2010 – Page 74 – Politics Plus

Open Thread – 7/23/2010

Posted by TomCat at 3:53 am Open Thread, Personal

Jul 232010

Yesterday was my day of volunteer work in the prison. After our board meeting, we took in four representatives of domestic abuse programs to give a presentation to between 80 and 100 members of the group we serve there. Many of the newer members were shocked to realize that they had been practicing domestic abuse for most of their lives and were moved to admit it to the group and thank the guests for setting them straight. For many it was an authentic catharsis. The down side, as always, is that I’m running on about three hours sleep, feeling quite exhausted, and posting hours behind schedule. Also, I had no time to reply to comments or return visits yesterday. I may not catch up until tomorrow and Sunday, because I need some rest.

There are two more articles coming. I normally post all at once, but I’ll put this up now and the others as I finish them. Please come back if they are not all up yet. The Constitution series will continue tomorrow.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:22. To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Take:

From Red State Update: The boys visit Comic-Con

A couple BIG attractions there!! 😉

Cartoon: from Cagle.com

23cagle

TGIF!!

Constitutional Amendments: Article XIII

Posted by TomCat at 2:09 am Editorial, Politics

Jul 222010

constitution

We have been covering the US Constitution line by line. When Republicans wave their paper props and parrot their vile machinations, we will be prepared to expose the lies. We have finished the main body of the Constitution. Now we continue with the Amendments. You can find the last article on the main body of the Constitution here. It has links to all the others. The text comes from The US Constitution. Previous articles in the Amendment series:

Article I

Articles II and III

Article IV

Article V

Article VI

Article VII

Article VIII

Articles IX and X

Articles XI and XII

Article XIII

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

The Thirteenth Amendment is simple. Through this, Lincoln brought slavery to an end. There is little controversy over this. Sure, there are a few red state folk that think the Civil War continues to this day and want slavery back, but they constitute a tiny minority of Republicans. Back in those days Republicans were actually the progressives, and most racists were well entrenched in the Democratic party. When LBJ passed the Civil Rights Act, Southern Democrats, called Dixiecrats, deserted the party. The Republican party welcomed them. Therefore African Americans became Democrats, so the party roles have reversed. Today’s Republicans no longer want to own slaves. Under slavery, masters were responsible for feeding and housing those whom they exploited. Today’s Republicans have learned that economic exploitation without ownership is far more profitable. As long as they can keep those whom they exploit powerless, they get the benefits of slavery without even the woefully meager responsibilities slavery required.

I shall try to put up a new article in this series almost every day. It will take some time to cover it all, but when we’re done, we shall be immune to the lies with which Republicans seek to undermine our freedoms.

Lies, Fear and Racism: The Republican Reason

Posted by TomCat at 2:08 am Politics

Jul 222010

The professional smear campaign that Resulted in the firing of Shirley Sherrod, which I covered yesterday, was not an isolated incident. It was part of an ongoing campaign of lies to stir fear and inspire racism, a desperation tactic of the Republican party through their agents, Andrew Breitbart and Fox News. Why? They have nothing else to offer.

Rachel Maddow lays it out in detail.

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

And what is Breitbart’s latest lie?

A hoax by the farmer’s wife, that is. Or, rather, "farmer’s wife":

Speaking with CNN’s John King, right-wing provocateur Andrew Breitbart challenged Eloise Spooner’s “purported” story, accusing King of trusting Sherrod “that the ‘farmer’s wife’ is the farmer’s wife”:

You tell me as a reporter how CNN put on a person today who purported to be the farmer’s wife? What did you do to find out whether or not that was the actual farmer’s wife? I mean, if you’re going to accuse me of a falsehood, tell me where you’ve confirmed that had this incident happened 24 years ago. […]

You’re going off of her word that the farmer’s wife is the farmer’s wife?

Yes, that "farmer’s wife" is obviously not really the farmer’s wife, since she has defended Shirley Sherrod:

Sherrod, "kept us out of bankruptcy," said Eloise Spooner, 82, of Iron City in southwest Georgia. Spooner, in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, added she considers Sherrod a "friend for life." She and her husband, Roger Spooner, approached Sherrod for help in 1986 when Sherrod worked for a nonprofit that assisted farmers.

