Wild Sects

2010-03-18T07:51:00.002-04:00

2010-03-12T14:39:00.002-05:00

Canadians even wins when they lose!

2010-02-26T12:29:00.000-05:00

The American hockey team beat the Canadian hockey team during the Olympics. I love how this Canadian gets the last laugh.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele apparently doesn't get out much

2010-02-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

STEELE: This whole dog and pony show that we're about to witness today is something that should have taken place a year ago, when the administration first came in last February and laid out its agenda for health care. This is how you should have started it - bipartisan, public forum, CSPAN, your cameras rolling to capture this and to capture, most importantly, what the American people want. And right now, they want us to start over, and I think we should.

TODD: Chairman Steele, in fairness to them, I mean, it was a year ago that they actually had a summit.

GUTHRIE: On March 5th.

TODD: And it wasn't just the legislative leaders. They brought in folks from the industry as well. And that one was televised. So...does that one not count? I'm just curious.

STEELE: Well, apparently it didn't. Because we don't have health care.

The 4 phases of the Republican plan

2010-02-26T12:11:00.000-05:00

This was inspired by Jeb Bush's call for Republicans to have "intellectual curiosity."

I need to get one of these for my car...

2010-02-25T10:50:00.003-05:00

Let's listen to the most unpopular industry in America. Americans be damned.

2010-02-24T13:53:00.001-05:00

I just read where the public option is much more popular than the Senate bill. So what does Obama do? he pushes the Senate version. Only in our broken “democracy” could the opinion of a handful of lobbyists representing one of the most unpopular industries in America have more sway than the opinion of roughly 65% of Americans. The American people have spoken loud and clear about what they want from health care reform, and it is a public option.

What's wrong with these pictures?

2010-02-24T12:14:00.002-05:00

The first photo enraged the right while the second one encouraged them.

Snowfall on our town square

2010-02-13T06:59:00.000-05:00

Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

2010-02-12T10:16:00.000-05:00

Now they're complaining because he's killing too many terrorists. WTF?

Ron Reagan: Did you ever meet my father? I'm asking you a simple question. You can't answer that because the answer is no. Pam Geller: You never met him either.

2010-02-11T10:38:00.000-05:00

These people really are delusional. Read and watch the exchange via Crooks and Liars.

Talk To The Hand (with thanks to Crooks and Liars)

2010-02-09T09:54:00.000-05:00

Don't forget the annual Blog Against Theocracy blogswarm April 2-4.

It's one thing stand on principle and oppose something...

2010-02-05T11:16:00.003-05:00

but to oppose for the sake of opposition is just STUPID!

Atlanta's own Mike Luckovich

2010-02-05T09:25:00.000-05:00

New Link Added

2010-02-05T08:42:00.001-05:00

Please visit my friend Tom over at Tom's Neurosis. See link to your right ->

TOM! Where are you?

2010-02-04T12:16:00.000-05:00

I received an email from my old Blog Buddy, Tom in Texas. I've been looking for his Blog for some time now and can't seem to find it.

Tom, if you see this, send a link.

I think I'll move to Minnesota so Al Franken will be my Senator

2010-02-04T11:35:00.001-05:00

Al Franken is doing a bang-up job in my opinion. If all the congress critters were like him we'd live in a virtual utopia. In this video he takes Grandpa McCain to task (without ever mentioning him) for holding up Becker's nomination without submitting one question to him.

With apologies to Dr. Seuss.

2010-01-12T09:56:00.001-05:00

Wingnuts hypocritical? Say it ain't so!

2009-12-29T08:13:00.002-05:00

As this article illustrates, the right-wing loonies are up in arms about the "underoos bomber" and are calling for Janet Napolitano's head on a platter. Their response is quite different than the one they gave concerning Tom Ridge and the "shoe bomber" in 2002.

UPDATE: Two al Qaeda Leaders Behind Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot Were Released by Bush in 2007

AMERICAblog:
It seems Mr. Cheney will have some explaining to do. The Gitmo detainees were sent to Saudi Arabia, where they underwent "art therapy," and then were set free. But now the Republicans have a problem with President Obama wanting to try suspected terrorists in US courts. Maybe if we promise the maximum sentence will be "art therapy," the Republicans will come on board.

Lousy GOP hypocrite!

