Stupid is as Stupid Does

Update:

Rove's petri dish. Be sure to watch it:

"60 Minutes" preparing report on Siegelman case:

"TUSCALOOSA | I'm getting reports from all over that CBS's '60 Minutes' is gathering information in Alabama about the case of incarcerated former Gov. Don Siegelman.

First I got an email from a friend who forwarded another email saying that a women who works for the program had contacted the Alabama Department of Archives and History 'in an effort to locate the negative television ads that [former lieutenant governor] Steve Windom ran against Siegelman in 2002.'"

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Willie for President.

Willie Nelson: Impeach Bush, "Throw The Bastards Out":

"'If you break the law, you have to pay for it,' American icon tells Alex Jones Show"

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He's Nineteen! duh-nah-nah-nah.

I'm still amazed that 19% that still dig this moron.

Bush at 19% approval:

"Among all Americans, 19% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 77% disapprove. When it comes to Bush's handling of the economy, 14% approve and 79% disapprove."

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Speaking of dumb... Read a freakin' book without pictures already.

The Dumbing Of America :

"'The mind of this country, taught to aim at low objects, eats upon itself.' Ralph Waldo Emerson offered that observation in 1837, but his words echo with painful prescience in today's very different United States. Americans are in serious intellectual trouble -- in danger of losing our hard-won cultural capital to a virulent mixture of anti-intellectualism, anti-rationalism and low expectations."

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The dumbest of the dumb. The 19 percenters.

Though applying 'intellectuals" to 'Right Wing' is a huge oxymoron.

Author: Right wing intellectuals make wishful thinking sound rational:

"'It's been forgotten now in the mythology of World War II that even when the Nazis invaded Poland and attacked England, overwhelming majority of Americans were opposed to American involvement in the war,' she said. 'The reason they came around is not just Pearl Harbor. Franklin D. Roosevelt spent several years trying to educate a resistant public about the stake that America had in the future of Europe. The renewal of the draft in 1941, six months before Pearl Harbor, in the summer of 1941, passed by one vote. Imagine what would have happened if the Army had been disbanded, if FDR had not made all those educational efforts, where we would have been six months later when Pearl Harbor was attacked.'"

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What a cruel, cruel world we live in.

Fontana man robbed of tacos at gunpoint:

"A hunger for carnitas nearly led to some carnage after a Fontana man was robbed of a bag of tacos at gunpoint.

Police Sergeant Jeff Decker says the 35-year-old victim had just bought about $20 in tacos from a street-corner stand Sunday night and was bicycling home when the suspect confronted him and said 'Give me your tacos.'

Decker says the suspect grabbed the bag of food, punched the victim in the face and began to flee.

When the victim demanded his tacos back, the suspect pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the man and threatened to kill him before running away."

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It's close to midnight.....

.....and something evil's lurking in the dark

Let's start off fun today.

If I have to go to prison, I want it to be in the Philippines.

Why? More time working on choreography and less time getting butt raped.

Behold 1500 Philippines inmates performing "Thriller". Awesome.

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Can you feel the love?

Political Wire: Bush Hits 25% Approval

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Excellent article in the NY times. Hard to pick which part to snip so be sure to read the entire thing

Just What the Founders Feared: An Imperial President Goes to War - New York Times:

"The nation is heading toward a constitutional showdown over the Iraq war. Congress is moving closer to passing a bill to limit or end the war, but President Bush insists Congress doesn’t have the power to do it. “I don’t think Congress ought to be running the war,” he said at a recent press conference. “I think they ought to be funding the troops.” He added magnanimously: “I’m certainly interested in their opinion.”
.......
Given how intent the president is on expanding his authority, it is startling to recall how the Constitution’s framers viewed presidential power. They were revolutionaries who detested kings, and their great concern when they established the United States was that they not accidentally create a kingdom.
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John Jay, the first chief justice of the United States, noted in Federalist No. 4 that “absolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for the purposes and objects merely personal.”

