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Palin to Step Down as Governor at the End of July…”Open Thread* »

Yes, that is the news. According to NY Times’s Mitchell L. Blumenthal, Sarah Palin to Resign as Governor of Alaska effective July 25th:

Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Friday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, fueling speculation that she is seriously weighing whether to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Ms. Palin, who was Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate last year and solidified the support of the party’s conservative base, explained her decision at a news conference at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, accompanied by her husband, Todd, and other family members.

“We know we can effect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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WaPo Was Trying To Sell What…? »

This has got to be read to be believed. I know that the Washington Post is hard up for cash, but as Politico reports:

Washington Post publisher Katharine Weymouth said today she was canceling plans for an exclusive “salon” at her home where for as much as $250,000, the Post offered lobbyists and association executives off-the-record access to “those powerful few” — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and even the paper’s own reporters and editors.

The astonishing offer was detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he felt it was a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its “health care reporting and editorial staff.”

With the Post newsroom in an uproar after POLITICO reported the solicitation, Weymouth said in an email to the staff that “a flier went out that was prepared by the Marketing department and was never vetted by me or by the newsroom. Had it been, the flier would have been immediately killed, because it completely misrepresented what we were trying to do.”

She’s canceling the event amid “uproar”? Hey, ya think? Read the rest

And God Said… »

“Put a sock in it!” Well, that’s what I would think God would say to Governor Mark Sanford who canNOT keep his big mouth shut these days. See, Governor Sanford said that God wants him to keep his job as governor, and to not resign. Here’s a little reminder:

I wonder where in the world God was when Governor Sanford was cheating on his wife with his “soul mate”?? Or how about the OTHER women with whom Governor Sanford had “dalliances“??
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Andrew Sullivan’s Reckless Cruelty to “white trash concupiscence” »

Yet another article on Trig Palin and “who’s his mommy” from Andrew Sullivan caught my eye (and I’ll need antibiotics). No one cares. No one not insane actually believes Trig is some mystery baby. And Sarah Palin isn’t running for vice president anymore.

Sullivan seems to think he is “due” an explanation. BS. He thinks Palin should produce records, pictures or perhaps very special election 2008 episode of A Baby Story.

Palin owes this schmuck exactly bupkis. Who is Sullivan to demand “proof” of maternity? The father? No. Anyone important to Trig’s life, or any other Palin? No.

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“Well, Isn’t That Convenient?” »

Recently, well, for the past five months anyway, people have been wondering just where Obama was going to make his church home in the DC area. Oh, he tried out a place or two, but you know, there are actual, real people there, and so much media focus, that he just couldn’t get into his spiritual place. So - guess where he has decided to go to church?

Camp David. I’m not kidding. The chapel at Camp David. Now he has an excuse to leave DC every weekend, if he wants. So he can go to church. Now, this may come as a shock to some of you, but Washington, DC, actually HAS some churches there. Heck, they even have a big, ol’ cathedral - perhaps you’ve heard of it, the NATIONAL Cathedral? Ahem.

But you know that’s not it. To paraphrase Michael Jackson, “sometimes (he) feels like somebody’s watching (him)…”:

Now, in an unexpected move, Obama has told White House aides that instead of joining a congregation in Washington, D.C., he will follow in George W. Bush’s footsteps and make his primary place of worship Evergreen Chapel, the nondenominational church at Camp David.

A number of factors drove the decision — financial, political, personal — but chief among them was the desire to worship without being on display. Obama was reportedly taken aback by the circus stirred up by his visit to 19th Street Baptist in January. Lines started forming three hours before the morning service, and many longtime members were literally left out in the cold as the church filled with outsiders eager to see the new President. Even at St. John’s, which is so accustomed to presidential visitors that it is known as the “Church of the Presidents,” worshippers couldn’t help themselves from snapping photos of Obama on their camera phones as they walked down the aisle past him to take communion.

And how about that - right there in Time magazine - making the comparison between Bush and Obama! Teehee!
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Will “Cap-and-Trade” be the Next Bubble? »

Okay. I’ll confess.