2009-12-24T12:39:00.002-05:00

GOP Lawmaker Behind The Anti-‘Happy Holidays’ Resolution Sent A ‘Happy Holidays’ Greeting Last Year

Quote of the Day

2009-12-23T14:33:00.001-05:00

"Democrats will consult some celibate old men from an ancient superstitious cult operating an international pedophile ring led by a former Nazi currently living in Rome about whether American women should have control over their own bodies or if the U.S. federal government should do it." -Unknown

Republicans are lining up to welcome Parker Griffith (R-AL), the party-switching congress critter, into the fold

2009-12-23T10:54:00.000-05:00

And why not? Someone who engages in "shameful conduct" and "can't be trusted" seems to be right in line with Republican values. Watch this video that Griffith's new party put out against him last year.

The sentiment expressed in this letter is shared by many on the left. Me included.

2009-12-17T12:47:00.001-05:00

Via Manhattan Butterfly

Dear President Obama,
I just got an email from you asking me to contact my Senators to vote for your piece of crap health care “reform” bill.
The link to reply was –like your administration – defective and so here I am replying through your website and putting it up on my blog for the world to read if they care to.
1) I already called Schumer and Gillibrand to let them know how outraged I am by the Senate bill you allowed Lieberman to control and shape. And that I strongly urged them to vote against any bill without real reform.
2) I am just one of a vast number of disillusioned and furious progressives you have managed to alienate in less than a year. These people like me voted for you, donated to your campaign and worked for your election because we wanted real change. You have bitterly disappointed us.
3) Glen Greenwald of salon.com got it right. This piece of garbage that you are calling “reform” is exactly what you wanted. It’s a gift to the insurance cartel and big pharma. What’s more, it’s an insult to my intelligence to think that I am fooled into thinking this is some step forward instead of what it really is: worse than what we have now.
4) You are not “mybarackobama.” That person was apparently an apparition. The reality is quite the letdown.
Russ Feingold said it: “This bill appears to be legislation that the president wanted in the first place.” With everything you’ve done, you’ve signaled that real reform was never your goal. If it had been single payer would never have been off the table. That would have been the place to start.
What’s clear is that you’re more than willing to strongarm Democrats when it comes to endless war, but not for your own populace who continue to suffer and die under this horrible system which puts profits over people.
And the proof of all this can be seen in your flipflop over Dorgan’s amendment. When you were a senator and candidate you were all for re-importation of drugs so that the American people wouldn’t be gouged by big pharma. And then as president you cut a secret deal with the gougers and suddenly you’re against the Dorgan amendment. And THAT you were able to work the Democratic caucus to vote against. But there was no similar effort on behalf of a strong public option.
You signaled from the start that you were willing to sign any pile of flaming poo that you could slap the word “reform” on so that you could pat yourself on the back and call it a success.
I am disgusted!

This is gonna be a wild ride!

2009-12-16T14:40:00.001-05:00

ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons turns 60 today!

2009-12-16T14:32:00.002-05:00

The Dems have a 60-40 majority in the Senate. WHY CAN'T OBAMA GET ANYTHING DONE?

2009-12-16T11:49:00.000-05:00

In contrast, the Republicans never had more than a 51-49 majority when Bush was president. How did he manage to push through all this crap?

- John Ashcroft nomination
- Iraq war resolution
- Repeated Iraq funding resolutions
- 2001 & 2003 tax cuts
- Patriot Act
- Justice Alito
- Justice Roberts
- Medicare Part D

We're doomed.

The Boston Tea Party was held on this date in 1773.

2009-12-16T11:30:00.001-05:00

The modern-day teabaggers have bastardized that event with their hate-filled, racist escapades in 2009

“We are entitled to our own opinions; we are not entitled to our own facts." -Sen. Al Franken

2009-12-15T12:33:00.000-05:00

My letter to the White House

2009-12-15T08:26:00.001-05:00

Dear President Obama,
What does Joe Lieberman have over you that you would allow Rahm Emanuel to hijack the Senate and tell them to please Lieberman? I have to tell you that I find you to be increasingly disappointing. I voted for you to change things but you seem more interested in pleasing the right than doing what is best for the American people. If you serve only one term. And I believe you will. It will be your own fault. I won't vote for you again unless you get with the program and act like candidate Obama and not like Republican-lite Obama.

UPDATE:
Here are some Twitter remarks about how the White House just screwed us:

@markos Insurance companies win. Time to kill this monstrosity coming out of the Senate.

