I know that after the last thirty-five years of republican bullshit I'm just a bit jaded, but am I the only one who found republican bitching at today's hearings on security breaches botched by the Secret Service at the White House and surrounding President Obama just a bit hollow?
I mean, please--these people absolutely despise President Obama, they've spent six years dragging the country down just to spite him, and we're supposed to believe they suddenly give two shits about the First Family? Really, it's just another bunch of photo-ops to them, a chance to bash the government that they've underfunded and given little or no support to so they can have pretty pictures for their gullible base.
The problems the Secret Service has been experiencing need to be fixed pronto, but I'm pretty sure republicans couldn't care less as long as the black guy is in the White House.
Peace,
emaycee
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Go tell it on the mountain
Frankly, I've often wondered--as pointed out by Charles P. Pierce in this piece-- why Democrats waste their time on run-of-the-mill TV ads when they could do a montage that shows just how fucking nuts republicans are these days. Screw the stock footage of their families or walking through the park in shirt sleeves or a pair of jeans--let's put Steve King out there talking about the Mexicans with calves like cantaloupes, or Michelle Bachmann telling America how God doesn't like Obamacare, or Sarah Palin pontificating on the greatness of a fascist like Vladimir Putin. Tell voters "WHEN YOU VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS, THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE VOTING FOR--FUCKING NUTJOBS!"
There is very little the republican party has to offer to 60-70% of the American public and there is nothing wrong with pointing out that in addition to their utter incompetence, they're also off the deepest of deep ends with a lot of misguided hysteria thrown in for extra measure.
It certainly couldn't have hurt Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky or Bruce Braley in Iowa--they're both on the verge of losing very winnable races for the U.S. Senate by using the vanilla pudding strategy of campaign ads. Their opponents are nuts--point it out for fuck's sake.
Peace.
emaycee
There is very little the republican party has to offer to 60-70% of the American public and there is nothing wrong with pointing out that in addition to their utter incompetence, they're also off the deepest of deep ends with a lot of misguided hysteria thrown in for extra measure.
It certainly couldn't have hurt Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky or Bruce Braley in Iowa--they're both on the verge of losing very winnable races for the U.S. Senate by using the vanilla pudding strategy of campaign ads. Their opponents are nuts--point it out for fuck's sake.
Peace.
emaycee
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Profiles in courage
When I first read this piece, which cites data showing that the number of children attending our public schools who are homeless was up for the 2012-2013 school year by 8% to 1.25 million kids, I was, as I usually am, both saddened and angered that numbers such as these are the norm in the richest nation in the history of civilization.
But the more I thought about it, the more it dawned on me how courageous these people are. I mean, I know how hard it is some mornings to get up in the freezing cold, or when we're a little under the weather, or when we didn't sleep well, or worked late, and have to make that trek from our home to the Beautiful Boy's school. How much harder must it be to make that trek when you're doing it from Aunt Jo's basement, or some flea bag motel, or your car? And they do it because they know that if there's one thing that can give their kids a chance at a better life than they have, it's an education.
And thanks to our public education system, their kids have that chance, even if they don't have any money.
If there's any one reason--and there are many very good other reasons--to support, fund, and save our public education system, this is it. It's the only decent chance some kids have.
Peace,
emaycee
But the more I thought about it, the more it dawned on me how courageous these people are. I mean, I know how hard it is some mornings to get up in the freezing cold, or when we're a little under the weather, or when we didn't sleep well, or worked late, and have to make that trek from our home to the Beautiful Boy's school. How much harder must it be to make that trek when you're doing it from Aunt Jo's basement, or some flea bag motel, or your car? And they do it because they know that if there's one thing that can give their kids a chance at a better life than they have, it's an education.
And thanks to our public education system, their kids have that chance, even if they don't have any money.
If there's any one reason--and there are many very good other reasons--to support, fund, and save our public education system, this is it. It's the only decent chance some kids have.
Peace,
emaycee
Serf's up!
