Friday, September 28, 2007
Slander Our Troops
Dear Rush Limbaugh:
How dare you. How fucking dare you. How you can sit there, in your air-conditioned, well-paid-for studio as far from a firefight as humanly possible, sitting on the ass that got you out of military service and call people who, even though they do not believe in the cause, still put their lives on the line to protect civilians as well as their fellow soldiers "phonies"?
Were these soldiers phonies, Rush? They had their boots on the ground. They saw what was going on, and wrote back to America to tell about it. And now they're dead. Are you going to go to their families and tell them that their service meant absolutely nothing?
What you are, Mr. Limbaugh, is a disgrace. A man who is so tiny, he has to belittle true American heroes because they won't back up his rapidly collapsing paradigms.
How dare you. How fucking dare you. How you can sit there, in your air-conditioned, well-paid-for studio as far from a firefight as humanly possible, sitting on the ass that got you out of military service and call people who, even though they do not believe in the cause, still put their lives on the line to protect civilians as well as their fellow soldiers "phonies"?
Were these soldiers phonies, Rush? They had their boots on the ground. They saw what was going on, and wrote back to America to tell about it. And now they're dead. Are you going to go to their families and tell them that their service meant absolutely nothing?
What you are, Mr. Limbaugh, is a disgrace. A man who is so tiny, he has to belittle true American heroes because they won't back up his rapidly collapsing paradigms.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Legally Objectionable
And we're back. You'll have to excuse me; there was a bit of a homework panic.
And who better to bring us back in than raving anti-games advocate and reality troll Jack Thompson? And oh, did he lay a ripe one.
See, first of all, Thompson, for his long string of... questionable tactics, is already under investigation by the Florida Bar Assocation. Of course, the perfectly reasonable response to this is to file a suit against the Florida Bar Association. And as part of this perfectly logical action, Thompson has accused the bar of collaboration with Norm Kent, who runs a news service called the National Gay News. Now, NGN offers adult links, and Thompson is accusing the Bar of knowingly associating with a man who, and I quote, "distribut[es]... hardcore porn to anyone of any age." This, too, would be fair enough of an accusation-- maybe a bit out there, but certainly fair enough.
But of course, it's not a Jack Thompson legal battle if it doesn't go completely batshit:
Not content to make that alleged point in writing, Thompson attached several gay porn pictures to his motion with Judge Jordan. The pictures apparently do not come directly from the National Gay News site, but rather are contained on sites linked from NGN’s adult links section.
The judge is decidedly not happy, as this means hardcore pornography can be viewed via the court's docketing system. Thompson, of course, has already set himself up to play the martyr:
To hold Thompson in contempt for alerting the federal court system to the criminal activity… is akin to arresting Paul Revere, in 1775, for “disturbing the peace” with his midnight ride…
Man, there's nothing I love more than seeing the long, slow-burning self-destruction of someone who truly deserves it.
And who better to bring us back in than raving anti-games advocate and reality troll Jack Thompson? And oh, did he lay a ripe one.
See, first of all, Thompson, for his long string of... questionable tactics, is already under investigation by the Florida Bar Assocation. Of course, the perfectly reasonable response to this is to file a suit against the Florida Bar Association. And as part of this perfectly logical action, Thompson has accused the bar of collaboration with Norm Kent, who runs a news service called the National Gay News. Now, NGN offers adult links, and Thompson is accusing the Bar of knowingly associating with a man who, and I quote, "distribut[es]... hardcore porn to anyone of any age." This, too, would be fair enough of an accusation-- maybe a bit out there, but certainly fair enough.
But of course, it's not a Jack Thompson legal battle if it doesn't go completely batshit:
Not content to make that alleged point in writing, Thompson attached several gay porn pictures to his motion with Judge Jordan. The pictures apparently do not come directly from the National Gay News site, but rather are contained on sites linked from NGN’s adult links section.
The judge is decidedly not happy, as this means hardcore pornography can be viewed via the court's docketing system. Thompson, of course, has already set himself up to play the martyr:
To hold Thompson in contempt for alerting the federal court system to the criminal activity… is akin to arresting Paul Revere, in 1775, for “disturbing the peace” with his midnight ride…
Man, there's nothing I love more than seeing the long, slow-burning self-destruction of someone who truly deserves it.