@HunterDK: Breaking: Senate agrees to drop healthcare reform from #HCR bill. Will be replaced with picture of Calvin peeing on you.

@johngcole: But hey- they got to posture for the Stupak amendment, so it isn't a total loss. Idiots.

@pourmecoffee Final health care reform now looking like mailer with healthy recipes from FLOTUS vegetable garden.

@stephanietaylor Sherrod Brown, asked what the bill DOES do: "30 million more people will be covered now." BECAUSE U R FORCING US TO BUY SHITTY INSURANCE.

@GregMitch In Japan, Harry Reid would have to, literally, fall on his sword.

@aravosis When it still feels like Bush is in the WH and Gingrich the Congress, I don't call that 'change'

@markos Bye bye, Reid. You weren't a bad MINORITY leader.

@HunterDK: Private mandate still in. Apparently Senate only feels they can regulate individual citizens already struggling to get by.

@Atrios: 2010 gonna be grim

@HunterDKT Well, I'm out. There's more to be gained from purging corporate whores in Dem party than having 60 votes... or even 55.

@SamSeder In the words of Mr. Rotten, "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" F U Joe Lieberman and the caucus you rode in on.

@markos They're still trying to stick us with the mandate, right? Another government bailout of a broken industry.

@HunterDK Somehow I don't see "Let Them Eat Cake" being a winning campaign slogan for senate Dems in 2010, but what do I know.

@pourmecoffee Children of Aetna management not allowed to go to sleep tonight before writing thank-you note to Lieberman.

Dar Williams - The Christians and the Pagans

2009-12-11T12:45:00.001-05:00

Dar Williams wrote this instant holiday classic for her 1996 album, "Mortal City." How can you not love the story of lesbian pagans having Christmas dinner with Christian relatives? (It's implied that Amber is estranged from her family, which is why she's visiting her uncle instead of her father.)

Dar was raised in Chappaqua, NY, and spent 10 years living in Northampton, MA, where she began to make the rounds of the coffeehouse circuit. Joan Baez was an early fan. She took Dar on tour with her and recorded several of her songs.

The plot thickens...

2009-12-10T15:02:00.000-05:00

According to the Flight Data Recorder, the flight deck door on AA Flight 77 was never opened before it plunged into the Pentagon. Hijackers must have been hiding in the glove compartment

WTF?

2009-12-10T13:46:00.001-05:00

From The Washington Independent:

Public Policy Polling has another mind-bending partisan number from its national survey. Right now, 20 percent of Americans "support the impeachment of President Obama for his actions so far." That number includes 35 percent of Republicans, to only 15 percent of independents and 10 percent of Democrats.

"I’m not clear exactly what ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ they are using to justify that position," said PPP’s Tom Jensen, "but there may be a certain segment of voters on both the right and the left these days that simply think the President doing things they don’t agree with is grounds for removal from office."

This means that 35 percent of Republicans, 15 percent of independents and 10 percent of Democrats need to get their heads out of their asses and read the Constitution.

The flat earthers are winning.

2009-12-10T12:13:00.001-05:00

The percentage of Americans who say there is solid evidence the earth is warming has fallen sharply over the last year. In an April 2008 survey, 71% said there was solid evidence of global warming, and almost half of Americans (47%) said it was the result of human activity. In an October survey, however, just 57% of Americans said there was solid global warming evidence, and only 36% of the public said it was the result of human activity. While the declining acceptance of global warming evidence has come from across the political spectrum -- even among Democrats the percentage seeing strong evidence of global warming has fallen from 91% in 2006 to 71% in 2009 -- the decline has been precipitous among independents in the last year. While 75% of independents said there is solid evidence the earth is warming in 2008, only a small majority (53%) continue to see such evidence now. Republicans have always been more cynical about global warming evidence but doubters have mounted quickly in recent years, after a very slight increase in support of global warming evidence in 2007. Fully 62% of Republicans said there is solid evidence the earth is warming in 2007, but currently just slightly more than a third (35%) agree.

It's not just the facts that don't matter at FOX. Math isn't that important either. 120% ?!

2009-12-09T13:01:00.004-05:00

The plan is obvious...

2009-12-08T10:54:00.000-05:00

The Republicans want to obstruct the health care bill to the point that it is nothing but garbage. Then they can blame the garbage bill on the Democrats because they are the ones in the majority.

