Gas Fracking & Oil-Drilling: "It's not just about earthquakes, anymore".
Oil companies overjoyed with their massive fracking/drilling boom in North Dakota are celebrating by throwing confetti... er, no... they're celebrating by throwing socks.
No, I'm not kidding: They're throwing socks away. Which wouldn't be all that noteworthy if the socks I'm speaking of weren't industrial filter "socks" that are loaded with RADIOACTIVE WASTE.
And, no, of course they aren't throwing them into sealed, radiation leak-proof containers (if such things exist - I don't think so.) and placing them in official radioactive-waste dumps (cringe).
No... These brain-donors are dumping radium-contaminated filter socks - by the many thousands - into industrial waste bags full and then dumping those inside unsuspecting businesses' dumpsters, inside Native American Reservations, inside abandoned vehicles and - in the worst case (sigh), thus far, they filled an abandoned gas station with them. That one ranks as the worst, human-caused radioactive accident in N.D. And, again, I say "thus far".
Because these gas/oil guys don't quit. And (obviously) they don't care.
When you're making that much money, hand over fist, the chorus line goes:
"Drill, baby... Drill...".
*Hey! I have a great idea: Since we all know they won't stop fracking/drilling/polluting, let's make each and every company that does so account for each and every sock filter they purchase!
Taa-daa... Another Problem Solved!
Check out this Happy Fracking video from The Rachel Maddow Show...
Showing posts with label trms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trms. Show all posts
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Friday, January 27, 2012
From The Rachel Maddow Show: "Facts Are Facts". (*And Politifact.com - Isn't)
Question: Do you or does anyone you respect use "Politifact.com" as your Go-To Fact-Checker for things Political?
If so, then be forewarned/fore-armed with this one simple Truth:
"Politifact.com"... Isn't. And, what I mean when I say "isn't" is that "Politifact.com" isn't inherently factual.
If you've been going there to Fact Check - Please Stop.
If you haven't gone, but you were thinking about it - Please Don't.
Here's the "Why?", from The Rachel Maddow Show...
Friday, January 13, 2012
From The Rachel Maddow Show: "President Colbert" A Possibility?
Brian Stelter at The New York Times has tweeted a tantalizing tidbit...
Stelter tweets that Stephen Colbert (of The Colbert Report) is transferring his Colbert Super-Pac to Jon Stewart and forming an "exploratory committee" for a possible run for the Presidency.
Colbert, himself, hinted at that very possibility on Wednesday night's show, after hearing news reports that, according to at least one poll in South Carolina (Colbert's home-state) Colbert was polling at 5% among likely Republican voters in the state - a whopping 1% higher than the current GOP Primary's 3rd Place-Holder John Huntsman's (4%) showing.
Hmmm... Curiouser and curiouser...
Here's the brief clip from Thursday night's The Rachel Maddow Show:
"President Colbert" A Possibility?
Stelter tweets that Stephen Colbert (of The Colbert Report) is transferring his Colbert Super-Pac to Jon Stewart and forming an "exploratory committee" for a possible run for the Presidency.
Colbert, himself, hinted at that very possibility on Wednesday night's show, after hearing news reports that, according to at least one poll in South Carolina (Colbert's home-state) Colbert was polling at 5% among likely Republican voters in the state - a whopping 1% higher than the current GOP Primary's 3rd Place-Holder John Huntsman's (4%) showing.
Hmmm... Curiouser and curiouser...
Here's the brief clip from Thursday night's The Rachel Maddow Show:
"President Colbert" A Possibility?
Insensitive? Who Me?: Mitt Romney (the Hoser) and Seamus (the Irish Setter)
"Insensitive? Who?... Me?"
I hadn't heard, until recently, about the unburdened-by-human-sensitivity Mitt Romney incident where Romney packed the family's large Irish Setter, "Seamus", into a dog-kennel which was strapped atop the Romney-mobile for an undoubtedly blustery 12-hour ride to a lakeside in Canada. Apparently, it became a rather messy trip during which the roof-rack kenneled canine, Seamus, visibly suffered from bowel distress - as was first witnessed and then reported by one of Romney's sons - one who was sitting, alone, in the very back section of the station wagon.
According to the Boston Globe-reported timeline of the event, after being informed of the appearance of the "brown liquid" dripping down the rear window, Romney pulled into a gas station; hosed off the car, the kennel and Seamus; and then returned the (now soaking wet?) dog to the kennel (still atop the car) and drove on to Canada.
In an interview on Fox (not)News Sunday - Mr. Wallace asked Romney about the incident... and Mitt chuckled. Following that, Wallace informed Romney that Massachusetts law actually prohibits carrying an animal atop a car: it's considered cruel and unusual treatment. Mitt's response was to claim that he "didn't know that" (that it was against the law) {Did you know this: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse."?} and Romney also added that Seamus (the dog) "loved" these rides.
(Mr. Romney: It's painfully obvious that Seamus did not "love" that particular ride - even before he messed himself and you hosed him off.)
Now, as the story has reached more Americans, something steeped in the tradition of the intentional online redefining of the word "Santorum" and raising of that definition's place in Google searches (initiated after Mr. Santorum's highly-offensive public statement in which he compared homosexuality with "man on dog relationships") has begun to occur. Originating at a website called spreadingromney.com, there's a new definition of the 'Romney' that's being promoted:
The "New" definition of "Romney" is: "To defecate in fear."
First, let me just say, "Eww!". And, after that, "Apropos".
I hope you enjoy this brief clip from Thursday night's The Rachel Maddow Show.
Topic: Mitt Romney being "dogged" (pun intended):
From The Rachel Maddow Show: Insensitivity, gaffes dog Romney
I hadn't heard, until recently, about the unburdened-by-human-sensitivity Mitt Romney incident where Romney packed the family's large Irish Setter, "Seamus", into a dog-kennel which was strapped atop the Romney-mobile for an undoubtedly blustery 12-hour ride to a lakeside in Canada. Apparently, it became a rather messy trip during which the roof-rack kenneled canine, Seamus, visibly suffered from bowel distress - as was first witnessed and then reported by one of Romney's sons - one who was sitting, alone, in the very back section of the station wagon.
