Sunday, June 30, 2013

C.I.A. Said to Aid in Steering Arms to Syrian Rebels - NYTimes.com

C.I.A. Said to Aid in Steering Arms to Syrian Rebels - NYTimes.com: " A small number of C.I.A. officers are operating secretly in southern Turkey, helping allies decide which Syrian opposition fighters across the border will receive arms to fight the Syrian government, according to American officials and Arab intelligence officers.

The weapons, including automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition and some antitank weapons, are being funneled mostly across the Turkish border by way of a shadowy network of intermediaries including Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood and paid for by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the officials said.

The C.I.A. officers have been in southern Turkey for several weeks, in part to help keep weapons out of the hands of fighters allied with Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups, one senior American official said. The Obama administration has said it is not providing arms to the rebels, but it has also acknowledged that Syria’s neighbors would do so."

'via Blog this'

U.S. to Arm Syrian Rebels Within Month, Officials Say - Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com


U.S. to Arm Syrian Rebels Within Month, Officials Say - Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com: "The Central Intelligence Agency has begun moving weapons to Jordan from a network of secret warehouses and plans to start arming small groups of vetted Syrian rebels within a month, vastly expanding the Obama administration’s role in support of moderate forces battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to diplomats and U.S. officials briefed on the plans."

'via Blog this'

New Slides Revealed In NSA Prism Spying - Business Insider


New Slides Revealed In NSA Prism Spying - Business Insider: "Four new slides detailing more of the top-secret NSA program known as PRISM were released Saturday by The Washington Post.
The slides — given to the Post by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden — show more detail of the flow of information from private companies to the NSA, how the information was analyzed, and how many people were targeted by the PRISM program."

'via Blog this'

Republicans' New Anti-Hillary Strategy

The strategy starts to materialize.  The first push was Libya.

Republicans Paint Clinton as Old News for 2016 Presidential Election - NYTimes.com: "Stuart Stevens, the top strategist for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, declared to an audience of reporters at a breakfast last month that electing Hillary Rodham Clinton would be like going back in time. “She’s been around since the ’70s,” he said.

At a conservative conference earlier in the year, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, ridiculed the 2016 Democratic field as “a rerun of ‘The Golden Girls,’ ” referring to Mrs. Clinton and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who is 70."

'via Blog this'

Friday, June 28, 2013

US Consumer Sentiment Comes in Higher Than Expected in June

Woo-hoo!!
US Consumer Sentiment Comes in Higher Than Expected in June: "The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's final reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment was 84.1 points, just slightly below a near six-year high of 84.5 in May. The late-June figure was higher than the preliminary reading of 82.7.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the final June reading of 82.8."

'via Blog this'

Here Are The Companies That Aren't Afraid To Show Support For Paula Deen - Business Insider


Here Are The Companies That Aren't Afraid To Show Support For Paula Deen - Business Insider: "But just because Deen's cookbooks are being thrown in the clearance bins at local Duane Reades doesn't mean that every company is jumping on the drop-Deen bandwagon.

In spite of accusations of racism and using the N-word, Deen still has some (albeit smaller) corporate sponsors that are vocally showing their support."

'via Blog this'

Pat Robertson Wonders If Justice Anthony Kennedy Has Gay Clerks During Strange Segment On DOMA (VIDEO)

Crazy Uncle Pat!


Pat Robertson Wonders If Justice Anthony Kennedy Has Gay Clerks During Strange Segment On DOMA (VIDEO): ""Jay let me ask you about Anthony Kennedy," Robertson said. "Does he have some clerks that happen to be gays?""

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Rep. Goodlatte: Immigration Changes Should Be 'Step-By-Step' : NPR

The Republican Tactic: Slow-walk everything, the momentum will dissipate, and we don't have to do anything.
Wash, Raise, and Repeat!!
Goodlatte (R) VA-6

Rep. Goodlatte: Immigration Changes Should Be 'Step-By-Step' : NPR: "Audie Cornish talks with Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte, chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Goodlatte opposes the Senate's sweeping immigration reform bill, arguing in favor of a step-by-step approach that would beef up enforcement efforts against undocumented immigrants who are already in the United States."

