Monthly Archives: August 2010

“Wedge” Salad Sunday Part II: Republican War on Moderate Islam Goes National

Feeling that they’ve latched onto a winning issue, conservative Republican teabaggers across the country have moved from protesting a “mosque” planned for “sacred ground zero” to protesting EVERY Mosque project currently underway across the country.

While this movement is unAmerican on its face, it is also stupid. A recent Duke University study shows that moderate mosques don’t encourage radicalism, they cure it.

Sadly, there is no leader or leadership faction in the Republican Party interested in facing off against the radicalized bigoted fucktards known as the Republican base.

h/t Huffington Post

Who is Contacting Me? Climate Change Denying Crackpots, That’s Who.

If the medium is the message, this “First State Patriots” meeting on debunking climate change and shitting on Castle for voting for “Cap and Trade!” is going to be a nutbag fest.

The flyer arrived in my driveway last night, in a plastic zip lock bag which also contained a few stones. This is an advertising medium favored by babysitters, lawn mowers, and independent handymen. It was so convincingly disguised that I passed on picking it up on my way out to walk the dog this morning and only bent down to check it out after Rags completed his morning inspection of neighborhood fire hydrants.

As you can see this is no ordinary handyman advertisement. “First State Patriots” are hosting and world renowned quack David Legates to mock rationality and spit in the face of the scientific method on August 9th. He is sharing the stage with this year’s “Crazy Eileen” John Nichols – who is going to take a dump on Mike Castle for his “cap and tax” vote.

Note how Legates uses the word “Rational” twice in the eight word title of his talk. (That’s how you know he is rational, and all the other scientists in the world are full of shit.)

Bring your birth certificate to be entered in a drawing for a genuine numbered and signed Christine O’Donnell bounced check.

Gays Graduate from “Wedge” Status – GOP Now Regards Mexicans as the Source of All Evil (..and votes)

I love it when the GOP is candid about its assholery.

King, the Long Island congressman, said that in terms of social issues, the raging controversy over the Arizona border laws is providing more than enough ammunition for Republicans in key districts.

“The Arizona immigration law is there, there’s no reason to be raising an issue of gay rights” as a wedge, he said.

BONUS: I also love it when the GOP tries so hard to vilify one of the fastest growing constituencies in the country.

Weekend Open Thread

Welcome to the weekend edition of your open thread. I hope you’re enjoying the wonderful weather!

We told you the Tea Party isn’t really a movement. You can’t have an organization of paranoid crazy people.

Something weird is happening with the tea party in Maine. In the past few days, tea party websites in the Pine Tree State have offered glimpses of what some are calling a coup at the one of the state’s largest tea party groups, The Maine Patriots.

On Tuesday night, Amy Hale — one of the leaders of the Patriots group — posted an odd message to the group’s website, suggesting that she’d been forced to give up control of the site, according to media reports (the post has since been removed):

I was cornered in the parking lot by 10+ people and told that bad things would happen to me if I did not give them the password and hand over Maine Patriots. Therefore, I no longer have control of Maine Patriots. Amy

…

Over at Maine Refounders, another tea party site, one tea partier offered up some more detail on what allegedly happened Tuesday night:

“Yesterday, a group of members of Maine Patriots extorted the passwword [sic] and took control of Maine Patriots’ website. Amy is working with the parent site Ning to correct this. A police report is being filed.”

Down in the comments to that post, other tea partiers offered their opinions on what happened. “We are clearly succeeding at restoring sanity to our country or hidden plants wouldn’t be so desperate to disrupt our communications openly and chance blowing their cover,” one wrote.

Apparently Amy Hale isn’t conservative enough for some of the Maine teabaggers. They accused her of being a liberal plant.

