District Judge Virginia Phillips in San Diego has issued a ruling that says the US military has to shit-can the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell.
I suppose now we can all look forward to the Repubs and TheoCons making lots of noise about "activist judges legislating from the bench", and we can prob'ly expect the Dems to run and hide.
Here's a tho't on what Obama and Reid and Pelosi might try: "Judge Phillips has done exactly what a good judge is supposed to do, and she did it exactly the way the Founders envisioned it: The Judiciary is there to balance the powers of the other 2 branches. She struck down an unjust law. She told Government that you don't treat people that way. She got the Government off of people's backs".
Is it really that hard?
Oct 13, 2010
Oct 8, 2010
Oct 6, 2010
Coin Operated Politicians
See if you can guess who voted against Finance Regulation Reform.
| Senator | 2010 Wall Street Cash | Career Wall Street Cash |
| Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) | $1,600,000 | $4,900,000 |
| Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) | $1,500,000 | $2,600,000 |
| Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) | $333,600 | $3,300,000 |
| Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) | $1,500,000 | $3,300,000 |
| Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) | $2,500,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) | $451,700 | $1,200,000 |
| Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) | $3,100,000 | $3,300,000 |
| Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) | $3,200,000 | $4,700,000 |
| Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) | $1,300,000 | $2,600,000 |
| Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) | $1,100,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) | $233,200 | $1,100,000 |
| Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) | $1,400,000 | $2,600,000 |
| Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) | $1,400,000 | $4,700,000 |
| Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) | $1,500,000 | $4,200,000 |
| Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) | $2,800,000 | $3,800,000 |
| Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) | $412,200 | $2,500,000 |
| Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) | $947,600 | $34,000,000 |
| Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) | $4,300,000 | $5,300,000 |
| Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) | $268,200 | $909,700 |
| Sen. John Thune (R-SD) | $1,600,000 | $3,900,000 |
| Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) | $435,200 | $2,800,000 |
| 21 Republicans | ||
| 0 Democrats | ||
| Senate Total | $31,881,700 | 97,209,700 |
| House Member | 2010 Wall Street Cash | Career Wall Street Cash |
| Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La. | $106,500 | $422,300 |
| Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala. | $611,600 | $4,400,000 |
| Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C. | $20,400 | $806,700 |
| Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark. | $24,900 | $663,700 |
| Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill. | $395,000 | $1,900,000 |
| Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. | $1,200,000 | $3,800,000 |
| Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio | $1,300,000 | $3,700,000 |
| Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala. | $90,400 | $702,200 |
| Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif. | $190,000 | $733,400 |
| Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark. | $257,700 | $491,000 |
| Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla. | $123,100 | $722,200 |
| Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va. | $92,700 | $1,400,000 |
| Rep. Charles Boustany Jr, R-La. | $226,300 | $934,600 |
| Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas | $157,000 | $840,500 |
| Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C. | $35,700 | $494,000 |
| Rep. Vernon Buchanan, R-Fla. | $336,800 | $1,400,000 |
| Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif. | $180,300 | $940,300 |
| Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich. | $588,000 | $1,700,000 |
| Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif. | $413,400 | $1,200,000 |
| Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va. | $2,100,000 | $4,400,000 |
| Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del. | $749,100 | $3,200,000 |
| Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C. | $23,400 | $502,500 |
| Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. | $110,000 | $686,000 |
| Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas | $161,500 | $711,800 |
| Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla. | $86,100 | $717,000 |
| Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas | $90,600 | $606,900 |
| Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa. | $177,900 | $881,000 |
| Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas | $324,200 | $1,900,000 |
| Rep.Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich. | $8,500 | $292,200 |
| Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo. | $143,900 | $904,400 |
| Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Okla | ($1,000) | $340,700 |
| Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J. | $86,200 | $840,300 |
| Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa. | $251,600 | $1,800,000 |
| Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas | $140,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Rep. Wally Herger, R-Calif. | $171,500 | $1,100,000 |
| Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich. | ($1,000) | $300,600 |
| Rep. Bob Inglis, R-S.C. | 0 | $572,800 |
| Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. | $173,900 | $1,600,000 |
| Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. | $1,900,000 | $4,200,000 |
| Rep. John Kline, R-Minn | $170,900 | $989,100 |
| Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif. | $31,800 | $748,000 |
| Rep. Daniel E. Lungren, R-Calif. | $147,700 | $622,500 |
| Rep. Howard McKeon, R-Calif. | $132,100 | $1,100,000 |
| Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif. | $144,500 | $902,000 |
| Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz. | $130,900 | $558,000 |
| Rep. Sue Myrick, R-S.C. | $93,600 | $1,200,000 |
| Rep. Soloman Ortiz, D-Texas | $40,200 | $381,700 |
| Rep. George Radanovich, R-Calif. | $24,900 | $462,000 |
| Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala. | $128,200 | $1,000,000 |
| Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky. | $50,200 | $468,000 |
| Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla. | $127,000 | $986,000 |
| Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. | $531,500 | $1,900,000 |
| Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio | $121,900 | $519,700 |
| Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. | $39,700 | $1,200,000 |
| Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa. | $30,700 | $403,600 |
| Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Ind. | $20,500 | $266,900 |
| Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo. | $112,500 | $524,200 |
| Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas | $258,900 | $1,300,000 |
| Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind. | $40,500 | $405,800 |
| Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio | $169,300 | $476,300 |
| Rep. John Sullivan, R-Okla. | $79,200 | $494,800 |
| Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb. | $202,600 | $1,400,000 |
| Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas | $42,500 | $603,400 |
| Rep. Patrick Tiberi, R-Ohio | $555,500 | $2,800,000 |
| Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich. | $81,700 | $929,400 |
| Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore. | $180,700 | $732,400 |
| Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn. | 0 | $715,700 |
| Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. | $155,500 | $580,200 |
| Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va. | $90,400 | $1,100,000 |
| 60 Republicans | $15,873,400 | $72,443,800 |
| 9 Democrats | $1,108,400 | $7,233,000 |
| House Total | $16,981,800 | $79,676,800 |
Where's My Recovery?