'via Blog this'

Voting Rights Act Chart: Proof It's Outdated? - Business Insider


Voting Rights Act Chart: Proof It's Outdated? - Business Insider: "Included in Chief Justice John Roberts' majority opinion striking down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act is a chart that rationalizes why the court discarded the portion of the law.

The chart compares the gains in minority voter registration from 1965 to 2004, the last data available before Congress renewed the Voting Rights Act in 2006:"

'via Blog this'

Jed Kolko on Rick Perry and Texas Housing Costs - Business Insider


Jed Kolko on Rick Perry and Texas Housing Costs - Business Insider: "Rick Perry has been touring the country, urging companies to move to Texas for low taxes and business-friendly regulation.

Perry's right that Texas has been growing like crazy, adding jobs and population even at a time when the national economy has been weak.

But he's not exactly right about why.

I sat down with Jed Kolko, Chief Economist at Trulia, to discuss the biggest reason people move from California to Texas: cheap housing."

'via Blog this'

Supreme court ruling on voting rights provision - POLITICO.com

We got work to do people.

Supreme court ruling on voting rights provision - POLITICO.com: "The Supreme Court Tuesday struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act, ruling unconstitutional a provision of the landmark civil rights legislation used to promote the political power of minority voters across large swaths of the southern United States for nearly four decades.

In a 5-4 ruling that split the court along ideological lines, the court ended a requirement that some or all areas in 15 states get advance approval from the Justice Department or a panel of federal judges for all changes to voting laws, procedures and even polling place locations"

'via Blog this'

Supreme Court Strikes Down Key Part of Voting Rights Act - NYTimes.com

Supreme Court Strikes Down Key Part of Voting Rights Act - NYTimes.com: "“In 1965, the states could be divided into two groups: those with a recent history of voting tests and low voter registration and turnout, and those without those characteristics,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote for the majority. “Congress based its coverage formula on that distinction. Today the nation is no longer divided along those lines, yet the Voting Rights Act continues to treat it as if it were.”"

'via Blog this'

Danny Werfel, IRS Chief, Says Inappropriate Screening Was Used More Broadly Than Disclosed

Danny Werfel, IRS Chief, Says Inappropriate Screening Was Used More Broadly Than Disclosed:
Danny Werfel, the principal deputy commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, acknowledged on Monday that the same tactic that got the tax agency in trouble for screening tea party organizations before the 2012 elections was used elsewhere by agency officials.
In a conference call with reporters, Werfel said an internal investigation of the IRS scandal, the findings of which were released Monday afternoon, had unearthed other instances in which "Be On The Look Out" (BOLO) lists were used. He has since ended the use of the tactic, he said, calling the screening criteria used in these other instances "inappropriate."

'via Blog this'

Sunday, June 23, 2013

How Will Justices Rule On Fisher V Texas - Business Insider

SCOTUS - This is going to be horrible.  Say caste system US style. 

How Will Justices Rule On Fisher V Texas - Business Insider: "The Supreme Court is taking an unusually long time to decide its big affirmative action case, suggesting it could be crafting a bold ruling to destroy race-based preferences.
In October, the court heard a challenge to the University of Texas at Austin's admissions policy, which accepts the top 10% of students from every high school in the state, while considering race and other factors for students who aren't in the top 10%."

'via Blog this'

Gabriel Gomez is not a Scott Brown redux - POLITICO.com Print View

Interesting assessment!

Gabriel Gomez is not a Scott Brown redux - POLITICO.com Print View: "Several Bay State conservatives who supported Gomez’s opponents in the primary said they were much less motivated to work for Gomez because of a letter he sent in January asking Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint him to the vacant Senate seat. Gomez wrote that he voted for Obama in 2008 and even said he would support him on immigration and gun control.

Even as Gomez alienated some base voters, a fundraising solicitation from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and a campaign contribution from Newt Gingrich gave Democrats fodder to tell voters that he would be just another party-line vote."

'via Blog this'

NSA chief: Snowden didn't act nobly - POLITICO.com


NSA chief: Snowden didn't act nobly - POLITICO.com: "The director of the National Security Agency said on Sunday that he didn't understand how NSA leaker Edward Snowden left the United States without setting off warning signals.

