Credit Card Fraud in Scott Walker's Recall Defense?

Gov. Wanker Walker, Image from Addicting Info.

When it comes to Wisconsin politics, I make no claim to be plugged in. Though The Other Half does belong to a union, I never have. And having been raised in a Republican household, I've been told since I was a kid that, "Unions were a good idea years ago, but they've outlived their usefulness." This despite a dad in the firefighters' union! So, my take on the Scott Walker recall effort is in the larger story of the GOP 2010 freshman class of governors. They seemingly uniformly started a lurch to the hard right. This is probably because they've been spoonfed their policies by groups like ALEC.

They ran on the mantra of jobs, jobs, jobs, and then immediately started passing hundreds of anti-abortion efforts, union busting, anti-gay legislation, etc. All of it cut with an edge of meanness, from the governors to the legislators. Only Chris Christie seems to be able to pull this crap, and somehow maintain an aura of popularity. Thankfully, though my state improbably elected another Republican after our previous disaster of a governor, Nevada Gov. Sandoval hasn't blazed a trail of "screw you if you're not on my side." Which is nice.

Hey, Scott! If you get busted, please take him
with you! Image from Kingston Progressive.

Anyway, so Walker was dragged kicking and screaming into a recall election. But because his radical agenda would be so besmirched if he actually got recalled, the money has come a-rolling in. Yeah, yeah, I know the unions have been spending some jack too. But why wouldn't they? They're the ones Walker has been attacking after all. And I don't think they're matching the firepower of Karl Rove (horrible, horrible man) Reince Priebus, and the rest of the GOP cash machine.

Right now, Walker is leading. Not by insurmountable margin, but by enough that he probably isn't sweating too hard just yet. Then again, he might have different reasons to be sweating. There seems to be an unusual amount of corruption around Mr. Walker. Might the opposition (where are you, DNC?), be able to make a little hay out of this?

[Excerpt]

Scott Walkers New Fund Raising Scheme: Credit Card Fraud?

Many people have had it happen before. You go to the store, attempt to make a purchase for which you have funds in your credit/debit account and get declined. Sometimes this is a mere error. Maybe you made a few purchases that were abnormally large recently. Perhaps you took a trip and they flagged as they often do when you don’t notify them. Or sometimes, as we are now finding out, you may have a fraudulent donation to “Friends of Scott Walker. . .”

Read more at: Addicting Info

Conspiracy Corner: Arizona Goes Full-on Birther

This is getting ridiculous. An over-the-top conspiracy theory that has been shot down on every front (don't believe me, go here), still has adherents in important places in government. What is wrong with them? And what is wrong with Arizona?

Certainly not a racist. Image from source,
Think Progress.

There is a fundamental problem with the birther theory, and it is a familiar one if you follow these sorts of things: Occam's Razor. Occam states that the easiest solution is also the most likely. And putting a very pregnant Mrs. Obama in Kenya in August of 1961, having the baby there, and then getting little Barack back into the United States and having two papers post proper birth notices? It's improbable to such a high degree as to be very nearly impossible. The state of communications and travel in 1961 were far, far more prohibitive. And prohibitively expensive. Why would a white woman of limited means travel with her short-term husband to an African country where he actually had another wife? Nobody has found even the tiniest bit of evidence that any of this happened either.And like any good conspiracy theory, everything that is debunked is ignored.

It's preposterous, and it smacks of racism, I don't care if they call me a "race-baiter" for it. No other President has had these ridiculous accusations and baseless charges thrown at him in this way. Are Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney being hounded for their parents' places of birth? John McCain? What is different about this guy, Obama? What, oh what could it be?

[Excerpt]

Arizona’s Top Election Official Goes Birther, Threatens To Keep Obama Off The Ballot

Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett — the state’s top election official — made an appearance on a local radio show yesterday in which he threatened to keep President Obama’s name off of the state’s November ballot unless the state of Hawaii provides his official birth certificate. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Disco Queen Donna Summer Dead at 63

Not all celebrity deaths necessarily make me sad. Some are like, "oh, he's still alive?" or "who?" Not this one. This one took me by surprise, and made me sad. I even finished my work day by playing an hour's worth of her hits. Donna Summer was disco (sorry, Bee Gees), and was really, really good at it. This weekend, I'll do a Donna Summer retrospective in my regular Blast from the Past column. For today, I'm just going to give you my favorites:

RIP, LaDonna.

