A Liberal's Hit List: Nov 10, 2009

Palin Sees Conspiracy in New Dollar Coins

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

By John Byrne

The Raw Story

It now seems clear why the staff to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin didn't want anyone to bring recording devices or cell phones to her speech Friday night.

Even news outlets like Politico -- which have prominently featured Dick Cheney's terror jeremiads -- would have been likely to lampoon her.

But the ban on recording devices didn't stop them. Politico says they bought three tickets to Palin's Wisconsin speech and then penned a write-up. Their review was somewhat grim, taking aim at Palin's frequent use of the words "bogus" and "awesome" and delivering a strange anecdote about dollar coins.

"Palin had remarks prepared but frequently wandered off-script to make a point, offering audience members a casual “awesome” or “bogus” in discussing otherwise weighty topics," Jonathan Martin wrote in his review.

He quotes Palin as saying, “It is so bogus that society is sending a message right now and has been for probably the last 40 years that a woman isn’t strong enough or smart enough to be able to pursue an education, a career and her rights and still let her baby live.”

"Other Palin touchstones included: praise for the military, jeers for the “the liberal media” and a general manner of speaking that often veered into rhetorical culs-de-sac," he continued.

Palin didn't draw supporters to their feet: "While she drew applause during her remarks, Palin’s extemporaneous and frequently discursive style was such that she never truly roused a true-believing crowd as passionate about the issue at hand as she. Not once during her address did they rise to their feet."...(Remainder.)

Health Care Reform Passes the House; Country Still Standing...For Now

By Rude One

The Rude Pundit

It was his moment to shine, and Indiana Republican Mike Pence took his five-minute turn at the mike in the esteemed House of Representatives, heart of democracy in the United States of America, and, with complete earnestness, he said, "As President Reagan said, it's about ‘whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far distant Capitol can plan our lives better than we can plan them ourselves.'"

He continued, personalizing the quote with an anecdote: "Earlier today, I greeted about 50 Hoosiers, mostly in wheelchairs, unit caps and uniforms, at the World War II Memorial. These heroes were gathered for their first, and maybe only, visit to the monument built in their honor."

This led Pence to revelations that are only made in the American heart while on the precipice of momentous decisions: "As I made my way back to the Capitol, I thought about those brave men and what sustained them in those days when the very survival of democracy hung in the balance. I believe it was because they were fighting for a cause more important than their happiness, their health and even their life, and that cause was freedom."

Yes, freedom. Freedom. And what was Pence so passionately arguing for that demanded he evoke the Revolution, the "Greatest Generation," the Gipper, and the life or death of democracy? Was it about whether or not the nation would go to war? Was it about amending the Constitution? What fundamental challenge to this country might hold freedom and liberty in its grip?

It was over whether or not the federal government would offer a reasonably priced health insurance policy to those not covered by their employers. When Pence was done, tourists at Arlington Cemetery said they heard a sound like thousands of face palms from under the ground.

Sure, many on both sides of the aisle in DC this past Saturday behaved like drama queens. But, remember, it was Republicans who made this about freedom and liberty instead of a discussion about how to get health care to those who lack insurance. Republicans crowed about that fact, constantly reminding us about their legions of idiot summer screamers who bellowed their protests at town hall meetings and tea parties like less articulate howler monkeys....(Remainder.)

Don't Ask, Don't Give

By John Aravosis

AMERICAblog

Joe and I are launching today a donor boycott of the DNC. The boycott is cosponsored by Daily Kos, Jane Hamsher of FireDogLake, Dan Savage, Michelangelo Signorile, David Mixner, Andy Towle and Michael Goff of Towle Road, Paul Sousa (Founder of Equal Rep in Boston), Pam Spaulding, Robin Tyler (ED of the Equality Campaign, Inc.), Bil Browning for the Bilerico Project, and soon others.

It's really more of a "pause," than a boycott. Boycotts sounds so final, and angry. Whereas this campaign is temporary, and is only meant to help some friends - President Obama and the Democratic party - who have lost their way. We are hopeful that via this campaign, our friends will keep their promises.

