We're So Mean

Patrick McIlheran is at it again. He's back claiming the left is so mean. In his most recent blog, he opines about the trouble a Ohio State University librarian got in for suggesting a book for a reading list. Here’s what he wrote:

A day late, though it’s still fresh, I’m led by Rick Esenberg’s blog
to Dad29, who unfolds the trouble a librarian at Ohio State U got in for suggesting a
book, “The Marketing of Evil,” for the reading list for incoming freshmen. The
book suggests that the sexualization of culture is a deliberate marketing tactic
to sell stuff to youths. It has similar derogatory things to say about the
cultivation of campaigns for legalized abortion and gay rights. It's been
praised by culturally traditionalist commentators.

Well, duh. I happen to agree that sex is used as a marketing tactic. This is news? The other stuff is made up. As is typical of McIlheran, he’s afraid to expose who he roots with, so he applies ambiguous names such as “culturally traditionalist commentators.” So who are these shadowy commentators?

I did a little research and found that “The Marketing of Evil” was written by David Kupelian. It seems that David Kupelian is a managing editor of WorldNet Daily. You know, the outfit run by Joseph Farah who has advocated the murder of adulterers and praised the blacklisting of suspected communists in Hollywood in the 1950s.

"It was a good thing. It was the right thing to do at the right time in history.
And, as America finds itself beleaguered in the world against – literally
surrounded by – enemies who seek to destroy it, we cannot allow traitors
privileged status in the entertainment industry."

Also included in the illustrious group of shadowy commentators is Donald Wildmon, leader of the evangelical activist group, American Family Association, which has linked Judaism to criminality and hostility toward Christianity. Wildmon has been denounced by Jewish organizations including the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Congress.

Then there is Rabbi Daniel Lapin, whom NY Times columnist, Frank Rich, has called a “show rabbi” for the Christian right. Lapin actually introduced Jack Abramoff to Tom Delay.

Can't forget D. James Kennedy, a former Arthur Murray dance instructor, and founder of Coral Ridge Ministries. Kennedy has said this: "Our job is to reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost. As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors -- in short, over every aspect and institution of human society."

Kennedy's a big fan of Roy Moore, former Alabama Supreme Court Justice, who once penned an opinion calling for the state to execute "practicing homosexuals."

Hmmm. Another dark commentator is David Limbaugh, brother of Rush Limbaugh. ‘Nuff said.

And of course, who can forget Dr. Laura Schlesinger, radio talk shrink, who's opinion it is that homosexuals are a "mistake of nature."

And finally, Michele Malkin. Can you say shrill, with no substance?

Seems to me there is nothing traditional about murder, execution and advocating for internment camps.

Shame on the Milwaukee Jornal Sentinel for continuing to carry this clown. To have balanced opinions is one thing. Then bring a conservative voice like George Will to the pages. McIlheran is nothing but a shill for far right conservative blather.

Oh, that's right. I'm so mean. At least I don't support anyone who advocates murder.

Charlie Sykes ... Standing Up for Expediency

Charlie Sykes has a post ridiculing the Doyle administration for saying that tourism will suffer if the anti-gay marriage amendment is passed, when in fact tourism has not really been affected because gay marriage is already illegal.

It does sound kind of dumb.

About as dumb as Charlie Sykes saying he doesn’t know which way he will vote on the amendment, when in fact, gay marriage is already illegal. Which means ... why are we voting at all. A little overkill maybe. This from the guy who likes to say he stands up for what is right.

Uh huh. More like he stands up for what is best for him.

New Neil Young Album Coming Soon

This from Tom Tomorrow....

With Neil Young’s new anti-war album coming out soon, it looks like we’re
about to go through another round of dipshit right wing bloggers explaining why
artists and musicians aren’t qualified to express political opinions.

Unlike, you know, the dipshit right wing bloggers themselves.

That was so naughty.

Charlie Sykes Makes Appearance in "This Modern World"

Really. Minus glasses, the guy on the right looks just like Charlie Sykes. He certainly sounds like him. The person on the left? Nah, James Wigderson has more hair.

Click on image to expand (not yourself, the image).

Twelve White Jurors Not Angry Enough

I am going to give the twelve white jurors in the Frank Jude case the benefit of the doubt. It was a complex case, with seemingly contradictory evidence and, of course, the silence of the cops did not help.

What is perplexing, though, are the comments from so many that it shouldn't matter that the jury was all white.

They're right of course, it shouldn't. But, try telling that to the face of an African-American. Try telling that to the faces of African-Americans who have been witness to lynchings caused by all white mobs. Try telling that to the faces of African-Americans who have been witness to all white juries in the past that ensured guilty verdicts for the innocent.

Just saying that maybe a little sensitivity to what has happened in the past might assuage some of the anger over this verdict.

Just Around the Carricks Bend

Oh goody. Another conservative blogger in need of a timeout. This person's blog is titled "Carrick Bend Thoughts," and there is a post concerning a couple that I wrote. This post shows so little in the way of neat argument that I just have to provide a link for my dear readers ... for a laugh.

First off, the post is titled: "this-is-what-amazes-me-most-about-republicans." Hmmm, no I'm not. Such a silly person.

Anyway, the first post my new friend comments on was written in response to the many "communist Waukesha" posts that some of my conservative blogger brethren put up regarding the election of Dem. Larry Nelson as mayor of Waukesha. My new friend chastises me for using a picture of an entrance to Terezin that has the words "Arbeit Macht Frei" on the archway. This picture was used, my new friend postulates, in complete disregard of the people who suffered there.

Well no. My knowledge of WWII is likely far superior to my new friend's. Additionally, my new friend ignores the fact that communism was (has been?) responsible for just a few million deaths, in similar fashion to the German Reich, so I've been told. In fact, gulags were fashioned in a manner similar to Nazi concentration camps. But I saw the humor intended in the posts of my conservative brethren regarding the disheartening election of Nelson (for them), and James W. and others saw the humor I intended. My new friend is unable to consider that. It's so sad.

And then my new friend thinks I mock Bush's (fake?) concern for children blown up by IEDs. That my new friend is unable to discern the idiocy of Bush's comment is plainly sad (the comment itself was taken from Garry Trudeau's site). That I mock Bush is true. He is responsible for the deaths of thousands, his crocodile tears impress me not one whit.

So, my new friend, post away, and have a good day. You've made mine.

It Was Just a Little Caucasian Lie

In Rush Limbaugh’s world, a little plagiarism here and there is no big deal. Nor is lying, for which Limbaugh is an expert. On his April 12th radio show, Limbaugh basically said that the Washington Post caved in and that the allegations of plagiarism against Ben Domenech were concocted. Of course, Limbaugh conveniently forgot to mention that Domenech has admitted to having done so.

Oh well. Lying is second nature to these guys anyway. So, I guess, what's a little lie amongst friends?

Reminds me of the blowhard conservative bloggers who stated, without any proof whatsoever, that liberals did not want the movie "United 93" to be shown. Tssk, tssk.

Think Outside the Box

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."
-- Bob Marley

A wish that those who follow and believe so blindly would listen.

William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

William Sloane Coffin, Jr. died Wednesday, April 12th. Sloane was a former chaplain at Yale who practiced what he preached in the 60s, and marched and protested against the quagmire called “The Vietnam War.”

I remember him vaguely, growing up in the late 60s, early 70s. He proved to the right that protesting the policies of our beloved country was the patriotic thing to do, not to just sit back and blindly follow. He was not afraid of their wrath … he was a true hero.

Rummy in More Hot Water

Donald Rumsfeld came under fire from six more top ex-military officials who challenged his strategy and his abusive manner.

Retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who commanded the 1st Infantry Division in
Iraq until last November, appeared on NBC’s “Today” show to reiterate
criticisms he leveled earlier this week.

Batiste said Rumsfeld had “failed to build the peace” in Iraq, and
criticized “a leadership style which is intimidating, abusive. There was not a
two-way street of respect.”

The question remains whether the famous Bush loyalty will continue. George Jr. finds it difficult to let go. I can see George's dilemma ... you can't really fire grandpa, can you?

Conservatives Are Such Christian Folk

Click on cartoon to view.

Too Much Time On His Hands...Get a Real Job

Who cares. I made breakfast, did the dishes, cleaned up the computer, helped move the treadmill downstairs and took the dogs for a walk.

No time to complain about anything nor rant about hate and anger.

Got better things to do.

Conservatives Are So Funny

"And then I prayed. And I said, 'Lord, what's wrong with her?' I just prayed silently. And the Lord said, 'Ask about her sex life.'"

-- Pat Robertson, explaining how he cured a woman suffering from asthma

Channeling Dr. Seuss

A follow up to the post below. Read some of Peter's responses to comments made on the subject of his post on United 93. I think the little ditty below covers his thoughts.