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Serious Men In Our Serious Senate
A bill comes along that would grant our overtaxed, overexposed soldiers more time back home and out of the line of fire. It is blocked by the majority of Republicans, so it doesn't even make it out of cloture.
An amendment comes along condemning MoveOn for an ad that happens to be a bit harsh on General Petraeus. It is wholly endorsed by the Senate, including a large number of Democrats.
I'd try to say something witty here, but I have the feeling that if I open my mouth, the only thing that will come out will be a tide of profanity.
An amendment comes along condemning MoveOn for an ad that happens to be a bit harsh on General Petraeus. It is wholly endorsed by the Senate, including a large number of Democrats.
I'd try to say something witty here, but I have the feeling that if I open my mouth, the only thing that will come out will be a tide of profanity.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Every Day Is "Fear For My Son's Life" Day!
There comes a point where you have to wonder if Bush even thinks before he opens his mouth, or if he even thinks about what others have to go through. I've got to say, though, the evidence keeps coming up negative:
Gold Star Mothers, got you, okay, thank you -- Blue Star Mothers, Gold Star Mothers, all the mothers, yes. (Applause.) Every day is Mother's Day as far as your concerned, isn't it?
See, now, when it's time for Mother's Day around the Cognito Compound, my mother usually expects some gifts, the rest of her family taking care of the chores for her, and maybe a nice lunch or dinner out.
She doesn't wait around, fearing the news that one of her sons has been killed by an IED, or that he's been wounded in action and is coming back to insufficient medical care.
What the hell goes through this man's head?
Gold Star Mothers, got you, okay, thank you -- Blue Star Mothers, Gold Star Mothers, all the mothers, yes. (Applause.) Every day is Mother's Day as far as your concerned, isn't it?
See, now, when it's time for Mother's Day around the Cognito Compound, my mother usually expects some gifts, the rest of her family taking care of the chores for her, and maybe a nice lunch or dinner out.
She doesn't wait around, fearing the news that one of her sons has been killed by an IED, or that he's been wounded in action and is coming back to insufficient medical care.
What the hell goes through this man's head?
Sunday, September 16, 2007
I Have Seen The Light!... Just In Time For The Primaries
Y'know, I have often pointed out how John McCain, the man who could once be depended upon for integrity in Congress, has suddenly gone back on so many of his previously-held convictions. I've cracked wise about he, like fellow candidate Mitt Romney, have suddenly become extremely mutable now that the potential of the presidency lies before them.
But I never really thought it would reach these heights:
While McCain has long talked about his family's and his own attendance at the Arizona church, he appears to have consistently referred to himself as Episcopalian in media reports.
In a June interview with McClatchy Newspapers, the senator said his wife and two of their children have been baptized in the Arizona Baptist church, but he had not. "I didn't find it necessary to do so for my spiritual needs," he said.
He told McClatchy he found the Baptist church more fulfilling than the Episcopalian church, but still referred to himself as an Episcopalian.
I never thought this would have happened when campaign season began, but I do believe John McCain just blew past Mitt Romney in the Bullshit Brigade. Will wonders never cease?
But I never really thought it would reach these heights:
While McCain has long talked about his family's and his own attendance at the Arizona church, he appears to have consistently referred to himself as Episcopalian in media reports.
In a June interview with McClatchy Newspapers, the senator said his wife and two of their children have been baptized in the Arizona Baptist church, but he had not. "I didn't find it necessary to do so for my spiritual needs," he said.
He told McClatchy he found the Baptist church more fulfilling than the Episcopalian church, but still referred to himself as an Episcopalian.
I never thought this would have happened when campaign season began, but I do believe John McCain just blew past Mitt Romney in the Bullshit Brigade. Will wonders never cease?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
We Are Professionals Who Sound Like Rank Amateurs
So, a few days ago, MoveOn posted a video of Katie "Restoring Journalistic Integrity By Smiling A Lot" Couric doing the talking points tango with Bush and Gen. Petraeus.
So, at the entreaty of people who care, some commenters decided to e-mail CBS News and asks them why their top-flight journalist was repeating what the surge's primary backers said almost word-for-word without questioning it. Their delightful and reasonable response?