I’ve always considered myself something of an environmentalist. I don’t remember ever hugging a tree, but I hiked and backpacked in my youth. I’ve recycled since the early 80’s. I shunned the use of chemicals and railed against deforestation, over-packaging, and junk mail. I joined Sierra club, World Wildlife and Nature Conservancy in my twenties (and have been a member ever since). But I am far from an environmental purist. Mostly I’ve just tried to enjoy our natural environment and be a thoughtful and conservation minded consumer.

So when Al Gore came out proclaiming that global warming was upon us and would bring an end to life as we know it, I believed him. And regardless of whichever side of science and popularity is currently ahead in the Global warming debate, I still believe that the our current lifestyle of mass production, mass consumption and mass waste is unsustainable.

But a funny thing happened as environmentalism became “Green.” It some how became less real.
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Barney Frank: “…Now They’re Starting to Hate Me…” »

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), House Financial Services Committee Chairman

Barney Frank should not be so presumptuous to think that it is just “now” that a large percentage of America is starting to hate him. The displeasure, if not the contempt, for Barney and his minions who have run our country into the ground over the last twenty years is soaring!!

As the Wall Street Journal reports in Finance Lobby Cuts Spending as Feds Targeted Wall Street:

Wall Street’s spending on efforts to influence policy making diminished at the start of this year as the image of financial institutions has suffered with lawmakers and the public. Some of the sector’s major advocate groups lost funding and staff. Their spending declined just as the administration was hammering out its proposal for the biggest reorganization of financial-market oversight since the 1930s, details of which the White House released last month.

Industry lobbyists met last week to craft a response to the White House’s draft regulatory overhaul, particularly its creation of a consumer-oriented regulator for financial products, which could force major changes in how financial instruments are created and marketed. Whether or not the industry can influence this top administration priority, now that the plan is in the hands of Congress, will be a big test of its remaining clout.

The gig is up!! Read the rest

Michael Scheuer’s Nuclear Nut Meltdown [UPDATED] »

If there was any doubt that Michael Scheuer, a retired CIA analyst who was given the task of getting Bin Laden (and failed miserably), is a complete nutjob then you have not seen his latest:


[UPDATE--I'm struck by the growing resemblance between Michael Scheuer and Bin Laden's number two guy. What do you think?]

IS MICHAEL SCHEUER ACTUALLY AYMAN AL-ZWAHIRI?

IS MICHAEL SCHEUER ACTUALLY AYMAN AL-ZWAHIRI?


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My disdain for this man is already on the record (see here). Read the rest

Thomas, Gibbs and Lack of Transparency »

Mr. Transparency had a “townhall” meeting yesterday. Earlier, Obama Press secretary Robert Gibbs was asked about this upcoming “townhall” meeting. Both Chip Reid and Helen Thomas said that the “open forum” for the townhall meeting - as given to them - wasn’t open at all. The words “tightly controlled” were used.

While this kind of “transparency” isn’t actually a surprise, Robert Gibbs’ smarmy “discussion,” where he mugs, laughs and does his Oscar-level best not only to make the questioners seem petty but also to suggest the questions themselves are ridiculous, is beyond fail. Gibbs even suggests email is a better way of reaching Obama than talking to his getting-paid-for-what “press secretary.” Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil and nevermind-the-man-behind-the-curtain all rolled into one.

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stephen colbert: stonewalling ~open thread »

Colbert takes a few jabs at Obama in this video.

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - Stonewalling
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Jeff Goldblum

“They threw Kathy Griffin?” hehe

“Would require stroke pf pen.” ouch
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It Was Just A Matter Of Time…**UPDATED** »

Before Obama majorly embarrassed Secretary Clinton. Oh, many of us knew this was coming - and it has happened on a smaller scale here and there (except during the Primaries in which Mr. Ditto copied almost ALL of her policy positions). Now, it is on the big stage, about a big issue: Iran.

