Bars and Farms

I'm a bit surprised how many I've visited.

150 Best Bars in America | The Daily Meal

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Well played, Georgia. Well played.

Ga’s farm-labor crisis playing out as planned | Jay Bookman:

Thanks to the resulting labor shortage, Georgia farmers have been forced to leave millions of dollars’ worth of blueberries, onions, melons and other crops unharvested and rotting in the fields. It has also put state officials into something of a panic at the damage they’ve done to Georgia’s largest industry."

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Meet the farmer next door

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Why liberal arts matter - CNN.com

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Liberties Taken

Imagine, indeed.

How to Build a Progressive Tea Party | The Nation:

"Imagine a parallel universe where the Great Crash of 2008 was followed by a Tea Party of a very different kind. Enraged citizens gather in every city, week after week—to demand the government finally regulate the behavior of corporations and the superrich, and force them to start paying taxes. The protesters shut down the shops and offices of the companies that have most aggressively ripped off the country. The swelling movement is made up of everyone from teenagers to pensioners. They surround branches of the banks that caused this crash and force them to close, with banners saying, You Caused This Crisis. Now YOU Pay."

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Asking nicely always works.

Robert L. Borosage: Obama at the Chamber: Strategic Retreat:

"America is still a big market, and a good place to do business, in a world of increasing insecurity. Send a clear signal that we are going to balance our trade -- and that companies better plan for that -- and show the muscle to prove you mean it. Then lead a campaign to crack down on executive compensation schemes, and use every mechanism of government to defend the right of workers to organize. The howls from the business community and from lobby fronts like the Chamber would be deafening. But it is hard to image a more popular mix of policies -- and ones that might make a difference.

Instead, the president is in strategic retreat. He's embraced the old trade policies, backed away from confronting China, brought in JP Morgan Chase's chief lobbyist into the White House as chief of staff, and GE's CEO as leading economic adviser. The old economy is reasserting itself, with little but pleas to corporate patriotism to change it."

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Nice.

Obama To Cut Energy Assistance For Poor; Kerry Urges Him To Reconsider

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Oh the humanity. The liberties taken, I tells ya. The liberties.

The Most Impotant Letter of Them All | Uptown Almanac

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Keepin' it real in TN.

House of Pancakes, maybe....

Tenn. GOP lawmaker credits Hooters for success - Yahoo! News

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Dang, Y'all

Y'all:

Psychologists show how accent shapes our perception of a person

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Great documentary. Directed by Banksy

Exit Through The Gift Shop

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In news of no-shit.

"All of this crying is taking away my horny". - Simpson (with a slight alteration)

Sniffing women's tears dampens sexual desire in men, study suggests | Science | guardian.co.uk

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Conversely...

Touching makes you healthier - CNN.com

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"It has all happened before. It will all happen again".

University researchers create networked flying robots that build complex structures | Raw Story

Dammit, people, have we learned nothing from Battlestar Galactica?!?

Bet they won't require a union, either... or will they....

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Strongly Worded Letters

Stewart and Colbert might just end up saving the country in the long run.

New Survey Reveals Why Jon Stewart is the Biggest Long Term Threat to Fox News:

"Fox News has made no secret of their distaste for Colbert, and especially Jon Stewart, and it is pretty obvious why. Colbert and Stewart are educating an entire generation of younger viewers to critically think about what they see in the media. The long term health of Fox News is going to depend on their ability to attract and retain younger viewers. These are the same viewers that are watching Jon Stewart expose and mock Fox News on a nightly basis. This is why FNC goes out of its way to impugn the credibility of Stewart anytime they can. It is funny to think that the competition that may do the most long term damage to Fox News is not Keith Olbermann or Rachel Maddow, but a comedian who hosts a nightly mock newscast on a comedy network."

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Amen to this. However, I've always felt that the weak-ass Dems used the strongly worded letters with not teeth to lift the spirits of their very dispirited voters. Didn't work then and won't work now. Roll up your sleeves and get to fucking work.

Daily Kos: Strongly Worded Letters Don't Cut It:

"While Rep. Grivalja is definitely one of the Good Guys, promises that 'This time will be different' just don't cut it.

The Congressman should be doing more than writing letters about protecting Social Security, he should be protecting Social Security by introducing a bill to defund the President's Deficit Commission."

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This is not good. I'm glad I haven't touched an antibiotic in more than a decade.

Drug-resistant super bacteria found in three US states and Canada | Raw Story:

"An infectious-disease nightmare is unfolding: Bacteria that have been made resistant to nearly all antibiotics by an alarming new gene have sickened people in three states and are popping up all over the world, health officials reported Monday."

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Nice.

Texan saves Quran from burning | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

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Rare to hear such praise from a Yankee, and he definitely didn't stick around long enough to kick off some of the dirt underneath, but a nice write up.

Commentary: Southern hospitality is no joke at Alabama | PennLive.com:

"But I can tell you this much about my first trip to Alabama and I think a lot of PSU fans who made this trip would agree: Very few people associated with any team project as much grace and love for the game of college football than these folks. They’re good people. And it’s plain to see in every detail they’ve etched into their domain. Visiting it and meeting them has been a gratifying experience."

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Tea Party Jesus....

.... is kinda an asshole:

Tea Party Jesus: Blog Puts Words Of Conservatives In The Mouth Of Christ (PICTURES)

Main site:

Tea Party Jesus

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Elected Republicans seem to be under the impression that only Democrats are unemployed.

I believe this may come to bite them in the ass.

There's a bunch of broke-ass Republicans out there with no jobs. Let's see how long they remain Republican.

WSJ-Republican Voices who just lost their Unemployment Benefits:

"After over 28 years as a Republican (since I was a high school senior) I’ve changed my party affiliation to Independent. Even though I am an educated professional, I’ve been unemployed for nearly a year and I just exhausted my Tier 1 benefits. Now I’m learning that the Republican are filibustering to squelch any further extension of unemployment benefits. Despite the many philosophical differences I have with the Democrat party, I will be voting Democrat this November. Like Tim Bragg stated, these out-of-touch millionaire senators don’t give a damn for the unemployed American people. All they care about is the rich and Corporate America. Let’s hope that all of the Republicans and blue-dog Democrats lose their seats this November. And Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and all of the other Republican hacks can go to hell!"

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What the **** is wrong with Republicans?:

"Are republican voters stupid? They are constantly voting against their own self interest time and time again. They buy into the republican bullshit of ONLY REPUBLICANS CARE ABOUT AMERICA.

