“Wisconsin is the model”: Grover Norquist’s Tea Party scheme to crush his union enemies
"At CPAC panel, RNC Chair Priebus touts "total and complete unity" between GOP, Tea Party, and Glenn Beck acolytes"
News And Opinion About The Republican War On Women And Issues Important To Women
Saturday, March 8, 2014
The sociopathic 1 percent: The driving force at the heart of the Tea Party
The sociopathic 1 percent: The driving force at the heart of the Tea Party
"In their warped view of society, only the individual exists -- with no social relations, shared history and culture"
"In their warped view of society, only the individual exists -- with no social relations, shared history and culture"
While Trying to Avoid Prison Michele Bachmann Calls Obama a Threat To America’s Survival
www.politicususa.com/2014/03/08/avoid-prison-michele-bachmann-calls-obama-threat-americas-survivial.html
"Bachmann is the central player in an FBI investigation into allegations of money laundering and wire fraud."
"Bachmann is the central player in an FBI investigation into allegations of money laundering and wire fraud."
After Attacking Poor Families at CPAC, Paul Ryan Embarrassingly Gets Caught Plagiarizing from Book
www.forwardprogressives.com/attacking-poor-families-cpac-paul-ryan-embarrassingly-gets-caught-plagiarizing-book/
"Paul Ryan absolutely embarrassed himself at CPAC. Not only did he attack families living in poverty, but he had to plagiarize a story from a book to do it."
"Paul Ryan absolutely embarrassed himself at CPAC. Not only did he attack families living in poverty, but he had to plagiarize a story from a book to do it."
Here’s What A Conservative Minority Outreach Event Looks Like
www.addictinginfo.org/2014/03/07/cpac-minority-outreach-panel/
"While these are important issues, the fact that the GOP has a serious problem with outreach has never been more evident. CPAC should have been the place to bring that into the open, and possibly where they could start coming up with a real plan. Instead, all the empty ballroom showed was that conservatives just don’t care about minorities."
"While these are important issues, the fact that the GOP has a serious problem with outreach has never been more evident. CPAC should have been the place to bring that into the open, and possibly where they could start coming up with a real plan. Instead, all the empty ballroom showed was that conservatives just don’t care about minorities."
CPAC – An Absurdist Theater Where Reality Goes to Die
www.politicususa.com/2014/03/08/cpac-absurdist-theater-reality-die.html
"These people have become caricatures of conservatives in a post-conservative world. It is difficult to believe they take each other seriously, and that they can get through their shticks without laughing, but they somehow do, and expect the audience to applaud this absurdist theater. It’s crazy, but it’s the Republican Party. This is what they think America wants, and this is what they are going to give America."
"These people have become caricatures of conservatives in a post-conservative world. It is difficult to believe they take each other seriously, and that they can get through their shticks without laughing, but they somehow do, and expect the audience to applaud this absurdist theater. It’s crazy, but it’s the Republican Party. This is what they think America wants, and this is what they are going to give America."
Rick Santorum Tells Conservatives to Stop Using the Economic Term “Middle Class”
www.forwardprogressives.com/rick-santorum-tells-conservatives-stop-using-economic-term-middle-class/
"Using the term “middle class” isn’t “leftist class-evny” – it’s called understanding simple economics. Republicans have already waged a war on proven science, are they now out to rewrite economics books simply because people are growing sick and tired of their top-down economic approach to everything? It’s basically the go-to move for Republicans."
"Using the term “middle class” isn’t “leftist class-evny” – it’s called understanding simple economics. Republicans have already waged a war on proven science, are they now out to rewrite economics books simply because people are growing sick and tired of their top-down economic approach to everything? It’s basically the go-to move for Republicans."
Arkansas Judge Says ‘Sluts are Just Whores in Training’
Arkansas Judge Says ‘Sluts are Just Whores in Training’
"A state judge in Arkansas has admitted to being a sexist, racist, homophobe, and rape aficionado apparently. Judge Mike Maggio has confessed to anonymously posting some totally hateful, ignorant, but most definitely unacceptable comments on a message board for fans of LSU called “Tiger Droppings”. Posting under the pseudonym “geauxjudge” the good jurist has written such enlightened pearls of wisdom as: “Sluts are just whores in training"."