So please sign the Petition and take a Pledge to no longer donate to the DNC, Organizing for America, or the Obama campaign until the President and the Democratic party keep their promises to the gay community, our families, and our friends.

You can find our Frequently Asked Questions, below, that explain the entire campaign. You can use our "Tell a Friend" page to tell all of your friends, family members, and coworkers about this effort (and we won't keep any of the email addresses you enter, they'll all be deleted after the emails are sent)....(Remainder.)

Will Social Issues Hurt or Help the Right Wing?

By James Hipps

Gay Agenda

OK, so there was a bit of a Republican showing in this past election. The GOP gained some political seats and same-sex marriage was shot down in flames (pun intended) in Maine.

But, not all Republicans agree that aiming their concentration at social issues is advancing their cause. In a sense, I understand that there is a sect of Republicans who believe that fighting the almighty ‘gay agenda’ and other social issues like abortion, and abstinence only sex ed are the in roads for growth of the conservative movement. In realistic terms, those who oppose equality and freedom of choice are the loudest participants on the political set at the moment.

However, one does have to wonder if that group really is nothing more than the yapping chihuahua…in other words, a small dog with a never-ending, shrill and loud bark.

Republicans typically stand on a platform of small government. They don’t want the government telling them what to do, how to live, taxing them (because we all know taxation is for the lower classes) and they certainly shiver at the thought of anything ‘government run’. But, it’s that group of extreme conservatives, who have continued to parade as Republicans, attempting to gain support through theocratic view, that just may end up damaging the GOP more than helping it (which in my opinion, would be great). After all, they tout small government, yet demand that the government prevents equality. They demand the government stay out of their lives, but demand the government interferes in the lives of those they disagree with. Irony and hypocrisy? Yes!

Well, it would look as though I’m not the only one hoping along those lines....(Remainder.)

MSNBC Anchor in Twitter Fight with Anti-Gay Church that Picketed Obama Kids’ School

By Daniel Tencer

The Raw Story

The Westboro Baptist Church is telling the Obama daughters that God is their "enemy."

The Kansas-based far-right church known for its outrageous choices of protest venues picketed outside the private school attended by first daughters Sasha and Malia Obama on Monday morning, and in the process got embroiled in an angry war of words with an MSNBC anchor.

"God is your enemy," read one sign at the event outside of Sidwell Friends School, as captured in a photo by Megan Phelps-Roper, granddaughter of church founder Fred Phelps.

The church is known for its signature protest sign that reads "God hates fags."

MSNBC anchor David Shuster described Monday's Westboro church protest as "beyond the pale."

"Hopefully, some of the more rational conservatives/Republicans will condemn this stuff today," he wrote on his Twitter account.

Most conservative and Republican politicians have long worked to distance themselves from the group, not least because of its practice of picketing the funerals of US troops. But Shuster's Tweet set off an argument between the MSNBC reporter and Phelps-Roper.

"Don't forget our Tuesday Sidwell picket," Phelps-Roper Tweeted at Shuster, in reference to the group's plans to picket the school again. "Put away your idols and obey God!"

"Go ahead," Shuster Tweeted back at Phelps-Roper. "Show the entire world the vile, crude, and disgusting protest you put on this [morning] at the Obama kids' school."...(Remainder.)

Concerns about the Public Option

By Timothy Kincaid

Box Turtle Bulletin

On Saturday, the US House of Representatives voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act, a healthcare reform bill which has been the highest priority of the Democratic Party leadership since the party took control of the presidency and both houses of the legislature. There are a number of very positive inclusions in that bill, including some that deal specifically with the GLBT community.

Probably the most specifically significant to our community is the incorporation of the McDermott/Ros-Lehtinen bill to remove the special ‘gay couples tax’ on spousal benefits provided by an employer. Currently, heterosexual spousal benefits are provided tax free and employers may claim them as an operating expense, but same-sex spousal benefits are considered to be part of the employee’s taxable income. This can result in thousands of dollars of tax demanded from our government solely because the spouse of the taxpayer is the same sex. Removing this tax is a tremendous relief on gay taxpayers.

Also included are changes in treatment for HIV patients, heath data collection related to the LGBT community, new sex education rules, and non-discrimination language.