"No, I don't," Gen. Keith Alexander said on ABC's "This Week," when asked whether he understood why "the system didn't blink red" when Snowden left the U.S. "It's clearly an individual who's betrayed the trust and confidence we had in him. This is an individual who is not acting, in my opinion, with noble intent.""

'via Blog this'

Palin: "Snowden Is Not The Problem; The Problem Is Government Violating Our Fourth Amendment Right" - YouTube

Palin: "Snowden Is Not The Problem; The Problem Is Government Violating Our Fourth Amendment Right" - YouTube: ""

'via Blog this'

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Rep. Louie Gohmert Doesn't Understand How Poor People Could Be Fat

Rep. Louie Gohmert Doesn't Understand How Poor People Could Be Fat: "Congressman Louie Gohmert, who recently filed an amendment to the failed farm bill to cut food stamps altogether, questioned “the amount of obesity in this country” from “people were told do not have enough to eat.”"

'via Blog this'

Espionage Charge Edward Snowden - Business Insider

Please grab this guy ans throw him in jail!

Espionage Charge Edward Snowden - Business Insider: "The U.S. government has filed a sealed criminal complaint against Edward Snowden, charging him with violations under the espionage act — including theft and unauthorized communications, according to the Washington Post.
The U.S. has also asked Hong Kong authorities to arrest him.

The Post cites "U.S. officials" as the source of its report."

'via Blog this'

California Obamacare premiums: No ‘rate shock’ here



California Obamacare premiums: No ‘rate shock’ here: "Health insurers will charge 25-year-olds between $142 and $190 per month for a bare-bones health plan in Los Angeles.
A 40-year-old in San Francisco who wants a top-of-the-line plan would receive a bill between $451 and $525. Downgrade to a less robust option, and premiums fall as low as $221."

'via Blog this'

Friday, June 21, 2013

NSA leaker Snowden charged with espionage: report - MarketWatch

NSA leaker Snowden charged with espionage: report - MarketWatch: "The U.S. government has asked Hong Kong to detain National Security Agency classified-document leaker Edward Snowden after filing a sealed criminal complaint against him, the Washington Post reported late Friday, citing federal officials. Snowden, 29, is reportedly being charged with espionage, theft and conversion of government property after disclosing information about top-secret surveillance activities at the agency. The information was subsequently reported in the newspapers the Guardian and the Washington Post. The complaint was reportedly filed in Virginia, where Snowden's then-employer and NSA contractor Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. is headquartered."

'via Blog this'

Bill O’Reilly backs immigration deal - Burgess Everett - POLITICO.com

Bill O’Reilly backs immigration deal - Burgess Everett - POLITICO.com: "Boosters of the Senate’s immigration reform bill secured a key endorsement Thursday evening: Fox News host Bill O’Reilly.

Just hours after Republican Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) unveiled a sweeping border security amendment, O’Reilly said, “It is time for the U.S.A. to pass immigration reform” and that he hopes “this bill does become law.”"

'via Blog this'

Thursday, June 20, 2013

2013 Alaska Heat Wave: Record-Breaking Temperatures Bake 49th State

Hilarious!




2013 Alaska Heat Wave: Record-Breaking Temperatures Bake 49th State: "A heat wave hitting Alaska may not rival the blazing heat of Phoenix or Las Vegas, but to residents of the 49th state, the days of hot weather feel like a stifling oven — or a tropical paradise.

With temperatures topping 80 degrees in Anchorage, and higher in other parts of the state, people have been sweltering in a place where few homes have air conditioning."

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

IRS Official: White House Was Not Involved In Targeting Of Conservative Groups

IRS Official: White House Was Not Involved In Targeting Of Conservative Groups: " In a rebuke to House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) has released the full transcript of a key interview with an IRS employee at the heart of the agency's scandal."

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Walgreen to Pay $80 Million for Lax Control of Painkillers - NYTimes.com

Walgreen to Pay $80 Million for Lax Control of Painkillers - NYTimes.com: "The Walgreen Company, the nation’s biggest pharmacy operator, agreed on Tuesday to pay $80 million to resolve federal charges that it failed to properly control the sales of narcotic painkillers at some of its outlets."

