Opt-Out Public Option

Now this is a brilliant idea as long as the strongest possible, no trigger, no co-op PO is in the bill.

Political genius, too.

Wanna be all anti-gov? Your state can just opt the fuck out. We blue states will be more than happy to take all of the businesses that will flee your backward asses.

States rights? Well, here you go! Have at it, Randians.

Dems Discussing Public Option With Opt-Out Clause: The Silver Bullet?:

"But instead of starting with no national public option and giving state governments the right to develop their own, the newest compromise approaches the issue from the opposite direction: beginning with a national public option and giving state governments the right not to have one."

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Daily Kos: Opt-Out Public Option: EPIC WIN:

"Rarely do the Left and the Right have a head-to-head opportunity to prove out, in real time, the relative superiority of their respective value systems and legislative choices, with real and immediate consequences not only for the partisan legislators involved, but for the legitimacy of a Party's entire ideological underpinnings.

An opt-out system will allow Republicans to use their own psychotic, sociopathic momentum to carry them to their doom. With apologies to the long-suffering citizens of those states who may have to wait a few more years for needed help on healthcare, I say let each state do as it pleases, and let the chips fall where they may.

And within a decade, the writing on the wall will be so clear even in Alabama and Mississippi that not only will we have a national public plan, but we might even see some deep South red states turn blue as a result."

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"With full apologies due to my fellow Democrats in deep red states, I must nevertheless admit that I really love the idea of an opt-out public option.

Not because it's the best idea by any means. A robust single-payer plan would be the best idea. Not because tens of thousands of real Americans won't die and go bankrupt in states with morally bankrupt legislators.

But it would do wonders to completely reframe the entire debate over the public option and healthcare in general by allowing, at long last, those states with Randian ideological pedigrees to truly 'go Galt', in a head to head test of ideologies to see who comes out ahead and why. And if we play our cards right, it might just be the ticket to Democratic victories in the South."

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They would have never fixed it regardless. To the GOP there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way things are now. Nothing. Insurance companies are making money hand over fist while the rest of us eats cake.

Think Progress � Rep. Ryan admits GOP was negligent on health care for 12 years: ‘We should have fixed this under our watch.’:

"FRANK: I just want to ask Paul one question. … When did you figure that out? Because apparently for the 12 years that the Republicans were in control — eight of which had a Republican president — that hadn’t occurred to you. So I’m glad you now understand that. Can you tell me at what moment the revelation occurred?

RYAN: First of all, I introduced on this subject about six years ago.

FRANK: You had control of the Congress. Why didn’t the Republican Congress fix it?

RYAN: I will have a moment of bipartisan agreement. We should have fixed this under our watch and I’m frustrated we didn’t."

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And to personalize the issue, my friend Steve sent this to me yesterday.

It is an interview with his sister from 1992. Cheryl had breast cancer and, surprise, the insurance companies denied her specific treatments. In 1992. Let's see, wasn't there a Democrat in office who tried to reform health care back in 1992 and wasn't it the Republican party who put all of their money and effort into killing any type of reform.

Cheryl died in 1996.... from breast cancer.

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So they want to trump up some shit on ACORN with silly hidden cameras.

Two can play that game.

Exclusive: Gun show dealers caught on video selling to people who tell them they'd fail a background check | Crooks and Liars

Unlike the phony ACORN undercover operation -- which only offered for public view a single instance of actual miscreancy, and refused to report the several instances in which they were turned away -- this report is clear that some gun vendors adhered to the law.

But some 19 out of the 30 vendors approached sold to investigators who said they'd probably fail a check. Along the way, they bought semi-automatic handguns and assault rifles. All told, 39 of 51 attempts to buy a gun illegally were successful. Several vendors told their buyers that they probably wouldn't pass a check either.

Only 11 vendors said no.

There were exchanges like this caught on tape:

"I don't need your address."

"No background check?"

"Nothing. Just show me that you're from Ohio."

"That's good about the background check because I probably couldn’t pass one."

"I don't care. All's I got to do is demand you show me your license."