NO THEY DON'T. Newsflash to the Republican voters: THEY DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU. THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR PRECIOUS CORPORATIONS.

Jesus. Blocking a bill to help homeless veterans and their children?

I am a wife of a veteran. This is particuarly offensive to me. The fact that there exists ANY homeless veterans is a disgrace to this country. But since there is they should be helped but the Republicans block any effort to try and at least do something.

Fuck them."

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Evil motherfucker. @ 8.45 mln /40k a year, that's 220ish jobs.

CEO Buys $8.45 Million Property While Laying off 8,100 Workers

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Wait.... Strip clubs were actually APPROVED to be on the list at some point?

State bans welfare cards at strip clubs:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered the department to remove the clubs from the official list of businesses where welfare recipients can withdraw benefits using the state-issued cards."

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Every time they try to pick themselves up by their boot straps, the straps break.

'Merica! Fuck Yeah!

Thanks for jacking up health insurance rates!

Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee top list of fattest states in America

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1. Asshole in public yammering on his cell phone. 2. A Yankees fan. 3. Hit in the face with a baseball. 4. A glimmer of karmic love erupts in my heart:

Yankees Fan Hit In Face While Using Cell Phone (VIDEO)

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The coolness of living and playing amongst these giants has never diminished. There's nothing like walking through a cathedral of redwoods to put things in perspective.

In The Forest Of The Giants (photos)

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Conservative' Judicial Activism

Well, howdy Mr. President! Keep up this kind of talk and translate it into action, and good things might happen.

Conservative-Activist judges are destroying this country one ruling at a time. They are not concerned with justice. The goal is to implement their ideology.

I harp on this book a lot, but read The Handmaid's Tale for conservative's vision for America.

Obama Supreme Court Warning: 'Conservative' Judicial Activism Is 'What You're Now Seeing':

"WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, preparing to make his second nominee to the Supreme Court, warned Wednesday of a 'conservative' brand of judicial activism in which the courts are often not showing appropriate deference to the decision of lawmakers.

Obama made clear that his views on judicial restraint are not the only basis he will use in choosing his next nominee for the high court, a decision expected over the next few weeks.

But his comments underscore just how much he thinks courts are being vested with too much power and are overruling legislative will, a factor that will influence his nominee choice."

Case in point:

Supreme Court overturns objection to cross on public land

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Maher's last line nails it to a T-bag:

Bill Maher Blasts Tea Baggers For Ignoring Defense Spending (VIDEO)

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Yes.

Have Conservatives Gone Mad? - Politics - The Atlantic:

"The issue, to put it in terms that even I can understand, because I didn't study philosophy much in college: has the conservative base gone mad?

This matters to journalists, because I really do want to take Republicans seriously. Mainstream conservative voices are embracing theories that are, to use Julian Sanchez's phrase, 'untethered' to the real world.

Can anyone deny that the most trenchant and effective criticism of President Obama today comes not from the right but from the left? Rachel Maddow's grilling of administration economic officials. Keith Olbermann's hectoring of Democratic leaders on the public option. Glenn Greenwald's criticisms of Elena Kagan. Ezra Klein and Jonathan Cohn's keepin'-them-honest perspectives on health care. The civil libertarian left on detainees and Gitmo. The Huffington Post on derivatives."

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However.... to be all 'fair and balanced'.

Rendell: Democratic Party Is Soulless, 'Cowering Behind The Shower Curtains':

"'I don't think we have a battle for our soul -- I think we have lost our soul,' he said. 'We have been cowed into [sic] stop talking about the things that made us Democrats in the first place; that we believe the government can and should make a difference in people's lives; that we can protect the most vulnerable in our society; that we can, in fact, give opportunities to people who haven't had it. And that government can be an important catalyst -- they can't do it by itself -- but they can be a catalyst for growth.'

That's what we believe in. But [Republicans] have us cowering behind the shower curtains,' he concluded.

The Huffington Post approached Rendell after the affair and asked him to elaborate on what, exactly, he meant by saying the Democratic Party is soulless.

'We have been out-spun and we are scared,' he said. 'And when you are scared, you can do one of two things: you can circle the wagons and hide inside or under the wagon, or you can get out and fight for what you believe in. I think we are starting -- President Obama started when he went to the Republican caucus -- to fight back and for what we believe in. If we do that, I think our losses will be much less [in 2010] than what anybody suspects.'"

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All of the Tea-bag cross burnings have effected the children in a drastic way. Won't someone PLEASE think about the children.

Indianola Testicle Attack? Teenagers Allegedly Hazed 14-Year-Old

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This kinda smelled fishy when I posted it earlier. Lying: The Way of Corporate America.

GM's phony loan repayment | Video Cafe

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Too cheap for whom? (I know, I know, but frack them).

Daily Kos: Wind's latest problem: it ... makes power too cheap:

"windmills (...) operators in Europe may have become their own worst enemy, reducing the total price paid for electricity in Germany, Europe’s biggest power market, by as much as 5 billion euros some years

The wind-energy boom in Europe and parts of Texas has begun to reduce bills for consumers.

Spanish power prices fell an annual 26 percent in the first quarter because of the surge in supplies from wind and hydroelectric production"

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This came out of a discussion on the old Ninebullets board. Great read. We really haven't progressed that much in the good old U.S.A.:

The Hanging of Mary The Elephant | Blue Ridge Country

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The Importance of Being Bagger

Uhhh, not really. Barely English.

I guess Alabama Republicans are getting a little jealous that they've been out-crazied of late.

No worries. Their bag of bigoted tricks is quite large.

The Rachel Maddow Show - 'This is Alabama. We speak English'

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Wow. To admit it... and it is 'has' not 'had'.

Again... Wow.

Michael Steele Acknowledges GOP Had “Southern Strategy” For Decades | The Plum Line:

"But I think folks are missing the real news in what Steele said. The RNC chairman also appeared to acknowledge that the GOP has had a race-based “southern strategy” for four decades, which is decidedly not a historical interpretation many Republicans agree with."

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Yeah, how's that free market working for ya?

In Coal Country, a Culture of Fear � The Washington Independent:

“They told my husband, ‘You’ve got a job to do and you’re gonna do it,’” said the wife of one Massey miner, referring to the funerals he’s missed this month for friends who died in the blast. “What else are we gonna do?”"

Where's the competition. How can a worker tell Massey to go frack himself and then take his/her talents to the competition?

Virginia, where coal is the only real industry, and Massey is king of the hill. Indeed, in certain areas there’s simply no queen.