I’m always right,
I’m always right it’s true.
I especially don't like the color blue.
And if you disagree about that particular hue,
I’ll shout you down with all my might,
Because, you know, I’m always right.


An example of the level of argument capable for some of those on the right.

Lies to The Right of Us

Jay at folkbum's rambles and rants provides the impetus for this piece and responds to the lies they propogate. I'm not as nice.

Wing nuts commentators and bloggers are again proving adept at being disingenuous. With their party leader’s poll numbers dropping precipitously, and having found it unsavory to ask his Saudi buddies to round up more disaffected youth and convince them to fly into tall buildings for the sake of Republican sustenance of power, these pompous pundits have latched onto the movie “United 93” as the savior of their party’s hopes in November.

This from radio shill, Charlie Sykes:

Is this movie too soon? Hardly. It’s overdue. It's a reality check; an antidote
to the fantasy world of the Charlie Sheens/Russ Feingolds who seem to have
forgotten what happened to this country and how we responded (Well, no…that’s a
lie. We as a nation responded fine. It was their fearless leader who was so baffled upon hearing the news that he delayed reacting by reading a book upside down).

Peter at Texas Hold ‘em Blogger echoes Sykes:

See this trailer. It is so powerful liberals are demanding it be withdrawn from
theaters because of the shock value (Well, no…that’s a lie.). Every time I see
Sept. 11, 2001 footage, which isn't often, I am left shaking with anger. This
was no different.The terrorist appeasers (Well, no…another lie by Peter.) are
claiming it is too soon for this movie. That is a bunch of "Barbra Streisand
(B.S.)." It isn't soon enough. The national media has removed these powerful
images from our TV screens in hopes America will forget what happened that
terrible day in September 2001 (Well, no…a really big whopper.).

Badger Blogger unoriginally continues:

Charlie Sykes has been talking about the trailer for the movie Flight 93, about
9/11, I just watched the trailer. It is stunningly powerful. There are a lot of
people that say this movie should not be shown, but I feel it is the duty of all
Americans to see this movie, we must remember what evil we are fighting in the
War On Terror. To many Americans have such a short memory, and that is sad
(Well, no…another lie. I had a friend die in the fall of the Twin Towers. I
remember him. His name was Ramzi Doany. Don’t preach to me.)

And last, but certainly least, Chris at spottedhorse2 adds his two cents:

America needs this movie we need to be slapped in the face and reminded of the
real reasons why we fight and who we fight (Well, no…you guys need this more
than us…we acknowledge the dead rather than ignore the carnage brought on by
Bush the Minor.) You can see the Trailer for United 93 here. This movie has the
chance to be like the World War 2 Series of films that Frank Capra made for the
United States Government. It was shown to GI's to explain that that war was more
than avenging Pearl Harbor but a fight for the survival of Western Civilization.

Hopefully U93 will help remind the cowards and appeasers of places like White Fish Bay and Shorewood what the real evil in the world is. It is a shame we have to call the gutless cowards who voted to cut and run, Americans in the same breath as the Brave people of that flight.

The Coward AntiAmerican left in this country, the Party of Russ Feingold doesn't want the people to see movies like this or footage from that day. Russ Feingold and his ilk want to pretend 9/11 never happen while setting us up for the next 9/11
(Well, no…that’s a really big lie.).

The true Americans in this country are the ones concerned about the safety of its troops, its citizens and maintaining the rights that both enjoy. This in sharp contrast to the LIARS on the right, like the three bloggers mentioned, who would have been comfortable living in Germany in the 30s when democracy was overwhelmed by gross lust for power.

Voting Democratic Will Set You Free

My friend, James, over at Wigderson Library & Pub is a funny man. I mean that sincerely. His posts intended to be humorous never go flat, and the one liners are the best.

He recently posted a comment about a lefty blogger who, I guess, did not find some of the wingnut comments regarding Larry Nelson's surprise victory in the Waukesha mayoral race humorous. For the most part, the comments all have to do with running for your lives, a communist government will soon be installed.

James is at his best with this photo of a new city of Waukesha logo. What James and all the other righties fail to mention was the destruction the other day of the entrance to Waukesha, torn down by the freed inmates and the liberating armies. They're just a little embarrassed. See below.

He's So Emotional

"One of the great things about America, one of the beauties of our country, is that when we see a young, innocent child blown up by an IED, we cry." -- George W. Bush

J-J-J-Jeff Wagner a Ch-ch-ch-cherry Picker

I couldn't help but notice as Jeff Wagner stu-stu-stu-stuttered through a piece on the anti-war referendums, that he used the term "cherry-picked" in reference to the communities that hosted the referendums. It's at least the fifth time I've read or heard that term today. Good to see the talking points memo system is still functioning.

Apparently it's his and the wingnut belief these communites were cherry-picked for the referendums to succeed. Of course, there were 12 communities that did not vote in favor, so I guess that kinda blows that theory.

Flag Waving Flip-Flop

by Greg Saunders

Has anyone bothered to point out that the righteous rage on the right over the flying of the Mexican flag by some attendees at the pro-immigration protests is coming from the same people who defended the confederate flag as a source of “southern pride” (as opposed to the rallying symbol for slave-owners and their defenders)? They were for taking pride in regional/ethnic differences before they were against it. Seems like a racist double-standard to me, but pretty consistent if you stop taking conservatives at their word.

Jessica McBucher Joins This Modern World

It was announced today by Faux News that Jessica McBucher was joining Tom Tomorrow's "This Modern World" as a mindless automaton, a role she fulfills regularly at her blogsite. Click on image to enlarge.

Poor Baby

Perennially complaining conservative whiner, Peter DiGaudio of Texas Hold 'em Blogger, can dish it out, but can't take it. He complains in comments on Xoff's site that he can't catch a break, and the mean old establishment is against him getting a job. Heck, he even applied for THREE jobs in the 80s, and didn't get hired for any of them, and he's sure that it was because of his skin color.

Now he works at a $7,000 a year job trying to teach inner city kids who don't want to learn (his words). While I could go on and on about a person claiming to be an educator putting down his/her own students as deplorable, I'm more interested in someone working for $7,000 a year in this day and age. Peter, you could make more money delivering papers.

If you take a look at Peter's blogsite, I'm thinking you will notice what I noticed...a lot of anger and it's not very well written. Not well written in the sense he cannot maintain an argument that makes sense. I've posted twice about this here and here.

Anyway, in response to a comment I made that perhaps the reason he is not hired for better jobs is because of his attitude, Peter advises me to get a 9mm, stick it in my mouth and blow my worthless ass away. Peter’s such a meany.

I hear conservatives go on and on about the anger from the left. Pat McIlheran claims it's because lefties are childish and immature, while conservatives are thoughtful and well-mannered, and would never resort to name calling or threats. Ha ha ha.

Pat, meet Peter, a poster child for anger management and the need for timeouts.

Jessica McWhiner

Jessica McBucher is already whipping out the blog posts stating that the Dems had an unfair advantage because they violated the anti-partisan aspect of the mayoral race in Waukesha. How did they do this? The Waukesha County Democratic Party sent out a memo advising members to do visibility demonstrations the day of the election.

Oh my gosh, Jessica. The horror.

Of course, the irony is that Jessica completely neglects to mention that Ann Nischke proudly proclaimed her Republicanhood and support of Bride of Tabor (a Republican-backed initiative), and that Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson and Republican F(at). James Sensenbrenner campaigned for Dan Vrakas for Waukesha County board exec.

She saves the funniest for last. She has protested long-windedly and hard against the anti-war referendums in the state. She even resorted to Joe McCarthy tactics and claimed they were set up by communist front groups, notwithstanding there are numerous stories of people who felt so strongly that they pushed for these referendums on their own, without any outside help, and succeeded in getting them on ballots. Anyway, Jessica claims victory by pointing out that if you remove the votes from Shorewood, Madison and La Crosse, voters by a solid majority voted against the referendums.

Uh, I see. Is that the new McBucher and Republican strategy? In this November’s elections, the defeat of Republican-backed candidates will be nullified because the votes of liberals don’t count?

Jessica McBucher, defender of tyranny and a (look up the word Rush Limbaugh used to describe the women allegedly raped by a lacrosse team) for the Republican establishment.

Speaker for Mayor

Going to vote for Jeff Speaker today, for mayor of Brookfield. I like the truck he drives and that he won't toss shoes in my direction if we disagree.

Not terribly in-depth reasons for voting, but at least I vote.

We The People Defend This Nation

I get tired of responding to these clowns. But this was so blatantly sophomoric that I couldn’t pass it up. This from "Alicia" commenting on an anti-referendum post at Wigderson Library & Pub.

