http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/06/26/3674328/michigan-preemption/
"Michigan’s legislature passed a bill this week that blocks any cities in the state from passing their own minimum wage increases or paid sick leave requirements."
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Maine Gov. Escalates Hissy Fit Over Rival’s New Job, Blackmails School: House Talks Impeachment
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/26/maine-gov-escalates-hissy-fit-rivals-new-job-blackmails-school-house-talks-impeachment/
"If LePage does get impeached, it’s only to Maine’s advantage. He’s pushy, a bully, and braggart but he is apparently okay with being a blackmailer, as well."
"If LePage does get impeached, it’s only to Maine’s advantage. He’s pushy, a bully, and braggart but he is apparently okay with being a blackmailer, as well."
Maine Governor 'Jokes' About Shooting Cartoonist And Executing Lawmakers
Maine Governor 'Jokes' About Shooting Cartoonist And Executing Lawmakers
"Paul LePage says he would "like to shoot" a cartoonist who advocates for an expanded rail system and that he'd like to "round up and execute" lawmakers."
"Paul LePage says he would "like to shoot" a cartoonist who advocates for an expanded rail system and that he'd like to "round up and execute" lawmakers."
ALEC Plans Corporate Control and Privatization Of Every City In America
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/25/alec-plans-corporate-control-privatization-city-america.html
"Many Americans have never heard of the Koch brothers much less their legislative arm in Congress and, more importantly, state legislatures across the country. What the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) does is allow corporations to write legislation for Republicans to introduce and then pass into law. Corporations pay the Koch brothers’ ALEC for the privilege of allowing their operatives to write corporate legislation for Republicans and it makes ALEC, and now a subsidiary, more powerful than any special interest, lobbyist, state legislator, and in the majority of cases informs how and why corporations control Republican state governments. Apparently, though, controlling state legislatures is not enough for the Kochs and their corporate cabal so they set their sights on local jurisdictions like city councils, mayors, school districts, and county supervisory boards to round out their sphere of corporate influence on America from the federal government down to the local village council."
"Many Americans have never heard of the Koch brothers much less their legislative arm in Congress and, more importantly, state legislatures across the country. What the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) does is allow corporations to write legislation for Republicans to introduce and then pass into law. Corporations pay the Koch brothers’ ALEC for the privilege of allowing their operatives to write corporate legislation for Republicans and it makes ALEC, and now a subsidiary, more powerful than any special interest, lobbyist, state legislator, and in the majority of cases informs how and why corporations control Republican state governments. Apparently, though, controlling state legislatures is not enough for the Kochs and their corporate cabal so they set their sights on local jurisdictions like city councils, mayors, school districts, and county supervisory boards to round out their sphere of corporate influence on America from the federal government down to the local village council."
Michigan Republicans move to block local sick leave and minimum wage laws
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/26/1396940/-Michigan-Republicans-move-to-block-local-sick-leave-and-minimum-wage-laws
"One of the things Republicans like to do with control of state government is make sure that cities and towns don't pass any pesky laws improving conditions for workers. We can't have local government ruining all the good work state-level Republicans are doing in keeping workers poorly paid and forced to go to work even when they're sick, can we? Certainly not—and Michigan Republicans are on it."
"One of the things Republicans like to do with control of state government is make sure that cities and towns don't pass any pesky laws improving conditions for workers. We can't have local government ruining all the good work state-level Republicans are doing in keeping workers poorly paid and forced to go to work even when they're sick, can we? Certainly not—and Michigan Republicans are on it."
The GOP isn’t in trouble because of their racist base, they’re in trouble because they’re a**holes
The GOP isn’t in trouble because of their racist base, they’re in trouble because they’re assholes
"they’re still going to have to explain that giving more tax cuts to the rich, starting up a few new wars, stripping millions of people of healthcare benefits, while trashing women, minorities, seniors, the poor, unions, gays, and science is what America is yearning for."
"they’re still going to have to explain that giving more tax cuts to the rich, starting up a few new wars, stripping millions of people of healthcare benefits, while trashing women, minorities, seniors, the poor, unions, gays, and science is what America is yearning for."
Scott Walker: Equal pay laws are bad because they pit men and women against one another
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/24/1396165/-Scott-Walker-Equal-pay-laws-are-bad-because-they-pit-men-and-women-against-one-another
"One of the reasons Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tries so very, very hard not to express opinions on things is because when he does pipe up with one, it is often inane. Case in point: Walker was asked what he thought of laws that would require equal pay for men and women. He doesn't like those, because they "pit one group against another group"."
"One of the reasons Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tries so very, very hard not to express opinions on things is because when he does pipe up with one, it is often inane. Case in point: Walker was asked what he thought of laws that would require equal pay for men and women. He doesn't like those, because they "pit one group against another group"."
History Breaking: U.S. Supreme Court Recognizes Right to Same-Sex Marriage | Alternet
History Breaking: U.S. Supreme Court Recognizes Right to Same-Sex Marriage | Alternet
"The U.S. Supreme Court has declared same-sex couples have a constitutional right to be married, in a 5-4 decision citing the Fourteenth Amendment, which declares that all citizens have equal rights."
"The U.S. Supreme Court has declared same-sex couples have a constitutional right to be married, in a 5-4 decision citing the Fourteenth Amendment, which declares that all citizens have equal rights."
It's Legal! Supreme Court Issues Historic Civil Rights Ruling Clearing the Way for Gay Marriage
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/06/supreme-court-historic-ruling-same-sex-marriage-obergefell-hodges
"In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Constitution guarantees the right of same-sex couples to marry, invalidating gay marriage bans nationwide."
"In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Constitution guarantees the right of same-sex couples to marry, invalidating gay marriage bans nationwide."
Go away, Mike Huckabee: The culture wars are over — and hate and the GOP lost
Go away, Mike Huckabee: The culture wars are over — and hate and the GOP lost
"In many ways, this is the result of a deeply cynical Republican strategy to win the presidential election in 2004. To secure Bush’s reelection, the GOP made gay marriage a defining issue. They organized ballot initiatives in 11 states (two of which, Ohio and Michigan, were vital swing states) banning same-sex marriage. The chief goal, however, was not to actually ban gay marriage; it was to boost Republican turnout for the presidential election by galvanizing social conservatives. Karl Rove’s gambit worked: Bush won. But the victory came at a high cost. The Republicans have since been the anti-gay party. This puts them at odds with most of the country, particularly young Americans."
"In many ways, this is the result of a deeply cynical Republican strategy to win the presidential election in 2004. To secure Bush’s reelection, the GOP made gay marriage a defining issue. They organized ballot initiatives in 11 states (two of which, Ohio and Michigan, were vital swing states) banning same-sex marriage. The chief goal, however, was not to actually ban gay marriage; it was to boost Republican turnout for the presidential election by galvanizing social conservatives. Karl Rove’s gambit worked: Bush won. But the victory came at a high cost. The Republicans have since been the anti-gay party. This puts them at odds with most of the country, particularly young Americans."
Top Ten Fruits Of The Right-Wing ‘Christian’ Spirit (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/20/top-ten-fruits-of-right-wing-christian-spirit/
"9. Hate.
The fruit of the spirit is supposed to be love. No group of people is more devoid of love than right-wing Christians. Every sermon, political speech or talk show appearance is focused on the promotion of hate, not love. They pick a perceived enemy, whether it be the gays, the Muslims, immigrants, the poor, liberals, whoever, and then give their followers a bunch of made up reasons to hate that group. Sure they claim that they ‘love’ everyone. But let’s look at the Biblical definition of love. According to 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” There’s no love in anything that republicans say or do. There is a lot of stuff that is the exact opposite of love though, like unkindness, envy, boasting, false pride, lots and lots of dishonoring others, self-seeking, record-keeping, and baseless anger. There’s also no truth. They revel in conspiracy theories, like Obama death panels and invading Texas, to give a couple of examples in the endless list. Holding Republican ‘love’ up under microscope, what we we can see is that it has all the same qualities as hate. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…"
"9. Hate.
The fruit of the spirit is supposed to be love. No group of people is more devoid of love than right-wing Christians. Every sermon, political speech or talk show appearance is focused on the promotion of hate, not love. They pick a perceived enemy, whether it be the gays, the Muslims, immigrants, the poor, liberals, whoever, and then give their followers a bunch of made up reasons to hate that group. Sure they claim that they ‘love’ everyone. But let’s look at the Biblical definition of love. According to 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” There’s no love in anything that republicans say or do. There is a lot of stuff that is the exact opposite of love though, like unkindness, envy, boasting, false pride, lots and lots of dishonoring others, self-seeking, record-keeping, and baseless anger. There’s also no truth. They revel in conspiracy theories, like Obama death panels and invading Texas, to give a couple of examples in the endless list. Holding Republican ‘love’ up under microscope, what we we can see is that it has all the same qualities as hate. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck…"
Supreme Court Brings Marriage Equality To The Entire Country
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/06/26/3672344/supreme-court-brings-marriage-equality-entire-country/
"In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples across the country have a constitutional right to marry, regardless of what state they live in."
"In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples across the country have a constitutional right to marry, regardless of what state they live in."
Jeb's 'sloppy and irresponsible' purge of Florida's voter rolls disenfranchised African Americans
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/27/1396589/-Jeb-s-sloppy-and-irresponsible-purge-of-Florida-s-voter-rolls-disenfranchised-African-Americans
"Quoting from the report directly:
"Florida’s overzealous efforts to purge voters from the rolls, conducted under the guise of an anti-fraud campaign, resulted in the inexcusable and patently unjust removal of disproportionate numbers of African American voters from Florida’s voter registration rolls for the November 2000 election"."
"Quoting from the report directly:
"Florida’s overzealous efforts to purge voters from the rolls, conducted under the guise of an anti-fraud campaign, resulted in the inexcusable and patently unjust removal of disproportionate numbers of African American voters from Florida’s voter registration rolls for the November 2000 election"."
Watch President Obama Break Into "Amazing Grace" During His Extraordinary Charleston Eulogy
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/06/obama-amazing-grace-pinckney-eulogy-charleston
"President Obama came before a grief-stricken but ebullient crowd in Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday afternoon to eulogize the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was among the nine people gunned down on June 18 in the massacre at the historic Mother Emanuel church. Obama delivered more than a presidential speech—he gave a sermon, a powerful and lively invocation of Pinckney's life, punctuated by applause, cheers, and notes from the church organ."
"President Obama came before a grief-stricken but ebullient crowd in Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday afternoon to eulogize the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was among the nine people gunned down on June 18 in the massacre at the historic Mother Emanuel church. Obama delivered more than a presidential speech—he gave a sermon, a powerful and lively invocation of Pinckney's life, punctuated by applause, cheers, and notes from the church organ."
Watch President Obama’s breathtaking eulogy for slain Charleston pastor
Watch President Obama’s breathtaking eulogy for slain Charleston pastor
"President Obama offered a stirring eulogy on Friday for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of the nine victims of the Emanuel AME church shooting in Charleston last week, rousing a massive crowd of mourners not only with his words, but with music."
"President Obama offered a stirring eulogy on Friday for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of the nine victims of the Emanuel AME church shooting in Charleston last week, rousing a massive crowd of mourners not only with his words, but with music."
President Obama Beautifully Sings ‘Amazing Grace’ During Memorial Service (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/26/president-obama-beautifully-sings-amazing-grace-during-memorial-service-video/
"The beautiful eulogy held both moments of immense sadness, but also joy in the remembrance of the beautiful lives and life of Rev. Pinckney."
"The beautiful eulogy held both moments of immense sadness, but also joy in the remembrance of the beautiful lives and life of Rev. Pinckney."
In Charleston eulogy, Obama facilitated one of the most unique moments in presidential history
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/26/1396936/-In-Charleston-eulogy-Obama-facilitated-one-of-the-most-unique-moments-in-presidential-history
"Speaking to over 5,000 mourners gathered inside of the TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, and millions of people watching live across the country, President Barack Obama, in giving the eulogy of the slain State Sen. Reverend Clementa Pinckney, facilitated what can only be described as one of the most unique moments in presidential history. To have a man speaking to a family, an audience and a nation so devastated by hate, who has actually experienced it himself, was a powerful sight never before seen with any American president."
"Speaking to over 5,000 mourners gathered inside of the TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, and millions of people watching live across the country, President Barack Obama, in giving the eulogy of the slain State Sen. Reverend Clementa Pinckney, facilitated what can only be described as one of the most unique moments in presidential history. To have a man speaking to a family, an audience and a nation so devastated by hate, who has actually experienced it himself, was a powerful sight never before seen with any American president."
Watch Obama Sing ‘Amazing Grace’ During Charleston Eulogy
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/06/26/3674756/watch-obama-sing-amazing-grace-charleston-eulogy/
"Obama traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to deliver the eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of the nine victims of last week’s shooting."
"Obama traveled to Charleston, South Carolina to deliver the eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of the nine victims of last week’s shooting."
President Obama Ends An Incredible Week With Powerfully Moving Eulogy Of Clementa Pinckney
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/26/president-obama-ends-incredible-week-powerfully-moving-eulogy-clementa-pinckney.html
"The President’s eulogy is being widely praised as one of the best speeches of his entire career."
"The President’s eulogy is being widely praised as one of the best speeches of his entire career."
Three Black Churches Have Burned Since Dylann Roof’s Brutal Terrorist Attack
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/26/three-black-churches-have-burned-since-dylann-roofs-brutal-terrorist-attack/
"According to the FBI, right-wing terrorism is on the rise. With recent Supreme Court rulings both legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states and protecting Obamacare from ruination, how long do we have until attacks targeting groups conservatives don’t like become even more deadly?"
"According to the FBI, right-wing terrorism is on the rise. With recent Supreme Court rulings both legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states and protecting Obamacare from ruination, how long do we have until attacks targeting groups conservatives don’t like become even more deadly?"
