Tonight's incoherence and/or slap happy tired silly factor could be up to 11 tonight; it could be entertaining!
Let's get historical for April 20. On this date in 1836, the Territory of Wisconsin was established by Congress. The next day, Governor Scotty's ancestors took everyone's right to collectively bargain away, and a state Senate candidate's FAQ line was really a sex line!
And, on a more somber note, it's been 365 days since the explosion & sinking of the Deepwater Horizon facility in the Gulf of Mexico. When will the charges be filed?!
It's time for SPARK! Holy $hit, it's a good thing Ah - nuld ain't the Governator anymore; we will either need to avoid him or look for his later incarnation!! ;D It's a good thing Bristol Palin wasn't wearing these underoos; she wouldn't have gotten the chance to realize that single motherhood is such a damn lucrative business. Finally, from the animal kingdom, "SQUIRREL!"
On with The Rachel Maddow Show!
"CRUDE" - During the House floor debate of the Medicare Part D event, a vote was held at 3 am. Wasn't that past GWB's bedtime?! The GOBP didn't have the votes in the House to pass the mother. The vote was kept open for 3 hours; it was supposed to be 15 minutes. "Leadership" at the time were brow - beating those who voted "no." It took GWB brow - beating via cell phone to get the thing passed. The same Congress critter who was in charge of that helped Jack Abramoff get his connections in Congress.
Now, this dude - Rep. Doc Hastings - chairs the House Natural Resources Committee. He wants to further de - regulate deepwater oil drilling a year to the day after Deepwater Horizon. Uh, was he aware of the timing? He doesn't want the government to study any drilling permits for longer than 60 days. There hasn't been a single spill - related bill passed in Congress in the last year. In Rep. Ryan's budget plan, $40 billion in taxpayer subsidies go to the oil industry. Old people won't get Medicare, but the big oil folk won't have to give up their solid gold terlets.
I had a feeling Bob Cavnar would be a guest tonight. ;D I wonder if he knows Michael Bromwich? Big oil just loves Congressional gridlock. They probably like pulling on puppies' ears, too. It's the same damn technology as in last year & even since the Exxon Valdez! $HIT!
Rep. Ed Markey has authored legislation to make big oil that wants to drill in the Gulf to allow for funds for any clean - ups. Lawsuits galore were filed today from BP/BS to TransOcean & other companies - even though BP/BS is the operator of record, and the employees who died were their employees.
"Among Friends" - President Obama did some Facebook town hall/forum/thing today. He talked going back to Clinton - era tax rates for the super rich. He also discussed some of Rep. Paul Ryan's shtick. Wow, I must say he done good outlining just what a selfish evil bastard Rep. Ryan is by outlining some of his own life story with his single mother & grandparents! However, I wouldn't call Rep. Ryan a patriot like President Obama did. Governor Ed Rendell is on deck to talk Facebook forums & Rep. Ryan. Rep. Paul Ryan received a less - than warm & fuzzy welcome among his constituents at a town hall when he was talking lowering taxes on the super rich on the backs of "we, the people." Rep. Ryan's plan is wildly unpopular; however, that doesn't mean the Dems can't blow this memo! Remember the popularity of the public option in HCR?!
Even tea baggers don't like Rep. Ryan's plan? HELLO?! Dems in Congress want "middle ground" between President Obama's deficit proposal & Rep. Ryan's "budget." Lovely...
"How the Midwest Was Won" - There will be a recount in the WI SC race! YES!!
Joanne Kloppenberg has officially asked for a recount & a special investigator for Waukesha County!! NEATO!!!
"How the MidWest Was Won Part Deux" - Wisconsin haz teh recall fever, too! 4 state GOBP reps are on the chopping block right now. Look at all that blue; it's Blue Cheese, y'all!!!
Dante Chinni is talking recalls & blue cheese in WI. :D He works for Patchwork Nation that "divides" the nation based on various political leanings & issues, I guess. I've never heard of this group, so I'm flying blind here. Mr. Chinni thinks Wisconsin "...is the beginning of something." Good sparkin' grief, I hope so!!
Rachel paid tribute to the 2 photojournalists who were killed in Libya today.
"Rainbow Blight" - The color - coded alert system from GWB's little reign has officially gone the way of Crystal Pepsi!