"You don’t care about the background check, right?"

"Nope. Nope. I wouldn't pass either, bud." [grin]

"Is that right?"

This is why some 30 percent of all illegal gun traffic in the United States emanates from gun shows. It's long past time to shut this travesty down.

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A bit high minded, but an interesting perspective.

Daily Kos: A World Without Republicanism

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Wingnuts will believe anything as long as it feeds what they already believe.

Bill Ayers having a laugh at wingnuts, bloggers say | Raw Story

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Somebody had to parody this silliness.

McNaughton Fine Art

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If They Only Had a Heart

Good Democrat. Good boy!

He needs to teach a master class to all of the fake ass Dems we have in office.

More of this, please. Much more. Daily more.

Grayson: Republicans Don't Want You To 'Die Quickly' -- They Don't Care | TPMDC:

"In an interview on the local radio show Doc & Grace in the Morning, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) explained that his comments about Republicans have been twisted into meaning that they somehow want Americans to die -- when the real truth is that they don't care.

'You know, this is being transmogrified into something else,' Grayson complained. 'Honestly, the people I deal with, the people I actually am across the aisle with every day, I don't think they care about ordinary people. I don't think that the Republicans in Congress actually have a heart. I'll be honest with you.'"

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Medical tort issues contribute to a mere 1% of all health care costs in this country. Use that one next time some rethug wants to blather about evil trial lawyers putting poor, poor doctors out of business.

Everybody hates a trial lawyer until a doctor removes the wrong breast or testicle.

And, again-again, it is the insurers of malpractice who are breaking the Dr.'s bank.

Medical Malpractice Insurers’ Profits Higher Than Nearly All Fortune 500 Companies � The Washington Independent:

"The American Association for Justice — the trial lawyers’ lobby group — has just released an astounding statistic: medical malpractice insurance companies’ average profits are higher than those of 99 percent of Fortune 500 companies.

As the nation remains mired in a debate over health care reform and how to keep down the costs of expanding coverage, AAJ is trying to point out that Republicans claims that medical malpractice lawsuits are one of the big cost drivers is completely misleading. In fact, though malpractice claims and so-called “defensive medicine” does account for a small percentage of unnecessary costs, medical errors and the astronomical profits of malpractice insurers appear to be a bigger part of the problem."

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America haters.

Their hypocrisy makes my blood boil.

But this is such 'fair and balanced' horseshit writing from the Politico.

Dems: GOP rooting against America - Politico.com Print View:

"During the Bush era, Republicans from Karl Rove to Joe Wilson questioned — in ways both veiled and overt — the patriotism of Democrats who challenged the administration’s Iraq policy, pre-war intelligence and surveillance programs.

But the joyous reaction in some GOP quarters to the International Olympics Committee's snub of Chicago — coupled with the party’s rapid-fire reaction to bad economic data — has some Democrats turning the tables and asking if Republicans are the ones cheering against America now.

Many Democrats saw the outbursts following the IOC decision — the merry Tweets, videos of cheering conservatives and chest-thumping by party leaders like Newt Gingrich — as part of a larger pattern that includes the flirtation of right-wing Texans like Gov. Rick Perry with secession and the caustic tone of right-wing talk radio, embodied by Rush Limbaugh’s “I want him to fail” comment about Obama in January."

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Shocking.

Study: Bush administration blocked efforts to prevent housing crisis | Raw Story:

"The study may be the first scientific evidence to back up claims made by many critics that the Bush administration and earlier administrations allowed last year's financial crisis to happen by not enforcing common-sense regulations on lenders."

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5 of our SC Judges truly are horrible people. Thomas just does whatever the other 4 tell him to do. No need for questions.

Sotomayor Asks More Questions In An Hour Than Thomas Has In Years

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Very neat.

Note found in antique chair spurs treasure hunt

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Nature isn't going to take our shit for much longer.

Pack of raccoons mauls 74-year-old Florida woman

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Letter to the Editor FAIL

Letter to the Editor - Southern Style - FAIL.