U.S. Attorney General Lynch Announces Biggest Medical Fraud Bust In DOJ History – 243 Arrested
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/06/u-s-attorney-general-lynch-announces-biggest-medical-fraud-bust-in-doj-history-243-arrested/
"Here’s to the millions who fought the good fight and are still advocating for the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare. The highly successful healthcare reform law has implemented a Strike Team, and created more aggressive tools to detect medical fraud. Thanks, Obama!"
"Here’s to the millions who fought the good fight and are still advocating for the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare. The highly successful healthcare reform law has implemented a Strike Team, and created more aggressive tools to detect medical fraud. Thanks, Obama!"
The Entire World Knows GOP Trickle Down Is Disastrous For Americans And The Economy
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/22/entire-world-gop-trickle-disastrous-americans-economy.html
"It is also a sad truth that Republicans do, in fact, know their only economic agenda is disastrous for all but the richest one-percent and their corporations, they just refuse to admit it in a public forum where voters might hear them laughing about an economic agenda the whole world knows is a raging failure"
"It is also a sad truth that Republicans do, in fact, know their only economic agenda is disastrous for all but the richest one-percent and their corporations, they just refuse to admit it in a public forum where voters might hear them laughing about an economic agenda the whole world knows is a raging failure"
The first-ever Super PAC criminal is going to jail. But the real scandal is what's legal.
http://www.vox.com/2015/6/24/8838687/super-pacs-2016-bush-rubio
"In his Citizens United v. FEC decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy said there was no need to put campaign fundraising limits on outside groups. Since these groups weren't connected to the candidates themselves, he reasoned, their spending wouldn't "give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption."
This year's candidates and their Super PACs are doing their best to prove him wrong. To be more specific, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, and Marco Rubio are doing their best to prove him wrong."
"In his Citizens United v. FEC decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy said there was no need to put campaign fundraising limits on outside groups. Since these groups weren't connected to the candidates themselves, he reasoned, their spending wouldn't "give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption."
This year's candidates and their Super PACs are doing their best to prove him wrong. To be more specific, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, and Marco Rubio are doing their best to prove him wrong."
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Divide-and-Conquer Walker Thinks Equal Pay Is Divisive
Divide-and-Conquer Walker Thinks Equal Pay Is Divisive
"Just days after Walker was first sworn-in as governor in 2011, he spoke privately about his plans to "divide and conquer" Wisconsin unions in a videotaped conversation with billionaire GOP financier Diane Hendricks, his single largest donor. “Any chance we'll ever get to be a completely red state and work on these unions....And become a right-to-work [state]?,” Hendricks asks in the January 2011 video. Walker replies: “Well, we're going to start in a couple weeks with our budget adjustment bill. The first step is we're going to deal with collective bargaining for all public employee unions, because you use divide and conquer.… That opens the door once we do that.” Although in the years to follow Walker would insist that right to work would not get to his desk, in 2015 Wisconsin became the 25th right to work state after he signed the ALEC-inspired bill into law."
"Just days after Walker was first sworn-in as governor in 2011, he spoke privately about his plans to "divide and conquer" Wisconsin unions in a videotaped conversation with billionaire GOP financier Diane Hendricks, his single largest donor. “Any chance we'll ever get to be a completely red state and work on these unions....And become a right-to-work [state]?,” Hendricks asks in the January 2011 video. Walker replies: “Well, we're going to start in a couple weeks with our budget adjustment bill. The first step is we're going to deal with collective bargaining for all public employee unions, because you use divide and conquer.… That opens the door once we do that.” Although in the years to follow Walker would insist that right to work would not get to his desk, in 2015 Wisconsin became the 25th right to work state after he signed the ALEC-inspired bill into law."
Yet Again, A Scalia Dissent Is Used Against Him
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/scalia-dissent-obamacare-used-against-him
"Justice Antonin Scalia strongly objected to Thursday's Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act, so it was amusing to see Chief Justice John Roberts use Scalia's own dissent in the last major Obamacare case against him."
"Justice Antonin Scalia strongly objected to Thursday's Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act, so it was amusing to see Chief Justice John Roberts use Scalia's own dissent in the last major Obamacare case against him."
ACA Ruling Safeguards Subsidies No Matter Who Occupies The White House
ACA Ruling Safeguards Subsidies No Matter Who Occupies The White House
"There is certainly plenty of Republican angst today over the decision, but they should all be thanking the Chief Justice for hauling their butts out of the political fire. Had it gone the other way, they would have been forced to admit they had no plan now or ever for how to deal with dead citizens' blood on their hands."
"There is certainly plenty of Republican angst today over the decision, but they should all be thanking the Chief Justice for hauling their butts out of the political fire. Had it gone the other way, they would have been forced to admit they had no plan now or ever for how to deal with dead citizens' blood on their hands."
The Supreme Court’s Obamacare Decision Is The Biggest Possible Win For The Obama Administration
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/06/25/3673911/supreme-courts-obamacare-decision-biggest-possible-win-obama-administration/
"The attorneys and activists behind this lawsuit came to the Court hoping to gut Obamacare; instead, they placed it on the strongest possible legal footing."
"The attorneys and activists behind this lawsuit came to the Court hoping to gut Obamacare; instead, they placed it on the strongest possible legal footing."
Obamacare Keeps Working As Uninsured Rate Keeps Dropping
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/23/obamacare-working-uninsured-rate-dropping.html
"The CDC’s survey results confirm what other surveys have also verified. Obamacare has reduced the uninsured rate in America significantly."
"The CDC’s survey results confirm what other surveys have also verified. Obamacare has reduced the uninsured rate in America significantly."
The right’s tortured Obamacare arguments get a Supreme Court smackdown: Inside the demise of the “Moops” doctrine
The right’s tortured Obamacare arguments get a Supreme Court smackdown: Inside the demise of the “Moops” doctrine
"For Republicans, the reaction should be one of complete and utter relief. They’ll complain and moan to keep up appearances with the conservative activists and to remain consistent with their full-throated, bad-faith support for the King plaintiffs, but this is a boon for the GOP. If the court had ruled in the other direction, Republicans in Congress would be in the position of having to move and move quickly to do something to mitigate the damage. They would have had to find unity of purpose within their own ranks to move forward on healthcare policy. That’s something they’ve tried and failed to do for over half a decade now, and there was little reason to believe that they were on the cusp of getting their act together. The stage was set for vicious intra-party fight that would have, in all likelihood, left congressional Republicans in their all-too-familiar position of deadlocked incompetence."
"For Republicans, the reaction should be one of complete and utter relief. They’ll complain and moan to keep up appearances with the conservative activists and to remain consistent with their full-throated, bad-faith support for the King plaintiffs, but this is a boon for the GOP. If the court had ruled in the other direction, Republicans in Congress would be in the position of having to move and move quickly to do something to mitigate the damage. They would have had to find unity of purpose within their own ranks to move forward on healthcare policy. That’s something they’ve tried and failed to do for over half a decade now, and there was little reason to believe that they were on the cusp of getting their act together. The stage was set for vicious intra-party fight that would have, in all likelihood, left congressional Republicans in their all-too-familiar position of deadlocked incompetence."
Supreme Court Saves Republicans From Themselves by Upholding the Affordable Care Act
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/25/supreme-court-saves-republicans-upholding-affordable-care-act.html
"This time, even if Republicans don’t recognize it, the Supreme Court rescued them from the political fallout that would have came had millions their constituents gotten a notice informing them they no longer had health insurance. Some of their constituents might have even figured out that the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare are the same things."
"This time, even if Republicans don’t recognize it, the Supreme Court rescued them from the political fallout that would have came had millions their constituents gotten a notice informing them they no longer had health insurance. Some of their constituents might have even figured out that the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare are the same things."
Scott Walker Reveals Extreme Views On Equal Pay
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/06/24/3673423/scott-walker-equal-pay/
"He also likened the push for equal pay laws to seeking to make more people reliant on government."
"He also likened the push for equal pay laws to seeking to make more people reliant on government."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott picks homeschooler to chair State Board of Education
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott picks homeschooler to chair State Board of Education
"The Texas Freedom Network, a watchdog group, warned that Bahorich would “put culture war agendas ahead of educating more than 5 million Texas kids"."
"The Texas Freedom Network, a watchdog group, warned that Bahorich would “put culture war agendas ahead of educating more than 5 million Texas kids"."
Brainiac Scott Walker reveals GOP secret plan: Win with male voters!
Brainiac Scott Walker reveals GOP secret plan: Win with male voters!
"what worked in the homogenous and polarized state of Wisconsin doesn’t translate to the fight to get 270 electoral votes, in battleground states where female voters hold the key to victory."
"what worked in the homogenous and polarized state of Wisconsin doesn’t translate to the fight to get 270 electoral votes, in battleground states where female voters hold the key to victory."
Bobby Jindal Broke Louisiana So Badly That Even the GOP Doesn’t Want Him | The Nation
Bobby Jindal Broke Louisiana So Badly That Even the GOP Doesn’t Want Him | The Nation
"In sum, Jindal made Louisiana the test site for an experiment in socially conservative, pro-corporate governance that wound up wrecking the state so badly it can’t be ignored."
"In sum, Jindal made Louisiana the test site for an experiment in socially conservative, pro-corporate governance that wound up wrecking the state so badly it can’t be ignored."
BREAKING: Supreme Court Will Not Take Away Health Care From Millions Of Americans
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/06/25/3672303/king-v-burwell-decision/
"By a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court decided on Thursday to avoid a major disruption to the insurance market by leaving in place the Affordable Care Act’s current tax subsidies."
"By a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court decided on Thursday to avoid a major disruption to the insurance market by leaving in place the Affordable Care Act’s current tax subsidies."
Texas Approves Another Law Attacking Women’s Health — This Time, Targeting Cancer Screenings
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/06/22/3672505/texas-cancer-screenings/
"Despite boasting the highest rates of cervical cancer in the country and a 40 to 50 percent rate of poverty in female-headed households, Texas Governor Greg Abbot has signed a proposal that will significantly decrease the number of facilities providing affordable cancer screenings.
The bill, which was drafted early this year and signed Saturday, will slash Planned Parenthood’s funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women. That may leave the 3,000 Texan women who received screenings at a Planned Parenthood center within the state last year without a clear health care alternative."
"Despite boasting the highest rates of cervical cancer in the country and a 40 to 50 percent rate of poverty in female-headed households, Texas Governor Greg Abbot has signed a proposal that will significantly decrease the number of facilities providing affordable cancer screenings.
The bill, which was drafted early this year and signed Saturday, will slash Planned Parenthood’s funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings for low-income women. That may leave the 3,000 Texan women who received screenings at a Planned Parenthood center within the state last year without a clear health care alternative."
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Bobby Jindal’s pathetic presidential hopes: He wrecked Louisiana — and now he wants a job promotion
Bobby Jindal’s pathetic presidential hopes: He wrecked Louisiana — and now he wants a job promotion
"And then there’s the small matter of how Jindal’s policies have transformed Louisiana into a fiscal disaster and left him one of the least popular governors in America. He’s less popular in his own reliably Republican state than the Democratic president he hopes to replace. The guiding principle of Jindal’s economic policy has quite literally been to keep Grover Norquist happy – he made a promise to the anti-tax activist to never raise taxes in his state, and even as budget deficits ballooned owing to enthusiastic tax cuts and falling oil prices, Jindal refused to break his word. The state can’t really cut spending any more than it already has, and it’s running out of gimmicks to paper over the budget shortfalls. Even the Republicans in the state legislature have called Jindal’s approach to governing irresponsible and “insane"."
"And then there’s the small matter of how Jindal’s policies have transformed Louisiana into a fiscal disaster and left him one of the least popular governors in America. He’s less popular in his own reliably Republican state than the Democratic president he hopes to replace. The guiding principle of Jindal’s economic policy has quite literally been to keep Grover Norquist happy – he made a promise to the anti-tax activist to never raise taxes in his state, and even as budget deficits ballooned owing to enthusiastic tax cuts and falling oil prices, Jindal refused to break his word. The state can’t really cut spending any more than it already has, and it’s running out of gimmicks to paper over the budget shortfalls. Even the Republicans in the state legislature have called Jindal’s approach to governing irresponsible and “insane"."
Congressional Democrats Introduce an Ambitious New Bill to Restore the Voting Rights Act | The Nation
Congressional Democrats Introduce an Ambitious New Bill to Restore the Voting Rights Act | The Nation
"Since the Shelby decision, onerous new laws have been passed or implemented in states like North Carolina and Texas, which have disenfranchised thousands of voters, disproportionately those of color. In the past five years, 395 new voting restrictions have been introduced in 49 states, with half the states in the country adopting measures making it harder to vote."
"Since the Shelby decision, onerous new laws have been passed or implemented in states like North Carolina and Texas, which have disenfranchised thousands of voters, disproportionately those of color. In the past five years, 395 new voting restrictions have been introduced in 49 states, with half the states in the country adopting measures making it harder to vote."
Louisiana Has A Lot Of Problems. This Is How Bobby Jindal Made Them Worse.
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/06/24/3615327/bobby-jindal-running-president-ran-louisiana/
"As Jindal’s administration slashed millions from the budget for STD prevention, and prevented new Planned Parenthood clinics from opening, Louisiana developed the second-highest rate of gonorrhea in the country, the third-highest rate of syphilis, and the fourth-highest rate of chlamydia. New Orleans also has the second-highest number of estimated HIV cases in the country, and the highest rate of death after HIV infection. The state has the fifth-highest rate of teen pregnancy.
Despite these alarming numbers, Jindal signed a bill in 2014 that bars anyone affiliated with Planned Parenthood from teaching students about sexual health or family planning.
Additionally, though 16.6 percent of Louisiana residents lack health insurance, one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country, Jindal refused the federally funded expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and declined to set up a state-based health exchange. If the Supreme Court rules over the next few weeks against Obamacare’s federal subsidies, as many as 250,000 Louisianans could lose their coverage.
