Month: May 2009

Uncategorized7 Comments

Not a Satisfactory Answer

In watchingthe California Supreme Court try to split the baby in some completely egregious way this week, I was saddened for my friends in the gay community. The court upheld Prop 8, which others far more intelligent and involved than I, can parse at length regarding the legal issues involved. From an outsiders view, it seemed to me to be a case of “you’re just thiissss clossseee to being what you want, but we don’t want to give it to you” that you get from grade-school kids on the playground. Doing what’s right isn’t always easy. I get that, so … Continue reading Not a Satisfactory Answer

Uncategorized2 Comments

Newt’s Gone Off His Meds Again

Something I find sadly informativere:Newt’s latest ‘intellectual’ flatulence is the response from the political press, which is to assume that this dessicated creep is saying something newsworthy. Not two weeks ago, this same Newt Gingrich demonstrated quite clearly that he was and remains an ass and buffoon, using the public airwaves to throw a tantrum about remarks made byNancy Pelosi…remarks that turn out to be “probably right.” But the political reporters either have the attention span of gnats…or the mentality of gossip columnists. Actually, I apologize–to gossip columnists, who make no claim towards serious journalism. Oh, and I seeKarl Rove‘s … Continue reading Newt’s Gone Off His Meds Again

So Called Liberal Media8 Comments

Print Isn’t Dead

Say the guys who make the things that give you the print: But all the gloom-and-doom predictions that newspapers will one day disappear isn’t scaring workers at the Kaspar Sho-Rack Company, based in Shiner, Texas. The company lays claim to being the world’s largest manufacturer of coin-operated and no-charge newspaper vending machines. Don Kaspar is president and a fourth-generation member of a family business that began in 1898 manufacturing wire products. “There’ll be printed newspapers for years and years” said Kaspar, president of a company that is actually part of the larger Kaspar Wireworks. Still, he concedes, “Business is down … Continue reading Print Isn’t Dead

Law/Justice4 Comments

Sotomayor for Supreme Court

Throwdown: WASHINGTON –President Barack Obama tapped federal appeals judgeSonia Sotomayor for theSupreme Court on Tuesday, officials said, making her the first Hispanic in history picked to wear the robes of a justice. If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor, 54, would succeed retiringJustice David Souter. Two officials described Obama’s decision on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made. Administration officials say Sotomayor would bring more judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice confirmed in the past 70 years. A formal announcement was expected at midmorning. Obama had said publicly he wanted a justice who combined intellect … Continue reading Sotomayor for Supreme Court

Economy6 Comments

TEDDY K

On health care, not just coverage: But reform isn’t just about coverage. It’s essential to bring down the cost of healthcare. That’s why a second major element of our reform is cost reduction. We’ll go after fraud and abuse, cut red tape, and make sure that doctors and patients know of the latest, most effective therapies for their conditions. As experience has shown, it’s better – and cheaper – to get it right the first time rather than have patients go in and out of the hospital. So we’ll start paying for the overall quality of care, not the quantity … Continue reading TEDDY K

Economy3 Comments

Dog Whistles Only Work on Dogs

DougJ: But the fact is that screaming about about quota queens and welfare moms and young bucks buying T-bone steaks simply is not a magic bullet anymore. It works with white southerners and it works with Chris Matthews’ cranky uncle. But the Republican party has already maxed out with that demographic. Unless they can improve their standing with women, Latinos, and younger voters, they’re screwed.Obviously, attacking a Latino woman for being a Latino woman will hurt politically with Latinos and women. And younger voters don’t hear 40 year-old dog whistles that well. I think they hear them just fine, I … Continue reading Dog Whistles Only Work on Dogs

Law/Justice12 Comments

You just have to wait…

I’m in aSupremes kinda mood, what with Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination and all. I’ve been following with particular interest the potential makeup of the court with Sotomayor on it. And there’s one thing that keeps coming up, besides the obvious first Latina story. As Josh Marshall points out, Sotomayorwould be thesixth Catholic on the court. Which, in my mind, begs the question: Where is the representation for the non-religious on the highest court in the land? I’m one of roughly34 million people (pdf) in the United States who identify themselves as having no religious affiliation. That’s 15% of the U.S. population. … Continue reading You just have to wait…

Immoral Values9 Comments

There’s Always Somebody Making All Rich Assholes Look Like Assholes

ViaChicagoist, here we havea mishmash of fear of poverty, racism, crap communication, typical city bullshit, and the entire classist sundae is topped off with a heaping spoonful of entitlement: One of Chicago’s more successful public schools sits just a stone’s throw from the new Barneys store in theGold Coast. Ogden Elementary is the type of place where well-heeled parents pick up their offspring in luxury cars, with many of the children destined for a full slate of after-school activities to foster their development. But the aging school at 24 W. Walton St. will temporarily close next month while it gets … Continue reading There’s Always Somebody Making All Rich Assholes Look Like Assholes

