Over the past week and a half, I have been researching the union protests in Wisconsin with considerable interest. What we are seeing is not only a reversal of script considering who some of the more vocal of protesters have been the past two years, but we are seeing the tactics of the modern American Right used against them.
Chief of these is the idea first espoused by a saint of the Right, Ayn Rand.
It's called "Going Galt".
First, some background.
The entire premise of Rand's seemingly endless preamble - which culminated with a 70 plus page speech from Galt on what would become known as the foundation of "objectivism" - is that is the "producers" separated themselves from the rest of the country, that they would prosper, as people relied on them - as they "produce the wealth" that all Americans enjoy.
For the avid reader of Rand, her prose is akin to Holy Writ, but upon further examination of the woman, she comes across as more of a hypocrite than a patron saint of modern American Right theology.
So how does this connect with the 14 lawmakers in Wisconsin that have left the state to prevent a "quorum" in the State House?
First, we have to look at how many of the loudest voices on the Right are criticizing the tactics they once embraced.
Vocal protests, suddenly the "thing to do" amongst "real Americans" after the election of Barack Obama have become something to joke about, to smear, to claim are nothing more than astro-turf gatherings that benefit no one but the "hidden" behind the scenes. Naturally, this was to be expected, as the modern American Right are want to embrace the Pee Wee Herman defense on a variety of issues.
But what has happened of late, and something that the 14 Democrats from Wisconsin might not have realized, is that they are using Ayn Rand's/John Galt's positions against them. And as this is something difficult for the modern American Right to reconcile - considering how they rallied around Sarah Palin's swift exeunt from Alaska - it becomes all too apparent that the double edges of this "Galtist" standpoint likely won't work for either party like they want.
For the Right in America, this idea of "leaving" would benefit no one outside of those that they idolize - the "producer". For the Left, those that "leave" are likely to face some form of punishment while those they are helping will see the bulk of the benefit. And in that, we see the clear separation of how the "Galt Cultists" in modern day America have a distorted view of whom needs representation.
That being said, the union workforce in America - in relation to the remainder of workers in America - is quite small. The number floats around 7%. But what is happening in Wisconsin has more to do with "disparate impact" than anyone on the modern American Right is willing to admit. It starts with teachers in Wisconsin and then spreads through the country like wildfire. And it's already happening in Indiana and Jersey. But why teachers? That's one of the real questions here.
Public school teachers have been a target of the modern American Right for decades, and will likely remain one regardless of what happens in Wisconsin. Why? The answer is one that is ultimately far too simple to be true, but it is. Public teachers that have organized simply desire a minimum of compensation for what they get each year and what they would get upon retirement. And to that, we need to face the reality that the Right in America have a seriously distorted view of what teachers make and what they do each day.
Does the average public school teacher make a salary equivalent to the average CEO? Not by a long shot. How about "Federal Employees"? No. But that is another point where the modern American Right shows their utter hypocrisy - not only in their accounting used but in whom they are really speaking about. Are we to believe that ALL Federal employees agree with and vote for Democrats? No, but this is what stories of this nature are designed to produce - a false equivalency. But this also goes by to what the Right often pushes as one of their pillars - being held responsible for your individual choice. Was one person forced into working for local and state government while another forced to take a job with a private company? No.
What will happen to the 14 Democrats from Wisconsin when/if they return to their State Capital? The narrative from the modern American Right reveals much, but nothing that would do much but benefit one side. Why are teachers being targeted? And that's the real question here. It's all a matter of perception versus perspective, as the former is being seriously skewed.
This goes beyond teachers, beyond Wisconsin, and far beyond simply just the average workers desire to fair treatment in the American workplace. This is about creating a wider income disparity, a decrease in the middle class, and a further elevation of monstrous private sector usurpers that want to control government to protect their own interests. This is the M.O. of the modern American Right, and it will ultimately see the downfall of even the least of them - they just aren't willing to admit that yet.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Right Winger Says What?
In which Fox"News" cobbles together a panel designed to create the appearance of "balance" and "knowledge" only to have Micheal Scheuer come up with this whopper of a line at the 1:47 mark.
So, Americans hoping for a Democracy in a foreign country that is primarily Muslim are now labeled "Marxists"? Wait, the modern American Right are now Marxists because of what they wanted for Iraq and Afghanistan?
And this guy was allegedly some "terrorism expert"?
ASIDE: While Scheuer's laughable proclamation stands on it's own as a signifier of precisely how "buzzword crazy" the Right has gone in the last two years, it's almost equally as worthy to note how the modern American Right are worried about Egypt not being sufficiently "secular" while all but demanding Theocratic Rule here in America.
So, Americans hoping for a Democracy in a foreign country that is primarily Muslim are now labeled "Marxists"? Wait, the modern American Right are now Marxists because of what they wanted for Iraq and Afghanistan?
And this guy was allegedly some "terrorism expert"?