Over Jindal’s time in the governor’s mansion, the state’s higher education system has also taken a major hit, with more money cut per student than almost any other state in the country. In the 2015 budget, facing a $1.6 billion dollar shortfall, Jindal proposed even deeper cuts to Louisiana State University that threatened to eliminate entire programs and campuses. Using some bizarre accounting gimmicks involving fees and tax credits that canceled each other out, the Jindal was able to temporarily avoid the devastating education cuts, but whoever takes over the governor’s mansion in January will have to sort out the long-term deficit.
At the same time, the governor has given more than a billion dollars each year in tax breaks to wealthy corporations in the film, retail, and fracking industries."
"As Jindal’s administration slashed millions from the budget for STD prevention, and prevented new Planned Parenthood clinics from opening, Louisiana developed the second-highest rate of gonorrhea in the country, the third-highest rate of syphilis, and the fourth-highest rate of chlamydia. New Orleans also has the second-highest number of estimated HIV cases in the country, and the highest rate of death after HIV infection. The state has the fifth-highest rate of teen pregnancy.
Despite these alarming numbers, Jindal signed a bill in 2014 that bars anyone affiliated with Planned Parenthood from teaching students about sexual health or family planning.
Additionally, though 16.6 percent of Louisiana residents lack health insurance, one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country, Jindal refused the federally funded expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and declined to set up a state-based health exchange. If the Supreme Court rules over the next few weeks against Obamacare’s federal subsidies, as many as 250,000 Louisianans could lose their coverage.
Over Jindal’s time in the governor’s mansion, the state’s higher education system has also taken a major hit, with more money cut per student than almost any other state in the country. In the 2015 budget, facing a $1.6 billion dollar shortfall, Jindal proposed even deeper cuts to Louisiana State University that threatened to eliminate entire programs and campuses. Using some bizarre accounting gimmicks involving fees and tax credits that canceled each other out, the Jindal was able to temporarily avoid the devastating education cuts, but whoever takes over the governor’s mansion in January will have to sort out the long-term deficit.
At the same time, the governor has given more than a billion dollars each year in tax breaks to wealthy corporations in the film, retail, and fracking industries."
Scott Walker’s brilliant electoral strategy: Alienate every woman in America
Scott Walker’s brilliant electoral strategy: Alienate every woman in America
"So now working women are government dependents if they want to be paid equally with men? That’s a very strange way to look at it, not to mention a very weird way to attract voters."
"So now working women are government dependents if they want to be paid equally with men? That’s a very strange way to look at it, not to mention a very weird way to attract voters."
White Supremacist Group That Influenced Roof Is Paid For With Your Tax Dollars
White Supremacist Group That Influenced Roof Is Paid For With Your Tax Dollars
"That's right. The CCC is a 501(c)(4 )tax-exempt organization which claims to be organized for social welfare. As such, it pays no taxes as other for-profit organizations do, which means those taxes you pay help the CCC stay in the business of promoting white supremacy."
"That's right. The CCC is a 501(c)(4 )tax-exempt organization which claims to be organized for social welfare. As such, it pays no taxes as other for-profit organizations do, which means those taxes you pay help the CCC stay in the business of promoting white supremacy."
The Religious Right's Council Of Conservative Citizens Connection | Right Wing Watch
The Religious Right's Council Of Conservative Citizens Connection | Right Wing Watch
"A number of prominent figures on the Religious Right have also spoken to or defended the CCC, in a sign of the uneasy and often hidden alliances between the Religious Right and racist groups."
"A number of prominent figures on the Religious Right have also spoken to or defended the CCC, in a sign of the uneasy and often hidden alliances between the Religious Right and racist groups."
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Catholic And Evangelical Leaders Call On Lawmakers To Fight Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/23/3673212/faith-leaders-back-pope-on-climate/
"On Tuesday, a group of religious leaders took out a full-page advertisement on the back page of Politico to offer resounding support for Pope Francis and his recently-released encyclical on the environment, a landmark work of Catholic teaching which argued that governments have a moral obligation to address human-caused climate change."
"On Tuesday, a group of religious leaders took out a full-page advertisement on the back page of Politico to offer resounding support for Pope Francis and his recently-released encyclical on the environment, a landmark work of Catholic teaching which argued that governments have a moral obligation to address human-caused climate change."
Koch Brothers Have Led Us Into The Largest Mass Extinction In 65 Million Years
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/koch-brothers-have-led-us-into-the-largest-mass-extinction-in-65-million-years/
"The study, led by Princeton, Stanford and the University of California-Berkeley found that vertebrates– which include birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians– are disappearing at rates 114 times faster than normal."
"The study, led by Princeton, Stanford and the University of California-Berkeley found that vertebrates– which include birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians– are disappearing at rates 114 times faster than normal."
Pallin’ around with racists: Five neo-Confederates Rand Paul employed or embraced since 2009
Pallin’ around with racists: Five neo-Confederates Rand Paul employed or embraced since 2009
"In April of this year, Rand Paul listed a book by Thomas Woods on his since-deleted “recommend reading list.” Woods is a founding member of the League of the South, a white supremacist group that advocates for secession of southern states. A police officer in Alabama was fired on Friday because of his affiliation with the group."
"In April of this year, Rand Paul listed a book by Thomas Woods on his since-deleted “recommend reading list.” Woods is a founding member of the League of the South, a white supremacist group that advocates for secession of southern states. A police officer in Alabama was fired on Friday because of his affiliation with the group."
Libertarian Rush Drummer Denounces Ayn Rand: ‘Very Obvious’ Rand Paul ‘Hates Women And Brown People’
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/06/23/rand-paul-break-ayn-rand/
"Peart just became a U.S. citizen, and he is unlikely to vote for Rand Paul, or any Republican."
"Peart just became a U.S. citizen, and he is unlikely to vote for Rand Paul, or any Republican."
PERRspectives: CBO Once Again Tells GOP Obamacare Repeal Will Increase National Debt
PERRspectives: CBO Once Again Tells GOP Obamacare Repeal Will Increase National Debt
"Now with the Republicans in control of both houses of Congress and their man Keith Hall installed as its director, CBO has once told GOP leaders what they don't want to hear. On the eve of the Supreme Court's monumental ruling in King v. Burwell, CBO has again announced that the repeal of Obamacare will cost Uncle Sam hundreds of billions of dollars."
"Now with the Republicans in control of both houses of Congress and their man Keith Hall installed as its director, CBO has once told GOP leaders what they don't want to hear. On the eve of the Supreme Court's monumental ruling in King v. Burwell, CBO has again announced that the repeal of Obamacare will cost Uncle Sam hundreds of billions of dollars."
Rand Paul Lies Again, This Time About A Man Being Imprisoned For Dirt – Yes, Dirt
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/22/rand-paul-lies-again-this-time-about-a-man-being-imprisoned-for-dirt-yes-dirt/
"Of course, this is far from the first time during this short campaign that Paul has lied to or misled his audience. In fact, he wrote an entire book that was almost nothing but made-up Thomas Jefferson quotes. Paul has been accused of plagiarism. Even his pet issue of a flat tax will cost taxpayers an astonishing $15 trillion."
"Of course, this is far from the first time during this short campaign that Paul has lied to or misled his audience. In fact, he wrote an entire book that was almost nothing but made-up Thomas Jefferson quotes. Paul has been accused of plagiarism. Even his pet issue of a flat tax will cost taxpayers an astonishing $15 trillion."
Rand Paul’s Books Seem To Be Chock-Full Of Make-Believe Thomas Jefferson Quotes
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/19/rand-pauls-books-seem-to-be-chock-full-of-make-believe-thomas-jefferson-quotes/
"Rand Paul is the ultimate scam artist. From self-certifying himself to become an ophthalmologist, to using his daddy’s name to win an election, to pretending to care about civil liberties while at the same time denying them, to the books he writes — the man is a fraud."
"Rand Paul is the ultimate scam artist. From self-certifying himself to become an ophthalmologist, to using his daddy’s name to win an election, to pretending to care about civil liberties while at the same time denying them, to the books he writes — the man is a fraud."
Surprise, Surprise: Rand Paul Has A Fake Thomas Jefferson Quote Problem | Alternet
Surprise, Surprise: Rand Paul Has A Fake Thomas Jefferson Quote Problem | Alternet
"Paul's books read like rightwing chain letters from your unhinged Aunt."
"Paul's books read like rightwing chain letters from your unhinged Aunt."
Rand Paul’s demented promise: I’ll do to America what Sam Brownback did to Kansas
Rand Paul’s demented promise: I’ll do to America what Sam Brownback did to Kansas
"As Paul’s Wall Street Journal op-ed notes, he crafted this plan with the assistance of some of the high priests of supply-side economic theory: frequently and flagrantly wrong bozo Stephen Moore, flat-tax evangelist and dimwit billionaire rights activist Steve Forbes, and the also frequently wrong Art Laffer, who launched the trickle-down revolution that’s given us over three decades of bad economic policy. Anyone familiar with these knuckleheads and the economic philosophy they espouse should already know what they’re promising with Rand Paul’s tax scheme: huge tax cuts aimed primarily at corporations and the wealthy will supercharge the economy and produce untold millions of jobs and untold trillions of dollars in tax revenue."
"As Paul’s Wall Street Journal op-ed notes, he crafted this plan with the assistance of some of the high priests of supply-side economic theory: frequently and flagrantly wrong bozo Stephen Moore, flat-tax evangelist and dimwit billionaire rights activist Steve Forbes, and the also frequently wrong Art Laffer, who launched the trickle-down revolution that’s given us over three decades of bad economic policy. Anyone familiar with these knuckleheads and the economic philosophy they espouse should already know what they’re promising with Rand Paul’s tax scheme: huge tax cuts aimed primarily at corporations and the wealthy will supercharge the economy and produce untold millions of jobs and untold trillions of dollars in tax revenue."
GOP Forced To Admit Repealing Obamacare Would Blow Up The Deficit Like A Bad Bush War
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/22/gop-forced-to-admit-repealing-obamacare-would-blow-up-the-deficit-like-a-bad-bush-war/
"It means that no matter how the GOP tries to spin it, the Affordable Care Act is working. Repealing it would not only deprive an estimated 17 million people of quality health care, it would send the economy into a tailspin."
"It means that no matter how the GOP tries to spin it, the Affordable Care Act is working. Repealing it would not only deprive an estimated 17 million people of quality health care, it would send the economy into a tailspin."
Scott Walker’s Unprecedented Voucher Expansion
Scott Walker’s Unprecedented Voucher Expansion
"At a time when other states are reinvesting in public education, Wisconsin continues to slash and burn. The Wisconsin Budget Project says that the state is now spending $1,014 less per public school student than it did in 2008 and more funds are slated to be siphoned off as Governor Scott Walker's budget proposes an unprecedented voucher expansion, draining funds from public education and directing them to for-profit and religious schools."
"At a time when other states are reinvesting in public education, Wisconsin continues to slash and burn. The Wisconsin Budget Project says that the state is now spending $1,014 less per public school student than it did in 2008 and more funds are slated to be siphoned off as Governor Scott Walker's budget proposes an unprecedented voucher expansion, draining funds from public education and directing them to for-profit and religious schools."
Bernie Sanders Draws More Supporters Than Every Republican Candidate as 4,500 Fill Rally
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/21/bernie-sanders-draws-supporters-republican-candidate-4500-fill-rally.html
"Sen. Sanders drew the second biggest crowd of the entire campaign in Denver. The only bigger crowd by official count was Hillary Clinton’s rally in New York last weekend. Sen. Sanders is pulling off the most impressive feat of the campaign. People are excited and showing up for his events.
Unlike Ted Cruz who drew a big crowd for his campaign launch by holding it a university event that students were forced to attend, the enthusiasm for Bernie Sanders is real. He doesn’t pay actors to come to his rallies and support him like Donald Trump did. His supporters are excited about their candidate.
The media and Republicans drone on about the depth of the Republican field, but early on in 2016, one trend continues for Democrats. Democratic candidates have the enthusiastic supporters. Republican candidates didn’t draw large crowds in 2008 or 2012, and the lack of GOP grassroots support is continuing in 2016."
"Sen. Sanders drew the second biggest crowd of the entire campaign in Denver. The only bigger crowd by official count was Hillary Clinton’s rally in New York last weekend. Sen. Sanders is pulling off the most impressive feat of the campaign. People are excited and showing up for his events.
Unlike Ted Cruz who drew a big crowd for his campaign launch by holding it a university event that students were forced to attend, the enthusiasm for Bernie Sanders is real. He doesn’t pay actors to come to his rallies and support him like Donald Trump did. His supporters are excited about their candidate.
The media and Republicans drone on about the depth of the Republican field, but early on in 2016, one trend continues for Democrats. Democratic candidates have the enthusiastic supporters. Republican candidates didn’t draw large crowds in 2008 or 2012, and the lack of GOP grassroots support is continuing in 2016."
Scott Walker Dances for Dixie
Scott Walker Dances for Dixie
"So it is a sad spectacle to see Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker taking money from the president of the "Council of Conservative Citizens,” a white supremacist group that grew out of the White Citizens Councils and is credited with radicalizing the man who massacred nine parishioners in the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The Council's president, Earl Holt III, donated $3,500 to Walker's 2012 recall campaign and 2014 reelection effort, and has given thousands more to other leading GOP presidential candidates, despite numerous political controversies that have brought down politicians as prominent as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.
The group was a virtual cheering squad for many of Walker's policies. Holt praised Walker online, and a website affiliated with the Council, Occidental Dissent, closely followed Walker's 2012 recall election. The site lauded Walker and criticized unions like SEIU for having "aligned themselves with blacks and hispanics." In one post titled Scott Walker Goes Racial, the outlet celebrated Walker's last-minute campaign ads that conjured the menace of inner-city crime to attack his opponent, Tom Barrett, the mayor of Wisconsin's largest and most diverse city, Milwaukee."