Obama needs to grow a pair and help push through a meaningful bill that will benefit all Americans. Then when universal health care becomes popular the Republicans will be marginalized even further.

Quote of the day.

2009-12-07T10:51:00.003-05:00

"Mr. President, remember 'yes we can, yes we can?' Well I wish you would."-Wanda Sykes

Al Franken double-dares Coburn on the Public option

2009-12-07T10:04:00.000-05:00

Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla) and David Vitter (R-La) have upped the ante in the health care standoff by challenging members of Congress to sign on to the public option health care plan. They assume that socialized medicine is so horrible that none of their peers would agree to quitting their current plans and sign up for the public option. On Friday, Al Franken said he was willing to take Coburn up on his offer.

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., said in a speech on the Senate floor that he wants to join Coburn’s effort to force senators to join any public plan created by Congress.
"I will have no problem at all enrolling in this plan,” Franken said. He said he recently told his wife that they should enroll in a public plan if Congress creates one and that she wholeheartedly agreed.
"So, yeah, I’m perfectly serious about this,” Franken said.

I think Franken called their bluff. Now we'll see who's serious.

John McCain: "GET OFF MY LAWN!"

2009-12-07T08:23:00.000-05:00

Aetna's dirty tricks makes a strong case for the public option. Guess where Aetna is based? That's right. Connecticut. No wonder Joe Lieberman is against a public option.

2009-12-05T17:40:00.003-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

"It's socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor" -Ambrose Finnegan

2009-12-03T21:00:00.001-05:00

Ambrose Finnegan was VP Joe Biden's grandfather.

In honor of the troop escalation to Afghanistan

2009-12-02T12:46:00.000-05:00

Marilyn Monroe getting a buzz on

2009-12-02T09:44:00.001-05:00

Open letter to the teabaggers by Ken Kupchik

2009-12-01T10:11:00.000-05:00

Dear Tea Baggers,
I am convinced that close to 90% of you have no clue what you're even protesting.

If it's the debt or the deficit, where were you the last eight years? You scream about ignoring the Constitution, but when pressed for specific examples you stutter on about Socialism. Most of you don't even know the definition of socialism, it's just a buzzword your rich corporate sponsors injected into the debate to further their own agenda.

You shout people down in town halls while they talk about loved ones who were denied care by health insurance company "death panels." Classy.

And stop calling it a "government take over of health care," if anything, the current bills are the opposite, driving more people into the free-market health care system and making those insurers even wealthier. Shouldn't that make you happy?

Also? Please stop bringing up the founding fathers. You did not know them. You do not have some sort of special access to their views on the current debate if they were alive today. For all you know, they would have voted for Barack Obama.

If you want to go back to the days of the founding fathers as your misspelled signs and civil war garb suggests, you will also have to give up the following:

Cars
Sneakers
Fast food
Telephones
Chocolate chip cookies
Fox News
Medicare
Rush Limbaugh
Automatic weapons

I knew those last two would change your mind. Oh, and the founding fathers read....a lot, and not books by Glenn Beck.

Maybe you should start by reading the Constitution, I suggest Article I Section 8.

Sincerely,

Ken Kupchik

Obama to send more troops to Afghanistan

2009-11-30T11:11:00.002-05:00

When you find yourself in a hole the answer is not to dig faster!

Passing health care reform might lead to happier Americans

2009-11-30T09:03:00.002-05:00

"Put simply, the healthcare reform bill would make the United States more like western Europe. That may mean more security about healthcare, but it also means that future generations of Americans will likely spend more time enjoying leisure." Conservative economist Greg Mankiw

We can't have Americans enjoying more leisure time now can we?

This quote gets my vote for "Most Moronic Quote" for 2009

2009-11-29T00:02:00.002-05:00

"We did not have a terrorist attack on our country during president Bush's term" -Dana Perino 11/24/2009

George Stephanopoulos, lap dog

2009-11-25T09:55:00.002-05:00

Somehow, George doesn't see a conflict of interest in having a woman with no credentials on his panel to discuss the war on terror. We can't stop Liz Cheney from being a warmongering liar, George, but maybe we can get through to you. She does NOT belong on ANY platform regarding national security.

Anti-energy drinks

2009-11-25T09:31:00.004-05:00

As a gimmicky antidote to "energy drinks," several companies are selling calming beverages in a can.