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Olbermann at his very best.... You can tell he's paying attention because he is pissed.

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Christians! Honest to God, real Christians. So refreshing.

These are the good guys.

Religious group praises Edwards' response to gay marriage question - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

"I'm Rev. Reggie Longcrier, I'm the Pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, North Carolina. Senator Edwards says his opposition to gay marriage is influenced by his Southern Baptist background. Most Americans agree it was wrong and unconstitutional to use religion to justify slavery and segregation and deny women the right to vote. So, why is it still acceptable to use religion to deny gay Americans their full and equal rights?"

"In answering Rev. Longcrier's question, Senator Edwards made an important commitment to not allow his personal religious beliefs to restrict the rights of any American," added Rev. Creech. "We congratulate him and encourage all leaders and candidates to give serious consideration to this issue and how they will represent the interests of this nation."

"Millions of gay Americans struggle every-day against the misuse of religion to perpetuate prejudice and inequality," said Creech. "These individuals don't just fight bigotry when they're denied the right to marry their partners, they combat it on the street, in the workplace, in their children's schools, and in every other aspect of their lives. Religion-based prejudices pervade and profoundly shape the daily experiences of these people and I'd like to commend my friend Rev. Longcrier for furthering the national dialogue for those and all Americas on this critically important subject."

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How to create an Angry American. Must see.

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A small, tinsy-eensy bitty bit of sanity returns.

Government To Lift Lighter Ban On Planes:

'Taking lighters away is security theater,' Transportation Security Administration chief Kip Hawley told The Times in an interview."

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I leave you with gas.

best of craigslist : Wanfu Date Farts

... I just hope I have the courage to let my bowels loose with an echoing noise of displeasure next time I hear something I don't appreciate.

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Dream Ticket

Sweet Home GoreObama.... The dream ticket for 2008. These two fella's could right a lot of wrongs. Watch it and feel damn sexy.

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Just in case you missed Mr. 26 percent.... Officially lower that Carter ever charted... 3 points away from Nixon.

The Raw Story | Bush's approval rating plunges to new low:

"US President George W. Bush's approval rating plunged to a new low of 26 percent, making him the least popular US president since Richard Nixon, a poll released on Thursday found."

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This entire post on C&L is a good one, but the historical quotes defining patriotism vs. nationalism are especially poignant.

Crooks and Liars - Responsibilities

The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war. — Sidney J. Harris

Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility. Nationalism is a silly cock crowing on its own dunghill and calling for larger spurs and brighter beaks. I fear that nationalism is one of England’s many spurious gifts to the world. — Richard Aldington

“Responsibility” seems to be a common theme:

What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility … a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. — Adlai Stevenson

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Jeezus, there's not any kind of war a Republican can't fuck up. War on terror, war on drugs.... the combo War on drerror in Afganistan....

U.N.: Afghan Opium Production Up:

"VIENNA, Austria — Afghanistan produced dramatically more opium in 2006, increasing its yield by nearly 50 percent from a year earlier and pushing global opium production to a new record high, a U.N. report said Tuesday.

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Ya got me real good girl and I must admit, you pack a pretty mean punch for such a purty little dish.

And its a shame to know most folks don't ever know love like this

Naked Couple Die From S.C. Rooftop Fall:

"Police on Wednesday were investigating how a naked couple fell 50 feet from the roof of a downtown office building to their deaths.

The bodies were found on the road by a passing cabdriver around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Clothing was discovered on the roof, leading authorities to suspect the man and woman, in their early 20s, may have been having sex. Their identities were not released."

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Why Republicans Suck

Things that poll higher than Bush:

Fruitcake Polling Higher Than Bush:

"Fruitcake Polling Higher Than Bush

According to the latest CBS News poll, the president's overall approval rating has dipped to 28 percent—the lowest number in his presidency and dangerously close to Nixon's all-time low of 24 percent. To lend a little context to this historic feat, we found some other people and things with equal or greater popularity."

