Today's Sermon: To G. W. Bush, Lower Cigarette Taxes Trump Children's Lives

Today's guest minister: Graeme Frost

Graeme Frost, 12, delivers this week's Democratic Radio Address. Because of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Graeme was able to get the medical care he needed after a serious car accident caused severe brain trauma, paralyzed one of his vocal chords and put him in a coma. He asks President Bush to sign into law the renewal of CHIP that both houses of Congress passed this week with broad bipartisan support.

The text of the radio address, as delivered, is below:

"Hi, my name is Graeme Frost. I'm 12 years old and I live in Baltimore, Maryland. Most kids my age probably haven't heard of CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program. But I know all about it, because if it weren't for CHIP, I might not be here today.

"CHIP is a law the government made to help families like mine afford healthcare for their kids. Three years ago, my family was in a really bad car accident. My younger sister Gemma and I were both hurt. I was in a coma for a week and couldn't eat or stand up or even talk at first. My sister was even worse. I was in the hospital for five-and-a-half months and I needed a big surgery. For a long time after that, I had to go to physical therapy after school to get stronger. But even though I was hurt badly, I was really lucky. My sister and I both were.

"My parents work really hard and always make sure my sister and I have everything we need, but the hospital bills were huge. We got the help we needed because we had health insurance for us through the CHIP program.

"But there are millions of kids out there who don't have CHIP, and they wouldn't get the care that my sister and I did if they got hurt. Their parents might have to sell their cars or their houses, or they might not be able to pay for hospital bills at all.

"Now I'm back to school. One of my vocal chords is paralyzed so I don't talk the same way I used to. And I can't walk or run as fast as I did. The doctors say I can't play football any more, but I might still be able to be a coach. I'm just happy to be back with my friends.

"I don't know why President Bush wants to stop kids who really need help from getting CHIP. All I know is I have some really good doctors. They took great care of me when I was sick, and I'm glad I could see them because of the Children's Health Program.

"I just hope the President will listen to my story and help other kids to be as lucky as me. This is Graeme Frost, and this has been the Weekly Democratic Radio address. Thanks for listening."

###

Graeme Frost, 12, was in a serious car accident a few years ago and suffered severe brain trauma. He was in a coma and lost his ability to eat and walk. Fortunately, Graeme was covered by the CHIP program and was able to get the medical care he needed. After extensive therapy and continual treatments at a clinic he goes to every summer, Graeme has regained his functional abilities. He still needs to visit several different specialists, and his mother, Bonnie, says he would not have survived - or would at least be wheelchair-bound - without medical coverage.

Thus endeth today's sermon.

Go forth today and consider carefully whom you believe: George W. Bush or Graeme Frost?

At issue is the Children's Health Insurance Program, a state-federal program that subsidizes health coverage for low-income people, mostly children, in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private coverage. It expires Sept. 30.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers announced a proposal Friday that would add $35 billion over five years to the program, adding 4 million people to the 6.6 million already participating. It would be financed by raising the federal cigarette tax by 61 cents to $1 per pack.

Bush says the measure is too costly, unacceptably raises taxes, extends government-covered insurance to children in families who can afford private coverage, and smacks of a move toward completely federalized health care. He has asked Congress to pass a simple extension of the current program while debate continues.

And consider today what your personal moral compass tells you.

Really think about it.

I mean it, damn it!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Alas, Babble On

Enough said.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Larry Craig's "Bad Boy" Single: It's Got A Beat; You Can Dance To It; I'd Give It An 85, Dick!

Where's Dick Clark's
American Bandstand
Rate-A-Record segment
when you need it?









From QUEERTY.com:

Larry Craig’s A Bad Boy:
The Single

A reader sent us this track: “Bad Boy” by DJ Larry Craig and Idaho Fatz.

“Strongly” influenced by Peter Shelley, the single samples some of Craig’s most memorable moments, like his nasty summation of Bill Clinton and his resignation speech. Not only does the tune tickle our political funny bone, it’s pretty damn catchy!

Join DJ Larry Craig and Idaho Fatz’s MySpace page, you bad boys and girls!

If you have trouble playing the track, click here.

Catchy tune, indeed.

Tee Hee.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Can The 28%ers Keep Up?

It's bad enough that the infamous 28%ers continue to defend Gee Dubya Bush every time he opens his mouth and vomits idiotic bile like, "Is our children learning?" Now they have to defend, "Childrens do learn."

While in South Carolina in January 2000, he said: "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?"

Now, Dubya has answered his own stupid question...

"As yesterday's positive report card shows," he said, "childrens do learn when standards are high and results are measured."

Gee, Gee Dubya. Would've been swell if someone had told you...

The test results released Tuesday are not the ones used under No Child Left Behind, but the administration said that they show the progress since the law was passed with bipartisan support. Math scores improved among fourth- and eighth-graders, and black and Hispanic students made gains, although they still trailed their white counterparts. Eighth-grade reading scores, on the other hand, have not changed much since 1998.

