Chomsky sed that there is no shame in voting for lesser of two evils.
Yes, there is.
Yes, there is shame in being part of that system.
Saying otherwise is like denying that the humiliated are humiliated.
Mar 22 2010
Chomsky sed that there is no shame in voting for lesser of two evils.
Yes, there is.
Yes, there is shame in being part of that system.
Saying otherwise is like denying that the humiliated are humiliated.
Mar 22 2010
Crossposted at Daily Kos
THE WEEK IN EDITORIAL CARTOONS
This weekly diary takes a look at the past week’s important news stories from the perspective of our leading editorial cartoonists (including a few foreign ones) with analysis and commentary added in by me.
When evaluating a cartoon, ask yourself these questions:
1. Does a cartoon add to my existing knowledge base and help crystallize my thinking about the issue depicted?
2. Does the cartoonist have any obvious biases that distort reality?
3. Is the cartoonist reflecting prevailing public opinion or trying to shape it?The answers will help determine the effectiveness of the cartoonist’s message.
:: ::
R.J. Matson, New York Observer, Buy this cartoon
Mar 22 2010
Mar 22 2010
In 1776, our founding fathers made a bold pronouncement; that all men are created equal, that we were endowed with unalienable rights, and, among these were Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Enshrined in our Constitution were more bold pronouncements; that no man could be deprived of his rights, that no man above the law, and, that our government was designed to protect these rights. These words hinged on one key principle; that the truth of these words would always be upheld. We learned during the years of the Bush administration how these principles were forsaken and that the truth didn’t matter as long as a political agenda was advanced.
Mar 22 2010
You see what’s coming, but you won’t admit it to yourselves.
In this essay, I am going to talk about things. Things I wouldn’t dare to admit, even on Docudharma. Except, I guess, tonight.
We have just seen the defeat of forces that would have otherwise saved countless millions of lives, all lives in this country, on the precept in my view that some lives would be saved, but not all lives could be saved, because the ego of certain people might get in the way. People like Lieberman. People like Stupak, who believe it is more important to sacrifice lives on the principle of their oppressive mandate to demean and control, in this case, women — but it could have been anyone else. In other words, doing little on the basis that little is better than nothing.
But you forget the why nothing part. Let me say first that I don’t agree and don’t believe. All the lives could have been saved, but we chose not to, on the basis of a calculation based on political ego and miscalculation as to potential strength and resolve.
But I am not here to talk about that. You see, I don’t agree and don’t believe that any lives will be saved. I don’t think a single life will be saved on the basis of Health Insurance Bailout/ Reform, that could not otherwise have been saved by that person making the decision or decisions that the government is now going to force upon them.
If they save themselves, by buying junk insurance, for example, by government mandate, and by miracle of miracles, the insurance companies honor their contract, fulfill the mandate, and give those people, who believe even less than I do, a lease on life, it won’t be because you forced them to. That will be because you changed the PATTERN, you forced people to do what they would not otherwise do .. but it will not be you “saving” anyone. They will, then, have saved themselves, but not have saved the future. The pattern is set.
You, Democrats, succeeded. You will make young, healthy people buy insurance.. you will make them pay money to crooks, who may, if you cross your fingers and wish real hard, save them if they have to be saved.
This, then, is the pattern. The pattern of things to come.
What amazes me is how little people understand themselves. They don’t understand, and yet, at some level, they see. They see without even knowing they see.
Mar 22 2010
President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and senior staff, react in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, as the House passes the health care reform bill, March 21, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
Mar 22 2010
U.S. House Passes Health Care Reform Bill
Up Dates will be added as the votes take place
First Vote
Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments to H.R. 3590 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Reps. Waxman/Levin/George Miller – Energy and Commerce/Ways and Means/Education and Labor)
Democratic Yea 219 Nay 34
Republican Yea Nay 176 NV 2
Second Vote
On the motion to recommit with instructions.
Rep. Dave Camp (R) New Jersey abortion can’t really even be dealt with through reconciliation because of the Byrd rule.
Democratic Yea 21 Nay 232
Republican Yea 178 Nay
On Passage HR 4872
Democratic Yea 220 Nay 33
Republican Yea Nay 178
Mar 22 2010
The transcript
R is officially for racist until an adult appears on the right. Don’t hold your breathe.
With that in mind, I give you GOP Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA21). When asked about teabaggers calling African American Representatives N!&&er, spitting on them, and calling gay Represenatives “F@&&0t”, he not only JUSTIFIED it, he seemed to endorse this level of hatred and intolerence.
Watch it for yourself.
A transcript, my interpretation and thoughts and more below the fold.
Mar 22 2010
I posted this at the beginning of the Inquiry as testimony brought it forth:
Drip, drip, drip, “”He recalled noting that: “the dog didn’t bark – it grizzled.” Don’t forget – this ‘grizzling’ for regime change was 6 months BEFORE 9/11.””. drip, drip, drip, “”But there was a ‘sea change’ in attitude after the atrocities, with former national security adviser Condolezza Rice targeting Iraq on the very day of the outrage.””, drip, drip, drip, “”George Bush tried to make a connection between Iraq and al-Qaida in a conversation with Tony Blair three days after the 9/11 attacks, according to Blair’s foreign policy adviser of the time.””, drip, drip, drip, “”There was “a touching belief [in Washington] that we shouldn’t worry so much about the aftermath because it was all going to be sweetness and light”.””, drip, drip, drip, “”Boyce mentions the “dysfunctionalism” of Washington. He says that he would find himself briefing his American counterparts on what was happening in different parts of the US administration. Rumsfeld was not sharing information””, drip, drip, drip………..!
Mar 22 2010
March 21,2010 The Official American Death Date!
Now that the IRS can instantly access your bank account the logical procedure would be the drain the entire thing and make it go into your personal fire safe. Yes, I had a very nice Apocalyptic horse ride today. I neglected to post my observations on Katrina North and the fucking Flood Police behavior of my small town officials. Excuse me, but I have never in my life even seen a FEMA official before.