead at 93

Image from source, Variety

I liked Mickey Rooney in most everything I saw him in. But I'll be honest, I wasn't sure I knew he was still alive. He's got to be one of the last of his generation to pass, at least for a star of his caliber. It's nice that he got such a long life. And maybe got the last laugh on a lot of his critics. RIP, Mickey!

[Excerpt]

Mickey Rooney, Legendary Actor, Dies at 93

Mickey Rooney, the pint-sized actor who was one of MGM’s giant box office attractions in the late ’30s and early ’40s, died on Sunday. He was 93.

As adept at comedy as drama and an excellent singer and dancer, Rooney was regarded as the consummate entertainer. During a prolific career on stage and screen that spanned eight decades (“I’ve been working all my life, but it seems longer,” he once said), he was nominated for four Academy Awards and received two special Oscars, the Juvenile Award in 1939 (shared with Deanna Durbin) and one in 1983 for his body of work. . .

Read more at: Variety

Blast from the Past: Remade in the 80s (and 90s)

I have a friend who first heard the song Ticket to Ride as The Carpenters' version, and to him it's the "real" version of the song. The Beatles' original version is to him the lesser of the two. That's crazy, I know, but it really does seem to be the one you heard first that sticks and feels "real" to you. As a consequence, lots of people alive in the 1980s are far more familiar with remakes made of earlier songs, and think it is the 80s cheese that reigns supreme.

1. & 2. You Keep Me Hangin' On - Kim Wilde vs. Diana Ross & The Supremes
 

3. & 4. Venus - Bananarama vs. Shocking Blue
 

5. & 6. Hazy Shade of Winter - The Bangles vs. Simon & Garfunkel
 

7. & 8. Lean on Me - Club Nouveau vs. Bill Withers
 

9. & 10. Take a Chance on Me - Erasure vs. ABBA
 

I really saved the best for last there, didn't I? I could watch those two over and over!

Happy Monday, everybody.

SNL: "Fox & Friends" Gets Skewered Again

Always funny. And the best part is the "corrections" at the end of the segment. Keep the pause button ready!

 

Over Time with Bill Maher, April 4, 2014

Overtime: April 4, 2014

The Gay Thing: Mississippi Governor Signs "Turn Away the Gay" Bill into Law

By and large, gay rights news over the last few years has been extremely good. We've got public sentiment on the rise, and the wind at our backs. And so, the anti-gay contingent had to shift gears, and come up with a new way to be a thorn in gay peoples' sides: "religious freedom."

The argument is a bit odd. Suddenly--and this is fairly new, as far as I know--there is some sort of religious objection to selling products and services to "unrepentant sinners." Translation: gay people (because these folks are not screening their other customers for random sin violations). Where in the Bible it says "thou shalt not festoon a party with thine goods, for men who lay with men as they would a woman," but they're saying it suddenly is in there. Or something.

Going where Jan Brewer feared to tread. Ass.
Image from source, Huffington Post.

But it's tremendously short sighted. Just wait until they realize that they're not the only religion in Mississippi. Wait until they're on the receiving end of a legal carve-out for a Muslim business. Or some newly made-up religion made for the express purpose of dodging a law. But most of all? Wait until the lawsuits start rolling in. The best thing to say about this is: it's Mississippi. It's very easy to avoid.

[Excerpt]

Mississippi Governor Signs Anti-Gay Bill

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill Thursday that supporters say will assure unfettered practice of religion without government interference but that opponents worry could lead to state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians. The bill, called the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act, will become law July 1. It also will add "In God We Trust" to the state seal. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

David Letterman Set to Retire

Dave with Betty White, coincidentally, also a Mary
Tyler Moore costar. Image from source, Huffington Post.

Back in the 1970s, America's Sweetheart, Mary Tyler Moore had a critically-acclaimed and massively popular sitcom, called (oddly enough) The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Then she quit, and the show ended while on top. But Mary wasn't tired of TV, she just wanted to do a variety show, and so she did, called (oddly enough) Mary. This show was neither critically-acclaimed, nor massively popular. But it had one very important ingredient: repertory player David Letterman.

A couple years later, somebody realized that Dave was a talented and funny guy. There was a big media campaign to get us to watch the daytime series, The David Letterman Show (where do they get these names?). It tanked, fast. But somehow, the schmucks behind the scenes at NBC realized they had something on their hands, and they created Late Night with David Letterman, to follow The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. It was a cult hit right off the bat, and became a late night institution.

I am old enough to remember all of the above. Though I don't think I caught much of Mary or Dave's original daytime show, I was enough of a pop culture sponge to have seen both, and was up on the stories behind them. And I watched Late Night from episode one.  I followed Dave to CBS when NBC snubbed him for Jay Leno. And though I long ago became a Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, I still often catch Dave on Fridays, on Daily Show/Colbert Report rerun weeks, and whenever he has Rachel Maddow on! So, congratulations to Dave Letterman on three-plus very successful decades on late night TV. I'll miss him when he goes, even if I don't always watch.