Lots of good folks down there, but ol' Janice doesn't seem to be one of them.

Never going back to Buttholeville..... Star.

A great idea | TimesDaily.com | The Times Daily | Florence, AL:

"I am writing in response to the You Said It caller who sarcastically remarked about the possibility of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh being the president and vice president of the United States.

What a great idea! I believe if Glenn Beck were president, the U.S. Constitution would be honored once again, there would be no more czars and Rahm Emanuel and David Axlerod would not be in the White House telling the president how to run the country (into the ground)!

Janice Williams

Center Star"

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Just takes the snark right out of me.

"We should change the part about giving to the poor, 'cause that's some commie lovin' crap, and, instead, say give big ass corporate tax breaks to companies we deem 'too large to fail'". Jesus would have wanted it that way."

Mighty presumption to think you can edit 'the word of GAWD'.

Conservative Bible Project Cuts Out Liberal Passages:

"Lo and behold, the Bible has gotten too liberal, according to a group of conservatives. And it needs a little editing.

That's the inspiration behind the Conservative Bible Project, which seeks to take the text back to its supposed right-wing roots.

Yes, even scripture is not orthodox enough for the modern conservative. Not that it's the fault of the author(s), exactly. The group cites a few reasons why the Bible is too progressive: 'Lack of precision in the original language ... lack of precision in modern language' and 'translation bias in converting the original language to the modern one.'"

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Executed an innocent man. Now covering it up. Stay classy, Perry.

Cameron Todd Willingham: Texas Governor Dismisses 3 Commission Members Just 48 Hours Before Arson Review

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A few days old, but if I can make one more fundie head explode, I've done my duty.

Oldest "Human" Skeleton Found--Disproves "Missing Link":

"Scientists today announced the discovery of the oldest fossil skeleton of a human ancestor. The find reveals that our forebears underwent a previously unknown stage of evolution more than a million years before Lucy, the iconic early human ancestor specimen that walked the Earth 3.2 million years ago (interactive time line: how the new discovery changes human evolutionary theory)."

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This would really pop some fundie head, too.

Rocky Planet Discovery: NASA/Harvard Teams Say "Finding a Second Earth Could Happen Anytime Now":

"Astronomers may be on the brink of discovering a second Earth-like planet, a find that would add fresh impetus to the search for extraterrestrial life. Astronomers from six major centers, including NASA, Harvard and the University of Colorado, agreed at a conference last year that advances in technology suggest scientists are on the verge of being able to detect the presence of small, rocky planets, much like our own, around distant stars for the first time. The planets are considered the most likely habitats for extraterrestrial life."

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Duuuude. Awesome. Good luck with the deadlines, though.

Denver Westword IS Hiring A Pot Critic To Review Marijuana Dispensaries - Speakeasy - WSJ:

"On Tuesday, the Denver Westword, a respected alt-weekly, posted an unusual job opening on its Web site. “Calling all potential pot reviewers: Westword wants you!”"

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GODDAMMIT!

You can't knock somebody up via dream and/or solo shower 'sex', right?

If no, then I repeat: GODDAMMIT!

Padma Lakshmi Is PREGNANT! But With Whose Baby?

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Hardly Strictly Over the Fun

My, what a fun weekend. It was a star fucker extraordinaire.

Phoning it in today... literally. Bunch of content that will take me a good week to edit.

In the meantime, here are some phone shots.

Robert Plant's back side. Didn't take a picture until the 4th time I saw him.

Uncle Josh and I enjoying Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

The Main Event. DBT and Booker T!

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DBT Week in Review - 10/2/09

DBT!/Patterson Hood

If you have an iPhone go get DBT's new iPhone app. Pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself.

Two links.

This one will launch iTunes store directly to the app.

This one is a third party vendor:

Drive-By Truckers - Official App iPhone application - AppStoreHQ

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New Words from the Hood.

Patterson Hood

New solo gigs for Patterson:

Patterson Hood - Tour

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The Lovesick Drunk: Album of the Decade: Drive-by Truckers - Decoration Day:

"How do you follow up a masterpiece? You one-up the mother fucker."