“The bad thing here is that Massey owns [the Upper Big Branch] mine, and they’ve got a lot of subsidiaries — little tiny outfits just all down the river,” said Denny Tyler, an electrician who has contracted with Massey and now runs a website advocating for the end to mountaintop removal. “If you get fired from one, you’re not working anywhere on Coal River. … Its a fear thing

Evil. The lot of them.

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Special place in hell for insurance executives.

Exclusive: WellPoint routinely targets breast cancer patients | Reuters

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I guess the 'news media' is getting tired of playing with the tea bags.

The tea party's exaggerated importance - Jonathan Martin and Ben Smith - POLITICO.com

There were 15,000 people at a cannabis and hemp expo in SF last week, but Hannity didn't host that one though it was 3 times as large as any bagger cross burning.

Hell, a dog poop protest in SF draws more participants.

Rendell: Media blow Tea Parties out of proportion | Raw Story:

"'We had two recent Tea Party demonstrations in Washington. One a week before the health care vote, drew about 1,000 people. The tax day rally by the organizers' own estimate was 1,500 people,' explained the governor.

'If I organized a rally for stronger laws to protect puppies, I would get 100,000 people to Washington. So, I think the media has blown the Tea Party themselves out of proportion,' said Rendell."

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Salt be killing us.

FDA plans to limit amount of salt allowed in processed foods for health reasons:

"The Food and Drug Administration is planning an unprecedented effort to gradually reduce the salt consumed each day by Americans, saying that less sodium in everything from soup to nuts would prevent thousands of deaths from hypertension and heart disease. The initiative, to be launched this year, would eventually lead to the first legal limits on the amount of salt allowed in food products."

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Touche. Keep pluckin', though.

Chicago's DJ Intel And Blogger Girlfriend Make Vegetarian Version Of KFC's 'Double-Down

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After the attack, dude surfed for another 45 minutes.

Surfer rides shark after it bites his surfboard

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Get Angry

Damn Right! Tired of all these bland faux-pragmatic compromise-away-our-soul 'liberals' who crap their pants when our side raises hell. (Which is rare... the hell raising part)

We have to beat them (baggers) at their own game. We need to beat them into submission. That';s all conservatives understand. Why do you think it is that Republicans single-handily keep the BDSM market thriving. Self loathing fuckers.

Beat that ass hard enough and they'll nuzzle your ankle and shrink from your raised hand like a good little puppy.

Daily Kos: State of the Nation:

"Why are you so angry?

The warning is in my name. I'm not Complacent Mouse. I'm not Easy Going Mouse. I'm Angry Mouse. And I don't mince my words in the hopes of converting anyone who blushes at a four-letter word or wishes I'd tone down my anger. I leave the calm and moderated tones for the sedate NPR commentators, the too-cute-by-half columnists at the New York Times, the oh-so-reasonable talking heads on the Sunday talk shows, the members of Congress who insist upon referring to each other as their “esteemed colleagues from the other side.”

Yes, I’m angry. Angry at a two-party system that favors corporations over people; angry at a justice system that most severely punishes those who are least able to fight back; angry at the media who refuses to call a lie a lie; angry at a health care system that allows private corporations to profit by allowing the sick to suffer and die; angry at the terrorists who want to deprive women of our reproductive autonomy; angry at the misogynists who want us to know our place; angry at the Democratic leadership -- and yes, even some of our fellow “progressives” -- for treating women's rights as a fringe issue; angry at anyone who feels the need to question whether it’s really necessary to be so angry.

You're goddamned right I'm angry. And you should be too."

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Ha! About to fuck it up, too. Gonna strangle the golden goose 'cause of greed.

NFL: Socialism makes everyone rich - The Boston Globe:

"The Tea Partiers are right. There is socialism in the United States. It’s called the National Football League. In fact, this fantastically successful experiment in corporate socialism is now at risk of being ruined by owners and players who are threatening to behave as rational market actors.

The league’s business practices contradict the tenets of a free market"

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What the disgraced, indicted Texan says.

Just roll that one around your mouth for a moment. People are unemployed because they want to be. Yup.

Baby Jesus would be proud.

Tom Delay: People Are Unemployed Because They Want To Be

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If by 'sympathy and understanding' you mean 'beat with a baseball bat' then I'm on board.

Daily Kos: Psychology Today Takes On Tea Party Paranoia:

"Psychology Today has published one mental health professional's diagnosis of the pathology of the Tea Bagger. Dr. Michael Bader provides an astute examination of a serious emotional malformation, complete with clinical examples and prognosis. Bader's conclusion is that the victims of this brewing epidemic of acute paranoia warrant our sympathy and understanding."

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Keeping it classy, GOP.

Tenn. CEO compares Michelle Obama to chimpanzee | Raw Story:

"'Who wants to come to a state where people think like that? This is far reaching and it's damaging,' said District 3 Metro Council Member Walter Hunt.

This isn't the first e-mail sent by a Tennessee official since President Obama took office that smacks of racism.

In October, a state trooper sent a 'white pride' e-mail to nearly 800 state employees.

Several months before, an aide in the state Senate sent out an e-mail depicting Obama as two cartoonish white eyes peering from a black background.

The Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau has decided to drop its contract with Baker's marketing firm Saturday, but many are calling for Baker's resignation from the Tennessee Hospitality Association."

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Virginia, we have a problem.

Virginia AG orders colleges to stop protecting gays | Raw Story:

"'Virginia’s Attorney General is actually trying to make it easier for people to discriminate against gays and lesbians in Virginia,' he wrote on his blog. 'This, despite the fact that the entire country is moving towards granting our GLBT fellow citizens equal rights with everyone else in all areas.'

Anthony added, 'I strongly condemn the ever increasing message of intolerance coming from the Republican leadership in Richmond. I encourage them to reconsider their recent actions that have not only harmed our fellow Virginians but also tarnished our beloved Commonwealth’s image.'"

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The hate parade that is the modern day Grand Old Party of Assholes.

RNC Fallout: 'Ashamed' donor closes checkbook - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com:

"A prominent Evangelical figure and Republican donor says he will end his contributions to the organized Republican Party in reaction to the leaked fundraising presentation that advised using 'fear' to solicit contributions and displayed an image of President Obama as the Joker from Batman.

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Let's do this! Damn, I'm ready for some space exploration. I'd like to visit the moon before I die.