As for those 28%ers who would march merrily off a cliff for Gee Dubya Bush...

Recognize any familiar names in this USA Today article?

Thanks to Bush, bloggers are hooked on phonics

The White House was none to happy to learn yesterday that a draft of President Bush's speech to the U.N. General Assembly was posted online with phonetic spellings and other markings that weren't supposed to be seen by anyone outside the administration.

Here's a selection of the best or worst, depending on your perspective, uses of phonetics by bloggers who wrote about the snafu:

• stoo-PID-ih-tee of the White House press corps (Michelle Malkin)
• 28%ers Defend Bush's Stoo-PID-It-Tee (Delilah Boyd)
• Wiff-Dra Fr-Um Eye-Rak (Out of Iraq Bloggers Caucus)
• Bush's UN Speech Full of Fone-eh-tick Pronunciations for World Leaders (ABC News Political Radar)
• Bush Hooked On FON-iks at UN (World from Newser)
• Bush gets phonetic pronunciation guide ta hep ‘im tawk rite (Aftermath News)

Note to USA Today: The White House was none to happy should read: The White House was none too happy.

My favorite reader comment posted after the article:

Eye-am Ta-yad of d-is Pre-z-de-nt

And how convenient that the White House stenography equipment "disappeared" long enough for Bush's handlers to edit the "childrens is learning" gaffe on the White House website.

That's a Goebbels gold star moment.

Usually, they just scrub the gaffes and post them without batting a beady little eye.

This time, however, they felt compelled to fake a reason?

That's how the over-taxed brain of a 28%er works, y'all.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Ann Coulter Wants A Fatwa, Damn It!

"I WANT a fatwa. I used to see Salman Rushdie in the Sky Bar in L.A. He wasn't in hiding; he became world-renowned for his fatwa. So why can't I get a fatwa? Don't they read my stuff?"

- Ann Coulter in British Esquire

Running out of money, Ann?

Sounds like it.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

28%ers Defend Bush's Stoo-PID-It-Tee

If you missed Gee Dubya Bush's speechifyin' at "The New-Nited Nations" yesterday, you missed the tee-heeing and tsk-tsking of the educated masses, responding to the accidental leaking of Bush's phonetics-enhanced text...

Pronunciations for President Bush's friend French President Sarkozy appeared in draft #20 on the UN website. Other pronunciations included the Mugabe "regime" and pronunciations for countries "Kyrgyzstan" and "Mauritania."

Get the picture? Bush is an idiot. No big revelation there.

The most interesting aspect, though, is how fervently his supporters defend him:

What's up with you people? So what if the president needs help saying a few words? Can you say Kyrgyzstan correctly off the top of your head? Leave the president alone, he works very hard for all of you and he deserves your graditude.
*****

This was not put on the un website by accident. It is another vile attempt to discredit the great leader of our country by democrats and liberals. They are why are country is divided, not because of President Bush.
*****

If I was going to present a speech, I would want to pronounce names correctly. Hats off for the effort...why is this even news?
*****

There are so many more idiotic defense posts at the link, but here's my favorite:

The whole UN is full of idots. They should take it out of America and put it on an island of its own and call it UN Island and make it an independent country of it's own.

Hm. Last time I checked, Manhattan was an island.

And the land where UN Headquarters was located was international territory (donated by John D. Rockefeller Jr., in 1946).

And most people are smart enough to figure out that the poster meant "idiots," not "idots."

Good thing that poster wasn't assigned the task of spelling out Bush's speech!

That would've made the president look Stoo-PID.

By the way, Bush's {cough) phonetics experts (cough) provided him with an incorrect pronunciation for Sarkozy (saʁkɔˈzi]).

And if Bush could read IPA, I'd be impressed.

Sadly, his "phonetic spelling" pronunciation guide words are elementary school gibberish.

Which explains everything.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

You Really Didn't Think That John Grisham's Heroes Were Republicans, Did You?

Right on cue: Rightwing bloggers' heads are exploding over this:

Famous author raises money for Clinton

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Author John Grisham teamed with Democrat Hillary Clinton to raise money for her front-running presidential campaign today.

It marks the second time since July that the Senator from New York has campaigned in Virginia, a state that last supported a Democrat for president in 1964.

The creator of Deep South legal thrillers that later became box office blockbusters attracted prominent Democratic donors to a renovated downtown cinema for a fundraiser billed as "A Conversation with John Grisham and Hillary Clinton."

In July, addressed a statewide gathering of county elected officials in Richmond.

Grisham and Clinton became nationally known about the same time — the early 90s.

Clinton was the little-known first lady of Arkansas until the 1992 presidential campaign cycle that made her husband the president.

Grisham was a lawyer and a Democrat in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990. His breakthrough hit, "The Firm," was published in 1991.

Grisham now lives with his family near Charlottesville.