'via Blog this'

Edward Snowden Backlash In Full Force - Business Insider

From Libertarian hero to zero!
Edward Snowden Backlash In Full Force - Business Insider: "Amid a steady rise of backlash, Edward Snowden, the 29-year-old former National Security Agency contractor who was the source of a spring of leaks about the agency's surveillance methods, conducted a live chat on The Guardian's website Monday morning.
"

'via Blog this'

Edward Snowden: Dick Cheney 'Traitor' Comment Is Honor - Business Insider

That's the first agreeable thing Snowden has said!

Edward Snowden: Dick Cheney 'Traitor' Comment Is Honor - Business Insider: "National Security Agency leak source Edward Snowden on Monday called it an "honor" that former Vice President Dick Cheney referred to him as a "traitor.""

'via Blog this'

IRS Official: White House Was Not Involved In Targeting Of Conservative Groups


IRS Official: White House Was Not Involved In Targeting Of Conservative Groups: "In a rebuke to House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) has released the full transcript of a key interview with an IRS employee at the heart of the agency's scandal.

The 200-page transcript sheds additional light on the decision by the IRS to screen out tea party groups applying for tax-exempt status during the months and years leading up to the 2012 elections."

'via Blog this'

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Rogers: NSA 'lockbox' stopped dozens of plots - POLITICO.com


Well, that's makes it better!

Rogers: NSA 'lockbox' stopped dozens of plots - POLITICO.com: "The chairman of the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday he thinks that Americans' concerns about NSA surveillance will change once they fully understand the program, which he says has stopped “dozens” of terrorist attacks.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) refuted what he called “misleading rhetoric,” including reports that the NSA was listening to phone calls, calling the program a “lockbox” with “lots of protections.”"

'via Blog this'

Chicago Shootings: 6 Killed, 13 Wounded Overnight Sunday; 36 Shot Over Weekend


Chicago Shootings: 6 Killed, 13 Wounded Overnight Sunday; 36 Shot Over Weekend: "Six people were killed and at least 13 others wounded in shootings between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, police said. Other weekend shootings killed one and wounded 16, bringing the bloody weekend total to seven dead, 29 wounded.

The most recent fatal shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. Sunday when Marquette District police officers shot an armed man in South Lawndale, police said in a statement."

'via Blog this'

Friday, June 14, 2013

Jan Brewer wins Medicaid expansion in Arizona - Jason Millman and Kyle Cheney - POLITICO.com

I love Obamacare!
xox - Jan


Jan Brewer wins Medicaid expansion in Arizona - Jason Millman and Kyle Cheney - POLITICO.com: "Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer muscled her way to victory in her crusade for Medicaid expansion Thursday, outmaneuvering conservative opposition to push through a key piece of President Barack Obama’s agenda.

Over the objection of Republican legislative leaders, a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats sent Brewer a bill on Thursday, extending Medicaid to an estimated 300,000 low-income uninsured Arizonans, transforming the state into the unlikeliest of Obamacare allies at a critical time for the White House."

'via Blog this'

A chemical plant fire is seen in an aerial photo about twenty miles southeast of Baton Rouge, in Gei

A different state but here we go again - lax regulations.

A chemical plant fire is seen in an aerial photo about twenty miles southeast of Baton Rouge, in Gei: "A chemical plant fire is seen in an aerial photo about twenty miles southeast of Baton Rouge, in Geismer, La., Thursday, June 13, 2013. The plant makes highly flammable gases that are basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry.

PHOTO BY GERALD HERBERT/AP"

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Apple, Amazon, Google in a War of Fancy Tech Digs - Businessweek


Apple, Amazon, Google in a War of Fancy Tech Digs - Businessweek: "Bloomberg Businessweek's Sam Grobart considers the elaborate dreams of Silicon Valley's biggest companies for their new headquarters, from Apple to Amazon to Facebook."

'via Blog this'

Trent Franks: ‘Incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low’ - Kathryn Smith - POLITICO.com

Franks is a weirdo, and the reason why Republicans and Conservatives can't win women!

Trent Franks: ‘Incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low’ - Kathryn Smith - POLITICO.com: "“The incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low,” said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) as the House Judiciary Committee debated his bill to ban abortions nationwide after 20 weeks including in cases of rape and incest."