All I can say about this is good for Fareed Zakaria. He returned an award (including the cash award) to the ADL. Here’s the letter he wrote:

Five years ago, the ADL honored me with its Hubert Humphrey First Amendment Freedoms Prize. I was delighted and moved to have been chosen for it in good measure because of the high esteem in which I hold the ADL. I have always been impressed by the fact that your mission is broad – “to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens” – and you have interpreted it broadly over the decades. You have fought discrimination against all religions, races, and creeds and have built a well-deserved reputation.

That is why I was stunned at your decision to publicly side with those urging the relocation of the planned Islamic center in lower Manhattan. You are choosing to use your immense prestige to take a side that is utterly opposed to the animating purpose of your organization. Your own statements subsequently, asserting that we must honor the feelings of victims even if irrational or bigoted, made matters worse.

This is not the place to debate the press release or your statements. Many have done this and I have written about it in Newsweek and on my television show – both of which will be out over the weekend. The purpose of this letter is more straightforward. I cannot in good conscience hold onto the award or the honorarium that came with it and am returning both. I hope that it might add to the many voices that have urged you to reconsider and reverse your position on this issue. This decision will haunt the ADL for years if not decades to come. Whether or not the center is built, what is at stake here is the integrity of the ADL and its fidelity to its mission. Admitting an error is a small price to pay to regain your reputation.

I doubt the Sarah Palins and Newt Gingrichs of the world care that innocent American Muslims also died in the 9/11 attacks. I thought the ADL and the anti-defamation league knew better. I guess not, and that’s disappointing.

‘Non-Partisan’ CRI Reveals Its True Agenda

Any lazy members of the media who still consider the Caesar Rodney Institute non-partisan ‘go-to’ guys will want to reconsider after they’ve read this post. Either that, or admit that they’re in the tank for the Rethuglican agenda.

You see, the non-partisan think tank has just sent out a solicitation packet to businesses and, likely, individuals for financial backing.

The packet kicks off with the following letter from noted non-partisan former Gov. Pierre ‘Pete’ duPont. Allow me to quote it in its entirety:

From the Desk of the Honorable Pete duPont

Governor of the State of Delaware, 1976-1984

Dear ________:

I want to enlist your help in getting Delaware back on the right track.

You and I know that free market policies work…we proved it. When I was governor, our administration worked hard to dismantle the barriers of prosperity that government had erected. We wanted to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit and enable our citizens to thrive. And the low-tax, pro-free nmarket policies we put in place helped make Delaware an attractive magnet for jobs and innovation.

Back then, we did for America what President Reagan did for the United States…laid a foundation for prosperity that lasted a generation.

Sadly, that thinking is going by the wayside today. Too many state government leaders in recent decades have let spending grow out of control…and when times went bad, they resorted to large amounts of tax increases to try and balance the budget instead of tax rate reductions and limited government spending.

Today’s state government needs a crash course in free market economics.  Clearly, they need to learn the benefits of limited government principles. Fortunately, there’s a terrific new organization now here to give it to them…and to inspire future leaders as well!

It’s called the Caesar Rodney Institute, and it’s working hard to return Delaware to the path of freedom and entrepreneurship. It’s a think tank, one of an impressive network of free-market conservative organizations now working hard in all fifty states  to promote the ideas you and I care about.

I certainly would have loved to have had a group like the Caesar Rodney Institute on my side when I was governor! They would have been a very helpful source of information and ideas to help guide our efforts.

I know from first-hand experience that ideas matter.  In the years since I retired from politics, I’ve spent a great deal of time working in the field of ideas. I’ve served as chairman of national think tanks, and written many commentaries about the issues of the day.

I know the power of ideas…and understand the effectiveness that a committed organization can have when powered by the right sort of principles. That’s why I’m so glad to know that now Delaware has an organization all our own to promote solid conservative principles, and truly make our state a better place for our kids and grandkids.

I’ve enclosed a letter from Barret Kidner, to let you know more about the Caesar Rodney Institute, its ideas, and its plans for moving our state forward. Barret and I go way back, and I’m glad that he’s so heavily involved as the Chairman and CEO of the Institute. They’re in good hands.