Please tell me that Republicans didn't honestly think that John Grisham's heroes were Republicans.

Or that they think that characters like "Hawkeye Pierce" and "George Bailey" are Bush-loving Dem bashers.

That would be too weird for color TV, y'all.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Curious About Clinton's Healthcare Plan?

Read it before you believe the Republican crap being spewed about it.

And while you're reading it, consider how Republicans screwed America out of affordable healthcare the last time:

"If Hillary's health care plan becomes law, unqualified black men will be doing surgery on you and your children."

G Gordon Liddy, 1994

Still think Republicans are looking out for you?

I have two words for you: Pre-existing Condition.





Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Today's Sermon: Are Mormons Funny?

We all know by now that former Governor Mitt Romney has a Bush brazillion dollars to spend on a presidential campaign. Naturally, most of us don't know Jack about Romney's religion; therefore, it's time we started learning about what makes a Mormon tick.

My first question:Are Mormons funny?

This temple baptistery probably doesn't seem funny to Mormons.

So, where does one go to find out about religions and humor?

Hm.

I googled "Funny Mormon" and found this:

Mormon Joke Quiz I

What type of Mormon Personality do you have?
Take this 10 question quiz to find out!

Q: When you hear Anti-Nephi-Lehi you think:

Nephi's stupid brothers
People of Ammon
The Liahona
The city of Mexico

Q: Administering the Sacrament means:

Passing the plate for donations
Planning a meeting
Going to California
Blessing of the Bread and Water

Q: A Stake President is:

The best steak cooker in town
The presider of the Stake and its members
The Bishop
The president of Saints Teaching And Keeping Endowments

Q: Seminary classes are:

Boring
For morning people only
For learning about graveyards
None of the above

Q: What year was the LDS Church founded?

1610
1720
1830
1940

Q: Who was the 1st Latter-day Prophet?

Joseph Smith
Abraham Lincoln
George Washington
Neil Diamond

Q: Which of these men is NOT an Apostle?

Richard Scott
Jeffery Holland
Joseph Smith
Henry Eyring

Q: Repentance is for whom?

You
Everyone but you
Just sinners
All of the Above

Q: Pick the correct Article of Faith:

We believe in being rich and famous.
We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We believe in doing good to ourselves.
We believe in green jello salad.

Q: How many LDS Church members are there?

Over 11 Million
100,000
Over 100 Billion (if you count the dead)
Just me, myself, and I

Here's my score:

Your score is 0%. Are you sure that you're a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Do Mormons like Romney laugh their asses off when taking that "funny" quiz?

I guess, if you believe the things Mitt Romney believes...

10. God resides near a planet called Kolob

9. We baptize dead people

8. Urim and Thummim - The Seer Stones

7. The Garden of Eden was in Missouri

6. Mormons still practice polygamy - sort of

5. Temple Garments

4. The Book of Mormon is Perfect

3. God Discriminated (until 1978)

2. We Can Become Gods!

1. A Living Prophet

... Then that Mormon Quiz could be considered funny.

Sorry. I just don't see the humor.

Thus endeth today's sermon.

Go forth today and consider why Mormons wear magic underwear with Masonic compass and square-looking symbols stitched in specific places...

And why that sounds incredibly funny to non-Mormons.

Think about it.

I mean it, damn it!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Rocky Mountain High Jinx: Larry Craig Now Changes Planes In Denver

Hm. Who's that little man traveling with him?

A. A "Friend" (aka Craigslist expert)?
B. A lawyer (aka bathroom buddy)?
C. A Bird Dog (aka an RNC handler)?

Craig changed planes in Denver instead of Minneapolis Monday night. A fellow weary air traveler and trusted Sleuth informant saw the senator boarding United Flight 168 from Denver, which arrived at Baltimore-Washington International Airport a few minutes late, at 12:26 a.m. Tuesday, according to public flight information.

The source, who was also flying to Washington on business, said Craig was traveling with a "younger, shorter" man than the senator, someone who our source surmised was either an aide or an attorney. Craig's office did not respond to an email request for comment on why the senator chose Denver instead of Minneapolis to switch planes.

Really dumb statement: Craig's office did not respond to an email request for comment on why the senator chose Denver instead of Minneapolis to switch planes.

Were you Larry Craig, would you want to be mobbed by camped out politirazzi, lucky travelers with cell phone cameras, and/or pissed off clandestine craiglist meet-uppers... anywhere near the Larry Craig Tourist Trap men's room you made famous?

Duh.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Bush: Still Too Stupid To Know He's Stupid

Did you hear Bush exclaim with extreme assertiveness that "Mandela is dead!" to all of those stupid reporters?

Here's the quote:

I thought an interesting comment was made — somebody said to me, I heard somebody say, “Now, where’s Mandela?” Well, Mandela’s dead because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandelas.

Watch the video.

Ahem.

Nelson Mandela is alive and well.