However, the bill, as passed by the House, also provides for a “public option”, or insurance provision by the federal government. This government run health care mechanism is by far the most controversial aspect of the bill. And, depending on where you fall on the right/left scale, you may well have strong arguments either for or against such a move....(Remainder.)

Let the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission Wallow in the Filth of its Own Ignorance

By BlackTsunami

Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters

Next week, there will be a "challenge" to the new lgbt-inclusive hate crimes bill recently signed by President Obama. The "challenge" is being led by the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission:

On November 16th, CADC, along with other pro-family leaders and ministers, will go to Washington DC for a Rally for Religious Freedom. It will occur immediately in front of the Department of Justice.

Ministers, from various denominations, will preach the truth of the Word of God, especially the “politically incorrect” truth of the sin of homosexuality! We will challenge U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to charge this group of peacefully assembled clergy with a hate crime for simply preaching the Bible.

We will clearly establishing that this law cannot and will not silence God’s servants. We will continue to declare the whole counsel of God both publicly and in our pulpits. If we are arrested, we challenge the law in court.

This bold, public stand for Christ and freedom of speech will cost thousands of dollars. We need to pay for permits, rent a sound system and generators. We will need to send out press releases and get the word out to as many pro-family leaders and ministers as possible. There will be travel expenses and we also need to cover our ongoing overhead.

For those who need a reminder, the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission is that group which defends churches trying to exorcise lgbt children....(Remainder.)

'Oh Please Don't Arrest Us," says Group that TOTALLY Wants to Get Arrested

By Jeremy Hooper

Good As You

The so-called Christian Anti-Defamation Commission has revealed more plans for their upcoming protest of LGBT-inclusive hate crimes protections:

On November 16th, CADC, along with other pro-family leaders and ministers, will go to Washington DC for a Rally for Religious Freedom. It will occur immediately in front of the Department of Justice.

Ministers, from various denominations, will preach the truth of the Word of God, especially the “politically incorrect” truth of the sin of homosexuality! We will challenge U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to charge this group of peacefully assembled clergy with a hate crime for simply preaching the Bible.

We will clearly establishing that this law cannot and will not silence God’s servants. We will continue to declare the whole counsel of God both publicly and in our pulpits. If we are arrested, we challenge the law in court.
Help Us Challenge New Hate Crimes Law [CADC]

So wait, they're going to dare the DOJ to arrest them for speech, something that the hate crimes bill in no way addresses? Wow, what next: Is CADC gonna recruit some vampires to protest human health care reform? Maybe gonna taunt the Martian police department to arrest you for protesting the administration's earthly environmental policies? Or perhaps they're planning to fault Kathie Lee Gifford' s 1980's Carnival Cruise Line commercials for opening the floodgates for undocumented workers? Because honestly, each of those tactics would be about as apropos as is the decision to target a law that SPECIFICALLY DISTANCES ITSELF FROM SPEECH by citing the right to freely assemble/speak!...(Remainder.)

President Obama's Message on the 20th Anniversary of Fall of Berlin Wall

President Obama Gives a Statement on Milestones on Health Care & Iraq

Wounded Warriors at the White House

Right-Wing Hate Group, American Family Association, Says No Muslims in Military, Stop Muslim Immigration

By Media Matters

In a post following the tragic events at Fort Hood last week, Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association, wrote that Muslims should be barred from the military.

It it is time, I suggest, to stop the practice of allowing Muslims to serve in the U.S. military. The reason is simple: the more devout a Muslim is, the more of a threat he is to national security. Devout Muslims, who accept the teachings of the Prophet as divinely inspired, believe it is their duty to kill infidels. Yesterday's massacre is living proof. And yesterday's incident is not the first fragging incident involving a Muslim taking out his fellow U.S. soldiers.

Of course, most U.S. Muslims don't shoot up their fellow soldiers. Fine. As soon as Muslims give us a foolproof way to identify their jihadis from their moderates, we'll go back to allowing them to serve. You tell us who the ones are that we have to worry about, prove you're right, and Muslims can once again serve. Until that day comes, we simply cannot afford the risk. You invent a jihadi-detector that works every time it's used, and we'll welcome you back with open arms.

