From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE…
Friday Margaret and Helen Blogging
The intertubes' ornery 80-somethings have Texas politics on their minds. After noting that Republican governor candidate Greg Abbott's wheelchair is starring in his latest ad, Helen notes how he sued for damages and was awarded over $10 million in medical and non-economic (i.e mental anguish) damages after a freak tree-falling accident. But then, as so often happens in GOP Land, he decided that laws that were good enough for him were apparently too good for everyone else:
I’ve got no problem with using the courts to right a wrong. Of course, Greg seems to have changed his mind now that his day in court is over. …
What Grandmas on battleship want,
Grandmas on battleship get.
As a justice on the Texas Supreme Court, Greg supported limiting non-economic damages such as mental anguish. He helped pass laws that limit the amount others can now sue for. As Texas Attorney General, that jackass even tried to strike down the portion of the Americans with Disabilities Act requiring equal access to public buildings. When questioned, he told reporters, “Because I filed a claim of my own, should I forever be foreclosed from criticizing frivolous and abusive lawsuits?” This from the guy who has sued the federal government 27 times---20 since Obama has been in office.
What’s good for the goose, is not good for the gander on Greg’s farm. In today’s Texas, Greg would be the much less wealthy guy in the wheelchair---probably suffering from the mental anguish of having been cut down in his prime with no avenue to make it right. …
[I]f you happen to live in the great state of Texas, come November, vote for Wendy Davis. I mean it. Really.
And if you're into eggplant, they've posted a recipe that includes bacon grease, goat cheese and tomato sauce. Not usually my thing, but it sounds kinda tasty.
Your west coast-friendly edition of Cheers and Jeers starts below the fold... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]
Cheers and Jeers for Friday, September 12, 2014
Note: A reminder that the Netroots Nation auction starts on Tuesday. If you're inclined to help 'em raise some money to pay for their operating costs, they'd love it if you could donate item or two or ten, and all you need to do is click here and follow the easy instructions. If you'd rather the auctioneers do the posting for you or you have any questions, email Karen Kolber at: Karen (at) netrootsnation.org.
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2 days!!!
By the Numbers:
Days 'til the midterm elections:
53
Days 'til the
CS Barks Dog Festival in Carol Stream, Illinois:
2
Percent chance that heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels reached all-new highs last year:
100%
(Source: U.N. World Meteorological Organization)
Drop in McDonald's sales last month in Asia, Africa and the Middle East:
14.5%
Average rise in employer-based health insurance premiums and employee deductibles, respectively, over the past five years:
26%, 47%
(Source: Kaiser Family Foundation)
Percent of global respondents who say they're willing to pay extra for products and services from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact, up from 50 percent in 2012 and 45 percent in 2011:
55%
(Source: Nielsen survey)
Increase in yoga participation and yoga apparel, respectively, last year:
4.5%, 45%
(Source:
The Week)
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NEW! Michele Bachmann Departure Countdown
Michele Bachmann and her googly eyes leave Congress in 113 days. The memories will remain:
"Tea Party candidate Michele Bachmann said the Revolutionary War started in New Hampshire when it really started in Massachusetts. Interesting that a woman who believes so strongly in states rights can't get her states right."
---Jay Leno
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Puppy Pic of the Day: Best dog bath evuh...
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CHEERS and JEERS to two sides of the same chamber. Yesterday a vote was taken in the Senate to end debate over a constitutional amendment voiding the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. All the Democrats voted in favor of throttling back on the obscene amount of money that now gets thrown into political campaign coffers, and Republicans voted in lockstep to ensure that billionaires own a much larger chunk of a politician's soul than the rest of us. Afterwards, Democrats left the chamber to speak with reporters. Republicans left the chamber to get a cookie and a pat on the head from the Koch brothers.