My good buddy, American Girl in Italy, provided me with this article today, Clinton Urged Obama To Talk Tough On Iran. Now, see, this does not surprise me one little bit - both that Clinton wanted to talk tough to Iran, and that Obama left her hanging out to dry. That is her way, and that is his. And that is why so many of us never wanted her there in the first place (though we appreciate having an adult in the room). We knew it was coming.

So, here’s the deal:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged President Obama for two days to toughen his language on Iran before he did so, and then was surprised when he condemned Iran’s crackdown on demonstrators last week, administration officials say.

At his June 23 news conference, Mr. Obama said he was “appalled and outraged” by Iranian behavior and “strongly condemned” the violence against anti-government demonstrators. Up until then, Mr. Obama and other administration officials had taken a softer line, expressing “deep concern” about the situation and calling on Iran to “respect the dignity of its own people.”

Behind the scenes, the officials, who spoke on the condition that they not be named because they were discussing internal deliberations, said Mrs. Clinton had been advocating the stronger U.S. response, but the president resisted. When he finally took her advice, the aides said, he did so without informing her first.

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palin derangement syndrome continues »

Todd Purdum from Vanity Fair just wrote an article about Sarah Palin, and I can’t decide if he wants to take her down, or get down with her.

“Sarah Palin is still the sexiest brand in Republican politics….she is by far the best-looking woman ever…the first indisputably fertile female to dare to dance with the big dogs….she looks like a beauty queen….When she chooses to reveal herself….Palin is at once the sexiest and the riskiest brand in the Republican Party…Palin turns her debate with Joe Biden into a winkathon…nailing…knockout…she was a fresh-faced reformer…”

It Came from Wasilla” is an idiotic hit piece, filled with anonymous sources, and a revival of Trig trutherisms. Complete with a slew of juicy, negative quotes from insiders and a smoothly crafted narrative that demeans and diminishes Palin’s accomplishments.”

Real Clear Politics says it best:

Todd Purdum pulls down the black ski mask and whips out the sawed off shotgun for this utterly predictable hit piece on Sarah Palin in the August issue of Vanity Fair.

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Frank Ricci Speaks Out »

Fellow NQ writer, LisaB, has covered the issue of the SCOTUS and the New Haven Firefighters, but this video contained information I had not previously heard:

So, there WERE African Americans and Hispanics who passed the exam, too, something previously unreported. As Mr. Ricci said, the press did NOT do its job, accepting as fact the city of New Haven’s talking points. Wow - what a HUGE surprise - the press not engaging in fact checking. Again! Shocking. Ahem.

I thought this was an interesting interview. Congratulations to all of the firefighters who worked so hard to pass their tests (Ricci was not the only one who sacrificed studying for the exam - it sounds like EVERYONE sacrifices for these extra classes and tests). Here’s hoping you all get the positions, and back pay, you worked so hard to achieve.

The TARP Has a $159 Billion Loss!! »

The American taxpayer was going to make money on the investments in assets related to Bear Stearns, AIG, Citigroup, Bank of America, ad nauseum, correct?

Is it even possible to track the massive government outlays across the entire economic landscape? Is it further possible to measure the actual cost of the outlays as a percentage of the overall subsidies? Can we navigate this terrain without getting bogged down in the midst of a thicket of government data and statistics? You have come to the right place.

Subsidyscope has just released a report, entitled Estimated TARP Subsidy Rate Rises, which links to a report from the Congressional Budget Office highlighting all aspects of the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program).

Just as “you can’t tell the players without a program” when attending a sporting event, “you can’t track Uncle Sam without Subsidyscope and Sense on Cents.”

What do we learn? Uncle Sam is still holding some TARP firepower. The TARP was launched as a $699 billion capital commitment. If you recall, the TARP legislation was passed as a vehicle to purchase toxic assets from banks. It has moved a long way away from that. Read the rest

After a Coup d’Etat at NOW, the Future of “Feminism” »

amy-headshotI am the president and co-founder of The New Agenda. This article was originally published at Huffington Post.