"So it is a sad spectacle to see Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker taking money from the president of the "Council of Conservative Citizens,” a white supremacist group that grew out of the White Citizens Councils and is credited with radicalizing the man who massacred nine parishioners in the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The Council's president, Earl Holt III, donated $3,500 to Walker's 2012 recall campaign and 2014 reelection effort, and has given thousands more to other leading GOP presidential candidates, despite numerous political controversies that have brought down politicians as prominent as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.
The group was a virtual cheering squad for many of Walker's policies. Holt praised Walker online, and a website affiliated with the Council, Occidental Dissent, closely followed Walker's 2012 recall election. The site lauded Walker and criticized unions like SEIU for having "aligned themselves with blacks and hispanics." In one post titled Scott Walker Goes Racial, the outlet celebrated Walker's last-minute campaign ads that conjured the menace of inner-city crime to attack his opponent, Tom Barrett, the mayor of Wisconsin's largest and most diverse city, Milwaukee."
PERRspectives: GOP Presidential Candidates Snub Major Hispanic Conference for Third Election in a Row
PERRspectives: GOP Presidential Candidates Snub Major Hispanic Conference for Third Election in a Row
"One official with the nonpartisan NALEO group had this simple message for both Democrats and Republicans. "The path to the White House runs through our community." Apparently, the GOP didn't read the memo."
"One official with the nonpartisan NALEO group had this simple message for both Democrats and Republicans. "The path to the White House runs through our community." Apparently, the GOP didn't read the memo."
IBM Punishes Louisiana For Governor’s Anti-Gay Executive Order
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/06/21/3672257/ibm-ribbon-cutting-jindal-executive-order/
"For months, a ribbon-cutting had been scheduled for Monday, June 22, to open IBM’s new National Service Center in Baton Rouge. It would have featured many city leaders, including Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Downtown Development District. There was a rumor when Jindal issued his executive order that IBM might cancel the event in protest, and this week, the company quietly took it off the schedule."
"For months, a ribbon-cutting had been scheduled for Monday, June 22, to open IBM’s new National Service Center in Baton Rouge. It would have featured many city leaders, including Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Downtown Development District. There was a rumor when Jindal issued his executive order that IBM might cancel the event in protest, and this week, the company quietly took it off the schedule."
Experts: Attacks Like Charleston Worry Cops More Than Islamic Extremism
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/charleston-shooting-right-wing-extremism
"A recent survey of law enforcement agencies nationwide found that police consider right-wing attacks like last week's mass shooting at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina to be a greater threat than Islamic extremism."
"A recent survey of law enforcement agencies nationwide found that police consider right-wing attacks like last week's mass shooting at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina to be a greater threat than Islamic extremism."
What Rand Paul’s libertarian hypocrisy reveals about the GOP’s giant race problem
What Rand Paul’s libertarian hypocrisy reveals about the GOP’s giant race problem
"And now, a book he wrote called “The Tea Party Goes to Washington” has come under renewed scrutiny, owing to the fact that it includes one fake quote from Thomas Jefferson after another. This is so common on the right, however, that people hardly even mention it anymore. Aside from sending out chain emails every year with a bunch of bogus quotes that make the founders sound like they were early members of the John Birch Society, they have anointed a known hoaxter by the name of David Barton as their official Founders’ historian.
In a rare moment of right wing integrity, Barton’s publisher withdrew his book once it was discovered that he’d just made stuff up. No word on whether Paul’s publisher will feel compelled to do the same. But then, they weren’t bothered when it was revealed that Paul’s Tea Party book was co-written by a close associate by the name of Jack Hunter, also known as “The Southern Avenger”, so why would this little problem cause them to have second thoughts about distributing the book now?
You’ll remember that the Southern Avenger was a right-wing shock jock and member of the League of the South, a racist group which is known for such statements by its leading members as, “somebody needs to say a good word for slavery — where in the world are the Negroes better off today than in America?” (Tea party hero and Sovereign Citizen Cliven Bundy had similar thoughts about whether African Americans were better off as slaves picking cotton.) Hunter himself left quite a trail of racist sentiment behind including musing that he thought Abraham Lincoln was “one of the worst figures in American history.”
Yes, like his father before him, Rand Paul has consorted with a number of neo-Confederate white supremacists (is there any other kind)"
"And now, a book he wrote called “The Tea Party Goes to Washington” has come under renewed scrutiny, owing to the fact that it includes one fake quote from Thomas Jefferson after another. This is so common on the right, however, that people hardly even mention it anymore. Aside from sending out chain emails every year with a bunch of bogus quotes that make the founders sound like they were early members of the John Birch Society, they have anointed a known hoaxter by the name of David Barton as their official Founders’ historian.
In a rare moment of right wing integrity, Barton’s publisher withdrew his book once it was discovered that he’d just made stuff up. No word on whether Paul’s publisher will feel compelled to do the same. But then, they weren’t bothered when it was revealed that Paul’s Tea Party book was co-written by a close associate by the name of Jack Hunter, also known as “The Southern Avenger”, so why would this little problem cause them to have second thoughts about distributing the book now?
You’ll remember that the Southern Avenger was a right-wing shock jock and member of the League of the South, a racist group which is known for such statements by its leading members as, “somebody needs to say a good word for slavery — where in the world are the Negroes better off today than in America?” (Tea party hero and Sovereign Citizen Cliven Bundy had similar thoughts about whether African Americans were better off as slaves picking cotton.) Hunter himself left quite a trail of racist sentiment behind including musing that he thought Abraham Lincoln was “one of the worst figures in American history.”
Yes, like his father before him, Rand Paul has consorted with a number of neo-Confederate white supremacists (is there any other kind)"
Mainstream Right-Wingers, Don't Even Start With That 'Roof Is Nothing Like Us' Nonsense
Mainstream Right-Wingers, Don't Even Start With That 'Roof Is Nothing Like Us' Nonsense
"Roof also invokes the Council of Conservative Citizens. This is a group that's now marginalized -- but we know that former Senate majority leader Trent Lott once addressed its national board and posed for photos with its leaders in his D.C. office. We know that, prior to becoming attorney general, John Ashcroft met with a prominent member of the group to find out how he could help Dr. Charles T. Sell, a member of the group accused of trying to murder an FBI agent. We know that former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour and current Mississippi senator Roger Wicker have appeared at the group's events since 2000.
The Council of Conservative Citizens currently hides its Web content behind the anodyne URL conservative-headlines. The site is down right now, though I was able to look at a cached version here. (That now seems to be down as well.) The site's Twitter feed is still up, however. Go there and you'll see just the sorts of headlines you see at Fox, Drudge, or Breitbart"
"Roof also invokes the Council of Conservative Citizens. This is a group that's now marginalized -- but we know that former Senate majority leader Trent Lott once addressed its national board and posed for photos with its leaders in his D.C. office. We know that, prior to becoming attorney general, John Ashcroft met with a prominent member of the group to find out how he could help Dr. Charles T. Sell, a member of the group accused of trying to murder an FBI agent. We know that former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour and current Mississippi senator Roger Wicker have appeared at the group's events since 2000.
The Council of Conservative Citizens currently hides its Web content behind the anodyne URL conservative-headlines. The site is down right now, though I was able to look at a cached version here. (That now seems to be down as well.) The site's Twitter feed is still up, however. Go there and you'll see just the sorts of headlines you see at Fox, Drudge, or Breitbart"
Monday, June 22, 2015
Just How Many Mainstream Conservatives Got Cash From The Head Of The Council Of Conservative Citizens?
Just How Many Mainstream Conservatives Got Cash From The Head Of The Council Of Conservative Citizens?
"Let's see how many give the money back. (My guess is that Steve King and Louie Gohmert won't.)"
"Let's see how many give the money back. (My guess is that Steve King and Louie Gohmert won't.)"
Council of Conservative Citizens | Southern Poverty Law Center
Council of Conservative Citizens | Southern Poverty Law Center
The group republicans love and have taken campaign cash from. "The Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC) is the modern reincarnation of the old White Citizens Councils, which were formed in the 1950s and 1960s to battle school desegregation in the South. Among other things, its Statement of Principles says that it “oppose[s] all efforts to mix the races of mankind"."
The group republicans love and have taken campaign cash from. "The Council of Conservative Citizens (CCC) is the modern reincarnation of the old White Citizens Councils, which were formed in the 1950s and 1960s to battle school desegregation in the South. Among other things, its Statement of Principles says that it “oppose[s] all efforts to mix the races of mankind"."
Scott Walker Took Money From Racist Group that Inspired Dylann Roof’s Terrorist Attack
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/22/scott-walker-thousands-racist-hate-group-inspired-dylann-roofs-terrorist-attack.html
"But the real question is why did this racist hate group want them in office so much that they donated $65,000 to Republicans?"
"But the real question is why did this racist hate group want them in office so much that they donated $65,000 to Republicans?"
Racial Dog Whistles, The Confederate Flag And The Long Shadow Of The GOP’s ‘Southern Strategy’
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/06/22/3672313/racial-dog-whistles-confederate-flag-long-shadow-gops-southern-strategy/
"The Republicans hesitancy on the issue is a missed opportunity to distance themselves from the ‘Southern Strategy,’ which then-RNC chairman Ken Mehlman apologized for in 2005. The Republican Party, according to Mehlman, historically tried to “benefit politically from racial polarization.” Lee Atwater, one of the architects of the strategy, explained how the strategy worked and could be adapted to the times.
You start in 1954 by saying ‘N*****, n*****, n*****.’ By 1968 you can’t say ‘N*****.’ That hurts you. It backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states rights and all that stuff and you get so abstract. Now you talk about cutting taxes and these things you’re talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is, blacks get hurt worse than whites. And subconsciously maybe that’s part of it. I’m not saying that. But I’m saying that if it is getting that abstract and that coded, we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. Obviously sitting around saying we want to cut taxes and we want this, is a lot more abstract than even the busing thing and a hell of a lot more abstract than n***** n*****. So anyway you look at it, race is coming on the back burner.
The ‘Southern Strategy’ is almost certainly a losing strategy in a modern American general election, due to demographic changes and shifting attitudes about race."
"The Republicans hesitancy on the issue is a missed opportunity to distance themselves from the ‘Southern Strategy,’ which then-RNC chairman Ken Mehlman apologized for in 2005. The Republican Party, according to Mehlman, historically tried to “benefit politically from racial polarization.” Lee Atwater, one of the architects of the strategy, explained how the strategy worked and could be adapted to the times.
You start in 1954 by saying ‘N*****, n*****, n*****.’ By 1968 you can’t say ‘N*****.’ That hurts you. It backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states rights and all that stuff and you get so abstract. Now you talk about cutting taxes and these things you’re talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is, blacks get hurt worse than whites. And subconsciously maybe that’s part of it. I’m not saying that. But I’m saying that if it is getting that abstract and that coded, we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. Obviously sitting around saying we want to cut taxes and we want this, is a lot more abstract than even the busing thing and a hell of a lot more abstract than n***** n*****. So anyway you look at it, race is coming on the back burner.
The ‘Southern Strategy’ is almost certainly a losing strategy in a modern American general election, due to demographic changes and shifting attitudes about race."
How “Fox & Friends” became the most repugnant show on Fox News
How “Fox & Friends” became the most repugnant show on Fox News
"In the aftermath of the Charleston tragedy, "Fox & Friends" has descended to new and uncharted levels of idiocy"
"In the aftermath of the Charleston tragedy, "Fox & Friends" has descended to new and uncharted levels of idiocy"
Republicans Reeling: White House Candidates And Congressmen Took Cash From White Supremacists
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/22/republicans-reeling-white-house-candidates-congressmen-cash-white-supremacists.html
"Attention will focus on the donations to Republican presidential candidates, but this is a party wide issue. Republicans have spent years trying to divide the country along racial lines, and the racist chickens are coming home to roost."
"Attention will focus on the donations to Republican presidential candidates, but this is a party wide issue. Republicans have spent years trying to divide the country along racial lines, and the racist chickens are coming home to roost."
GOP’s extremist contributions exposed: Leader of group linked to Charleston shooter gave to Cruz, Santorum & Paul
GOP’s extremist contributions exposed: Leader of group linked to Charleston shooter gave to Cruz, Santorum & Paul
"The head of a white supremacist group associated with suspected Charleston shooter Dylann Roof donated $65,000 to Republican campaigns including to 2016 presidential hopefuls Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum and Rand Paul, the New York Times reports."
"The head of a white supremacist group associated with suspected Charleston shooter Dylann Roof donated $65,000 to Republican campaigns including to 2016 presidential hopefuls Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum and Rand Paul, the New York Times reports."
White supremacist cited on Dylann Roof website is a big Republican donor
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/22/1395432/-White-supremacist-cited-on-Dylann-Roof-website-is-a-big-Republican-donor
"what we definitely know is that this white supremacist leader and self-described slumlord looked at the political landscape and picked Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Rick Santorum as some of the key politicians he wanted to financially support. Though to be fair, he's also given to Michele Bachmann, Steve King, Louie Gohmert, Todd Akin, Richard Mourdock, Tom Cotton, and a lot more. This white supremacist finds a lot to like in today's Republican Party"
"what we definitely know is that this white supremacist leader and self-described slumlord looked at the political landscape and picked Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Rick Santorum as some of the key politicians he wanted to financially support. Though to be fair, he's also given to Michele Bachmann, Steve King, Louie Gohmert, Todd Akin, Richard Mourdock, Tom Cotton, and a lot more. This white supremacist finds a lot to like in today's Republican Party"
6 Evil Right-wing Moments: Fox News' Staggering Denial of Charleston Reality Tops the List | Alternet
6 Evil Right-wing Moments: Fox News' Staggering Denial of Charleston Reality Tops the List | Alternet
"At Fox, the war on reason and reality rages ever on."
"At Fox, the war on reason and reality rages ever on."
Fox's Scramble To Make The Charleston Shooting About Religion, Not Race
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/06/19/foxs-scramble-to-make-the-charleston-shooting-a/204071
"Fox has a long history of concocting alternative explanations for events others see as examples of racism and its effects."
"Fox has a long history of concocting alternative explanations for events others see as examples of racism and its effects."