I hope that after reading what he has to say, you’ll want to add your support to this find group, with a generous, tax-deductible contribution.

Thank you for your friendship and support for free-market, conservative principles. Together, we can return Delaware to the right path…and I’m glad to know that the Caesar Rodney Institute is there to lead the way.

Please give Barret’s letter your attention right away.

All my best wishes,

Pete du Pont

All underlines, punctuation and everything are directly from his letter. I cannot tell  you how painful it was to retype that stultifying prose.

What is clear, and what will become even more clear when I write the second portion of this piece, which focuses on Barret Kidner’s 8-page screed, is that CRI is a propaganda organ for the Forbes/duPont Rethugs, and which uses loopholes in Federal law to operate as a ‘non-partisan’ not-for-profit organization. Can they legally do this? As long as they don’t cross that line. I actually think that they do in the Kidner letter, and I will raise the question as to whether their not-for-profit status should be revisited at that point.

If you read both letters carefully (no, I will not be quoting all eight pages),  it is hard to escape the conclusion that CRI is acting as the propaganda wing of the Greenville Rethugs.  With fundraising solicitation taking place in July and August of an election year, can you see the possibilities for timely ‘non-partisan’ releases from the think tank designed to make mischief in the general election?

The Caesar Rodney Institute is a blatantly political and partisan arm of the Republican Party. I obviously don’t expect Rick Jensen to shy away from them, since he is as well. But it’s time for any and every self-respecting media organization in Delaware (if indeed there are any left) to make clear the partisanship of CRI when reporting and repeating its talking points.

If you’re not convinced yet, you will be once you get a load of the Kidner letter.

Me, I need a shower.


O’Donnell RedState Boosters Continue To Play “Closer My God To Thee” On Deck of The Titanic Fraud

Same old rundown of Castle’s “liberal” votes, this time with the unprovable assertion that he used his public office to enrich himself:

In his forty years as a “public servant” Mike Castle has managed to accumulate for himself an estimated $8 million dollar personal net worth. Now he has decided to make an issue of his conservative primary challenger’s finances. Christine O’Donnell, it seems, was left with a small campaign debt following her 2008 senate campaign. Also, in connection with that challenge to Joe Biden, she was coincidentally audited by The IRS, as were several members of her family. Over the years Christine, at various times, has struggled with her home payments and college loans. I suppose the average American can’t really relate to that, right?

See? Christine is a working class hero. Who knew?

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m amazed by how quickly the air has gone out the O’Donnell campaign and the Tbagz movement. Oh well.

Internal Poll Has Disasterous News [For Mike Castle]

Now, I preface this post with the fact that this is a story heard from someone who heard it from someone. But I like this story so I am running with it. So a Republican Minority Leader (either Boehner or McConnell) was in Delaware in the last two weeks do some quiet fund raising for Mike Castle among the rich Chateau crowd. The Minority Leader’s sales pitch: there is an internal RNC or RSCC polling for this race has Coons within 7 points of Castle.

Now, this could be pure fluff to get the rich people to open their checkbooks for their savior, Mike Castle. But then again, you have to ask yourself why Mike needs more and more money to defeat Chris Coons if the polls were not close. Thus, I think it is true.

Asshat of the Day

Today’s award goes to Lt. Colonel Terrence Lakin, also known as the birther soldier.  Lakin has dishonored the uniform he wears and every man and woman who has ever served in the Armed Forces by claiming that President Obama was not born in the US and therefore is ineligible to be Commander in Chief.  He is facing court martial for disobeying a lawful order and dereliction of duty.  See, Lakin is a military doctor; he was ordered to go on another tour of Afghanistan.  He refused using the birther argument.  He now faces prison, a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, including any retirement benefits and the loss of his medical license.    He has not only ruined his life, but that of his family as he will never be able to practice medicine again.  That is if he is convicted.