ASIDE: While Scheuer's laughable proclamation stands on it's own as a signifier of precisely how "buzzword crazy" the Right has gone in the last two years, it's almost equally as worthy to note how the modern American Right are worried about Egypt not being sufficiently "secular" while all but demanding Theocratic Rule here in America.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Contender Saturation Point
Has the modern American Right worked itself into such a frenzy over finding anyone to defeat Obama in the upcoming 2012 election cycle that they have already been defeated themselves?
That was my first thought after watching this?
And the Right are clearly not pleased when their overzealous nature in regards to "trumping" Obama's ability at a second term.
Just think about the names that are already in the contender pool: Palin, Bachman, Huckabee, Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul, and Trump. Not one of them has the solid credentials that the modern American Right claim are required, save perhaps Romney. And as far as Trump is concerned, he's more of a "self-promoter" and is likely doing this simply to boost his own visibility.
This is the problematic nature of the Right's 2012 narrative - favoring the gimmick, the rhetoric, over solid policy for the country. It seems that with every news cycle, the current situation in Egypt for example, the Right is more concerned with speaking about how Obama is failing at handling it, while not offering examples of how it should be handled.
Make no mistake, the 2012 election cycle is now in full swing, and it's already getting quite interesting.
EXIT QUESTION: After Ron Paul swept the CPAC straw poll last year, and Fox"News" doing their best to spin it as a fluke, or that the Paulbots rigged the results, who do you think will win this year. Certainly not Palin, as this is the third year in a row she snubbed the convention.
That was my first thought after watching this?
And the Right are clearly not pleased when their overzealous nature in regards to "trumping" Obama's ability at a second term.
Just think about the names that are already in the contender pool: Palin, Bachman, Huckabee, Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, Paul, and Trump. Not one of them has the solid credentials that the modern American Right claim are required, save perhaps Romney. And as far as Trump is concerned, he's more of a "self-promoter" and is likely doing this simply to boost his own visibility.
This is the problematic nature of the Right's 2012 narrative - favoring the gimmick, the rhetoric, over solid policy for the country. It seems that with every news cycle, the current situation in Egypt for example, the Right is more concerned with speaking about how Obama is failing at handling it, while not offering examples of how it should be handled.
Make no mistake, the 2012 election cycle is now in full swing, and it's already getting quite interesting.
EXIT QUESTION: After Ron Paul swept the CPAC straw poll last year, and Fox"News" doing their best to spin it as a fluke, or that the Paulbots rigged the results, who do you think will win this year. Certainly not Palin, as this is the third year in a row she snubbed the convention.
Enjoy The Silence
In the continuing fight to stop H.R.#3, I'm wondering why the prominent female voices within the modern American Right are so silent.
We hear all this talk about "protecting our children" when it comes to taxes, but why is there complete and deafening silence in reference to the GOP/Tea Bagger representatives doing all they can to re-define rape and ultimately do much more?
The Queen Mother of the modern American Right, Sarah Palin, uses her children in every way she and her handlers can conceive. Her daughter is even out on the "no sex" circuit while someone is at home taking care of her toddler - and I'm guessing it's not Grandmama Grizzly, as she is too busy with her to-do list provided from her Fox"News" producers.
All that aside, why is Palin ignoring how this re-definition will harm women? The most likely reason is that it will not directly impact her, and more than likely just about all of the "top shelf" female voices of the modern American Right. Who it will harm are those that the Right refuses to acknowledge even exist, regardless of the legislation in question.
One can't but wonder what it's like to be a female who belongs to and champions a movement that has nothing but abject disdain for the choices of women regarding a variety of issues. No matter what a Republican voter will tell you, the last two groups of people whom are considered when votes are cast are women and minorities. And the sad reality is that there are far more women singing the praises of the modern American Right today than there were back when Bush was still occupying the White House.
Every woman who talks about the merits and "moral relevancy" of H.R. #3 should be challenged and questioned on why they would support such a draconian measure against a woman's very safety. Sadly, these questions will not come from the Right, as the constant chant is "tow the line, no matter who falters".
We hear all this talk about "protecting our children" when it comes to taxes, but why is there complete and deafening silence in reference to the GOP/Tea Bagger representatives doing all they can to re-define rape and ultimately do much more?
The Queen Mother of the modern American Right, Sarah Palin, uses her children in every way she and her handlers can conceive. Her daughter is even out on the "no sex" circuit while someone is at home taking care of her toddler - and I'm guessing it's not Grandmama Grizzly, as she is too busy with her to-do list provided from her Fox"News" producers.
All that aside, why is Palin ignoring how this re-definition will harm women? The most likely reason is that it will not directly impact her, and more than likely just about all of the "top shelf" female voices of the modern American Right. Who it will harm are those that the Right refuses to acknowledge even exist, regardless of the legislation in question.
One can't but wonder what it's like to be a female who belongs to and champions a movement that has nothing but abject disdain for the choices of women regarding a variety of issues. No matter what a Republican voter will tell you, the last two groups of people whom are considered when votes are cast are women and minorities. And the sad reality is that there are far more women singing the praises of the modern American Right today than there were back when Bush was still occupying the White House.