But since we all know that Sherrod is the Worst Racist Ever, obviously this "farmer’s wife" is lying…

Inserted from <Daily Kos>

After Breitbart’s lies were exposed, the bastard first claims that he was going after NAACP racism, not Sherrod. But the video clearly show that there was no racism displayed at that meeting. So he next claims that the farmer’s wife is a phony. I hope Sherrod sues him.

Democrats need to grow a spine. I want so see Barack Obama calling out Andrew Breitbart and Fox News for the warped, lying bigots they are.

But the best commentary on this issue came from Keith Olbermann, breaking from his vacation to do it. If you watch no other video on this site, watch this.

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

He rests my case.

How Finance Reform Will Help You

Posted by TomCat at 2:07 am Politics

Jul 222010

Yesterday Barack Obama signed the finance reform bill into law. Rep. John B. Larson wrote an excellent article on its benefits for individuals.

Today, President Obama signed into law the Restoring American Financial Stability Act – the most important regulatory overhaul of our nation’s financial system since the reforms that led to 60 years of sustained growth after the Great Depression.

For eight years, Wall Street played Russian roulette with America’s future while Republicans in Congress and President Bush looked the other way. This law ends bailouts for big Wall Street banks and protects consumers and the financial system from the damaging practices that got us into this mess.

Here are 10 ways the new law will help consumers like you:

Clear and Accurate Financial Information: A new consumer bureau will ensure American consumers get the clear, accurate information they need to shop for mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and other financial products, and protect them from hidden fees, abusive terms, unfair terms and deceptive practices.

Access to Your Credit Score: Consumers will now have free access to their credit score, if their score negatively affects them in a financial transaction or a hiring decision.

End of Unfair Lending Practices: The financial incentives for subprime loans that encourage lenders to steer borrowers into more costly loans will be prohibited, along with the pre-payment penalties that trapped so many borrowers in unaffordable loans.

Consumer Hotline: Creates a national consumer complaint hotline so consumers will have, for the first time, a single, toll-free number to report problems with financial products and services.

Reduced Debit Card "Swipe Fees": Businesses can’t be charged extra for debit card "swipe fees" beyond the cost of processing those transactions. This could save American small businesses billions of dollars each year, savings which can then be passed along to consumers in the form of lower prices…

Inserted from <Huffington Post>

For the other five, I urge you to click through to the source.

I had hoped he might announce the appointment of Elizabeth Warren to head the CFPB, but so far, there os only silence.

Open Thread – 7/22/2010

Posted by TomCat at 2:06 am Open Thread, Personal

Jul 222010

Yesterday I kept up with comments and returning visits. Today is my volunteer day in the prison, so I’m sure I wall fall behind. Also, expect tomorrow’s content to be quite late, because I will not be getting home tonight until I normally get up to do research.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:07. To do it, click here. How did you do?

Fantasy Football:

To join our fantasy football league, click here. Lisa, you need to use the link I sent you to sign in. Then we need three more.

Short Takes:

From TPM: Rep. Roy Blunt is trying to use President Obama’s fundraiser for his Senate rival Robin Carnahan against her, putting a new ad on television starring Obama and Carnahan and claiming she would be a "rubber stamp" for the Obama agenda.

That’s far better than being a “rubber stamp” for the GW Bush agenda, which Blunt still is.

From Think Progress: Today reported this week that Catholic churches in Louisiana will still not permit congregants to bring guns to their services.

I’m glad the Church is taking a sane stance on something.

From Alternet: The US military withdrawal from Iraq is on schedule with only 50,000 troops set to remain by August 31, the top US commander in the country said Wednesday.

Cartoon: from Cagle.com

22lester

Where can I get Andrew Breitfart toilet paper?