"A state judge in Arkansas has admitted to being a sexist, racist, homophobe, and rape aficionado apparently. Judge Mike Maggio has confessed to anonymously posting some totally hateful, ignorant, but most definitely unacceptable comments on a message board for fans of LSU called “Tiger Droppings”. Posting under the pseudonym “geauxjudge” the good jurist has written such enlightened pearls of wisdom as: “Sluts are just whores in training"."
Right-Wing Bigot Michael Medved: ‘No State Has Ever Banned Gay Marriage. ‘That is a Liberal Lie (Video)
Right-Wing Bigot Michael Medved: ‘No State Has Ever Banned Gay Marriage. ‘That is a Liberal Lie (Video)
"If you had any remaining doubts that the far right thinks we are all stupid, the claim made by conservative radio host Michael Medved during a panel discussion at CPAC on Friday should forever banish them. In response to remarks made by Alexander McCobin, executive director and co-founder of the libertarian organization Students for Liberty defending the right of same sex couples to marry, Medved said, “There has never been a state in this country that has ever banned gay marriage. That is a liberal lie.”
Of course the real lie is the one Medved told when he said that no state has ever banned gay marriage. The truth is that 33 states still have an outright ban on those unions."
"If you had any remaining doubts that the far right thinks we are all stupid, the claim made by conservative radio host Michael Medved during a panel discussion at CPAC on Friday should forever banish them. In response to remarks made by Alexander McCobin, executive director and co-founder of the libertarian organization Students for Liberty defending the right of same sex couples to marry, Medved said, “There has never been a state in this country that has ever banned gay marriage. That is a liberal lie.”
Of course the real lie is the one Medved told when he said that no state has ever banned gay marriage. The truth is that 33 states still have an outright ban on those unions."
ALEC, National Corporate Friendly 'Bill Mill', Going Local | Common Dreams
ALEC, National Corporate Friendly 'Bill Mill', Going Local | Common Dreams
"According to a report in the Guardian, the Koch brothers-backed group—which has been responsible for many conservative pieces of legislation shaped in the form of ALEC "model bills"—is spring-boarding a new initiative that will focus the group's energy on issues and political campaigns in "villages, towns, cities and counties" across the country."
"According to a report in the Guardian, the Koch brothers-backed group—which has been responsible for many conservative pieces of legislation shaped in the form of ALEC "model bills"—is spring-boarding a new initiative that will focus the group's energy on issues and political campaigns in "villages, towns, cities and counties" across the country."
Disastrous State of Conservative Movement on Full Display at CPAC
www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/disastrous-state-conservative-movement-full-display-cpac
"After they got hammered in the 2012 election, and with early polls indicating the GOP might be facing an even bigger wipeout in 2016, a moment of introspection might have revealed valuable insights to the party. Instead, party leaders seem hell-bent on continuing the trend of demonizing the poor, gays, atheists, liberals, Muslims, and women in an effort to appeal to its rabid Christian evangelical base."
"After they got hammered in the 2012 election, and with early polls indicating the GOP might be facing an even bigger wipeout in 2016, a moment of introspection might have revealed valuable insights to the party. Instead, party leaders seem hell-bent on continuing the trend of demonizing the poor, gays, atheists, liberals, Muslims, and women in an effort to appeal to its rabid Christian evangelical base."
Power and Justice: Duke Energy extends influence to NC courts
www.southernstudies.org/2014/03/power-and-justice-duke-energy-extends-influence-to.html
"But Duke Energy's political influence extends beyond the governor's mansion and state legislature into another key battleground for environmental and other regulatory issues facing the utility giant: the North Carolina Supreme Court."
"But Duke Energy's political influence extends beyond the governor's mansion and state legislature into another key battleground for environmental and other regulatory issues facing the utility giant: the North Carolina Supreme Court."