Digby had a nice piece in her part-time gig at Salon this week discussing how Americans view the so-called American Dream. Seems most of us (58%) don't believe the hype anymore, and that number is inflated by the fact that 55% of republicans (versus 32% of Democrats) still believe in it.
Go figure.
She goes on to point out that Democrats and republicans have different ideas as to what constitutes the American Dream. Democrats tend to see it as as middle class dream (house, kids in college, retirement security) and republicans tend to see it as becoming filthy rich. In a nutshell, the wealthy basically tell all of us that it's good for us that they're rich, without a shred of evidence to support it, and that their being rich is what makes America great, again, all evidence to the contrary, and fucking republicans believe them.
All of which probably explains why the rest of us basically subsidize the South--while they're lolling around waiting for the American Dream to magically make them America's next millionaire, we're working our asses off to pay their bills.
And the wealthy are nowhere in sight.
Peace,
emaycee
Go figure.
She goes on to point out that Democrats and republicans have different ideas as to what constitutes the American Dream. Democrats tend to see it as as middle class dream (house, kids in college, retirement security) and republicans tend to see it as becoming filthy rich. In a nutshell, the wealthy basically tell all of us that it's good for us that they're rich, without a shred of evidence to support it, and that their being rich is what makes America great, again, all evidence to the contrary, and fucking republicans believe them.
All of which probably explains why the rest of us basically subsidize the South--while they're lolling around waiting for the American Dream to magically make them America's next millionaire, we're working our asses off to pay their bills.
And the wealthy are nowhere in sight.
Peace,
emaycee
For those who believe the crock, we salute you
Devoid of ideas and still frothing at the mouth because a black man is in the White House, republicans took to the airwaves this week to decry President Obama's "latte salute" to two Marines as he departed Air Force One.
And here's a salute to republicans for their steadfast pettiness toward all things Obama:
Pretty much had enough of their bullshit to last a lifetime.
Peace,
emaycee
And here's a salute to republicans for their steadfast pettiness toward all things Obama:
Pretty much had enough of their bullshit to last a lifetime.
Peace,
emaycee
Friday, September 26, 2014
Folks who will not be our next President
As we near the point when every Tom, Dick, and Harriet is going to begin putting out feelers for their chances to be the republican nominee for President in 2016, I have compiled a list of potential candidates who will never be President to save time over the next two years for political novices, those too busy, and those who have actual lives to live. Next to each name will be the reason(s) he or she will never be President.
[Note: You can easily save time on the Democratic nominee as well. Two words: Hillary Clinton.]
The list:
I'm not saying a republican can't win the Presidency in 2016--I'm just saying it won't be any of these bozos.
You're welcome.
Peace,
emaycee
[Note: You can easily save time on the Democratic nominee as well. Two words: Hillary Clinton.]
The list:
- Rand Paul--nutjob and his Dad is an even bigger nutjob.
- Ted Cruz--nutjob.
- Chris Christie--corrupt and a colossal asshole.
- Michelle Bachmann--nutjob and a dunderhead.
- Herman Cain--nutjob and a pervert
- Ben Carson--nutjob.
- Donald Trump--his very existence.
- Mike Huckabee--ultrareligious nutjob. Would prefer to be Ayatollah of the U.S.
- Sarah Palin--nutjob, dunderhead, and not enough money in it.
- Jeb Bush--Dad sucked as President and brother sucked as President. Third time will not be the charm for the Bush family.
- Mitt Romney--phony, and 47%. Also, Americans only love two-time losers in celebrity third marriages.
- Marco Rubio--phony and blew the biggest speech of his political career in spectacular fashion.
- Paul Ryan--nutjob and Walter Mondale/Bob Dole (both were losing Vice-Presidential nominees who eventually secured their party's nomination for President only to get pulverized in the general election).
- Scott Walker--corrupt and a real prick.
- Rick Perry--nutjob and a dunderhead (glasses don't necessarily make the man).
- Bobby Jindal--phony and stupefyingly dull.