Nelson Mandela retired from Public life in June 1999. He currently resides in his birth place - Qunu, Transkei.

Bush is still too stupid to know how stupid he is.

Update: Here's the stupid Bush quote in context:

Q I'll ask you about Iraq. Efforts to curtail the deployment of troops is an ongoing debate right now. One of the things you spoke about in your address last week had to do with impatience with the Iraqi government. And you spoke about that, but not in much detail. How is that dynamic changing, your level of frustration with the lack of political progress? And how long can Americans reasonably expect you to wait before you take some kind of action that really forces the Iraqi government's hand to reach the goals of reconciliation that you set for them?

THE PRESIDENT: In my speech, I made it clear that there has to be a change in security for there to be reconciliation. And I also said that progress will yield fewer troops. In other words, return on success, is what I said.

There are two types of reconciliation, David. One is that reconciliation, that very visible reconciliation that happens through the passage of law. In other words, it's reconciliation that shows the Iraqi people that people from different backgrounds can get along and, at the same time, that government can function. Clearly there needs to be work there. In other words, there needs to be the passage of law. For example, we strongly believe that an oil revenue-sharing law will send a message to Sunni, Shia and Kurd alike that there is an effort at the national level to achieve reconciliation.

Having said that, however, there is a functioning government. And the reason I bring -- I guess my point is this, that in spite of the fact they haven't passed a law, there is the sharing of oil revenues on a relatively equitable basis. The other -- and so we'll continue to work with the government to insist and impress upon them the need for there to be the passage of law, whether it be provincial election laws or de-Baathification law or the oil law.

There is local reconciliation taking place. I had a fascinating conversation in the Roosevelt Room earlier this week with members of provincial reconstruction teams from around Iraq who talked about how people are sick and tired of murder and violence, and that they expect their local governments and their central government to be more responsive to their needs, and local governments are beginning to respond.

Part of the reason why there is not this instant democracy in Iraq is because people are still recovering from Saddam Hussein's brutal rule. I thought an interesting comment was made when somebody said to me, I heard somebody say, where's Mandela? Well, Mandela is dead, because Saddam Hussein killed all the Mandelas. He was a brutal tyrant that divided people up and split families, and people are recovering from this. So there's a psychological recovery that is taking place. And it's hard work for them. And I understand it's hard work for them. Having said that, I'm not going the give them a pass when it comes to the central government's reconciliation efforts.

I also said in my speech, local politics will drive national politics. And I believe that. I believe that as more reconciliation takes place at the local level you'll see a more responsive central government.

Does your head hurt now?

Thought so.

Have a great weekend, everyone!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

That Darned Martha Stewart & Her Football-Playing Turkeys!

We surely live in the land of the free-to-be-weird!

Strange claims in lawsuit against Martha Stewart


Bridgeport (AP)_ There are some very unusual claims in a lawsuit filed against Martha Steward in Bridgeport Superior court involving football playing turkeys and other strange things.

Jonathan Lee Riches, a South Carolina prisoner with a penchant for suing celebrities, claims Stewart violated his civil rights in a real estate deal.

In a two-page, handwritten lawsuit Riches seeks more than 3 million dollars in damages from Stewart. Riches says he will donate any damages he collects to television cook Rachael Ray.

Riches claims he tried to buy Stewart's estate in Westport earlier this year for the three-point five million dollars in pennies.

He claims the real estate listing for the property falsely claimed it was painted with Dutch Boy paint. The suit also states that while touring the property (although records indicate he would have been in prison at the time) Riches contracted poison ivy, was scratched by pricker bushes and fell in a groundhog hole.

Riches also claims he saw Stewart's turkeys playing football with Michael Vick's jerseys and that the birds attacked him.

Only in America.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Eye Witness Accounts Of Taser Kid's Tantrum

Heavy sigh. Here's an account from Michele Malkin's site, of all places:

So I went to the John Kerry town hall forum this morning trying to get students registered to vote. I run a student government organization called Chomp the Vote. Anyway I went inside to watch the event. Senator Kerry took the podium and began delivering a speech about the Middle East, Iraq, dimplomacy, etc. Anyway, after he was done, a university ambassador asked Kerry a few premade questions. Once that was over, Senator Kerry announced he would take questions from the students. There were two microphones placed on each side of the aisle. One on my side and the other on Andrew Meyer’s side. Senator Kerry began answering the student’s questions from each aisle. Eventually it was announced that there would only be a few more questions answered. Since Meyer and I were both in the back of each line, it did not seem likely that our questions would be answered.

