E-FUCKING-NOUGH!

POSTED BY JHW22

So the new rant is that Obama is going to cut Medicare and Social Security. That meme hit wicked fast and furious last night and spiraled into a frenzy of lefties being outraged with Obama based on anonymous sources saying something vague. (Too many links to choose from but if you don't know what I'm talking about by now, just check Twitter).

But what troubles me is that liberal, smart, strategic players are now picking up that meme and saying there's a line in the sand and we won't do this or that and "heck, this" and "hell, no that" and on and on.

So here's what I hate: that line in the sand, when it comes to Medicare and Social Security, SHOULD NOT be drawn. They SHOULD be on the table. We SHOULD INSIST that entitlements be cut. For some.

So I keep asking this question of all the line-in-the-sand-drawers:

A) What if the backs we make changes on are those of M(B)illionaires?

B) Are you open to means testing?

C) Are you open to removing contribution caps?

D) Why aren't those things part of the Dems talking points today?

The line in the sand language needs to be fleshed out because I am FOR cuts in Medicare and SS if that means Warren Buffet doesn't get the max (or any) SS or Medicare. Give him a health insurance voucher. Fine by me.

Let's not frame this as a fight within the Dems against some rumored report that Obama is going to do something bad and actually frame the debate that Dems will make sound changes to entitlements and stay true to keeping the entitlements for the people who need them and NOT for the people who don't.

Once we start with the line in the sand talk, we look like fools if we jump over that line and say, "Well except for..." And we only piss off the idiot Angry Left people who only read headlines and hear soundbites and then we have a messaging management problem for two fucking days and can't pay attention to anything REAL.

For crying out loud, why are smart Democrats over-simplifying this discussion?

At least Representative Clyburn gets it (Hardball clip to follow), except he did have to be pulled back from the stringent talking points to get to the common sense strategery.

UPDATE: Here's the Hardball segment with Rep. Clyburn.

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

Murdoch Shuts Down London Tabloid

Due to the recent findings in the investigations into The News of the World's phone hacking allegations, other misconduct has been found, including police bribery and interfering with a murder investigation, causing Murdoch to shut down the best-selling tabloid and quit while he's behind.

...The News of the World, a British tabloid owned by a division of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, the newspaper will be closed down after publishing one final edition this Sunday.

James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch in his press release:

"The good things the News of the World does, however, have been sullied by behavior that was wrong. Indeed, if recent allegations are true, it was inhuman and has no place in our Company.

The News of the World is in the business of holding others to account. But it failed when it came to itself.

In 2006, the police focused their investigations on two men. Both went to jail. But the News of the World and News International failed to get to the bottom of repeated wrongdoing that occurred without conscience or legitimate purpose. Wrongdoers turned a good newsroom bad and this was not fully understood or adequately pursued.

As a result, the News of the World and News International wrongly maintained that these issues were confined to one reporter. We now have voluntarily given evidence to the police that I believe will prove that this was untrue and those who acted wrongly will have to face the consequences."

Pretty amazing reaction since the paper's been in print for 168 years.

A Ted Nugent Op-Ed?!

It is to laugh.

Ted Nugent, the rock 'n roll star from the 70's turned conservative activist and gun nut, has written an op-ed for the Washington Times called "Obama Punks America" in which he spreads the debunked claim that the stimulus cost $287,000 per job. Go on and read it if you like as it takes nothing less than a 5th grade reading level to get through it. But even a 5th grader will tell you that the amount of the stimulus divided by the number of jobs created does not equal the amount each job cost.

[AP, 11/2/09, via Nexis]:

The reality is more complex.

First, the naysayers' calculations ignore the value of the work produced.

Any cost-per-job figure pays not just for the worker, but for material, supplies and that worker's output -- a portion of a road paved, patients treated in a health clinic, goods shipped from a factory floor, railroad tracks laid.

Second, critics are counting the total cost of contracts that will fuel work for months or years and dividing that by the number of jobs produced only to date.