LTC Lakin, you are a disgrace to your uniform.  You have insulted me, my father, and my grandfather by your actions and the memories of thousands who have given their lives for our nation.  You are our Asshat of the Day.

Happy Jamaican Independence Day, Michele!

Today is Independence Day for the island nation of Jamaica. The DCCC has a very special message for Michele Rollins (R-Jamaica):

“We hope Michele Rollins is enjoying Jamaican Independence Day, a day that serves as a reminder that she’s more committed to off-shore interests in Jamaica than she is the people of Delaware,” said Shripal Shah, Regional Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“From pushing for Jamaica to become an offshore tax haven to blaming unemployment benefits as the reason why Delawareans are out of work, Michele Rollins has made it clear that her priorities lie offshore and are at odds with what’s best for Delaware. Michele Rollins represents the kind of out-of-touch leadership that Delaware simply can’t afford right now.”

Remember, Michele Rollins had a choice. Instead of convincing the Spanish investors to bring their business to Delaware, she chose to bring them to Jamaica. Why did she do that? Because she was invested in Jamaica, rather than in Delaware. So enjoy the Jamaican holiday Michele. I am sure Jamaica is happy to have you.

Rasmussen: Castle 49, Coons 37

Grain of salt, given Rasmussen’s history, but here are their latest numbers of the Delaware Senate race.

Castle 49 (+2 from last month)
Coons 37 (+1)

Coons 46 (+5)
O’Donnell 36 (-3)

Castle still under 50. The +2 for Castle and +1 for Coons is not significant, as it could be just noise. Next week, we will get the results of the first Public Policy Polling (PPP) poll of this race.

Rasmussen finds that the key to Castle leading is winning the support of Democrats. Right now, Coons gets only 56% of the Democratic vote if Castle is the GOP nominee. If O’Donnell is the nominee, Coons gets 75% of the Democrats. You have to imagine both figures will go up as the campaign goes on, especially if O’Donnell is the nominee (it will be in the 90’s). To prevent Castle from winning, Coons must get over 70% of Democratic support, so he has work to do in that regard.

What is also interesting, given all the teabagger talk that Castle is just a RINO, is this finding: Castle gets 81% of the Republican vote but O’Donnell only gets 66%. The reason for the latter of course is the Delaware GOP electorate is not as conservative as the teabaggers believe. Most identify with the Chateau / Greenville wing of the party harking back to the days of DuPont and … ahem… Castle. These Republicans do not identify with Sarah Palin.

Overall, the Rasmussen sample of Delaware voters is pretty content. 47% rate their personal finances as good or excellent, while only 14% say their finances are poor. However, 42% think their finances are getting worse.

55% of Delaware voters approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president. 44% disapprove. 65% approve of Governor Jack Markell’s performance.

UPDATED: The New Pollster.com average including the latest poll, showing a great trend line.
Pollster

Also, Dialogue Delaware put together a table based off these results that I think is very revealing.

Coons is rated as Very to Somewhat Conservative by 16% of the sample. Now, I have to think that those thinking that Coons is a conservative to any degree are pretty liberal themselves. Because I doubt a conservative would think Coons is a conservative. You would have to think that these liberals will be in Coons’ corner in the end. Coons is rated as very liberal by 9% of the population. Again, I am guessing that those thinking Coons is very liberal are conservatives, and they won’t be in Coons’ corner in the end. Coons is rated as a Moderate to Somewhat Liberal by 57% of the sample.

Castle is rated as Very to Somewhat Conservative by 54% of the sample, while only 30% see him as a Moderate. That is very interesting. Castle’s brand, and the reason he has always won in this Democratic state, is that was a mainstream Moderate. Looks like that brand is getting tattered by his constant obstruction and voting with the Party of No in the House. Castle is rated as somewhat to very liberal by 9% of the sample, and those people must be teabaggers.