According to the Boston Globe-reported timeline of the event, after being informed of the appearance of the "brown liquid" dripping down the rear window, Romney pulled into a gas station; hosed off the car, the kennel and Seamus; and then returned the (now soaking wet?) dog to the kennel (still atop the car) and drove on to Canada.
In an interview on Fox (not)News Sunday - Mr. Wallace asked Romney about the incident... and Mitt chuckled. Following that, Wallace informed Romney that Massachusetts law actually prohibits carrying an animal atop a car: it's considered cruel and unusual treatment. Mitt's response was to claim that he "didn't know that" (that it was against the law) {Did you know this: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse."?} and Romney also added that Seamus (the dog) "loved" these rides.
(Mr. Romney: It's painfully obvious that Seamus did not "love" that particular ride - even before he messed himself and you hosed him off.)
Now, as the story has reached more Americans, something steeped in the tradition of the intentional online redefining of the word "Santorum" and raising of that definition's place in Google searches (initiated after Mr. Santorum's highly-offensive public statement in which he compared homosexuality with "man on dog relationships") has begun to occur. Originating at a website called spreadingromney.com, there's a new definition of the 'Romney' that's being promoted:
The "New" definition of "Romney" is: "To defecate in fear."
First, let me just say, "Eww!". And, after that, "Apropos".
I hope you enjoy this brief clip from Thursday night's The Rachel Maddow Show.
Topic: Mitt Romney being "dogged" (pun intended):
From The Rachel Maddow Show: Insensitivity, gaffes dog Romney
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Radical NDAA Bill A Clear & Present Danger For Americans - Rachel Maddow Show
Despite an earlier veto threat - followed by revisions by Congress - President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The NDAA funds our military AND this particular one includes a number of highly radical and inexplicable provisions. For example: It authorizes the military to arrest American citizens 'suspected of terrorism' and - for the first time in our history - detain said American citizens indefinitely without charge or trial for... well, forever.
It's referred to as "Indefinite Detention" and, although Obama added a signing statement saying his Administration would not authorize it, theoretically, he could change his mind.
And, beyond that highly-unlikely event, it will continue to exist as law on the books.
Why is this noteworthy? Once again: Because "Indefinite Detention" is now "on the books". Because it has been signed into law. Which means that any future President could, at any time, decide to authorize "Indefinite Detention" and then... What?
(I sincerely hope none of us ever have to find out. Remember the recent instances of Constitutionally-Protected American protesters being assaulted by authorities?)
Simple Truth: "Indefinite Detention" is Un-American.
And yet, now that the NDAA has been signed into law (mind you, Congress's earlier versions were significantly worse) it is hanging over all of our heads - not unlike a guillotine. And, it will continue to do so - with the blade closing in on us - until the moment when yet another law is passed which will strike the provision of Indefinite Detention from the books, permanently.
Those politicians who've been working, tirelessly, to dismantle and do-away with two of America's most important ideals, namely Liberty and Freedom, have finally done it. They've not only spat on our Constitution and radically-altered our nation's laws... they've done it whilst, simultaneously, achieving those goals usually ascribed to anti-American Terrorists. (Uh... Congratulations?)
Because of their shenanigans, newly-unemployed, former terrorists are likely being forced to search for something else to do with their lives... Once they're able to stop those fits of uncontrollable, hysterical laughter...
Here's the story from The Rachel Maddow Show:
The NDAA funds our military AND this particular one includes a number of highly radical and inexplicable provisions. For example: It authorizes the military to arrest American citizens 'suspected of terrorism' and - for the first time in our history - detain said American citizens indefinitely without charge or trial for... well, forever.
It's referred to as "Indefinite Detention" and, although Obama added a signing statement saying his Administration would not authorize it, theoretically, he could change his mind.
And, beyond that highly-unlikely event, it will continue to exist as law on the books.
Why is this noteworthy? Once again: Because "Indefinite Detention" is now "on the books". Because it has been signed into law. Which means that any future President could, at any time, decide to authorize "Indefinite Detention" and then... What?
(I sincerely hope none of us ever have to find out. Remember the recent instances of Constitutionally-Protected American protesters being assaulted by authorities?)
Simple Truth: "Indefinite Detention" is Un-American.
And yet, now that the NDAA has been signed into law (mind you, Congress's earlier versions were significantly worse) it is hanging over all of our heads - not unlike a guillotine. And, it will continue to do so - with the blade closing in on us - until the moment when yet another law is passed which will strike the provision of Indefinite Detention from the books, permanently.
Those politicians who've been working, tirelessly, to dismantle and do-away with two of America's most important ideals, namely Liberty and Freedom, have finally done it. They've not only spat on our Constitution and radically-altered our nation's laws... they've done it whilst, simultaneously, achieving those goals usually ascribed to anti-American Terrorists. (Uh... Congratulations?)
Because of their shenanigans, newly-unemployed, former terrorists are likely being forced to search for something else to do with their lives... Once they're able to stop those fits of uncontrollable, hysterical laughter...
Here's the story from The Rachel Maddow Show:
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
(GOP) Machine Against The Rage (Occupy Wall Street, et al). In Other Words: It's Working.
Fox & Co. (I won't call Fox "news" - it isn't) conservative bobble-heads, GOP presidential wanna-Be's, right-wing talk-show hosts (rodeo clown glenn beck still breathes piss & vinegar on radio), etc. have entered "Full Panic Mode" and are getting hysterical over the Occupy Wall Street protests and its Occupy spin-off protests across America.
(That said, there's no better proof than this that the Occupy Wall Street Protests are effective/working.)
Their Methods?
Same as Always: Derision, Demonizing, Infiltrating, Instigating, embedding Provocateurs of Pepper Spray...
And yet, just listen to what the eloquent former Senator Alan Grayson said to PJ O'Rourke on Bill Maher...
Mr. Grayson received a Standing Ovation (deservedly so).
(From: The Rachel Maddow Show.)
(That said, there's no better proof than this that the Occupy Wall Street Protests are effective/working.)
Their Methods?
Same as Always: Derision, Demonizing, Infiltrating, Instigating, embedding Provocateurs of Pepper Spray...
And yet, just listen to what the eloquent former Senator Alan Grayson said to PJ O'Rourke on Bill Maher...
Mr. Grayson received a Standing Ovation (deservedly so).