However, while Senator Kerry was responding to a student’s question, all of a sudden Meyer rushed to the microphone with cops in pursuit. At that point no one knew what was going on. Could he have a gun, a bomb? Immediately, Meyer began yelling into the microphone that he had been waiting in line forever and that Senator Kerry should “spend time to answer everyone’s questions!” Senator Kerry tried to calm the student down by telling him that he would “stay here as long as it takes to get the questions answered.” The police approached Meyer who began taunting them by saying “what! are you going to taser me? are you going to arrest me?!” The police grabbed Meyer, but Senator Kerry asked the police to let him go and that he would answer his question. Senator Kerry finished answering the other student’s question and then proceeded with Meyer. (*This entire scene is not in any video I can find so far. This is why 2 cops are seen right behind Meyer at the start of some videos*).

Meyer approached the microphone and began to talk about a book he had which stated that Kerry won the 2004 election because of disenfranchisement of black voters and faulty voter machines that produced “Bush” as the winner. He then posed another question about why President Bush had not been impeached. “President Clinton was impeached because of a blowjob, why not Bush?”. The third and strangest question he posed to Senator Kerry was asking him if he was part of the skull and bones society with Bush at Yale. Meyer’s mic cut off after that, probably because he had mentioned the word “blowjob”.

...I don’t know if this is relevant or not, but Andrew Meyer is a former sports writer for the school newspaper The Alligator. In his columns, he has been known to make ridiculous statements in order to gain attention for himself. Was today a publicity stunt?

You have to be a member of FaceBook to connect to this link. Bugmenot.com doesn't even have a FaceBook login.

Anyway, here's what actually happened in the back of the room:

Ted Donaldson (Rollins) wrote
5 hours ago
"If you want to hear it from someone that was there:

The disturbance did not begin with Andrew asking the question. He caused quite a scene by bursting into the room in the middle of Q+A, rudely interrupting Kerry answering another question (what was supposed to be the last one), and demanding to be heard. The cops followed him in (I have the feeling he had been giving them a hard time outside as well)

John Kerry responded by asking him to calm down and wait his turn, that his question would be answered next.

As some of the videos show, his question was long and rambling without much focus, less of a question if you will than an outburst. John Kerry remained calm, tried to guide him to the direct question he would like answered, but Andrew continued. After Accent cut his mike off, the cops tried to guide him out and as you can all see the real event began.

I was sitting in the back row of the auditorium- less than 5 feet from where he was restrained and ended up being tasered. (you can see my green shirt next to my friend in the striped shirt on most of the videos) He WAS NOT handcuffed yet when they did it. He was still attempting to get up and resist the police officers and would not put his hands behind his back.

Within close range, I have to say that I didn't feel it was the safest situation. I did not feel like they had him under control at all- and was scared that if he did manage to get up- he would have started getting riled up again. I personally was in a location that if he had started flailing around again- I would have been at risk.

Now- my opinion- I think Andrew had intentions to be disruptive and was not going to leave peacefully. I am by no means a proponent of violence, but the way the UPD handled this situation was completely appropriate."

-Stephanie Sims, former UF College Democrats PresidentReply to Ted
Send Message
Report Ted
Post #2Erin Decker (UF) wrote
4 hours ago
Thank you for posting that. I was also at the forum and completely agree with that account of the incident. I also felt unsafe because Mr. Meyer was being excessively aggressive and violent. I am thankful that UPD was finally able to control the situation and think they acted properly.Reply to Erin
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Report Erin
Post #3Chris Agard (FIU) replied to Ted's post
3 hours ago
I'd like to also thank you. I wasn't as close to him, but agree that his actions were meant to disrupt, and make a scene. He deserved what he got and UPD did what they had to, and had they not handled it as professionally as they did, they wouldn't be doing ther jobs. Being that it was Sen. Kerry the police also had to act accordingly.

Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Taser Kid's Grandmother Knows The Score

What's this photo got to do with Taser Kid, you ask?

Buried way down in the Miami Herald's story on Taser Kid's... um, shenanigans... during Senator Kerry's appearance and Q&A (at The University of Florida) is this:

"I'm just really still sort of numb, hearing that my grandson is in jail," Lucy Meyer said.

She added: "He gets very, very overcome with passion for whatever he is feeling. Maybe the passion took over."

The passion took over?

Sounds like Andrew has a history of...um, passion (for lack of a better word to describe a grandmother's recollection of Andrew's tantrums).

No, I don't think the police should use tasers when subduing suspects.

No, I don't think it was Senator Kerry's fault that this kid got arrested.

And no, I don't think Taser Kid should be treated like an instant celeb for throwing a hissy fit at a public event.

Let's talk about passion...

Did John Kerry resist arrest when he was Taser Kid's age?

No.

Did Gandhi resist arrest?




No.

Did The Nazarene resist arrest?




Not according to the Bible.

Tazer Kid?




Yep. Kicking and screaming like a spoiled child.

The comments regarding Taser Kid have ranged from my opinion to "What did he do to get arrested?"

What did he do?

He stormed to the front of the Q&A line, grabbed the microphone away from another student, and demanded that a US senator suspend his entire schedule and listen politely to convoluted ramblings (with 4 questions easily googled for answers)... which the senator gladly did.