• Brussels Sprouts (51%)
• Stepping in Dog Shit (35%)
• Getting Kicked in the Balls (41%)

Getting kicked in the Balls is preferrable over having Bush as President. And why can't we impeach this fucker?

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Multiple reason why Republicans suck and all the reason in the world to make sure a Republican is defeated in every single race across the country in 2008.

Republicans Stall Senate's Debate on Iraq War:

"A long-awaited Senate showdown on the war in Iraq was slammed shut before it even started last night when a nearly united Republican front voted to stop the Senate from debating a resolution opposing President Bush's plan to send 21,500 additional combat troops into battle."
.........
"It is clear their actions are not driven by getting votes on Republican proposals. They are driven by a desire to provide political cover for President Bush," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said. "They can't rubber-stamp the president's policies in Iraq any more, so they've decided to stamp out debate and let the president's escalation plan proceed unchecked."

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Because Exxon pays 'em to believe otherwise:

POLL: Only 13 Percent Of Congressional Republicans Believe In Man-Made Global Warming

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It's OK for your little girl to die of cancer when she's an adult but it is not OK for her to have s-e-x at her discretion. Assbackward mother fu.........

Texas Gov. Urged Against Cancer Order:

"AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Several key Republicans urged Gov. Rick Perry on Monday to rescind his executive order making Texas the first state to require girls to be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer."

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I wasn't sure whether to tag this article "Love Like This" or "Goddamn Lonely Love" or "Puttin' People on the Moon"..... so I went with all three.

Coming to a cable channel as a crappy movie of the week near you soon:

Astronaut charged with kidnap attempt:

"ORLANDO, Fla. - A NASA astronaut charged with attempting to kidnap a romantic rival in a love triangle with another astronaut was allowed to go free on bail Tuesday on the condition that she not contact the alleged victim."

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When you need an excuse for being funky:

Human skin populated by veritable zoo of bacteria:

"'We think that many of the normal organisms are protecting the skin. So that's why I don't think it's a great idea to keep washing all the time because we're basically washing off one of our defense layers,' Blaser added."

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Forbidden Beer

Mr. 28%!

When he gets a 2 point bounce tonight from his State of the Union address, watch the media go wild..... WILD, I tell ya. The talking heads will portray him as the come back kid. Mr. 30% with a bullet!

Bush Approval Rating At New Low, On Eve Of State Of Union, President's Approval Rating Falls To 28%:

"Mr. Bush’s overall approval rating has fallen to just 28 percent, a new low, while more than twice as many (64 percent) disapprove of the way he's handling his job. "

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Speaking of the sack of shit that is corporate news media, I fully support the return of the Fairness Doctrine.

Rep. believes Democratic media reform bill may prevent possible 'fascist' takeover of US media:

"Hinchey believes takeover of the U.S. media has been carefully calculated by the political right wing, starting with abolition of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, which had required that broadcasters give equal time for people who wished to express an opposing viewpoint. It was originally adopted in 1949 due to the rise of global fascism after World War II.

Fascist government dominated discussions in Europe. They could now broadcast all over and control all information going out. That's how they took over governments in Spain and Italy Hinchey recalled. The U.S. said the airways should be owned by everyone."

On a related note:

The Next Hurrah: When the liar is a friend:

"When you read a news story, do you take it at face value until something raises a flag or do you look at the source and decide in advance whether you're going to read with a skeptical eye? Are you more likely to believe news if it fits neatly into your existing worldview or are you really objective? Without a healthy skepticism, we would fall for every sales pitch on TV -- but by trusting some sources less it follows that we trust some sources more, and that leaves us vulnerable to carefully placed deceit. I wonder if there's any way to reduce that weak spot without losing trust altogether."