JEERS to the not-so-mighty right-wing Wurlitzer. A couple weeks back I kept seeing tweets like this one from Fox News:
Since Fox's hype never matches reality, I figured it must be some bullshit---a book or something from conspiracy nuts looking to make a buck off the tragedy. Sure enough, it was a book by conspiracy nuts looking to make a buck off the tragedy. And their SMOKING GUN(!) has already been doused with water by the top House intelligence committee guy---a
card-carrying Republican, no less. Meanwhile, I understand that the "Select" hearings on Benghazi will start
next week. To physically prepare myself, I'll spend a few hours this weekend cranking up
Greatest Hits of the Vuvuzela while taunting my gag reflex with a yardstick.
CHEERS to a century of warbling our way through the most mangled lyrics in music history (if you don’t count Feliz Navidad or Louie Louie). On tomorrow's date in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote The Star Spangled Banana after witnessing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry with bananas (source: Gorillapedia) during the War of 1812. When he signed the 1931 law making it our national anthem, Herbert Hoover performed his greatest act of compassion while in office. Namely, not making us attempt to sing the other three verses.
CHEERS to Palin family values. Hey, America, take a look at what the VP's residence might've looked like if we'd only had the wisdom to elect Wasilla Gorilla and the Arizona Bomber six years ago:
Eyewitness sketch of the Great
Palin Family Brawl of '14.
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[M]ultiple accounts say that it started when Track confronted Willow’s former boyfriend, Conner Cleary, who was there with his father Steve and his mother Melissa. Thompson didn’t see this part, but other witnesses, who didn’t want to be named, say that Conner and Track fought on the front yard. Steve tried to break it up. Todd jumped into the mix and began to choke Steve. … Bristol, according to Thompson and other witnesses, planted her feet, “stood straight up, brought her arm back and cold-cocked [the owner of the house] right in the face,” Thompson said. And then she did it again, about six more times, before he pushed her away, and she fell, and Todd appeared. …
Sarah got involved and began to scream profanities at everyone. One source, who didn’t want to be named, said that she was “nearly crawling on top of people,” trying to get into the scrum. … “It was a really nice, mellow party,” Thompson said. “Then it turned into the Jerry Springer show.”
According to the police report, Sarah had crib notes on her hand: "Punch" "Kick" "Go for Throat" and "Let Freedom Reign." Fearless prediction:
Brawlin' with the Palins will debut as a reality show no later than February.
JEERS to the human snot rag. Four years ago, Newton Leroy Gingrich put on a display of the class and charm that makes him one of America's most admired leaders since, oh, the First of Never:
But you have to admit, Newt and
Calista do make a lovely couple.
"What if [President Obama] is so outside our comprehension, that only if you understand Kenyan, anti-colonial behavior, can you begin to piece together [his actions]?" Gingrich asks. "That is the most accurate, predictive model for his behavior."
"This is a person who is fundamentally out of touch with how the world works, who happened to have played a wonderful con, as a result of which he is now president," Gingrich tells us.
Curious as to how Newt's observations were holding up four years later, I called Kenya for their current assessment of our nation's new Kenyan, anti-colonial bent. They hung up. But Ill try again next year. This is, after all, a serious matter.
Sunday: a rendezvous with PBS.
CHEERS to home vegetation. The big event (for me, at least) on the tube this weekend is Ken Burns'
The Roosevelts---Teddy! Ellie! Frankie D!---Sunday on PBS. I bet it's gonna be great. Also, this weekend, Bill Maher returns to HBO's
Real Time with guests Nancy Pelosi, Haley Barbour, Jon Huntsman, Andrea Mitchell and Jerry Seinfeld. New
DVD releases include
Captain America: Winter Soldier and the doc
Fed Up. Your
baseball schedule is here and the NFL schedule is…actually, this week I don’t really feel like posting the NFL schedule. On
Bill Moyers & Company: climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe. Sunday night it's the Miss America Pageant from Atlantic City…assuming there are any casinos still open to hold it in. (As usual, my money's on the cello player.) And at 11pm John Oliver wraps the weekend up on
Last Week Tonight.