Opinion: Buzz Aldrin Says Mars Is Within Our Reach -- Here's How - AOL News:

"I believe we can be well on our way to Mars by July 20, 2019 -- which just happens to be the 50th anniversary of my Apollo 11 flight to the moon. The plan I've designed, called a unified space vision, contains ideas for the development of a deep-space craft that I call the Exploration Module, and development of a true heavy lift space booster evolved from the existing space shuttle."

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Does he even know that he's my hero.

Man Builds House With 6 Million Beer Bottles In Argentina (VIDEO)

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Splainin' to Do

Love this guy.

Daily Kos: Alan Grayson Launches: UnMaskTheFed.com

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Free speech, y'all.

It must be hell to work for Secret Service these days.

Federal authorities investigating anti-Obama Nazi message on Massachusetts golf course.

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At least they are spreading some of their hate to some of their own.

WTF is wrong with these people.

Lindsey Graham Faces Tea Party Fury: "Traitor," "Democrat In Drag," "Half-A-Sissy" (VIDEO):

"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) faced an eruption of rage from Tea Party activists at a town hall meeting Tuesday for his decision to work with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on climate change and clean energy legislation."

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Lying liars.

New RNC Website Claims Jackie Robinson As “GOP Hero” — But He Was Indy Who Condemned GOP’s Racial Tactics | The Plum Line:

"What’s more, Robinson was appalled by what the Republican party had become in 1964, when Barry Goldwater won the nomination over Rockefeller. In his autobiography he described his reaction to the that year’s GOP convention as follows::

That convention was one of the most unforgettable and frightening experiences of my life. The hatred I saw was unique to me because it was hatred directed against a white man. It embodied a revulsion for all he stood for, including his enlightened attitude towards black people.

A new breed of Republicans had taken over the GOP. As I watched this steamroller operation in San Francisco, I had a better understanding of how it must have felt to be a Jew in Hitler’s Germany."

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I may bitch and moan about inaction and policy, but it still thrills me that we have a baller in the WH.

Support Our Hoops: President Obama Hits The BBall Court | TPM Photo Galleries:

"Bill Clinton had his saxophone. JFK was an avid sailor. FDR collected stamps. These days, President Barack Obama has made basketball the First Hobby. From pick-up games with White House staffers to appearances at Washington Wizards games, the President has found plenty of ways to partake in his favorite pastime, in between that whole 'leading the free world' thing. Even his Cabinet is mostly made up of former players, something that caused President Obama to joke that he's put together 'the best basketball-playing Cabinet in American history.' Here, the President tries to block a shot while playing with Reggie Love at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York on September 23, during the UN General Assembly."

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Lot's of good folks down there.... more need to write letters to the editor.

Explanations please | TimesDaily.com | The Times Daily | Florence, AL:

"Can someone please tell me why some folks don't mind spending taxpayer money when it comes to subsidizing private companies, farms or contracting out Government work to private companies, but have a meltdown if the Government (that's us taxpayers) wants to 'compete?'

Can someone explain why a public option for insurance freaks the Republicans out, but dismantling the Glass-Steagall Act and opening up a world of options for their wealthy cohorts on Wall Street to rip the fabric right out of middle class America didn't?

Finally, can anyone explain why the debt we leave our children matters more than how they will pay that debt? We accept longer hours, less pay and hope and pray we can hang on to our company health care plan. What kind of option is that for their future?

Support health care reform.

Pat Roemer

Florence"

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Origins of Stupidity

Great analogy:

Daily Kos: That Stamp Will Cost You $23,000, Pal.

If health insurance companies ran the mail service, you wouldn't know what it would cost to mail a package, because nobody involved would be able to tell you, even if you spent the better part of a week on the phone with them. You would know what it cost you one only after you received the bill for mailing it. This bill would come one month later, but additional charges would be added a month after that, more additions would come two months later, the total would be revised again in four months, and would be adjusted again after six months. If you want to complain, knock yourself out, but chances are you won't even remember what it was you mailed back in the summer of 2008 or whenever-that-was.

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In their haste, the ACORN Kabuki Theatre Troop (aka The GOP) might have gone and effed up their donor train.

So fucking stupid as are all of the Democrats who voted for this stupid fucking bill.

But if it defunds some 'defense' contractors, then well done boys and girls. Well done.

Whoops: Anti-ACORN Bill Ropes In Defense Contractors, Others Charged With Fraud:

"Going after ACORN may be like shooting fish in a barrel lately -- but jumpy lawmakers used a bazooka to do it last week and may have blown up some of their longtime allies in the process.

The congressional legislation intended to defund ACORN, passed with broad bipartisan support, is written so broadly that it applies to 'any organization' that has been charged with breaking federal or state election laws, lobbying disclosure laws, campaign finance laws or filing fraudulent paperwork with any federal or state agency. It also applies to any of the employees, contractors or other folks affiliated with a group charged with any of those things.

In other words, the bill could plausibly defund the entire military-industrial complex. Whoops."

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Well, of course they do. Telecoms won't be able to rape consumers which means less money in the GOP's pocket.

WAR! bitches.

GOP senators declare war on Net neutrality

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Not FAUX News racism. Purely an act of FAUX News stupidity and lack of historical awareness.

Hey, maybe Kelly and Perino can get together and discuss the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Fox's Kelly refers to U.S. flags as "Stars and Bars" -- but that's the first national flag of the Confederacy | Media Matters for America

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I'm in love with the girl who made the Youtube response. I like to Bible idea with a 50 page intro.

Dontcha just want to pinch the delusional, sanctimonious smugness right off Kirk's neck.

Kirk Cameron's 'Origin Of Species' Plan: Ex-Actor To Distribute 50,000 Altered Darwin Books:

"Kirk Cameron, best known for his role in the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains, now spends much of his time advocating for far-right Christian evangelical causes.

In a video posted recently to YouTube, Cameron lays out a plan to subvert 'Darwin Day' on November 22, 2009 -- a date marking the 150th anniversary of the publishing of Charles Darwin's 'Origin of Species.' Cameron says that he and like-minded activists plan to deliver 50,000 copies of an altered version of Darwin's book to students at dozens of U.S. universities."

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They're a Little (Ayn) Randy

Damn. He just came out and said it. Spoke the straight up truth.

He's too right. While it may no longer be acceptable to be overtly racist in the South, that doesn't mean that the racism has vanished. It still lives in many a Southern heart because it has never truly been dealt with. On a personal/family level. Not saying other regions of the country don't have the same issue, but most of these teabaggers are white, old, pissed off, and Southern.

This really is amazing stuff for a Southerner of Carter's stature to come right out and say it.