Promising a "vacation in a bottle" or an "acupuncture session in every can," makers of anti-energy drinks, as they're known, say that after bailouts, foreclosures and Ponzi schemes, Americans nowadays would rather chill out than tweak out. To help us do so, they're spiking their new beverages with ingredients such as chamomile, melatonin, and valerian root -- all known for their supposed calming effects. Now in convenience-store display cases across America, drinks with names like Slow Cow, Ex Chill and Malava Relax are increasingly jockeying for space with their amped-up alter-egos like Jolt, Monster and Rockstar. "It's my quest to relax the world," says Innovative Beverage Group Holdings (IBGH) CEO Peter Bianchi, who developed the anti-energy beverage Drank. "I saw America becoming more and more hurried. We are going to burn out after a while."

Obama's Gallop Poll ratings might be below 50% but...

2009-11-24T09:22:00.000-05:00

Ronald Reagan’s average job approval rating in the months before his first mid-term Congressional election, in 1982, was 42 percent — and Republicans that November lost 26 seats. And who remembers that? Two years later, Reagan carried 49 states as he galloped to a second term over Walter F. Mondale. -Adam Nagourney at the NYT

Does this look familiar?

2009-11-23T13:36:00.000-05:00

This is the kind of bullshit that was going around before JFK was assassinated in Dallas. Credit goes to Lee Arnold since I borrowed it from his post.

Being thankful this Thanksgiving

2009-11-23T12:26:00.000-05:00

Be glad for the tryptophan in the turkey on Thanksgiving. It blocks the 9 aphrodisiacs from turning a family dinner into a hillbilly honeymoon.

John Mayer - Battle Studies

2009-11-23T11:59:00.002-05:00

I'm listening to the new John Mayer CD "Battle Studies". More love songs, etc. similar to "Room For Squares." He seems to be channeling The Eagles and CSN at times. He does a funky/techno version of Crossroads which is growing on me. I prefer it when he plays live blues. He is an awesome guitarist and these songs don't do him justice in that regard. Still a very good CD though.

Quote(s) of the Day

2009-11-23T11:43:00.003-05:00

"Former Vice President Dick Cheney slammed President Obama for bowing before the Emperor of Japan. Cheney said, 'C’mon, it’s not like he’s the CEO of Exxon.'"
---Conan O'Brien

"Republicans Steve King and Pete Hoekstra attempted to wrap the Capitol with the 1,900-page healthcare bill. I mean, come on---shouldn’t that time be spent actually reading the bill? But you know the only way some of them will read it is resting it on the back of the hooker they're bonin' at the C Street House."
---Wanda Sykes

Monday funny. On second thought maybe it isn't all that funny.

2009-11-23T10:30:00.002-05:00

Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Moron) thinks Georgia looks like this

2009-11-22T20:28:00.000-05:00

Sen. Saxby Chambliss recently participated in an event by National Geographic, which invited all 100 U.S. Senators to draw a map of their home state from memory and to label at least three important places. Most of the participating Senators sketched their states admirably. Chambliss, meanwhile, drew something that more closely resembles Mississippi, but with weird saw teeth on the borders and a rectangle called “mountains.” This is just stupid.

A small part of the Atlanta skyline from Piedmont Park

2009-11-21T08:56:00.003-05:00

The Black Crowes Cabin Fever DVD Trailer

2009-11-21T07:08:00.005-05:00

Release date 11/24/2009. Be there or be square!

Saturday Vent:

2009-11-21T06:58:00.000-05:00

Republicans blaming the Obama administration for this horrendous recession is like an arsonist blaming the fire department - and yet, there's a certain usefulness to their attacks. After all, liberals complaining about the administration's economic policies got us nowhere. Maybe they'll actually listen when Republicans do it!

The circus that is Sarah Palin

2009-11-21T06:44:00.002-05:00

Headed for disaster

2009-11-19T08:39:00.002-05:00

And we're supposed to take Republicans seriously after remarks like this?

2009-11-18T12:37:00.001-05:00

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) has shit for brains:

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) recently suggested that former beauty pageant contestant Carrie Prejean would be a serious contender for public office:
[Carrie] has the ability to draw crowds and if she has a strong message to go with that, who knows what she can do? She has star power which can open doors.
We’ve all made mistakes when we were 17. [The sex tape] is going to be an impediment, but people are excited about her convictions and her beliefs

Would a different template be better?