For the punishment gluttons among us, here's your Sunday morning lineup. In the wake of Obama's saber rattling, let's see the ratio of hawks (H) and doves (D) on the roster:
Meet the Press: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough on the ISIS threat; Former Secretary of State James Baker; Sen. Bernie sanders (I-VT) (D); Richard Engel in Iraq and Bill Neely from Syria; roundtable with Nia-Malika Henderson, Helene Cooper, Mike Murphy and Jim VandeHei.
Good luck spotting one
of these Sunday morning.
This Week: Denis McDonough; Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA, and I'm gonna miss him when he leaves next year, darn it) on Hillary Clinton’s first trip to Iowa since the 2008 campaign; roundtable with Donna Brazile and Matt Dowd; Education secretary Arne Duncan.
Face the Nation: Secretary of State John Kerry; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) (H) Discussion of The Roosevelts---Ken Burns speaks softly but carries a big stick, Doris Kearns Goodwin brings a tub of Good Luck margarine, and author Geoffrey Ward causes minor studio damage with his cigarette holder.
CNN's State of the Union: Denis McDonough; retired Lieutenant General James Dubik; Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN and also a D) and Congressman John Conyers (D-MI and also a D) on the NFL backlash; roundtable with Jay Carney, former Romney adviser Lanhee Chen (H), S.E. Cupp and LZ Granderson; Sen. Tom Harkin dishes on Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and his least favorite presidents.
Fox GOP Talking Points Sunday: Former NSA/CIA director Gen. Michael Hayden (H); Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Lindsay Graham (R-Under the Persimmon Tree with a Lemonade in One Hand and a Colonel in the Other) (H); roundtable with Juan Williams, Karl Rove (H), Kirsten Powers and Brit Hume (H).
I count 6 hawks and 3 doves. And if you don't believe me, I'll invade you.
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Ten years ago in C&J: September 12, 2004
CHEERS to 9/11 commemoration. It was low-key and somber, with a minimum of politicizing. But to the hucksters who took advantage of the day by hawking their "commemorative" coins, plates and other junk...shame on you.
JEERS to sweating bullets. Looks like Hurricane Ivan will plant a big wet one on Alabama. Will it be enough to churn up Bush's missing National Guard records?
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And just one more…
CHEERS to the last Lone State governor who had more than two brain cells to rub together. Seems appropriate, since we started tonight's C&J with a real Texas jerk, we should end it with a real Texan not-jerk. Former governor Ann Richards---whose reelection campaign was thwarted in part by Karl Rove's smear tactics ("I'm not saying she's a lesbian, but…")---died on tomorrow's date in 2006. Age 73. She mulled her epitaph back in '95:
"I did not want my tombstone to read, 'She kept a really clean house.' I think I'd like them to remember me by saying, 'She opened government to everyone.'"
As her headstone shows,
she got her wish. (Although it must be said that her record on the death penalty, while not nearly as sadistic or prolific as her successors', is the worst of the few blots on her record.) Molly Ivins and Richards became close friends---you can read
Molly's tribute here. In January, 1995 she wrote this after Richards lost to Whatsizface:
Gov. Ann Richards
Richards said in a farewell interview with the press corps that if she'd known she was going to be a one-term governor, she would have "raised more hell." I wish she had. But these are relatively minor quibbles with what is, overall, a distinguished record. My political memory of Texas goes back to Allan Shivers, and I know that in that time we have not had a governor who worked nearly as hard as Ann Richards. Who was nearly as gracious as Richards. Who made more good appointments than Richards. Who set a higher standard of honesty than Richards. [...]
What our notoriously weak governors actually do is set a tone for the state. So let it be recorded that for four brief shining years, Ann Richards gave the joint some class. Good on ya, Annie.
We need more Ann Richardses down here on the third muckball from the sun. (We shall be following your career with great interest, young Wendy Davis...)
Thus we come to the end of another weird week. Time to crash for 48 hours. Floor's open...What are you cheering and jeering about today?
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