Every woman who talks about the merits and "moral relevancy" of H.R. #3 should be challenged and questioned on why they would support such a draconian measure against a woman's very safety. Sadly, these questions will not come from the Right, as the constant chant is "tow the line, no matter who falters".
The Airing Of Grievances
While the true face of Fox is celebrating the Palin/Santorum fight, there's always the morning damage control team to count on to provide the "context" needed.
It's not a surprise that Palin - the candidate that Fox"News" will ultimately back for President in 2012 - is tasked to challenge any and every high level GOP member just to see how the Right Wing voting populace will react. Once it looks like Palin has made sufficient headway, her target is then tasked with bowing out from the fight as gracefully as possible in order to save enough face with the modern American Right that they can continue to be seen as a relevant voice.
Their games are so transparent, aren't they......
It's not a surprise that Palin - the candidate that Fox"News" will ultimately back for President in 2012 - is tasked to challenge any and every high level GOP member just to see how the Right Wing voting populace will react. Once it looks like Palin has made sufficient headway, her target is then tasked with bowing out from the fight as gracefully as possible in order to save enough face with the modern American Right that they can continue to be seen as a relevant voice.
Their games are so transparent, aren't they......
Sending The Message
In light of the uprising in Egypt, the modern American Right have been taking after the Obama administration as one that was "unprepared" and "continually surprised by surprises". Their narrative was one that Obama was and is unable to respond to crisis around the world.
So what happens when the Obama administration begins to utilize modern social-networking to show support for change in the Arabic world? The modern American Right eats what they are spoon fed
Naturally, this story was met by the fine, patriotic, folks at Fox"Nation" as just another in a long line of stories designed to do one thing and one thing only: to show that Obama is a Muslim and favors a Muslim takeover of America.
But what if it's a story about how Obama wants to communicate their intentions with the American people - another complaint leveled by the modern American Right, as they claim he isn't including us in the "national conversation" regarding issues like the unrest in Egypt?
Just ask Fox"Nation" darling and serial misinformer Jim Hoft:
Funny that the movement that demands instant gratification regarding a whole host of issues would be against the Obama administration showing a sense of immediacy, especially considering that's what they ask for on a daily basis.
So what happens when the Obama administration begins to utilize modern social-networking to show support for change in the Arabic world? The modern American Right eats what they are spoon fed
Hoping to widen the audience for its mini-pronouncements of U.S. policy amid growing unrest in the Middle East, the State Department has begun sending Twitter messages in Arabic.
The department’s first entry into Arabic language micro-blogging appeared on Twitter early Wednesday. It’s a post saying that Washington recognizes the “historic role” of social media in the Arab world. “We want to be in your conversation,” it said.
The next posts reiterated President Barack Obama’s stance that only Egyptians can decide their future and summarized Vice President Joe Biden’s Tuesday call to Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman.
The Twitter account is “USA bilAraby,” which means “USA in Arabic.” It had 40 followers within hours of appearing.
Naturally, this story was met by the fine, patriotic, folks at Fox"Nation" as just another in a long line of stories designed to do one thing and one thing only: to show that Obama is a Muslim and favors a Muslim takeover of America.
But what if it's a story about how Obama wants to communicate their intentions with the American people - another complaint leveled by the modern American Right, as they claim he isn't including us in the "national conversation" regarding issues like the unrest in Egypt?
Just ask Fox"Nation" darling and serial misinformer Jim Hoft:
Just like Hugo Chavez, Barack Obama wants to ram his way onto your television sets.
Maybe when he starts interrupting “Glee” and “American Idol” more people will wake up to this man’s intrusion on our lives.
Castro does this in Cuba too, doesn’t he?
Funny that the movement that demands instant gratification regarding a whole host of issues would be against the Obama administration showing a sense of immediacy, especially considering that's what they ask for on a daily basis.
Entitlement Mentality
It's not a secret that MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell gives a hard hitting interview and actually turns the tables on his conservative guests by treating them the way people like Hannity, O'Reilly, and Meghan Kelly treat them on their respective shows.
The same was true on The Last Word recently when Congressman Steve King was on:
When a prominent member of the modern American Right is pressed on the issues - or even chided for their ridiculous positions - the cry from their supplicants is one of "stop beingso mean"!
When examining how the Right completely distorts and misinforms regarding their how their "leadership" is questioned, it reveals that they have an overbearing sense of entitlement in regards to media exposure. Granted, it's a legitimate complaint to point out media distortions of a given position regardless of your socio-political bent, but to claim that a particular member of your political party HAS to be interviewed a certain way, then that shows a lack of credibility and honestly before the first question is even asked.
ASIDE: You'll notice that King immediately launched into a rationale regarding how many times O'Reilly interrupted Obama - a topic that was discussed on many left/progressive blogs - but was not even the reason why King was brought on O'Donnell's program. What is more striking about King's excuse is that it is predicated on the notion of "getting even". That's pretty much par for the course, considering how the new Tea Bagger Congress is approaching their legislative duties.