The recession "ended" in the summer of 2009 - except it didn't. GDP Growth has to run ahead of Population and Productivity Growth by a percentage point or two in order to maintain a healthy expansion. +1 or 2% GDP ain't gonna cut it.
Via WaPost, here's a good illustration of why we'll be waiting for a good while before we see anything that looks and feels like a real recovery.
Via WaPost, here's a good illustration of why we'll be waiting for a good while before we see anything that looks and feels like a real recovery.
Oct 5, 2010
Oct 4, 2010
Quick Tho't
Trying to make some connections.
There are those who feel the need to keep certain facts of the world away from us - or so it seems when I try to figure out why the Theocons attack something as essential as Evolution.
So here we go:
1) without an understanding of Evolution Theory, you can't make much sense of biology.
2) without understanding biology, you can't do much about cancer (eg).
3) being unable to attack the causes of cancer, you have to be satisfied with a status quo.
Who benefits from the status quo?
Who makes money and holds power now with the way things are?
If we could find cures for diseases - or relatively simple ways to prevent them - would we still support the Pharmaceutical Industry the way we do now?
Who makes it possible for the Theocons to raise doubt and create resistance to science education?
There are those who feel the need to keep certain facts of the world away from us - or so it seems when I try to figure out why the Theocons attack something as essential as Evolution.
So here we go:
1) without an understanding of Evolution Theory, you can't make much sense of biology.
2) without understanding biology, you can't do much about cancer (eg).
3) being unable to attack the causes of cancer, you have to be satisfied with a status quo.
Who benefits from the status quo?
Who makes money and holds power now with the way things are?
If we could find cures for diseases - or relatively simple ways to prevent them - would we still support the Pharmaceutical Industry the way we do now?
Who makes it possible for the Theocons to raise doubt and create resistance to science education?
Sister Sarah
Here's a load of the usual gag-inducing mutual stroking, but near the end Levin brings up Palin's new book, and I can't help but think she's definitely in the race for 2012 now (she's polling 2nd, just behind Romney). The book is her attempt to establish herself as the Giver of the National Myth, which is a vital part of a Leo Strauss-type strategy, with a slight Christianist twist. And that basically goes like this: She has been to the mountain and she's back now to deliver God's word to His chosen people - and of course, since God has chosen us, and since God has told us this thru her, then it should be obvious that God has chosen Sarah Palin to lead us.
It could also still mean that she's really just making sure she's at the front of line of power brokers and king makers.
It could also still mean that she's really just making sure she's at the front of line of power brokers and king makers.
Oct 2, 2010
Must Read
Matt Taibbi is a curmudgeon, and a contrarian, and royal pain in the ass when it comes to cutting thru the political bullshit; and his conclusions are almost never wrong.
From Rolling Stone:
From Rolling Stone:
The individuals in the Tea Party may come from very different walks of life, but most of them have a few things in common. After nearly a year of talking with Tea Party members from Nevada to New Jersey, I can count on one hand the key elements I expect to hear in nearly every interview.
One: Every single one of them was that exceptional Republican who did protest the spending in the Bush years, and not one of them is the hypocrite who only took to the streets when a black Democratic president launched an emergency stimulus program. ("Not me — I was protesting!" is a common exclamation.)
Two: Each and every one of them is the only person in America who has ever read the Constitution or watched Schoolhouse Rock. (Here they have guidance from Armey, who explains that the problem with "people who do not cherish America the way we do" is that "they did not read the Federalist Papers.")
Three: They are all furious at the implication that race is a factor in their political views — despite the fact that they blame the financial crisis on poor black homeowners, spend months on end engrossed by reports about how the New Black Panthers want to kill "cracker babies," support politicians who think the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was an overreach of government power, tried to enact South African-style immigration laws in Arizona and obsess over Charlie Rangel, ACORN and Barack Obama's birth certificate.
Four: In fact, some of their best friends are black! (Reporters in Kentucky invented a game called "White Male Liberty Patriot Bingo," checking off a box every time a Tea Partier mentions a black friend.)
And five: Everyone who disagrees with them is a radical leftist who hates America.
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