(From: The Rachel Maddow Show.)
Americans Are Fighting Back Against GOP War On Voting... And Winning!
*Urgent Plea: America, Please Don't Take Your Right To Vote For Granted!
There's an organized, law-changing (GOP) attack on American voting rights (minorities, early voters, troops overseas, etc.) across the country.
Also, the various recent attacks on union-rights are no less than attacks on both the middle-class and the Democratic Party.
How do you combat these utterly Anti-U.S. Constitution/Anti-American attacks?
Be Aware: Pay attention to/Know what is going on in your State Legislature. Look for changes/new laws that affect your County Clerk's Office, especially.
Be Informed: Find out if and/or how the new laws might alter; impede; or take away your right or your neighbors' Right to Vote.
Fight Back: Thousands of Americans have rallied together to fight back against various state-wide GOP attacks on Voting Rights. They've gathered thousands of signatures and successfully made legal challenges, which have resulted in judicial-holds being placed on state measures intended to keep people from being able to vote.
Thousands of Americans have succeeded in getting Citizens' Repeal/Citizens' Recall Initiatives added to their upcoming ballots in order to remove blatantly un-American politicians from office as well as to repeal laws that had been put into effect without their input/consideration/vote in order to take away various Americans' rights.
Fighting Back is Important Because Fighting Back Works.
Because Every American Has the Right To Vote.
Even if you feel that any recent changes to voting laws/union-rights won't affect you, personally - Please understand this: If the changes affect other Americans in your state, eventually, they will affect you, too.
(*Unless, you simply don't care that other people are abusing the power of their political office to take away your rights...)
Making it Harder To Vote and/or Taking Away Any Americans' Right-To-Vote is blatant Abuse Of Power and 'utter disdain for the U.S. Constitution', two actions which - if left unchecked - will tilt the playing field in order to create an unfair advantage for those who have implemented the changes.
And to do that, my dear friends, is to attack our Democracy.
Enjoy this brief clip from The Rachel Maddow Show.
Rachel's guest is Mr. Gilbert Ortiz, County Clerk of Pueblo County, CO.
He is also, now, one of my Heroes who will, I hope, become one of yours, too.
There's an organized, law-changing (GOP) attack on American voting rights (minorities, early voters, troops overseas, etc.) across the country.
Also, the various recent attacks on union-rights are no less than attacks on both the middle-class and the Democratic Party.
How do you combat these utterly Anti-U.S. Constitution/Anti-American attacks?
Be Aware: Pay attention to/Know what is going on in your State Legislature. Look for changes/new laws that affect your County Clerk's Office, especially.
Be Informed: Find out if and/or how the new laws might alter; impede; or take away your right or your neighbors' Right to Vote.
Fight Back: Thousands of Americans have rallied together to fight back against various state-wide GOP attacks on Voting Rights. They've gathered thousands of signatures and successfully made legal challenges, which have resulted in judicial-holds being placed on state measures intended to keep people from being able to vote.
Thousands of Americans have succeeded in getting Citizens' Repeal/Citizens' Recall Initiatives added to their upcoming ballots in order to remove blatantly un-American politicians from office as well as to repeal laws that had been put into effect without their input/consideration/vote in order to take away various Americans' rights.
Fighting Back is Important Because Fighting Back Works.
Because Every American Has the Right To Vote.
Even if you feel that any recent changes to voting laws/union-rights won't affect you, personally - Please understand this: If the changes affect other Americans in your state, eventually, they will affect you, too.
(*Unless, you simply don't care that other people are abusing the power of their political office to take away your rights...)
Making it Harder To Vote and/or Taking Away Any Americans' Right-To-Vote is blatant Abuse Of Power and 'utter disdain for the U.S. Constitution', two actions which - if left unchecked - will tilt the playing field in order to create an unfair advantage for those who have implemented the changes.
And to do that, my dear friends, is to attack our Democracy.
Enjoy this brief clip from The Rachel Maddow Show.
Rachel's guest is Mr. Gilbert Ortiz, County Clerk of Pueblo County, CO.
He is also, now, one of my Heroes who will, I hope, become one of yours, too.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Rachel Maddow Connects Dots On Pakistan's Role In Attacks On US Troops
Greetings!
(Ooh... Trust me: This is a Really Good One.)
I now present you with a brief clip from TRMS whose subject is a most rare beauty: It's actually Newsworthy!
And yet, despite possessing one of the most uncommon of qualities, this little diamond-in-the-rough remains - presently at least - a huge story of great and growing importance which - for unknown reasons - goes on widely-unreported (TRMS excluded, thankfully).
The crux of the item (and this will be on the test, later) is this:
The existence of certain direct links between our long-time anti-terrorist/anti-terrorism ally Pakistan and certain well-informed and well-armed groups which have carried out a number of coordinated and deadly military attacks on U.S. troops/Americans are no longer just being suggested nor merely hinted at...
No more guessing: The-aforementioned certain direct links have also been uncovered, confirmed and acknowledged publicly by top U.S. military leaders, like Admiral Mike Mullen speaking before the Senate.
I don't know about any of you, but... I'm hearing a clock ticking... Somewhere... Off in the distance...
(As in: "Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Boom!")
(Ooh... Trust me: This is a Really Good One.)
I now present you with a brief clip from TRMS whose subject is a most rare beauty: It's actually Newsworthy!
And yet, despite possessing one of the most uncommon of qualities, this little diamond-in-the-rough remains - presently at least - a huge story of great and growing importance which - for unknown reasons - goes on widely-unreported (TRMS excluded, thankfully).
The crux of the item (and this will be on the test, later) is this:
The existence of certain direct links between our long-time anti-terrorist/anti-terrorism ally Pakistan and certain well-informed and well-armed groups which have carried out a number of coordinated and deadly military attacks on U.S. troops/Americans are no longer just being suggested nor merely hinted at...
No more guessing: The-aforementioned certain direct links have also been uncovered, confirmed and acknowledged publicly by top U.S. military leaders, like Admiral Mike Mullen speaking before the Senate.
I don't know about any of you, but... I'm hearing a clock ticking... Somewhere... Off in the distance...
(As in: "Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... Boom!")
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Texas Governor /GOP Candidate-Wannabe Rick Perry... Wants You!