The same was true on The Last Word recently when Congressman Steve King was on:
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When a prominent member of the modern American Right is pressed on the issues - or even chided for their ridiculous positions - the cry from their supplicants is one of "stop beingso mean"!
When examining how the Right completely distorts and misinforms regarding their how their "leadership" is questioned, it reveals that they have an overbearing sense of entitlement in regards to media exposure. Granted, it's a legitimate complaint to point out media distortions of a given position regardless of your socio-political bent, but to claim that a particular member of your political party HAS to be interviewed a certain way, then that shows a lack of credibility and honestly before the first question is even asked.
ASIDE: You'll notice that King immediately launched into a rationale regarding how many times O'Reilly interrupted Obama - a topic that was discussed on many left/progressive blogs - but was not even the reason why King was brought on O'Donnell's program. What is more striking about King's excuse is that it is predicated on the notion of "getting even". That's pretty much par for the course, considering how the new Tea Bagger Congress is approaching their legislative duties.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Memoirs Of An Abstinence Fairy
How in the world can a girl at barely the age of 20 even be considering writing a memoir?
Well, when that girl is Bristol Palin, it's actually expected of you.
Interesting to note is that Amazon has removed the link to Bristol's book page. Could this have been due to pressure from the Palin militia? Possibly.
Is Bristol even writing this? Considering that Mama Palin has her Facebook posts written for her, and that every word from this family is carefully scrutinized - not to mention how their damage control team works overtime should they ever go off script - I'm guessing that there's a team of writers cranking out pages that they will bring to Bristol to "review" and then later have her pose for a cover to make it look official.
The larger point is that this is just another piece of Palin-Porn expressly designed to keep their mouth-agape followers thinking they are an important part of the American socio-political landscape, even the "saviors of the future".
At nearly 36, I've had some great adventures, experienced glorious highs and been to the depths of sadness and horror. I've sought out the excitement that life has to offer, tried to learn as much as I can, and had my own measure of "celebrity" at one point or another, but don't even think that my life is so spectacular that I believe it would sell a book. The unchecked hubris of the Palin family is something to marvel at in this regard.
However, I'm not to blind to not realize that being the child of a prominent political opportunist like Sarah Palin has placed you into some very interesting and I would even go so far as to say uncomfortable positions. But then the money starts coming in and people like Sarah and Bristol start to become comfortable with whatever is thrown at them. Soon after, all they had to do was hold out their hand and they could have and do whatever they wanted - or told that they needed.
Look for this book to be launched to the top of the NYT Bestseller list in the same way that all Right Wing tomes make it there - bulk purchases.
So what will the title be?
Well, when that girl is Bristol Palin, it's actually expected of you.
Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will soon be able to add "author" to her resume with the release of an as-yet-untitled memoir set to hit bookshelves this summer.
As noted by Political Wire, an Amazon listing for an "Untitled Bristol Palin Memoir" -- in hardcover no less -- has been created, announcing that the 304-page book will be available for a little over $17.
PopEater reported late last year that the 20-year-old mother was exploring a variety of options to cash in on the visibility provided by her successful, but not victorious, run on ABC's hit show, "Dancing With the Stars." Apart from the book deal and speaking engagements -- which no longer include a panel at Washington University's "Sex Week" -- a source also told PopEater that future jobs might include a role on another reality-TV show and as a spokeswoman for a fashion line.
According to the Amazon page, the book will be published by William Morrow & Co for release on June 21.
Interesting to note is that Amazon has removed the link to Bristol's book page. Could this have been due to pressure from the Palin militia? Possibly.
Is Bristol even writing this? Considering that Mama Palin has her Facebook posts written for her, and that every word from this family is carefully scrutinized - not to mention how their damage control team works overtime should they ever go off script - I'm guessing that there's a team of writers cranking out pages that they will bring to Bristol to "review" and then later have her pose for a cover to make it look official.
The larger point is that this is just another piece of Palin-Porn expressly designed to keep their mouth-agape followers thinking they are an important part of the American socio-political landscape, even the "saviors of the future".
At nearly 36, I've had some great adventures, experienced glorious highs and been to the depths of sadness and horror. I've sought out the excitement that life has to offer, tried to learn as much as I can, and had my own measure of "celebrity" at one point or another, but don't even think that my life is so spectacular that I believe it would sell a book. The unchecked hubris of the Palin family is something to marvel at in this regard.
However, I'm not to blind to not realize that being the child of a prominent political opportunist like Sarah Palin has placed you into some very interesting and I would even go so far as to say uncomfortable positions. But then the money starts coming in and people like Sarah and Bristol start to become comfortable with whatever is thrown at them. Soon after, all they had to do was hold out their hand and they could have and do whatever they wanted - or told that they needed.
Look for this book to be launched to the top of the NYT Bestseller list in the same way that all Right Wing tomes make it there - bulk purchases.
So what will the title be?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Political Porn
If you're a member of the modern American Right, the past few days have been somewhat akin to a fever-dream. To put it in more blunt terminology, it's been like watching a Sarah Palin/Ronald Reagan sex tape.