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Hellz yeah. Git you some.

"INSPIRING MOMENT
Sent to me as a complimentary gift CD for the work I'd done for 91.3 WYEP FM, I found this track to be the most soulful on the compilation. And I found it fascinating for the main character to wonder about his own mortality even after death. Conversely I wonder if I am at times dead even in life."

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Jason Isbell

Trythespecial's Blog:

"So I’m doing a little blogging now. Lots going on these days, and I thought some of you might want to know how we’re getting along. The Americana Awards are Thursday night the Ryman in Nashville, and of course excitement abounds. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing lots of old friends and hearing some great music. Here’s a picture-"

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Dexateens

The Dexateens (dexateens) on Twitter

Skybucket Records:

"$ 14.00

This is to pre-order the vinyl LP edition of Dexateens – Singlewide. All orders will be ship before release date to arrive early or on time. All orders will come with download code of full album plus alternate versions. THE RELEASE DATE IS NOVEMBER 24"

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Drivin' n' Cryin'

Please go buy this excellent record if you haven't already. Really, really good stuff.

Amazon.com: The Great American Bubble Factory: Drivin' n' Cryin': Music

I've been revisiting some older DnC and at the same time revisiting some of my youth. So glad these guys are still around and making good tunes.

Here's where my worlds collide.

Stewart Cink hanging with DnC.

Facebook | drivin' n' cryin''s Photos - Dave FM Circle of Friends

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DnC on CNN.com doing some acoustic.

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Muscle Shoals Sound

The other Southern sound | TimesDaily.com | The Times Daily | Florence, AL:

"SHEFFIELD - Jay Johnson says he knows just enough Spanish to get into trouble, but he's not going to let his limitations keep him from taking on the challenge of learning a Mexican rock song.

The song and maybe a couple of other rock songs that are popular south of the border will appear on an album featuring Johnson and guitarist Brian Flynn, a Colorado native who has spent the past 15 years living and playing music in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Johnson, son of Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section founder Jimmy Johnson, and Flynn began recording the untitled album at Jimmy Johnson's Sheffield studio in mid-September.

The guitarists were joined in the studio by Flynn's friend and bassist, John June, and Shoals drummer, John Blumer, who played with Johnson in the popular local act, Radio Tokyo, in the 1980s.

Several other noted musicians, including former 38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi and one-time Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Mike Estes, also are expected to be involved in the project."

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Music

Grumbine rants so good.

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Grateful Dead Archive To Be Preserved Online - cbs5.com

Warner music videos returning to YouTube

Lucy Vodden Dead: 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' Dies At 46

Subversive cartoonist R. Crumb zaps the Bible | Raw Story:

"PARIS — Subversive US cartoonist Robert Crumb, whose take on the Bible is about to be released worldwide, says people are “totally nuts” for taking the book so seriously for so long.

“I grew to hate the Bible,” he told a press conference for the international launch of “Robert Crumb’s Book of Genesis”, which he called a “gruelling” four year project. The book hits bookshelves in late October in Europe, Brazil and the United States.

“The idea of millions of people taking this so seriously is totally nuts,” he added. “The Bible doesn’t need to be satirised. It’s already so crazy.”"

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I Ain't Sorry

A thing of political beauty.

Here's the flow.

Rep. Alan Grayson, FL (D) discovers magic orbs very unfamiliar to Democrats in general. After some research he discovered that these orbs are called 'balls'.

Instead of cowering in fear as most Democrats would when confronted with 'balls', Rep. Grayson, by the power of Greystone, decides to utilize the potent energy held within the magic orbs.

He takes to the floor:



Wowza, right!

Of course the Republicans get the vapors because a Dem was a big old meanie to them and called them out in public.

Republican selective memory kicks in of course. They would never, ever use the type of rhetoric that Grayson did. Why, Virginia, it is so beyond the pale. How could anyone....