Passion, my ass.

Taser Kid obviously wasn't paying attention in Civics 101, when civil disobedience was discussed. I'm all for CD, but ya gotta be ready to pay the price. That's passion. A tantrum, however, is not an act of CD I've ever heard of.

I want to know what Taser Kid did before he grabbed the mic. Obviously, there's more to this story because the police were summoned before he started his rambling question crap.

I'm sorry you got tasered, Taser Kid.

I'm also sorry that your passion got the best of you. As your grandmother attests, it's obviously happened before. Probably on numerous occasions. In fact, I'll bet your teachers would have some interesting anecdotes to share regarding your... um, passion.

Two words of advice, Taser Boy: Grow up.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

About That Clever Young Video Blogger (Who just happens to work for Politico.com)

His name: James Kotecki
His claim to fame: He interviews (and submits debate questions to) political candidates on his video blog... Like this one:




Wow! Kotecki even gets coverage from The New York Times.

We don’t know which videos CNN, which is carrying the debate, will pick to present to the candidates. But most of them seem tame and respectful — a lot like those submitted for the Democrats’ YouTube debate in July. And generally the questioners seem more interested in broad, longstanding issues than in any “gotcha” sandbagging.

A man who teaches English in China addresses the candidates from his classroom and asks how they can ensure that American students will be able to compete with his Chinese students in 15 or 20 years.

Another man speaks from an airplane seat and wants to know how the candidates will reduce the hassles of commercial flying.

Hm. That Times story didn't mention that Kotecki works for politico.com and only recently changed his political party affiliation to Independent.

Today's Lesson: Know your clever young (possibly politically planted) video bloggers!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Hey, FOX! Don't F*&k With Gidget!

No, that wasn't a "technical glitch" during the Emmy Awards show last night.

Forget that these bozos have no idea whatsoever how to stage or direct a theatre-in-the-round production and presented a proscenium arch-based production... in the round.

Forget that they (FOX) have made their fortune on the backs of The X-Files, The Simpsons, The Family Guy, and Married, With Children, among others... which appeal more to liberals than neocons. Just focus on who had his/her finger on the kill switch last night.

Here's what FOX allowed Sally Field to say:

“Surely this [award] belongs to all the mothers of the world,” she stated. “May they be seen, may their work be valued and raised. Especially to the mothers who stand with an open heart and wait. Wait for their children to come home from danger, from harm’s way, and from war. I am proud to be one of those women.”

“If mothers ruled the world, there would be no –”

Then... nothing. Like the final ending of The Sopranos.

Wow! That sure was a lot of applause for... "nothing."

Watch for yourself:




And what did FOX censor?


“If mothers ruled the world, there would be no –”

“god-damned wars in the first place.”

Ahem.

Parents Group Knocks Fox Shows
Four of its shows are called the worst in prime time.

Four Fox network programs, led by the comedies "The War at Home," "The Family Guy" and "American Dad," topped a parents group's annual list of the worst prime-time shows for family viewing.

The Parents Television Council rated two reality shows, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and NBC's new "Three Wishes," as the best programs for family viewing.

The group's president, L. Brent Bozell, said he was alarmed that the three Fox Sunday night comedies are being marketed as family friendly.

"Families should not be deceived," he said. "The top three worst shows all contain crude and raunchy dialogue with sex-themed jokes and foul language. Even worse is the fact that Hollywood is peddling its filth to families with cartoons."

Hey, FOX F*&kers!

Face it, FOX. You f*&ked the wrong Gidget last night.

My favorite part of your fiasco last night: Ryan Seacrest asking the audience if his costume looked gay.

That would've been extremely offensive... if everyone in the known universe didn't already know what a quasi-closet case Seacrest is.

Oh, hell! It's still offensive.

It's the hypocrisy, Stupid!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Draper Book: "Rubber Legs" Bush Saw Ghosts In The White House

Hm. Bush sees ghosts, runs away, and hides in his room.


Except for the "sees ghosts" part, where's the earth-shattering news in this?

A passage that hasn't garnered much attention -- but should have -- offers insight into the president's grasp on, um, ectoplasmic issues.

In 1992, when the president's father was running to keep his job as president, George W. Bush made regular use of the White House as a place of refuge from the responsibilities of the world -- a practice that continues to this day.

1992, huh? Where was Laura? Where were Jenna and the twins (and Barbara)? Left behind in BFE Texas, of course. What else is new?

"On this particular evening, Poppy and Bar were away for the evening. For the first time in his life, Bush had the run of the White House. The Secret Service detail gave the president's son a few pointers on their way out the door. There's some security downstairs. And the steward's on call. Otherwise, he was on his own.

"Bush had the steward bring him an early dinner. He intended to catch a baseball game on the tube. But the emptiness of the third floor only jostled his preternatural restlessness, so he changed into his grubby attire and headed to the small exercise room in the southeast wing.

