Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Justice vs. The Student * Or * Out With The Old In With The New
In response to a question from the honorable Duncan Hosie (freshman at Princeton University) during the question-and-answer period following his speech, SCOTUS associate Justice Scalia doubled-down on his then- and still- stunningly intolerant, inflammatory, ignorant and illogical dissenting opinion from the Lawrence vs. Texas Supreme Court decision. In that 2003 case, the High Court struck down (6-3) a Texas ban and ruled that states could not outlaw sodomy between consenting adults of the same sex.
If doing so at this time - when a significant majority of Americans support marriage equality - makes Scalia look/sound like an unapologetic bag of hot, fetid wind who may be showing early signs of dementia... What's the big deal?
Well, the problem is that - as an active member of the ultra-exclusive club that is SCOTUS - Scalia ought to refrain from giving speeches. Especially if, in doing so, he reveals his own personal (discriminatory) opinions on issues which directly pertain to upcoming Supreme Court Cases. Actually, in this instance, to *Two* upcoming Supreme Court cases (one pertains to the unconstitutionality of California's Prop. 8 and one pertains to striking down DOMA).
Since Scalia's behaved similarly before, one could say: "At least he's consistent."
And, here's hoping that he remains consistent when these two historic cases are heard and that - when the Court's equal rights- and equal protection-based decisions are finally announced - Scalia, yet again, finds himself (alone, hopefully) in the minority, dissenting opinion.
From The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell (the delightful Alex Wagner guest hosts):
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Why The GOP Plan To Raise Medicare Eligibility From 65 To 67 Is A Really Bad Idea
The GOP's Plan To Raise Medicare Eligibility From 65 To 67 Years Of Age Is A Really Bad Idea.
Why?
Answer: Simple Math.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation's Center On Budget And Policy Priorities: Although the net federal savings from raising Medicare's eligibility age by two years would be: $5.7 billion, in the final analysis, there would also be an increase in costs somewhere in the range of $11.4 billion across the economy for doing so.
Short & Sweet: Raising Medicare's eligibility age from 65 To 67 would end up costing twice as much as the initial savings.
So, Congress, don't do it.
*Oh... and, please: Stop Negotiating With Terrorists (Including Domestic Ones Embedded In Congress.)
From The Rachel Maddow Show. Guest Host: Ezra Klein.
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
The Fiscal Cliff Notes Courtesy Of Mr. Burns / The Simpsons
And now... A Public Service Announcement From Mr. Burns:
(He's Homer's boss on "The Simpsons")
In this brief, yet remarkably educational video, Mr. Burns explains "The Fiscal Cliff"...
(He's Homer's boss on "The Simpsons")
In this brief, yet remarkably educational video, Mr. Burns explains "The Fiscal Cliff"...
Smells Like GOP Secession: Mmm! Mmm! Good!
According to recent Public Policy Polling, 25% of Republicans support their state seceding from the Union simply because President Obama was re-elected/their side lost.
In seven states - AL, FL, GA, LA, NC, TN, TX - the number of signatures has forced the White House to respond.
Apparently, threats of secession have ceased to be the exclusive secret weapon of your crazy, Fox TV and fringe-fried uncle - twice removed.
(Needless to say, empty) Threats of secession are being thrown around like so much primate poop (Indeed, they're all primates).
Some pro-secessionists, like Ron Paul, are even educated. Paul declared secession to be "a deeply American principle." (You know, Ron, you're absolutely right. Secession from the Union did amazing things for the South that last time.)
And, Alan Keyes said, "The true right to secede comes from God, not the Constitution." (I... uh, no. Never mind.)
Allow me to retort (and I'd LOVE to hear the White House say this): "Go ahead. We won't even try to stop you. And, please, don't let the door slam on your way out."
*Hmm... Wait! It's not that I give a damn, but - what the heck, I've still gotta ask just one question: "Where is it, exactly, that would you go?"
From Hardball With Chris Matthews:
In seven states - AL, FL, GA, LA, NC, TN, TX - the number of signatures has forced the White House to respond.
Apparently, threats of secession have ceased to be the exclusive secret weapon of your crazy, Fox TV and fringe-fried uncle - twice removed.
(Needless to say, empty) Threats of secession are being thrown around like so much primate poop (Indeed, they're all primates).
Some pro-secessionists, like Ron Paul, are even educated. Paul declared secession to be "a deeply American principle." (You know, Ron, you're absolutely right. Secession from the Union did amazing things for the South that last time.)
And, Alan Keyes said, "The true right to secede comes from God, not the Constitution." (I... uh, no. Never mind.)
Allow me to retort (and I'd LOVE to hear the White House say this): "Go ahead. We won't even try to stop you. And, please, don't let the door slam on your way out."
*Hmm... Wait! It's not that I give a damn, but - what the heck, I've still gotta ask just one question: "Where is it, exactly, that would you go?"
From Hardball With Chris Matthews:
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