His words illustrate a disturbing and growing trend, which has found refuge within the American conservative movement. In fact, his opinion mirrors that of commentators like Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade who wondered last week, "if I'm going to be deployed in a foxhole, if I'm going to be sitting in an outpost, I've got to know that the guy next to me is not going to want to kill me."

This sort of rhetoric is not new for Fischer, a former chaplain of the Idaho State Senate, who before coming to AFA, served with the Idaho Values Alliance. Fischer has called Democratic health care reform proposals "MussoliniCare," has argued that separation of church and state is in fact a Nazi idea, and commented that a tragic plane crash in Montana, which killed three families, occurred in part because a doctor who performed abortions was aboard the plane, writing "if you do not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you."...(Remainder.)

Bolder by the Day: Unapologetic Nazis are Coming Out of the Woodwork

By David Neiwert

Crooks and Liars

James Verini at the Daily Beast notices something we've been tracking here at C&L too: Neo-Nazis and far-right extremists are not only recruiting more openly, they're being much more public in their full-on expressions of racism, nativism, and xenophobia. Unlike David Duke, these characters aren't even trying to hide it:

A year after President Obama's election, hate groups are feeling bolder than they have in over a decade, and their usually insular anger is beginning to spill into the public realm. This weekend, the National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi organization, held rallies in Arizona and Minnesota. Those demonstrations came on the heels of similar actions in Southern California, where epithet-spewing white supremacists were forced to disband by rock-throwing counter-protesters. The upsurge in visibility is more than anecdotal—law-enforcement officials are monitoring levels of agitation among extremist groups that they say are the highest since Timothy McVeigh’s deadly attack in Oklahoma City nearly 15 years ago.

The outcries of right-wing tea-partiers, death panellers, birthers, and the like are accompanied by increased activity all along the paranoid fringe.

“It’s sort of a beehive now,” says James Cavanaugh, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Cavanaugh was one of the agents at the standoff at David Koresh’s Waco, Texas, compound in 1993 (which McVeigh timed his terrorist act to commemorate, two years later, on April 19, 1995). Last October in Tennessee, Cavanaugh aided in the arrest of two white supremacists charged with plotting to assassinate Obama, and in 2007 he helped bring down members of the Alabama Free Militia, who were found with hundreds of hand- and rifle grenades and other explosives. The arrests had an unsettling familiarity. “We haven’t had that kind of activity since the 1990s,” Cavanaugh says.

“We believe there is a real resurgence,” adds Lieutenant David Hall, director of the Missouri Information Analysis Center, which tracks antigovernment extremist groups around the Midwest. “The atmosphere is ripe.”

That was obvious to anyone who was in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, this past weekend:

(Remainder.)

Beck's Batcrap Crazy Fill-In Baker Says Health Reform Will Lead to Euthanasia of Fat People...Beck's Audience is in Trouble!

Insane Screeching Howler Monkey Malkin Attacks Muslim Soldiers

Lying Sack of Crap Chris Baker Repeats Bullshit Claims that Health Bill Puts People in Jail for Not Buying Insurance

Baron of Batshit's Fill-In & Equally Insane, Chris Baker, says Health Reform Bill is "Enslavement"

Bob Beckel Calls Out the Retarded Baby Jesus for Bachmann's KKK Rally & Socialize Medicine Claims

Another of Fox's Talking Enema Bags, Eric Bolling, Lies That House Bill Puts Us "1.2 Trillion Further in Debt"

Right-Wing Bimbo Gretchen Carlson Attacks Joseph Cao's Vote & Ask Why He's Not a Democrat

Rep Ed Markey Says GOP Now Stands for Grandstand, Oppose and Pretend

Dr. Nancy on Stupak Amendment: This is About One More Burden for Women Navigating the Health Care System

Aetna's Whore, LIE-berman, Says He'll Filibuster a Bill that has Public Option

By Heather

Crooks and Liars

In case we didn't get it the first time last week, Joe Lieberman went on Fox News Sunday and spat in Harry Reid's face again. So how's that promise from Joe Lieberman working out for you, Harry? We can trust Joe Lieberman, huh? Yeah right.