"Bush turned on the TV, mounted the stationary cycle, and proceeded to burn through the fidgets. Eventually he got tired of that as well. Sweating, he stepped out into the hallway in his T-shirt and gym shorts with a towel around his neck.

"The usher had turned out most of the lights. Bush took a few strides down the hallway and found his steps slowing. At the entryway to the Lincoln bedroom, he froze. What had he just seen? Something. No. Nothing. No!

"Ghosts. He saw ghosts -- coming out of the walls! Or were they portraits? Or ghosts coming out of the portraits? Rubber-legged, he retreated to his bedroom and shut the door." (Pages 87-88).

So...

Bush ran away and hid in his room.

Real Shocker!


Thus endeth today's sermon.

Go forth today, knowing that George W. Bush has always been, is currently, and will always be... ghosts or no ghosts...

A coward.

Think about it.

I mean it, damn it!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

There's Got To Be A Metaphor...

What can you say about Miss USA falling on her ass during the Miss Universe Pageant?




What can you say?

Smile, darn ya! Smile?

I'm off to surround the White House and march to the Capitol with what CNN will surely describe as "thousands."

Have a great Saturday!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

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Petraeus. In The Background. With A Kiss-Ass Grin.

There are so many things wrong with this picture...

Of course, there's Gee Dubya. Drunk. High on something. Or just an idiot. Take your pick.

Then, there's that Sunni guy. Looking seriously like a deer in the headlights. Probably realizing that this photo op would seal his death warrant back home. And he was right.

Then, there's General Petraeus. Back there behind them. With that stupid kiss-ass grin.




Today's lesson: Never trust a Connecticut Cowboy. Or a kiss-ass grinning general with presidential aspirations.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Crystal Ball Prediction: Domenici (R- NM) Likely To Retire

Think about it.

Domenici has been in the senate since 1972. That's six full terms.

John Warner's doing it.

Chuck Hagel's doing it.

Larry Craig is toast.

Ted Stevens is in a heap of trouble.

And now, there's this little gem...

Hopes of regaining Senate dim for GOP

The 2008 campaign appears increasingly unpleasant for Republicans a year after unexpected defeats cost them control. Among the factors are GOP retirements in tossup states, voters' distress about the Iraq war and a handful of scandals.

--snip--

Ethics have hurt the GOP's image -- sex-related scandals involving Sens. Larry Craig of Idaho and David Vitter of Louisiana, and a federal raid of Sen. Ted Stevens' Alaska home in a bribery investigation. Also, the Senate ethics committee is looking into claims that Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., tried to pressure a federal prosecutor in an election probe of Democrats.

What would you do at Domenici's age?

Suffer the humiliation of a senate ethics probe so late in your career or choose to spend more time with the family?



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Hey, Waxman! Tell Republicans & Mike Allen To "Suck it!"

This really sucks.



Republicans (namely, Tom Davis and his co-conspirators) want Henry Waxman, investigator extraordinaire, to stop what he's doing and go through millions of Clinton administration documents to see if that administration was pulling the same sleazy BushCo/Rove political hackery crap that got Lurita Doan & Co. in so much hot water.

As if. Bill Clinton and his entire administration were Repuke Probed every which way possible. And all they could find was another consenting adult with a tape-recording "friend."

Good Ol' Henry. Always above the fray. Yada yada yada and all that jazz.

We love you, Henry. But even after you told Republicans to conduct their own paper chase, sleazebucket Mike Allen seized the moment.

See this headline, Henry?

Waxman to probe Clinton files

By: Mike Allen
Sep 11, 2007 06:56 PM EST

What did you expect Mike Allen to do, Henry? Call you a great American hero who takes the high road? This is not about Bill, Henry. It's about Hillary.

Hey, Henry!

In the immortal words of Kathy Griffin, tell them all to suck it.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Our New Iraq Mission: "The Great Protectors"

When did Iraq become a protectorate?

Yesterday, of course.

Yep, it's 9/11 again today.

Time to roll out the new & improved Iraq mission. There've been so many changes in the mission... Try to keep up, OK?

And MSNBC is happy to provide the visual imagery necessary to convince the masses that we really, really are the good guys...




But wait! MSNBC must've decide that scary uniformed soldiers running at you with guns might just not communicate the kinder, gentler Iraq mission.

Here's how the page looks now...




There. That's better, isn't it? An armed soldier in every Iraqi home, standing over you with a gun.

Feel safe and protected, Iraqis?

Meanwhile, back here at home...

The Capitol Police tackled Reverend Lennox Yearwood, broke his ankle, and hauled him off to jail.

His crime? Standing in line to enter the Petraeus hearing while being black and wearing a button that read: I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ.

Surely, Jesus wept, y'all.


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Hey, Petraeus! "We Won't Get Fooled Again!"

Get it?

Got it?

Good!