Actually most intelligent people were very impressed by the quality of our reports from Iraq and Syria …Apparently you missed most of the interviews that were done over there…imagine you got your information from a blog somewhere…
Yup. Most likely. In fact, there's a reason why that guy probably got most of his information from a blog somewhere. And do you know why?
It's because you guys aren't doing your fucking jobs.
I don't ask for Watergate, people. I just ask that you make sure someone isn't lying when he tells you everything is sunshine and happiness.
So, at the entreaty of people who care, some commenters decided to e-mail CBS News and asks them why their top-flight journalist was repeating what the surge's primary backers said almost word-for-word without questioning it. Their delightful and reasonable response?
Actually most intelligent people were very impressed by the quality of our reports from Iraq and Syria …Apparently you missed most of the interviews that were done over there…imagine you got your information from a blog somewhere…
Yup. Most likely. In fact, there's a reason why that guy probably got most of his information from a blog somewhere. And do you know why?
It's because you guys aren't doing your fucking jobs.
I don't ask for Watergate, people. I just ask that you make sure someone isn't lying when he tells you everything is sunshine and happiness.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Remember, It's Only Partisan When Democrats Do It
Joe Lieberman:
Megyn, let me just say in response to the moment of silence we just were part of, that that unity that we felt after September 11, we have to find a way to get it back because we’ve descended into terrible, partisan political sniping.
Joe Lieberman, not twelve hours later:
Attending the concert along with the Connecticut Senator are some of the guiltiest culprits of the “terrible, partisan political sniping” that Lieberman professes to decry: Ann Coulter, Oliver North, Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich, and Hannity himself.
So, the man who says our nation has fallen to "partisan sniping" ends up sharing a stage with two people who have done everything in their power to try to paint anyone left of the spectrum as an Osama-loving, America-hating traitor. On the hypocrisy scale, this is somewhere on the level of saying that homosexuality is bad while fucking a male hustler in full view of your audience.
Oh, how the flighty have fallen.
Megyn, let me just say in response to the moment of silence we just were part of, that that unity that we felt after September 11, we have to find a way to get it back because we’ve descended into terrible, partisan political sniping.
Joe Lieberman, not twelve hours later:
Attending the concert along with the Connecticut Senator are some of the guiltiest culprits of the “terrible, partisan political sniping” that Lieberman professes to decry: Ann Coulter, Oliver North, Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich, and Hannity himself.
So, the man who says our nation has fallen to "partisan sniping" ends up sharing a stage with two people who have done everything in their power to try to paint anyone left of the spectrum as an Osama-loving, America-hating traitor. On the hypocrisy scale, this is somewhere on the level of saying that homosexuality is bad while fucking a male hustler in full view of your audience.
Oh, how the flighty have fallen.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Six Years Gone
Six years.
Two thousand, one hundred and ninety-one days (counting the leap year).
I really don't know what I can say that hasn't been said before by others in ways far more eloquent than I can ever hope to achieve. That the man who organized all of this is still out there, and the people who have tried to make the most hay out of that day have said they don't give a fuck about whether he comes to justice or not? That the memories of the three thousand dead have been parlayed into a war in a country that had sweet FA to do with terrorism until we made it a fertile field for insurgency? That the fear from that day has been milked like a prize cow to the point that it seems the President can do whatever he wants to the Constitution and no one will dare tell him "no" when polling points are on the line?
It's all been said before. So, I guess there's just one thing I can do:
Remember those we lost.
Two thousand, one hundred and ninety-one days (counting the leap year).
I really don't know what I can say that hasn't been said before by others in ways far more eloquent than I can ever hope to achieve. That the man who organized all of this is still out there, and the people who have tried to make the most hay out of that day have said they don't give a fuck about whether he comes to justice or not? That the memories of the three thousand dead have been parlayed into a war in a country that had sweet FA to do with terrorism until we made it a fertile field for insurgency? That the fear from that day has been milked like a prize cow to the point that it seems the President can do whatever he wants to the Constitution and no one will dare tell him "no" when polling points are on the line?