It's an emotional issue, and fear has a way of clouding sound judgment.If it
weren't for our history of troops defending our liberties,and our ideals,we may
not have had the luxury of holding a public referendum/elections/ and have
freedom of speech. Are these people who are anti-war also pro-Saddam Hussein
(and the likes of him? Our country has chosen to take a brave stand. The easier
path is to stand for nothing/do nothing then criticize the leadership who is
actually trying to achieve goals.

Alicia, which tyranny do you come from? Last time I looked, “we the people” were the protectors of our liberties and ideals. When did we give up that right and allow tyranny to triumph.

I am insulted that you seem to think that holding public referendums, elections and practicing freedom of speech is a luxury.

IT IS A DUTY.

IT IS A RIGHT.

It is insulting for you to denigrate those who are doing their duty and are taking a stand for what they believe is the right course for this country, while you complacently enjoy the fruits of luxury.

I do not agree with you that our country took a brave stand in Iraq. I believe we are in the wrong in Iraq. I believe that we are the aggressor in Iraq. No one participating in these referendums is pro-Hussein…we should have took him out in the first gulf war, but George’s daddy’s Saudi friends advised against it then. Who is really looking out for our best interests, Alicia, certainly you don’t believe that the Saudis are?

No, Alicia, the easiest path is to do nothing, which is the path you have chosen. You have chosen to turn your back on civic duty and you have turned your back on the troops, our fellow citizens. That's right, Alicia, the troops are the same as me and those citizens standing up with the anti-war referendums: citizens.

They Need Serious Help

Tree hugging – it is somehow bad to hug a tree now and then. I’ve climbed trees when I was a kid and when I got too high, I hugged that tree for dear life. I felt sad when we had to cut the apple tree in the backyard down. It had provided apples for many years and contributed to numerous apple dishes. It provided shade. It provided food for animals who would visit our backyard. Hugging a tree is not such a bad thing, but Patrick McIlheran and conservatives would have you think so.

Anti-war – it is somehow bad to be against war. No one I know likes war. The military only fights war as a last resort. War causes death. Lots of it. The opposite of anti-war is, I guess to be for war. Is this really what Patrick McIlheran and conservatives want? That says something about their morals or lack thereof.

Peacenik – it is somehow bad to be for peace. See above.

More as they come up. Conservatives are such sad people.

Baseball and Being White

A busy weekend spent with friends talking baseball primarlily, but also some politics, lots of music, what's going on with families, who's died...all done with beer and mohitos. Sadly, an acquaintance of ours from high school days passed away. Al LaLeike was a good-hearted guy. It was always a joy to see him again.

I think I improved my chances to contend for the Little Nine title again this year. The first order of business was a trade to J. I traded Dontrelle Willis, Miguel Cabrera, Felipe Lopez and my second round pick for Todd Helton, Grady Sizemore and the top pick in the draft.

Not satisfied, I turned around and traded the top pick in the draft and Grady Sizemore for Ricky Weeks and Vernon Wells.

It remains to be seen whether any of these moves will help.


One thing on "white advantage" a topic of interest in the right wing of the Cheddarsphere. My gosh you people are twisted. It's been a little over 40 years since the Civil Rights Act and already you're complaining. Oh my, your "white disadvantage" has been whittled away a bit (I know you're saying there isn't one, but it's what you sound like).

Got news for you blockheads, we as a nation have a long way to go before centuries of advantage are evened or wiped out. If you think living the black experience as it is for many today is a choice, much the same as the choice all of you get to make in life, then you are more narrow-minded than I ever thought.

They Believe Their Own Spin

Yeah. That's it. The reason we invaded Iraq four years ago was to stop that country from going into civil war. Yeah. That's the ticket.

Baseball Season About to Start

BASEBALL!! Can't wait. Go Brewers.

Smackdown: Redux

I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. Peter DiGuadio at Texas Hold'em Blogger thinks that Sean Hannity really laid a good one into Alec Baldwin while appearing on WABC Radio, hosted by Brian Whitman. The thrashing was so severe, he claims, that this was the reason Baldwin stormed out of the studio.

Well, things got a little too personal when Mark Levin asked why Baldwin's wife was so pissed off, prompting Baldwin to leave. Otherwise, I think Baldwin gave as good as he received. And, of course, once again, he was set up. Conservatives are the big cowards.

But this is typical behavior for Hannity (who is as boorish as it comes), Levin, DiGuadio and most right wingers. Well, here's one lefty who can swing with the best...Hey Sean, are you still boinking man-woman, Ann Coulter, or haven't you figured you have to approach her from behind?

There, is that vile enough for you hypocrites?

Another Conservative Lie Exposed Thanks to Kos

Another reason why you should discount anything Republicans, conservative columnists and talk show hosts (Patrick McIlheran, Charlie Sykes) and right wing bloggers (Jessica McBucher, Texas Hold 'em Blogger, etc.) tell you...

h/t Daily Kos

Howard Kallogian, a Republican candidate in the CA-50 special election, posted this picture, which he claims he took in Bahgdad:














He argues the picture is proof that Iraq is 'calm' and 'stable' contrary to press reports.

A few posters doubted this statement. One noted that the women were wearing western clothing, couples were holding hands and signs were in roman script.

Ah ha. It's discovered that the picture is actually of the Istanbul suburb of Bakirkoy...Turkey, not Iraq.

You Betcha: It's The Media's Fault

Insult of the Day

Patrick McIlheran has claimed he wants to promote civil discourse between left and right, but then he insults the people who are involved in the anti-war referendums by implying they somehow do not support the troops.

If you aren’t in a town holding a referendum but want to do something for our
soldiers anyhow, you can check America Supports You, a site run by the
Department of Defense to let people cheer on the soldiers.

Seems to me that the people holding these referendums to get our troops HOME, support them more than McIlheran who simply wants to cheer them on. “Go guys go, sorry you lost your big toe.”

And then, he has another piece on tolerance in San Francisco. The article he links to describes the efforts of Ron Luce, leader of a group of 25,000 Christian Evangelicals, who came to San Francisco to combat the “virtue terrorism" of popular culture.” McIlheran displays his hypocrisy by failing to note that the group involved, which is led by Ron Luce, has been praised by Rev. Jerry Falwell and Fox News commentator Sean Hannity (well known tolerant guys), and that much of the statistical backing for the horrors Luce claims comes from TV is provided by a group that is funded by the hyper-conservative and ultra-tolerant Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundations.

The "fair and balanced" McIlheran cannot get his facts straight either. Jessica McBucher is not a journalism prof as he states, she is a lecturer. Big difference.

Afghan Court Drops Case Against Christian Because of Conservative Bloggers

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- An Afghan court on Sunday dismissed a case against a man who converted from Islam to Christianity because of a lack of evidence and because of the efforts of conservative bloggers back in the U.S., officials said.

The announcement came as U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai faced mounting pressure from conservative bloggers such as Texas Hold’em Blogger, spottedhorse2 and Boots and Sabers to free Abdul Rahman, a move that risked angering Muslim clerics here and those bloggers who threatened to write in capital letters (a tactic known in blogging circles as yelling).

An official closely involved with the case told The Associated Press that it had been returned to the prosecutors for more investigation, but that in the meantime, Rahman would be released.

"The court dismissed today the case against Abdul Rahman for a lack of information, for a lot of legal gaps in the case and because of the pressure from bloggers in the states," the official said Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and because if he did, bloggers would be able to track his e-mail address and call him out.

In another decision today, Islamic clerics have decided to call off further demonstrations against Denmark because of the calls of support for that little country from conservative bloggers.

A point was made that the actions by the bloggers in support of Rahman and for Denmark were really insignificant, much like the anti-war referendums that they disdain, but conservative bloggers refused to acknowledge the hypocrisy.

However, Afghan tribesmen did profess a quiet respect for the website Boots and Sabers, given their fondness for swords and horseback riding.

Up Is Down and Commies Are Around the Corner

Jessica McBucher writes from her blogsite (that doesn't allow comments) and attacks Eugene Kane because he doesn't allow comments on his blog. "Welcome to Kane World," she says, "where up is down and down is up."

And then there is McBucher World, where a conspiracy is always just around the corner, Willie Horton is her husband's best friend and she still doesn't allow comments on her blog ... apparently.

Wingnuts Are Moonbats Too

A Republican challenger to Sen. Hillary Clinton has apparently been reading Jessica McBucher’s blogspot. Former Reagan-era Pentagon official Kathleen "KT" McFarland told a group of Republican activists: "Hillary Clinton is really worried about me, and is so worried, in fact, that she had helicopters flying over my house in Southampton today taking pictures."

Her comments were confirmed by Suffolk County Republican chairman Harry Withers.

It was rumored that she then began to list a number of fringe “communist” groups who have been spying on her as well. She said that if President Bush were to listen in on their telephone conversations, her fears would be confirmed.

Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson denied any spying was going on. "We at the Hillary campaign wish Ms. McFarland the best and hope she gets the rest she needs," he said. He also said, "Some campaigns hand out campaign buttons; the McFarland campaign hands out tinfoil hats with antennas."

We here at “The Other Side” recommend she stop feeding her conspiracy theories by reading McBucher’s blog.

The latest news from McBucher is that failure to use signal lights when changing lanes on the freeway is actually code that communist groups use to help them infiltrate Friday night fish fries.

Scott Walker Receives Divine Inspiration

Scott Walker talking about his race for Governor: "Jim Doyle finally signed a cap on medical malpractice lawsuits on Wednesday. It is nice to see that Doyle is following our lead again.

Last year, Doyle vetoed a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Now, he is willing to sign one after we made it a part of our first, 100-day agenda.

Last year, Doyle vetoed a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. Now, he is willing to sign one after we made it a part of our first, 100-day agenda.

Wait ... wait a moment ... I'm sorry ... I have a call. Hello? Jessica McBride ... oh, it's not. Uh huh.

Uh huh.

Pat Robertson too?

You think Ann Coulter isn't funny? Hmmm, most of us do.

Sorry.

Okay.

Folks, that was God. He's changed his mind and wants me to step out of the race."

When Does It End

A 15-year-old boy was severely beaten by four to five males about 1:50 p.m. near a bus stop at 1st and Center Sts., according to Milwaukee police.The youth died about 3 p.m., police said. The victim was a seventh-grader at Malcolm X Academy, according to Phil Harris, a Milwaukee Public Schools spokesman.


Just a posting that affected my emotional well being. No reporting done here, guys.

Way Too Much Time On Her Hands

The sequel to "You Darn JS, You Excised the Extremists Again" is hot off the presses at Jessica McBucher's Media Matters. Entitled "You Double Darn JS, You Excised the Extremists Again," McBucher's new piece is two to three times as long as the previous entry and says, ultimately the same thing. Average people like you and me cannot make up our own minds without help from Jessica and David Horowitz (though she left out links to him this time to throw us and make it look like she actually did her own work).

Later at this blog, a discussion on a little known possibility ... are Eva Braun and Jessica McBucher related?

Eva: "Liebchen, du bist mein hartz.
McBucher: "Paul loves my farts."

You be the judge. More at ten.

James Spader Stands Up for America

H/t to John Sugg for this. I'll just reprint it in its entirety ... it's that good. By the way, this guy is a blogger journalist. You guys on the conservative side of the aisle who think you are ... you're not!


If you didn't catch the Boston Legal episode this week, you missed a speech delivered by James Spader, one that few in Congress -- other than Russell Feingold, Tom Harkin and Robert Byrd -- would make. The link is at: http://www.boston-legal.org/

But, it's been up and down. The text is below. It's worth saluting.

Alan Shore's closing argument

Alan Shore: When the weapons of mass destruction thing turned out to be not true, I expected the American people to rise up. Ha! They didn't.

Then, when the Abu Ghraib torture thing surfaced and it was revealed that our government participated in rendition, a practice where we kidnap people and turn them over to regimes who specialize in torture, I was sure then the American people would be heard from. We stood mute.

Then came the news that we jailed thousands of so-called terrorists suspects, locked them up without the right to a trial or even the right to confront their accusers. Certainly, we would never stand for that. We did.

And now, it's been discovered the executive branch has been conducting massive, illegal, domestic surveillance on its own citizens. You and me. And I at least consoled myself that finally, finally the American people will have had enough. Evidentially, we haven't.

In fact, if the people of this country have spoken, the message is we're okay with it all. Torture, warrantless search and seizure, illegal wiretappings, prison without a fair trial - or any trial, war on false pretenses. We, as a citizenry, are apparently not offended.

There are no demonstrations on college campuses. In fact, there's no clear indication that young people seem to notice.

Well, Melissa Hughes noticed. Now, you might think, instead of withholding her taxes, she could have protested the old fashioned way. Made a placard and demonstrated at a Presidential or Vice-Presidential appearance, but we've lost the right to that as well. The Secret Service can now declare free speech zones to contain, control and, in effect, criminalize protest.

Stop for a second and try to fathom that.

At a presidential rally, parade or appearance, if you have on a supportive t-shirt, you can be there. If you are wearing or carrying something in protest, you can be removed.

This, in the United States of America. This in the United States of America. Is Melissa Hughes the only one embarrassed?

*Alan sits down abruptly in the witness chair next to the judge*

Judge Robert Sanders: Mr. Shore. That's a chair for witnesses only.

Alan: Really long speeches make me so tired sometimes.

Judge Sanders: Please get out of the chair.

Alan: Actually, I'm sick and tired.

Judge Sanders: Get out of the chair!

Alan: And what I'm most sick and tired of is how every time somebody disagrees with how the government is running things, he or she is labeled unAmerican.

U.S. Attorney Jonathan Shapiro: Evidentally, it's speech time.

Alan: And speech in this country is free, you hack! Free for me, free for you. Free for Melissa Hughes to stand up to her government and say "Stick it"!

U.S. Attorney Jonathan Shapiro: Objection!

Alan: I object to government abusing its power to squash the constitutional freedoms of its citizenry. And, God forbid, anybody challenge it. They're smeared as being a heretic. Melissa Hughes is an American. Melissa Hughes is an American. Melissa Hughes is an American!

Judge Sanders: Mr. Shore. Unless you have anything new and fresh to say, please sit down. You've breached the decorum of my courtroom with all this hooting.

Alan: Last night, I went to bed with a book. Not as much fun as a 29 year old, but the book contained a speech by Adlai Stevenson. The year was 1952. He said, "The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live and fear breeds repression. Too often, sinister threats to the Bill of Rights, to freedom of the mind are concealed under the patriotic cloak of anti-Communism."

Today, it's the cloak of anti-terrorism. Stevenson also remarked, "It's far easier to fight for principles than to live up to them."

I know we are all afraid, but the Bill of Rights - we have to live up to that. We simply must.

That's all Melissa Hughes was trying to say. She was speaking for you. I would ask you now to go back to that room and speak for her.

***

Jessica McBucher, this piece was especially reprinted for you.

She's Still Yours, Conservative Friends

Ann Coulter, the darling of the right-wing nuts and of Patrick McIlheran (he calls her witty in the same mean way as Maureen Dowd -- whatever) has this column titled "Revenge of the Queers" at WorldNetDaily. In her column she welcomes Claude Allen, an African-American top administration official for 4 ½ years to her world, the world of those hated by the New York Times.

A couple of things: The New York Times is not the only institution that hates Ann Coulter … just one of many.

And this is funny, she says: “I'm sorry it took a tough period in Allen's life for the New York Times to feature him under a banner headline on its front page, but all in all, I'm glad to finally know about Claude Allen. I'm proud to have this great fellow sinner in our party.”

A tough period? He was caught (well, accused of…) stealing!

It’s hilarious. Not even shoplifting can change the attitude of conservatives toward one of there own. The party of crooks has added another.

Jessica, the 50s Are Over

Poor, poor Jessica McBucher, wife of mud-slinging and offensive human being, Paul Bucher. She just doesn't get it. She says this about a few posts that exposed her far right-wing leanings:

Apparently, some on the Left feel that it's inappropriate to expose the actual rhetoric and affiliations behind the "peace" groups behind the war referendums and Cindy Sheehan. They want to intimidate people into silence through their typical namecalling because they know that the average individual will reject the extremism if it's exposed. I simply reprinted what these groups have said and discussed who they admittedly are. But certain far-left bloggers think it's somehow "McCarthyism" to write about what these groups say and who they align with. These groups aren't embarrassed to be affiliated with Communists. They are quite vocal about it and proud of it! Keep trying guys. Like Paul says, it's the equivalent of getting lectured by inmates in the jail. So, thanks! (Oh, and the Lenin flag was for you.)

Ooh, that hurts. Last I heard, conservatives were crowing about the fall of Communism. It can't be that big of a threat anymore and also, last I knew, being a Communist in this country is not illegal.

In my original post, I simply pointed out that her information regarding these groups came from a former self-proclaimed Marxist who is now one of the worst of the mud-slinging right-wingers, David Horowitz. So, who to believe?

But I guess it's all right to sling mud, just not to receive it. Regarding your comment about inmates, Paulie boy should know, he's at their level.

By the way the nazi flag is for you … it suits your politics.

The Leaves are Falling from the Shrub

At his news conference today, President Bush called the censure resolution “needless partisanship.” Bush challenged Democrats to go into the November midterm elections in opposition to eavesdropping on suspected terrorists. “They ought to stand up and say, ‘The tools we’re using to protect the American people should not be used,”’ Bush said.

What a bastard! No one is saying he can't use the tools available to protect Americans. What we are saying is: Use the tools in a legal manner.