Paul Ryan Gets Caught Telling A Huge Whopper Of A Lie About School Lunches At CPAC
www.politicususa.com/2014/03/07/paul-ryan-caught-telling-huge-whopper-lie-school-lunches-cpac.html
"The only thing he is truly sorry for is that he got caught. That story was just too good not to use and if nobody fact-checked it, it would have been used over and over again. Without that story proving to be true, especially how it was presented in his speech, the entire substance of what he was trying to convey crumbles apart."
"The only thing he is truly sorry for is that he got caught. That story was just too good not to use and if nobody fact-checked it, it would have been used over and over again. Without that story proving to be true, especially how it was presented in his speech, the entire substance of what he was trying to convey crumbles apart."
Friday, March 7, 2014
There Is Hope For The Youth Of America: Millennials Share Democrats' Values
There Is Hope For The Youth Of America: Millennials Share Democrats' Values
"Young adults like to think of themselves as independent, but when it comes to politics, they're more likely than not to lean to the left.
Half of American adults ages 18 to 33 are self-described political independents, according to a survey out Friday, but at the same time half of these so-called millennials are Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party, the highest share for any age group over the last decade.
"Young adults like to think of themselves as independent, but when it comes to politics, they're more likely than not to lean to the left.
Half of American adults ages 18 to 33 are self-described political independents, according to a survey out Friday, but at the same time half of these so-called millennials are Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party, the highest share for any age group over the last decade.
Campaign to Address the Student Loan Crisis Launches | The Nation
Campaign to Address the Student Loan Crisis Launches | The Nation
"The campaign launched Thursday at the Center for American Progress with some big-name speakers: Senator Elizabeth Warren and AFT President Randi Weingarten."
"The campaign launched Thursday at the Center for American Progress with some big-name speakers: Senator Elizabeth Warren and AFT President Randi Weingarten."
CPAC Parties: 2016 Hopefuls Hang Out With Bloggers and Frauds
CPAC Parties: 2016 Hopefuls Hang Out With Bloggers and Frauds
"The new resolve on the part of conservative billionaires to be more 'hands on' and dictate the political direction of those they support was on display not only at CPAC, but also at BlogBash, bringing it a little extra shine. Phil Kerpen of American Commitment signed on to the event and perhaps even tossed a few billionaire bucks their way for the privilege of announcing Blogger and Activist of the Year.
If you want to understand how craven this group is, consider this: Their "activist" award was given to white nationalist Robert Stacy McCain, for his seriously creepy series on underage lesbians."
"The new resolve on the part of conservative billionaires to be more 'hands on' and dictate the political direction of those they support was on display not only at CPAC, but also at BlogBash, bringing it a little extra shine. Phil Kerpen of American Commitment signed on to the event and perhaps even tossed a few billionaire bucks their way for the privilege of announcing Blogger and Activist of the Year.
If you want to understand how craven this group is, consider this: Their "activist" award was given to white nationalist Robert Stacy McCain, for his seriously creepy series on underage lesbians."
In the Midst of an Investigation, WI GOP Fast-Tracks "Dark Money" Bill
In the Midst of an Investigation, WI GOP Fast-Tracks "Dark Money" Bill
"A proposed bill that would keep the public in the dark about the sources of money in Wisconsin elections could also make it easier for dark money groups to coordinate with candidates, an issue of particular salience given the ongoing "John Doe" probe into alleged campaign finance violations in the state.
"Dark money" is a phrase which refers to election spending by nonprofits that exploit loopholes in campaign finance disclosure laws and keep their donors secret by running "issue ads" designed to influence elections. Wisconsin's "dark money" bill was just introduced this week. It is now being fast-tracked in the Wisconsin legislature before the end of session, with little time for the press and public to asses its impact."
"A proposed bill that would keep the public in the dark about the sources of money in Wisconsin elections could also make it easier for dark money groups to coordinate with candidates, an issue of particular salience given the ongoing "John Doe" probe into alleged campaign finance violations in the state.