2009-11-18T12:31:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to decide whether I should go with a light background and black text or leave it as is. Any comments?

Deficit? What defict?

2009-11-18T10:52:00.000-05:00

That's what we would be saying if Marijuana were to be legalized and taxed.

Support for the public option remains strong

2009-11-18T10:41:00.001-05:00

In spite of unrelenting attacks most Americans support a public option that competes with the insurance companies that have gouged and ripped off its customers for far too long.

The parts of the health care reform championed by the “political left” and opposed by so-called “centrists” in Congress continue to have very high popular support: the public option and the employer mandate.

53% of Americans support having the “government create a new health insurance plan to compete with private health insurance plans,” while only 43% oppose it. The opposition is much weaker than this one question would indicate. 40% of people who said they opposed the public option would support it if it were restricted almost exactly like it is in the House bill, to “only people who do not receive insurance through an employer, or through the existing Medicare or Medicaid programs.”

The health insurance industry/Republican attack message against the public option does seem to be gaining a lot of traction. A strong majority (60%) do think the public option “would force many private health insurers to go out of business.” However, even with that belief, support for the public option still remains strong. It just might be that Americans don’t really care if many inefficient private health insurance companies go out of business because they can’t compete against a public option.

These numbers are from the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll on health care.

Exclusive First Listen: Fever Ray, 'Live At Lulea'

2009-11-17T12:20:00.002-05:00

Responding to BS

2009-11-17T11:59:00.000-05:00

This letter appeard in the AJC today:

Democrats are putting themselves out on a limb

While Democrats press on with their health care reform bill, they should ask themselves three questions. Since this effort is overwhelmingly a Democratic-led effort, are they willing to absorb the blame that will begin in 12 to 18 months, as people realize they’re being charged for something they won’t yet be able to receive? Will they be able to handle the criticism from the inevitable goof-ups, like the H1N1 vaccination shortage? Do they realize the risk of becoming a permanent minority party over the fact that the program won’t deliver as promised? Once their program fails to deliver (and it will), voters will seek revenge.
The assumption by the Democrats that passing health care will lead to a generation in power is only valid if they deliver something better than we have now.

Gary O’Neill, Marietta

I simply had to respond to such nonsense so I sent a response to the AJC. I just got a call from them confirming my letter. It will appear in the AJC in the coming days.

A letter writer asked if Democrats were prepared to accept blame if health care reform is unsuccessful. As a matter of fact we will gladly accept blame for that just as we accept blame for Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid and just about every other program that Americans have benefited from and rely on.

Carrie Prejean

2009-11-17T09:54:00.000-05:00

Republican obstructionism has cut benefits in the newest unemployment extension

2009-11-16T12:36:00.002-05:00

Republicans apparently want the economy to get worse so they'll sweep the mid-terms. Why must they always display their sociopathic mindsets?

This piece is about California, but it will probably apply to other states as well:

Few, if any, unemployed people will be able to get the full 20-week extension in jobless benefits because Congress delayed so long and failed to change a sunset provision, says a California Employment Development Department official.

As a result, most Californians — an estimated 285,000 long-term unemployed — will be able to qualify for only an additional 14 weeks of benefits, says Loree Levy, an EDD spokeswoman.

The legislation, which was approved by the House today, provides 14 weeks of additional benefits to all states. Those states with a jobless rate over 8.5% — California's is 12.2% — get up to 20 more weeks.

But instead of simply tacking on the additional weeks in one new extension, the bill sets up a Byzantine plan that adds two new extensions to the two previous ones before the last extension, referred to as FedEd, kicks in.

Congress previously extended FedEd from 13 weeks to 20 weeks, but included a sunset provision for the end of the year. If Congress doesn't change that provision, FedEd will revert to 13 weeks on Jan. 1.

So even if a person could start collecting on the latest extension today, the calendar will run out before that person can get all 20 weeks of benefits. As currently written, they will get one additional week for the second extension and, because their unemployment will carry into next year, 13 weeks of FedEd, for a maximum of 14 weeks.

Learn to speak Tea Bag...

2009-11-16T12:02:00.002-05:00

...in one easy lesson!

Followup to Carrie Prejean's appearance on Larry King Live

2009-11-16T11:23:00.001-05:00

The one where she attempted to leave the set because Larry was being inappropriate.