Who Excises Jessica?

Jessica McBucher has a banal piece (among many) about the anti-war referendums sweeping the country, that Paul Soglin correctly labels as “red-baiting.”

As usual, McBucher blames the media for not doing enough to inform people about these referendums. Umm, well ... My only question is, if you don’t deny there are average and well-meaning Wisconsinites involved in the push for referendums, then what’s your point. Are you saying these people are not intelligent enough to make their own decisions on what groups to join, and who to protest with if this is what they choose.

Hmmm? Are you trying to say that these people are not as smart as you because, gasp, they don’t believe the same nonsense as you.

You are just a Joe McCarthy wannabe in a skirt. And by the way, you managed to excise the name of the leader of the group you use as a source for your innuendos. His name is David Horowitz, an extreme right-wing apologist who has said:

Regarding Cindy Sheehan: "It's very hard to have respect for a woman who
exploits the death of her own son and doesn't respect her own son's life. She
portrays him as an idiot."

Regarding the late Peter Jennings: "Peter Jennings is dead, may he rest in
peace. Lest we forget, however, while he was alive Peter Jennings did
considerable damage to the cause of civilization and human decency by his
sympathy for Jew-hating terrorists and their supporters."

Regarding Democrats in general: Democrats, media are "getting Americans
killed in Iraq ... because of their pathological hatred of George [W.] Bush.

David Horowitz proudly proclaims that he is an ex-Marxist, implying, I guess, that this makes him an expert. To me, the only thing he is an expert at is an inability to make up his mind.

As for his last comment, funny, I thought bombs and bullets were killing our soldiers … as well as George Bush. He’s the one who sent them there under false pretenses.

So Jessica, good source there. Thanks again for a laugh.

Be That As It May

Rush Limbaugh attacked poll of U.S. troops funded by peace studies center as:

"a bunch of long-haired, maggot-infested, dope-smoking, FM peace-types that have
an agenda."

As opposed to a balding, rolls of sweaty-fat infested, OxyContin-popping, AM racist-type with an agenda.

The Pen is Nearly as Mighty as the Almighty Dollar

Spivak and Bice would like us to believe that bloggers are just people who wish they were in print ...

...that all they want to do is go mainstream and make a buck says one blogger
quoted by the Long Island, N.Y., daily:" Every so-called professional blogger I
know wants to work for print," says Melissa Lafsky, 27, a lawyer whose popular
blog at Opinionistas.com led to her finding a book agent, quitting her big
law-firm job and starting a novel based on her blog. "There's still
that desire for legitimacy. I'll admit it: I'll feel like a real writer
when I have something published in print. 'Til then, I feel I'm faking it. Most
bloggers I've talked to feel the same way."

There's something to be said for that. Right-wing bloggers James Wigderson, Owen Robinson, Rick Esenberg and Dean Mundy all have columns in local newspapers ... I hope they're getting paid. I know of no local progressive bloggers with columns. In any case, I've no doubt that others would like to be heard regularly as well.

I don't. I have a degree in journalism, but soured on it many years ago. I would not mind someday writing that elusive fiction novel ... it will happen ... but in the meanwhile this is fine.

I wonder if it isn't so much being in print, however, but being read. I tell myself that it makes no difference that there are few comments made on my site. The site is relatively new and I am gaining links from other sites slowly and surely (more slowly). But then, I do look every day to see if comments have been made.

That I have managed to continue this for over two months, though, is pretty exciting. And, I have had e-mail conversations with some interesting people, and with one complete moron. It's after exchanging communications with this idiot for a couple days that my faith in mankind was restored to an extent. I had become quite cynical. After my encounter with this piece of horse dung, nothing looked quite as bad as it did.

Oh, did I mention, it feels good to vent publicly too. Because, in a sense, these blogs are the public squares of old. I feel the power when I type and press the "publish" button ... in much the same way, I imagine, that orators of the past felt when climbing up on their soapbox and heads turned to listen.

Revolutions were begun by people like that. Be proud bloggers ... we are revolutionary in our own way. Just don't get too carried away by self-importance. You know who you are.

At Ease

This letter from Bill Frist appears at DailyKos. I won't reprint the entire letter, but one portion of it is very funny (c-below) ... Frist's response to (purported memo) saying that Democrats should use military settings as backdrops for speeches and such.

In case Senate Democrats do not know, it is illegal to hold political events at
military bases. Not to mention despicable to use the military and their
families in this way.

No kidding Dr. Longe Range Diagnosis. But ... hmmm ... when was the last time that Bush and Cheney were not seen speaking in front of a military audience that was being used as backdrop for their speech?

Then, Frist says:

If the Democrats wanted to truly help our troops they wouldn't advocate
cutting-and-running from Iraq, they wouldn't call for a censure vote of
President Bush and they wouldn't ingratiate themselves with the Michael Moore
wing of their own Party.

Yeah, and maybe you can get your personal TV station, Faux News, to quit trotting out the Ann Coulter wing of your party.

Put a Sock In It

I always think it funny that conservatives and conservative bloggers like to complain that the MSM never prints stories about items imporant to conservatives and conservative bloggers. And if they do, it is never enough.

Did it ever occur to them that maybe, just maybe, they're only important in their own minds. The MSM is not required to report on every single story. The placement of a story and it's importance for their publication is their decision.

Conservatives and conservative bloggers spend more time complaining about the MSM in one day than the MSM does covering their antics in one entire year. Duh...there's a reason. You're no big deal.

Are They from the NFL or the NBA

Thirty-six have been accused of spousal abuse.

Seven have been arrested for fraud.

Nineteen have been accused of writing bad checks.

One hundred and seventeen have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least two businesses.

Three have done time for assault.

Seventy-one cannot get a credit card due to bad credit.

Fourteen have been arrested on drug-related charges.

Eight have been arrested for shoplifting.

Twenty-one currently are defendants in lawsuits.

Eighty-four have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year.

Can you guess which organization this is?


It's the 535 members of the United States Congress.

The same group of idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.

Feingold Still the One

E. J. Dionne, Jr. of the Washington Post writers group tackles the issue of Senator Russ Feingold's censure move of the President. The piece is a good one and the more I look at Feingold's move, the more I wish that there had been coordinated effort behind this. Of course, the Democratic leadership has been in cut and run mode for so many years that I doubt anything would have come of that.

The difference in this case, for me in hindsight, is there might have been a better moment to unleash this bomb on the lying and law-breaking President. As Dionne says:

But at a moment when Democrats have Bush on the run, Feingold's proposal was a
tad inconvenient, a conversation-changer at a moment when Feingold's colleagues liked the way the conversation was going just fine.

Fair enough. Still, I am going to support Feingold because he is one of only a few principled politicians and he is not afraid to speak his mind and take the tough stance ... unlike his cowardly partners and the braying masses on the other side of the aisle.

But the Dems as a minority party are going to have to start making some positive moves or the Republicans will walk all over them again in the 2006 elections. Dionne says:

Here's the problem: Feingold and the activists are right that Democrats
can't just take a pass on the wiretapping issue because Bush's legal claims are
so suspect -- even to many in his own party. The opposition's job is to raise
alarms over potential abuses of presidential power.

But Democrats, unlike Republicans, have yet to develop a healthy relationship between activists willing to test and expand the conventional limits on political debate and the politicians who have to calculate what works in creating an electoral majority.

For two decades, Republicans have used their idealists, their ideologues and their loudmouths to push the boundaries of discussion to the right. In the best of all worlds, Feingold's strong stand would redefine what's "moderate" and make clear that those challenging the legality of the wiretapping are neither extreme nor soft on terror.

Give the Republicans credit, their discipline is to be admired. But it can also be their weakness. Jackboot displays are eventually frowned upon by the American public.

Ich Bin Ein Tasty Pastry

Charlie Sykes greets conservative bloggers before beginning the march on the Waukesha County Board. Chris, from spotted horse, stands behind Charlie.

Don't Touch That

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of sexually transmitted disease. The disease is contracted through dangerous high-risk behavior. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim and pronounced "gonna re-elect him." Many victims contracted it in 2004, after having been screwed for the past four years. Naturalists and epidemiologists are amazed at how this destructive disease originated only a few years ago from a bush in Texas.

Even More Clueless on the Right

My erstwhile buddy, Chris at spotted horse, has a thing or two to say about Russ Feingold, none very appetizing. Chris and his goon friends are happy to use foul language or insulting names to describe Feingold or other politicians/regular people they disagree with, but when someone says something that even remotely seems to slander someone they support (very remotely) then "Oh my gosh look how terrible the left is."

Chris, his full title is: Senator Russ Feingold. He has more class in one finger than you will ever be able to acquire in your lifetime.

Clueless on the Right

Funny line of the day:

"They don't have a clue."

