GOP a "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Of The Insurance Industry" Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY)

"You gotta love these Republicans, I mean, you guys have chutzpah. The Republican Party is a wholly owned subsidiary of insurance companies." [ Republican asks that the words be stricken from the record because they were inappropriate for debate.] Weiner's replies "I'd be glad to -- I'll just substitute other words.

Make no mistake about it, every single Republican I have ever met in my entire life is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the insurance industry."

Thanks to Karen

Don Andy's Tonal, Nagual, & Inner Child.

Friends Are a Good Thing.

Turkey Creek Jack Johnson: Why you doin' this, Doc?
Doc Holliday: Because Wyatt Earp is my friend.
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson: Friend? Hell, I got lots of friends.
Doc Holliday: ...I don't.

Only Two Percent of the Tea Party Cult Realize That Their Taxes Have Gone Down Under Obama.

Maher: And three, cult members always attribute all of their problems to one simple explanation. Now here's an amazing statistic. In a recent poll almost ninety percent of Tea Baggers said that they thought taxes had either gone up or stayed the same under Obama. Only two percent thought they went down. But the reality is taxes have gone down for ninety five percent of working families taxes went down.

Think about that. Only two percent of the people in a "movement" about taxes named after a tax revolt have the slightest idea what's going on...with taxes.

So, it would be easy to just mock, except that those who fall under the control of cults aren't necessarily weirdoes, they're victims. And we shouldn't forget that these people are our relatives, our neighbors and the folks at the next table in the restaurant. Especially if that restaurant is Hooters and it's dollar wing Wednesday. See,
Real Time New Rules: The Tea Party Isn't a Movement, It's a Cult By Heather Video of Bill's commentary is also at this link.
Thanks to Dr. Steve. 

"Yabba-Dabba-Doo!" Nearly a Third of Texans Believe Humans and Dinosaurs Roamed the Earth at the Same Time, & 30% “Don’t Know.” God Bless Texas.

"Nearly a third of Texans believe humans and dinosaurs roamed the earth at the same time, and more than half disagree with the theory that humans developed from earlier species of animals, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll.
The differences in beliefs about evolution and the length of time that living things have existed on earth are reflected in the political and religious preference of our respondents, who were asked four questions about biological history and God:
• 38 percent said human beings developed over millions of years with God guiding the process and another 12 percent said that development happened without God having any part of the process. Another 38 percent agreed with the statement "God created human beings pretty much in their present form about 10,000 years ago."
• Asked about the origin and development of life on earth without injecting humans into the discussion, and 53 percent said it evolved over time, "with a guiding hand from God." They were joined by 15 percent who agreed on the evolution part, but "with no guidance from God." About a fifth — 22 percent — said life has existed in its present form since the beginning of time.
• Most of the Texans in the survey — 51 percent — disagree with the statement, "human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals." Thirty-five percent agreed with that statement, and 15 percent said they don't know.
• Did humans live at the same time as the dinosaurs? Three in ten Texas voters agree with that statement; 41 percent disagree, and 30 percent don't know.
The questions were devised by David Prindle, a University of Texas government professor who authored a book called Stephen Jay Gould and the Politics of Evolution, about the late evolutionary biologist. "The end in mind … is to establish the relationships, not just to get raw public opinion," he says. "We can do some fancy statistical stuff. … Is it religion driving politics or is politics driving religion? My hypothesis is that religious views drive politics."
The most common religious denominations in the survey were Catholic and Baptist, with 20 percent each, followed by nondenominational Christians, at 10 percent, and Methodists, at 6 percent. Eight percent chose "spiritual but not religious," and 7 percent chose "other." Only 6 percent identified themselves as atheist or agnostic. An overwhelming majority said their religious beliefs were extremely important (52 percent) or somewhat important (30 percent). Only 35 percent go to church once a week or more; 52 percent said they go once or twice a year (29 percent) or never (23 percent).
Church attendance isn't much different among Republicans and Democrats in the poll, though Republicans who do go to church say they go more often. More than half of the Democrats — 51 percent — go to church "never" or "once or twice a year." That's true of 45 percent of the Republicans in the poll. Forty-two percent of Republicans say they attend church at least once a week, compared to 35 percent of Democrats.
Democrats (28 percent) are less likely than Republicans (47 percent) to think that humans have always existed in their present form and more likely (21 percent to 7 percent) to think humans have developed over millions of years without God's guidance. About the same percentages of Democrats and Republicans (40 and 36 percent, respectively) believe that evolution took place over time with God's guidance. Democrat Bill White's voters were the most likely to believe in evolution without a divine hand (33 percent); on the Republican side, by comparison, only 6 percent of Rick Perry's supporters were in that category.
Has life on earth always existed in its present form? Republicans are more likely to agree (29 percent) than Democrats (16 percent). They're less likely to believe that life evolved over time with no guidance from God (8 percent to 24 percent). Democrats are slightly less inclined to believe in evolution with a "guiding hand from God" (50 percent to 55 percent).
Republicans are less likely to believe that humans developed from earlier species of animals; 26 percent agree, while 60 percent disagree. Among Democrats in the survey, 46 percent agree that humans evolved from earlier species; 42 percent disagree. Perry's voters were most hostile to this premise — 67 percent disagree.
About the same numbers of Democrats and Republicans — 43 percent — disagree with the idea that dinosaurs and humans lived on the planet at the same time. Republicans were slightly more likely to agree with the idea (31 percent to 27 percent). Perry had more voters in each group on the GOP side, but Kay Bailey Hutchison had the largest share of voters who believe in that coexistence.
Prindle says the results recall a line from comedian Lewis Black. "He did a standup routine a few years back in which he said that a significant proportion of the American people think that the 'The Flintstones' is a documentary," Prindle says. "Turns out he was right. Thirty percent of Texans agree that humans and dinosaurs lived on the earth at the same time."  Meet the Flintstones by Ross Ramsey 