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Immigration Reform Bill Breakdown - Business Insider

It's a party for everyone, now!

Immigration Reform Bill Breakdown - Business Insider: "The Senate cleared the first major procedural hurdle on the bill to reform the nation's immigration system on Tuesday, voting to open debate by an overwhelming 82-15 margin.
It looks like the bill is gaining steam, and its chances of passage have improved in both the House and Senate recently"

'via Blog this'

Saturday, June 8, 2013

The Government Is Spying. Does Anyone Even Care? - Businessweek


The Government Is Spying. Does Anyone Even Care? - Businessweek: "It’s been a big week for the large-scale demolition of privacy and the rise of the surveillance state. First, reports surfaced about the tracking of phone calls here in the United States. The larger news involved reports of a seven-year-long systematic sweep of the Internet, code-named Prism, which allowed the government access to e-mails, Facebook accounts, and audio and video transmissions, though only of foreigners. Anthony Romero, head of the American Civil Liberties Union, had strident words of outrage he seemed to have been nursing for months. Many journalists, here and at other outlets, seemed ready to head for the barricades."

'via Blog this'

PD: Boy, 4, accidentally shoots, kills father | azfamily.com Phoenix

Again, that's twice this week!
                   PD: Boy, 4, accidentally shoots, kills father | azfamily.com Phoenix: " A 4-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his father at a home in Prescott Valley Friday, according to a spokesman for the Prescott Valley Police Dept. Police have identified the victim as 35-year-old Justin Stanfield Thomas of Phoenix, a military veteran who served in the Army Special Forces.  Detectives say he and his son were from Phoenix and they were visiting a friend at that home. The boy found a gun in the living room and accidentally shot his father." 'via Blog this'

Friday, June 7, 2013

Operation Perfect Storm Pendleton Drug Ring - Business Insider

Holy cow!  This has got to be the dirtiest.
Operation Perfect Storm Pendleton Drug Ring - Business Insider: "Seven former Marines and seven active duty Marines are among 50 people arrested thursday in Southern California for reportedly operating a massive crime ring.
There were a total of 64 indicted, and 14 are still at large.
The Marines were allegedly stealing and selling military equipment from Camp Pendleton, to include night-vision goggles and kevlar helmets, reports ABC.
From the report:
The sting, dubbed "Operation Perfect Storm," also netted 92 stolen vehicles, methamphetamines and ecstasy, and 10,000 rounds of ammunition and high capacity magazines. The value of the stolen goods was estimated at $1 million, according to authorities."

'via Blog this'

3 indicted for $3M theft at Camp Pendleton | Marine Corps Times | marinecorpstimes.com

3 indicted for $3M theft at Camp Pendleton | Marine Corps Times | marinecorpstimes.com: " Federal prosecutors charged three contracted workers at Camp Pendleton, Calif., for allegedly conspiring and stealing more than $3 million worth of medical equipment destined for units deployed overseas, which they resold for profit.

The men, identified as Henry Bonilla, Richard Navarro and Michael Tuisee, worked as warehouse clerks with 1st Medical Logistics Company at the base, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California announced Thursday."

'via Blog this'

NSA Prism Data Mining Is All Up In Ur Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, Apple [UPDATE]

Crazy photo!  But a true statement!

NSA Prism Data Mining Is All Up In Ur Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, Apple [UPDATE]: "The Washington Post obtained "briefing slides" from an "internal presentation on the Silicon Valley operation, intended for senior analysts in the NSA’s Signals Intelligence Directorate," from a "career intelligence officer" who cited "firsthand experience with these systems, and horror at their capabilities," as the reason for the disclosure. These materials described PRISM as "the most prolific contributor to the President's Daily Brief" and the NSA's "leading source of raw material, accounting for nearly 1 in 7 intelligence reports." The Post, goes on to report that while PRISM allows the NSA to collect "anything it likes" from the available data, it is in practice not utilized as a "dragnet" per se:"

'via Blog this'

NSA Prism Data Mining Is All Up In Ur Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, Apple [UPDATE]

Crazy photo!  But a true statement!