Texas Governor & GOP Candidate-Wannabe Rick Perry Wants You!
Well, to be more specific, Rick wants to relieve all Americans of their ("unConstitutional", as he calls it) Social Security Safety Net when you get older.
Social Security is nothing more than "Big Government's Shackles", Rick says.
And yet... If you're a woman of childbearing age, "Tricky" Rick Perry wants to impose his ridiculous idea of "little government"... All Up in Your Uterus - I kid you not...
From: The Rachel Maddow Show:
Well, to be more specific, Rick wants to relieve all Americans of their ("unConstitutional", as he calls it) Social Security Safety Net when you get older.
Social Security is nothing more than "Big Government's Shackles", Rick says.
And yet... If you're a woman of childbearing age, "Tricky" Rick Perry wants to impose his ridiculous idea of "little government"... All Up in Your Uterus - I kid you not...
From: The Rachel Maddow Show:
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Oslo Norway Terror Attack: Right Claims 'Jihadists Did It!'. Perp Is Fundamentalist Christian. US Gun Lobby Doesn't Care
A heinous (and - contrary to Fox News/Murdoch's WSJ/Wash Post's J Rubin's claims - unconnected to Al Quaida/Jihadists) terror attack in Oslo, Norway at the hands of a native Norwegian Anti-Muslim Fundamentalist Christian (!) who bombed government offices, shot 68 people & left 98+ dead, has led to calls for Norway's police to be armed.
*A Simple Truth (recent events prove): Neither a lack of being armed (as in Oslo) nor a lack of restrictive gun laws (AZ/Gifford event - 6 were killed) guarantees anyone's safety.
Yet, despite this well-documented fact, the American gun lobby is now actively co-opting the horrific acts in Oslo as evidence to support their call for more guns and fewer (if any) restrictions on carrying them - even to the point of collecting signatures for current House (extremist) legislation ("national right to carry reciprocity act") that - if passed - would allow civilians to concealed-carry across state lines... Regardless of the second State's own laws.
Hello? Congress? GOP members of Congress? Uh, what the heck happened to all your adamant promises of "Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!" - should you be elected? Well, enough of you were (regretfully) elected and you've done what...?
Nope. Not one (nor any) of you has proposed - let alone passed - a single, itty-bitty Jobs Bill.
You haven't even bothered to propose a pitifully-lacking, token-gesture, just-going-through-the-motions 'Jobs Bill'... not even one that includes riders for more tax cuts for your stunningly-wealthy friends, corporate campaign contributors and your trusty fellow wall-street weasels.
Huh? Go figure... Maybe what they meant to say when they were campaigning was: "Jokes! Jokes! Jokes!", instead?
Psst... And, to all of the right-wing bobble-headed broadcast and print media wing-nuts who charged, blindly, whilst carrying their eternally-burning Torches of Bigotry onto the "The Jihadists did it!" Bandwagon with oodles of uniformed and passionately-ignorant gusto...
F.Y.I.: Neither convicted American terrorist Tim McVeigh nor "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski were Jihadists, either.
I have a question for those Not-Really "The News" people: If all of your 'friends' were to jump off the Empire State Building...
I hope you enjoy this brief clip from last night's (7/25/11) The Rachel Maddow Show (with guest host Melissa Harris-Perry).
From the Oslo, Norway (Fundamentalist Christian) Terror Attack to The US Gun Lobby's & Reactionary Congressional Right-Wingers' Self-Serving and Public-Endangering Response:
*A Simple Truth (recent events prove): Neither a lack of being armed (as in Oslo) nor a lack of restrictive gun laws (AZ/Gifford event - 6 were killed) guarantees anyone's safety.
Yet, despite this well-documented fact, the American gun lobby is now actively co-opting the horrific acts in Oslo as evidence to support their call for more guns and fewer (if any) restrictions on carrying them - even to the point of collecting signatures for current House (extremist) legislation ("national right to carry reciprocity act") that - if passed - would allow civilians to concealed-carry across state lines... Regardless of the second State's own laws.
Hello? Congress? GOP members of Congress? Uh, what the heck happened to all your adamant promises of "Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!" - should you be elected? Well, enough of you were (regretfully) elected and you've done what...?
Nope. Not one (nor any) of you has proposed - let alone passed - a single, itty-bitty Jobs Bill.
You haven't even bothered to propose a pitifully-lacking, token-gesture, just-going-through-the-motions 'Jobs Bill'... not even one that includes riders for more tax cuts for your stunningly-wealthy friends, corporate campaign contributors and your trusty fellow wall-street weasels.
Huh? Go figure... Maybe what they meant to say when they were campaigning was: "Jokes! Jokes! Jokes!", instead?
Psst... And, to all of the right-wing bobble-headed broadcast and print media wing-nuts who charged, blindly, whilst carrying their eternally-burning Torches of Bigotry onto the "The Jihadists did it!" Bandwagon with oodles of uniformed and passionately-ignorant gusto...
F.Y.I.: Neither convicted American terrorist Tim McVeigh nor "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski were Jihadists, either.
I have a question for those Not-Really "The News" people: If all of your 'friends' were to jump off the Empire State Building...
I hope you enjoy this brief clip from last night's (7/25/11) The Rachel Maddow Show (with guest host Melissa Harris-Perry).
From the Oslo, Norway (Fundamentalist Christian) Terror Attack to The US Gun Lobby's & Reactionary Congressional Right-Wingers' Self-Serving and Public-Endangering Response:
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Senate's LBJ Room: The Sistine Chapel Of The West It's Not. From TRMS
The Sistine Chapel Of The West It's Not...
In the 1850s, in what is presently the Senate's LBJ Room but what- at that time- was to be a library, the decorating decision-makers planned on showcasing four library-relevant-themed Neoclassic fresco-style paintings.
The four themes were to be: 1.) History 2.) Geography 3.) Philosophy and 4.) Print.
The first two paintings had been finished when, in the 1860s, the library plan was shelved (no pun intended - initially) and the room was, instead, to be made into a Post Office.
With the change of purpose, the latter two of the four themes were changed.
The four themes became: History, Geography, Physics and... The Telegraph.
I'm sure that the decorators/painters felt that their vision for the themes - particularly the last two paintings - showed reverence and respect for the exceptional painters/works from history... with a few upgrades.