Jeb Bush: ‘I Don’t Know’ if Racism Played a Part in South Carolina Shooting
Jeb Bush: ‘I Don’t Know’ if Racism Played a Part in South Carolina Shooting
"The fact that so many members of the GOP seem hesitant to publicly acknowledge this pretty much confirms what we’ve known for a while – racism comprises a large part of the voter constituency to which they must pander, and they care more about pandering for votes than anything else."
"The fact that so many members of the GOP seem hesitant to publicly acknowledge this pretty much confirms what we’ve known for a while – racism comprises a large part of the voter constituency to which they must pander, and they care more about pandering for votes than anything else."
Saturday, June 20, 2015
It’s Not Just Climate — Pope Francis Is Also Warning About The Health Of Our Oceans
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/20/3672094/pope-francis-encyclical-ocean-health/
"The ocean absorbs at least one quarter of emitted carbon dioxide, which increases the acidity of seawater through chemical reactions. Many marine species are highly sensitive to these changes, as they can only tolerate narrow ranges of pH. Oysters, clams and other shellfish are especially vulnerable because acidification make it more difficult for them to form the calcium carbonate that comprises their shells. Corals also struggle to build their skeletons in acidified water, to the detriment of the highly diverse array of species that depend on coral reefs."
"The ocean absorbs at least one quarter of emitted carbon dioxide, which increases the acidity of seawater through chemical reactions. Many marine species are highly sensitive to these changes, as they can only tolerate narrow ranges of pH. Oysters, clams and other shellfish are especially vulnerable because acidification make it more difficult for them to form the calcium carbonate that comprises their shells. Corals also struggle to build their skeletons in acidified water, to the detriment of the highly diverse array of species that depend on coral reefs."
Weak Support By Working Moms Bewilders Republicans
Weak Support By Working Moms Bewilders Republicans
"When you refuse to pass a simple bill requiring equal pay for women for equal work, do you really expect kudos from the working women who get screwed by that?"
"When you refuse to pass a simple bill requiring equal pay for women for equal work, do you really expect kudos from the working women who get screwed by that?"
WageCrushers.org Tracks the Groups against Family-Supporting Jobs
WageCrushers.org Tracks the Groups against Family-Supporting Jobs
"WageCrushers.org, a web resource devoted to exposing the corporations, trade associations, "think tanks," and front groups working hard against better wages, benefits, and family-supporting jobs for the American workforce."
"WageCrushers.org, a web resource devoted to exposing the corporations, trade associations, "think tanks," and front groups working hard against better wages, benefits, and family-supporting jobs for the American workforce."
Jeb Bush Bravely Declines To Call A Racist Act Racism
Jeb Bush Bravely Declines To Call A Racist Act Racism
"Why Jeb couldn't articulate that is obvious: he'd rile up all the racists who were sitting in that room and watching from afar, those who he is asking to vote for him."
"Why Jeb couldn't articulate that is obvious: he'd rile up all the racists who were sitting in that room and watching from afar, those who he is asking to vote for him."
Brownback and Jindal go down in flames: America’s worst governors proven bullies, liars, fools
Brownback and Jindal go down in flames: America’s worst governors proven bullies, liars, fools
"Budget disasters and tax gimmicks in Kansas and Louisiana show incompetence -- and both parties know it"
"Budget disasters and tax gimmicks in Kansas and Louisiana show incompetence -- and both parties know it"
Billionaire Calls Trickle Down Economics a “Scam,” a “Con Job”, and “An intimidation Tactic”
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/06/billionaire-calls-trickle-down-economics-a-scam-a-con-job-and-an-intimidation-tactic/
"The fundamental law of capitalism is: when workers have more money, businesses have more customers, and need more workers. The idea that high wages equals low employment, it’s absurd. And you have to understand that when somebody like me tells somebody like you that [high wages equals low employment] is the case, the only thing that’s true about that statement is that if I can get you to believe it, it would be very good for me."
"The fundamental law of capitalism is: when workers have more money, businesses have more customers, and need more workers. The idea that high wages equals low employment, it’s absurd. And you have to understand that when somebody like me tells somebody like you that [high wages equals low employment] is the case, the only thing that’s true about that statement is that if I can get you to believe it, it would be very good for me."
Walmart Hides $76 Billion In Offshore Tax Havens While Stealing $6.2 Billion A Year From Taxpayers
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/17/walmart-hides-76-billion-in-offshore-tax-havens-while-stealing-6-2-billion-a-year-from-taxpayers/
"According to a study released last year by Americans for Tax Fairness, Wal-Mart costs American taxpayers $6.2 billion a year in public assistance, including food stamps, Medicaid and subsidized housing. A single Wal-Mart Supercenter costs us between $904,542 and $1.75 million per year as we subsidize their low-wage employees. So what’s the retail giant doing about it? Well, according to a new study Wal-Mart is hiding $76 billion in overseas tax havens to avoid paying the very taxes that allow their employees to eat."
"According to a study released last year by Americans for Tax Fairness, Wal-Mart costs American taxpayers $6.2 billion a year in public assistance, including food stamps, Medicaid and subsidized housing. A single Wal-Mart Supercenter costs us between $904,542 and $1.75 million per year as we subsidize their low-wage employees. So what’s the retail giant doing about it? Well, according to a new study Wal-Mart is hiding $76 billion in overseas tax havens to avoid paying the very taxes that allow their employees to eat."
FL Republicans Take Pity On Millionaires, Give Them A Tax Break On Yacht Repairs (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/16/fl-republicans-take-pity-on-millionaires-give-them-a-tax-break-on-yacht-repairs-video/
"The new tax cut would affect the über rich people who spend more than a million dollars on yacht repairs. Seriously."
"The new tax cut would affect the über rich people who spend more than a million dollars on yacht repairs. Seriously."
America is feeling the Bern: Bernie Sanders draws overflow crowds — and surges in the polls
America is feeling the Bern: Bernie Sanders draws overflow crowds — and surges in the polls
"According to Sanders’ campaign, more than 3,000 people have already RSVP’d for a rally in Denver, Colorado on Saturday."
"According to Sanders’ campaign, more than 3,000 people have already RSVP’d for a rally in Denver, Colorado on Saturday."
Elizabeth Warren's Rejoinder to Jamie Dimon Glistens With Truth Amid DC Blather
Elizabeth Warren's Rejoinder to Jamie Dimon Glistens With Truth Amid DC Blather
"Warren’s résumé comes with nearly 20 years of experience teaching corporate law at Harvard University, publishing nine books, chairing the Congressional Oversight Panel that oversaw the bank bailouts in 2008 (of which JP Morgan was a beneficiary), and coming up with the idea for and helping to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has already helped consumers avoid numerous predatory lending schemes and recouped more than $4.8 billionthrough its enforcement actions.
She has also become widely known for her tough critiques of the banking industry. She has questioned why the government didn’t break up the biggest banks, like JP Morgan, when it offered bailout money in 2008 and joined a group of Senators in 2013 to propose reinstating a Depression-era rule that separated commercial and investment banking. She’s been a staunch supporter of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform bill and stood in opposition to Republicans’ attempts to roll parts of it back."
"Warren’s résumé comes with nearly 20 years of experience teaching corporate law at Harvard University, publishing nine books, chairing the Congressional Oversight Panel that oversaw the bank bailouts in 2008 (of which JP Morgan was a beneficiary), and coming up with the idea for and helping to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has already helped consumers avoid numerous predatory lending schemes and recouped more than $4.8 billionthrough its enforcement actions.
She has also become widely known for her tough critiques of the banking industry. She has questioned why the government didn’t break up the biggest banks, like JP Morgan, when it offered bailout money in 2008 and joined a group of Senators in 2013 to propose reinstating a Depression-era rule that separated commercial and investment banking. She’s been a staunch supporter of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform bill and stood in opposition to Republicans’ attempts to roll parts of it back."
New Overtime Rules Will Be a Father’s Day Gift to Millions of Dads | Economic Policy Institute
New Overtime Rules Will Be a Father’s Day Gift to Millions of Dads | Economic Policy Institute
"The right to be paid for one’s overtime work is important for every worker because time is a valuable and scarce commodity, but it is especially important for parents and for their children."
"The right to be paid for one’s overtime work is important for every worker because time is a valuable and scarce commodity, but it is especially important for parents and for their children."
Marco Rubio Says Koch World Doesn't Want Anything From Washington. Really?
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/06/marco-rubio-koch-network-lobbying
"In Washington, money spent on hiring lobbyists often goes hand-in-hand with money spent on candidates, and according to a new report, many Koch network donors are playing the influence-peddling game."
"In Washington, money spent on hiring lobbyists often goes hand-in-hand with money spent on candidates, and according to a new report, many Koch network donors are playing the influence-peddling game."
One Simple Stat Puts Into Perspective Just How Bad Income Inequality Has Become
One Simple Stat Puts Into Perspective Just How Bad Income Inequality Has Become
"For Democrats and progressives, it’s about the rich becoming richer at the expense of everyone else. It’s about tax cuts that disproportionately favor the wealthy while everyone else picks up the tab. It’s about massive deficits caused by wars and bailouts that some within our government (mostly Republicans) now want the poor and middle class to pay for. For Republicans, it’s the newest talking point they like to throw around considering there’s really nothing else they can say that’s negative about the economy. For years Republicans claimed that Democrats using the phrase “income inequality” was some sort of class warfare – now they can’t seem to shut up about it. Though their “solution” to improve income inequality is more of the same policies that created the income inequality in the first place: Tax cuts for the rich, deregulating big business. It would almost be funny if they weren’t actually being serious."
"For Democrats and progressives, it’s about the rich becoming richer at the expense of everyone else. It’s about tax cuts that disproportionately favor the wealthy while everyone else picks up the tab. It’s about massive deficits caused by wars and bailouts that some within our government (mostly Republicans) now want the poor and middle class to pay for. For Republicans, it’s the newest talking point they like to throw around considering there’s really nothing else they can say that’s negative about the economy. For years Republicans claimed that Democrats using the phrase “income inequality” was some sort of class warfare – now they can’t seem to shut up about it. Though their “solution” to improve income inequality is more of the same policies that created the income inequality in the first place: Tax cuts for the rich, deregulating big business. It would almost be funny if they weren’t actually being serious."
The world spends 10 million dollars a minute to subsidize fossil fuels
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/16/1393362/-The-world-spends-10-million-dollars-a-minute-to-subsidize-fossil-fuels
"10 million dollars a minute that's 5.3 trillion dollars, more than the entire health spending of all the world's governments!
The picture is becoming clear. The reason fossil fuel extractors have been able to rule the world for the last century is because they are getting away with murder, literally. There are no consequences for the destruction they have caused to the health of the planet and to the health of our species."
"10 million dollars a minute that's 5.3 trillion dollars, more than the entire health spending of all the world's governments!
The picture is becoming clear. The reason fossil fuel extractors have been able to rule the world for the last century is because they are getting away with murder, literally. There are no consequences for the destruction they have caused to the health of the planet and to the health of our species."
Secretive Donors Gave U.S. Climate Denial Groups $125 Million Over Three Years | Alternet
Secretive Donors Gave U.S. Climate Denial Groups $125 Million Over Three Years | Alternet
"Organizations funded through the secretive donors operations are also working to roll back measures promoting wind and solar power and block planning for future sea-level rise in state capitals."
"Organizations funded through the secretive donors operations are also working to roll back measures promoting wind and solar power and block planning for future sea-level rise in state capitals."
Science: If Your State Government Is Pro-Environment, You’ll Have Cleaner Air
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/16/3670127/state-environmentalism-emisisons/
"A state legislature’s strong environmental voting record can translate into real results for states, according to a new study.
The study, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at greenhouse gas emissions data for all 50 states going back to 1990. Researchers then compared that emissions data to a range of other factors, including the environmental record of state legislators — determined by the League of Conservation Voters scorecard system — employment rate, and population. The researchers, both from Michigan State University, found that there was a correlation between the voting records of legislators and a state’s greenhouse gas emissions."
"A state legislature’s strong environmental voting record can translate into real results for states, according to a new study.
The study, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at greenhouse gas emissions data for all 50 states going back to 1990. Researchers then compared that emissions data to a range of other factors, including the environmental record of state legislators — determined by the League of Conservation Voters scorecard system — employment rate, and population. The researchers, both from Michigan State University, found that there was a correlation between the voting records of legislators and a state’s greenhouse gas emissions."
Environmental Movement Is Achieving Cleaner Air in Key States | Alternet
Environmental Movement Is Achieving Cleaner Air in Key States | Alternet
"States with strong green voices perform better on cutting emissions whereas those with climate skeptic views fare poorly."
"States with strong green voices perform better on cutting emissions whereas those with climate skeptic views fare poorly."
Watch: Bernie Sanders DESTROYS Republican Climate Change Deniers In 2 Minutes
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-bernie-sanders-destroys-republican-climate-change-deniers-in-2-minutes/
"Sanders then compares the artificial debate surrounding climate change research to the campaign funded by tobacco companies to convince America that smoking wasn’t harmful, which is a very striking way to look at it. The fossil fuel magnates who have the most to lose from carbon emission reduction have already bought themselves the Republican Congress, and they’re using the GOP as a mouthpiece to propagate a false narrative about global warming and its existence."
"Sanders then compares the artificial debate surrounding climate change research to the campaign funded by tobacco companies to convince America that smoking wasn’t harmful, which is a very striking way to look at it. The fossil fuel magnates who have the most to lose from carbon emission reduction have already bought themselves the Republican Congress, and they’re using the GOP as a mouthpiece to propagate a false narrative about global warming and its existence."
Pope Francis: Humans Are Turning the Earth Into an "Immense Pile of Filth"
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/06/pope-encyclical-climate-change-inequality
"A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system."
"A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system."