And while you take time to reconcile that mental image, let's take a second to think about who both Reagan and Palin are.
I'll start off with some audio from Mike Stark and Rush Limbaugh, as that will provide some much needed context in a moment.
Two points before I get to Palin being touted as "She-Reagan":
First - Rush is clearly caught off guard. By claiming that Mike Stark wouldn't understand it if Rush were to explain the rationale behind the deification of Reagan, he's revealing his own ( and the entire modern American Right's ) inability to articulate specifics in favor of hyperbole.
Secondly - to claim that the Obama administration is aligning itself politically with Reagan is to twist the fabric of reality. What Rush is referencing is a poorly conceived narrative form a minority in the media who place Reagan and Obama side by side purely to draw a reaction from people like Limbaugh. It's less to do with actual policy comparisons or rationales than it is a catalyst to draw out a specific news cycle.
As for Palin - clearly "not letting a crisis go to waste" - she is less like Reagan than anyone within the modern American Right. Certainly, she has her crib notes memorized, but she - more than just about any aspiring Right Wing politico - lacks any and all ability to articulate in specifics what she would do/wants to do. After all, she is going to be running for President, let's not be naive about that.
What these two giants of Right Wing iconography have to offer is the ultimate in set-dressing for the upcoming 2012 election cycle. Reagan's clearly recorded legacy is being distorted ( more like completely ignored ) by the likes of Palin in order to attack the Obama administration purely because they have no alternative. Conversely, the Obama administration aren't exactly working from the positions they initially claimed they would. In that regard, I have to agree with Stark's statement to Limbaugh. If the Right in America would attempt to quell their continual hyperventilation, they would understand that Obama isn't the "tyrannical Socialist dictator" they claim he is.
The broader point of this is this - should the Right really be spending so much time molesting the corpse of Ronald Reagan, or should they be focused on what they told us they were focused on?
It all goes back to what it means to be a member of the modern American Right. In order to function and be recognized within their socio-political sphere, you have to live in a fantasy land and completely ignore the realities of your own country. If people like Palin, Limbaugh, and all of the other Regan worshipers would take time to see their country for what it is, then they would be more apt to formulate ideals that their opponents could at least consider.
I'm reminded of the claims that the Left in America were/are holding up Obama as some Solar Messiah, when the realities of his tenure has been marked with a majority within the American Left questioning his leadership decisions with marked intensity. From Guantanamo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Healthcare Reform, Financial Regulation, on down to the unfounded claims of his Kenyan birth, Obama could have taken the approach that many of us expected him to. But, he insisted on trying to meet as close to the middle as possible. The modern American Right's projection in this matter is unmasked in full.
And while you take time to reconcile that mental image, let's take a second to think about who both Reagan and Palin are.
I'll start off with some audio from Mike Stark and Rush Limbaugh, as that will provide some much needed context in a moment.
Two points before I get to Palin being touted as "She-Reagan":
First - Rush is clearly caught off guard. By claiming that Mike Stark wouldn't understand it if Rush were to explain the rationale behind the deification of Reagan, he's revealing his own ( and the entire modern American Right's ) inability to articulate specifics in favor of hyperbole.
Secondly - to claim that the Obama administration is aligning itself politically with Reagan is to twist the fabric of reality. What Rush is referencing is a poorly conceived narrative form a minority in the media who place Reagan and Obama side by side purely to draw a reaction from people like Limbaugh. It's less to do with actual policy comparisons or rationales than it is a catalyst to draw out a specific news cycle.
As for Palin - clearly "not letting a crisis go to waste" - she is less like Reagan than anyone within the modern American Right. Certainly, she has her crib notes memorized, but she - more than just about any aspiring Right Wing politico - lacks any and all ability to articulate in specifics what she would do/wants to do. After all, she is going to be running for President, let's not be naive about that.
What these two giants of Right Wing iconography have to offer is the ultimate in set-dressing for the upcoming 2012 election cycle. Reagan's clearly recorded legacy is being distorted ( more like completely ignored ) by the likes of Palin in order to attack the Obama administration purely because they have no alternative. Conversely, the Obama administration aren't exactly working from the positions they initially claimed they would. In that regard, I have to agree with Stark's statement to Limbaugh. If the Right in America would attempt to quell their continual hyperventilation, they would understand that Obama isn't the "tyrannical Socialist dictator" they claim he is.
The broader point of this is this - should the Right really be spending so much time molesting the corpse of Ronald Reagan, or should they be focused on what they told us they were focused on?
It all goes back to what it means to be a member of the modern American Right. In order to function and be recognized within their socio-political sphere, you have to live in a fantasy land and completely ignore the realities of your own country. If people like Palin, Limbaugh, and all of the other Regan worshipers would take time to see their country for what it is, then they would be more apt to formulate ideals that their opponents could at least consider.