End result? America is (metaphorically-speaking) depicted as the pinnacle of Health, Vitality and - as evidenced by the inclusion of a steamship and a train in the background of the "Physics" painting and the placement of a telegraph line in the hand of a cherub and placement of a telegraph pole in the background of the "Telegraph" painting - Modernity.
Hey! Look up... What's that? Oh, I know... It's Lady Liberty... and - whoa! - She's Hangin' Ten... and doing so noplace other than atop the crest of the latest wave of technological advancement!
I kid you not.
It's kinda weird - not that there's anything wrong with this variety of "weird" - but, in a trippy/quircky American History sort-of-way.
Check it out in the brief clip from TRMS that you'll find below.
Enjoy!
Peace,
L. :)
In the 1850s, in what is presently the Senate's LBJ Room but what- at that time- was to be a library, the decorating decision-makers planned on showcasing four library-relevant-themed Neoclassic fresco-style paintings.
The four themes were to be: 1.) History 2.) Geography 3.) Philosophy and 4.) Print.
The first two paintings had been finished when, in the 1860s, the library plan was shelved (no pun intended - initially) and the room was, instead, to be made into a Post Office.
With the change of purpose, the latter two of the four themes were changed.
The four themes became: History, Geography, Physics and... The Telegraph.
I'm sure that the decorators/painters felt that their vision for the themes - particularly the last two paintings - showed reverence and respect for the exceptional painters/works from history... with a few upgrades.
End result? America is (metaphorically-speaking) depicted as the pinnacle of Health, Vitality and - as evidenced by the inclusion of a steamship and a train in the background of the "Physics" painting and the placement of a telegraph line in the hand of a cherub and placement of a telegraph pole in the background of the "Telegraph" painting - Modernity.
Hey! Look up... What's that? Oh, I know... It's Lady Liberty... and - whoa! - She's Hangin' Ten... and doing so noplace other than atop the crest of the latest wave of technological advancement!
I kid you not.
It's kinda weird - not that there's anything wrong with this variety of "weird" - but, in a trippy/quircky American History sort-of-way.
Check it out in the brief clip from TRMS that you'll find below.
Enjoy!
Peace,
L. :)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Apathetic Americans: Please Take A Lesson From The Inspiring People Of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin's Republican Governor Walker and Republican State Legislators are in the midst of a Modern Day Witch-hunt... A Union-Busting, Democratic Campaign Donation-Eradicating Witch-hunt.
It appears that they thought that if they:
A.)Lied about the reasons for their actions. and if they
B.) Steam-rolled and strong-armed their anti-middle class legislation through like greased lightning...
Well, no one would figure out what they were doing... at least not in time to stop them.
Their Goal: To Destroy Labor Unions*. (*Except for the 3 who backed Walker's election campaign.)
Yep, No more organizing. No more collective bargaining for workers. And, workplace safety? Well, it's safe... enough... It looks safe...
Their (Publicly stated) Reasoning/Justification: To Fix Wisconsin's $100+ Million budget deficit.
That sounds "Reasonable", except...
The Elephant(s) in the Room: 1.) Wisconsin is expecting to have a budget surplus this year. 2.) Governor Walker just gave away $140 Million (Dollars) in tax breaks to businesses. And 3.) Nowhere in all of the fiscally-influential and utterly fiscally inert items in the legislation are Wisconsin's top 2%-ers being forced to give anything up.
This union-busting crusade is specifically targeting state workers and the middle class. (Ugh.)
*And. similar anti-labor legislation is being (far too quietly) proposed and passed in other states as well.
This is Not a Good Thing, America. (Sigh.)
But, wait... Hold on... All is not lost. Not by a long shot...
The Good News: The Wisconsin Legislature's Democrats have collectively went AWOL - they left the state of Wisconsin - in order to stall the bill/prevent a quorum (Since neither Walker nor the GOP legislators were willing to talk/discuss/negotiate/reconsider/etc.... Anything... Leaving was the only strategy left. The Dems wanted to give time to the people of Wisconsin to hear about what's Really Going On and to understand how - if passed - it will affect them.
And, In Even Better News: The Great People of Wisconsin aren't simply rolling over and letting this happen.
They aren't saying, "Oh well. What can I do about it? I'm only one person.", and giving in and surrendering.
Nope.
Apathetic Americans: Please Take A Lesson From The Inspiring People Of Wisconsin.
And, why don't you get in the ring, Governor Walker...
And face the 25,000+ Wisconsin citizens who figured out what was about to be done to them - without even being asked for their input... who got angry and active and who've organized and gathered and are protesting at Wisconsin's state capital (and several other cities).
I Salute You, Wisconsin
(From last night's TRMS: The Details) Enjoy!
!
It appears that they thought that if they:
A.)Lied about the reasons for their actions. and if they
B.) Steam-rolled and strong-armed their anti-middle class legislation through like greased lightning...
Well, no one would figure out what they were doing... at least not in time to stop them.
Their Goal: To Destroy Labor Unions*. (*Except for the 3 who backed Walker's election campaign.)
Yep, No more organizing. No more collective bargaining for workers. And, workplace safety? Well, it's safe... enough... It looks safe...
Their (Publicly stated) Reasoning/Justification: To Fix Wisconsin's $100+ Million budget deficit.
That sounds "Reasonable", except...
The Elephant(s) in the Room: 1.) Wisconsin is expecting to have a budget surplus this year. 2.) Governor Walker just gave away $140 Million (Dollars) in tax breaks to businesses. And 3.) Nowhere in all of the fiscally-influential and utterly fiscally inert items in the legislation are Wisconsin's top 2%-ers being forced to give anything up.
This union-busting crusade is specifically targeting state workers and the middle class. (Ugh.)
*And. similar anti-labor legislation is being (far too quietly) proposed and passed in other states as well.
This is Not a Good Thing, America. (Sigh.)
But, wait... Hold on... All is not lost. Not by a long shot...
The Good News: The Wisconsin Legislature's Democrats have collectively went AWOL - they left the state of Wisconsin - in order to stall the bill/prevent a quorum (Since neither Walker nor the GOP legislators were willing to talk/discuss/negotiate/reconsider/etc.... Anything... Leaving was the only strategy left. The Dems wanted to give time to the people of Wisconsin to hear about what's Really Going On and to understand how - if passed - it will affect them.