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You might recall this picture.....:

... with this comment.....:

This Starbucks is within the walls of the “Forbidden City,” named so because it was forbidden to anyone that was not part of the Emperor’s court. Today it is forbidden to Dunkin Donuts.

.... from a post AAW hosted from my international friend David Shipper after his trip to China. You can check out the entire post here. Funny stuff.

Well, apparently, the 'Forbidden City' may be forbidden to Starbucks, too:

China palace Starbucks may close:

"BEIJING - Managers of China's vast Forbidden City palace are deciding whether to close a Starbucks outlet on its grounds after protests led by a state TV personality, a news report said Thursday.

The Forbidden City, built in 1420, is a 178-acre complex of villas, chapels and gardens that was home to 24 emperors before the end of imperial rule in 1911. It is China's top tourist attraction, drawing some 7 million visitors a year.

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Using his noggin:

TV Helicopter Pilot Saves Stranded Deer:

"The pilot of a TV news helicopter used the wind from the aircraft's rotor to push a stranded deer to safety after it lost its footing on a frozen lake and could not get up."

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Dammit! Another idea that I could have come up with and made millions. Dammit, dammit, dammit!

A cold one for man's best friend:

"AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- After a long day hunting, there's nothing like wrapping your paw around a cold bottle of beer.

So Terrie Berenden, a pet shop owner in the southern Dutch town of Zelhem, created a beer for her Weimaraners made from beef extract and malt"

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'We got good help down in Franklin County'..... well, not really. She's just training the child for all the National Championships Saban is gonna with at Bama. What's the big deal?

Mom allowed infant to drink beer:

"RUSSELLVILLE -- A Franklin County woman has been arrested after she allowed her infant son to drink beer, officials said."

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It's our ball now, bitches....

....and we are takin' it back to our yard. If you wanna play you're gonna hafta act right.

As they prepare to take control of Congress this week and face up to campaign pledges to restore bipartisanship and openness, Democrats are planning to largely sideline Republicans from the first burst of lawmaking.
......

But instead of allowing Republicans to fully participate in deliberations, as promised after the Democratic victory in the Nov. 7 midterm elections, Democrats now say they will use House rules to prevent the opposition from offering alternative measures, assuring speedy passage of the bills and allowing their party to trumpet early victories.

But you won't act right will you. You'll piss and you'll moan. You might even take a bill introduced by Democrats in 04 that you summarily rejected and make it your own.

Republicans aren't yet an official minority in the House, but they're already beginning a campaign to portray themselves as victims of a heartless Democratic majority.

In a "Dear Colleague" letter circulated to fellow Republicans, three House GOPers are trying to push a "Minority Bill of Rights" -- based on a two-year-old proposal by then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). You can read the letter here.

Wuh, wuh waaahhhh. Nobody likes you..... But a lot of people like us AND our ideas:

WASHINGTON - People overwhelmingly support two of the Democrats' top goals — increasing the minimum wage and making it easier to buy prescription drugs from other countries — as the party takes control of Congress for the first time in a dozen years. By a smaller margin, the public also favors relaxing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, a third issue Democrats have promised to tackle during their first 100 hours in charge.

All this Demo love doesn't make for a pretty 2008 for you guys, does it? Especially when we take a look at who you'll be serving up as a hot steaming pile for president.

Despite WALNUTS!’ recent conversion to a pious, pompous, big-government totalitarian psychotic Jesus Freak, he’s not exactly on the Straight Morality Express. A notorious drunk with a pill-addicted second wife, probably the only time McCain wasn’t sinning against God was when the Viet Cong had him locked in a little cage.

Yes, he was tortured and you gotta love him because of it, but we’ve learned from many movies about the Vietnam War that all those guys come back absolutely crazy. Remember Rambo? Totally true. He’s a maverick all right … just like Caligula!