I'm reminded of the claims that the Left in America were/are holding up Obama as some Solar Messiah, when the realities of his tenure has been marked with a majority within the American Left questioning his leadership decisions with marked intensity. From Guantanamo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Healthcare Reform, Financial Regulation, on down to the unfounded claims of his Kenyan birth, Obama could have taken the approach that many of us expected him to. But, he insisted on trying to meet as close to the middle as possible. The modern American Right's projection in this matter is unmasked in full.
Tea Bagger Quote Of The Day
From the Bride's Maid who dreams of being The Bride
But, I thought the mid-term Tea Bagger agenda was about job creation? What happened to that? Oh, you don't have any ideas, do you.......
I take my first political breath every morning with one thought in mind - repeal Obamacare...That's my motivation in life..."
But, I thought the mid-term Tea Bagger agenda was about job creation? What happened to that? Oh, you don't have any ideas, do you.......
The Socialism Bowl : Updated w/ "Last Word" Commentary
Last night's Super Bowl victory by the Green Bay Packers is largely being drowned out by commentary on Christina Aguilera botching a line from the National Anthem ( which every Right Winger in America is naturally taking advantage of - even alluding that they could have performed it better ) to making hay out of a car commercial that aired during the game.
And while the Packs certainly performed well - even getting some unintentional assistance from Big Ben via some poor passing - it shouldn't be ignored that the Green Bay Packers aren't owned by a single entity, but by "the people" :
The modern American Right are want to breathlessly claim that "Socialism" is evil and will destroy the country they claim to love and cherish. But it seems to have worked for the Packers. And while there is a Board of Directors that are tied to the team, the style of ownership plays a much larger role than most are willing to admit. Is it responsible for their win last night? I think in some small way it is, as the make-up of a team, in any sport, is largely predicated on the decisions of the team owners.
In all, it was a great game. All that's left now is to try to tolerate the complaints and conspiracy theories of all the Steeler's fans at work.
UPDATE
Lawrence comes through...............again
And while the Packs certainly performed well - even getting some unintentional assistance from Big Ben via some poor passing - it shouldn't be ignored that the Green Bay Packers aren't owned by a single entity, but by "the people" :
Since 1923, Green Bay has been the only publicly owned, nonprofit major professional sports team in the nation. And that doesn't just make the franchise a charming anachronism, or the answer to a barstool trivia question.
It makes them an example. A case study. A working model for a better way to organize and administer pro sports.
Namely, through public ownership, a system that could mitigate some of the most irritating ills plaguing our games -- and with little downside, to boot.
The modern American Right are want to breathlessly claim that "Socialism" is evil and will destroy the country they claim to love and cherish. But it seems to have worked for the Packers. And while there is a Board of Directors that are tied to the team, the style of ownership plays a much larger role than most are willing to admit. Is it responsible for their win last night? I think in some small way it is, as the make-up of a team, in any sport, is largely predicated on the decisions of the team owners.
In all, it was a great game. All that's left now is to try to tolerate the complaints and conspiracy theories of all the Steeler's fans at work.
UPDATE
Lawrence comes through...............again
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It Wasn't A Boxing Match
That, however, doesn't stop Fox"News" from claiming that there should be a "winner" to talk about.
Really?
.....but it wasn't much of an interview either.
Granted, this was the first part of a multi-part interview in which O'Reilly was more concerned with ratings rather than conducing any type of hard-hitting Q&A session.
And right on schedule, the fine, patriotic, folks at Fox"Nation" are framing the interview in their predictable way - and allowing unblushing racism and calls for assassination to go unchallenged.
But what else would one expect from Fox and their audience.
Really?
.....but it wasn't much of an interview either.
Granted, this was the first part of a multi-part interview in which O'Reilly was more concerned with ratings rather than conducing any type of hard-hitting Q&A session.
And right on schedule, the fine, patriotic, folks at Fox"Nation" are framing the interview in their predictable way - and allowing unblushing racism and calls for assassination to go unchallenged.
But what else would one expect from Fox and their audience.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Fantasy And Victimhood : The Right Wing Way Of Life
Each and every time a prominent female voice within the modern American Right is even lightly pressed to explain her stance on any topic, the hue and cry of "sexism" is surely to be leveled within the following hour.
And this is a rather peculiar procedure of operation, considering how the Right Wing view American women and their individual liberties.
So, it comes as no surprise that one of the stepford wives from the Fox caliphate would pull out the "no, it's the liberals that hate women" meme - again.
Two things here.....
First: this was a dumb move by a Senator that really doesn't serve any greater purpose than to say incredibly dumb shit like this on a regular basis in order to give fodder to the reactionary Right.
Second: A Republican DIDN'T say this, and a Republican woman DIDN'T say this.
The former is hopefully something that will be remedied soon and the later is something that most within the American media aren't quite willing to talk about - save maybe Maddow or Cenk Uygur.
This is how the modern American Right operates - if it's not there, formulate the narrative that if "X" happened, then "Y" is the eventual conclusion. The problem is that in a majority of instances, "X" is never part of the equation.