Pat Robertson, Republican religious leader regarding his thoughts on the American populace's ability to determine whether Iraq is in a civil war or not.

Pat Robertson saying someone (anyone) doesn't have a clue is like Patrick McIlheran quoting conservative publications as proof of his contentions ... neverminding that the bias is obvious.

As Father Mulcahey said: "Jocularity, jocularity, jocularity."

Conservative Line Dancing

Saw this comment at The Talent Show. Reworked it a bit, but the thought is consistent with my own.

It's been suggested by many right-wingers that disagreement with the president after 9-11 was partisan.

If this is true, then why isn't knee-jerk acquiescence every bit as partisan, and every bit as dangerous?

Feingold No McCarthy

Right wingers still do not get it. Their new spin in the surveillance wars is whether Bush had the authority as commander in chief to order the NSA to copnduct surveillance, without going through the FISA motions. Their answer being yes, of course.

Senator Feingold has simply pointed out that 1) It's illegal. The President is not above the law (remember Nixon), and 2) If this is allowed to become precedent, what happens in the future when law is again ignored.

Our founding fathers would be aghast at the right's willingness to acquiesce to everything this administration wants.

Give away some of my rights to feel safer, you betcha they bray in unision. Eventually there will be none.

Feingold has been the only person to stand up to the Bush dictatorship...his fellow Dems are cowards.

Polling for Help

The latest NBC News and Wall Street Journal poll has President Bush's approval rating at 37 per cent. He's still more popular than bee stings. His cohort, Dick Cheney, cannot say the same.

Be Chaste, Lady Liberty

Looking Very Bedouin

New York...Land of the House of Saud

Cut and Run

I see that Peter DiGaudio (Texas Hold 'em Blogger) cut the link from my post here on the marriage amendment to his at his site. Conservatives, for the most part, are whiners and babies. Peter obviously can dish it out, but can't take it.

I Agree With Sykes...Help

It's weird. I find myself in agreement with Charlie Sykes. There needs to be an investigation and ultimately, Lee Holloway has got to go ... hopefully to jail.

Truth is, I find him as disreputable as Scooter Jensen and Chuck Chvala. Maybe the three of them can work on license plates together someday.

Impeach George Bush.

Crocodile Tears

It's getting old. Rightie bloggers are adding their tears to the recent rains and are flooding our streets with their lamentations for Scooter Jensen's family. Apparently Chuck Chvala's family needed no tears.

They were both guilty and deserved what they got ... sorry for the families, but Scooter and Chuckie should have thought of that ahead of time.

Get off your pedestals, hypocrites.

He's a Crook...Good Riddance

Conservative bloggers are oozing tears over poor Mr. Scotty Jensen's guilty verdict. This despite the fact he was found guilty of three felonies by a jury of his peers...fellow citizens. If these bloggers were alive in 1944, I'll bet they would have lamented the death of Mussolini.

"Ah, but he was a principled man and the trains did run on time."

Yeah, It Will Get Ugly

Peter DiGaudio at Texas Hold ‘em Blogger worries that the homosexual marriage debate could get ugly. Huh? What planet have you been residing on, Peter? The debate regarding homosexuality, in general, has been ugly for decades and most of the vitriol has been targeted toward homosexuals. This is news for you?

Besides being clueless, Peter is certain that the statistic claiming that 10 percent of the population is homosexual is a bald-faced lie. More like one or two percent he opines. Peter must have information that we other, mere mortals, do not have access to. Having said that, rather than be disingenuous like Peter, I’ll simply say that the answer is virtually unanswerable for many reasons. But then, does it really matter?

And sorry, buster, the only people claiming that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice are the nutbags on the right…including guess who. But then, I’ve forgotten, Peter knows all and Peter knows best. Not being homosexual, I don’t know the reason(s) for being homosexual. I do know, though, that it is not something you just decide to do one day. Fact is, the only people I know who are trying to have it both ways are conservatives.

Peter goes on to say that he can’t imagine Abraham Lincoln lining up with the homosexual movement. Considering that Abe would have preferred the status quo of slave vs. free states rather than go to war, and the only reason the Emancipation Proclamation was written was for the sake of political expediency, then Peter’s hypothesis about Lincoln is just so much hot air.

Peter whines that people are being labeled "bigots" for supporting the amendment. Boo hoo. Later in his own piece, Peter uses the terms “feminazi,” “militant homosexual movement,” and “black-robed federal mullah.” Can you spell hypocrite, Peter?

My favorite, though, is when Peter states that what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their bedroom doesn’t concern or bother him. Then he complains that being told to embrace, celebrate or even sanction their right to privacy…well, he draws the line there. Hmmm. What was your statement about not being able to have it both ways? It either concerns you or it doesn’t, Peter. Make up your mind.

To finish his piece, Peter laments about how awful the left is and warns us that people like himself may vote for the amendment if we don’t start being nice. Screw that. Your piece has already identified you as pro-amendment and anti-constitution. So what’s the difference?

They came for the communists, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a
communist;
They came for the socialists, and I did not speak up because I was not a
socialist;
They came for the union leaders, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a
union leader;
They came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up for me.

Maybe Later

Just been tired...and busy. Have been helping my ten-year old with two school projects. I think he is finally understanding that he actually has to do some work at times. Of course, I think he became just a little depressed when I impressed upon him that he had at least another 11 years of schooling.

Have been working on my free agency bids for the fantasy baseball league in which I compete. This could be a good team. Managed to free up some salary cap room by trading off younger players with mediocre seasons...and acquired a good young pitcher and relief pitcher. If free agency goes as I hope, will have added Andruw Jones to play center field and Adrian Beltre at third base. Beltre is coming off a poor year, but his gold glove caliber defense will be useful.

Way to go, Russ. I'm sure my conservative blogger brethren will howl and whine about his censure move, but he did the correct thing. Bush and his cronies are a danger to America. The wiretapping was ILLEGAL. You can spin it anyway you want...it doesn't matter.

From Where I Sit a Great Site

I was sitting at my desk doing a little surfing during that two-hour period between dropping off and picking the kids up from school, and wound up at a blog titled From Where I Sit.

Fascinating site and some excellent thoughts from the fictional Elliot, the site commander, and those who visit and comment. I especially liked the religious word battles. I'll set up my permanent link to that site and visit it often.

Read the first chapter of The Abortionist, written by Michael Caughill (Elliot is a character from this story). I would like to do something like that...have thought about it for years and perhaps this will provide the impetus for it...gotta say though, don't like the over the top premise. Hmmm, maybe I could write something like the "Over the Top Anti-Abortionist."

The woman woke to find she was naked and chained to a wall. The letter A had been painted on her left breast in black. She saw herself in a reflection from the sunglasses that a man wore who was sitting across from her. She could not see his eyes. He was sitting in a high back chair. He was dressed all in black...shirt, belt, pants and jack boots (polished to a high sheen). All black.

She shivered and in a frightened voice asked where she was.

"You will carry your child to term, " was all the man said.

"But I was raped."

"You will carry your child to term," he repeated.

There was no inflection in his voice. Pure monotone, low, evil and black.

Dred Activist Courts

A little judicial activism would have been a good thing when Dred Scott was decided 150+ years ago. If Scalia had been on the court then he would have likely voted for the property aspect. I wonder how Thomas would have voted?

Oh, he couldn't have voted.

Sykes and McBucher Would Dodge This

This conversation between Chris Matthews and Pat Toomey about abortion from atrios. Come on Charlie, Jessica and the rest of you righties and anti-abortion goofy-heads, I’m curious to hear your answer. Oh, Jessica, just another example of something that won't be reported by the right-wing media pretenders.

Note: I removed all the crosstalk references.


MATTHEWS: Well, let‘s talk about the mainstream. Would you like to repeal or have a court overrule Roe v. Wade?

TOOMEY: Yes, I would. I think that that was clearly not a legitimate decision. It was a case where five (actually seven) Supreme Court justices decided that...

MATTHEWS: Yes, so you would like to get rid of—yes, so you basically would like to see...

TOOMEY: They decided they were going to pass a law.

MATTHEWS: Well, do you think the Supreme Court was wrong in saying a woman has a right to an abortion in the first six months of pregnancy?

TOOMEY: Yes, I think they were wrong to say that. I think that‘s not a legitimate decision. The Constitution is clearly silent on the issue of abortion. States had addressed this issue, and the Supreme Court decided it wanted to overrule the legislative bodies of all 50 states and so it did. It issued an edict.

MATTHEWS: If you go back to state‘s rights on abortion, would you support banning abortion in Pennsylvania?

TOOMEY: Yes, I would, yes.

MATTHEWS: In other words, if a woman had an abortion in Pennsylvania, what would you do to her?

TOOMEY: Well, you know, Chris...