Not surprised that it didn't get much play in the media. Democrats talking sense rarely do.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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This is a hell of a read.

I've read both Atlas and Fountainhead 3 times a piece. The first time I read both, I had no clue of the political/social/economic aspirations of Rand or the books. The 2nd and 3rd time through I was very clear on which political beasts were clutching Ayn tight to their black bosoms.

I like both books. There's a kernal to be taken from each regarding individuality and taking care of yourself. But, and this is a big but, these two book's lessons are similar to the lessons offered by the Bible or Greek mythology. Literal interpretations of both are... well, stupid as fuck. The Bible justifies slavery and the beating of your wife. Greek mythology... we'll let's just say one shouldn't diddle their mommy.

The sales of these two books have exploded in the past year. I doubt very seriously that your average mom and pop are buying. Hell, no way they would ever be able to sit down and read both of these tomes. It would require too much focus and patience. The sales are due to bulk purchases by right wing groups, I'm almost positive.

I like the stories. A few nuggets worthy of applying to your life. But as a political/economic/social blue print, her work is utter bullshit.

She was bat-shit crazy and meaner than a snake, too.

And 'Cultism' it really is.

Daily Kos: Sociopathy on the Right: Ayn Rand and the Triumph of Conservative Cultism:

"Interestingly, despite her general disdain for humanity, there were people she seemed to admire greatly, such as William Edward Hickman, whose credo, 'What is good for me is right,' she described in her Journals as, 'The best and strongest expression of a real man's psychology I have heard.' But Hickman was no simple expositor of personal greed and self-interest; no mere modern day libertarian; no pedestrian practitioner of excessive self-love. No indeed. He was a sociopathic murderer. In 1927 he kidnapped a 12-year old girl from a school in Los Angeles by the name of Marian Parker, chopped off her legs, cut our her internal organs, drained all of her blood and then spread parts of her body all over the city."

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Like they could ever learn lessons.

10 Lessons for Tea Baggers | Crooks and Liars:

"Here, then, are 10 Lessons for Tea Baggers:

1. President Obama Cut Your Taxes
2. The Stimulus is Working
3. First Ronald Reagan Tripled the National Debt...
4. ...Then George W. Bush Doubled It Again
5. Republican States Have the Worst Health Care
6. Medicare is a Government Program
7. Barack Obama is Not a Muslim
8. Barack Obama was Born in the United States
9. 70,000 Does Not Equal 2,000,000
10. The Economy Almost Always Does Better Under Democrats"

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Yes. And you can tell them to fuck off too. If they want to arrest you for it, then, bingo! Pay Day!

Do You Have the Right to Flip Off a Cop? - Yahoo! News

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Gum Job

Some dirty fucking hippie actor writing sense.

Donald Sutherland: Stand Up, Max Baucus:

"It must finally be clear to us all that the stumbling block to successful health/disease care reform has been definitively reduced to two words. They're not 'public option' or 'single payer', they're 'Max Baucus'.

He was not elected to eliminate the Democratic Majority in the Finance Committee, but that's what he's done. It was not mandated that he exclude a representative expert on single payer from his 15-person advisory board but that's what he did. More than that, he's filled his campaign coffers with millions of dollars of Insurance Company money, for heaven's sake. Fine that he sits there holding the president's suit coat at that town hall meeting, great that he gets identified by the president a bunch of times. Great, because now we can all have a good look at who he is, sitting there squirming in the spotlight."

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It ain't all like the shitty traditional media is painting it to be.

Anecdotal, but a good read.

Daily Kos: A Small-town Texas Town Hall:

"A brief round of applause interrupted him, after which he continued, 'As far as peace goes, it seems to me that we ought to be defending ourselves when we’re attacked, not when there’s something we want out of somebody. As for justice, I’d sure as Hell like to see justice brought down on those people who’ve tried their best to ruin this country. I think any person that’s been shown to break the law, whether it’s a banker or a politician, they ought to be prosecuted and brought to justice.'"

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Damn Commies!

I want to be a commie, too.

Europe versus America: Do Longer Holidays Translate to Greater Productivity? - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

For all their extra vacation days as compared with the US, workers in the EU are keeping pace -- or better -- in terms of productivity.

Much of Europe closes up shop in August. From steelworkers in Spain to technology consultants in Germany, the European Union's workers head for the coast or other vacation hot spots, forgoing the sweltering heat of Europe's cities for some rest and relaxation.

Europeans on average pocket almost 10 more vacation days than their US counterparts. That's the findings from research by consultants at Mercer, which analyzed the minimum number of vacation days that companies across Europe must provide to staff with 10 years' service, as well as the number of national holidays in each country.

The study reveals the average time off in European Union countries is now 34.4 days, compared with just 25 in the US. Overall, employees in Lithuania are entitled to the greatest amount of paid leave, with 41 holidays per year. France and Finland come a close second, with 40.

"In Europe, time off is enshrined in government legislation, so employers are forced to hire more staff to cover the gaps," says Matthew Hunt, a principal in Mercer's international team. "The US takes a different view; there's a focus on maintaining productivity."

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Drive-By Truckers:

"I never knew how it all got started
a problem with Holland before we were born
and I don’t know the name of that boy we tied down
and beat till he just couldn’t walk anymore.
But I know the caliber in Daddy’s chest
and I know what Holland Hill drives.
The state let him go, but I guess it was best
cause nobody needs all us Lawsons alive."

Reported riot in Marion, Ala., brought under control; 5 arrested - Breaking News from the Press-Register - al.com:

"State Trooper John Reese said children of the 2 feuding families began arguing at the high school this morning and shotguns were found in their cars."

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I'm just surprised that a woman from South Carolina had 13 teeth in her mouth to pull.

Hey-oh!

Woman awarded $2M after dentist pulls 16 teeth:

"A South Carolina woman has won a $2 million jury verdict against a dental clinic that mistakenly pulled 13 teeth. The State reported that 28-year-old Elizabeth Smith wanted three teeth pulled when she went to the Sexton Dental Clinic in Florence in 2006. Her lawsuit said a dentist at the clinic pulled all 16 of her upper teeth."

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Bring it. I'm ready for science fiction to become science reality regardless of the hell it could potentially release.

Life to order: Man-made organisms will be here in four months, say biologists | Mail Online:

"Artificial life will be made to order in the laboratory within four months, a controversial biologist has claimed.

U.S genome expert Craig Venter, said his team have overcome a vital obstacle in the development of new man-made organisms.