O’Donnell is viewed as Very Conservative by 40% of the sample, with an additional 21% saying she is somewhat conservative. 21% have no clue. And only 18% consider her to be Moderate, Somewhat or Very Liberal. So O’Donnell seems to be pigeonholed into the conservative side of the spectrum, not an easy place to be in a general election in a blue state.

Friday Open Thread

Welcome to your Friday open thread. TGIF!

A conservative cabal is caught red-handed gaming Digg to bury articles from liberal/progressive websites. But, but, Journolist!

A group of influential conservative members of the behemoth social media site Digg.com have just been caught red-handed in a widespread campaign of censorship, having multiple accounts, upvote padding, and deliberately trying to ban progressives. An undercover investigation has exposed this effort, which has been in action for more than one year.

“The more liberal stories that were buried the better chance conservative stories have to get to the front page. I’ll continue to bury their submissions until they change their ways and become conservatives.”
-phoenixtx (aka vrayz)

Digg.com is the powerhouse of social media websites. It is ranked 50th among US websites by Alexa (117th in the world), by far the most influential social media site. It reached one million users in 2007 and likely has more than tripled that by this point. Digg generates around 25 million page views per month, over one third of the page views of the NY Times. Front page stories regularly overwhelm and temporarily shut down websites in a process called the “Digg Effect.”

…

The DP group searches Digg for any articles from websites they want to drown out, sites such as Salon, News Junkie Post, Talking Points Memo, FreakOutNation, Five Thirty Eight, ThePublicRecord, Rawstory, The Nation, Media Matters for America, PoliticusUSA, Alternet, Fire Dog Lake, Political Carnival, TruthOut, DailyKos, The Joshua Blog, The Brad Blog, Huffington Post, Science Blogs, Smirking Chimp, Down With Tyranny, Crooks and Liars, MarioPiperni, Buzzflash, Bob Cesca’s REALLY AWESOME Blog, and The New York Times.

I’m sure you can guess what this group called themselves – Digg Patriots. Because censorship is patriotic!

Speaking of patriots, a church group that a game where you shoot at an image of Obama was a great idea:

In Roseto, Pa., a carnival company closed down a shooter game called “Alien Attack,” after complaints and news stories that President Obama was one of the targets.

The black “alien leader” is holding a scroll titled “Health Bill” and wearing a presidential seal belt buckle. He also has antennae and a troll doll with a KISS T-shirt on his shoulder.

The owner of the carnival company, Goodtime Amusements, dismissed a complaint, saying the figure is not meant to be Obama.

Of course the amusement group was shocked, SHOCKED that people thought that the target was Obama. It was just an alien! I wonder how they got that idea?

I’m just hoping that one day we’ll all look back at this era and laugh.

Please Make This Happen

I think it’s obvious by now that the Obama administration is going to have to find some creative ways to do more stimulus. The Republicans have blocked almost every effort to get help to the American people who are still suffering from the Bush recession. There’s a rumor being floated now that people could see a principal reduction:

Main Street may be about to get its own gigantic bailout. Rumors are running wild from Washington to Wall Street that the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt of millions of Americans who owe more than what their homes are worth. An estimated 15 million U.S. mortgages – one in five – are underwater with negative equity of some $800 billion. Recall that on Christmas Eve 2009, the Treasury Department waived a $400 billion limit on financial assistance to Fannie and Freddie, pledging unlimited help. The actual vehicle for the bailout could be the Bush-era Home Affordable Refinance Program, or HARP, a sister program to Obama’s loan modification effort. HARP was just extended through June 30, 2011.

The move, if it happens, would be a stunning political and economic bombshell less than 100 days before a midterm election in which Democrats are currently expected to suffer massive, if not historic losses. The key date to watch is August 17 when the Treasury Department holds a much-hyped meeting on the future of Fannie and Freddie.

This sounds really close to what we at DL were proposing in 2008. Instead of sending money to the banks, just reduce everyone’s mortgage debt. I’d prefer to see this kind of debt forgiveness for everyone, not just homeowners. But it’s a start!