[Excerpt]

David Letterman Retiring After 33 Years As Late Night Host
 
David Letterman is retiring in 2015 after 33 years as a late night host. Letterman announced the news during a taping of Thursday's episode of "Late Show." He called CBS president Leslie Moonves before the program, "And I said ‘Leslie, it’s been great, you’ve been great, and the network has been great, but I’m retiring.'" The late night host explained that "Moonves, he and I have had a relationship for years and years and years, and we have had this conversation in the past, and we agreed that we would work together on this circumstance and the timing of this circumstance. . ."

Read more at: Huffington Post


And here is a video from Mary with the star singing "With a Little Luck" with her cast, including David Letterman, Swoozie Kurtz and David Letterman. It's pretty bad.

 

Supreme Court Decides There's Not Enough Money in Politics

Image from source, Wonkette

Wednesday's Supreme Court decision to strike some campaign finance laws has me bugged. The 2010 Citizens United decision unleashed the floodgates of shady money, and we've seen the result in just crazy saturation of political ads. Money choses candidates. Even the GOP lost out last time, when Mitt Romney won the money wars then lost the election (yes, Karl Rove, he really did lose).

But SCOTUS wasn't done. It's still too restrictive for the poor rich donors. Money equals speech they say, and apparently, more money equals more speech. You aren't a gazillionaire? So sorry, your message will henceforth be drowned out! It sucks. It's sucks hard. And it's not over. Justice Clarence "Coke Can" Thomas thinks there should be no restrictions! So there's that to look forward to.

[Excerpt]

Supreme Court Decides Citizens United Part Two: The Dickening

. . .This morning, the Supreme Court handed down a decision in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. Why do you care? Because this sucker is this year’s Citizens United, and you can practically hear your right to free and fair elections tick tick ticking away, America. Where Citizens gave us those cool-ass SuperPACs so that people like Sheldon Adelson can throw $10 million at one candidate but it is totally not at one candidate because SuperPACs are magic. But wait! That didn’t really work out very well and those meddling Democrats STILL won things and we STILL haven’t broken the election system enough to completely exclude the blahs and the poors. . .

Read more at: Wonkette

The Gay Thing: Mississippi Passes "Turn Away the Gay" Law

Seriously? Again? I'm sorry, crazy religious nuts, could you be any more obvious that you're shopping these bills from state to state? And even worse, you find these un-American, legally illiterate legislatures to pass them? There's no sane person who thinks this would pass Constitutional muster. It's so infuriatingly stupid. And this one--unlike every other attempt--just might pass. Unless America has enough righteous outrage left in it over this issue (and the news cycle allows). I suspect that many people are plumb tuckered out lately, and that they'll shrug and say, "meh, it's Mississippi, lost cause anyway."

[Excerpt]

Mississippi legislature approves ‘turn away the gays’ bill
 
The Mississippi legislature approved late Tuesday a “turn away the gays” measure that would enable businesses and individuals in the state to discriminate against or refuse services to LGBT people on religious grounds — making a signature from the governor the last remaining step before the bill becomes law. . .

Read more at: Washington Blade

President Takes Rare Victory Lap on ObamaCare's Successful Start Up

I used victory lap in the title because absolutely everyone is. And maybe it's because Obama doesn't do that very much. It's not that there have been no victories, it's that the news cycle moves so fast, there never seems to be enough acknowledgement of them. So, after an admittedly disastrous rollout of the website, which allowed Republicans to prematurely paint the program as a failure (well, moreso than they would have in any event), I think the Prez is in his right to spike the football (also a popular phrase), now that the first enrollment cycle is successfully complete.

Now, can we please talk about something else? I'm so, so tired of this topic. And please don't say "Benghazi." And yeah, here's a little more Maddow, because she's good at this stuff.
 

Stephen Colbert Responds to #CancelColbert

Of course, the twitter 'splosion that was the short-lived #CancelColbert trend happened after Colbert taped his last show of the week last week. So on Monday, he finally got to respond. It was worth the wait.

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,Video Archive

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,Video Archive

ObamaCare™ Failed to Fail

It's a wonder we got here, with the Affordable Care Act's first year's sign-ups done or in some measure of doneness (yes, those still queued up get to finish the process).  What with the botched rollout giving it two black eyes and a lame leg, and obstruction from Republicans every step of the way, it didn't seem like they'd ever get over the finish line. But here we are, and if Rachel Maddow is correct, this is the end of ObamaCare™ as a big national news story.

It'll still be used as a sledge hammer in the primaries and fall election, by Republicans who seem to have it as their only strategy. So you know, there will still be a parade of "horror stories," the majority of which will prove to be frauds. And the Congress will likely vote to repeal it a few more dozen times. But all of these people who signed up will now be customers. Those unaffected will be unlikely to sustain the manufactured rage they've been made to feel about it. And in time, we'll stop calling it ObamaCare­®, and go back to calling it the ACA.