The scientist, named as one of the most influential people in the world, said the first 'synthetic species' could be created this year."

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Hairdrying the Myth Away

No need to post this, really. The default assumption is that when the GOP cites anything you can be sure that A. It is complete bullshit B. It is complete bullshit C. All of the above.

Research Firm Cited by GOP Is Owned by Health Insurer - washingtonpost.com:

"The political battle over health-care reform is waged largely with numbers, and few number-crunchers have shaped the debate as much as the Lewin Group, a consulting firm whose research has been widely cited by opponents of a public insurance option.

To Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the House Republican whip, it is 'the nonpartisan Lewin Group.' To Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee, it is an 'independent research firm.' To Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the second-ranking Republican on the pivotal Finance Committee, it is 'well known as one of the most nonpartisan groups in the country.'

Generally left unsaid amid all the citations is that the Lewin Group is wholly owned by UnitedHealth Group, one of the nation's largest insurers."

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Max Baucus is the fakiest of the fake Democrats.

This guy is pure awful:

Daily Kos: Report: Baucus Drawing Outrage in Dem Caucus.

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As one who marks up a good 60 papers a week, this is hilarious. Vanity Fair marked up VPILFs actual resignation speech.

She talk pretty... not.

Palin's Resignation: The Edited Version | vanityfair.com

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I gotta get me one of these.

A hair dryer. Brilliant!

Atheists choose 'de-baptism' to renounce childhood faith - USATODAY.com:

"In a type of mock ceremony that's now been performed in at least four states, a robed 'priest' used a hairdryer marked 'reason' in an apparent bid to blow away the waters of baptism once and for all. Several dozen participants then fed on a 'de-sacrament' (crackers with peanut butter) and received certificates assuring they had 'freely renounced a previous mistake, and accepted Reason over Superstition.'"

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Because... well, I don't have much else to blog about today. My apologies for the Foxworthyness:

Redneck Games Slideshow: Vote

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Mars Flight Simulation: 6 Men Endure 105 Days Of Isolation In Simulated Flight:

"MOSCOW -- Russian engineers broke a red wax seal and six men emerged from a metal hatch after 105 days of isolation in a mock spacecraft, still smiling after testing the stresses that space travelers may face on the journey to Mars."

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Blame America Firsters

In which Hell freezes over.... or....

'....Lyin' sacks of shit'

Sessions: I Could Support Pro-Choice Or Gay Supreme Court Nominee (VIDEO):

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The 'Blame America First' crowd in action:

Less than two-thirds of southerners and Republicans pledge allegiance to the USA

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Northern Alabama.... blazing into the 20th century.

House supports draft beer proposal | TimesDaily.com | Florence, AL

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It is nice that there are those Democrats who are telling Reid to 'suck it'.

Update: Reporter says Specter wasn’t joking about endorsing Coleman:

"UPDATE 2: The Democratic leader in the Senate promised Sen. Arlen Specter he would retain his seniority when he jumped from the Republican to the Democratic party, Specter told CNN Wednesday, but faced “pushback” from other Democratic senators.

“Sen. (Harry) Reid said that I would maintain my committee assignments and that my seniority would be established as if I’d been elected in 1980 as a Democrat,” the long-serving Pennsylvania senator told CNN’s Dana Bash.

The full Senate voted Tuesday to strip Specter of his seniority, dropping him to the bottom of the pile on every committee he sits on."

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I guess a 'myth' wouldn't mind my foot in his ass, then, would he.

Fuck that guy.

Margaret Carlson: Rove ‘really rattled’ by Obama:

"Former White House adviser Karl Rove admitted during a debate about “the partisan divide” in Washington on Monday that the atmosphere is “poisonous,” but he refused to take any personal responsibility for the situation.

“The atmosphere in Washington D.C. is too poisonous and has been for the last 16 years,” Rove stated. However, when asked about his own role in creating this divisiveness, he responded, “I’m a myth.”"

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More shitty Democrats.

I mean, really. Your kid shouldn't be watching TV anyway.

Congressman: No Viagra before 10 p.m. � - Blogs from CNN.com:

"WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former presidential candidate Robert Dole made headlines as a pitchman for Viagra, and now a decade later a Virginia congressman wants to limit the time when ads for this and similar products can air.

Last month, Democratic Rep. Jim Moran introduced the 'Families for ED Advertising Decency Act,' which prevents erectile dysfunction and male enhancement ads from appearing on radio and television between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

'This [the advertisements] is an intrusion into our daily lives that I believe has become inappropriate.' Moran said in an interview with CNN. 'There is a saturation of the television airwaves with these E.D. ads, and they have gotten more pervasive, more blunt, and less subtle.'"

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These kids are alright.

Young Americans Losing Their Religion - ABC News:

"New research shows young Americans are dramatically less likely to go to church -- or to participate in any form of organized religion -- than their parents and grandparents."

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Vindication!

Minneapolis Life in the Cubicle Examiner: The seven habits of highly effective slackers

There is a common misperception in the workplace that effective and productive people fit into the go-getter, proactive, or highly organized mold. While it may be true that these people are often rewarded for their seemingly productive ways, their productivity levels are actually well below those of the effective slacker.

Go-getters are always busy but they only focus on tasks that get noticed by executives. These tasks are usually highly visible but rarely important to the success of the company.

Proactive types are also always busy but their proactiveness leads to an eventual interference of completing higher priority work.

Highly organized employees waste their lives away inside Microsoft Project and their FranklinCovey weekly planner.

On the other hand, the effective slacker quietly performs all the duties required of him perfectly and quickly. An effective slacker always delivers on time, usually because they had it done months ago and made sure no one else was aware. Regardless, the effective slacker is the invisible engine of Fortune 500 corporations. Without them, large organizations are just a large stack of cards waiting to crumble.

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And speaking of slacking....

Though it is a Zogby poll which mean these numbers could be totally pulled out of John Zogby's ass.

Majority Of Americans Want Pot Legalized: Zogby Poll:

"A majority of Americans, in a poll released Wednesday, say it 'makes sense to tax and regulate' marijuana. The Zogby poll, commissioned by the conservative-leaning O'Leary Report, surveyed 3,937 voters and found 52 percent in favor of legalization. Only 37 percent opposed."

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Ow. Quit it.

Southern Style Letter to the Editor.

"There's a lot of good folks down there...."

Good on ya, Marilyn, good on ya.