- Rick Santorum--nutjob and santorum (see Urban Dictionary).
I'm not saying a republican can't win the Presidency in 2016--I'm just saying it won't be any of these bozos.
You're welcome.
Peace,
emaycee
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Leftward ho!
Well, isn't this interesting...
Seems that Hillary Clinton has been getting downright progressive economically in her speeches lately, noting the toll income inequality has taken on the middle class and its toll on working women.
Really Hillary?
Don't suppose it has anything to do with Bernie Sanders visiting Iowa to celebrate his Presidential bona fides or Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley reportedly telling fundraisers he's going to challenge Hillary Clinton, do you?
Neither probably has much chance of winning (though I can definitely see O'Malley as her running mate), but any candidates that can pull Clinton to the left at least economically is a good thing for working class Americans.
A very good thing.
Peace,
emaycee
Seems that Hillary Clinton has been getting downright progressive economically in her speeches lately, noting the toll income inequality has taken on the middle class and its toll on working women.
Really Hillary?
Don't suppose it has anything to do with Bernie Sanders visiting Iowa to celebrate his Presidential bona fides or Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley reportedly telling fundraisers he's going to challenge Hillary Clinton, do you?
Neither probably has much chance of winning (though I can definitely see O'Malley as her running mate), but any candidates that can pull Clinton to the left at least economically is a good thing for working class Americans.
A very good thing.
Peace,
emaycee
Broken...broken...broken...broken...record
And another ordinance is passed to criminalize homelessness...this time, the city of Fort Lauderdale (again!) has made sleeping in public a crime punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Pretty fucking certain that if the folks sleeping in public had $500, they wouldn't be sleeping in public, but you know, unlike the people who run the Fort L:auderdale City Commission, I actually have a brain (and a heart, too).
I fully understand that the conflicts in Iraq and Syria are a lot more sexy than homelessness, but outside of a few liberal blogs, no one much seems to care about the criminalization of the poor. Imprisoning the poor or pushing them outside the city limits is neither going to solve the problem nor help anyone to lift themselves up. Woe unto any nation that considers itself an exemplar of greatness but does not help the least of its citizens.
Have to wonder, though, come next spring break how many of those students partying in Fort Lauderdale who pass out in public are going to get sixty days in the pokey.
Peace,
emaycee
I fully understand that the conflicts in Iraq and Syria are a lot more sexy than homelessness, but outside of a few liberal blogs, no one much seems to care about the criminalization of the poor. Imprisoning the poor or pushing them outside the city limits is neither going to solve the problem nor help anyone to lift themselves up. Woe unto any nation that considers itself an exemplar of greatness but does not help the least of its citizens.
Have to wonder, though, come next spring break how many of those students partying in Fort Lauderdale who pass out in public are going to get sixty days in the pokey.
Peace,
emaycee
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Fuck John Boehner
While fellating a bunch of his wealthy benefactors at the American Enterprise Institute this week, John Boehner took time out to disparage the unemployed, saying,
One can only be disgusted by Boehner's abject hypocrisy, though, considering that under Boehner's "leadership" the republicans in the House are responsible for the least productive Congress in U.S. history, who also will have worked a grand total of eight days beween the end of July 2014 and the middle of November 2014. And for being utterly incompetent, Boehner is getting paid a paltry $223,500. Fucking sitting around indeed.
The only sick idea is that a worthless cretin like Boehner is anywhere near a position of responsibility in our government.
Peace,
emaycee
"...this idea that has been born, maybe out of the economy over the last couple years, that you know, I really don't have to work. I don't really want to do this. I think I'd rather just sit around. This is a very sick idea for our country."
One can only be disgusted by Boehner's abject hypocrisy, though, considering that under Boehner's "leadership" the republicans in the House are responsible for the least productive Congress in U.S. history, who also will have worked a grand total of eight days beween the end of July 2014 and the middle of November 2014. And for being utterly incompetent, Boehner is getting paid a paltry $223,500. Fucking sitting around indeed.
The only sick idea is that a worthless cretin like Boehner is anywhere near a position of responsibility in our government.
Peace,
emaycee
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
No, it's about fairness
Yesterday, republicans in the Senate voted unanimously against the Paycheck Fairness Act--and then claimed that the Democratic vote was just "politics...so [Democrats] can use it in campaigns."
No, it's about what the name implies--fairness. The latest study shows that as of 2013, women still only earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns. There is no good reason for the gender wage gap to be so large--other than that the republican party is happy to continue its war on women and workers to allow its wealthy benefactors to keep feeding at the trough of avarice.
A recent poll from ABC News and the Washington Post, shows the republican party with an approval rating of 21% and and a disapproval rating of 72%. Someday some smart son of a bitch is going to figure out that in election races we should be running ads against the republican party and not just individual candidates--guilt by association, so to speak. Think of it--immigration reform, minimum wage hike, paycheck fairness, marriage equality, the right to choose. It's a plethora of issues that the majority of Americans agree with us on and we can brand republicans with a scarlet "A" for being assholes.
Because again and again they show that, en masse, republicans flat do not care about average Americans.
Peace,
emaycee
No, it's about what the name implies--fairness. The latest study shows that as of 2013, women still only earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns. There is no good reason for the gender wage gap to be so large--other than that the republican party is happy to continue its war on women and workers to allow its wealthy benefactors to keep feeding at the trough of avarice.
A recent poll from ABC News and the Washington Post, shows the republican party with an approval rating of 21% and and a disapproval rating of 72%. Someday some smart son of a bitch is going to figure out that in election races we should be running ads against the republican party and not just individual candidates--guilt by association, so to speak. Think of it--immigration reform, minimum wage hike, paycheck fairness, marriage equality, the right to choose. It's a plethora of issues that the majority of Americans agree with us on and we can brand republicans with a scarlet "A" for being assholes.
Because again and again they show that, en masse, republicans flat do not care about average Americans.
Peace,
emaycee
I'll keep my money, thanks
This is not an exaggeration--I get five or six e-mails every single day from "Democrat" Alison Lundergan Grimes in her race for the U.S. Senate against Mitch McConnell asking for money. Should I choose to donate, this is what I'll get for my money:
She's not Barack Obama (obviously and fortunately). She's for guns, coal, and against the EPA. And she knows how to hold a gun. Paycheck fairness? The success of Obamacare in Kentucky? Nah, vote for her because she can shoot UFOs flung from a pseudo-cannon.
Yeah, right--I'm going to piss away my hard earned cash on a republican-lite candidate. Fucking hello: Liberal Democrat here!
You'd think Democratic candidates would have learned by now that when we run as republican-lite, we lose, even in the South. And this probably explains why Grimes is going to lose (currently Grimes has only a 30% chance of winning) a very winnable race against a very unpopular (54% unfavorable rating in his home state) incumbent in McConnell.
And frankly, she doesn't look any better holding a gun than McConnell does--and either way, it certainly isn't going to solve the problems of average Kentuckians and Americans.
Peace,
emaycee
She's not Barack Obama (obviously and fortunately). She's for guns, coal, and against the EPA. And she knows how to hold a gun. Paycheck fairness? The success of Obamacare in Kentucky? Nah, vote for her because she can shoot UFOs flung from a pseudo-cannon.
Yeah, right--I'm going to piss away my hard earned cash on a republican-lite candidate. Fucking hello: Liberal Democrat here!
You'd think Democratic candidates would have learned by now that when we run as republican-lite, we lose, even in the South. And this probably explains why Grimes is going to lose (currently Grimes has only a 30% chance of winning) a very winnable race against a very unpopular (54% unfavorable rating in his home state) incumbent in McConnell.
And frankly, she doesn't look any better holding a gun than McConnell does--and either way, it certainly isn't going to solve the problems of average Kentuckians and Americans.
Peace,
emaycee
Well I'll be....
From Anheuser-Busch today:
There isn't much of the usual corporate bullshit in that statement--it's pretty clear the folks at Anheuser are none too happy with the NFL's bungling of a week's worth of coverage of the abusive behavior of a number of its stars. And it is a little surprising, truth be told.
God knows I'm one of the first to point out the all too usual egregious behavior by U.S. corporations--Anheuser-Busch deserves the props it's been getting today for its no bullshit stance. Especially considering that beer goes with football like popcorn goes with movies.
Peace,
emaycee
"We are disappointed and increasingly concerned by the recent incidents that have overshadowed this NFL season. We are not yet satisfied with the league's handling of behaviors that so clearly go against our own company culture and moral code. We have shared our concerns and expectations with the league."
There isn't much of the usual corporate bullshit in that statement--it's pretty clear the folks at Anheuser are none too happy with the NFL's bungling of a week's worth of coverage of the abusive behavior of a number of its stars. And it is a little surprising, truth be told.
God knows I'm one of the first to point out the all too usual egregious behavior by U.S. corporations--Anheuser-Busch deserves the props it's been getting today for its no bullshit stance. Especially considering that beer goes with football like popcorn goes with movies.
Peace,
emaycee
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Just say no
A recent Gallup Survey shows that Americans with full-time jobs are working an average of 47 hours a week--and as the linked article notes, with no uptick in either productivity or worker happiness.
What this means, in effect, is that millions of us (especially since so few of us are eligible for overtime pay anymore) give our employers seven precious hours of our lives each and every week for absolutely nothing.
One supposes this has more than a little to do with the fear of losing our jobs, and to a lesser degree with employer intimidation, but it is another sad commentary on what has become of the American dream. While I am sure there are those who put in such time for the greater good (doctors, public servants), when we reach a point where we give away our time to do nothing more than make already rich men and women even richer, it becomes little more than slave labor.
And it just isn't worth it.
Peace,
emaycee
What this means, in effect, is that millions of us (especially since so few of us are eligible for overtime pay anymore) give our employers seven precious hours of our lives each and every week for absolutely nothing.
One supposes this has more than a little to do with the fear of losing our jobs, and to a lesser degree with employer intimidation, but it is another sad commentary on what has become of the American dream. While I am sure there are those who put in such time for the greater good (doctors, public servants), when we reach a point where we give away our time to do nothing more than make already rich men and women even richer, it becomes little more than slave labor.
And it just isn't worth it.
Peace,
emaycee
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Obama and ISIS
While I agree with those on the left who believe the War on ISIS is not ours to fight, won't solve anything, and will probably make matters worse, I would be less surprised by the Chicago Cubs winning this year's World Series than I would be of an American President, whether republican or Democrat, taking any path other than that of the most aggression.
After 9/11/01, the free pass for Presidents for terrorism on American soil expired. Any President--current and future--who has another attack on his watch, unless utterly tenacious in his quest to cross every "t" and dot every "i" in protecting American lives, can kiss his Presidency goodbye, both in terms of his or her agenda and how it will be judged historically. Much worse will be the horror of more American lives lost and the finger pointing ensuing soon thereafter.
It'll also be lame duck for every meal for the opposition party.
Some may scream about political courage, or the fact that an attack by ISIS on American soil is unlikely, but no politician wants to go down in history like Neville Chamberlain after his role in the Munich Agreement. Aggression will supersede appeasement forever, especially when it comes to even minimally taking chances with American lives.
I don't know if President Obama made the right call this week, but it can't be easy in these times to have the very lives (even minimally) of over three hundred million Americans in your hands.
And it had to weigh heavily on his decision.
Peace,
emaycee
After 9/11/01, the free pass for Presidents for terrorism on American soil expired. Any President--current and future--who has another attack on his watch, unless utterly tenacious in his quest to cross every "t" and dot every "i" in protecting American lives, can kiss his Presidency goodbye, both in terms of his or her agenda and how it will be judged historically. Much worse will be the horror of more American lives lost and the finger pointing ensuing soon thereafter.
It'll also be lame duck for every meal for the opposition party.
Some may scream about political courage, or the fact that an attack by ISIS on American soil is unlikely, but no politician wants to go down in history like Neville Chamberlain after his role in the Munich Agreement. Aggression will supersede appeasement forever, especially when it comes to even minimally taking chances with American lives.
I don't know if President Obama made the right call this week, but it can't be easy in these times to have the very lives (even minimally) of over three hundred million Americans in your hands.
And it had to weigh heavily on his decision.
Peace,
emaycee
Hey, let's have the dumbest kids, too!
In Michigan republicans never ending quest to see just how fast they can make folks flee our once bountiful state (e.g., rape insurance for our girls and women, right to work for less, raising taxes on seniors while cutting taxes for corporations and creating zero good jobs, shutting off water for the poor folks in Detroit), their minions in the corporate world are targeting our teacher unions (in wake of right to work for less laws that allow freeloading scum to opt out of paying dues to the union, but still get represented) in order to break them.
Anyone who doesn't believe that the ultimate goal here is to turn teaching into a minimum wage job is an utter fool. One wonders, though, just what these assholes think will be the quality of the teachers educating our children at eight bucks an hour.
And therein lies the rub--they really don't give a shit. They'll pay a few pennies less in taxes, and their kids are in Richie Rich private schools.
It's a win-win for the wealthy elite.
Peace,
emaycee
Anyone who doesn't believe that the ultimate goal here is to turn teaching into a minimum wage job is an utter fool. One wonders, though, just what these assholes think will be the quality of the teachers educating our children at eight bucks an hour.
And therein lies the rub--they really don't give a shit. They'll pay a few pennies less in taxes, and their kids are in Richie Rich private schools.
It's a win-win for the wealthy elite.
Peace,
emaycee
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Are any of you folks paying fucking attention?
A recent poll shows republicans with a 10 point advantage on the handling of the American economy going into the 2014 elections.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Look, I know President Obama blew a golden opportunity to transform the economy by focusing on austerity rather than investing in infrastructure and the social safety nets, but for fuck's sake, Francis, look at the record. To wit:
Are you fucking kidding me?
Look, I know President Obama blew a golden opportunity to transform the economy by focusing on austerity rather than investing in infrastructure and the social safety nets, but for fuck's sake, Francis, look at the record. To wit:
- 97 of the 100 poorest counties in America are...you guessed it, in red states.
- Since 1960, the U.S. economy has grown 4.35 under Democratic Presidents and 2.54 undedr republican Presidents.
- 42 million jobs have been created under Democratic Presidents since 1960, 24 million under republicans.
- 9 out of the 10 poorest states in America are red states.
Might be time for plenty of folks to pull their heads out of their heinies--we can't afford too much more of republicans doing their worst for us economically.
Peace.
emaycee
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Why sportswriters should stick to writing about sports
Unless you've been in a coma, it would be hard to miss all the coverage on just about every type of media outlet concerning the video of Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice physically abusing his then girlfriend (now wife), resulting in his being fired by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
What many may not know (perhaps because neither player is of the star status of Rice), is that there are two other players currrently facing domestic violence charges--Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers (appealing his conviction) and Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers (arrested September 1st, case still being investigated). For obvious reasons, there are many calling for both of these players to be suspended as well.
In an interview today, 49ers CEO Jed York said the 49ers would not punish McDonald until due process has played out. Which prompted San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ann Killion to tweet that York had dropped the "due process card."
Excuse me, but due process is not a fucking card--it's a right that's been around since the Magna Carta and is every American's constitutional right, as outlined in clauses in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. I am in no way defending McDonald's actions (full disclosure: I've been a 49ers fan since 1968)--there's probably a 99% chance that he's guilty. But due process exists (as wisely inserted by our Founding Fathers in the Fifth Amendment) for that 1% chance that he isn't--and that chance shouldn't be treated so flippantly.
Just ask the mother and father of Michael Brown what happens when authorities take a citizen's due process into their own hands.
Peace,
emaycee
What many may not know (perhaps because neither player is of the star status of Rice), is that there are two other players currrently facing domestic violence charges--Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers (appealing his conviction) and Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers (arrested September 1st, case still being investigated). For obvious reasons, there are many calling for both of these players to be suspended as well.
In an interview today, 49ers CEO Jed York said the 49ers would not punish McDonald until due process has played out. Which prompted San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ann Killion to tweet that York had dropped the "due process card."
Excuse me, but due process is not a fucking card--it's a right that's been around since the Magna Carta and is every American's constitutional right, as outlined in clauses in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. I am in no way defending McDonald's actions (full disclosure: I've been a 49ers fan since 1968)--there's probably a 99% chance that he's guilty. But due process exists (as wisely inserted by our Founding Fathers in the Fifth Amendment) for that 1% chance that he isn't--and that chance shouldn't be treated so flippantly.
Just ask the mother and father of Michael Brown what happens when authorities take a citizen's due process into their own hands.
Peace,
emaycee
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
You can lead a moron to water...
...but you can't make him think.
In fairness, I've never seen Duck Dynasty. Truth be told, I hate reality shows--and even if my brain suddenly turned to mush, I'm certain the reality show I chose to watch wouldn't be about a bunch of redneck dunces from Louisiana.
Point being...Fox News decided to bring the ringleader of the Duck Dynasty clan, Phil Robertson, on to discuss the rise of radical Islam. Why Robertson was chosen, considering that there are, oh, probably several million people in America who understand and know more about foreign policy than he does, though, really isn't a mystery. For Fox News, if you're so dumb you can't find your butt to wipe it after taking a dump, you're their (usually white) man.
Robertson's solution? "...convert them or kill them."
This is the level of political discourse provided by republicans. For fuck's sake, I'd prefer Fox News headed to the nearest local farm, chose the first steed they saw, and asked him to clomp his hooves yes or no for the answers to their questions.
At least the horse would have a 50% chance of being right--the usual Fox commentators have a zero chance.
Peace,
emaycee
In fairness, I've never seen Duck Dynasty. Truth be told, I hate reality shows--and even if my brain suddenly turned to mush, I'm certain the reality show I chose to watch wouldn't be about a bunch of redneck dunces from Louisiana.
Point being...Fox News decided to bring the ringleader of the Duck Dynasty clan, Phil Robertson, on to discuss the rise of radical Islam. Why Robertson was chosen, considering that there are, oh, probably several million people in America who understand and know more about foreign policy than he does, though, really isn't a mystery. For Fox News, if you're so dumb you can't find your butt to wipe it after taking a dump, you're their (usually white) man.
Robertson's solution? "...convert them or kill them."
This is the level of political discourse provided by republicans. For fuck's sake, I'd prefer Fox News headed to the nearest local farm, chose the first steed they saw, and asked him to clomp his hooves yes or no for the answers to their questions.
At least the horse would have a 50% chance of being right--the usual Fox commentators have a zero chance.
Peace,
emaycee
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Dipshits and giggles
Seems a conservative think (oxymoron alert!) tank in Washington state, Freedom Foundation, staged a work-in Monday to protest labor unions. That's right--they worked on a national holiday to literally celebrate the right to work for less.
That'll show those unions--nothing like a bunch of bozos working their flunky jobs on a holiday to make union members hang their heads in despair.
Or else bust their asses laughing.
Peace,
emaycee
That'll show those unions--nothing like a bunch of bozos working their flunky jobs on a holiday to make union members hang their heads in despair.
Or else bust their asses laughing.
Peace,
emaycee
Monday, September 1, 2014
Won us all what we got now
"Union song. Union battled. All added up. Won us all what we got now."--Woody Guthrie, "I Guess I Planted"
From the Wikipedia article on Labor Day:
Paid holidays. Paid vacations. Pensions. Healthcare. Dental care. Life insurance. Safety protections. The fucking entire middle class. Won us all what we got now, indeed--though, thanks to income inequality (or as I prefer, greedy rich assholes), it's about $18,000 per year short of what it could be for the middle class.
Over the past week we've seen that the fight for a decent standard of living for all workers marches forward--President Obama used his weekend address to again beat the drums for an increase in the minimum wage. In a related note, a study showed that 40%--40%, for fuck's sake--of restaurant workers live in near poverty (think about that the next time you're scarfing down an Encharito). Fed-Ex workers challenged and won against Fed-Ex's war on workers--it's claim that it wasn't responsible for wage-theft because it's drivers were independent (much like the fast food industry passing the buck to franchise owners for worker abuses) was soundly rejected by the courts.
Two things I hate about Labor Day: (1) That somehow it's a celebration of all workers--no, it's not. It doesn't celebrate scabs and the leeches who want the the gains of unions but don't want to pay the dues. It doesn't celebrate CEOs and anti-union organizations. It's for those workers who make our lives better economically and socially, not the shitfarts. (2) The fact that I can channel surf the hundred some odd channels we have and only Al Jazeera--and it's not even a fucking American company!--has anything on that celebrates labor unions, which is why the vast majority of their fat ass viewers have the day off. It's not as if there aren't quite a few good union flicks for the movie channels, and I thought--even if it is half-assed--that MSNBC was supposed to be the anti-Fox.
Two things I love about Labor Day: (1) That every liberal blog has at the very least one piece celebrating the day...which is also why I spend a lot more time reading liberal blogs than I do watching TV. (2) It's a time to remember some of the great songs and artists celebrating unions--ain't no way any self-respecting artist is going to sing a song singing the praises of CEOs or big business. Unions, my friends, are cool.
One of my favorites of the past few years, Tom Morello's "Union Town"--enjoy!
Happy Labor Day!
emaycee
From the Wikipedia article on Labor Day:
Labor Day in the United States is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a celebration of the American labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.
Paid holidays. Paid vacations. Pensions. Healthcare. Dental care. Life insurance. Safety protections. The fucking entire middle class. Won us all what we got now, indeed--though, thanks to income inequality (or as I prefer, greedy rich assholes), it's about $18,000 per year short of what it could be for the middle class.
Over the past week we've seen that the fight for a decent standard of living for all workers marches forward--President Obama used his weekend address to again beat the drums for an increase in the minimum wage. In a related note, a study showed that 40%--40%, for fuck's sake--of restaurant workers live in near poverty (think about that the next time you're scarfing down an Encharito). Fed-Ex workers challenged and won against Fed-Ex's war on workers--it's claim that it wasn't responsible for wage-theft because it's drivers were independent (much like the fast food industry passing the buck to franchise owners for worker abuses) was soundly rejected by the courts.
Two things I hate about Labor Day: (1) That somehow it's a celebration of all workers--no, it's not. It doesn't celebrate scabs and the leeches who want the the gains of unions but don't want to pay the dues. It doesn't celebrate CEOs and anti-union organizations. It's for those workers who make our lives better economically and socially, not the shitfarts. (2) The fact that I can channel surf the hundred some odd channels we have and only Al Jazeera--and it's not even a fucking American company!--has anything on that celebrates labor unions, which is why the vast majority of their fat ass viewers have the day off. It's not as if there aren't quite a few good union flicks for the movie channels, and I thought--even if it is half-assed--that MSNBC was supposed to be the anti-Fox.
Two things I love about Labor Day: (1) That every liberal blog has at the very least one piece celebrating the day...which is also why I spend a lot more time reading liberal blogs than I do watching TV. (2) It's a time to remember some of the great songs and artists celebrating unions--ain't no way any self-respecting artist is going to sing a song singing the praises of CEOs or big business. Unions, my friends, are cool.
One of my favorites of the past few years, Tom Morello's "Union Town"--enjoy!
Happy Labor Day!
emaycee
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