Despite Outrage, Many House Republicans Have Said Dem Health Care Will Kill People:

Congressional Republicans are expressing outrage over freshman Rep. Alan Grayson's suggestion on the House floor Tuesday night that the GOP health care plan amounts to little more than "don't get sick" -- and if you do, "die quickly."

"Take Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.), who said in July: 'Last week, Democrats released a health care bill which essentially said to America's seniors: drop dead.'

Or Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.), a doctor, who reviewed the public health insurance option in July and diagnosed that it is 'gonna kill people.'

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), not one to pull punches, suggested on the House floor that Congress 'make sure we bring down the cost of health care for all Americans and that ensures affordable access for all Americans and is pro-life because it will not put seniors in a position of being put to death by their government.'

July was a busy time for House floor death sentences. Also that month, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), noted: 'One in five people have to die because they went to socialized medicine...I would hate to think that among five women, one of 'em is gonna die because we go to socialized care.'

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) had a similar assessment. 'They're going to save money by rationing care, getting you in a long line. Places like Canada, United Kingdom, and Europe. People die when they're in line,' he said on the House floor in July."

Remember: It is OK if you're a Republican (IOKIYAR)

Repugs dip into their tried and true vapor bag and demand... nay, require an apology. Hell, it's worked so well in the past. A Dems will cave, right?

So, Grayson takes the floor again. And he apologizes.....



Kapowya! Didn't see that one coming.

The balls, they're alive! Alive with spine stiffening ballsy goodness.

But Grayson ain't through yet.

Watch him on The View.... uh, I mean CNN's Situation Room (Wolf and Co. are the most pathetic bunch of... I don't even now what they are. It ain't journalism they are practicing. Did Perez Hilton produce this segment?)

Alan Grayson: Republicans Are "Knuckle-Dragging Neanderthals" On Health Reform (VIDEO)

Awsum. I <3 Grayson.

You should too. Send him a few bucks for his most excellent work:

ActBlue — Alan Grayson

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What do we have here. Possible snow'balls' effect?

White House lashes out at Glenn Beck, Fox News ‘lies’:

"In another sign that the Obama administration is increasingly willing to take on its media critics directly, the White House blog has published a comparison of Fox News 'rhetoric' versus 'reality' on the issue of President Obama's support for Chicago's Olympic bid.

The statement went so far as to use the expression 'Fox lies.'

'Last night Fox News continued its disregard for the facts in an attempt to smear the Administration's efforts to win the Olympics for the United States,' the White House blog entry begins. 'In the past, hosting the Olympics has been a source of pride and unity for the country, but once again Fox News' Glenn Beck program has shown that nothing is worthy of respect if it can be used as part of a partisan attack to boost ratings.'"

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Newsmax. Sponsored by the RNC. Calling for a military coup to over through Obama.

Fuckers.

Newsmax removes column that called for military coup to resolve the ‘Obama problem.’

Digby nails it.

Hullabaloo:

"Yes. Nine months in, it's obvious that the only choice Real Americans have is to stage a coup. The lessons they've learned from recent presidencies is that impeachment is no sure thing and that unless you can get close enough to steal elections, you might get stuck with someone you didn't vote for. So they're dreaming of more tried and true methods. That whole democracy thing is very inconvenient."

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El Incompetence.

RNC Hispanic Heritage month press release messes up Spanish — over and over again | Raw Story:

"“Though the press release emphasizes the Republican Party’s ‘commitment to the Hispanic community,’ apparently that commitment does not include hiring a qualified Spanish translator,” the site’s Andrea Nill remarked. “The Spanish translation of [Republican National Committee Chairman Michael] Steele’s statement is riddled with embarrassing typos and errors. Even Yahoo’s automatic online translator, Babel Fish, produces better results. A quick revision highlights the multitude of glaring errors.”

That revision appears below."

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Just seems appropriate to end with the following. This is a must read. So awesome.

Judge weighs whether cows enjoyed ’suckling’ cop’s member

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Deadly Sins

WTF, seriously? If this happens in a another small town, we've got some serious issues in this country. Meaning, if a pattern develops.

