Yep, Rahmses is Running

Emanuel to Depart White House for Chicago Mayoral Bid
My burning question is - is he running to Chicago to run, or to run away from Obama?

Fellow Chicago Machine player, Mr. Obama will give his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, a send-off at the White House on Friday as Mr. Emanuel officially announces his departure from the West Wing to run for mayor of Chicago, officials familiar with the decision said.

The event will take place in the Rose Garden, weather permitting, and is tentatively scheduled for late morning, said the officials, who declined to be named in advance of an official announcement.

Mr. Obama plans to name Pete Rouse, a senior adviser, to replace Mr. Emanuel, two officials confirmed. Mr. Rouse has been at Mr. Obama's side since the moment he arrived in Washington nearly six years ago, serving as his chief of staff in his United States Senate office.

Folks who loved Mr. Obama note that the second he picked Pharaoh-to-be-elect Rahmses was the moment they knew that the man they thought they elected was in fact a sham.

As if they didn't know it when he picked Biden? Well, that's why I don't have many friends.

One last question... I wonder how Joey 'Democrat Machine Voter' Bagadonuts is going to react when he finds out which tribe the new Pharaoh is from? Race card to be played at a later date, perhaps?

Deliveryman Delivers Himself From Evil

"I thought, ‘He’s gonna kill us,’” the deliveryman said. “They’re gonna get what they want, and still kill me. I pulled my gun. I shot him three times, and he fell.”

These are the words of a would-be deadman. On Monday, at 11:15 PM a deliveryman in east Charlotte said he didn't draw his concealed Glock 22 until the last possible moment. A strong reason for not drawing his firearm earlier would be that he was too busy being pistol whipped by two of his would be murderers and robbers. It wasn't until one of his assailants lifted his shirt did he finally pull the trigger.

Two twenty year olds, Gregory James Hardy and Daunntrae Wallace - both convicted felons... one on probation, and the other awaiting trial. Wallace was convicted of breaking and entering and larceny in 2006. He was fined and given three years probation. In May, he was convicted of carrying a concealed gun and given another year of probation. Court records show Hardy was convicted of car theft in 2006 and given three years probation. He was sent to prison for six months in 2007 when he violated his probation by trespassing. One would assume robbery and murder were planned for their resume that evening.

A third 'suspect' fled the scene, and was possibly wounded as well.

The deliveryman, a 57 year old, had worked as a jail detention officer and as a sheriff's deputy, and he left that job in 2004.

The deliveryman had returned to the shop when his manager asked him if he wanted a Coke from the McDonald's across the street. The deliveryman declined, and the manager left. The deliveryman continued cleaning the shop.

Moments later, three men barged in, two pointing guns. The first one said, "I mean business. Open the safe."

"I don't have access to the safe."

"Get down!"

When the deliveryman didn't, the man pistol-whipped him. Then the men ordered him into the bathroom while they lie in wait for the manager to return.

The man who waited in the bathroom with the deliveryman ordered him to wrap his arms around the toilet, kneeling, and then demanded money.'

“Every time I hesitated, he hit me. I have so many bumps,” the driver said. He turned over his $42 in tips for the night and a gold chain with a Jesus medallion he’s worn for almost 40 years.

The whole time, the driver tried to keep his gun pressed against his body, under his baggy shirt. The driver has a concealed carry permit, and began carrying after being robbed twice in the past two years.

When the manager finally returned, the men grabbed him. One of the others told deliveryman to crawl into the cooler in the back.

"I can't crawl" - realizing this would reveal his weapon. When he stood up, the man hit him, and he ended up in the cooler.

"Gimmie yo' car keys!" And he hit deliveryman again, leaving a 2 inch gash next to his left eye.

This is when the 'suspect' lifted up deliveryman's shirt. The robber was about to see his gun. And that's the last thing he ever saw.

The second robber ran back to rush into the cooler, and the deliveryman dropped him too. The third suspect ran away.

When police and EMT arrived at the scene, two bodies were on the floor with their guns nearby.

Deliveryman does not see himself as a hero, and has withheld his name for fear for his family's safety. No charges have been filed against the deliveryman. As this was a Pizza-Hut, it's likely that he will lose his job for violating the corporate policy against bringing firearms into the workplace, despite the self-defense nature of the situation.

“It’s hard-earned money, and they think they can just take it?” he said.

Please note: Not once was the word victim used in this re-telling of the story.

Observer Ely Portillo and Steve Lyttle and researcher Maria David and staff writer Cleve R. Wootson, Jr. contributed.

Surprise

6 year old Alexis gets a surprise lunchtime visitor

Alexis McGregor, 6, a first-grader at Redbud Run Elementary School in Winchester, Va. reacts as her father, U.S. Army Sgt. Jon McGregor, 27, surprises her by showing up at her school at lunchtime Tuesday September 28, 2010. Alexis did not know her father was home on leave from Afganistan for the first time since April, 2010.

U.S. Army Sgt. Jon McGregor talks with his daughter Alexis McGregor during her lunch period at Redbud Run Elementary School, in Winchester, VA. after surprising her Wednesday September 28, 2010. First grade student ,Alexis,6, was showing him a charm bracelet she received recently. It was the first time they had seen each other since April 2010.

Subliminal Messages

Babies R Us, sometimes I think you WANT to fail!

Can Lucas Milk it More? Yes he Can!!

Big news on the 3D front.

Sources indicate that George Lucas is set on rereleasing the "Star Wars" franchise in new 3D conversions beginning in 2012. Although 3D versions have been rumored for some time, Lucas purportedly was waiting until there were enough screens available to make the release a sizable event.

Fox, which released all six original "Star Wars" films, also would release the 3D versions.

Episode I, "The Phantom Menace," would be first out of star-dock during early 2012. After that, each film would be released in order at the same time in consecutive years, depending on how well the first rerelease does.

Each conversion takes at least a year to complete, with Lucas overseeing the process to make sure each is as perfect as possible. He has said that the "Avatar" experience convinced him that "Star Wars" is ready for the state-of-the-art 3D treatment.

Starting with "Phantom Menace," Lucasfilm would use several higher-end conversion houses to work on the project. By late winter or early spring in 2012, the exhibition industry should have all the 3D screens anyone could want for such a release.

At present, pics are limited to 2,000-2,500 3D locations owing to an insufficient installed base of projectors and screens. Movie theaters are adding 3D screens at a clip of 500 a month in the U.S. Foreign exhibitors also are pushing into 3D as quickly as possible now that financing for the installations is flowing.

Also pushing the timetable is a potential breakthrough in 3D TV technology. With Samsung penetrating the market with 50,000-plus 3D-equipped sets and Sony recently sending its version to market, the home-viewing experience could be primed for 3D DVD versions of the films by the time the new 3D theatrical releases have run their course.

Lucas purportedly is lining up the theatrical rereleases as a lead-in to the ultimate home-viewing experience. Beyond that, the property would launch to other 3D media.

In the meantime, Lucas plans a comprehensive Blu-ray Disc set of the six films next year, which would include upgraded picture and sound quality, new deleted scenes and special features.
From THR:

You vs. Corporations

Every generation or so, a major secular shift takes place that shakes up the existing paradigm. It happens in industry, finance, literature, sports, manufacturing, technology, entertainment, travel, communication, etc.

Barry Ritholz would like to discuss the paradigm shift that is occurring in politics... So I cut'n'pasted it here for you.

For a long time, American politics has been defined by a Left/Right dynamic. It was Liberals versus Conservatives on a variety of issues. Pro-Life versus Pro-Choice, Tax Cuts vs. More Spending, Pro-War vs Peaceniks, Environmental Protections vs. Economic Growth, Pro-Union vs. Union-Free, Gay Marriage vs. Family Values, School Choice vs. Public Schools, Regulation vs. Free Markets.

The new dynamic, however, has moved past the old Left Right paradigm. We now live in an era defined by increasing Corporate influence and authority over the individual. These two “interest groups” – I can barely suppress snorting derisively over that phrase – have been on a headlong collision course for decades, which came to a head with the financial collapse and bailouts. Where there is massive concentrations of wealth and influence, there will be abuse of power. The Individual has been supplanted in the political process nearly entirely by corporate money, legislative influence, campaign contributions, even free speech rights.

This may not be a brilliant insight, but it is surely an overlooked one. It is now an Individual vs. Corporate debate – and the Humans are losing.

Consider:

• Many of the regulations that govern energy and banking sector were written by Corporations;

• The biggest influence on legislative votes is often Corporate Lobbying;

• Corporate ability to extend copyright far beyond what original protections amounts to a taking of public works for private corporate usage;

• PAC and campaign finance by Corporations has supplanted individual donations to elections;

• The individuals’ right to seek redress in court has been under attack for decades, limiting their options.

• DRM and content protection undercuts the individual’s ability to use purchased content as they see fit;

• Patent protections are continually weakened. Deep pocketed corporations can usurp inventions almost at will;

• The Supreme Court has ruled that Corporations have Free Speech rights equivalent to people; (So much for original intent!)

None of these are Democrat/Republican conflicts, but rather, are corporate vs. individual issues.

For those of you who are stuck in the old Left/Right debate, you are missing the bigger picture. Consider this about the Bailouts: It was a right-winger who bailed out all of the big banks, Fannie Mae, and AIG in the first place; then his left winger successor continued to pour more money into the fire pit.

What difference did the Left/Right dynamic make? Almost none whatsoever.

How about government spending? The past two presidents are regarded as representative of the Left Right paradigm – yet they each spent excessively, sponsored unfunded tax cuts, plowed money into military adventures and ran enormous deficits. Does Left Right really make a difference when it comes to deficits and fiscal responsibility? (Apparently not).

What does it mean when we can no longer distinguish between the actions of the left and the right? If that dynamic no longer accurately distinguishes what occurs, why are so many of our policy debates framed in Left/Right terms?

In many ways, American society is increasingly less married to this dynamic: Party Affiliation continues to fall, approval of Congress is at record lows, and voter participation hovers at very low rates.

There is some pushback already taking place against the concentration of corporate power: Mainstream corporate media has been increasingly replaced with user created content – YouTube and Blogs are increasingly important to news consumers (especially younger users). Independent voters are an increasingly larger share of the US electorate. And I suspect that much of the pushback against the Elizabeth Warren’s concept of a Financial Consumer Protection Agency plays directly into this Corporate vs. Individual fight.

But the battle lines between the two groups have barely been drawn. I expect this fight will define American politics over the next decade.

Keynes vs Hayek? Friedman vs Krugman? Those are the wrong intellectual debates. Its you vs. Tony Hayward, BP CEO, You vs. Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman Sachs CEO (see pic). And you are losing . . .
This short commentary was conceived not to be an exhaustive research, but rather, to stimulate debate. There are many more examples and discussions we can have about this, and I hope readers do so in comments.

But my bottom line is this: If you see the world in terms of Left & Right, you really aren’t seeing the world at all . . .

To wit, all I can add to this is that I have cut'n'pasted this for Blasphemes readers - and this:

There is only one party - the business party. It's you vs the corporate interest groups. Once you are wise to the fact that they're ALL the problem, otherwise you're just perpetuating this useless left right paradigm that keeps people blinded to the facts of what's really going on around the world. Terrible things. In American's name, with America's tax dollars.

And please click on some ads!

Rights? What Rights?

A US DOJ investigation has found that a large number of FBI agents and supervisors in several offices found to have cheated while taking a test about surveillance policies and civil rights.

Well, that pretty much sums it up into a neat little package, doesn't it?

I suppose cheating on the surveillance test ought to win you an accommodation for original thinking?

"You have the right to... ahhhhh... huh huh..."

"Boner! You have a right to a boner! huhuhuh huh! Boooinng!"

"Shut up, Beavis. Yeah, you have the right to shut up, or something."

The Cross of Coal

Over one hundred protesters from the Appalachian coalfields were arrested in front of the White House today, defiantly calling on the Obama administration to abolish mountaintop removal mining. As part of the Appalachia Rising events, the coalfield residents took part in a multi-day series of events to bring the escalating human rights, environmental and health care crisis to the nation's capitol.

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth were joined by allies from around the country, including NASA climatologist James Hansen. Meanwhile, protesters staged a nearby sit-in at the office of the PNC bank, which remains one of the last major financiers of coal companies engaged in this extreme form of strip-mining in Appalachia.

In a stark reminder of the national connection to the coalfields, the Obama administration officials looked on from their White House offices, as their electricity came from a coal-fired plant generated partly with coal stripmined from Appalachia.

As a litmus test of the administration's commitment to science and the rule of law, Appalachian residents are calling on the EPA to halt any new permit on the upcoming decision over the massive Spruce mountaintop removal mine.

Mountaintop removal coal only provides, in fact, less than 10 percent of all coal production.

Fed up with the regulatory crisis and circumventions by outside coal companies, coalfield residents have been rising up against reckless strip-mining practices against the country, from Alaska to Alabama to Arizona.

In southern Illinois, scores of black crosses were found at coal mines, strip mines, coal-fired plants, coal ash piles, and at the Southern Illinois University Coal Research Center.

Citing Illinois as the birthplace of the coal industry, and "ground zero in the Obama administration's plan to dangerously experiment with carbon capture and storage technologies for coal-fired plants," a new Black Cross Alliance campaign announced plans to construct symbolic black crosses at coal mining and coal-burning landmarks in the state and across the nation to serve as a public warning: It is no longer acceptable for the Obama administration--and state and regional government officials---to be complicit in maintaining deadly coal mining and coal-burning communities as shameful national sacrifice areas in 2010.

Invoking William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech, the Black Cross Alliance called on the Obama administration and the state of Illinois to halt billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies for multinational coal corporations, and bring an end to the scandalous coal wars in Illinois by re-investing in a sustainable clean energy policy for the future for the coalfield regions.

The Black Cross Alliance declared: You shall not crucify us any longer upon a cross of coal.

"While the rest of the nation--and world--launches into the exploding new global market of clean energy development and green jobs," the Black Cross Alliance asked, "why have the coalfield regions in the country been left out of the renewnable energy movement and slated for a new generation of increased coal production?"

For more updates on Appalachia Rising, see: www.appalachiarising.org

I whole heartedly support these folks - but, as they noted in the article I've cut'n'pasted here, Mr. Obama is from Illinois. It is akin to asking George Bush to not invade Iraq for the oil. Both of them. Maybe if they made a film or even an advertisement - maybe even a powerpoint presentation on what, exactly, mountaintop strip mining is, and how - exactly it ruins their drinking water (bring a jug of it), maybe that would sway the public to use less electricity, and therefore less coal?

It's a hell of an uphill battle they have there - as Americans are expected to double their electrical habit with every new iPad and iPhone purchase.

Uncle Sam Wants You...

That's pleasant. Something I'm going to send to the Coffee Party Movement.

Coffee Party Civility Pledge: "As a member or supporter of the Coffee Party, I pledge to conduct myself in a way that is civil, honest, and respectful toward people with whom I disagree. I value people from different cultures, I value people with different ideas, and I value and cherish the democratic process."

Iranian Nuclear Computer Security

The most striking aspect of the fast-spreading malicious computer program — which has turned up in industrial programs around the world and which Iran said had appeared in the computers of workers in its nuclear project — (which to me, screams porn all over it) may not have been how sophisticated it was, but rather how sloppy its creators were in letting a specifically aimed attack scatter randomly around the globe.

The malware was so skillfully designed that computer security specialists who have examined it were almost certain it had been created by a government and is a prime example of clandestine digital warfare. While there have been suspicions of other government uses of computer worms and viruses, Stuxnet is the first to go after industrial systems. But unlike those other attacks, this bit of malware did not stay invisible.

If Stuxnet is the latest example of what a government organization can do, it contains some glaring shortcomings. The program was splattered on thousands of computer systems around the world, and much of its impact has been on those systems, rather than on what appears to have been its intended target, Iranian equipment. Computer security specialists are also puzzled by why it was created to spread so widely.

And, one would wonder, how soon the Iranian IT guy will be hung or stoned or hung and stoned for this muck up - and why anyone would hook up industrial computers to the internet?

Talking Point Review

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

In Newsy's [Good friends of Blasphemes] weekly Sunday talk show analysis, lawmakers are postponing renewal of the Bush-era tax cuts and pundits are analyzing the merits of the Republican party's new 'Pledge to America' platform. Thought I'd share.

It's like watching a bunch of hair driers sitting at a table.

A Special Day, Petrov Day

Today is September 26th, Petrov Day, celebrated to honor the deed of Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov on September 26th, 1983. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, take a minute to not destroy the world.

The story begins on September 1st, 1983, when Soviet jet interceptors shot down a Korean Air Lines civilian airliner after the aircraft crossed into Soviet airspace and then, for reasons still unknown, failed to respond to radio hails. 269 passengers and crew died, including US Congressman Lawrence McDonald. Ronald Reagan called it "barbarism", "inhuman brutality", "a crime against humanity that must never be forgotten". Note that this was already a very, very poor time for US/USSR relations. Andropov, the ailing Soviet leader, was half-convinced the US was planning a first strike. The KGB sent a flash message to its operatives warning them to prepare for possible nuclear war.

On September 26th, 1983, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov was the officer on duty when the warning system reported a US missile launch. Petrov kept calm, suspecting a computer error.

Then the system reported another US missile launch.

And another, and another, and another.

What had actually happened, investigators later determined, was sunlight on high-altitude clouds aligning with the satellite view on a US missile base.

In the command post there were beeping signals, flashing lights, and officers screaming at people to remain calm. According to several accounts I've read, there was a large flashing screen from the automated computer system saying simply "START" (presumably in Russian). Afterward, when investigators asked Petrov why he hadn't written everything down in the logbook, Petrov replied,"Because I had a phone in one hand and the intercom in the other, and I don't have a third hand."

The policy of the Soviet Union called for launch on warning. The Soviet Union's land radar could not detect missiles over the horizon, and waiting for positive identification would limit the response time to minutes. Petrov's report would be relayed to his military superiors, who would decide whether to start a nuclear war.

Petrov decided that, all else being equal, he would prefer not to destroy the world. He sent messages declaring the launch detection a false alarm, based solely on his personal belief that the US did not seem likely to start an attack using only five missiles.

Petrov was first congratulated, then extensively interrogated, then reprimanded for failing to follow procedure. He resigned in poor health from the military several months later. According to Wikipedia, he is spending his retirement in relative poverty in the town of Fryazino, on a pension of $200/month. In 2004, the Association of World Citizens gave Petrov a trophy and $1000. There is also a movie scheduled for release in 2008, entitled The Red Button and the Man Who Saved the World.

Maybe someday, the names of people who decide not to start nuclear wars will be as well known as the name of Britney Spears. Looking forward to such a time, when humankind has grown a little wiser, let us celebrate, in this moment, Petrov Day.

Cross post from LessWrong.

Now THIS should be what Nobel Peace Prizes are given out for. Not 'potential' to enact change.

Sunday Comics - the Week in Review

The week that was. Here's where we tie it into a bow, or cover stuff that missed the main page.

First off, there was an ACTUAL media witch hunt this week. No, I don't care for her policies on masturbation and I don't think she's going to represent the main stream Delaware citizens well - but pulling tapes from a decade ago, about some casual contact she had with a high school dabbler of witchcraft... that's beyond stupid. And will backfire, and be available for every single election moving forward.

Speaking of the GOP - the GOP has discussed trying to 'de-fund' the healthcare mess.
And Mock-mood went to the UN this week....
And some bozos said that the Great Recession Ended... but what they didn't mention is that we may have pulled out of it for a couple quarters last year -- but might also be in a recession right now... which, for most of us, seems to be the case.
And speaking of freefall...
And not 'getting' what the rabble (the main stream American Voter) is yelling about.
And Pharaoh Rahmses is preparing his run by clearing out Jessie Jackson Jr. "Reports have surfaced" that Jackson was involved in the scandal to buy President Obama’s former Senate seat.

According to The Chicago Sun Times, Raghuveer Nayak, a fundraiser for Jackson, told authorities that Jackson asked him to offer former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich $6 million to appoint Jackson to the vacated seat.

Okay, but the bigger news is that he was also having an affair with a Washington, D.C. restaurant hostess! We can forgive the first - as JJJ himself says, "I was never charged." Okay - but not sleeping with your wife?! Outrage! Horror! My GOD, Man!

Chicago - unless you can knock this carpetbagger out at the ballot box, you're looking at your new Pharaoh.
That's the week that was - let's hope we make it to next Sunday. Hope to see you here.

Poster

I might have to hang this in my dorm room.

Saturday Morning Cartoons

What if the video game Civ had lyrics?


In honor of Civilization V’s recent release, Brentalfloss steps up to answer the question that has plagued humanity since 2005: What if the Civilization IV menu theme had lyrics officially endorsed by “Baba Yetu” composer Christopher Tin?

"It's probably the most geeky thing I've ever seen" ~Blasphemes reader.

2 Lies in 2 Seconds

I don't trust either of these lying morons.

Mock-Mood Ahmadinejad says he might end enrichment-- whoa, wasn't he NOT enriching in the first place? Caught ya, asshole.

BTW - getting up in front of the world spewing out conspiracy theories isn't very tasteful. At least pick popular conspiracy theories - the ones that are at least 1/3 plausible, rather than the false flag 9/11 to help Israel one. Throw out the 'birth certificate', or something topical, Mock-Mood. How about how UFO activity over your nuclear sites have gone from zero to 'lots'?

Oh, those might not be aliens. They're probably Israelis tagging your sites.

And Pelosi says the tax cut vote might happen before she becomes a lame duck speaker. So, would that be to confirm your class warfare trick to the voters back home - or, what, exactly?

Send in The Clowns

When the Bozos and Clowns are testifying before Congress - the Republic is hereby ended.

"A clown in the circus who doesn't hide the fact that he is a clown. Now, who's the clown who asked him to testify?"

Stephen Colbert, in character, spoke to Congress today.
Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was not amused. "Mr. Colbert's submitted statement was considerably different from the one that he presented," he said. As if Mr. Conyers deserves or commands any respect? It's hard to have a sense of humor when your wife is sentenced to 37 months in jail on bribery charges.

He submitted serious testimony to a judiciary subcommittee hearing on the issue of farm workers and immigration, but when it was his turn to speak, the talk show host slipped into character as a satirical conservative to make his points in support of more favored status for migrant farm laborers.

Yes, yes. Laughs. Ha ha.

I get the point that he's trying to bring attention to this issue - however, jokes aside - when you can't take anything seriously - you're going to wonder why the Republicans are re-running the 1990's -- and there isn't anything left to laugh about.

Bono: One, for me, none for you

Bono's Charity ONE took $14,993,873 in donations from philanthropists, of which a thrifty $184,732 was distributed to charity.

More than $8m was spent on executive and employee salaries.

Hey, I think I've found our Hypocrite of the Week!

Gamers More Perceptive

University of Rochester has discovered an alarming phenomenon: Playing video games trains the brains of players to be more perceptive than the rest of us:

"According to the researchers, video game players develop a heightened sensitivity to what is going on around them, which improves a variety of general skills, for example: multitasking, driving, reading small print, keeping track of friends in a crowd, and navigating around town."

Gamers also become better at probabilistic inference, which is the ability to flexibly calculate probability based on whatever is going on.

That's great, but it still isn't going to get these guys laid anytime soon.... we're just going to KNOW we're not going to get laid.

Religion is Wacky

If this happens regularly at your church, you may want to...
1) Not go back
2) Not stream it live on the internet.

Problems with Obama-care

I love the word Obamacare -- you know the Democrats came up with that first, because it ever so slightly sounds like Obama Cares. He doesn't. Neither do his cronies in the House and Senate.

Folks are (finally) taking a second look at that nonsense that whipped up the Tea Parties in to existence in the first place... here's some take aways to have at your next wine tasting party to, you know, play devil's advocate.

- The bill does not decrease health care costs for the government. That's why Democrats were ordered not to say that anymore on the campaign stumps. According to Medicare's actuary, it will increase costs. The same is likely to happen for privately funded health care. Surprise. Not free.

-Elective abortions are covered, contrary to promises that it wouldn't, but these will likely be tied up for years in litigation, and in the end may not survive the court challenge. And that's a good use of everyone's time and money, isn't it?

The bill does not allow employees or most small businesses to keep the coverage they have and like. As 69 percent of employees, 80 percent of small businesses, and 64 percent of large businesses will be forced to change coverage, probably to more expensive plans.

- Get ready for an increase insurance premiums -- in some places, it already has. Insurers, suddenly forced to cover clients' children until age 26, have little choice but to raise premiums, and they attribute to mandates of 1 to 9 percent increase. Mr. Obama's only method of preventing massive rate increases so far has been to threaten insurers. And Pelosi's on point as that attack dog.

-Seasonal employers -- especially the ski and amusement park industries -- to pay huge fines, cut hours, or lay off employees.

- States are forced to guarantee not only payment but also treatment for indigent Medicaid patients. With many doctors now refusing to take Medicaid (because they lose money doing so), cash-strapped states could be sued and ordered to increase reimbursement rates beyond their means. Ooops. Wonder why the 10th Amendment is being brought up?

- Huge nonmedical tax compliance burdens are placed on small business. It will require them to mail IRS 1099 tax forms to every vendor from whom they make purchases of more than $600 in a year, with duplicate forms going to the Internal Revenue Service. Like so much else in the 2,500-page bill, our senators and representatives were apparently unaware of this when they passed the measure. Oh, is that a problem?

- The IRS is ordered to confiscate part or all of your tax refund if you do not purchase a qualified insurance plan. The bill funds 16,000 new IRS agents to make sure Americans stay in line. This is what tea people, and everyone should be complaining about - this IS the expansion of government, and not in a 'I'm here to help' kind of way

If you don't know why people are upset, or wonder why the Democrats are scared stupid of the November 2nd referendum on their job to 'fix everything the Republicans broke' - print this handy guide out. Email it to your friend the journalist, and see if they can defend it as well as they did before it passed.

Batteries No Longer Included

China Blocks Export of Crucial Minerals to Japan as Dispute Escalates
Begun, the Batteries Wars, Has.

Sharply raising the stakes in a dispute over Japan's detention of a Chinese fishing trawler captain, the Chinese government has placed a trade embargo on all exports to Japan of a crucial category of minerals used in products like hybrid cars, iPads, wind turbines and... guided missiles.

Chinese customs officials are halting all shipments to Japan of so-called rare earth elements, industry experts said on Thursday morning.

SO - What're you going to do about it Japan?! Yeah, you?! Without your fancy batteries? Huh?
What? You're going to mine asteroids and the Moon?! Isn't that a bit drastic? In a 500 foot battle robot suit?

(Go on, Japan, I triple dog dare you - can't be any more expensive than fighting in Afghanistan!)

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day....

"They claim it’s democracy. I claim it’s an abuse of democracy. You can find 3 percent against the Constitution of the United States, 3 percent against democracy, against the Bible."

DONALD L. PLUSQUELLIC, mayor of Akron, Ohio, who survived a recall election after opponents gained the required 3,200 signatures in a city of more than 200,000.

NYTimes is running an article about all these mayors who are getting recalled across the country.

Oh, it's so tough running a little town. And when the people see you're raising their water taxes, or doing something inappropriate they boot your soft tooshie? Waaa.

In the case of Donald Plusquellic, the bad people in town who didn't pay attention only had to get signatures of 20 percent of those who voted in the last election. But because Mr. Plusquellic had run unopposed in his last general election, few people had voted, so fewer than 3,200 signatures were required to force a recall election in a city of more than 200,000 people.

See, even if you weren't paying attention - you can still go after this guy... but he prevailed over the recall. Well, what a waste of my time reading this stupid article!

Bottom line, you're lucky to have a drain pull. The mayors are on notice, and you folks lucky to have a drain pull - try to beat him in the polls first. Then you can flush 'em if they're a problem for you.

Sugar: The Bitter Truth

0
"In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women."

Electric Boogaloo

The Republicans are set to unveil their new "Contract With America II: No Really, This Time We Mean It". The 1990's contract has gotten some credit for the Newt Gingrich Republican Revolution, which was about as revolutionary as a decision to change crack dealers.

In 1994 Newt Gingrich and the Gang put out a Contract on America - er, 'with' - introduced six weeks before the 1994 Congressional election and signed by all but two of the Republican members of the House and all of the Party's non-incumbent Republican Congressional candidates; provisions included 12 year-term limits.. ironically this bill rejected by the U.S. House 227-204. By then Newt was Speaker.

Remember all the hype about cutting government spending? Of the departments and programs that the Republicans pledged to eliminate, their combined budgets had grown by 13% by the year 2000. I repeat, what's going to happen when the Tea Party people get hit with more broken promises out of their candidates they backed? What's going to happen when these same double-crossing double-speak establishment Republicans return to their usual corporate masters, er, I mean, interests?

Really, what happens then? Start thinking about it.

Love... Love Will Tear Us Apart, Again.

Clever.
Except I don't think they understand what the original meaning of the band is derived from...

The Joy Division, a group of Jewish women forced to work as prostitutes in Nazi concentration camps, as depicted in the 1955 novel The House of Dolls or Kippumjo, translated variously as "Pleasure Brigade" or "Joy Division", a collective of females maintained by the head of state of North Korea for the purpose of providing pleasure and entertainment to officials.

SUV's are literally killing the Green Party movement

From the article...

"State police said the driver apparently thought she had hit a deer or another animal and realized what had happened only when she arrived home and found Pettigrew's bicycle trapped under her car. Pettigrew was not dragged by the vehicle but suffered severe injuries, police said."

Even if her presumption had been true, who hits a large animal with their car and doesn't stop to inspect the damage immediately afterward? - Before you say secret government agents, let's find the easier answer. Drunk people. Or super dumbasses who are yapping away on their phones.

"When she arrived home and saw the bicycle, she assumed it was something else."

Yeah, seeing as only bears and giraffes ride bicycles?

And, for the record, the SUV didn't kill her - it was the DRIVER of the SUV.

Bad To Worse?

Word on Capitol Hill is that Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee with a well-worn passport and the hero of Vietnam, is being discussed as a replacement to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who’s been hinting of an exit before the end of President Obama’s first term. Kerry, as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has acted as an emissary for Obama. Should he leave, Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, in a bitter reelection fight, would be in line to chair the committee. If he loses, it might fall to New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, whose goal is the fall of Cuba’s Castro regime. Even though the Fall of Cuba is not a policy Obama seems to back.

Is Hillary leaving because she has something better to do?

The only choice worse than Kerry would be Joe Biden.

Big Departure

Top White House Economic Advisor to Depart

Lawrence H. Summers, who for nearly two years has been the architect of President Obama's economic policies, is leaving the White House to return to Harvard University at the end of
the year, the White House has announced.

I wonder if Lawrence is offering a discount, or will be teaching "Keynesian Economics - Theory and Practice, and Why It's WRONG"

Jesus on other planets...

He told us to love one other, so we nailed him to a tree. I guess that was bad, huh?

Don't Ask, Do Not Pass Go.

Military Spending Bill Is Stalled by Procedural Vote in Senate

The Senate voted against taking up a major military bill that includes a provision allowing the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell policy" regarding gay soldiers.

To be clear, no one is a winner here. You're a jerk if you vote for it, and a jerk if you don't. And the boys in harm's way are being told they aren't going to get their paychecks while the Senate plays politics.

Senate Republicans blocked debate of the bill -- the huge, annual authorization of military programs -- after the majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, said he would attach a number of the Democrats' election-year priorities to it and also move to limit the amendments to be offered by Republicans. That's the bi-partisanship Mr. Obama was talking about for the last two years, right?

The vote was 56 to 43.

Wait, doesn't Harry have 59 votes? He can't even keep his own party in line?

Congress has approved the annual Pentagon authorization bill for 48 consecutive years. Lets pause and reflect on THAT for a moment, can we? Remember when Ike warned of the Industrial Military Complex? Yeah - that's kind of what he was talking about. 48 years in a row, eh?

It seems likely that the measure will be brought up again after the election in the relatively calmer -- if somewhat unpredictable -- atmosphere of a lame duck session. You know, when fewer people are paying attention or playing politics with what would otherwise be a procedural vote.

Maybe we should be asking larger questions - like why that sucker has been passed 48 years in a row - with no question. Maybe why we've spent 10 trillion dollars since WWII being the world's police man. We don't seem to want the job anymore, and you'd think our military contractors would make more money selling goods and services if there were more customers, like Japan and Germany?

In the meantime, playing a game of political cat and also cat isn't really playing nice, now is it? No matter what Lady GaGa says.

Faith Healing

Immaculate hip surgery, courtesy of Emeril Lagasse?

Dr. Food

Doctor, I think you're doing it wrong...

Topical

Wrigley Bomber

A 22-year-old Chicago man was charged by federal prosecutors with plotting to detonate a bomb near Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team.

Sami Samir Hassoun, who is identified in a statement by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Lebanese-born Chicago resident, was arrested yesterday by members of the local Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Hassoun is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and with trying to destroy real property using an explosive, according to court papers. He is due to make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Cox in Chicago today, according to Randall Samborn, a spokesman for Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald.

Hassoun early yesterday [Sunday?] morning planted an inert device given to him by an FBI informant, which he was told was a bomb, in a trashcan south of Wrigley Field, according to the government. Prosecutors alleged that he intended to injure people frequenting neighborhood bars and clubs, according to a complaint filed at the federal courthouse.

Wait, wasn't Dave Mathews playing Wrigley?

And isn't the FBI giving him a bomb to play with some kind of baiting?

Upon hearing the story, Hassoun wanted changes in City Hall. Hmmm... that's not how that works, Sir.

Tax Hike Debate

Mr. Obama wants to extend the Bush tax cuts for everyone except the wealthiest 2 percent, but Republicans and some moderate Democrats argue that a tax increase on wealthy Americans will further weaken the economy. Both parties know their position on the issue could have an impact in November....

IT'S THE SPENDING, STUPID!

Or, you could even say, It's the STUPID SPENDING!

I expect to see these on T-Shirts, people.

The GOP Front Runner is... Who?

Over the weekend, a straw poll by Republicans picked Indiana's Mike Pence the win over Palin, Romney, Huckabee and everyone else. Palin was on the bottom... there's a joke there somewhere.

He's chairman of the House Republican Conference and part of the congressional leadership, Pence, whose district sprawls across the eastern part of Indiana, remains unknown to many conservatives. He introduced himself in the speech:

"Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes,” said Pence. “All you really need to know is that I'm the father of three teenagers (hence the white hair), I have been married for 25 years to an elementary school teacher who is the love of my life -- Karen Pence -- and I'm a Christian, a Conservative and a Republican, in that order.”

Great. Just what we need.

While Pence, who first won election to Congress in 2000, criticized the Obama administration and Democrats in control of Congress, he also lashed out at policies backed by former President George W. Bush. Well, that's topical.

"Even Republicans in Congress are getting back to fiscal discipline and reform,” said Pence. “Let's be honest, four years ago Republicans in Congress didn't just lose their majority, they lost their way. When I opposed No Child Left Behind, when I opposed the Medicare prescription drug bill, and when I opposed the Wall Street bailout, I knew that if we kept acting like big government liberals, the American people were eventually going to go with the professionals. And they did.

"The truth is our party in Congress walked away from the principles that minted our national governing majority and the American people walked away from us,” added Pence.

"These are serious times,” continued Pence. “A nation conceived in liberty has come of age in bondage to big government. We've lost respect to the world. We are going broke. And our social and cultural fabric is unraveling. People are scared.”

And he's the guy to fix it?

So - in my opinion - he's a nice guy, and parrots Ron Paul? So he's the Ron Paul Lite?

A source to Blasphemes has revealed: "

His politics are terrible, but what a nice guy." I think being a nice guy gets you pretty far in politics, actually ... Palin seems to generate a lot of nasty comments from people who've interacted with her personally.

Ron Paul Lite

She's a Witch! Can We Burn Her?

Wasting NO time at all Mrs. O'Donnell of the Tea Party got hit with some remarks she made to Bill Maher Bill Maher, [clip] about a decade ago by Fox News.

So in High School she watched 'the Craft' and bought a Parker Brother's Ouija board... who didn't? Woah! What's with all the pitchforks and torches? Hold on! What about nice political discourse?

Question is - was this from Karl Rove or from Obama's people - or both?

This kind of attack screams out that the oligarchy is very, very afraid of losing some control. Nail her to the stump for her policies or her stance on masturbation - which is cheating on your wife, according to the candidate -- or on her complete inexperience -- not this shiat. And here's why - if you attack a candidate on what they did in High School, let me tell all of you - no one will be electable. And then it slides all the way to Pre-K when your candidate had 'cooties', or at least that's what a source who remains anonymous said she heard on the playground that day.

Really - this is where we are in American Politics? It's over folks. Pack your stuff. Time to flee.

The Week In Review - Sunday Comics

The week that was...
Big wins for the Tea Party people. No one seems to think that their primary wins will carry over to wins in the general - and in certain races, like Delaware, I agree. However, lashing out with uber conservative ideas on how to run the country against the most liberal ideas on how to run the country seems to be the order of the pendulum. No one suspected it would swing so hard, so fast. The Democrats are banking on the idea that the far right fringe is distasteful to the larger audience in November.
BUT, the Democrats, continue to fail to understand that raising taxes when people are unemployed somehow raises anger and decreases their chances of coming back next cycle. I also think their class warfare tactic is limp, and no one is buying it anymore.
That said...
But what's going to happen when the Tea Party people figure out there's nothing left to do, and are just as corrupt and ineffectual as the morons that they're replacing? That's when it'll get really entertaining. We'll have about a week left to prepare for the Zombie Apocalypse once that happens. There's enough warning signs out there...
But like I said, it'll be entertaining to watch. Palin and Romney were out beating the Iowa bushels of corn this week.
And the Bush Tax cuts were the debate-du jour - keep them, lose them, how about just half? I have an idea, starve the beast - make the cuts, and then you'll see riots like in Greece.
Either way, these guys aren't going anywhere... Just ask Chicago after Daley leaves.
See you next week