She arrived with an entourage of five, (for cable news Green Room context, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., never arrives with a group that large) and barked at a studio operator for touching her hair while setting up her microphone.

After her appearance in which she dubbed King "inappropriate" and attempted to exit the set, Prejean accused the staffer of lying to her, saying King's producers promised no phone calls. She belittled McAusland saying, "Is the intern talking to me? Oh look at the little intern, look at the little intern trying to explain!"

"I've never been treated so poorly in my whole life," McAusland, who recently accepted an executive producer position at Newsie.com of Media Convergence Group, said.

FACT CHECK: Palin's book goes rogue on some facts

2009-11-16T10:31:00.001-05:00

Sarah Palin's new book "Going Rogue" apparently plays fast and loose with the facts. She continues to present misinformation that hasn't become any more true since the election.

The AP has the dirt.

UPDATE: This is from Daily Kos. I couldn't resist sharing it.

The Associated Press has a lengthly fact check of Sarah Palin's upcoming book, "Going Rogue." So lengthly in fact, that I'll just save you a little time and list the facts that are not in dispute.

* Her name is Sarah Palin.

* She is the former governor of Alaska.

* She was John McCain's running mate.

* They lost.

* She wrote a book.

So there you have it. I just saved you time and $9 (plus shipping and handling).

The ten main differences between FOX and MSNBC

2009-11-16T09:56:00.001-05:00

Those who watch FOX News defend the network's journalistic integrity by pointing to high ratings and claim that MSNBC is the liberal equivalent. While the comparison may seem valid on the surface, there are glaring differences between the two networks.

10) Fox News claims "fair and balanced" coverage, while MSNBC is simply "the place for politics."

9) MSNBC devotes a three-hour daily segment to Joe Scarborough, a conservative from Newt Gingrich's "Republican Revolution." The equivalent would be Fox News giving a morning show to Ron Reagan.

8) While Fox News has Bill O'Reilly, MSNBC does not have an angry white male talk show host that yells and frequently interrupts people. Oh wait, nevermind.

7) MSNBC does not air a prime-time show that is akin to watching A Clockwork Orange while taking LSD.

6) The closest Fox News gets to allowing a lesbian to comment on policy is Lindsey Graham.

5) MSNBC will not be the network where Lou Dobbs ultimately ends up.

4) While Fox News was covering several cases of voter registration fraud by community-organizing group ACORN, MSNBC was covering the global economic collapse and a presidential election.

3) The prime-time lineup of MSNBC hosts all have college degrees, while O'Reilly is the only Fox News host to attend for more than one week.

2) MSNBC is not losing advertising because of their biased programming.

1) While MSNBC's Keith Olbermann organized free health clinics across the country to draw attention to the millions of people without health coverage, Fox News organized anti-government tea parties to try and guarantee that those people remained uninsured.

New study out of UCLA (thanks to Jim)

2009-11-14T23:05:00.003-05:00

A study conducted by UCLA's Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is In her menstrual cycle. For example: If she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features. However, if she is menstruating, or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with duct tape over his mouth and a spear lodged in his chest while he is on fire...

No further studies are expected.

Limbaugh calls Palin memoir "One of most substantive policy books I've read"

2009-11-14T08:01:00.001-05:00

Did he say that with a straight face? Hard to imagine since I don't think Sarah Palin even knows what the word substantive means.

Just Breathe - Pearl Jam

2009-11-13T19:02:00.001-05:00

This is probably my favorite song at the moment. Click the cover to play.

Tea Party candidate in Orlando is arrested on drug trafficking charges.

2009-11-13T15:22:00.000-05:00

A Florida conservative who launched his campaign for Orlando City Council at a Tea Party rally, has been popped on charges of drug trafficking. I'm shocked and amazed! Aren't teabaggers supposed to be upstanding citizens who want only the best for our country?

Jon Stewart responds to Sean Hannity's apology.

2009-11-13T14:40:00.003-05:00

Jon says: Nothing is worth sitting through Hannity's show.

Memorable Lou Dobbs quotes.

2009-11-12T13:08:00.000-05:00

Lou Dobbs, August 14:

It's just killing the left wing in this country that they can't force CNN to fire me.

Lou Dobbs, today:

...