And, In Even Better News: The Great People of Wisconsin aren't simply rolling over and letting this happen.
They aren't saying, "Oh well. What can I do about it? I'm only one person.", and giving in and surrendering.
Nope.
Apathetic Americans: Please Take A Lesson From The Inspiring People Of Wisconsin.
And, why don't you get in the ring, Governor Walker...
And face the 25,000+ Wisconsin citizens who figured out what was about to be done to them - without even being asked for their input... who got angry and active and who've organized and gathered and are protesting at Wisconsin's state capital (and several other cities).
I Salute You, Wisconsin
(From last night's TRMS: The Details) Enjoy!
!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Bane Of The GOP And Of Congress: House Majority Speaker John Boehner
Post Mid-Term Elections: Republicans snookered enough voters to take a majority of seats in The House Of Representatives.
The reigning GOP leadership - individually and collectively - made a point to declare before the press and for-the-record that: The Republican Party is "... all about Jobs. Jobs. And Jobs.".
O.K., so be it. Make it so, Mr. Speaker. Create more jobs for Americans. Like you promised you would.
So... What have they/has he accomplished?
Well... one and one-half months into the GOP-controlled House's legislative activities (Drum Roll, please)...
There hasn't been even a single Jobs-Creating Bill proposed.
But, hey, the House Republicans have managed to propose a total of Three (3) sweeping anti-abortion bills.
(Yippee? Sigh. Nah.)
And, most recently, at a press conference that Mr. Boehner, himself, called together...
Referring to his GOP-controlled House's blatant inability to pass urgently-needed budget legislation (required before March if we are to keep our government up and running - despite the fact that the legislation has been rendered virtually immobile from the 400 Amendments members have tacked onto it - of which only 4 have been discussed)...
John Boehner flatly stated that, "If this (the GOP's current inability to pass the budget) causes people to lose jobs - well, then, so be it."
Yes, Mr. "Jobs. Jobs. Jobs" actually said that if his and his fellow GOP House members' incompetence at their jobs happens to result in other hard-working Americans losing their jobs... "Well, Then, So Be It".
Before the press, on-camera and on-the-record.
Well, I suppose that we can/should - at the least - be thankful that he didn't simply start blubbering and bawling, as he has often done before cameras in the recent past.
Nope... This time the Republican Party's Number 1 Guy came across as "The Iceman": Cold and utterly unencumbered by a little thing human beings refer to as "Compassion".
Hey, at least he's consistent: Mr. Boehner consistently declares that he'll do one thing and, then, he doesn't... again and again and again.
Keep showing America your True Colors, John!
Here's a brief clip from TRMS with the facts/details... Enjoy!
The reigning GOP leadership - individually and collectively - made a point to declare before the press and for-the-record that: The Republican Party is "... all about Jobs. Jobs. And Jobs.".
O.K., so be it. Make it so, Mr. Speaker. Create more jobs for Americans. Like you promised you would.
So... What have they/has he accomplished?
Well... one and one-half months into the GOP-controlled House's legislative activities (Drum Roll, please)...
There hasn't been even a single Jobs-Creating Bill proposed.
But, hey, the House Republicans have managed to propose a total of Three (3) sweeping anti-abortion bills.
(Yippee? Sigh. Nah.)
And, most recently, at a press conference that Mr. Boehner, himself, called together...
Referring to his GOP-controlled House's blatant inability to pass urgently-needed budget legislation (required before March if we are to keep our government up and running - despite the fact that the legislation has been rendered virtually immobile from the 400 Amendments members have tacked onto it - of which only 4 have been discussed)...
John Boehner flatly stated that, "If this (the GOP's current inability to pass the budget) causes people to lose jobs - well, then, so be it."
Yes, Mr. "Jobs. Jobs. Jobs" actually said that if his and his fellow GOP House members' incompetence at their jobs happens to result in other hard-working Americans losing their jobs... "Well, Then, So Be It".
Before the press, on-camera and on-the-record.
Well, I suppose that we can/should - at the least - be thankful that he didn't simply start blubbering and bawling, as he has often done before cameras in the recent past.
Nope... This time the Republican Party's Number 1 Guy came across as "The Iceman": Cold and utterly unencumbered by a little thing human beings refer to as "Compassion".
Hey, at least he's consistent: Mr. Boehner consistently declares that he'll do one thing and, then, he doesn't... again and again and again.
Keep showing America your True Colors, John!
Here's a brief clip from TRMS with the facts/details... Enjoy!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Pin The Debt On The Donkey Or, More Accurately: Pin The Tail On The Pachyderm
A Brief Clip From Tonight's Rachel Maddow Show:
On Pin The Debt On The Donkey, Game-Show Contestants Try To Outsmart Each Other By Correctly Guessing Which Recent President Has The Distinction Of Being The One Who Saddled The U.S./Us With The Most Debt.
(Think not in $Millions... not in $Billions... But, in $$$ Trillions).
Stumped?
Here's A Hint: Pin The Tail On The Pachyderm Would Be Much More Accurate.
Enjoy!
L.
On Pin The Debt On The Donkey, Game-Show Contestants Try To Outsmart Each Other By Correctly Guessing Which Recent President Has The Distinction Of Being The One Who Saddled The U.S./Us With The Most Debt.
(Think not in $Millions... not in $Billions... But, in $$$ Trillions).
Stumped?
Here's A Hint: Pin The Tail On The Pachyderm Would Be Much More Accurate.
Enjoy!
L.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
"This is Done.", Obama Signs DADT Repeal. (And, the fight for Civil Rights continues...)
"This is Done."
After moving the ceremony to an auditorium because so many wanted to be there to witness it, and with those 3 words, President Obama put an end to DADT.
I am very proud of our country, our military (they're way ahead of the general population on this - in 30 U.S. states, you can still be fired from your job for being gay) and of President Obama.
A clip from TRMS on our continuing struggle for civil rights for all Americans with Melissa Harris-Perry of Princeton University.
Enjoy!
After moving the ceremony to an auditorium because so many wanted to be there to witness it, and with those 3 words, President Obama put an end to DADT.
I am very proud of our country, our military (they're way ahead of the general population on this - in 30 U.S. states, you can still be fired from your job for being gay) and of President Obama.