Also.... Oh, Baucus. Is there any bit of conservative ideology that you won't suck off.

I like the '... Max Baucus and other Republican lawmakers...". Yeah, he might as well be Republican.

Reports: Mysterious, unregistered security firm policing Montana town:

"A mysterious, reportedly unregistered and almost entirely unknown private security firm by the name 'American Police Force' is causing a stir in a small Montana town for apparently impersonating local police.

According to a local media report, APF representatives were recently seen in the tiny town of Hardin, Montana, driving black SUV's with a peculiar logo and, inexplicably, 'City of Hardin Police Department' stamped on the door."
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Hardin, home to about 3,400 people, is in the state’s poorest county. Its unoccupied, 460-bed prison cost $27 million to construct. The town made national headlines earlier this year when local officials pleaded to have Guantanamo Bay inmates sent to the jail.

Montana Democratic Senator Max Baucus and other Republican lawmakers have stood in the way of moving Guantanamo inmates stateside, claiming they would present an increased security risk. The political calculation has led the White House to caution that its promise to close the controversial facility in January may not materialize on schedule.

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What can I add....

GOP councilor would rather abolish police force than see it unionize

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In news of the 'no-shit'.

Generals: Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney are scaremongering - Josh Gerstein - POLITICO.com:

"About a dozen retired generals and admirals, trying to add momentum to President Barack Obama’s effort to close the Guantanamo Bay military prison, are accusing former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz of scaremongering about the dangers of closing it.

“It’s up to all of us to say these arguments advanced by Cheney and his acolytes are nonsense and that really what they’re doing is undermining our national security by delaying the date at which Guantanamo is closed,” retired Brig. Gen. James Cullen, a former chief judge of the Army’s Court of Criminal Appeals, told POLITICO Tuesday."

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RS does some of the finest political journalism out there.

The Lie Machine : Rolling Stone

Conservatives were quick to insist that the near-riot — the first of many town-hall mobs that would dominate the headlines in August — was completely spontaneous. The protesters didn't show up "because of some organized group," Rick Scott, the head of Conservatives for Patients' Rights, told reporters. "They're mad about the stimulus bill, the bailout, the economy. Now they see that their health care is about to be taken over by the government."

In fact, Scott's own group had played an integral role in mobilizing the protesters. According to internal documents obtained by Rolling Stone, Conservatives for Patients' Rights had been working closely for weeks as a "coalition partner" with three other right-wing groups in a plot to unleash irate mobs at town-hall meetings just like Doggett's. Far from representing a spontaneous upwelling of populist rage, the protests were tightly orchestrated from the top down by corporate-funded front groups as well as top lobbyists for the health care industry. Call it the return of the Karl Rove playbook: The effort to mobilize the angriest fringe of the Republican base was guided by a conservative dream team that included the same GOP henchmen who Swift-boated John Kerry in 2004, smeared John McCain in 2000, wrote the script for Republican obstructionism on global warming, and harpooned the health care reform effort led by Hillary Clinton in 1993.

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Methodology may be iffy, but fun stats none-the-less.

American Vice: Mapping the 7 Deadly Sins

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20 Dollars to make you Holler

I watched the first one with John Muir and it was excellent.

We've had a corporate asshole problem in the U.S. since its inception. If it weren't for Muir, we'd have a damn roller coaster coming off of the falls in Yosemite and McDonald adverts plastered on El Capitan.

Daily Kos: Burns' National Park series PERFECTLY timed (Updated x3 w/more photos)

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Yeah, well, Lee Atwater recanted on his death bed but where did that get us.

Its a little to little, its a little too late.

Greenspan Backs Key Obama Wall Street Reform Effort:

"Greenspan has acknowledged that the collapse has led to a crisis of faith. 'I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organizations, specifically banks and others, were such as that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and their equity in the firms,' Greenspan said at a House hearing last October under questioning from Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.).

'In other words,' said Waxman, moving in for the kill, 'you found that your view of the world, your ideology, was not right, it was not working.'