While this laughable tirade is meant to bolster the Right's base that actually believe that people like Palin and Bachmann are serious contenders for the Presidency, this rationale does nothing but reveal the modern America Right to embrace what they have claimed to be against since Obama's candidacy was announced - favoring inexperience and ignorance over forward thinking and a passion for the domestic agenda.
Granted, there are likely some within the socio-political landscape that would be more than happy to see Palin, Bachmann, or any Republican or even Democratic woman as far from the Resolute Desk as possible because they happen to be of the female form, these voices do not make up even a plurality of the voting public - at least I would hope not.
But more to the point - questioning a woman does NOT make one sexist. That is, unless you happen to believe like Andrea Tantaros or just about anyone that votes Republican does.
And this is a rather peculiar procedure of operation, considering how the Right Wing view American women and their individual liberties.
So, it comes as no surprise that one of the stepford wives from the Fox caliphate would pull out the "no, it's the liberals that hate women" meme - again.
Just this week, notorious camera hog Sen. Chuck Schumer said perhaps the dumbest thing I have ever heard a politician say.
In attempting to make a point about how the organs of power on Capitol Hill need to work together to prevent a government shutdown, Schumer reconfigured the three branches of government. "You know," he said, "we have three branches of government. We have a House. We have a Senate. We have a President." It should be noted that this isn't the model described in most civics textbooks, which list the three branches as legislative, executive and judiciary.
Now imagine if a Republican had said that. Better yet, a Republican woman.
Two things here.....
First: this was a dumb move by a Senator that really doesn't serve any greater purpose than to say incredibly dumb shit like this on a regular basis in order to give fodder to the reactionary Right.
Second: A Republican DIDN'T say this, and a Republican woman DIDN'T say this.
The former is hopefully something that will be remedied soon and the later is something that most within the American media aren't quite willing to talk about - save maybe Maddow or Cenk Uygur.
This is how the modern American Right operates - if it's not there, formulate the narrative that if "X" happened, then "Y" is the eventual conclusion. The problem is that in a majority of instances, "X" is never part of the equation.
While this laughable tirade is meant to bolster the Right's base that actually believe that people like Palin and Bachmann are serious contenders for the Presidency, this rationale does nothing but reveal the modern America Right to embrace what they have claimed to be against since Obama's candidacy was announced - favoring inexperience and ignorance over forward thinking and a passion for the domestic agenda.
Granted, there are likely some within the socio-political landscape that would be more than happy to see Palin, Bachmann, or any Republican or even Democratic woman as far from the Resolute Desk as possible because they happen to be of the female form, these voices do not make up even a plurality of the voting public - at least I would hope not.
But more to the point - questioning a woman does NOT make one sexist. That is, unless you happen to believe like Andrea Tantaros or just about anyone that votes Republican does.
Faith Based Attacks
In which the Obama is a scary, black, Muslim meme continues:
And while the Wikipedia entry references Obama Sr.'s father as a Muslim, it clearly states that Barack Obama's father was an "atheist". A man who was born into a mixed Christian/Muslim family, mind you.
But the dishonest nature of the reactionary Right doesn't end their, as it seems that simply because you are born into a family that practices a particular religion that you are somehow magically imbued with those same set of beliefs.
Having grown up in a Christian family ( Methodist/Southern Baptist ) I never fully agreed with those Biblical teachings - as they are rarely, if ever, put into practice - and to this day do not consider myself a Christian. Acceptance of a particular theology is a "choice", not something that is thrust upon you at birth.
The full transcript of Obama's address to the Prayer Breakfast can be found here.
The modern American Right seem to be tilting more and more towards a desire for Theocratic Rule rather than a Democracy that accepts all religious beliefs and does not deny anyone the free practice thereof. And regardless of when and where Obama goes to church, where and what and why he prays, the reactionary Right in America are going to find a way to claim their own religious superiority to him. I find a rather delicious irony in all of this actually, considering how those that allegedly practice the teaching of Holy text are more than willing to "judge" another person.
Is there anything this man won’t do to pander for votes?
Barack Obama today lied at the National Prayer Breakfast and covered up his father’s Muslim faith.
CNN posted the transcript:This may come as a surprise, for as some of you know, I did not come from a particularly religious family. My father, who I barely knew – I only met once for a month in my entire life – was said to be a non-believer throughout his life.
Of course, this is not true.
Obama’s father Barack Obama, Sr. was a Muslim and it even lists him as a Muslim on his Wikepedia page.
And while the Wikipedia entry references Obama Sr.'s father as a Muslim, it clearly states that Barack Obama's father was an "atheist". A man who was born into a mixed Christian/Muslim family, mind you.
But the dishonest nature of the reactionary Right doesn't end their, as it seems that simply because you are born into a family that practices a particular religion that you are somehow magically imbued with those same set of beliefs.
Having grown up in a Christian family ( Methodist/Southern Baptist ) I never fully agreed with those Biblical teachings - as they are rarely, if ever, put into practice - and to this day do not consider myself a Christian. Acceptance of a particular theology is a "choice", not something that is thrust upon you at birth.
The full transcript of Obama's address to the Prayer Breakfast can be found here.
The modern American Right seem to be tilting more and more towards a desire for Theocratic Rule rather than a Democracy that accepts all religious beliefs and does not deny anyone the free practice thereof. And regardless of when and where Obama goes to church, where and what and why he prays, the reactionary Right in America are going to find a way to claim their own religious superiority to him. I find a rather delicious irony in all of this actually, considering how those that allegedly practice the teaching of Holy text are more than willing to "judge" another person.
Idiots On Both Sides
Naturally, Glenn Beck would weigh in on this in order to malign anyone within the liberal/progressive movement.
Funny how he is doing exactly what he told people NOT to do in reference to the Tea Baggers that have repeatedly been caught using racial divisiveness and blatant and unblushing racist language.
And while the reactionary Right in America are falling over themselves trying to show that it's really the Left that are the racists, there is one thing that separates what happened at the Koch's event and what happens each and every time a Tea Bagger is highlighted for their racial animus - the Left actually holds people accountable while clearly admitting that not everyone in attendance at any event is going to be a "perfect" person.
Common Cause, the group hosting the Florida even where Breitbart and his crew shot the video in question, has released this statement:
Those on tape who made these pointless and ridiculous statements are just as bad as the Tea Baggers that make equal claims against their opponents. They are both a pox on their respective movements and should be pointed out as such. However, the modern American Right are more intent on framing this as a failure of American popular media as well as a way to white-wash their own failures.
Once the initial claim broke that ALL within the Tea Bagger caliphate were racists, I knew that this would spell trouble for the Left in America - as it wasn't true. Certainly, there are more than enough racists in the modern American Right to have to deal with at any given "party gathering", but to paint the entire group with the same brush is dishonest. I think there are even some I would regard as my political opposition that just might be able to exercise the intellectual honesty to admit even as much.
The only problem is that a majority of Tea Bagger allies are more content to point the finger in the opposite direction - or even reinforce the Left's claims by trying to be clever - and cast aside accountability ( allegedly a cornerstone of conservative ideology ) in total.
The Left in this country would do well to speak out about this clip, but do so in an honest fashion that not only points out that racial animus can cross party lines but showcase how the modern American Right are continuing with the same debunked narrative - that it's not them.
Funny how he is doing exactly what he told people NOT to do in reference to the Tea Baggers that have repeatedly been caught using racial divisiveness and blatant and unblushing racist language.
And while the reactionary Right in America are falling over themselves trying to show that it's really the Left that are the racists, there is one thing that separates what happened at the Koch's event and what happens each and every time a Tea Bagger is highlighted for their racial animus - the Left actually holds people accountable while clearly admitting that not everyone in attendance at any event is going to be a "perfect" person.
Common Cause, the group hosting the Florida even where Breitbart and his crew shot the video in question, has released this statement:
Common Cause condemns bigotry, hateful statements caught on film at rally
Common Cause’s 40 year history of holding power accountable has been marked by a commitment to decency and civility – in public and private. So we are of course outraged to find that a few of those attending the events around a gathering Common Cause helped to organize Sunday near Palm Springs voiced hateful, narrow-minded sentiments to an interviewer in the crowd.
We condemn bigotry and hate speech in every form, even when it comes from those who fancy themselves as our friends.
Anyone who has attended a public event has encountered people whose ideas or acts misrepresented, even embarrassed, the gathering. Every sporting event has its share of “fans” whose boorish behavior on the sidelines makes a mockery of good sportsmanship; every political gathering has a crude sign-painter or epithet-spewing heckler.
We organized the “Uncloak the Kochs” panel discussion and took part in the rally afterwards to call public attention to the political power of Koch Industries and other corporations, their focus on expanding that power, and the dangers it presents to our democracy.
We’re committed to staging other forums and public events in the coming months to continue that effort. We urge all Americans of good will to join us.
Those on tape who made these pointless and ridiculous statements are just as bad as the Tea Baggers that make equal claims against their opponents. They are both a pox on their respective movements and should be pointed out as such. However, the modern American Right are more intent on framing this as a failure of American popular media as well as a way to white-wash their own failures.
Once the initial claim broke that ALL within the Tea Bagger caliphate were racists, I knew that this would spell trouble for the Left in America - as it wasn't true. Certainly, there are more than enough racists in the modern American Right to have to deal with at any given "party gathering", but to paint the entire group with the same brush is dishonest. I think there are even some I would regard as my political opposition that just might be able to exercise the intellectual honesty to admit even as much.
The only problem is that a majority of Tea Bagger allies are more content to point the finger in the opposite direction - or even reinforce the Left's claims by trying to be clever - and cast aside accountability ( allegedly a cornerstone of conservative ideology ) in total.
The Left in this country would do well to speak out about this clip, but do so in an honest fashion that not only points out that racial animus can cross party lines but showcase how the modern American Right are continuing with the same debunked narrative - that it's not them.
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