"Un-American" Commentary From the Right?

I could not help but cheer Keith Olbermann's comment last night on this silly lie that Obama does not use the term "terrorist" or "terrorism" enough.

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I've found it utterly offensive the tactic that the right is using to undermine this POTUS as he tries to do his job.

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The very things that people on the right are saying publicly, are things that these same people would have decried as both "un-American" and "treasonous."

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I know that I should not be floored by the willful ignorance and the rank politicization of the right, but I still remain floored. I am especially floored, because millions of Americans actually think that what these people are saying is in fact true, even in the face of real evidence to the contrary. For some, Jesus could say that Obama did it, and they would disbelieve Jesus. Unfortunately, that's the point we've reached in the current political discourse.

Will Being Gay in Uganda Lead to Execution or Imprisonment? V

I just want folks who check out this blog to check out this post over at the Box Turtle Bulletin (also check out the site's coverage of events in Uganda; it's really informative). I was in shock listening to the things that this Christianist Scott Lively was saying throughout the clips on this post. In the NY Times story that shows the connections between American Christianists and this "kill the gays legislation," Lively actually comes out of his mouth with an expression of disappointment in the harshness of the proposed legislation.

This is unreconstructed bullshit.

Listen to how he describes the GLBT movement. Listen to his suggestions that the genocide perpetrated in Europe during WWII and Rwanda is linked essentially to power hungry gay men. Listen to his words. Why wouldn't a group of people, already steeped in a prejudice against the GLBT community (most likely on some "eww" factor of the typical "two men kissing" image), not go for the toughest measure to stamp out people who allegedly "advocate" genocide and "attacks" traditional families?

OMG, I Agree With George Will

Sunday was a strange day. I found myself nodding my head in agreement (mostly) with columnist George Will. Will focused yesterday's column on the situation with the effort to develop the Atlantic Yards site in Brooklyn, NY. I think Will is spot on regarding his analysis of the fallacy of the SCOTUS's of allowing eminent domain to be used to transfer property from one private owner to another for the purpose of economic development.

I've often wondered if Will was an historic preservation enthusiast, because the Kelo v. City of New London case definitely is seen as a genuine potential threat to historic buildings and neighborhoods. And, I agree with Will's desire that the Court will revisit this issue, and reverse its decision on the use of eminent domain. Furthermore, regarding preservation, I found a very measured memorandum produced by the Law Department of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; it puts the Kelo into an historical context regarding preservation.

I also stumbled across this blog, for those who are interested in following the developments of the Atlantic Yards project.

WTF!?: The American Health Care System is All Cool?

I am going to say something that I don't believe I've said in this blog: F*&k You Limbaugh!!!!

Because his rich ass got the best possible care money could buy in that "foreign country" (according to so many on the right) of Hawai'i, and because he came through just fine, he really thinks that all is cool with the American health care system? There has never been a single thing wrong with the system for people in his tax bracket. Limbaugh could have been almost anywhere on the planet and received quality care with the kind of money he makes.

How dare this fool try to pass himself, and his experience, off as an ordinary. How about he try to do what he did without health insurance, while living off of the average salary in any of the counties that make up Appalachia. Or what of the people who make just a bit too much to qualify for Medicaid? To suggest that the total health care experience for him and the average person in this country is equal is bullshit.

Money and access make all of the difference. Either you get the type of care Limbaugh received, and then find that your insurance company will not pay for various aspect of that care, leaving you with a fat ass health care bill. Or you get the type of care Limbaugh received, and if you don't have health insurance, or a sufficient income, you get the whole fat ass health care bill. Both scenarios for too many Americans can lead to bankruptcy, and does not prevent the prospect of experiencing the same circumstances in the future.

I am one of those people, entrepreneurial, working for myself. I cannot afford health insurance right now. Should I find myself in a situation similar to Limbaugh's, I will drown in Shit's Creek (forget the damn paddle). Too many people, who are nowhere near Limbaugh's tax bracket, will hear his bullshit line, take it to heart, and spew it back in discussions on this issue. Meanwhile, some of them are most likely experiencing some faith shaking health insurance nightmares, clinging to the bizarre notion that they showed those "libruls" a thing or two.

Cut. Nose. Spite. Face.

Strike That Political Pose GOP

I am not surprised in the least that the GOP is seeking to capitalize on the attempted terror attack on Christmas. There is nothing like striking political poses in the name of national security (both the Senate and the House campaign committees of the GOP have sent out fundraising letters). Well, if that's the plan, might I suggest getting some proper lessons in truly striking poses?



Now, if you get that practice in, then perhaps the American people will continue to be duped into supporting the GOP's fallacious contentions on Democratic "failures" regarding national security issues. Best of luck (not really)!

How Badly Does the Man Want to Say "I Told You So?"

I think former VPOTUS Cheney wants nothing more than to say "I told you so" to the POTUS. In moves that are still shocking politically, and that I've posted about in the past, Cheney seems determined to convince Americans that Obama is not up to scratch on protecting the U.S., and he will find some Fox News person or right wing radio person happy to let him express that opinion.

Oh, for the days when Cheney hid in his secret bunker and dreamed dreams of torture and the dismantling of American ideals. Now he cannot seem to shut up, and continue his march toward the land of the loud and wrong.

UPDATE 12/30/09: Now this is the type of posturing that should be coming from the White House on all fronts. Ain't nothing like the truth when wielded properly.

DeMint(ed) Actions and Conservative Amnesia

For anyone who has stopped by this blog, I've made it no secret that I totally love and appreciate the work of Rachel Maddow and the staff of her show. Last night's segment on the Nigerian kid who tried to blow up the flight bound for Detroit was yet another reason why I love the work that those folks do.

There are two things about the coverage of this terror attempt that make me mad, and Maddow tapped into both last night. First, WTF is Sen. DeMint talking about, and why is no one beating him with a common sense stick over blocking the nomination of the possible TSA head (imagine if this were during the last administration and a Democrat was pulling a DeMint(ed) stunt like this). Second, how did the conservatives conveniently forget how the Bush administration handled the "shoe bomber?"

The fact that both of these issues were covered last night in two segments was just golden.

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