Unstable Isotope

Opinionated chemist, troublemaker, blogger on national and Delaware politics.

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John Carney Chosen For DCCC’s Red To Blue Program

Filed in National by on March 10, 2010 10 Comments

Former Lt. Gov John Carney has been chosen in the first group of “Red to Blue” candidates by the DCCC. This is good news for John Carney, because that means his race is being placed in high priority by the Democratic party. Chairman Van Hollen joined DCCC Vice Chair Bruce Braley (IA) and Red to […]

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Glenn Beck, Cult Leader

Filed in National by on March 10, 2010 8 Comments

The leaders of cults tend to be charismatic individuals who brainwash their followers. They do this by isolating them from their friends and family so that the members are dependent on the cult leader for their world view. They also make distinctions between “us” and “them,” with “us” as the good guys and “them” as […]

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The Delicate Flowers Of SCOTUS

Filed in National by on March 10, 2010 14 Comments

Someone’s had their widdle feelings hurt: Speaking to law students at the University of Alabama, Roberts said he had “no problems” with criticism in general. “On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum,” said the Chief Justice. “The image of having the members of one branch of […]

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The Train To Crazytown

Filed in National by on March 9, 2010 17 Comments

Newly disgraced former Congressman Eric Massa appeared on Glenn Beck’s TV show today. For some reason, the rightwing embraced Massa – I guess believing that Massa had the power to hurt the Obama administration. The interview didn’t go as Beck expected (he wanted to bash Rahm Emmanuel the whole time I guess): “I wasn’t forced […]

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GOP Grooming Obsession

Filed in National by on March 9, 2010 2 Comments

The Crist-Rubio Senate primary race down in Florida is beginning to be a blowout for Marco Rubio. There’s been all kinds of rumors that Crist would switch parties or become independent, which he denies. There’s a brewing scandal on some expenses that Rubio charged to a state party credit card, including $130 at a hair […]

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Tuesday Open Thread

Filed in National by on March 9, 2010 27 Comments

It’s Tuesday and it still feels like spring. I think I’m starting to get used to this weather. So, are we ready for an open thread? P.T. Barnum said there’s a sucker born every minute and I guess he’s right about that: Instead, two glass vials purportedly containing the ghosts of two dead people sold […]

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How Progressives Have Shaped Health Care Reform

Filed in National by on March 9, 2010 55 Comments

We’re now in the final stretch of the health care reform battle. Within the month we’ll either have a vote or the Democrats will give up on health care reform for the near term (or make some tiny improvements). President Obama is out giving a strong defense for the need for health care reform (many […]

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What’s That Word I’m Looking For?

Filed in National by on March 8, 2010 15 Comments

There’s a word that applies here but “ironic” isn’t it: The vocal opponent of health care reform in the U.S. steered largely clear of the topic except to reveal a tidbit about her life growing up not far from Whitehorse. “We used to hustle over the border for health care we received in Canada,” she […]

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Monday Open Thread

Filed in National by on March 8, 2010 14 Comments

It’s a beautiful Monday today! I’m glad we’re getting the spring weather finally. I guess Delaware Dem is going to remove that hit contract from Punxsutawney Phil now? I was busy watching and tweeting away during the Oscars. Here’s the story behind one of the weirdest moments of the night: The most riveting face-off during […]

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Daily Kos Features Delaware’s Weatherization Stimulus

Filed in National by on March 8, 2010 0 Comments

Meteor Blades at Daily Kos has published a post about how states are slow to use their stimulus weatherization dollars. One exception that is cited is the state of Delaware (with a h/t to Delaware’s very own TommyWonk). In fact, thanks to foot-dragging at the state level, only 8% of that money had been spent […]

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They Just Can’t Help Themselves

Filed in National by on March 8, 2010 4 Comments

If you watch the news media very much (especially Fox), you’d think that Obama is a terrible failure and extremely unpopular. The truth is that Obama remains fairly popular, around 50% approval, despite the terrible economic conditions. He’s more popular than Reagan was at this point in his term (Reagan eventually hit 37% popularity). This […]

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State Republicans Defend The Employee Pay Scandal

Filed in National by on March 7, 2010 9 Comments

Last week, the News Journal published an article on the abuse of legislative perks by the GOP in the General Assembly. Among the revelations were that the GOP majority paid political consultants out of taxpayer funds, including one consultant who never showed up for work. Today in a letter to the editor, House Minority Leader […]

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Weekend Open Thread

Filed in National by on March 6, 2010 12 Comments

Welcome to this beautiful weekend! My yard is now 100% snow free and it feels like springtime. I hope everyone is out and about enjoying the weather. Wolf Blitzer apologized for his “Department of Jihad?” chyron in the CNN broadcast: “CNN had no intention of suggesting that the Justice Department supports terrorism,” he said. “Lawyers […]

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