Please Follow and Like Greenlee Gazette on Twitter and Facebook

Since I started a Facebook page for Greenlee Gazette several months ago, I've gotten into the habit of posting most everything from the main blog there, as well as almost as much original (Facebook only) content. This is because sharing on Facebook is quite a bit easier and faster than posting something to the blog. And then, links to everything show up on the Twitter feed.

Click Here for Greenlee Gazette on Facebook  •  Click Here for Greenlee Gazette on Twitter

But, I need your help! Though I appreciate every "like" I've gotten so far, the total (counting me) so far is kind of scanty. My good friend and collaborator Stupid Monkey Planet is faring much better with his Stupid Monkey Planet Church of Primatheism, having hopscotched (it helps if you have a tail) well past me. He's got a little ways to go until he's (in-)famous, but he's well on his way. And in his transition to another homebase in another tree, I will continue to support him. But, even though Greenlee Gazette has remained fairly steady in "likes", it is not. . .well. . .growing.

Fortunately, I recently found out that I have far more readers than I ever realized, at least here on the main blog. But, I'd really like to have some of you like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Just click the buttons below to go directly to my pages. You can even follow the Monkey if you must. Thank you for reading, and bring your friends!

     

High Fructose Corn Syrup Might Make You Stupid

A "corn sugar" fan.

Now, this would explain a lot. They put high fructose corn syrup in every damned thing. I don't know why they do, but they do. How do I know? Because I've been on a slightly modified version of the Atkins Diet most of the time (with wagon falls) over the last five or six years. When you start reading nutritional information, and start wondering, why does this salad have 15,742 grams of carbs? You realize they've pumped everything full of "corn sugar." Yes, they really call it that now. Time was, food producers were scared of the word "sugar." Super Sugar Crisp became Golden Crisp (after a journey through Super Honey Crisp and probably others, with a mascot formerly called Sugar Bear!). But when you have an unnatural product like HFCS that you desperately want to seem "natural," you call it sugar.

So, now that much of America looks like People of Wal-Mart, and those people have decided to be arch-conservative tea baggers, you have to wonder where that all comes from. Corn sugar! It's making them stupid! It all makes so much sense now.


[Excerpt]

High fructose corn syrup might make you stupid

Eating too much sugar can eat away at your brainpower, according to US scientists who published a study Tuesday showing how a steady diet of high-fructose corn syrup sapped lab rats' memories. . .

Read more at: AmericaBlog

The Best New Thing in the World Today: Jane Lynch

I'm a gay man, and I dig this photo!

The phrase "Jane Lynch on Rachel Maddow" is kind of rife with double entendre (and may throw certain ladies into spasms of joy), but she was. Jane Lynch, that is, on The Rachel Maddow Show. And she was terrific! An absolute natural. Which could be expected for a woman known for her improvisational comedy. And while she says she wouldn't want to be a cable news host for real, I can seriously see her playing one in a movie, can't you? Calling Christopher Guest! Best in News awaits!

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

Mitt Romney Auto-Tuned: What Does Mitt Like?

For as stiff and forced as Mitt Romney is in most any salutation, he is--unwittingly--being a surprising source of comedy. Here, the Gregory Brothers of Auto-Tune the News fame take their shots.

James Lipton Gives Mitt Romney Advice on How to Act Human

In case you missed it, here's the priceless bit by Inside the Actors Studio host, James Lipton, teaching Mitt Romney how to be human. It's not just dryly funny, it's excellent advice. Particularly on Romney's robotic, mirthless laugh. Enjoy.

Right-wing World: A New Faux Scandal Is Born!

I know I have a tendency to over-rely on The Rachel Maddow Show clips sometimes, but this one isn't just good, or just blogworthy. It's important. It's the birth of a right-wing world meme, deconstructed almost simultaneously as it is constructed. It's a bunch of hoo-hah about some rich Romney organizer named Vandersloot (who I thought was in jail for killing that Natalee Halloway girl). It's a story that has already gone to such ridiculous lengths, that FOX "News" is calling President Obama a terrorist.

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

Why Standing Up for Marriage Equality Could Get Obama Re-elected

Yeah, Newsweek? Not helping. Image from source.