Hold them accountable | TimesDaily.com | Florence, AL:

"After years of secrecy, the Obama administration recently demonstrated its commitment to transparency by releasing memos that reveal how senior Bush administration officials authorized enhanced interrogation techniques, otherwise known as torture.

This is not enough. Let's not allow these people to represent American values. The only way to ensure that these heinous crimes are not repeated again and continue to be associated with Americans is to hold these people accountable.

In addition, we have an economic crisis that has been largely caused by fraud and deceit on Wall Street. I see both of these illegal actions as related. In both cases people have perpetrated these crimes knowing that they will never be held accountable.

If we allow all of these people to go unpunished for their crimes, we will have done nothing to provide evidence to the rest of the world that we will not tolerate these kinds of illegal behaviors. And what is worse, we have demonstrated to our children that as long as you have money and/or power, you can do anything you want.

We must demand that these criminals be held accountable to the American people through the rule of law!

Marilyn Lee

Florence"

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Pro.

Obama quickly, confidently adapts to presidency:

"As an audacious candidate, Obama meticulously built a powerhouse organization and fundraising juggernaut to engineer his victory. As a fledgling president, he similarly has mapped out a big-risk agenda that he's methodically begun to execute, keeping to the discipline that has been a hallmark of his life.

Rookie jitters? Far from it."

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These are always fun.

Daily Kos: Saturday hate mail-apalooza

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The most viable leader for the Repubs is the daughter of McCain?!?. She actually says some reasonable things. The only glimmer of hope the Repubs have. Of course, they'll crush her due to the gay lovin' and all.

Yes. Please. Go away.

Meghan McCain to Cheney: ‘You had your 8 years. Go away.’:

"Meghan McCain expressed dissatisfaction with some former Bush officials who have criticized Obama during his first 100 days. “It’s hard for me — it’s very unprecedented for someone like karl rove or dick cheney to be criticizing the president. i just — my criticism is just, you know, you had your eight years, go away,” McCain told hosts of ABC’s The View."

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Oh Texas. Thanks for giving this Alabamian a state other than Mississippi to pick on.

"Don't let Oklahoma hit your ass on the way out".

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Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it. Ow. Quit it.

Sydney man shot 34 times in head with nail gun

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Oranges and Cigarettes

Couldn't wait until Friday to post this one.

Here's The Hold Steady in Boston playing Chill Out Tent with Shonna and Patterson singing the 'Sandy and Danny' parts. Dave Pirner sang the 'Danny' part on the record and I can't remember who sang the 'Sandy' part and I'm too lazy at the moment to go find the liner notes.

As usual with Youtube live show clips, the sound is a bit off, but you'll get the gist.

This is really great. They must do this in San Francisco.

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Get to know your new Socialist Overlord.

Some fun fact trivia in this one.

Barack Obama: The 50 facts you might not know - Telegraph:

"• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees"

• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father

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D.C. is going to be hip and smart again. Fuck all this 'real America' crap.

Chicagoans know how to party. I spent a St. Patty's day in Chicago once... and I still can't really remember what happened.

Chicagoans to rouse D.C. scene | Crain's:

"Observers expect the new first couple, who are young, intellectually curious and multicultural, to welcome world leaders, great thinkers, musicians and artists, as well as to populate Washington with energetic new people.

'Washington has been in a deep freeze for eight years,' says David Adler, CEO and founder of BizBash Media Inc., publisher of a New York-based event industry trade magazine, and founder of the late Washington Dossier, which followed the Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush I administrations. 'All of a sudden, every major brand and icon in the world will want to come to D.C. and go to the White House. A state dinner will be the No. 1 ticket in the world.'"

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Some really, really cool pics of Obama from the beginning of the campaign til the end. Be sure to click the 'more pictures' link at the bottom.

Callie Shell - Obama - Digital Journalist

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Good. My old South has an option now. Continue to rot at an excellerated pace or change. The best and brightest who flee might like to come back some day and bring all of our money and ideas.

The few best and brigthest who stay... y'all need to start stoking the flames of change. We've go your back.

Has Obama Created A New South?:

"Post-election analysis of Barack Obama's runaway victory has generally settled on one macro-theory: he put a symbolic end to the significance of the Southern states.

How else to explain how the nation's first African-American candidate -- and one with an exotic name at that -- was not only able to rack up wins in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida, but also win the presidency without their Deep South neighbors?

The South, we are told, is dead.

'By leaving the mainstream so decisively, the Deep South and Appalachia will no longer be able to dictate that winning Democrats have Southern accents or adhere to conservative policies on issues like welfare and tax policy, experts say,' the New York Times reported on Tuesday. 'That could spell the end of the so-called Southern strategy, the doctrine that took shape under President Richard M. Nixon in which national elections were won by co-opting Southern whites on racial issues.'"

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Your typical Republican low info voter:

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Damn you, V-PILF. Why do you keep opening your mouth and allowing the stupid to spill out.

Luckily there's far better bloggers than me to apply some smack down.

Jane lists all of my favorite bloggers. Check out the rest of the link at the link.

Firedoglake � Uh, Sarah….You Sure You Want To Go There?:

"Sarah Palin seems to have a special place in her heart for bloggers:

Ms. Palin directed most of her media criticism at liberal bloggers, whom she twice called, “those bloggers in their parents’ basement just talkin’ garbage.”

For the record:

Arianna Huffington graduated from Cambridge University with an M.A. in economics. At 21, she became president of the famed debating society, the Cambridge Union. She is a bestselling author who ran for Governor of California.

Markos Moulitsas served in the U.S. Army from 1989 through 1992. He earned two bachelor degrees at Northern Illinois University (1992-1996), where he majored in Philosophy, Journalism, and Political Science. He earned a J.D. at Boston University School of Law."

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Excellent suggestion, Laura! I'm down. The West coast will be happy to keep most of the U.S.'s economy to ourselves.

Think Progress � Ingraham Rails Against Schwarzenegger, Tells California: ‘Just Secede Already’:

"The comments infuriated right-wing radio host Laura Ingraham, who railed against Schwarzenegger yesterday. She said she had “never, never, ever gotten the whole Schwarzenegger thing,” finally declaring California should “secede” from the United States:

INGRAHAM: Arnold Schwarzenegger is embarrassing on so many levels. … Every time we look to moderate to liberal Republicans for answers, we’re disappointed. Not only are we disappointed, we end up getting shafted. […]

I read this and my blood boils. Left coast? I mean, just secede already, at this point. Okay. Secede already. I can’t take it anymore from California."

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Bye little buddy. You done good.