Let’s do a little Republican 2008 Morality Watch:

• Rudy Giuliani: Twice-divorced opera-loving gay-roommate-having cross-dressing show-tune-dancing Manhattan dandy.
• John McCain: Dangerous would-be totalitarian psychopath Jesus Freak S&L crook who can’t stay married or sober or control the terrible voices in his head.
• Mitt Romney: Mormon, which either means terrific personal morals or scary cult magic-underwear polygamist.
• Duncan Hunter: Toupee-wearing tax cheat who may or may not be wiped out by his buddy Duke Cunningham’s Hookergate.
• Michael Bloomberg: Actually a New York Jewish Democrat who runs the Main Stream Media.
• Newt Gingrich: Sociopathic pornographer and serial adulterer who divorces his many wives the moment they get the cancer.
• Sam “Brokeback” Brownback: Enjoys sexytime sleepovers at men’s prisons.
• Mike Huckabee: Committed to living out the movie “Old School.”

• 
  

The next two years are going to be a lot of fun!

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Neatest toy ever. Check ou the link for some really cool photos of the toy.

It looks like something from a James Bond film. Shaped exactly like a dolphin, this boat is the latest toy for millionaire adrenaline junkies. The Seabreacher can jump 10 feet in the air and even perform acrobatic tricks.

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Lion Mutilates 42 Midgets

Mr. 30 percent.

Zogby International:

"The national job approval rating of President Bush has plummeted to 30%, an all–time low in the latest Zogby International telephone poll, sinking below the 31% approval rating he dropped to in early June."

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Is there any reason for Malkin's existence? Why she as any credibility with any media outlet is beyond me. Yet, you can always count on FOX to allow the raving idiots a forum to.... well, just plain make shit up.

Michelle Malkin: San Fransico is a “Hate Filled” City

Easy trivia question for the day: Where was the epicenter of 'The Summer of Love'?

Answer: San Francisco.

Saying SF is a 'hate filled' city is like saying Hawaii isn't an island.

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And that's the Word!

'Truthiness' is the word of the year:

"SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (AP) -- After 12 months of naked partisanship on Capitol Hill, on cable TV and in the blogosphere, the word of the year for 2006 is ... 'truthiness.'

The word -- if one can call it that -- best summed up 2006, according to an online survey by dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster.

'Truthiness' was credited to Comedy Central satirist Stephen Colbert, who defined it as 'truth that comes from the gut, not books.'

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This is what I'm talking about. I gotsta gets me one of these jobs. Seriously, though and excellent read:

Smashing The Clock:

But arguably no big business has smashed the clock quite so resolutely as Best Buy. The official policy for this post-face-time, location-agnostic way of working is that people are free to work wherever they want, whenever they want, as long as they get their work done. 'This is like TiVo (TIVO ) for your work,' says the program's co-founder, Jody Thompson. By the end of 2007, all 4,000 staffers working at corporate will be on ROWE. Starting in February, the new work environment will become an official part of Best Buy's recruiting pitch as well as its orientation for new hires. And the company plans to take its clockless campaign to its stores--a high-stakes challenge that no company has tried before in a retail environment.

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This story is a year old but you have to read to believe it. As sick as it is..... If anyone has a video of this event, I'm dyin' to see it. I'm a sick bastard, I know:

Lion Mutilates 42 Midgets in Cambodian Ring-Fight:

"The fight was slated when an angry fan contested Yang Sihamoni, President of the CMFL, claiming that one lion could defeat his entire league of 42 fighters."

Estrogen Mafia

Hello, MSM, where the fuck have you been. They're just now figuring out that this a story? This story is 3 years old. Welcome, dipshits.

Bush keeps revising war justification

President Bush keeps revising his explanation for why the U.S. is in Iraq, moving from narrow military objectives at first to history-of-civilization stakes now."

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Again.... Welcome.

Poll - South strongly turning against Iraq war

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Please, oh, please, oh, please let the women get a hold of things in this country. I am all for it. Men have been fucking up things for far too long. We need the women folk to run this show for a while.