Transcript from Think Progress:

LIEBERMAN: A public option plan is unnecessary. It has been put forward, I’m convinced, by people who really want the government to take over all of health insurance. They’ve got a right to do that; I think that would be wrong.

But worse than that, we have a problem even greater than the health insurance problems, and that is a debt — $12 trillion today, projected to be $21 trillion in 10 years.

WALLACE: So at this point, I take it, you’re a “no” vote in the Senate?

LIEBERMAN: If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote because I believe debt can break America and send us into a recession that’s worse than the one we’re fighting our way out of today. I don’t want to do that to our children and grandchildren.

Lieberman's promises are as empty as his rhetoric. And if Reid got any assurances from him, why is he coming on the T.V. again threatening to filibuster with the Republicans? This man should not be chairing any committees if he's going to filibuster his own caucus....(Original.)

One of Myriad Fox Asshats, Mike Emanuel Pushes LIE-berman's Nonsense Claim About Public Option Increasing Debt

By Media Matters

On Fox & Friends, correspondent Mike Emanuel advanced the falsehood that a public option will increase the national debt by adopting Sen. Joe Lieberman's claim that it "could rack up major debt, sending the country into a recession worse than the one we're currently in." In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that health care bills with a public option reduce or have no major impact on the deficit; moreover, every proposed bill with a public option thus far has required enrollees to cover its costs through premiums, rather than have the plans be paid for through federal revenues....(Remainder.)

The Retarded Baby Jesus Produces Hysterically Asinine "Scare" Video on Health Care Debate

The Retarded Baby Jesus Wants to Know What Ft. Hood Shootings say About Obama...Nothing You Ass

Brit Hume Says if Obama Had Included Tax Cuts in Stimulus GOP Would Have Voted for It...Well He Did, and They Didn't

While Laughing Manically, Clusterfox "Media Criticism" Show Repeats Bogus HBO Story Fox Apologized for Starting

By Media Matters

During the November 8 edition of Fox News Watch -- Fox News' media criticism and analysis program -- host Jon Scott repeated the fake story that President Obama watched an HBO documentary about himself on November 3 instead of election returns. However, Fox News White House correspondent Major Garrett said on November 4 that the story -- which Fox News started -- was incorrect and apologized for what he said was his "mistake."...(Remainder.)

The Oxy-Moron Says Rep. Joseph Cao's New Nickname is "Cash Cao"

The Pig-Man Continues to Fart Out His BS, Now Ft. Hood is Obama's Fault

Festering Boil on the Ass of Humanity, Limpballs, Says if Conservatards Loose 2010, Kiss Country Goodbye

The Toe Sucking Troll From Under the Bridge, Morris, Spreads BS Claim of Jail for Not Having Health Insurance

Michael Steele Talks Tough: 'We Will Come After You.' Rep. Cao: OK, Whatever

By David Neiwert

Crooks and Liars

The other day, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele told ABC News that he and his fellow Republicans were going to get tough with anyone who didn't toe the party line on "core issues" such as health-care reform:

Steele: So candidates who live in moderate to slightly liberal districts have got to walk a little bit carefully here, because you do not want to put yourself in a position where you’re crossing that line on conservative principles, fiscal principles, because we’ll come after you.

Well, there was one solitary Republican who crossed the party line on health-care reform: Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana, who hails from a traditionally Democratic district that went up for grabs when ex-Rep. William Jefferson was busted for corruption.

Cao went on CNN Sunday and explained that his was a vote of conscience for the people in his district, "many of whom are poor, and many of whom have no health insurance."

He later commented further to a CNN reporter:

Cao chuckled when asked about the comment and said he "would like to remind" Steele that he and other Republican leaders trumpeted Cao's upset win over Democrat William Jefferson last December as a symbol of party diversity. Cao is the first Vietnamese-American member of Congress.

"He has the right to come after those members who do not conform to party lines, but I would hope that he would work with us in order to adjust to the needs of the district and to hold a seat that the Republican party would need," Cao told CNN.

Vice President Biden Leads Discussion on Middle Class Families in D.C

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