Constitutional Amendments: Articles XI and XII

Posted by TomCat at 2:59 am Editorial, Politics

Jul 212010

constitution

Article I

Articles II and III

Article IV

Article V

Article VI

Article VII

Article VIII

Articles IX and X

[Article XI]

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

The Eleventh Amendment clarifies Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution. It provides that states do not have sovereign immunity against lawsuits from citizens of other states. Federal courts this have the power to hear both cases in law and cases in equity against states brought by private citizens. To the best on my knowledge, this is not controversial.

[Article XII]

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;–The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;–The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. –The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

The Twelfth Amendment replaces Article II, Section I, Clause III of the Constitution, changing the way Presidents and Vice Presidents are chosen. Before, the runner up in the presidential became the VP. The Twelfth changes that so the electors now cast separate ballots for President and Vice President, clearing the way for candidates to run on a ticket. Unlike today, it was still possible for electors to choose a President and Vice President from different parties. This is interesting from a historical perspective, but not controversial, because it has been changed.

Fox: A New Low in Assault Propaganda

Posted by TomCat at 2:58 am Politics

Jul 212010

Just when I thought that Fox News could not sink any lower than they have with their ACORN scam and their NBPP non-issue, what they did to Shirley Sherrod reaches previously unseen levels of depravity.

They aired a 38 second clip of her speech before the NAACP that made her appear to be denying assistance to white farmers due to racism. In context, the opposite is undoubtedly true. There is no doubt that this misrepresentation was intentional.

The NAACP called for her dismissal and the Obama administration fired her on the spot. Both were wrong to believe anything Fox airs. The NAACP has since apologized, as well they should. The Obama administration should immediately reinstate Shirley Sherrod with a public apology.

Rachel Maddow had the best coverage of those items I saw. Here are two clips. In the first, she explains what happened and how Fox misrepresented it.

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

In the second, Rachel and NAACP Director, Benjamin Jealous, discuss the NAACP’s role in the scandal, and how they were “hoodwinked” by Fox.

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

Fox has clearly shown that they are NOT a news organization. They are the Republican Reichsministry of Propaganda.

Please call the Whitehouse at 202-456-1414. Ask them to immediately reinstate Shirley Sherrod and to launch a criminal investigation into this incident.

Crew’s Most Crooked Candidates

Posted by TomCat at 2:57 am Politics

Jul 212010

CREW has just posted an excellent list of corrupt candidates for 2010.

Since 2005, CREW has highlighted the most egregious violators of the public trust in our annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress report. Now, CREW has begun a list of Crooked Candidates to shine the spotlight on some of the lousy politicians vying for federal office in 2010.

In compiling the list, CREW left aside all incumbents. CREW’s research team poured over news articles, blogs and public records to find those candidates who have engaged in criminal or unethical conduct. The list is intended to complement our ongoing effort to ensure those representing our country exemplify the values of honesty and integrity.

CREW recognizes that with 2,300 people running for federal office this year, our list is by no means complete. In fact, we may not even have found the worst! Now we need your help: which truly terrible candidates did we miss? Submit your nominees to us and we’ll see if they rank among 2010’s most crooked candidates.

Here is who we have so far:

CREW’s Crooked Candidates 2010

Roy Blunt (R) U.S. Senate, MO

Charlie Crist (I) U.S. Senate, FL

Jeff Denham (R) U.S. House, CA

Alvin Greene (D) U.S. Senate, SC

Timothy Griffin (R) U.S. House, AR

J.D. Hayworth (R) U.S. Senate, AZ

Ed Martin (R) U.S. House, MO

Kendrick Meek (D) U.S. Senate, FL

Dino Rossi (R) U.S. Senate, WA

Marco Rubio (R) U.S. Senate, FL

Allen West (R) U.S. House, FL

…

Inserted from <CREW>

I strongly recommend that you click through to the original article, because CREW follows it up with thorough documentation on why each was included. Also, please note that the Submit link gives you the opportunity to submit your states’ GOP criminals for inclusion.

I’m not surprised that those two Democrats were included, but I still think Greene is a GOP plant, even if he is a better choice than DeMint. Hannibal Lector would be a better choice than DeMint. I’m amazed he is not on the list.

And poor Florida! You guys don’t have a Senate candidate that isn’t on the list.

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