MATTHEWS: I‘m serious. What would you do to her? You said you want to ban it. You want to use the law to outlaw abortion.

TOOMEY: That‘s right.

MATTHEWS: What would you do to a woman who had an abortion? What would you do to her?

TOOMEY: Oh, I think we would first look at the doctor who is performing the abortion and have some penalties.

MATTHEWS: Why? Why don‘t you go after the woman? Why don‘t you go after the woman? In any other situation of law and justice, you go after the person who perpetrates the act. If it‘s wrong to commit...

MATTHEWS: No, really. This is what the whole issue of abortion is and where all the B.S. comes into this argument. Are you willing to say that you would put a woman in prison for having an abortion?

TOOMEY: Chris, I‘m not sure what the penalty would be. I‘m saying...

MATTHEWS: Well, say what you want it to be.

MATTHEWS: You said it should be banned. Would you please stand up for what you believe?

TOOMEY: That‘s right.

MATTHEWS: If abortion is wrong and it‘s a crime and it‘s murder, tell me what the punishment should be.

TOOMEY: And I‘m telling you that there should be legal action taken against the doctor who performs it.

MATTHEWS: And?

TOOMEY: And we‘ve got to think through what we would do with regard to the woman.

MATTHEWS: What would you like to do?

TOOMEY: But, Chris, that doesn‘t change the fact...

MATTHEWS: You are running for the United States Senate.

MATTHEWS: And you‘ve said we ought to get rid of Roe v. Wade and you said that abortion should be banned in Pennsylvania, but you won‘t tell me what the penalty should be.

TOOMEY: That‘s right, Chris. Look, we can take things one step at a time. I think that the constitutional decision was invalid. It‘s perfectly OK to believe that these justices made up a right that doesn‘t exist in the Constitution without deciding exactly what the penalty should be under all circumstances.

MATTHEWS: You want to make up a law without a penalty. It‘s a crime without a penalty. I‘ve never heard of such a thing.

MATTHEWS: I‘m serious. This is the problem and the confusion over abortion rights in this country.

MATTHEWS: People on the far right side won‘t say what they‘ll do. They simply say they don‘t like the way things are now. What would you do?

TOOMEY: Well, if we overturn Roe vs. wade, one of the things we could do is leave it to states to make some decisions about this.

MATTHEWS: And what would you support Pennsylvania doing? You are running for senator from Pennsylvania. What should Pennsylvania do to women who decide to have an abortion? What would you do to them?

TOOMEY: Chris, I‘ve told you, I haven‘t figured out what I think we should be doing with

MATTHEWS: Well, shouldn‘t you figure out a few of these things before you run for office?

MATTHEWS: Shouldn‘t you make those basic decisions?

TOOMEY: I think my voting record is pretty clear. I have got a very long voting record. I have made a lot of decisions.And I think it‘s perfectly legitimate to say that one doesn‘t necessarily support this decision.

MATTHEWS: And what‘s Specter‘s position on abortion rights?

TOOMEY: Oh, is he a big advocate of abortion rights and taxpayer-funded abortion and all the rest, which is way outside the mainstream of the party.

MATTHEWS: OK, thank you very much, Congressman Pat Toomey. Thanks for playing HARDBALL. You may well win this one.

TOOMEY: All right.

A Brief

Right now the only brake on conservative/Republican excess is the judiciary.

Used Robe Sale

I was watching Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith with my son. You know how every time Obi Won Kenobi and the future Darth Vader prepare to do battle they first remove their outer robes?

Well, not once do you see them retrieve the robes afterword. They must go through at least twenty.

Very wasteful.

The Innocence of Bubble Baths

I was preparing to give my five-year old daughter a bath this morning when she asked me if it could be a play bath...meaning bubbles. I said sure, there was time, and wondered out loud if she wanted toys other than the yellow duckies. She said to bring her the Ken doll, "The one with the swimsuit on," and her Barbie. "But take her clothes off first" she said. I smiled as a memory was ignited from my wedding night....


I was already in the jacuzzi. It was about half full. I asked Kelly for the bubble juice. She handed it to me, but warned me to be careful because it was concentrated. I poured a little in and splashed it about with my hand. No bubbles.

Hmmm. I poured some more in and splashed again. Again, no bubbles.

"Kelly, this stuff must be old," I said.

Kelly looked into the mirror at me (isn't it fun how those little memories remain) and said that it was possible.

I poured a quarter of the bottle into the jacuzzi and splashed around. Still no bubbles.

"Oh well. Can you live without bubbles?"

"Sure."

"Okay," I sighed, and reached over and turned on the jets.

Bubbles began to appear.

"Hey look," I said. "Finally."

More bubbles. Soon bubbles covered the water.

"Uh. I think we may have a problem. Check this out, Kelly."

She turned and looked and laughed. "It's precisely for this reason that I married you," she said.

And the bubbles continued to grow until their peaks towered over my head. At that point I turned off the jets and disappeared, only to return a moment later looking like the Snow Miser. Then Kelly joined me in the tub.


Have you ever noticed that naked Barbies are very anatomically accurate these days, though it is still too easy to remove their arms and legs.

Conservative Hypocrisy at its Finest

Hat tip to Xoff for this link to Bob Dohnal, ranter extraordinaire and publisher of the Wisconsin Conservative Digest. Below is just a slice of Dohnal’s reasoned discussion style (bold face mine).

Just prior to the founding of the Wisconsin Conservative Digest and it’s
website, “widigest.com”, Ed Garvey, a perennial liberal candidate for office
had founded “Fighting Bobfest”. This liberal hate-fest attracts a considerable number of wild-eyed leftwing activists to hear speakers disparage conservatives and their representatives in office with an incredible amount of vitriol. After reading the news articles depicting the antics of “Fighting Bobfest” I thought; “Boy if you gather a few nuts in one place you sure can attract a lot of squirrels.” It was this debacle that initiated the concept of a conservative conference built on positive discussion about solving problems in Wisconsin, rather than mindlessly lash out at liberals.

The last line is classic hypocrisy…Hmmm, no vitriol there. The families of anyone who would consider contributing to this site have got to be concerned for their sanity…or not.

Praise the Lord and Hide

Hat tip to Crawford's Take for this juicy tidbit from the weird state of Missouri. They'll be coming for you next if we don't take action.

SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 139
3RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY4572L.02I

Whereas,
our forefathers of this great nation of the United States recognized a Christian God
and used the principles afforded to us by Him as the founding principles of our
nation; and

Whereas,
as citizens of this great nation, we the majority also wish to exercise our constitutional right to acknowledge our Creator and give thanks for the many gifts provided by Him; and

Whereas,
as elected officials we should protect the majority's right (bold face mine) to express their religious beliefs while showing respect for those who object; and

Whereas,
we wish to continue the wisdom imparted in the Constitution of the United States of America by the founding fathers; and

Whereas,
we as elected officials recognize that a Greater Power exists above and beyond the institutions of mankind:

Now, therefore,
be it resolved by the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, that we stand with the majority of our constituents and exercise the common sense that voluntary prayer in public schools and religious displays onpublic property are not a coalition of church and state, but rather the justified recognition of the positive role that Christianity has played in this great nation of ours, the United States of
America.

And just how will people who object be respectfully treated? Let's see...


Dear Sir,

Recently, your child, (Name), refused to recite the oath of allegiance to God and country, and did not participate in the voluntary prayer session afterword. You may have noticed that (Name) has not returned to your home. (Name) was consequently taken to the "Praise The Lord" Detention Center at 45th and Kilbourn.

You may come to the detention center between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 am to retrieve the body.

Respectfully yours, Obergrupenfuhrer (Name)

PS: We have set up a meeting for you and your wife for next Tuesday at 11:15 pm. Officers will arrive to escort you to the meeting. Please bring a toothbrush.

Clueless in Waukesha

Is this woman completely clueless? Jessica McBucher, once again, misses the point while commenting about Tim Cuprisin's article about John Mercure's wierd blog adventure.

Jessica, it's not about the content...it's that Mercure is misleading people to believe that the original over-the-top post never existed. That's calling lying...and you are enabling that behavior. Typical for conservatives, though.

No Rights Unless We Say

Conservatives again show their true colors.

They Belong to You

You got to love Fox News. This on "Duke" Cunningham from Media Matters.

Reporting on the sentencing of disgraced former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham
(R-CA) during the March 3 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume,
Fox News correspondent Anita Vogel did not once mention that Cunningham was a Republican. During the course of the report, Vogel instead referred to Cunningham as "the former Vietnam war hero," "U.S. congressman," and "representative."

For the record, Cunningham is a REPUBLICAN. As is Tom Reynolds, Charlie. And, sorry, you may not like her and you can disavow her all you want, but Ann Coulter is yours, conservative brethren.