A construction project, for one, may only require a few engineers to get going, with the work force to swell as ground is broken and building accelerates.

Hundreds of such projects have been on the books, in which the full value of the contracts is already counted in the spending totals, but few or no jobs have been reported yet because the work is only getting started.

To flip the equation politically, it's as if the 10-year cost of George W. Bush's big tax cuts were compared with the benefits to the economy that only accrued during the first year.

Third, the package approved by Congress is aimed at more than direct job creation, although employment was certainly central to its promotion and purpose.

Its features include money for research, training, plant equipment, extended unemployment benefits, credit assistance for businesses and more -- spending meant to pay off over time but impossible to judge in a short-term job formula.

Nor do the estimates made Friday include indirect employment already created by the package -- difficult if not impossible to measure.

Nowhere in the editorial does Nugent include the fact that $282 billion in stimulus spending was in the form of tax cuts for the rubes who waste money on his concert tickets, something that would usually have the GOP's nipples get hard, and something they fought to get into the package, but since it was provided by a Democratic president (and a Kenyan at that!) they voted against en masse, but still like to take credit for it.

Interesting that a newspaper would give a guy, who threatened the current President of the United States while he was still a Senator, along with two other Senators in a concert setting while waving machine guns around, an op-ed column to reprise a 21-month old bogus claim. But I don't completely blame this bit of idiocy on Nugent alone. After all, he's citing the Weekly Standard's Jeffrey Anderson, who for some reason chooses to mislead on the numbers and the report he's basing it on. I wonder why?

So, is this the strategy? Are we going to rehash stimulus spending for the next 16 months until the election? Because if so, my guess is that the voters who benefitted from those jobs saved or created will be voting Democratic - all 2.4 to 3.6 million and counting.

Special Education

POSTED BY JHW22

Remember when Sarah Palin ran for VP and said she would be an advocate for families of children with special needs? Anyone know what she's done about that? I don't. Seriously. I haven't heard or seen anything from her on this -- not in any big way. You'd think with that bus tour and all the media coverage, and each visit she makes to *trump* another Republican's special announcements and all that media coverage, she'd make a point of saying SOMETHING, right? Has she and we just haven't heard it? I think she talks about special needs when she does radio interviews, but not more so than fishing or the lamestream media or Obama. In fact, she probably talks more about people being mean to her kids than about what we can do to help kids with special needs.

I'd really like her to talk more, I think. I guess I don't know that I would. I have no idea what she'd say. Maybe I am glad she is quiet.

But here's the deal: a lot of cities and states are having serious budget problems and are cutting education and specifically special education. And yet, I don't think she's said anything about this. What's more interesting is that federal stimulus funds were sent to states to help keep programs and teachers on the job for kids with special needs. And that stimulus money was designed to run out. Yet, Republican Governors and legislators have welcomed the money (while bemoaning it) and haven't done anything to find ways to replace it. Some states (the above link to the Brownback article for example) are even willing to lose federal funding to schools and special education because of their so-called principles.

Then, in October of 2010, President Obama signed Rosa's Law, changing references in federal law from mental retardation to intellectual disability, and references to a mentally retarded individual to an individual with an intellectual disability, I don't know that Palin made any Facebook posts.

I can't find a Facebook post or Tweet of her congratulating Obama for signing a law that prevents the government from using a term she found a fire-able offense when used by one of his employees. She made a show of that. Yet, I can't find anything on Rosa's Law.

So where is Sarah Palin on this issue that is so important to her brand? I don't know what she's saying about special education funding. I just don't see anything.

Maybe I am not looking hard enough. But for someone who loves to take the microphone by the horns, she sure hasn't used HER bully pulpit to forward anything on special needs. Was she only going to be a fierce advocate if elected?

She has the stage. What's she waiting for?

Anyone On Fox News Channel Covering This?

This is disgusting:

The scandal over Rupert Murdoch's News of the World tabloid has exploded across London, with Scotland Yard investigating the possibility that reporters and investigators for the paper hacked into the phones of victims of 7/7 -- the so-called London bus bombings of July 7, 2005, in which terrorists targeted the city's bus and subway systems and killed 52 people.