A clip from TRMS on our continuing struggle for civil rights for all Americans with Melissa Harris-Perry of Princeton University.
Enjoy!
CIA's New Anti-WikiLeaks Task Force Is Called "WikiLeaks Task Force" a.k.a. WTF ;)
The CIA has formed a special CIA Task Force to deal specifically with their Wikileaks concerns. The name given to that special CIA task force? (drum roll, please): "Wikileaks Task Force"... a.k.a. WTF. ;)
Here's a clip from The Rachel Maddow Show that focuses on our post-9/11 Intelligence Strategies and if we're getting our money's worth...
(Director Clapper - US Intelligence Czar?... London Terrorist Arrests?)
Well, you'll see.
Enjoy!
Here's a clip from The Rachel Maddow Show that focuses on our post-9/11 Intelligence Strategies and if we're getting our money's worth...
(Director Clapper - US Intelligence Czar?... London Terrorist Arrests?)
Well, you'll see.
Enjoy!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuition Hike Sparks Violent Protest In London And, Being Britain, There's Not A Single Gun Nor Taser Anywhere.
Yesterday, in a show of some seriously Ivory-Tower Style, Draconian austerity measures, Britain's Parliament voted to raise the tuition required to attend university by a whopping 300%.
And, needless to say, the thousands (yes, Thousands) of protesters who had gathered at London's Parliament Square - after several hundred had taken it over earlier that day - were quite incensed when the vote results were announced.
Noteworthy: Only a few hundred police officers (in riot gear) stood in their way, as they valiantly struggled to hold back the teeming hordes - some of whom were itching for a fight (there's always a few party-crashers) and lobbing paint-filled, glass x-mas ornaments at the officers.
The on-the-scene & on-the-ground footage caught by ITN's camera crew is stunning: talk about being seriously outnumbered...
And, remember, this is Great Britain: As the police struggled, face-to-face, with these thousands of angry protesters (some violent), they carried no guns, fired no rubber bullets/beanbags, they tasered no one (bro!), didn't open one fire-hose and fired no tear gas cans.
What did they have? About a dozen of those super-sized European work-horses. The equines did well, too, especially considering what was going on around them. Oh, and they had and that stiff upper lip thing.
Wow. I live in the U.S. and here, the typical police reaction/response to pissed-off protesters - as well as to peaceful, anti-war protesters, for that matter - lacks the Brits' practiced restraint: Here, the dress code calls for head-to-toe, all-black Storm Trooper Gear and All the Party Favors (pepper-spray, tasers, tear gas and guns) that they can carry.
So, understandably, I find the self-control those U.K. officers showed whilst tackling the unenviable job of controlling that crowd Impressive, to say the least.
Check it out... Enjoy! L.
(From: TRMS and ITN)
And, needless to say, the thousands (yes, Thousands) of protesters who had gathered at London's Parliament Square - after several hundred had taken it over earlier that day - were quite incensed when the vote results were announced.
Noteworthy: Only a few hundred police officers (in riot gear) stood in their way, as they valiantly struggled to hold back the teeming hordes - some of whom were itching for a fight (there's always a few party-crashers) and lobbing paint-filled, glass x-mas ornaments at the officers.
The on-the-scene & on-the-ground footage caught by ITN's camera crew is stunning: talk about being seriously outnumbered...
And, remember, this is Great Britain: As the police struggled, face-to-face, with these thousands of angry protesters (some violent), they carried no guns, fired no rubber bullets/beanbags, they tasered no one (bro!), didn't open one fire-hose and fired no tear gas cans.
What did they have? About a dozen of those super-sized European work-horses. The equines did well, too, especially considering what was going on around them. Oh, and they had and that stiff upper lip thing.
Wow. I live in the U.S. and here, the typical police reaction/response to pissed-off protesters - as well as to peaceful, anti-war protesters, for that matter - lacks the Brits' practiced restraint: Here, the dress code calls for head-to-toe, all-black Storm Trooper Gear and All the Party Favors (pepper-spray, tasers, tear gas and guns) that they can carry.
So, understandably, I find the self-control those U.K. officers showed whilst tackling the unenviable job of controlling that crowd Impressive, to say the least.
Check it out... Enjoy! L.
(From: TRMS and ITN)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Forget Literacy Tests For Voters. Require Constitutional Competency Tests For Candidates.
In February, former Colorado Congressman, Tom Tancredo, popped up at the national tea party gathering (one of those rallies with a bunch of "It's the Constitution, stupid." signs.) and advocated requiring citizens to take/pass a civic literacy test before being allowed to vote.
Hey, Tom... I have a much better idea.
And, my idea would be of significant benefit to all Americans: We should begin to require that every candidate who wants to campaign for public office in the United States take a test on a single, supremely important subject: The U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Amendments.
Duh... It's a no-brainer!
Every candidate wanting to run for City Council, Mayor, Governor, Congress, etc. up to the President should have to prove they are the proud possessors of an in-depth understanding of our nation's founding document... the basis of our Democracy: The U.S. Constitution.
No Exceptions Allowed
No Excuses.
And, simply put... Failure = A Candidate Is Utterly Unqualified to hold public office.
Let's give it a little practice run...
How about we test the knowledge of some of the 2010 mid-term candidates on an easy item:
The First Amendment Of The U.S. Constitution.
Here goes...
Enjoy! (I did.)
Hey, Tom... I have a much better idea.
And, my idea would be of significant benefit to all Americans: We should begin to require that every candidate who wants to campaign for public office in the United States take a test on a single, supremely important subject: The U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Amendments.
Duh... It's a no-brainer!
Every candidate wanting to run for City Council, Mayor, Governor, Congress, etc. up to the President should have to prove they are the proud possessors of an in-depth understanding of our nation's founding document... the basis of our Democracy: The U.S. Constitution.
No Exceptions Allowed
No Excuses.
And, simply put... Failure = A Candidate Is Utterly Unqualified to hold public office.
Let's give it a little practice run...
How about we test the knowledge of some of the 2010 mid-term candidates on an easy item:
The First Amendment Of The U.S. Constitution.
Here goes...