I started this blog almost five years ago after extreme Bush fatigue.  Plus FOX "News" and the whole right-wing noise machine, really. At that point, I was a semi-regular commenter and a constant reader of John Aravosis' AmericaBlog.com. I refreshed the home page of that site many times on any given day. In the haze of Karl Rove-brewed alternate reality, I'd found a place that made me feel sane. So, I was inspired to become a blogger myself. Not a full-time career blogger like Aravosis of course, but at least it gave me an outlet. He's sort of my blogfather (a term I wish I invented, alas I did not).

After Obama was elected, the tone at AmericaBlog got a little strident for my taste. Being gay like me--but much more of an actual activist--Aravosis' focus could sometimes stray deep into the gay weeds. The stories rubbed me the wrong way a bit of the time, but the comments section ran me out. It was all, "Obama doesn't care about gay people!" and "we're not voting for him, he's not going fast enough," and when I'd try to comment on the futility of that, I was run out as a "concern troll." It left me a little bitter.

But I got over it. The site seemed to become a little less strident. I still read it several times a week, even if I don't check it every hour any more. I mostly stay out of the comments section. And I still have a thing for Aravosis, a man who I respect, despite my for-a-time disagreement. He started it all for me, and he's still a heck of a writer. Witness. . .


[Excerpt]

John Aravosis, image from bartnagel.com

Why Gays Did President Obama a Favor by Pushing Him on Gay Marriage

“Black voters will freak.” That’s what the chattering class kept warning those of us pushing President Obama to endorse same-sex marriage. He’ll lose the black vote and energize evangelicals all the way to defeat this November, they told us. And, of course, it would be the fault of the gay community for making such an unreasonable demand. . .

Read more at: The Daily Beast

Romney Economics: Bankruptcy and Bailouts at GST Steel

This long-form anti-Romney ad from the Obama camp is prety damning. I like the way this campaign is going. The time for pulling punches is long past.

Look Out! It's Zombie Ayn Rand!!!

Republican "War on Women" is Not an Invention of the Left

I'm not sure if this is a new tactic, or one I've just never noticed before. If you're called out for bad behavior, behavior that is obvious and well documented, just deny it. Deny it vociferously and often. Blame it on the other guy! That's the GOP/Romney tactic on the so-called "war on women." The name may be made up (at least it's not WomenGate), but there are reasons--lots and lots of reasons--that the label is being attached to Romney and the Republicans.

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

Another "Mike in Raleigh" Three-Pack!

I love posting Mike in Raleigh's song parodies, but I rarely can keep up with his output. It seems that nearly every day, The Stephanie Miller Show is playing a new one. So here we go again with three instant classics (if the Blogger software will cooperate with me). This time it's a spoof of Men at Work's Who Can it Be Now; a riff on the classic 70s song Signs; and a jab at North Carolina's recent anti-gay vote. . .which if rumors are true, is inspiring Mike to soon move from Raleigh!

Ron Paul Finally Packs it In. . .Or Does He?

Image from source, TPM

So, Ron Paul, crazy, old Ron Paul is finally done campaigning. Good grief, the man would be 80 during his first (extraordinarily hypothetical) term!* But, it would seem that Paul is going to continue trying to gather delegates, something he's doing behind the scenes. Can he gather enough to win? Doubtful. But will it make Mitt Romney nervous? Hope so!

[Excerpt]

The Revolution Retreats: Ron Paul Partially Suspends Campaign

“. . .We will no longer spend resources campaigning in primaries in states that have not yet voted,” Paul wrote in an e-mail to supporters Monday. “Doing so with any hope of success would take many tens of millions of dollars we simply do not have. I encourage all supporters of Liberty to make sure you get to the polls and make your voices heard, particularly in the local, state, and Congressional elections, where so many defenders of Freedom are fighting and need your support. . .”

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

*While you're thinking about how old Paul would have been as president, think about this. Mitt Romney is 65 right now. He looks great of course. But Ronald Reagan was our oldest elected president, at 69. That puts Mittens--should he tragically be elected--in the "old" presidents category. And should he hopefully lose, it makes the likelihood of another run pretty low. But not as low as Ron Paul's.

Blast from the Past: Live Action Superheros!

All right, I've had kind of a full weekend, so I'm resorting to a rerun from a year and a half ago. Chances are, you haven't seen it, so it's new to you. . .right? And it's kind of apropos since we're in a political season again. Thanks!