"Dark money" is a phrase which refers to election spending by nonprofits that exploit loopholes in campaign finance disclosure laws and keep their donors secret by running "issue ads" designed to influence elections. Wisconsin's "dark money" bill was just introduced this week. It is now being fast-tracked in the Wisconsin legislature before the end of session, with little time for the press and public to asses its impact."
Paul Ryan’s CPAC Speech Was Based on a Lie | The Nation
Paul Ryan’s CPAC Speech Was Based on a Lie | The Nation
"Paul Ryan’s CPAC speech yesterday was almost comically offensive even before it became clear that it was based on a lie."
"Paul Ryan’s CPAC speech yesterday was almost comically offensive even before it became clear that it was based on a lie."
ALEC: Now Coming To A City Or Town Government Near You
ALEC: Now Coming To A City Or Town Government Near You
"The American Legislative Exchange Council, founded in 1973, has become one of the most pervasive advocacy operations in the nation. It brings elected officials together with representatives of major corporations, giving those companies a direct channel into legislation in the form of Alec “model bills”."
"The American Legislative Exchange Council, founded in 1973, has become one of the most pervasive advocacy operations in the nation. It brings elected officials together with representatives of major corporations, giving those companies a direct channel into legislation in the form of Alec “model bills”."
Why Rep. Elijah Cummings Was So Mad At Rep. Darrell Issa
Why Rep. Elijah Cummings Was So Mad At Rep. Darrell Issa
"Wednesday morning during another one of Rep. Darrell Issa's hearings on the IRS scandal, ranking Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings exploded at him for his ridiculous witch hunt on the phony scandal --which is mostly what Issa has done with his chairmanship. As Cummings tried to ask a question, Darrel Issa cut off his microphone when he was about to explain what had irked him so much. There was a good reason for his anger, and it's because because Issa refused to share evidence with their committee, but released the information on Fox news Sunday instead."
"Wednesday morning during another one of Rep. Darrell Issa's hearings on the IRS scandal, ranking Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings exploded at him for his ridiculous witch hunt on the phony scandal --which is mostly what Issa has done with his chairmanship. As Cummings tried to ask a question, Darrel Issa cut off his microphone when he was about to explain what had irked him so much. There was a good reason for his anger, and it's because because Issa refused to share evidence with their committee, but released the information on Fox news Sunday instead."
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Hours Left for KXL Public Comment | Common Dreams
Hours Left for KXL Public Comment | Common Dreams
"With just hours left in the public comment period on the proposed construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, green groups are calling on all concerned citizens to contact the Obama administration and make their opposition known."
"With just hours left in the public comment period on the proposed construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, green groups are calling on all concerned citizens to contact the Obama administration and make their opposition known."
These Nine Maps Show How The GOP is Destroying Southern States
These Nine Maps Show How The GOP is Destroying Southern States
"Upward mobility is also a scenario that southerners cannot expect to experience at a rate matching the more sensible parts of the country. Red state voters have a decreased likelihood of moving up the economic ladder, as shown below. The dark red areas are places where the American Dream is all but dead."
"Upward mobility is also a scenario that southerners cannot expect to experience at a rate matching the more sensible parts of the country. Red state voters have a decreased likelihood of moving up the economic ladder, as shown below. The dark red areas are places where the American Dream is all but dead."
It’s Official: Job Growth Exploding While Poverty Shrinks In State With Highest Min. Wage! (Video)
It’s Official: Job Growth Exploding While Poverty Shrinks In State With Highest Min. Wage! (Video)
"However, the gridlock congress and the fact that the Tea Party would rather see someone else die before they raise the minimum wage (someone else who was preferably Black or Hispanic) means it’ll likely be up to local governments for the foreseeable future, and some aren’t waiting around. San Fran and Santa Fe are both increasing theirs to $10.74 and $10.66, respectively, while New Jersey voters have voted to increase it by $1, and tied future increases to the consumer price index. New Jersey in particular is notable; since the increase in minimum wage, the state’s added over 8,000 new jobs at a rate the fastest it’s being since 2012. And this doesn’t even touch on SeaTac, a suburb of Seattle; they voted a $15.00 minimum wage for people in certain service sectors."