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Senator Clinton's Statement On Iraq

Emphasis mine:

As General Petraeus prepares to testify before Congress next week, it is clear that the increase in U.S. troops in Iraq has simply not led to political reconciliation in Iraq. Rather than continuing the escalation, we must begin the immediate redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq, in order to end this war as soon as possible. I continue to support legislative efforts requiring the Administration to begin to withdraw our troops and to complete the redeployment of combat troops in 2008, and I encourage the Congressional leadership to ensure that we will have an opportunity to vote for such legislation.

The President continues to reject the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate, the Government Accountability Office report and the Jones Commission report, refuses to work with Congress to develop a strategy that will enable our troops to start coming home, and stubbornly denies the reality on the ground and the will of the American people.

We will continue to press him to follow the will of the people. I will continue to do everything in my power to convince the President to change course and to work with my colleagues in the Senate to bring an end to this war as soon as possible.

Clear enough for you, BushBot Clinton Haters?

Well said, Senator Clinton! Now, start kicking some BushBot ass and taking down names!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

How About A Nice Game Of Bibleopoly?

I don't remember Jesus saying, "Upon this game board I will roll the dice and build my church to win the game!" Do you?



Yep, a dice game to play with friends and family, during which you strive to vanquish all other players and set yourself above them.

Just what the Bible stands for doesn't abide.

But it's not gambling, claim the Bibleopoly fans. And the word "gambling" doesn't appear in the Bible, they add.

What does the Bible say about gambling?

Archaeological and historical evidence shows that dice playing and other forms of gambling were practiced in Biblical times. The only mention of gambling in the Bible, however, is when Roman soldiers cast lots to see who would get Jesus' clothing after He was crucified (Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, John 19:24).

Casting lots was not primarily a gambling method, but a way of making a decision, similar to drawing straws (Leviticus 16:8, Numbers 34:13, Jonah 1:7, Acts 1:23-26). It was often assumed that God would make His will known in the outcome. The "lots" mentioned in the Bible may have been a form of dice, but that is not certain.

The Bible does not give any direct guidance on whether gambling is right or wrong. According to the Bible, however, some of the motivations and actions that may accompany modern gambling are sins:

* Greed, obsession with money (Mark 7:20-23, 1 Timothy 6:10)
* Exploitation of people (Leviticus 25:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 4:5-6)
* Not providing for one's family (1 Timothy 5:8)
* Bad habits, compulsions (John 8:34, Romans 6:16-18)
* A life of dissipation (1 Peter 4:1-4)

Hm. Couldn't this board game be considered a gateway "greed, obsession and exploitation" activity?


How To Play Bibleopoly:

* Instead of GO, players start (where else?) "In The Beginning"
* Instead of houses and hotels, players build churches
* Some cooperation is required - in order to begin building a church, you have to get a cornerstone, which requires that you help another player or do "community service"
* Instead of Going To Jail, you "Go Meditate!"
* Street names are replaced with Biblical cities and locations
* The "Chance" cards are now "Faith" cards
* A certain amount of Bible knowledge is a help - some of the cards contain instructions such as "Recite John 3:16 or miss a turn"
* The railways (or Airports, depending on which version of Monopoly you have played) are now Abysses
* When one player wins (finishing his/her church first), the other players all move to that square and have a party, during which the church is named

Thus endeth today's sermon.

Go forth today and consider how the religious often join that which they can not beat.

After all, Rock & Roll begat Christian Rock.



Think about it.

I mean it, damn it!


Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.

Oh, What A Law & Order Actor! (Long Live Max Factor!)

Never Forget What Fred Thompson Looked Like Today.

Memorize this photo...





In fact, rate it up so others can memorize it.

I guarantee you that Ol' Fred "Shut up! You're a liar" Thompson^* will miraculously youthen like Merlin in the next few months... the same way his child bride has been de-bimboed. Slightly...




And remember...

When Hollywood makeup artists do their job well, you don't notice the makeup. You just think the actor looks good for his age.

^*By the way, Fred "GOP Watergate Counsel" Thompson was the one lying during that rented red truck era debate. But you already knew that.

But even without the Hollywood credits, the 54-year-old Thompson is far from your average good ol' boy. In the mid-1970s he served as minority counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, and later as a special counsel for both the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees. Even more significantly, for nearly two decades preceding his election to Congress, Thompson was a high-paid Washington lobbyist for both foreign and domestic interests.

Despite his Beltway ties, Thompson has maintained his just-plain-folks status among voters, a feat critics attribute to the senator's acting talents and his shameless use of "props" like the red pickup. Indeed, the charismatic Tennessean's ability to charm a crowd is undeniable. During the 1994 race, whenever the opposition tried to pin the "insider" label on him, Thompson would drawl a few lines about the kind of world he wants to leave his grandkids, and all insinuations that he was part of the Washington establishment disappeared like wood smoke on a warm breeze.

Stay tuned for the continuing saga of Fred's face.



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.