Enjoy! (I did.)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Beltway Media Adopts GOP Narrative For 2010 Midterm Elections
When It Comes To The Question Of: Why Republicans Might Be Successful In Their Attempts To Take Both Congressional Seats And Other Political Offices From Democrats (Not that they actually will, mind you), The GOP Has Been Making Some Pretty Outrageous Claims:
The GOP has been and still is asking Americans to vote for Republican candidates for a multitude of reasons... And, not surprisingly, not one of these reasons is Truth- or Fact-based.
For Example:
This is:
The GOP has been and still is asking Americans to vote for Republican candidates for a multitude of reasons... And, not surprisingly, not one of these reasons is Truth- or Fact-based.
For Example:
This is:
The World According to the GOP Narrative and $GOP-Sponsored Media:
"Vote For Republicans, Because Republicans will Cut The Federal Deficit!"
No, Republicans will NOT do any such thing.
The Truth:
Extending All of the Bush Tax Cuts is A Goal Of The Republican Party. Extending the Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Of Uber-Wealthy Americans Will ADD $4 TRILLION$ To The Federal Deficit.
Or...
"Republicans Are Against Big Government!"
No, they aren't.
The Truth:
If Elected To Public Office, A Frightening Number of GOP Candidates Will FORCE Female Victims of RAPE and INCEST To Carry To Term and then Give Birth To The Offspring Of Their RAPISTS!
Or...
"The Republicans Strongly Opposed The Stimulus, Saying It Wouldn't Help The Economy!"
Yes, they did oppose it on those grounds, but...
The Truth:
If The GOP Was So Utterly Convinced That Stimulus Money Wouldn't Create Jobs Or Help The Economy...
Then, Why Did GOP Politicos Then Turn Around -Doing A Complete 180-Degree Turn - And Ask For Their Share Of Stimulus Funds... Stating In Their Requests That "... Funds Will Create Jobs/Stimulate Their Economy"?
Or...
"Republicans Opposed Health Reform/Obamacare!"
Yep, they screamed about it... on camera. And, sure, some GOP Showboats have even brought about a lawsuit try and to stop it.
The Truth:
Virginia's conservative Attorney General is one of those whom have brought a Lawsuit to attempt to stop National Health Reform...
So, Why is it that Virginia's Republican Governor is - simultaneously - trying to take credit for all the new Funding Virginia just received as a result of that same National Health Reform/Obamacare?
Or...
"Republican Candidates Represent Economic Populism/Republicans Are Against Wall St. Fat Cats!"
A Big, Fat Lie.
The Truth:
Pennsylvania's Republican Senate Candidate is Pat Toomey. Mr. Toomey's last job was as a WALL ST. DERIVATIVES TRADER.
Indiana's Republican Senate Candidate Dan Coats. Mr. Coats previously worked as a DC LOBBYIST.
Or...
"Republican Candidates Are Political Outsiders/Are People Just Like You & Me!"
Ahem... Bull Pucky.
The Truth:
GOP Candidates Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Christine O'Donnell, Joe Miller, etc... Have all been Perennial Crank Republican Candidates.
In all honesty:
The Republican Candidate Line-Up is hilarious! In fact, they deserve their own "Reality Show". I'm sure that Fox would do it (Fox will do anything.) All they'd have to do is drop the current national crop of GOP candidates onto a deserted, tropical island and let them have at it... and each other.
I've even picked out the Perfect Title for the show...
Call the show "Survive This!"
They'd be a Laugh Riot...
If they weren't so freaky, frightening and financed to run for political office.
Sheeesh!
Enjoy this clip from TRMS (I did)!
L.
No, Republicans will NOT do any such thing.
The Truth:
Extending All of the Bush Tax Cuts is A Goal Of The Republican Party. Extending the Bush Tax Cuts For The Wealthiest Of Uber-Wealthy Americans Will ADD $4 TRILLION$ To The Federal Deficit.
Or...
"Republicans Are Against Big Government!"
No, they aren't.
The Truth:
If Elected To Public Office, A Frightening Number of GOP Candidates Will FORCE Female Victims of RAPE and INCEST To Carry To Term and then Give Birth To The Offspring Of Their RAPISTS!
Or...
"The Republicans Strongly Opposed The Stimulus, Saying It Wouldn't Help The Economy!"
Yes, they did oppose it on those grounds, but...
The Truth:
If The GOP Was So Utterly Convinced That Stimulus Money Wouldn't Create Jobs Or Help The Economy...
Then, Why Did GOP Politicos Then Turn Around -Doing A Complete 180-Degree Turn - And Ask For Their Share Of Stimulus Funds... Stating In Their Requests That "... Funds Will Create Jobs/Stimulate Their Economy"?
Or...
"Republicans Opposed Health Reform/Obamacare!"
Yep, they screamed about it... on camera. And, sure, some GOP Showboats have even brought about a lawsuit try and to stop it.
The Truth:
Virginia's conservative Attorney General is one of those whom have brought a Lawsuit to attempt to stop National Health Reform...
So, Why is it that Virginia's Republican Governor is - simultaneously - trying to take credit for all the new Funding Virginia just received as a result of that same National Health Reform/Obamacare?
Or...
"Republican Candidates Represent Economic Populism/Republicans Are Against Wall St. Fat Cats!"
A Big, Fat Lie.
The Truth:
Pennsylvania's Republican Senate Candidate is Pat Toomey. Mr. Toomey's last job was as a WALL ST. DERIVATIVES TRADER.
Indiana's Republican Senate Candidate Dan Coats. Mr. Coats previously worked as a DC LOBBYIST.
Or...
"Republican Candidates Are Political Outsiders/Are People Just Like You & Me!"
Ahem... Bull Pucky.
The Truth:
GOP Candidates Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Christine O'Donnell, Joe Miller, etc... Have all been Perennial Crank Republican Candidates.
In all honesty:
The Republican Candidate Line-Up is hilarious! In fact, they deserve their own "Reality Show". I'm sure that Fox would do it (Fox will do anything.) All they'd have to do is drop the current national crop of GOP candidates onto a deserted, tropical island and let them have at it... and each other.
I've even picked out the Perfect Title for the show...
Call the show "Survive This!"
They'd be a Laugh Riot...
If they weren't so freaky, frightening and financed to run for political office.
Sheeesh!
Enjoy this clip from TRMS (I did)!
L.
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