How Scott Walker Dismantled Wisconsin's Environmental Legacy
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-scott-walker-dismantled-wisconsin-s-environmental-legacy/
"As governor of Wisconsin, the likely Republican presidential nomination-seeker consistently dismissed science and sided with polluters"
"As governor of Wisconsin, the likely Republican presidential nomination-seeker consistently dismissed science and sided with polluters"
Mitch McConnell And The War On The Environment
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/06/mitch-mcconnell-war-environment/
"Instead of protecting the citizens of his own state and those residing in other states, it is obvious from the get-go that McConnell and the Republican Party as a whole are more intent on protecting corporate interests."
"Instead of protecting the citizens of his own state and those residing in other states, it is obvious from the get-go that McConnell and the Republican Party as a whole are more intent on protecting corporate interests."
Friday, June 19, 2015
NASA: The Earth is Running Out of Water | Alternet
NASA: The Earth is Running Out of Water | Alternet
"More than half of Earth’s 37 largest aquifers are being depleted due to population and climate stresses."
"More than half of Earth’s 37 largest aquifers are being depleted due to population and climate stresses."
NOAA: Hottest May, Hottest Spring, Hottest Year-To-Date On Record By Far
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/18/3671271/noaa-hottest-may-spring-record/
"NOAA’s latest monthly report on global temperatures confirms that we are headed toward a record-smashing year."
"NOAA’s latest monthly report on global temperatures confirms that we are headed toward a record-smashing year."
5 Incredible Breakthroughs in Pot Science That Mainstream Media Is Finally Paying Attention To | Alternet
5 Incredible Breakthroughs in Pot Science That Mainstream Media Is Finally Paying Attention To | Alternet
"The recent shift in public opinion about marijuana has propelled a historic heave against the research blockade."
"The recent shift in public opinion about marijuana has propelled a historic heave against the research blockade."
How Pope Francis just destroyed the GOP’s religious con artists
How Pope Francis just destroyed the GOP’s religious con artists
"the GOP is more interested in exploiting religion to oppress, restrict and demonize. This really what’s freaking them out. And after Thursday, the rage will be thick and it’ll set new records for ugliness."
"the GOP is more interested in exploiting religion to oppress, restrict and demonize. This really what’s freaking them out. And after Thursday, the rage will be thick and it’ll set new records for ugliness."
Pope Francis Lights Up Twitter Today With Climate Change Truth Bombs
Pope Francis Lights Up Twitter Today With Climate Change Truth Bombs
"For the last several hours, he's been tweeting key points from his encyclical to his 20+ million Twitter followers."
"For the last several hours, he's been tweeting key points from his encyclical to his 20+ million Twitter followers."
Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld Freaks Out Because Pope Francis is Actually Acting Like a Christian (Video)
Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld Freaks Out Because Pope Francis is Actually Acting Like a Christian (Video)
"Since the accession of Pope Francis to the head of the Catholic Church, Republicans haven’t been too happy. That’s ironic considering that not only is Pope Francis arguably the most popular pope in modern history, but he’s the most “Christ-like” pope – possibly ever. He’s based a large part of his time in power on helping the poor, preaching acceptance and even supporting the idea that humans need to take care of the planet that God gave them. Naturally, Republicans have been upset by pretty much all of this."
"Since the accession of Pope Francis to the head of the Catholic Church, Republicans haven’t been too happy. That’s ironic considering that not only is Pope Francis arguably the most popular pope in modern history, but he’s the most “Christ-like” pope – possibly ever. He’s based a large part of his time in power on helping the poor, preaching acceptance and even supporting the idea that humans need to take care of the planet that God gave them. Naturally, Republicans have been upset by pretty much all of this."
One Big Fact Media Are Missing On Jeb Bush, The Pope, And Climate Change
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/06/17/one-big-fact-media-are-missing-on-jeb-bush-the/204033
"the media should be covering Bush's remarks in the context of a closed-door meeting he held with coal industry CEOs earlier this month -- an important piece of information that could shed some light on who Bush is actually getting his "economic policy" from when it comes to climate change."
"the media should be covering Bush's remarks in the context of a closed-door meeting he held with coal industry CEOs earlier this month -- an important piece of information that could shed some light on who Bush is actually getting his "economic policy" from when it comes to climate change."
Jeb Bush Reaches For Latino Votes While Promoting Policies That Drive Them Away
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/06/15/3669688/jeb-bush-reaches-latino-votes-promoting-policies-drive-away/
"Yet on many key issues — from climate change to health care to the minimum wage — Bush’s policies are in direct contradiction to what a majority of Latino voters want."
"Yet on many key issues — from climate change to health care to the minimum wage — Bush’s policies are in direct contradiction to what a majority of Latino voters want."
Jeb!: 'My brother tried on Social Security'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/16/1393782/-Jeb-My-brother-tried-on-Social-nbsp-Security
"Just to refresh everyone's memories on W's efforts on Social Security: In his 2005 State of the Union Address, Bush laid out his plan for diverting retirement savings from Social Security payroll taxes into private investments. Which truly did go over like a mashed potato sandwich with the public and members of Congress (except for Rep. Paul Ryan, who loved it so much he sponsored the legislation to do it). That would, of course, eventually bankrupt the program as less and less payroll tax money came in. And that was and always has been the ultimate goal of Republicans.
As American Bridge details Jeb! was there every step of the way with his brother. Now he's running to finish the job."
"Just to refresh everyone's memories on W's efforts on Social Security: In his 2005 State of the Union Address, Bush laid out his plan for diverting retirement savings from Social Security payroll taxes into private investments. Which truly did go over like a mashed potato sandwich with the public and members of Congress (except for Rep. Paul Ryan, who loved it so much he sponsored the legislation to do it). That would, of course, eventually bankrupt the program as less and less payroll tax money came in. And that was and always has been the ultimate goal of Republicans.
As American Bridge details Jeb! was there every step of the way with his brother. Now he's running to finish the job."
While Jeb Claims He’s His ‘Own Man’, His Actions Prove He’s George’s Clone
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/while-jeb-claims-hes-his-own-man-his-actions-prove-hes-georges-clone/
"Not only has he publicly stated that his brother is his most trusted foreign policy adviser, he has hired a team to help compensate for lack of experience- and nineteen out of twenty-one of them worked for his father or brother. The words “I’m my own man” never felt so hollow."
"Not only has he publicly stated that his brother is his most trusted foreign policy adviser, he has hired a team to help compensate for lack of experience- and nineteen out of twenty-one of them worked for his father or brother. The words “I’m my own man” never felt so hollow."
How to Steal From US Taxpayers While Blaming the Poor
How to Steal From US Taxpayers While Blaming the Poor
"About two-thirds of low-wage workers are employed by large corporations with over 100 employees. The very worst offender is probably Walmart, which pays its estimated 1.4 million U.S. employees so little that the average Walmart worker depends on about $4,400 per year in taxpayer assistance, for food stamps and other safety net programs.
As Walmart was depending on us, the taxpayers, to pay $4,400 a year to each of its employees, the company was spending the equivalent of $5,000 per U.S. employeefor price-boosting stock buybacks."
"About two-thirds of low-wage workers are employed by large corporations with over 100 employees. The very worst offender is probably Walmart, which pays its estimated 1.4 million U.S. employees so little that the average Walmart worker depends on about $4,400 per year in taxpayer assistance, for food stamps and other safety net programs.
As Walmart was depending on us, the taxpayers, to pay $4,400 a year to each of its employees, the company was spending the equivalent of $5,000 per U.S. employeefor price-boosting stock buybacks."
Supreme Court shuts down Scott Walker: Today’s ultrasound decision is a big defeat for anti-choice warriors
Supreme Court shuts down Scott Walker: Today’s ultrasound decision is a big defeat for anti-choice warriors
"The GOP contender thinks forced ultrasounds are "cool," but the justices just dealt the movement a big setback"
"The GOP contender thinks forced ultrasounds are "cool," but the justices just dealt the movement a big setback"
What Mitt Romney’s Bizarre Weekend Retreat Reveals About the GOP Primary | Alternet
What Mitt Romney’s Bizarre Weekend Retreat Reveals About the GOP Primary | Alternet
"It’s amazing that these people feel no shame in publicly supplicating themselves for these Big Money donors like a bunch of dancers auditioning to become Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders"
"It’s amazing that these people feel no shame in publicly supplicating themselves for these Big Money donors like a bunch of dancers auditioning to become Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders"
Bobby Jindal’s dishonest scheme: Even fellow Republicans are embarrassed by this one
Bobby Jindal’s dishonest scheme: Even fellow Republicans are embarrassed by this one
"Jindal’s SAVE bill is a scam – and everyone in the state capitol knows it."
"Jindal’s SAVE bill is a scam – and everyone in the state capitol knows it."
Ted Cruz Confuses Religious Bigotry With Freedom, Says 2016 Will Be ‘Religious Liberty’ Election
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/18/ted-cruz-confuses-religious-bigotry-with-freedom-says-2016-will-be-religious-liberty/
"But, by all means, Ted, go ahead and make the 2016 election about religious bigotry. Because America has rejected hatred and prejudice. Your way of thinking is passing away, thank goodness. You’re a dinosaur. And not the fun kind. The sooner you sink into the oil puddle of obscurity, the better for this country."
"But, by all means, Ted, go ahead and make the 2016 election about religious bigotry. Because America has rejected hatred and prejudice. Your way of thinking is passing away, thank goodness. You’re a dinosaur. And not the fun kind. The sooner you sink into the oil puddle of obscurity, the better for this country."
UPDATED: Alabama cop fired after links to white supremacist group are revealed
UPDATED: Alabama cop fired after links to white supremacist group are revealed
"The LOS calls for southern states to secede and establish a Christian theocratic state run by “Anglo-Celtics.” Doggrell has been a member since 1995."
"The LOS calls for southern states to secede and establish a Christian theocratic state run by “Anglo-Celtics.” Doggrell has been a member since 1995."
Jeb Bush Joins Other GOPers in Downplaying Racism That Fueled the Charleston Attack
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/06/jeb-bush-latest-gop-candidate-brush-aside-racial-motivations-charleston-shooting
"Before he opened fire in a historic black church in Charleston, killing nine people, Dylann Roof, the alleged shooter, was photographed wearing flags of former racist regimes in Africa that became white supremacist symbols. When he committed the murders, he reportedly told the victims, "I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country and you have to go." And after he was arrested, he confessed to authorities that he committed the crime to start a "race war."
Yet when Jeb Bush addressed an audience of evangelicals on Friday morning, he became the latest Republican presidential candidate to say he had no idea whether racism motivated this horrific attack."
"Before he opened fire in a historic black church in Charleston, killing nine people, Dylann Roof, the alleged shooter, was photographed wearing flags of former racist regimes in Africa that became white supremacist symbols. When he committed the murders, he reportedly told the victims, "I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country and you have to go." And after he was arrested, he confessed to authorities that he committed the crime to start a "race war."
Yet when Jeb Bush addressed an audience of evangelicals on Friday morning, he became the latest Republican presidential candidate to say he had no idea whether racism motivated this horrific attack."
Dylann Roof Bragged Last Week He Would 'Kill A Bunch Of People' And No One Spoke Up
Dylann Roof Bragged Last Week He Would 'Kill A Bunch Of People' And No One Spoke Up
"Roof had a license plate on his car of the "Confederate States of America" – not just the historical Confederacy but a group that believes it is being occupied the the U.S. government.
High school classmate John Mullins told the Daily Beast that Roof "had that kind of Southern pride, I guess some would say. Strong conservative beliefs"."
"Roof had a license plate on his car of the "Confederate States of America" – not just the historical Confederacy but a group that believes it is being occupied the the U.S. government.
High school classmate John Mullins told the Daily Beast that Roof "had that kind of Southern pride, I guess some would say. Strong conservative beliefs"."
The GOP’s staggering Charleston cowardice: Why are so many Republicans so scared of admitting the truth?
The GOP’s staggering Charleston cowardice: Why are so many Republicans so scared of admitting the truth?
"Throughout the last 24 hours the right has been doing the usual handwringing over the “politicization” of this mass murder as if it wasn’t inherently political. Dylann Roof politicized it when he stood up in that church, shot 9 people and told one woman that he was letting her live so that she could tell people why he did it: “You are raping our women and taking over the country.” One of the people he assassinated in cold blood was a prominent black politician. That is the terrorist act of a right wing extremist and the political statement of a white supremacist. He was following in a very long tradition of such terrorist acts and political statements."
"Throughout the last 24 hours the right has been doing the usual handwringing over the “politicization” of this mass murder as if it wasn’t inherently political. Dylann Roof politicized it when he stood up in that church, shot 9 people and told one woman that he was letting her live so that she could tell people why he did it: “You are raping our women and taking over the country.” One of the people he assassinated in cold blood was a prominent black politician. That is the terrorist act of a right wing extremist and the political statement of a white supremacist. He was following in a very long tradition of such terrorist acts and political statements."
Charleston Shooter Confesses: It Was Definitely Racism, Not Christian Persecution
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/19/charleston-shooter-confesses-it-was-definitely-racism-not-christian-persecution/
"Sorry, Fox News, Dylann Roof wasn’t at that church to persecute Christians."
"Sorry, Fox News, Dylann Roof wasn’t at that church to persecute Christians."
Always on the Wrong Side of History: A Look at Many of the Constitutional Rights Conservatives Have Opposed
Always on the Wrong Side of History: A Look at Many of the Constitutional Rights Conservatives Have Opposed
"But I must make one point very clear – when I say “conservatives,” I mean conservatives. Republicans haven’t always been conservatives. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1950′s and 60′s when the Republican party decided to embrace the South’s blatant racism, hoping to lure white voters to their side, that the GOP become the “party of Southern conservatives.” Because, as we all know, conservatives love to point out that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves and he was a Republican. That’s true, but he wasn’t a conservative. It’s as if conservatives willfully ignore the fact that the states which fought with the South during the Civil War are also the states that opposed integration, voting rights and the Civil Rights Act – and now almost every single one of them is strongly Republican."