A Gender Insurgency In Politics:

"Men have been making policy in Washington for as long as most of us can remember. But much of the political future rests in the hands of women."

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Murtha speaketh....

Confessions of a 'Defeatocrat':

"Democrats are fighting a war on two fronts: One is combating the spin and intimidation that defines this administration. The other is fighting to change course, to do things better, to substitute smart, disciplined strategy for dogma and denial in Iraq.

That's not defeatism. That's our duty."

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Why, oh, why do they hate science so? Oh yeah, because of that nasty little thing called knowledge. Not good for the sheeple. When the sheeple get smart they tell the sheppard to get fucked. November 7 is the time to tell the sheppard to get fucked.

Experts claim EPA under fire from Bush Administration:

"Experts interviewed by RAW STORY indicated a wide swath of damage done by the Bush Administration to EPA. Political appointees, low scientist morale, and misuse of science extend across all aspects of government research and policy. It’s an impact that is bound to outlive the administration and might not be corrected by future presidents, the experts said.

“People need to understand how driven this administration is,” Cornehls stated. “Decisions are made on a belief system rather than on good science.”"

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Sign o' the times:

Jobless man asks judge for jail time:

"COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A man who couldn't find steady work came up with a plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect Social Security: He robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and waited for police.

On Wednesday, Timothy J. Bowers told a judge a three-year prison sentence would suit him, and the judge obliged.

'At my age, the jobs available to me are minimum-wage jobs. There is age discrimination out there,' Bowers, who turns 63 in a few weeks, told Judge Angela White."

What a Weekend

Holy crap. What a weekend. Extremely discombobulated. Must speak and write in clipped sentences. Articles. Below. Interesting. Read. DBT post on Friday. Pictures. Incredible. Rocked the bark off of the trees in Golden Gate park.

Unclaimed Territory - by Glenn Greenwald:

"The absolute refusal ever to admit error. The desperate clinging to power above all else. The efforts to cloud what are clear matters of wrongdoing with irrelevant sideshows. And the parade of dishonest and just plainly inane demonization efforts to hide and distract from their wrongdoing: hence, the pages are manipulative sex vixens; a shadowy gay cabal is to blame; the real criminals are those who exposed the conduct, not those who engaged in it; liberals created the whole scandal; George Soros funded the whole thing; a Democratic Congressman did something wrong 23 years ago; one of the pages IM'd with Foley as a 'hoax', and on and on. There has been a virtual carousel -- as there always is -- of one pathetic, desperate attempt after the next to deflect blame and demonize those who are pointing out the wrongdoing. This is what they always do, on every issue. The difference here is that everyone can see it, and so nothing is working."

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Whiskey Bar: Hot Republican Studds:

It's the talking point of the day for Republicans -- and yes, it is a talking point.

Gerry Studds (D-MA) had sex with a 17-year-old male page in 1983. He was reprimanded. Republicans wanted to censure him. But 79 Dems voted against upgrading the condemnation.

It may be the talking point of the day, but it's also a lie."

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Pelosi says she would drain GOP 'swamp:

"Day One: Put new rules in place to 'break the link between lobbyists and legislation.'

Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.

Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds — 'I hope with a veto-proof majority,' she added in an Associated Press interview Thursday.

All the days after that: 'Pay as you go,' meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.

To do that, she said, Bush-era tax cuts would have to be rolled back for those above 'a certain level.' She mentioned annual incomes of $250,000 or $300,000 a year and higher, and said tax rates for those individuals might revert to those of the Clinton era. Details will have to be worked out, she emphasized.

'We believe in the marketplace,' Pelosi said of Democrats, then drew a contrast with Republicans. 'They have only rewarded wealth, not work.'

'We must share the benefits of our wealth' beyond the privileged few, she added."

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Which is scarier? This:

Bush: Job Ratings

Or this:

It puts the lotion on its skin: