Headline of the Day

Kentucky Stomper Wants An Apology From Woman He Assaulted (VIDEO)

How about "I'm terribly sorry you're a chickenshit bully with such a teensy little dick. You should try that on a man if you had any balls."?

Ode To Joy!

Dear Ms. Behar, to you my hat I doff
For readin' that racist hatebag off!

Man, the righty whackjobs've got their panties in a wad over this one! Can't call one of their little tin goddesses names, I guess. Of course they can call the lefty women anything they want 'cuz IOKIYAR. Fuck 'em.

Newswatcher89 via BuzzFlash

What I want to know ...

Is why there ain't no Klingon women on the list? Doesn't anyone remember K'Ehleyr and the Duras sisters?





Heh ...

Thanks, Skippy!

Tuesday Dirty Old Man Blogging

MFBTGRNM* appeared on Charlie Rose last night. Arianna as a blonde?!

Damn, I never noticed how drafty it is under my keyboard before...



*My Favorite Big-Titted Greek Redhead No More.

There was a joke on some sitcom last night about "the carpet doesn't match the drapes" where it was mentioned that a lot of women don't even have "carpets" anymore, just a small welcome mat next to the entryway. Heh.

It's Holloweenie again

Happens about this time every year. Halloween Jack O'Lanterns in the LATimes.

I'm more of a Dia de los Muertos* man myself. It's all about sugar skulls and tamales to be consumed with late loved ones, but I think the symbolic pumpkins and calaveras may share their origins.

*Ironically enough, occurs this year on election day. RIP, Repugs, at least in California.

Man, that's scaaaary!

Headline of the Day

Bush Tells Texas Crowd, 'I Miss Being Pampered'

Fretteth not, little Georgie. You'll be in Pampers again soon. How soon? Depends.

Republicans Passionate Defenders of The Constitution—As They Imagine It

Common Dreams

Last November, the satirical newspaper the Onion published an article entitled "Area Man Passionate Defender of What He Imagines Constitution To Be." The piece "reports" on a man who incorrectly believes that the Constitution declares the United States to be "one nation under God" while also prohibiting flag-burning and the income tax.

In this year's midterm election campaign, Republican candidates, especially those endorsed by the ubiquitous yet inscrutable "Tea Party", are working hard to convince us that the Onion's headline applies equally to their understanding of the Constitution: Republicans solemnly proclaim their deep respect for the nation's founding document, but don't seem to have actually read the thing. Delaware senate candidate Christine O'Donnell declared that, "when I go to Washington, D.C., the litmus test by which I cast my vote for every piece of legislation that comes across my desk will be whether or not it is constitutional". That is a worthy goal and could save the courts some time in having to exercise judicial review, but it depends on O'Donnell having at least a working knowledge of what the Constitution says and means. In one recent debate, she claimed that "where the question has come between what is protected free speech and what is not protected free speech, the Supreme Court has always ruled that the community, the local community has the right to decide." That's the polar opposite of what the Court has decided: unpopular speech is protected by the First Amendment and majorities -local or otherwise-do not get to decide otherwise. As Justice Jackson eloquently put it in a 1943 decision: "One's right to...free speech...and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections." In another debate, O'Donnell didn't seem to know that the First Amendment prohibits Congress from passing laws "respecting an establishment of religion." (A professor who attended the second debate reports that "you actually heard the audience audibly gasp" when O'Donnell revealed her ignorance).

Several more examples.

It goes on and on-the Republican party of strict constitutional construction doesn't believe in actually reading the document they'd like to strictly construct. Instead, Bush advisor Karen Hughes, tasked with improving America's image in the Muslim world, explained to an Egyptian opposition leader in 2005 that the reason why American presidents frequently refer to God in public speeches is that "our Constitution cites "one nation under God." (No, it doesn't-that's the Pledge of Allegiance.) Maine Sen. Susan Collins criticized the Obama administration for providing the attempted Christmas Day bomber Miranda warnings and access to an attorney, protections she said the Constitution guaranteed to "American citizens" (she emphasized these words). Not correct-none of the protections in the Bill of Rights is limited to citizens only.

A number of Republican candidates associated with the Tea Party, including O'Donnell, have signed the ten point "Contract from America": point one is "Protect the Constitution." A better starting point might be actually reading the nation's founding document.

Oh no! The Constitution is much better in the abstract! If people read it, they're liable to find out it doesn't have all the things in it they claim it does and they'd have to invent yet another source for their reactionary ignorance lest the wind (hot, smelly, lots of it) be taken out of their sails*. They're safe - nobody else has read it either except those pointy-headed librul elites who keep trying to base things on reality.

*In sailing, I think that's called 'being in irons'. Not a bad idea. I'd love to see certain of 'em in irons.

Sorry ...

About my sporadic posting lately. This is a crazy time, with the new dogs and getting them into a routine, and it's also my last week in the shop. The logistics of that (making space in my garage for my tools and moving them 30 miles to the house) plus everything else is making me nutz. I'll be around more next week when I'm home and start the master bath project back up (which I wanted done before I left for Bermuda in April but sorta fell to the back burner).

Bear with me ...

Unser Sturmabteilung ...

I think, what we have now, is a "Variable Constitution" wherein, what's good for me might not necessarily be good for thee. Fucking Nazis:

An ugly scene took place outside the Kentucky Senatorial debate Monday night as what appeared to be a supporter of Republican candidate Rand Paul was captured by a local news affiliate literally stomping the head of a member of the progressive-activist organization MoveOn.org.

...

Yeah, free speech is only for those who agree with them. Love me that Constitution ...

Thanks to Oliver Willis for the link.

1st Pro-Prop 19 Ad To Air

Retired San Jose Police Chief Joseph McNamara is a lawman who has been castigated many times for telling the truth.

Article in the EssEffChron, which is decidedly against passage of 19.

Finally...exhale...there is a TV ad touting the legalization of marijuana. It's the first TV ad either side in the Prop 19 battle has produced, as Comrade Fagan told us. Rolls Tuesday in L.A.

No, funnymen, it doesn't feature Snoop Dogg and Willie Nelson (though we'd REALLY like to see that one). The pro-dopers are all about respect. So we get the well-respected former San Jose police chief Joseph McNamara looking into the camera and saying, "Let's be honest. The war on marijuana has failed."

Though we try to avoid talking back to law enforcement officers, a couple of counter-points for Chief Mac:

1. When he says he join other law enforcement officers in suporting the measure, he neglects to use the word "retired" or "former." You can count the number of current law enforcement types who will -- publicly, at least -- endorse this measure on your hand that's not clutching a bong. Understandable. Backing dope isn't good for career advancement, shall we say. The retired guys don't need to worry about that.
...

Prop 19 was up in early polls, but is trailing in the Public Policy Institute of California survey and the LA Times/USC poll (links in article) in recent days.

I don't care if the law is imperfect. Most laws are. Let's get mota legalized and work on the details later.

Thanks to taxcannabis.

The Show Must Go On!

This is just for fun. LATimes:

French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) is remembered as the greatest tragedienne of her day, but she also occupies an unfortunate place in the car culture of Los Angeles.

Bernhardt was one of the first celebrities to be injured in an automobile accident in the City of Angels.

The mishap occurred on the evening of March 12, 1913, at the intersection of Washington and Crenshaw boulevards, while she was being driven in a taxi to the downtown Orpheum Theatre to appear in "La Tosca."

Roger Harvys, her taxi driver, said years later that she "had taken longer than usual to get ready because she wanted to watch the sunset over the ocean. When she got into the cab, her maid told me to drive rapidly."

Harvys obeyed, winding it up to 18 mph.

18 mph! Horrors! These days, L.A. drivers parallel park faster than that!

Her reinjured leg was never the same.

The day after the accident in Los Angeles, she was forced to cancel an engagement. She resolutely finished the tour a few weeks later and returned to France. But In 1915, gangrene set in, and her leg was amputated.
...

Author H. Jack Lang wrote that at one point an American promoter cabled her, "We offer you 100,000 dollars to exhibit your leg." She is said to have cabled back: "Which one?"

Heh.

Her modern namesake, a different Sarah best known for badly portraying an American, also gets $100,000 a time for showing her face and asks the same question - "Which one?"

Christine O’Donnell Favors Separation of Speech and Thought

Borowitz via YubaNet

In a performance guaranteed to raise some eyebrows in Delaware and beyond, Tea Party candidate Christine O'Donnell said at a senatorial debate last night that she strongly supports "the separation of speech and thought."

"To tell you the truth, I don't know if there's anything about that in the Constitution," she added. "In the version of the Constitution that I read, Big Bird didn't mention it."

Ms. O'Donnell seemed stumped when the moderator asked whether there were any Supreme Court decisions she disagreed with, finally blurting out, "Ali v. Frazier."

At the conclusion of the debate, Ms. O'Donnell pronounced herself pleased with her performance, saying that she would spend the next week concentrating on her Halloween costume: "I'm going as a qualified candidate."

Elsewhere, the Texas Rangers advanced to the World Series, proving that once George W. Bush goes away things get better.

I hope the Giants kick their ass and I'm not a Giants fan.

Headline of the Day

Tea Party groups admit Obama’s race is a factor

Duh. That's mighty white of 'em.

Supremely Bad Judgment

MoDo

In the wacky coda to one of the most searing chapters in American history, everyone remained true to form.

Anita Hill reacted with starchy disgust.

Ginni Thomas came across like a spiritually addled nut.

Clarence Thomas was mute, no doubt privately raging about the trouble women have caused him.

It’s too late to relitigate the shameful Thomas-Hill hearings. We’re stuck with a justice-for-life who lied his way onto the bench with the help of bullying Republicans and cowed Democrats.

In Bush v. Gore, the Supreme Court chose the Republican president. In Citizens United, the court may return Republicans to control of Congress. So much for conservatives’ professed disdain of judicial activism. And so much for the public’s long-held trust in the impartiality of the nation’s highest court.

Justice Stephen Breyer recently rejected the image of the high court as “nine junior varsity politicians.” But it’s even worse than that. The court has gone beyond mere politicization. Its liberals are moderate and reasonable, while the conservatives are dug in, guzzling Tea.

Thomas and Scalia have flouted ethics rules by attending seminars sponsored by Koch Industries, an energy and manufacturing conglomerate run by billionaire brothers that has donated more than $100 million to far-right causes.

Much more. Also see:

Was Ginny Thomas Drunk Dialing Anita Hill?

Update:

The House is duty-bound to Bring Articles of Impeachment against Clarence Thomas

Yes they are. Fat fuckin' chance.

Oh, the irony...

Ironic Times

Good News on Economy
Goldman Sachs 3rd quarter earnings exceed estimates.

Whitman, Still Trailing, Has Spent $163 Million in California
Losing race, but saving state's economy.

Fox News Re-Hires “House Liberal” Juan Williams to New Contract
After he's fired by NPR, where he was “House Reactionary.”

Report: California's Marijuana Crop Worth $14 Billion
When including sales of Häagen-Dazs.

Just askin' ...

How many of you who served in the military were asked your opinion of a policy the brass was going to institute? I know nobody wanted my opinion when I was in and nobody gave a shit whether I liked it or not. Somehow, I don't think General Shelton needs this explained to him, but at this stage, they're going for anything to keep the queers out.

Gen. Hugh Shelton told ABC's Christiane Amanpour that it's the servicemen in the Army and Marines that should get to decide whether or not the controversial 'don't ask, don't tell' policy is ended.

...

Yer ass ...

The part of Sharron Angle I would rather not think about...

El Rude-o on Sharron Angle:

So what's the proper response to "Man up," the emasculating slogan now being used as a near chant by Nevada Republican Sharron Angle in her campaign speeches? Ever since she said it at her lugubrious debate with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Angle has been acting like an old porn star who just got vaginoplasty and wants to show her newly-tucked pussy to everyone. [...]

Heh. She knew something needed to be done when she got her skivvies half-masted almost to her knees and there was still pussy in 'em...

So how to respond to Angle's "Man up" and other attacks? Probably the same way one would respond to that porn star: "Put your cunt away."

Please. I gotta go get a bleach refill. The OTC stuff wasn't doing it any more so I got me a 'scrip for the good stuff.

Helen Keller's Mushrooms

An excerpt from Will Durst on money in politics.

We are painfully aware that our politicians are, how do I put this delicately, beholden to certain large contributors. A polite way of saying "hookers with the appetites of hippopotamuses in heat." But now the ante has been raised higher than a giraffe's ear. More ghost money means larger favors rewarded with a wider roped off space at the public trough forcing the rest of us to crowd around the short rutted end. Knee- pads are destined to become standard issue behind every Congressional desk. If they aren't already.

Shit, Will, our politicians, particularly Repugs, 'go commando' and kneel right on the floor bare-knee'd to suck money.

Sunday Homebrew Crazy Redneck Music Video Blogging

Tony Rice is lead vocal on Richard Thompson's "Dimming of the Day" from Rice, Rice, Hillman, and Pedersen's 1997 album "Out Of The Woodwork".

Possibly the only country song ever with the word 'confidante' in it, and in lovely harmony too!

Video is northbound on CA SR 267 from Truckee Airport Road to Brockway Road, then west almost to the McIver Rodeo Grounds.

Here's the same song by Bonnie Raitt. I know it's apples and oranges to compare a studio recording to a live performance, but I like to look at Bonnie.

Thanks to moonshinealice.

What Happened to Change We Can Believe In?

1st and last ¶ of Daddy Frank's op-ed today about the economic mess we're in and why nobody's hangin' by their balls for it.

PRESIDENT Obama, the Rodney Dangerfield of 2010, gets no respect for averting another Great Depression, for saving 3.3 million jobs with stimulus spending, or for salvaging GM and Chrysler from the junkyard. And none of these good deeds, no matter how substantial, will go unpunished if the projected Democratic bloodbath materializes on Election Day. Some are even going unremembered. For Obama, the ultimate indignity is the Times/CBS News poll in September showing that only 8 percent of Americans know that he gave 95 percent of American taxpayers a tax cut.

We can blame much of this turn of events on the deep pockets of oil billionaires like the Koch brothers and on the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which freed corporations to try to buy any election they choose. But the Obama White House is hardly innocent. Its failure to hold the bust’s malefactors accountable has helped turn what should have been a clear-cut choice on Nov. 2 into a blurry contest between the party of big corporations and the party of business as usual.

If you're gonna make a half-assed attempt at changes, you gotta at least make a half-assed attempt to let people know about it. Half-assed is the best we can do as long as The Mighty Wurlitzer is runnin' full bore.