Immoral Values3 Comments

Thank Heaven, Here is Not All the World

Good God, there are days when it seems like the fight will never, ever, ever be over, right? A new ballot initiative will putCalifornia back into the gay-marriage fight, which has considerably broadened in the months since Prop 8 passed. States likeVermont andMaine have embraced gay marriage, and New York is among others that may do so soon. And in a telling bit of irony, Moreno began his dissent by quoting not from his own court’s historic 2008 opinion, but from one issued earlier this year in Iowa. “The ‘absolute equality of all’ persons before the law [is] ‘the very … Continue reading Thank Heaven, Here is Not All the World

Marriage Equality2 Comments

Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

The book of love has music in it In fact that’s where music comes from Some of it is just transcendental Some of it is just really dumb but I love it when you sing to me and you you can sing me anything The book of love is long and boring and written very long ago It’s full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes and things we’re all too young to know but I love it when you give me things and you ought to give me wedding rings -Stephin Merritt Disappointed? Of course. But not surprised. I timed my … Continue reading Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

Stupid Republican Tricks3 Comments

Stop the Filibuster!

I wonder if Perkins and Dobson will host anotherJustice Sunday on Sotomayor’s behalf: Dobson and his allies seem determined to force the confrontation. On April 24 they hosted a “Justice Sunday” rally at a Southern Baptist church in Louisville, Ky. During the event, which was broadcast to conservative churches all over America, speakers insisted that Democratic opposition to the Bush judges is a form of religious bigotry. The event at Highview Baptist Church was officially sponsored by the Dobson-affiliated Family Research Council. Speakers included Dobson andFRC President Tony Perkins. During his remarks, Dobson called the Supreme Court “unelected and unaccountable” and … Continue reading Stop the Filibuster!

Law/Justice6 Comments

In Honor of Sonia Sotomayor

My Favorite Supremes List: Best name ever: Bushrod Washington (runner-up: Felix Frankfurter) (No, there’s not a theme there. Whatever would give you that idea?) Best Hometown Boy: Byron “Whizzer” White–went to the University of Colorado (Woo!)–I include his nickname because he hated it, and he was the only Democratic appointee to dissent from Roe v. Wade. (the poop) Best Case Ever: Marbury v. Madison–gotta go with the source of judicial review here, without which the vast majority of other influential cases would never have seen the court at all. Thank you, John Marshall, for helping the Judicial branch grow a … Continue reading In Honor of Sonia Sotomayor

So Called Liberal Media9 Comments

Do They Think Because It’s a Holiday Weekend They Can Be Extra Stupid?

Sweet Jesus in a raspberry rhubarb pie: CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In political debate, the side that keeps its arguments simple and repeats them again and again is likely to gain the advantage. It is an easier sale, especially when the topic is as scary as terrorism. IT’S ONLY A “DEBATE” BECAUSE YOU FUCKMOOKS FRAMED IT AS SUCH. To the rest of us, it was the president giving a speech and an old dude everyone hates who happened to be blithering at the same time. This was an entirely media-constructed “event” and now it’s being commented upon and analyzed as … Continue reading Do They Think Because It’s a Holiday Weekend They Can Be Extra Stupid?

Stupid Republican Tricks3 Comments

Today on Tommy T’s Obsession With The Freeperati – Republican Civil War edition

Good Monday morning, guys – before you start your day (hopefully) off work (if you’re still employed), and reflect on the last and greatest sacrifice made by our servicemen and women, let’s try and catch up with the angst-in-their-pants antics of the Freepers, shall we? I know some of these are dated, but I’m ploughing through the backlog of stupidity as fast as I can. Let’s suit up and spin that airlock wheel. I’ve got a foul fetid feast of Freeperosity for your amusement. Hmmm – 1st quarter Freepathon is still going on – they’re either going to have to … Continue reading Today on Tommy T’s Obsession With The Freeperati – Republican Civil War edition

Uncategorized2 Comments

Quitting Time Booster Shot

Welcome to the QTBS, where things always run the risk of jumping up a notch… – First a h/t to Perry in the “imperfect masterpiece” comments re: the drafting of players. All players were technically undrafted free agents prior to 1966. In saying “draft” I was really referring to a signing as opposed to a free agent in today’s terms (guys who leave their teams for 70 billion dollars elsewhere (**cough** C.C. Sabathia **cough**). I probably should have said “signed,” which is more accurate and so thanks for the catch… – OK, so if I sold my house, my cars, … Continue reading Quitting Time Booster Shot