"However, the gridlock congress and the fact that the Tea Party would rather see someone else die before they raise the minimum wage (someone else who was preferably Black or Hispanic) means it’ll likely be up to local governments for the foreseeable future, and some aren’t waiting around. San Fran and Santa Fe are both increasing theirs to $10.74 and $10.66, respectively, while New Jersey voters have voted to increase it by $1, and tied future increases to the consumer price index. New Jersey in particular is notable; since the increase in minimum wage, the state’s added over 8,000 new jobs at a rate the fastest it’s being since 2012. And this doesn’t even touch on SeaTac, a suburb of Seattle; they voted a $15.00 minimum wage for people in certain service sectors."
Climate buffoons’ real motives: 5 reasons they still spout debunked garbage
Climate buffoons’ <em>real</em> motives: 5 reasons they still spout debunked garbage
"From greed to idiocy, here's the true agenda of deniers who still claim climate change isn't happening"
"From greed to idiocy, here's the true agenda of deniers who still claim climate change isn't happening"
The 'Grover Norquist Is A Secret Muslim Brotherhood Agent' Conspiracy Returns Just In Time For CPAC | Right Wing Watch
The 'Grover Norquist Is A Secret Muslim Brotherhood Agent' Conspiracy Returns Just In Time For CPAC | Right Wing Watch
"But perhaps our favorite rant against Norquist came from Cathie Adams of Eagle Forum, who said that she knows Norquist is a secret Muslim because “he has a beard"."
"But perhaps our favorite rant against Norquist came from Cathie Adams of Eagle Forum, who said that she knows Norquist is a secret Muslim because “he has a beard"."
CPAC wingnuts’ greatest hits: 18 outrageous things its top speakers have said in public
CPAC wingnuts’ greatest hits: 18 outrageous things its top speakers have said in public
"Here are some head-turning past comments from headliners highlighted on CPAC’s site"
"Here are some head-turning past comments from headliners highlighted on CPAC’s site"
A Healthy Economy Requires Fewer People Working on Wall Street, Making Much Less Money
www.alternet.org/economy/american-economy-recover-we-need-fewer-people-working-wall-st-making-much-less-money
"All of us suspect the obvious — that Wall Street not only is too big to fail, but also just too damn big. But where's our evidence? It's one thing to direct our anger at financial elites and the top one percent. It's quite another to make a factual case that Wall Street, indeed, is much too big, and therefore should be radically reduced in size. So here's some data."
"All of us suspect the obvious — that Wall Street not only is too big to fail, but also just too damn big. But where's our evidence? It's one thing to direct our anger at financial elites and the top one percent. It's quite another to make a factual case that Wall Street, indeed, is much too big, and therefore should be radically reduced in size. So here's some data."
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Dump Closure Leaves Nuclear Waste Stranded... In Parking Lot | Common Dreams
Dump Closure Leaves Nuclear Waste Stranded... In Parking Lot | Common Dreams
"The federally-owned Waste Isolation Pilot Project, located in southeastern New Mexico, has been closed to underground waste dumping since early February as a result of a series of accidents, including an airborne radiation leak that contaminated at least 13 workers."
"The federally-owned Waste Isolation Pilot Project, located in southeastern New Mexico, has been closed to underground waste dumping since early February as a result of a series of accidents, including an airborne radiation leak that contaminated at least 13 workers."
Coal Giant Slapped With Record Fine for Years of Toxic Water Pollution | Common Dreams
Coal Giant Slapped With Record Fine for Years of Toxic Water Pollution | Common Dreams
"Coal giant Alpha Natural Resources Inc. has been hit with a record $27.5 million fine for violating water pollution permits thousands of times, discharging toxic contaminants into Appalachian waterways for years, the Associated Press is reporting."
"Coal giant Alpha Natural Resources Inc. has been hit with a record $27.5 million fine for violating water pollution permits thousands of times, discharging toxic contaminants into Appalachian waterways for years, the Associated Press is reporting."
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