Phoenix Mars Lander: This is My Farewell Transmission From Mars

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Duality of the Southern Thing

Talk about the 'Duality of the Southern Thing'.

Ben Smith's Blog: Confederate battle flag, Obama yard sign - Politico.com

Daily Kos: 109 year old daughter of a slave votes for Obama

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Hilarious and a great way to mock the 'socialist' ridiculousness. Obama's laugh at the end is priceless:

Obama: Will McCain accuse me of being communist next?:

"'That's why he's spending these last few days calling me every name in the book. I'm sorry to see my opponent sink so low,' Obama said, according to prepared remarks released by his campaign.

'Lately, he's called me a socialist for wanting to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class,' he continued. 'By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in Kindergarten.'"

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Still, this election ain't going to be easy:

Texas Voters Urged to Avoid Straight-Party Option, After Vote-Flip Complaints | Threat Level from Wired.com

A number of voters in several Texas counties have been complaining that voting machines they used to cast early votes flipped their votes from Democratic choices to Republican ones.

Touch screen voting machines should be banned nation wide and the companies who created them sued out of existence. Paper doesn't need 'recalibration':

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Reagan was a Pinko:

Gergen: Reagan administration enacted 'redistribution' of wealth:

"Senator John McCain has been attempting to appeal to voters lately by attacking Barack Obama over his plans to reduce taxes for the middle class while increasing them on the wealthiest Americans.

Political analyst David Gergen believes the Democrats ought to fight back harder than they have against these claims that Obama is a 'socialist' and suggests they start by pointing out that the most esteemed Republican presidents, such as Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan, were also supporters of what McCain decries as 'income redistribution.'"

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Alabama's Governor in 2014. Go Charles!

Charles Barkley: Fox News "Fucked Up," Fox Hits Barkley On Gambling Debts:

"I watch CNN, they're not fucked up like Fox,' Barkley told B&C. 'They are a mouthpiece for the Republican Party. I watch [Fox] a couple times when there is someone I want to see on there. But they're corrupt.'"

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Hallelujah Indeed

Stupid Bible. Calling out McCain and his ilk. Doesn't the Bible know that McSame is a Republican?! Why, that's just like being Jesus himself.

Obama vs. "Oh, Bomb 'Em" -- Who's the Christian?:

"'But I say to you, 'Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.'' (Matt. 5:39)

Several biblical Proverbs also reject Mr. McCain's 'crisp, immediate, forceful response.' A few examples:

'He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.' (Prov. 16:32)

'A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient.' (Prov. 14:17)

'He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.' (Prov. 14:29)

'A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.' (Prov. 15:18)"

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In Alabama it's called a "Coke". If you order a Coke in the South and they bring you a Pepsi you have full rights under the law to slap the server.

Daily Kos: Do you call it Pop, Soda or Coke?:

"What do you call that syrupy, carbonated liquid that comes out of cans and bottles and is sold by companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi?

Do you call it pop? How about soda? Or maybe you just call it Coke, even if it's another brand.

Well, science has answered this question that divides America in regional camps -- it all depends on where you live, as this county-by-county map shows."

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Um, Yes!

Hot Clicks: Is Leryn Franco the hottest Olympian? - Extra Mustard - SI.com:

Proof:

I found she combines her athletic endeavors with a career as a model and beauty pageant contestant. Franco was the runner-up in the Miss Paraguay competition in 2006 and also in the Miss Bikini Universe pageant the same year.

Although, the synchronized swimming chicks give Leryn a serious run for her money.

(Possibly NSFW due to some thongage)

Bia And Branca Feres Photos - Mahalo

But, its hard to beat America's very own in the 'so-damn-cute-it'll-make-your-face-hurt-from-smiling' category.

She kicked ass last night on the balance beam.

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics | Shawn Johnson Profile & Bio, Photos & Videos | NBC Olympics:

"Iowa's Shawn Johnson -- finally -- won an Olympic gold medal in Beijing when she won the balance beam title over Nastia Liukin, mostly on the basis of her difficulty score."

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But, my major crush right now happens to be on Tina Dico. Here's she is singing a cover of John Lennon's 'Working Class Hero'.



And here she is singing 'Hallelujah' in Danish. *drool*

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Waffle House Wedding

Some nice work in this YouTube titled 'Baracky II"

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Too damn close of a call.... and of course a lying federal agency.

'Lookin' out the window..... And I'm scared shitless....'

EXCLUSIVE: FAA Tapes Reveal Drama of Obama Jet Incident

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Smart. Like a college student is suppose to wait until his/her Senior Year to drink....

I had my 21st birthday party in a bar that I had worked at since I was 19.

College presidents seek debate on drinking age:

"College presidents from about 100 of the nation's best-known universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18, saying current laws actually encourage dangerous binge drinking on campus."

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In related 'no-shit' news.

People Really Do Look Better When You Drink :

"For the first time, scientists have proven that 'beer goggles' are real - other people really do look more attractive to us if we have been drinking."

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Yeah.

Waffle House Wedding

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Leather and Lace

Can you imagine the converse of this happening? Can you imagine a liberal whose read Obama's Dreams of My Father, or any of Al Gore's books going into a conservative Christian church and shooting the place up.

Hard to imagine.

This isn't, though.

Words matter.

Knoxville, TN shooter targeted the "liberal movement" and "gays":

"A police spokesman said that the shooter expressed his 'hatred for the liberal movement,' according to a 4-page letter found by the police in the shooter's car."

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Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, Sean Hannity on accused shooter's reading list : Church shooting : Knoxville News Sentinel:

"Adkisson told Still that 'he could not get to the leaders of the liberal movement that he would then target those that had voted them in to office.'

Adkisson told officers he left the house unlocked for them because 'he expected to be killed during the assault.'

Inside the house, officers found 'Liberalism is a Mental Health Disorder' by radio talk show host Michael Savage, 'Let Freedom Ring' by talk show host Sean Hannity, and 'The O'Reilly Factor,' by television talk show host Bill O'Reilly."

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Myth of the 'liberal media':

In study, evidence of liberal-bias bias - Los Angeles Times:

"The Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University, where researchers have tracked network news content for two decades, found that ABC, NBC and CBS were tougher on Obama than on Republican John McCain during the first six weeks of the general-election campaign.

You read it right: tougher on the Democrat."

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Diamonds May Have Jumpstarted Life on Earth:

"One of the greatest mysteries in science is how life began. Now one group of researchers says diamonds may have been life's best friend."

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Hilarity. For Jenn B. Some naughty word used so be careful at work:

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