Outrage has spread since the original accusation that News of the World hacked the cell phone of Milly Dowler, a 13-year-old girl who disappeared in March 2002...

...It was suggested today that someone cleared out Dowling's voice mail, hoping family or friends would leave the girl messages the paper could then quote.

Murdoch called the hacking "deplorable and unacceptable" if it was actually proven, but currently stands by the paper's chief executive, Rebekah Brooks.

I don't watch Fox News Channel because I value my sanity, but please let me know if they've been following this story if you happen to watch.

Just An Observation

I don't have an opinion about the Casey Anthony case. I haven't followed it closely enough to form one, although judging by the reaction to the not guilty verdict, it seems similar to another OJ Simpson type of outcome. She was tried by a jury and was found guilty of four counts of providing false information to law enforcement, which means she could be freed having served three years during the trial.

I just find it ironic that a murder trial over a three year period ended just one day before the trial of Roger Clemens starts.

Clemens was indicted last August on charges of obstruction of Congress, perjury and false statements as a result of testimony he gave to Congress regarding use of performance enhancing drugs, specifically steroids and human growth hormone, or HGH.

If found guilty, Clemens could actually serve more time than Casey Anthony did... for lying about taking steroids.

I do have an opinion about Clemens and the Congressional actions on Major League Baseball, but they're irrelevant for the purposes of this post. The whole thing is just kind of strange and a little sad, isn't it?

ADDING..."The Devil is dancing tonight"?! Nancy Grace needs to take a valium.


ALSO... Check out Bob Cesca's post: Thank You, Chris Hayes

Monkey Awesomeness

Daily Mail: ...Visiting a national park in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, award-winning photographer Mr [David] Slater left his camera unattended for a while.

It soon attracted the attention of an inquisitive female from a local group of crested black macaque monkeys, known for their intelligence and dexterity.

Fascinated by her reflection in the lens, she then somehow managed to start the camera. The upshot: A splendid self-portrait.

They Are All Around Us

The next time someone thinks armed people showing up at presidential rallies with sidearms is nothing more than expressing their 2nd Amendment rights and no big deal, you should remind them about this story:

To James Vernon McVay, who was arrested Saturday after a police chase on Interstate 90 near Madison, killing 75-year-old Maybelle Schein in South Dakota was the first step in a long-pondered plan to kill President Obama, according to South Dakota court records...

...McVay said he started "solidifying" his plan to kill Obama about two weeks ago, when he learned he was to be released on parole from the South Dakota State Penitentiary.

McVay said he needed to "get blood on (his) hands" and "get experience" killing people. He said he wanted to go to affluent areas of Sioux Falls to where the "high and mighty Christians" lived to prove to them that they were "not invincible."

Do Not Believe Jon Cornyn

Over the weekend, Texas Senator Jon Cornyn appeared on Fox News Sunday and said he was open to the idea of closing loopholes and cutting corporate subsidies as an overall part of tax reform. And this morning it seems like the media is jumping all over this as an example of how Republicans are willing to compromise.

“I think it’s clear that the Republicans are opposed to any tax hikes, particularly during a fragile economic recovery,” Mr. Cornyn said on “Fox News Sunday.” “Now, do we believe tax reform is necessary? I would say absolutely.”

He also included that he thought there wouldn't be enough time for tax reform measures to be changed at such a late date, so let's do this thing now, give the Republicans what they want now, and then in August let's talk about tax reform.

Bullshit.

Don't believe Jon Cornyn. Tax reform for whom? Shall we rehash the Ryan plan all over again and reform taxes that look like a 10% decrease in upper income earners and a tax increase for those than can least afford it? And what guarantee do Democrats have if they went along with Cornyn's idea of tax reform after August? Will he pull a Chris "rotten prick" Christie and stab them in the back? And one other thing the pundits didn't mention in their rush to tweak their nipples at Cornyn's willingness to "compromise":

[Cornyn] insisted that any changes in taxes be “revenue neutral,” meaning that the government would not take in any more money from individuals or businesses than it does now.