'Absolutely, precisely,' said Greenspan. 'You know, that's precisely the reason I was shocked, because I have been going for 40 years or more with very considerable evidence that it was working exceptionally well.'

It's one thing to reject a failed ideology, but another altogether to embrace the kind of regulation represented by the CFPA. 'He has already said that he erred in assuming that the market would take care of things--the Ayn Rand point of view--but this seems to go farther than he's gone before in calling for a new agency to protect consumers from financial products,' said Miller"

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Letter to the editor, Southern Style.

Excellent Ass Whuppin.

Fair coverage | TimesDaily.com | The Times Daily | Florence, AL:

"In response to Perry Taylor's letter criticizing the limited space the TimesDaily devoted to the trek taken by himself and a few of the citizens to protest, whatever it was, and focus on 'Taking Back America,' I want to respond.

Mr. Taylor, you need to read the copies of the TimesDaily for Nov. 5 and Jan. 20. The TimesDaily gave fair and complete coverage of how our citizens already took back America. It was called the presidential election and the presidential inauguration."

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The world is watching... us make assholes of ourselves.

'World Leader' to Obama: Explain Why 'They're Putting a Hitler Moustache On You' - Political Punch:

"'I was up at the G20 -- just a little aside -- I was up at the G20, and some of you saw those big flags and all the world leaders come in and Michelle and I are shaking hands with them,' the president said. 'One of the leaders -- I won't mention who it was -- he comes up to me. We take the picture, we go behind.

'He says, 'Barack, explain to me this health care debate.'

'He says, 'We don't understand it. You're trying to make sure everybody has health care and they're putting a Hitler mustache on you -- I don't -- that doesn't make sense to me. Explain that to me.''"

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Huzzah, Palau! Now, if you can only survive the tropical storms pounding you at the moment.

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary'

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This was posted on Kos last week. Old article, but a damn fine read.

The $20 Theory of the Universe - Esquire

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Blackwashing

Seriously. Bunch of damn pussies.

It's time for Obama to take off the kid gloves -- latimes.com:

"The president's coolness in the face of the right wing's relentlessly anti-intellectual assault on his policies has been impressive as a display of character. But it also has enabled his opponents to subvert his program and erode his popularity.

He hasn't been helped by the feckless performance of the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. They've behaved like they think the public buys into such Republican talking points on healthcare as the 'death panel' and 'socialized medicine' claims -- all discredited fantasies.

By failing to take a strong line, the Democrats allowed the GOP to dominate the healthcare debate all summer. Senate Majority Leader Reid wasted weeks trying to enlist the GOP in a compromise, despite clear signs that Republican leaders were only interested in sabotaging reform. Obama didn't really take the reins of the debate until his address to Congress on Sept. 9.

Consequently, reform that Congress might have passed by Labor Day may not happen for months. Reid still isn't guaranteeing that healthcare reform will pass this year, saying only that there's 'a very good chance' it will happen. Is this how a leader with a commanding majority should talk?"

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Only a Southerner could pull this off.

Blackwashing: Stephen Colbert Goes There. . .

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The Post is lying out of its ass. The drops were due to the grassroots (small donors) extremely turned off by the unchanginess of the Obama administration. I've given directly to a couple of candidates, but the DNC, DCCC, DSCC, Obama, won't see a dime from me until they start acting like progressives.

Democrats Jarred By Drop In Campaign Donations:

"The Washington Post reports that harsh rhetoric about big business is costing Democrats campaign funds.

The Post reports that the majority of the fundraising declines were due to wealthy donors holding back."

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It is a bitch when one is required to actually deal with the horseshit laws one's party crammed down the U.S.'s throat during the Bush Wonder Years.

Poor, poor baby.

TSA, GOP Rep. square off in airport over body scanners | Raw Story:

"A Republican congressman who recently had an unpleasant run-in with the Transportation Security Administration in a Utah airport is denying allegations that he acted out over being ushered into a line for a full body scanning machine.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), a longtime opponent of the security technology witch effectively performs a strip search on its subjects, told a Salt Lake City NBC affiliate that a TSA agent claimed to know “exactly” who he is, causing the congressman to wonder if the whole incident was direct harassment.

He added that while the body scanner is optional, agents tried to force him through it.

“They did not make it optional; and when I told them I didn’t want to do it, they started treating me as though I was some sort of criminal or something, giving me the third degree,” he told KSL NBC 5."

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Uh.... I call titty bleeding an emergency. But, hey, I'm not medical insurer, so what do I know.

CA Insurer: Woman's Bleeding Breast Not Emergency - cbs5.com:

"Why? Documents from Blue Shield indicate the company had reviewed the case and determined Miran-Ramirez 'reasonably should have known that an emergency did not exist.'

'I am like how can they say that it was not an emergency? Like, my breast was bleeding! I am not a clinical person but if your breast is bleeding, for me that's an emergency,' she said."

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Hurry up with the real space travel already. I'm ready to jump off this rock and check out what else is out there.

Water detected on the Moon

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This should help you pass some time today.

There, I Fixed It: Epic Kludges Jury Rigs

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DBT Week in Review - 9/25/09

Rock star with a green thumb AND hot model. Oh, Shonna, is there anything you can't do.

Songbirds Page 6 | Alabama Chanin

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"Video for the Inflatable Orchestra (aka Jay Gonzalez) song, 'Into the Culvert.' This is actually something I shot a couple years back, which Jay and I have long discussed putting music to. Finally, this song clicked."

That's Don Chambers as the lead role.

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Haven't gotten mine yet, but you should get yours pronto.

However, I did watch The Accountant the other day... again. Never gets old.

Amazon.com: Randy and The Mob: Ray McKinnon, Walton Goggins, Lisa Blount, Burt Reynolds: Movies & TV

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Via Jenn:

50 STATES: Alabama:

"How a place as nondescript as Muscle Shoals became such a musical mecca — the area is home to the growing Alabama Music Hall of Fame — is hotly debated by locals and tourists alike.

Four neighboring towns comprise the region that most people refer to as the Shoals: Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield, and Muscle Shoals are all clustered along the banks of the scenic Tennessee River, which used to be impassable here; giant boulders jutted out of the water and spelled doom for passing ships and barges. The Native Americans actually called it the “Singing River” after the sound of water passing around the stones."

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Singing River Records seeking third artist | TimesDaily.com | The Times Daily | Florence, AL:

"Singing River Records is a record label managed by UNA students who are involved in every phase of the operation, from selecting an artist, recording the music, mixing the tracks and marketing and releasing the finished product."

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Interesting promo/release idea.

Smashing Pumpkins dot com | announcement from billy corgan about new smashing pumpkins album

I'm happy to finally announce the plans for the new Smashing Pumpkins album.

Recording began yesterday, September 15th, 2009 on the new record which will be entitled 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope'. The album will feature 44 songs, 4 of which are now being recorded. My desire is to release a song at a time beginning around Halloween of this year, with each new release coming shortly after until all 44 are out. Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish.

We will however sell highly limited edition EP's (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EP's will be made available are still being worked out. Because the songs themselves will be free, the EP's will be more like collectors items for the discerning fan who will want the art itself, along with the highest possible audio quality available. The EP's will be more like mini-box sets rather than your normal cd single. We may also offer other variations for sale, say for example a digital single with a demo version of a song. The commitment that is most important is the one I'm making to you: that the music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' will be available for free to everyone. All 44 songs: free for ALL.

When the entire album is finished, it will be compiled into a deluxe box set which will also be made available for sale. Those who have bought the EP's need not worry, as the box set will not be a recompilation of the limited edition pieces.

The story of the album is based on 'The Fool's Journey', as signified in the progress of the Tarot. It is my intention to approach this by breaking down the journey of our life here into four phases as made by these different characters; the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic, and the Mystic.

The music of 'Teargarden by Kaleidyscope' harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins: atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty.

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