Thanks To Bobby

Delmar Allen "Dale" Hawkins (August 22, 1936 – February 13, 2010)

So long Dale.  Thanks for the music.  We'll miss you. Dale is most famous for writing Suzie Q  covered by the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Dale's cousin Ronnie Hawkins.  For more on Dale see Dale Hawkins Dies-Arkansas Times.

Thanks to Kathy

Congratulations to The Church of Christ-Too Bad For the Baptists. Ken Starr, Author of the World's Most Expensive Piece of Pornography, to Leave Pepperdine for Baylor.

Ken Starr to Baylor

"Report says special persecutor Kenneth Starr will be president of Baylor University. Hope he does a better and more honest job than he did as special prosecutor. His sanctimony should be a good fit.
A review today in the NY Times, which I was going to mention in a column this week, touches on several revelations in a massive new book on the Whitewater/Lewinsky investigation that don't reflect well on Starr's leadership of that investigation."

Waco survived David Koresh.  Maybe it will survive Kenneth Starr.  He'll never make it to Salt Lake though.

"Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, vulgarities on the telephone, or flickering personal computer screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging. This potent tool of Lucifer degrades the mind and the heart and the soul of any who use it. All who are caught in its seductive, tantalizing web and remain so will become addicted to its immoral, destructive influence." See,

The Addictive Power of Pornography Richard G. Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 8–9

See, Starr Report,

http://www.time.com/time/daily/scandal/starr_report/files/

Lewis Calver's design for the W library at SMU (from the Chronicle of Higher Ed)

Thanks to Eileen

To Bill & Kalamazoo

  

Roosevelt or Hoover? You Decide.

Bush's Great Recession has already caused deep cuts in crucial state and local programs from coast to coast. Now it is forcing cuts in Congress too. But instead of cutting massively wasteful military spending, President Obama and Democratic "leaders" are pushing a record $708 billion Pentagon budget, including $160 billion for the never-ending wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you think Democratic "leaders" should spend our tax dollars on healthcare not warfare, there's an exciting new grassroots movement you can join: the Brownbaggers! Last month, there were 22 Brownbag Vigils outside Congressional district offices. This Wednesday, that number will grow to 50 - and even more if you help organize one near you. It's time to start a grassroots revolution to demand the change we voted for in 2006 and 2008. Bob Fertik Discussion: http://democrats.com/217-brownbaggers-not-teabaggers p.s. We are also working to reverse the Supreme Court's decision in January to let corporations spend unlimited sums to buy politicians. If you haven't yet signed, please pledge to Save Our Democracy: http://democrats.com/save-our-democracy?cid=ZGVtczYzNTY4NmRlbXM%3D Progressive Democrats of America’s Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign has expanded with the Brown Bag Lunch Vigils. PDA had its official kickoff for the BBLVs in January in 22 congressional districts across the country. This month, on Wednesday February 17, at least 50 CDs will be holding these vigils to raise awareness among the public and our elected officials that the electorate is not being served by current U.S. war policies. Brown Bag Lunch Vigils (BBLV) are held on the third Wednesday of every month (with a few exceptions) in front of the home offices of representatives—and even a senator or two—in congressional districts all over the country. Most vigils go from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Go to PDA's calendar and see if there's a BBLV in your district, then sign up to participate in it! If there isn't a vigil in your area (yet), organize one yourself. It's easy. Get all the information you need on the BBLV page and schedule a vigil for your district. Download fliers for your vigil from the BBLV page. Then make signs to show your representative and your neighbors what social benefits we could have paid for if the money spent on foreign, nation-building wars had been spent in our own communities. Billions of our tax dollars (look at how many at this very moment) are pouring out of our country's coffers and into war pockets. Take stand for peace with PDA and our partners - CODEPINK, AfterDowningStreet, Democrats.com, the California Nurses Assn./National Nurses United, Healthcare-NOW!, and United for Peace and Justice - with the Brown Bag Lunch Vigils. In peace and solidarity, BBLV National Team Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal in 2010: Expand progressive influence in Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Lila Garrett.

This Land Was Made For You and Me-All of Us. Thanks Woody.

Angus & Nannie Offer More Support for Inter-Species Relationships-Jessica the Hippo.