ORIGINAL POST (from October 18, 2010):

This week, I almost did a "classic political ads" theme for Blast from the Past. But, geeze, I'm a little tired of political ads, aren't you? I mean here in Nevada, we're being absolutely bombarded with them.  I already early voted, enough!  We know, Harry Reid is evil according to Sharron Angle, and vice-versa. Anyway, I was stuck for a theme.  Last week, I did Saturday morning cartoons. So this time, how about live-action superheroes? They were always a favorite of mine, but you may have forgotten a couple of these. . .








1. Automan - How's this one for obscure? Obviously inspired by Tron, this one didn't last too long, probably because the pretty girl didn't have much to do. But with Desi Arnaz, Jr. and Chuck Wagner, I didn't even notice there was a girl. Ahem.
2. The Amazing Spider-Man - This 70s version of Spider-Man was low-budget, and you just can't do much with Spidey on a low-budget. The leotard just looked ridiculous. The webs were worse.
3. Wonder Woman - The classic Lynda Carter show's first season had a very comic-book flavored intro, obviously inspired by Batman. They kept tweaking it, and disco-fying it when they moved the series into the 70s from the 40s. This is my favorite version.
4. Batman - No live-action TV superhero retrospective would be complete without this one.
5. The Incredible Hulk - This show ran for most of its existence sandwiched between Wonder Woman and The Dukes of Hazzard. It was better than either, though maybe not as fun.
6. The Greatest American Hero - This theme worked for describing the hapless hero's cluelessness, and also as a love song for a guy who doesn't feel worthy. Loved the show too.
7. The Flash - I really liked this show. Too bad it only got a season. There's a movie in the works, though!
8. Shazam! - They couldn't call the show Captain Marvel due to legal reasons, and they changed Cap's back-story too much, but I never missed an episode! It was basically a ham-fisted "lesson of the week" after school special kind of show, with a superhero. If they ever do a Shazam! movie--and do it right--it will be awesome.

Happy Monday everybody!

SNL: Joe Biden Scolded for Gay Marriage Announcement

President Obama (Fred Armisen) scolds "son," Joe Biden (Jason Sudeikis) for his premature announcement approving of same-sex marriage. But he gets some sympathy from his imaginary friend, "George."

 

Over Time with Bill Maher, May 11, 2012

Ep. 248: May 11, 2012 - Overtime

Automotive Legend Carroll Shelby Dead at 89

Image from source, Jalopnik

Awww. I know he was getting up there, but it's still sad that Carroll Shelby has passed. I'm not quite a gearhead (I'm more into the style of a car than its mechanics), but I'm quite familiar with Shelby's many "special edition" cars, from Ford and Chrysler, and of course his own cars. He's a genuine automotive rock star. But beyond that, I loved him for his fantastic Carroll Shelby's Chili Mix! It's been a dietary staple in my home since the eighties! RIP Mr. Shelby.

[Excerpt]

Carroll Shelby, Automotive Legend, Dead At 89

Before reality TV, and even still to a very large degree now, the best known name associated with performance cars to the average person is Carroll Shelby, and with good reason. Shelby has been considered a legend in the field for decades, and his influence is still strong to this day. He died today at the age of 89, as a result of complications from an illness. . .

Read more at: Jalopnik

Rush Limbaugh, Champion of Traditional Marriage (4 of Them)

Does serial matrimonyist Rush Limbaugh have any business weighing in (hah!) on any discussion on marriage? After four marriages? Really?!? The truth is, whatever President Barack Obama does, says, doesn't say or doesn't do, Limbaugh will turn it into 2/3 of his show on any given day. It doesn't matter if it is good or bad, he'll use it as show material. People are always calling him "talented," and I guess it's true. His talent is turning anything about President Obama into show fodder. Obama could discover a way to turn dirt into bacon, and Limbaugh would say it was a war on pig farmers.

[Excerpt]

Rush Limbaugh: Obama Leading 'A War On Traditional Marriage'  




". . .I see, we're losing!" Limbaugh snapped. "We've arrived at a point where the president of the United States is going to lead a war on traditional marriage. You wanna call that winning? Your side is winning when the president has to lead a war on traditional marriage? When you're losing in landslides and you haven't won a state?" Limbaugh added that "zip, zero, nada" thought about gay marriage "until [liberals] decided [they] were unhappy and wanted to make everyone conform to the way [they] look at things, even if it meant bastardizing traditional words." Limbaugh stressed that "words used to mean something. . ." 

Read more at: Huffington Post