Faux Froggies

This from Eric Neel at ESPN online (my favorite sports writer)...

You hear a lot of talk about the health, or lack thereof, of Kerry Wood and
Mark Prior.

But they aren't the big story in Chicago. The big story in Chicago is
non-roster invitee Marquis Grissom. Why, you say? What could a 39-year-old
outfielder who played in just 44 games last season in San Francisco possibly
bring to the mix?

Just this: If he makes the club, and if, say, the young Matt Murton
struggles early in the season, or strains a hammy or some such sadness, the Cubs
could play Marquis alongside Juan Pierre and Jacque Jones giving them what I
believe to be the major leagues' first-ever All Faux French Outfield, which
would, you know, be pretty funny.

Viva la France.

Conservative Pundits and TV Journalists(?) Still Liars

Contrary to what a couple righty bloggers have said, I say that Tim Cuprisin hit it right on the head regarding TMJ4 reporter John Mercure's blog comments. Here is an example of the original post by Mercure (from Cuprisin's article)...

In a Feb. 28 posting (since removed) about a convicted sex offender, Mercure
wrote: "This sick loser should be castrated . . . or strung up." His post,
with 28 exclamation points, features big, bold capital letters proclaiming
that "THERE IS A COZY PLACE IN A DARK CORNER OF HELL" for the offender.

It's juuuust a little over the top...especially coming from a journalist(?). Obviously TMJ4 thought so too because the post was later replaced with this.

What compounds the problem is the blatant lie Mercure is caught in when he leads people to believe that the original post never happened by telling people to check out what Charlie Sykes thought of his post...never mentioning that Sykes was commenting about the original.

Of course, Sykes is involved in the coverup as well as he provides a link to the new post, not the original. What a surprise.

Misnamed

I respectfully believe that Belle at Leaning Blue should rename her blog. I've no doubt she is a nice person, obviously intelligent...but I think her blog, IMO, would be better titled Leaning Red.

That's all.

Keep Your Info Safe

This came to me from my Mom...a source I, needless to say, trust.

The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".

When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.

Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address. Never have your social security number printed on your checks (DUH!). You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

Copy the contents of your wallet. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel in case your wallet is lost or stolen. Keep the photocopies in a safe place.

Carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling inside the U.S. or abroad.

The individual who wrote this lost his wallet and in within a week, an expensive monthly cell phone package was ordered, a VISA credit card was applied for, a credit line was approved to buy a Gateway computer, a PIN number was received from DMV to change this individual's driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all: Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert.

Here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

David Clarke is a Boor

It sounds like the 911 operator did respond in a tired fashion (link to Spivak and Bice column). Having said that, Sheriff David Clarke was highly unprofessional in his response. If he thinks that verbally berating an employee will cause positive change to be made, then he needs to take a refresher course in successful administration. And by the way, his repetitious asking of the question "What is it going to take..." was a bullying tactic. The time to have an attitude adjustment session with the employee was later in private, not over the phone and not by tieing up a 911 line. Clarke is a bully.

Another reason why the Republicans can have this guy and I will never vote for him.

Don't Throw Stones

There is a good piece on the "defense of marriage" amendment written by Rick Esenberg. Mr. Esenberg also writes a column for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Anyway, in this piece he argues that it's the heated comments that make debate on this difficult.

I would suggest he is correct, but reasoned thought is not a province of the right only. And, tell that to the bible-thumpers.

I just want to add that adding discrimination to a document that lays out rights is obscene.

BTW: Gay people have been around for much more than twenty years and people of Abrahamic faiths have known of them. Times change. Also, sexual exclusivity is, I believe, part of what makes a marriage. Heteros have made a mess of that, though. It's that old glass house adage....

Goosestep With Me Baby

Another conservative talking point that is getting old (variations of this too)...

I couldn't believe he would deny a chance at a decent education to thousands of
poor African American kids in Milwaukee.

I have seen or heard this version at least a dozen times in the last month, by a number of different bloggers and right-wing talk show hosts. It is really very funny to see the conservatives marching in formation together, eyes right toward their fearless leader (it's a metaphor BTW).

No Guts, No Glory

The MSM in this country amount to a bunch of woosies. They are too afraid to even ask any questions about the video with Bush that appears to contradict his statement two days later that no one anticipated the levees failing.

Bush is a failure as President in all regards but one...he has managed to muzzle the press. The next time a conservative tells me that the so-called liberal press does this and that...I will laugh long and hard.

Pathetic Melodrama

This from a local blogger:

In a week when we're mourning the loss of Michael Joyce, the former
executive director of the Bradley Foundation who gave life to the school
choice movement, we shouldn't see thousands of poor, disadvantaged children
see their dreams die with him.

Michael Joyce himself said he enjoyed a good fight and didn't mind getting into the fray. I say good riddance. He never cared about African-Americans. It was a fringe argument designed to get Repugs to the polls, just like the anti-gay measure voted on the other day (which cowardly conservative bloggers have yet to stand up against). He was just a totalitarian wannabe. He would have been great camp leader in some small communist-run gulag. How's that for getting into it?

Short and Simple

Conservatives lie and cannot be trusted. They never have the best interests of the people in mind. The "me first" attitude is a conservative invention.

Plantation Days

James, James. Talk about taking someone out of context. James says this about folkbum's recent blog on school vouchers:

Jay Bullock at Folkbum's Rants and Rambles has declared his blog is for whites only. He says it's "insane" to "tell blacks {sic} what to think." (I'm sure this will be news
to his MPS students.)

This is what folkbum really wrote:

See what I mean about insane? Tierny is another one of those--like Milwaukee's
own Charlie Sykes, for example--white guys who feels the need to tell blacks
what to think; not even in my insanest days to I go that far.

Apparently (McBucher word again) it's okay for conservatives to tell African Americans what to think and do, like: "Go fetch me my paper, boy." Yeah, conservatives should feel comfortable saying that. They have experience.

Make Mine Bloody

This comment found at Wigderson Library & Pub, by "anonymous."

Well i'm not in favor of civil wars unless they are the bloodless variety.
But i don't see a civil war in Iraq as Bad or a Defeat for America. Nor even
Iraq. I envision an Iraqi civil war ending in three very seperate but very
stable nation states. There would be the Kurds in the North, Shia in the South,
and the Sunnis in a postage stamp in the Greater Bagdad area. Bloody perhaps,
but not Bad.Anonymous 02.27.06 - 8:34 pm #

When has there ever been a bloodless civil war? This fool is wise to stay anonymous. And his final statement is just cold-blooded. I guess bloody is good if it furthers the conservative agenda.

Pros and Cons

I was scanning through a few blogs and saw that Belle at Leaning Blue was initiating a form of Point/Counter Point forum. It's a nice idea. The first part of it was to be on the pros and cons of corporate blogging. Jumping the gun a bit -- typically of conservatives (MHO) -- Fred took it upon himself to play the role of all positions (including the ugly).

SURPRISE. Charlie Yikes was the epitome of what a good corporate blog is all about. Yikes is an arrogant blowhard. The day will come when people finally see through Herr Transparency.

The bad was covered by Spivak and Bice of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel…another big surprise. Fred apparently has nothing better to do than track the leanings of Spivak and Bice, similar to the machinations of the Media Research Center and their resident quack, Brent Bozell. Lots of drivel.

The last had to do mainly with the Racine Journal Times and the fact that a conservative blogger was no longer allowed to e-mail the Journal Times because his “crime” was complaining about its bias. Head knock! Complaining about bias is one thing, being vulgar and crude while doing it (my gut feeling in this case) is another.

UPDATE: The Racine Journal Times has apparently (there's that McBucher word again) decided to release the ban on this particular blogger. Shame on the Racine Journal Times if its ban was merely because someone expressed an opinion, civilly.

A Plug for Magic Eraser!

Not much in the mood for blogging today. Dropped the kiddies off at their mother's house the other evening and immediately began missing them. I've been told I'll be happier to move them when they reach their teenage years...I am not so sure.

Spent the day cleaning. Dusted and vacuumed in the living room, tidied up the kid's room (that was hard) and then proceeded to cleaning the kitchen floor, which had accumulated all sorts of grime and muck the past few months. Regular mopping has had only an illusory effect. More was needed.

Magic Eraser!

While it does require that I get down on my knees for this, and my 49 year old knees do not take kindly to kneeling on hard surfaces, Magic Eraser! (each time you read those two words, imagine a booming voice saying the words out loud, like on tv ads of old)...say it again...Magic Eraser!

Anyway, Magic Eraser!...oh, stop it already.

Using the product is easy. Soak it in water, rinse it out, and then scrub the surface. It takes off grime and muck and even removes surface scratches.

It really was a remarkable transformation. The floor looked new again. And all because of...

I'm not going there again.

Well, just one more time because it is time to end the day...

Magic Eraser!