Would You Buy A Used Policy From Dick Cheney? This Guy Has the Nerve To Criticize Oboma?

"3,000 people died on September 11th, 2001 because George Bush did not prioritize. Perhaps no one says it because it is such a painful, awful truth to confront, 3,000 people dead because Bush and Dick Cheney and Don Rumsfeld and others simply had other agendas than fighting terrorism"

Be My Valentine-Not.

Know and Love Your Neighbor. Sorry Alice

Responsible Reproduction

"The reproduction debate's heating up as TLC prepares to air the fourth season of its Duggar Family hit, 19 Kids and Counting. This season, the Duggars have upped their clan-size from 18 to 19, and it has some arguing yay or nay about the 'Duggar-style' approach to reproduction. We say, as long as Jim Bob and Michelle are able to keep a roof over their family's head and modern-modest clothes on their backs, there's a far more important reproductive issue at hand. So, we're offering to run this billboard in the Duggar's hometown of Tontitown, Arkansas, as well as in nearby Springdale and Fayetteville"

See, Duggars and Dogs: PETA Weighs In 

Thanks to Jen & Speedy

Supreme Court Gets New Robes After Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission

Scalia and the other champions of "original intent” showed their colors.  They praise and cite strict construction to deny basic rights to some poor soul and castigate the "activist judges" below who tried to uphold those rights.  Yet, they don't hesitate to overturn established law to advance their own  ideological  & political agendas. At least Carl Rove and his ilk don't hide behind black robes as these hacks do  I'm embarrassed for them and our judicial system.    Thanks for trying Jim. 
"This year showed us that a republic periodically has to save capitalism from itself. Corporations are creations of the republic, not its equals or superiors. We citizens charter them, protect them legally, subsidize them, and even bail them out - and punish them when, as with Pfizer Chemical, their profit-maximizing violates drug-safety rules.

We couldn’t do that if a level playing field of “robust speech’’ were overwhelmed by corporate speech, which isn’t free because corporations, unlike individuals, are not full-fledged members of the community. As inanimate entities, they are incapable of what the political philosopher Michael Sandel calls “a willingness to sacrifice individual interests for the sake of the common good, and the ability to deliberate well about common purposes and ends.’’

That’s why corporations can’t vote - and shouldn’t be able to use the wealth we let them amass to inundate our deliberations. TV ads telling us how deeply oil companies care about the environment aren’t part of open give-and-take; they’re efforts to cash in on a consensus that might not have emerged at all had corporate money dominated our elections and debates more than it does.

That’s what’s at stake in the Supreme Court’s worrisome readiness to consider overturning restrictions the republic was wise enough to enact. If Olson’s business clients want to smear Clinton, let them do it openly, not from behind the façade of a corporation claiming First Amendment rights. The amendment’s framers intended those rights for others; Justice Scalia and other champions of “original intent,” call home!"

Except from Corporate free speech? Since when? By Jim Sleeper September 5, 2009

The Way We Were-Baseball, Childhood, Bonding With a Blind Man, Economics, & a Small Step Away From Racism.

This is Jim Morgan's response to this baseball video about St. Louis.  Click here if you want to see it, but it's not necessary to appreciate his thoughts.

"Thanks for that great link.

Sportsman's Park, like a lot of the old parks, had a charm that just isn't there in the newer stadiums, even the retro parks.  I was fortunate enough to see the Cardinals play there several times.  In 1956, I believe it was, my Dad got tickets to the All-Star game through one of American National Bank's (later First National) correspondent banks in St. Louis.  He and Joe Mitchell took Jon and me up to St. Louis for the game.  What a great experience.

I remember sitting next to a blind man who would ask me what happened after each play.  To frame up the difference in baseball economics then and now, he only had $.06 in his pocket, not enough to buy a lemonade for $.15.

I would recommend two books to anyone who is interested in the history of baseball in St. Louis:

The Spirit of St. Louis, A History of the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns, by Peter Golenbock.  This one covers the history of professional baseball in St. Louis clear back into the 1800's

and

October, 1964, by David Halbertstam.  This one covers the 1964 pennant races in the American and National leagues, and is really interesting from a baseball perspective.  It may be just as interesting as a social commentary, however.  By 1964, the Cardinals had embraced integration and number of their stars were African-American or Latin American, including Bill White, Bob Gibson, Curt Flood, and Lou Brock (who came over from the Cubs that year in a trade for Earnie Broligo, one of the great one-sided trades in baseball history).  The Yankees on the other hand, and had at that point signed few black players - I believe Elston Howard my have been onboard by then.

1964 was the year the Phillies blew a big lead at the end of the year.  I believe they were 6 games ahead with only 12 left to play.  I remember sitting in the officer's club at Tuy Hoa Air Base in Vietnam in 1968 talking baseball with a friend from Philadelphia.  He pulled out two tickets to the '64 World Series --- between the Yankees and Phillies, which obviously didn't happen.  I hope he held on to the tickets; they're probably valuable today."

Maybe They Need a New Strategery.