Well then what's the fucking point of tax reform if not to dig ourselves out of this shithole that's been created over the last 10 years and not just since January 20th, 2009 as these jackasses would have you believe?

Once again, there is absolutely no way to get out of this debt "crisis" we are in solely by cutting spending on the backs of the middle and lower class while the GOP insist that no revenue increases be applied on those who can most afford it, namely big oil corporations with record breaking profits who still receive government subsidies, hedge fund manager loopholes and lower and lower tax rates on millionaires and billionaires.

ADDING... John McCain mentioned something about tax revenue increases too, but does anyone really care what McCain has to say anymore?

Quote of the Day

If the debt ceiling talks fail, independents voters will see that Democrats were willing to compromise but Republicans were not. If responsible Republicans don’t take control, independents will conclude that Republican fanaticism caused this default. They will conclude that Republicans are not fit to govern.

And they will be right.

~David Brooks, July 4th, 2011 New York Times Op-Ed

When a dyed in the wool conservative like David Brooks can see the writing on the wall, you know that the GOP is in trouble.

Democrats can not cave to a debt ceiling deal with absolutely no revenue increases.

Happy Independence Day

As has become tradition on this blog, I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, healthy and safe July 4th holiday, and suggest you take a few minutes out of your day to read and reflect on the Declaration of Independence.

...At least you'll be ahead of the game against most self-avowed Tea Partiers.

Music Break! Michael Brecker

I'm in one of those moods, so I always go to the source that snaps me out of it. My favorite saxophonist, Michael Brecker, who left this world too soon.

Delta City Blues

Must Reads

FactCheck.Org: Bachmann’s Waterloo - The GOP lawmaker's presidential campaign starts with a slew of off-base claims.

Deaniac83: Gay Marriage, Wall Street and How the Teabaggers Got Taken for a Ride and The Base

Steve Benen: Dems Hit Romney for Comical Flip-Flop

The Rude Pundit: Dave: A Lonely Glenn Beck Fan Contemplates the Future

Tanya Somanader: Judge Rejects Sarah Palin On Global Warming, Keeps Polar Bears On Threatened List

Paul Krugman: To The Limit

Ryan J. Reilly: Colbert's Super PAC Not Actually Called Colbert Super PAC

President Obama's Weekly Address - July 2, 2011

Cutting the Deficit and Creating Jobs

Marcus Bachmann on Gays: "Barbarians." Where's Dan Choi?

This is a particularly heinous thing to say:

"We have to understand: barbarians need to be educated. They need to be disciplined. Just because someone feels it or thinks it doesn’t mean that we are supposed to go down that road. That’s what is called the sinful nature. We have a responsibility as parents and as authority figures not to encourage such thoughts and feelings from moving into the action steps…"

That's GOP nominee contender Michele Bachmann's husband, Marcus Bachmann's position on homosexuality. He thinks they're "barbarians who need to be educated." I'm not going to blame Michele for her husband's words, although her statements obviously put her in the anti-gay faction.

But where's intrepid Lt. Dan Choi? Surely he would have the wherewithal to come out and condemn this atrocious statement. Marcus Bachmann is calling Dan Choi a barbarian that can be cured of the gay, so what does Choi have to say to that?

...*cricket*... ...*cricket*...

I haven't heard any of the news outlets mentioning any statement Choi might have and can't find anything relevant on the Internet. So I thought I'd take a look at his Twitterfeed to see his comments on being called a barbarian.

Hmmm... nothing. Just some more Obama bashing with a rehash of his snarky "What-I-think-Obama-means" tweet. What a leader for the LGBT community, huh? How very disappointing.

Quite Possibly The Dumbest Tweet Ever

Very serious Republicans.

Honorable mention to a poor soul who engaged me in a Twitter debate last night.



You can read the entire Twitter thread here for a bowl full of stupid.