The AMA has asked that marijuana be removed from the Schedule 1 drug list

2009-11-12T12:52:00.000-05:00

The American Medical Association has asked the federal government to modify the classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use.
Schedule 1 is the most restrictive category and also includes heroin and LSD.
In changing its policy, the group said its goal was to clear the way to conduct clinical research, develop cannabis-based medicines and devise alternative ways to deliver the drug.

Check out Stefano Bonazzi's "Last Day on Earth" series of photographs. The images are beautifully unsettling. Click on the image to see more.

2009-11-12T12:20:00.000-05:00

What an airhead

2009-11-12T11:53:00.003-05:00

Carrie Prejean attempts to walk off Larry King Live and can't even manage to get that right. Click the image to watch the video.

Mike Luckovich 11.12.2009

2009-11-12T10:57:00.000-05:00

Will he or won't he?

2009-11-12T06:38:00.001-05:00

President Obama is still trying to figure out how best to respond to General McChrystal's request for 40,000 more troops in Afghanistan. Adding more troops seems like a strange way to wind down an unpopular war to me.

Now, according to this NY Times article, the U.S. Ambassador, a former military commander there, has warned against sending more troops. Ambassador Eikenberry cites the erratic behavior and corruption of Karzai's government as his reasons.

It's Veteran's Day. Thank a vet!

2009-11-11T18:39:00.000-05:00

Horror stories about the "socialist" health care system in France.

2009-11-11T18:34:00.003-05:00

An American shares her experiences with the "socialist" health care system in France. When she woke up sick on a Saturday morning she called a doctor's office and begged to be seen on Monday. The doctor said "I can see you in an hour."

Part one

Part two

Part three

Part four

"The Sects of the Utopian Commonwealth"

2009-11-11T18:14:00.003-05:00

I think this is an interesting piece by Dennis Hayes IV.
(click image for larger view)

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends...

2009-11-11T17:50:00.001-05:00

It's been over three years since my last post on Wild Sects. Comments and healthy debate are most welcomed. Please be civil (unless you just can't help yourself).

Saturday's Poignant Lyrics

2006-09-30T08:08:00.000-04:00

"Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see"

These lyrics from The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" perfectly describe your average Bush supporter. How ANYONE can still support this maniac after all that has transpired recently is beyond me. After the passing of the detainee bill it is even more obvious that we are living in a fascist dictatorship.

Friday funny

2006-09-29T15:13:00.000-04:00

Cool way to copy and paste

2006-09-28T19:42:00.000-04:00

Snippy is a cool way to selectively copy anything from your desktop and paste it into applications like Word, Photoshop, etc. It creates an image that you can email, paste into documents or just about anything you can imagine.

The image above was copied from AMERICAblog moments after our country turned into a fascist state. Goodbye America. It was nice knowing you.

Download Snippy

Putt's Law

2006-09-19T09:37:00.000-04:00

Technology is dominated by two types of people: those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand.

Gotta have it!

2006-09-14T20:42:00.000-04:00

And I Feel Fine: Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982-1987 [COLLECTOR'S EDITION]

Dorothy Ann Richards

2006-09-14T15:51:00.000-04:00

(September 1, 1933–September 13, 2006)

"Poor George, he can't help it...He was born with a silver foot in his mouth"

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

2006-09-13T13:05:00.000-04:00

More Americans have now died in Iraq than died on 9/11

2006-09-13T06:18:00.000-04:00

While President Bush and other Republican politicians spent the day exploiting the memory of those we lost five years ago, the nation overlooked a grim milestone: More Americans have now died in Iraq than died on 9/11. Iraq didn't attack us on that day, and our misguided policy there has now taken more American lives than Al Qaeda.

Here are the numbers: 3,015 Americans have died in Iraq as of September 9.

2,666 of these were military deaths and 349 were civilians.

Read on

McDonald's Petition

2006-09-09T11:11:00.000-04:00

Make your own Mickey D's sign!
Sign the petition!

Just when you think you've seen it all...

2006-09-08T06:39:00.000-04:00

Chickenhawks killing Doves

2006-09-07T19:07:00.000-04:00

What beter way for the GOP to spend the 5th anniversary of 9/11?

Do you get the feeling that they're leading up to something...

2006-09-05T19:50:00.000-04:00

...and we're supposed to crap our pants on cue?

CNN's Henry: Bush speech quoting bin Laden "may help shake Americans out of any complacency they may feel"