…………………………………………………

It’s not personal, it’s business. Revenues have been decreasing at an escalating rate in all business lines. Major losses in the main subsidiary have been financed through intercompany borrowings. Despite the financial hemorrhage, management has been taking salary increases. A bankruptcy filing could be imminent. Is this Bear Stearns or Lehman Brothers? No, this is the National Organization for Women (NOW).

Some may think that NOW is an organization which has become obsolete, that women’s advocacy can move forward without this remnant of the second-wave of feminism. But that is missing the point. The success of national women’s organizations such as NOW is as important to women’s advocacy as it was for Wall Street to have Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley find their financial footing.

Last weekend, a major coup d’etat occurred at NOW’s election conference in Indianapolis.

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Iraq–Dawn of Hope or Audacity of Hubris? »

We pulled out of Iraq’s cities today and Allah only knows what comes next. What do you think Iraq will look like a year from now? A placid Arab nation with a flourishing economy and revitalized night life? A theocracy struggling to imitate Iran? A bloody mess of balkanized provinces divided along sectarian and ethnic lines?

I vote for the latter. And I think reporter Tom Ricks would agree. Ricks posted the following at Foreign Policy today:

Several times the Bush administration tried to transfer responsibility for security to Iraqi army and police forces, only to see them unable to handle the burden. Now, once again, the Americans are trying to get Iraqi security forces to take over, as most U.S. troops withdraw from Iraqi’s cities. Will the Iraqis be able to keep the population relatively secure? To be honest, I don’t know, and no one else does. It’s a matter of faith. And the leap comes tomorrow.

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Iranian Protest Support »

(More than worthy of a replay, so bumped up from last night - ed.)

Have you seen this?

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora hook up with a famous Iranian singer. Read the rest

Government Health Care »

I am a physician. I am a full-time faculty member at a University hospital, but as an unpaid care-deliverer, I also frequently work in a the real government health care establishment, the VA Hospital, ….not the NIH where the docs can do anything they want. If we, in real life, would do some of the things done at the NIH under the auspices of research (and, by the way, virtually all care at the NIH is research), we would be guilty of Federal crimes such as Medicare Fraud. It is a Federal crime to offer free or discounted care to anyone without offering the same to all Medicare recipients, basically. Your government calls it ‘fraud’.

The real government system exists in the many VA’s of this country. Some are good. Many are horrendous. And none of them are equipped to deal with their mission as stated. Those of us who have seen the returning casualties from Iraq and who also take care of the now-aging Vietnam War patients are acutely aware of the deficiencies. Whomever wrote that recent glorious endorsement giving the VA system the highest grades among the country’s health systems did a marvelous job of cherry picking with blinders so narrow that to those of us who actually work out here, the entire document sounds like fiction based on absolutely no reality. Read the rest

SCOTUS and Ricci »

CBS/AP reported that SCOTUS found for the white firefighters in the notorious Ricci v. DeStefano case.

Opinion (.pdf) here.

New Haven was wrong to scrap a promotion exam because no African-Americans and only two Hispanic firefighters were likely to be made lieutenants or captains based on the results, the court said Monday in a 5-4 decision.

The controversy started when New Haven voided its entire 2003 promotional exam after the results made 18 whites - but no blacks - eligible to become officers. When the city decided to promote no one, the white firefighters called that invalid under the Constitution.

New Haven was worried that if they actually promoted those who scored at the top of the test, they’d be sued. SCOTUS said fear of such a suit wasn’t reason enough to throw out the scores. The 5-4 decision reversed that of the appeals court, which included Judge Sotomayor at the time.

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Incarceration Nation Revisited: Webb to the Rescue! »

smallerwebincarceration-nation-too

It is a scandal. It breaks families and our economy. My first post on the crises in our prisons got a great response from many of you, but we didn’t come up with many solid answers. Then I got an email from the Press Secretary for Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) who had actually seen my toon and story! She sent me a lot of information, and now I have hope. See what you think.
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