"But I must make one point very clear – when I say “conservatives,” I mean conservatives. Republicans haven’t always been conservatives. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1950′s and 60′s when the Republican party decided to embrace the South’s blatant racism, hoping to lure white voters to their side, that the GOP become the “party of Southern conservatives.” Because, as we all know, conservatives love to point out that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves and he was a Republican. That’s true, but he wasn’t a conservative. It’s as if conservatives willfully ignore the fact that the states which fought with the South during the Civil War are also the states that opposed integration, voting rights and the Civil Rights Act – and now almost every single one of them is strongly Republican."
Thursday, June 18, 2015
How Right-Wing Media May Have Already Scared The GOP Away From 2016 Latino Outreach Efforts
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/06/18/how-right-wing-media-may-have-already-scared-th/204047
"Only one Republican presidential candidate reportedly made an appearance at the 32nd annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) convention, despite Republican National Committee and several GOP presidential hopefuls committing to reach out to Hispanic Americans. The snub comes after years of right-wing media's demonizing Hispanics and urging the GOP to take extreme positions on immigration."
"Only one Republican presidential candidate reportedly made an appearance at the 32nd annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) convention, despite Republican National Committee and several GOP presidential hopefuls committing to reach out to Hispanic Americans. The snub comes after years of right-wing media's demonizing Hispanics and urging the GOP to take extreme positions on immigration."
Charleston Church Shooting Strikes Close To Home For President Obama (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/18/charleston-church-shooting-strikes-close-to-home-for-president-obama-video/
"Today marked the 14th time in just six and a half years that president Obama has addressed the nation on the heels of a mass shooting."
"Today marked the 14th time in just six and a half years that president Obama has addressed the nation on the heels of a mass shooting."
Alabama Cop’s White Supremacy Speech Caught On Camera (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/18/josh-doggrell-white-supremacy-speech-caught-on-camera-video/
"During a League of the South convention, Doggrell took to the podium to express how good it was to be among people that “think like we do.” He also told members that he’s working on getting more people to come around to “our way of thinking.” He then went on to address the audience, made up of white, southern racists"
"During a League of the South convention, Doggrell took to the podium to express how good it was to be among people that “think like we do.” He also told members that he’s working on getting more people to come around to “our way of thinking.” He then went on to address the audience, made up of white, southern racists"
Why Conservatives Can't Stop Saying Insanely Dumb Things About Rape | Alternet
Why Conservatives Can't Stop Saying Insanely Dumb Things About Rape | Alternet
"While it’s never fun to hear pundits and politicians treat rape with a shrug of the shoulders, Scott Walker-style, we should all be ultimately grateful that Republicans just can’t leave this issue alone. Every time a conservative opens his mouth to talk about rape, he reminds the voters that the conservative ideology about sex and consent is radically opposed to where the rest of the country is headed. Better, after all, that we know where we stand than to elect them unwittingly and allow them to these backwards ideas into law."
"While it’s never fun to hear pundits and politicians treat rape with a shrug of the shoulders, Scott Walker-style, we should all be ultimately grateful that Republicans just can’t leave this issue alone. Every time a conservative opens his mouth to talk about rape, he reminds the voters that the conservative ideology about sex and consent is radically opposed to where the rest of the country is headed. Better, after all, that we know where we stand than to elect them unwittingly and allow them to these backwards ideas into law."
Charleston Suspect Dylann Roof's Idolization Of Rhodesia And South Africa Is Rooted In Right-Wing History | Alternet
Charleston Suspect Dylann Roof's Idolization Of Rhodesia And South Africa Is Rooted In Right-Wing History | Alternet
"But most of the American right today will never admit that this is the history it leaves behind: one of naked support for white supremacy and glamorizing of regimes and systems that systematically disenfranchised darker people."
"But most of the American right today will never admit that this is the history it leaves behind: one of naked support for white supremacy and glamorizing of regimes and systems that systematically disenfranchised darker people."
Focus On Islamic Extremism Leaves Radical Right Overlooked
http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/06/18/3671603/focus-islamic-extremism-leaves-radical-right-overlooked/
"Similar incidents that have captured the nation’s eye and attracted this much media attention in recent history have concerned homegrown Islamic extremists. Meanwhile, relevant studies and polls have consistently shown that domestic attacks by right-wing radicals are a graver concern to law enforcement and have led to more deaths than the threat of “homegrown jihadists” in the dates following 9/11."
"Similar incidents that have captured the nation’s eye and attracted this much media attention in recent history have concerned homegrown Islamic extremists. Meanwhile, relevant studies and polls have consistently shown that domestic attacks by right-wing radicals are a graver concern to law enforcement and have led to more deaths than the threat of “homegrown jihadists” in the dates following 9/11."
Putting The Charleston Church Shooting In The Context Of History
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/06/18/3671290/tragic-history-of-violence-against-churches/
"Last night, in a horrific act of hateful violence, a white gunman shot and killed at least nine people at the historically black Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime, immediately sparked outrage, with many wondering aloud how someone could commit such an act — especially in a church, were the victims were attending a Bible study.
But while Wednesday’s shooting is appalling, it’s not the first time Emanuel A.M.E. has endured violence. The historically progressive church, which was founded in 1791, was burned to the ground in 1822 by white supremacists for its connection to an attempted slave revolt.
In fact, the assault on prayerful worshippers in Charleston is part of a long, bloody history of houses of worship being attacked for their beliefs, their progressive activism, or simply for who they are. There are too many incidents to list all of them in a single post, but we’ve listed a few — both recent and historical — below."
"Last night, in a horrific act of hateful violence, a white gunman shot and killed at least nine people at the historically black Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime, immediately sparked outrage, with many wondering aloud how someone could commit such an act — especially in a church, were the victims were attending a Bible study.
But while Wednesday’s shooting is appalling, it’s not the first time Emanuel A.M.E. has endured violence. The historically progressive church, which was founded in 1791, was burned to the ground in 1822 by white supremacists for its connection to an attempted slave revolt.
In fact, the assault on prayerful worshippers in Charleston is part of a long, bloody history of houses of worship being attacked for their beliefs, their progressive activism, or simply for who they are. There are too many incidents to list all of them in a single post, but we’ve listed a few — both recent and historical — below."
From Fox News to Lindsey Graham: The racist murderer targeted 'Christians', not black Americans
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/18/1394450/-From-Fox-News-to-Lindsey-Graham-The-racist-murderer-targeted-Christians-not-black-Americans
"To go even farther, and claim that their murder was not even about them, it was about your group, and how their murders prove how your group has been victimized. At least have the withered decency to acknowledge that the openly racist murderer was a racist murderer—that the man who said he was there to kill black Americans was, indeed, there to kill his victims for being black Americans. Do not give bullsh*t statements about your sympathies for the community when you aren't willing to even name the "community" being targeted."
"To go even farther, and claim that their murder was not even about them, it was about your group, and how their murders prove how your group has been victimized. At least have the withered decency to acknowledge that the openly racist murderer was a racist murderer—that the man who said he was there to kill black Americans was, indeed, there to kill his victims for being black Americans. Do not give bullsh*t statements about your sympathies for the community when you aren't willing to even name the "community" being targeted."
An Outraged And Disgusted Bernie Sanders Urges His Supporters To Donate To Emanuel AME Church
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/18/outraged-disgusted-bernie-sanders-urges-supporters-donate-emanuel-ame-church.html
"Sanders also urged his supporters to donate to the Emanuel AME Church, which you can do here. Sen. Sanders has over 200,000 donors, so if every donor would give the church one dollar that would mean more than $200,000 to help them in their time of grief."
"Sanders also urged his supporters to donate to the Emanuel AME Church, which you can do here. Sen. Sanders has over 200,000 donors, so if every donor would give the church one dollar that would mean more than $200,000 to help them in their time of grief."
Corporate Media And The Dangerous Right-Wing Elephant In The Room
Corporate Media And The Dangerous Right-Wing Elephant In The Room
"All you media types need to grow up and start talking about the big, fat, racist, violent, right-wing elephant in the room. You have special protection under the Constitution for a reason: You're supposed to be the watchdogs of the Republic. Do your frickin' jobs for a change.
You provide no context for right-wing garbage. You rarely talk back, or call a lie a lie. You treat crazy people as if they're sane, and worthy of support.
No wonder no one respects you. Your idea of "courage" is criticizing somebody's hairdo on the red carpet."
"All you media types need to grow up and start talking about the big, fat, racist, violent, right-wing elephant in the room. You have special protection under the Constitution for a reason: You're supposed to be the watchdogs of the Republic. Do your frickin' jobs for a change.
You provide no context for right-wing garbage. You rarely talk back, or call a lie a lie. You treat crazy people as if they're sane, and worthy of support.
No wonder no one respects you. Your idea of "courage" is criticizing somebody's hairdo on the red carpet."
Conservatives Ignore Racism And Spin Church Shooting As A War On Christianity
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/18/conservatives-ignore-racism-spin-church-shooting-war-christianity.html
"Conservatives are so busy trying to deny racism exists, and so determined to cast themselves as victims of religious persecution that they are unable to confront the ugly truth even when it stares them in the face."
"Conservatives are so busy trying to deny racism exists, and so determined to cast themselves as victims of religious persecution that they are unable to confront the ugly truth even when it stares them in the face."
The New York Times Warned Us
The New York Times Warned Us
"In contrast, right-wing extremists averaged 337 attacks per year in the decade after 9/11, causing a total of 254 fatalities, according to a study by Arie Perliger, a professor at the United States Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center. The toll has increased since the study was released in 2012."
"In contrast, right-wing extremists averaged 337 attacks per year in the decade after 9/11, causing a total of 254 fatalities, according to a study by Arie Perliger, a professor at the United States Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center. The toll has increased since the study was released in 2012."
A Tax System that Targets Workers
A Tax System that Targets Workers
"Where’s all this leading? In Arizona, the legislature has just yet again taken a meat cleaver to the state higher education budget, cutting $100 million — on top of a nearly 50 percent cut higher ed suffered in the aftermath of the financial crash. In Kansas, with Governor Brownback aggressively eviscerating the state income tax, funding cutbacks are forcing some local school districts to shut their school years down early. Other localities across the nation — think Ferguson, Missouri, for instance — are making up for the funding that used to come from tax revenues by doubling down on traffic fines and other penalties that fall largely on the poor and lower middle class."
"Where’s all this leading? In Arizona, the legislature has just yet again taken a meat cleaver to the state higher education budget, cutting $100 million — on top of a nearly 50 percent cut higher ed suffered in the aftermath of the financial crash. In Kansas, with Governor Brownback aggressively eviscerating the state income tax, funding cutbacks are forcing some local school districts to shut their school years down early. Other localities across the nation — think Ferguson, Missouri, for instance — are making up for the funding that used to come from tax revenues by doubling down on traffic fines and other penalties that fall largely on the poor and lower middle class."
White House race has already sparked $1 million in negative ads
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/11/17470/white-house-race-has-already-sparked-1-million-negative-ads
"To date, nearly all of the negativity has been directed at Democratic Party frontrunner Hillary Clinton, who announced her candidacy in mid-April.
This month alone, Clinton has been attacked by the Republican National Committee and a host of other conservative groups, including the Stop Hillary PAC and the Citizens United Super PAC."
"To date, nearly all of the negativity has been directed at Democratic Party frontrunner Hillary Clinton, who announced her candidacy in mid-April.
This month alone, Clinton has been attacked by the Republican National Committee and a host of other conservative groups, including the Stop Hillary PAC and the Citizens United Super PAC."
BUSTED: Donald Trump caught hiring extras for campaign launch at $50 a head
BUSTED: Donald Trump caught hiring extras for campaign launch at $50 a head
"the company, Extra Mile Casting, contacted background actors via email on June 12 seeking people to appear at Trump’s campaign launch and cheer for him, offering a rate of $50 in cash for less than three hours of work."
"the company, Extra Mile Casting, contacted background actors via email on June 12 seeking people to appear at Trump’s campaign launch and cheer for him, offering a rate of $50 in cash for less than three hours of work."
Donald Trump is about to prove what a joke the Republican Primary is
Donald Trump is about to prove what a joke the Republican Primary is
"With Trump officially joining the race, he vindicates the increasingly obvious analysis that the Republican Party, at the presidential level at least, is little more than a shell corporation for opportunists and careerists who aren’t interested in governing or even winning. The addition of Trump is the would-be final brick in the effort to turn the GOP’s nominating process into a dysfunctional and menacingly ugly reality show competition in which the contestants each scramble to be the most flagrant panderer to the Tea Party base and, subsequently, augment their Q-scores within the lucrative conservative entertainment complex. That’s the real prize, and Trump, above all the others, is aiming to scoop up as much of that as he can. He won’t win the nomination, but that’s not his goal, nor is it the goal of most of the field."
"With Trump officially joining the race, he vindicates the increasingly obvious analysis that the Republican Party, at the presidential level at least, is little more than a shell corporation for opportunists and careerists who aren’t interested in governing or even winning. The addition of Trump is the would-be final brick in the effort to turn the GOP’s nominating process into a dysfunctional and menacingly ugly reality show competition in which the contestants each scramble to be the most flagrant panderer to the Tea Party base and, subsequently, augment their Q-scores within the lucrative conservative entertainment complex. That’s the real prize, and Trump, above all the others, is aiming to scoop up as much of that as he can. He won’t win the nomination, but that’s not his goal, nor is it the goal of most of the field."
Republicans’ raging civil war: GOP can’t decide how best to take away your healthcare
Republicans’ raging civil war: GOP can’t decide how best to take away your healthcare
"Republican politicians are in the awkward position of rooting for the subsidies to be killed but also seeking to avoid the blowback that would come from effectively kicking millions of people off their insurance."
"Republican politicians are in the awkward position of rooting for the subsidies to be killed but also seeking to avoid the blowback that would come from effectively kicking millions of people off their insurance."
Supreme Court ruling against Obamacare could cause economic shockwaves
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/18/1392245/-Supreme-Court-ruling-against-Obamacare-could-cause-economic-nbsp-shockwaves
"The hospital sector alone gained more than 100,000 jobs in the last year. The repercussions of what more than six million people losing health insurance will be big. Very big. The repercussions of what Republicans would do in response would be even worse."