NSA Prism Data Mining Is All Up In Ur Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, Apple [UPDATE]: "The Washington Post obtained "briefing slides" from an "internal presentation on the Silicon Valley operation, intended for senior analysts in the NSA’s Signals Intelligence Directorate," from a "career intelligence officer" who cited "firsthand experience with these systems, and horror at their capabilities," as the reason for the disclosure. These materials described PRISM as "the most prolific contributor to the President's Daily Brief" and the NSA's "leading source of raw material, accounting for nearly 1 in 7 intelligence reports." The Post, goes on to report that while PRISM allows the NSA to collect "anything it likes" from the available data, it is in practice not utilized as a "dragnet" per se:"

'via Blog this'

Mitt Romney Blames The IRS and Hurricane Sandy For His Loss to Obama

Really!

Mitt Romney Blames The IRS and Hurricane Sandy For His Loss to Obama: "Mitt Romney is still clinging to his skewed polls and claiming that if Hurricane Sandy wouldn’t have hit when it did, and he would have known about the IRS scandal, he would have won the election."

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

San Diego boy dies of gunshot - latimes.com

San Diego boy dies of gunshot - latimes.com: "A 10-year-old boy in San Diego has died of an apparent gunshot in what may be a case of unattended children playing with firearms found in the home, authorities said Tuesday. The boy reportedly was playing with a neighbor child in the garage of the family home in the Scripps Ranch neighborhood. He was pronounced dead at Rady Children's Hospital." 'via Blog this'

Stephen Colbert Mourns Michele Bachmann's Retirement - Business Insider


Stephen Colbert Mourns Michele Bachmann's Retirement - Business Insider: "Stephen Colbert opened "The Colbert Report" on Tuesday with a salute to "conservative giant" Michele Bachmann.
Bachmann, who announced plans to retire after 2014 last week, has always been one of the faux conservative comedian Colbert's favorite targets.
"There you have it. No fifth term. A political career over in the blink of an eye," Colbert said, playing a clip of her more than eight-minute retirement video. "Which, for Michele Bachmann, is once every 8 years.""

'via Blog this'

Rich Catholic Countries Love the Gays - Business Insider


Rich Catholic Countries Love the Gays - Business Insider: "The Pew Research Center put out a report yesterday on global attitudes about homosexuality, and it shows the link between GDP and acceptance of gays is very strong.
"

'via Blog this'

House GOP's Plan Hits Education, State - Business Insider


House GOP's Plan Hits Education, State - Business Insider: "A new report from the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities details how deeply the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee wants to slash funding for parts of the government.

The Republican plan keeps the total amount of cuts that were set out the Budget Control Act. But instead of applying half the cuts to the military, it goes easy there and on Homeland Security — and it deeply cuts spending on education, the environment and the State Department to make up for it."

'via Blog this'

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Dana Milbank: Michele Bachmann, GOP squeaky wheel, ready to retire - The Washington Post



Dana Milbank: Michele Bachmann, GOP squeaky wheel, ready to retire - The Washington Post: "Bachmann, the congresswoman from Minnesota who ran a tea party-backed presidential campaign in 2012, made her announcement in a video released in the wee hours of Wednesday morning containing her trademark mixture of bombast, paranoia and error.

The error came fairly late in her eight-minute, 40-second spot. “I fully anticipate the mainstream liberal media to put a detrimental spin on my decision,” she declared over vague synthesizer music.

Detrimental? Um, no. It’s hard to see the mothballing of Bachmann as anything but unalloyed good news, for the party and the country."

'via Blog this'

Saturday, June 1, 2013

E.W. Jackson, Lt. Gov Candidate, In 'Fundamental Agreement' With Ken Cuccinelli


E.W. Jackson, Lt. Gov Candidate, In 'Fundamental Agreement' With Ken Cuccinelli: "In a radio interview with WMAL, the conservative minister insisted the two were in "fundamental agreement.”

“I've heard that this ticket is probably more homogeneous than almost any ticket in the history of Virginia, so there’s no stark disagreement between us,” he said.

(Listen to Jackson's comments at the 7 minute mark above.)

Jackson has come under fire for once saying that Planned Parenthood had been more harmful to African-Americans than the Ku Klux Klan."

'via Blog this'