It's all been said before. So, I guess there's just one thing I can do:
Remember those we lost.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Here We Go Again
Once more, the California state legislature has passed a bill allowing for gay marriage on the state level. Of course, since next year is an election year, odds are in favor of Schwarzenegger stomping it to death again.
I'd love to be proven wrong, but I don't think it's gonna happen until California gets another Democratic governor.
I'd love to be proven wrong, but I don't think it's gonna happen until California gets another Democratic governor.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Let Them Eat Knockoffs
I think I'm going to be sick:
But no moral calculus can justify $52,500, no matter how much you've given to good works. This expenditure makes Judith Giuliani look frugal in her reported relationship with her Louis Vuitton purse -- according to a Vanity Fair profile, she calls it Baby Louis and insists that it be accorded a separate seat on the Giulianis' chartered jet.
And the profile in question, for everyone who wants to know what's what about the current Ms. Giuliani (apparently dog stapling is just the start of it).
But that little nugget... Jesus Cartwheeling Christ. Not only do you spend $52,500 that could go to, I don't know, Katrina relief or famine relief or AIDS relief or something else vaguely resembling charity, on a purse that looks like a designer got drunk and sewed his own wares together into one fashionable abortion, but you name it, like it's a fucking pet, and buy a seat for it on your chartered jet. How disconnected from the mass populace do you have to be if you really think this is the most worthwhile investment of your cash?
I'm beginning to feel like Robespierre. This is not a positive development.
But no moral calculus can justify $52,500, no matter how much you've given to good works. This expenditure makes Judith Giuliani look frugal in her reported relationship with her Louis Vuitton purse -- according to a Vanity Fair profile, she calls it Baby Louis and insists that it be accorded a separate seat on the Giulianis' chartered jet.
And the profile in question, for everyone who wants to know what's what about the current Ms. Giuliani (apparently dog stapling is just the start of it).
But that little nugget... Jesus Cartwheeling Christ. Not only do you spend $52,500 that could go to, I don't know, Katrina relief or famine relief or AIDS relief or something else vaguely resembling charity, on a purse that looks like a designer got drunk and sewed his own wares together into one fashionable abortion, but you name it, like it's a fucking pet, and buy a seat for it on your chartered jet. How disconnected from the mass populace do you have to be if you really think this is the most worthwhile investment of your cash?
I'm beginning to feel like Robespierre. This is not a positive development.
Monday, September 03, 2007
The General Ostrich Position
All right, it's official: no one in the GOP remembers anything any more. And that includes our dear president:
Mr. Bush acknowledged one major failing of the early occupation of Iraq when he said of disbanding the Saddam Hussein-era military, “The policy was to keep the army intact; didn’t happen.”
But when Mr. Draper pointed out that Mr. Bush’s former Iraq administrator, L. Paul Bremer III, had gone ahead and forced the army’s dissolution and then asked Mr. Bush how he reacted to that, Mr. Bush said, “Yeah, I can’t remember, I’m sure I said, ‘This is the policy, what happened?’ ” But, he added, “Again, Hadley’s got notes on all of this stuff,” referring to Stephen J. Hadley, his national security adviser.
"Oh, yeah, I made a major screw-up. Did I learn anything from it? Hell, no! 'Sides, someone else got all the important stuff down, 'case I get quizzed on it."
I'm surprised anyone involved with the White House remembers how to put their socks on any more.
Mr. Bush acknowledged one major failing of the early occupation of Iraq when he said of disbanding the Saddam Hussein-era military, “The policy was to keep the army intact; didn’t happen.”
But when Mr. Draper pointed out that Mr. Bush’s former Iraq administrator, L. Paul Bremer III, had gone ahead and forced the army’s dissolution and then asked Mr. Bush how he reacted to that, Mr. Bush said, “Yeah, I can’t remember, I’m sure I said, ‘This is the policy, what happened?’ ” But, he added, “Again, Hadley’s got notes on all of this stuff,” referring to Stephen J. Hadley, his national security adviser.
"Oh, yeah, I made a major screw-up. Did I learn anything from it? Hell, no! 'Sides, someone else got all the important stuff down, 'case I get quizzed on it."
I'm surprised anyone involved with the White House remembers how to put their socks on any more.