"The hospital sector alone gained more than 100,000 jobs in the last year. The repercussions of what more than six million people losing health insurance will be big. Very big. The repercussions of what Republicans would do in response would be even worse."
The Manipulative Way Obamacare Opponents Made Their Lawsuit Look Legitimate
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/06/17/3670566/manipulative-way-obamacare-opponents-made-lawsuit-look-legitimate/
"A leading Republican attorney made a surprising admission at a legal conference this weekend, revealing a key element of the strategy he and many of his fellow Republican lawyers have used in order to lend credibility to lawsuits challenging Obama administration policies. The law’s supporters have long suspected the lawyers who challenged the Affordable Care Act of intentionally maneuvering to bring the case before a very conservative judge who was inclined to support their agenda. One of those lawyers helped feed those suspicions last Friday."
"A leading Republican attorney made a surprising admission at a legal conference this weekend, revealing a key element of the strategy he and many of his fellow Republican lawyers have used in order to lend credibility to lawsuits challenging Obama administration policies. The law’s supporters have long suspected the lawyers who challenged the Affordable Care Act of intentionally maneuvering to bring the case before a very conservative judge who was inclined to support their agenda. One of those lawyers helped feed those suspicions last Friday."
Infographic: How Many Women Are Benefiting from the Affordable Care Act?
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/news/2015/06/15/85389/infographic-how-many-women-are-benefiting-from-the-affordable-care-act/
"This infographic is a compilation of data from multiple sources to highlight how women are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act."
"This infographic is a compilation of data from multiple sources to highlight how women are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act."
Survey: Uninsured rate nears single digits for first time
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/16/1393695/-Survey-Uninsured-rate-nears-single-digits-for-first-time
"All the surveys conclude, though, that Obamacare has quickly succeeded in dramatically reducing the uninsured rate to the lowest levels on record. That's a well-documented success that only the most craven Republicans can deny, which they will because they are Republicans. But that denial is setting them up for some serious hurt if the Supreme Court rules their way in a few weeks and strips premium subsidies away from millions of people. Because, despite all their assurances that they've got a secret plan ready to go, it's obvious that their only plan right now is praying that the Supreme Court doesn't hand this mess to them. Because they got nothin'."
"All the surveys conclude, though, that Obamacare has quickly succeeded in dramatically reducing the uninsured rate to the lowest levels on record. That's a well-documented success that only the most craven Republicans can deny, which they will because they are Republicans. But that denial is setting them up for some serious hurt if the Supreme Court rules their way in a few weeks and strips premium subsidies away from millions of people. Because, despite all their assurances that they've got a secret plan ready to go, it's obvious that their only plan right now is praying that the Supreme Court doesn't hand this mess to them. Because they got nothin'."
Paul Ryan’s Disastrous Obamacare Interview Shows Republican Ideology is Officially Bankrupt
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/06/paul-ryans-disastrous-obamacare-interview-shows-republican-ideology-is-officially-bankrupt/
"Ryan’s inability to put forward literally anything that resembles a serious plan for the country’s health care system is indicative of a much wider problem the GOP will have to grapple with if it wants a shot in 2016. The truth is, the Republicans don’t actually have any serious ideas about anything. When your entire political philosophy has been built on the premise that free markets solve everything, you’ve pretty much absolved yourself of having to think about anything ever again. Sure, you can criticize those in power actually engaging in policy, pointing out problems, inconsistencies etc, etc, but you never have to offer anything up yourself. This works well in opposition, but tends to fall apart when applied – as did the country when free market militants took over from 2000-2008.
While impossible to predict the nature of the 2016 Presidential election, we can be sure it won’t be a battle of ideas. Because one side categorically doesn’t have any."
"Ryan’s inability to put forward literally anything that resembles a serious plan for the country’s health care system is indicative of a much wider problem the GOP will have to grapple with if it wants a shot in 2016. The truth is, the Republicans don’t actually have any serious ideas about anything. When your entire political philosophy has been built on the premise that free markets solve everything, you’ve pretty much absolved yourself of having to think about anything ever again. Sure, you can criticize those in power actually engaging in policy, pointing out problems, inconsistencies etc, etc, but you never have to offer anything up yourself. This works well in opposition, but tends to fall apart when applied – as did the country when free market militants took over from 2000-2008.
While impossible to predict the nature of the 2016 Presidential election, we can be sure it won’t be a battle of ideas. Because one side categorically doesn’t have any."
Watch: Chris Hayes Beats Down Ex-Senator's ACA Lies With Facts
Watch: Chris Hayes Beats Down Ex-Senator's ACA Lies With Facts
"Former Senator and Governor Judd Gregg was the guest. The topic was the Affordable Care Act, and Judd Gregg was serving up the usual nonsensical talking points in a particularly vitriolic way. From his claim that the ACA was a mess that helped no one, to his mockery of Hayes' claim that the ACA has gotten health coverage to millions, Gregg was mean, nasty, and rude.
Hayes was having none of it, and he used that good old fashioned fallback to debunk Gregg: Facts, with a touch of math for good measure.
Gregg scoffed at Hayes' use of the word "plummeted" to describe the uninsured rate in this country. But in fact, it has plummeted.
I was taken aback by the nastiness and disrespect Gregg showed Chris Hayes, but Hayes persisted in simply using facts and math to contradict his claims.
Watch it, because a transcript won't do it justice.
Aside to Chris Hayes: This is one that your colleagues (particularly Chuck Todd), should study to understand how to use facts to stop these talking points dead in their tracks. It's what we expect from our so-called liberal media, and you delivered.
The other thing you'll notice is that Gregg never answered the question."
"Former Senator and Governor Judd Gregg was the guest. The topic was the Affordable Care Act, and Judd Gregg was serving up the usual nonsensical talking points in a particularly vitriolic way. From his claim that the ACA was a mess that helped no one, to his mockery of Hayes' claim that the ACA has gotten health coverage to millions, Gregg was mean, nasty, and rude.
Hayes was having none of it, and he used that good old fashioned fallback to debunk Gregg: Facts, with a touch of math for good measure.
Gregg scoffed at Hayes' use of the word "plummeted" to describe the uninsured rate in this country. But in fact, it has plummeted.
I was taken aback by the nastiness and disrespect Gregg showed Chris Hayes, but Hayes persisted in simply using facts and math to contradict his claims.
Watch it, because a transcript won't do it justice.
Aside to Chris Hayes: This is one that your colleagues (particularly Chuck Todd), should study to understand how to use facts to stop these talking points dead in their tracks. It's what we expect from our so-called liberal media, and you delivered.
The other thing you'll notice is that Gregg never answered the question."
After Tax Cuts For Rich Wreck Budget, Kansas GOP Raises Taxes On Working Families
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/after-tax-cuts-for-rich-wreck-budget-kansas-gop-raises-taxes-on-working-families/
"Despite all of this, Brownback and Kansas Republicans are unrepentant for this gross mismanagement of state funding. The rest of the Republican Party clearly hasn’t learned anything from this experiment either, as legislators in Maine, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin are all pushing for their own versions of Brownback’s cuts. The trickle-down Reaganomics that are embedded in the Republican DNA have been proven to be a failure time and time again, but the conservative political machine refuses to stop funneling money to wealthy Americans while leaving everyday working families with empty pockets."
"Despite all of this, Brownback and Kansas Republicans are unrepentant for this gross mismanagement of state funding. The rest of the Republican Party clearly hasn’t learned anything from this experiment either, as legislators in Maine, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin are all pushing for their own versions of Brownback’s cuts. The trickle-down Reaganomics that are embedded in the Republican DNA have been proven to be a failure time and time again, but the conservative political machine refuses to stop funneling money to wealthy Americans while leaving everyday working families with empty pockets."
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
After Cutting Taxes On The Rich, Kansas Will Raise Taxes On The Poor To Pay For It
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/06/16/3669801/kansas-sales-tax-hike-budget-deal/
"Kansas lawmakers concluded the longest legislative session in state history Friday night by approving a slate of regressive tax hikes that will balance the state’s budget by targeting low-income workers and their families."
"Kansas lawmakers concluded the longest legislative session in state history Friday night by approving a slate of regressive tax hikes that will balance the state’s budget by targeting low-income workers and their families."
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback Cries During Meeting About State Budget He Destroyed
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/13/kansas-governor-sam-brownback-cries-during-meeting-about-state-budget-he-destroyed/
"Kansas Governor Sam Brownback (R) “got emotional” during a private meeting with Kansas House Republicans because learning that there are no good options once you almost singlehandedly tank your state’s economy on a quixotic quest to prove conservative economic theories work is a very bitter pill to swallow."
"Kansas Governor Sam Brownback (R) “got emotional” during a private meeting with Kansas House Republicans because learning that there are no good options once you almost singlehandedly tank your state’s economy on a quixotic quest to prove conservative economic theories work is a very bitter pill to swallow."
Walker's Wisconsin, a "Laboratory for Oligarchs"
Walker's Wisconsin, a "Laboratory for Oligarchs"
"Study after study has documented that misnamed "right to work" laws are associated with significantly lower wages for workers and undermine their skills and safety training. Walker promises more of the same in Wisconsin as the repeal of prevailing wage is being considered in the state legislature."
"Study after study has documented that misnamed "right to work" laws are associated with significantly lower wages for workers and undermine their skills and safety training. Walker promises more of the same in Wisconsin as the repeal of prevailing wage is being considered in the state legislature."
After Denying Health Insurance To 800k Poor, Florida Lawmakers Want To Reward Themselves With Cheap Insurance
After Denying Health Insurance To 800k Poor, Florida Lawmakers Want To Reward Themselves With Cheap Insurance
"It’s no wonder Scott has done just about everything he can to disenfranchise voters who tend to vote for Democrats in the state to ensure Republicans keep as much power as possible. Though it still blows my mind the people of Florida elected this crook to a second term. It’s not just that he’s sleazy, he’s flat-out incompetent as well. But if you’ve ever wanted a clear-cut example of what politicians really think of poor people, look no further than this. It’s pathetic that after years of denying nearly 1 million poor Floridians access to health insurance, many state lawmakers would approve ridiculously low premiums for themselves."
"It’s no wonder Scott has done just about everything he can to disenfranchise voters who tend to vote for Democrats in the state to ensure Republicans keep as much power as possible. Though it still blows my mind the people of Florida elected this crook to a second term. It’s not just that he’s sleazy, he’s flat-out incompetent as well. But if you’ve ever wanted a clear-cut example of what politicians really think of poor people, look no further than this. It’s pathetic that after years of denying nearly 1 million poor Floridians access to health insurance, many state lawmakers would approve ridiculously low premiums for themselves."
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Scott Walker's Shady Deals Win Him Campaign Cash From Billionaires
Scott Walker's Shady Deals Win Him Campaign Cash From Billionaires
"Mentioned in passing in the Times piece is Mark Block, the dirty political operative who built the Wisconsin chapter of the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a group integral to Walker’s good fortune. If you want to take the measure of the Wisconsin governor as he prepares a run for the Republican presidential nomination, Block’s contribution to Walker’s stardom is instructive.
When Block was tasked with building a new AFP chapter in the Dairy State, he did so with the expressed goal of challenging the teachers unions. As I reported for AlterNet in 2011, Block told participants in a February 2010 Sheboygan Tea Party rally (video) that he wouldn't be satisfied until membership in the Wisconsin AFP chapter equaled the membership of the state teachers union, the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
During the time that Block was building one of AFP’s most important chapters, he was also implicated in a voter-caging scheme in Milwaukee that targeted university students and residents of African-American neighborhoods for ballot challenges during the 2010 election, the one that landed Scott Walker, then the executive of Milwaukee County, the governor’s mansion. Also implicated in the scheme was Reince Priebus, then chairman of the state Republican Party, who was rewarded with the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.
At first, Block denied using the auspices of Americans for Prosperity to mail out the 500 letters to targeted voters that would be used as the means to challenge their votes. But when Tim Dake, leader of the Tea Party group Grandsons of Liberty that was involved in the activist part of the scheme, pointed the finger at Koch’s man in Wisconsin, Block relented and admitted his and AFP’s involvement."
"Mentioned in passing in the Times piece is Mark Block, the dirty political operative who built the Wisconsin chapter of the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a group integral to Walker’s good fortune. If you want to take the measure of the Wisconsin governor as he prepares a run for the Republican presidential nomination, Block’s contribution to Walker’s stardom is instructive.
When Block was tasked with building a new AFP chapter in the Dairy State, he did so with the expressed goal of challenging the teachers unions. As I reported for AlterNet in 2011, Block told participants in a February 2010 Sheboygan Tea Party rally (video) that he wouldn't be satisfied until membership in the Wisconsin AFP chapter equaled the membership of the state teachers union, the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
During the time that Block was building one of AFP’s most important chapters, he was also implicated in a voter-caging scheme in Milwaukee that targeted university students and residents of African-American neighborhoods for ballot challenges during the 2010 election, the one that landed Scott Walker, then the executive of Milwaukee County, the governor’s mansion. Also implicated in the scheme was Reince Priebus, then chairman of the state Republican Party, who was rewarded with the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.
At first, Block denied using the auspices of Americans for Prosperity to mail out the 500 letters to targeted voters that would be used as the means to challenge their votes. But when Tim Dake, leader of the Tea Party group Grandsons of Liberty that was involved in the activist part of the scheme, pointed the finger at Koch’s man in Wisconsin, Block relented and admitted his and AFP’s involvement."
GOP lawmaker offers what may be the dumbest argument for voter suppression yet
GOP lawmaker offers what may be the dumbest argument for voter suppression yet
"Olsen has voted against the use of mail-in ballots and same-day voter registration, two initiatives meant to increase voter participation in California."
"Olsen has voted against the use of mail-in ballots and same-day voter registration, two initiatives meant to increase voter participation in California."
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