The Wink and The Gun

Bill O'Reilly is generally and correctly thought of as one of the worst people currently living. If you follow the link below, however, you will see a man grasping with the complex moral issue of whether or not murder is something that people should be doing on their own, in the streets, after TV pundits tell them to. It's like Dostoevsky!

O'Reilly recently got a lot of heat for calling health-care-provider George Tiller "Tiller the baby killer" on his nightly opinion/hate show. When a fringe lunatic murdered Tiller, Billy was all, "oh, wow, I can't believe that happened! Oh me oh my I NEVER wanted that!"

Since that controversy, O'Reilly must take the unfamiliar position of not advocating murder on his show. He recently had Geraldo--who, by the way, not-so-subtly called for the execution of a private citizen by other private citizens--on the show, and the two of them discussed the finer points of mob justice. Geraldo is all excited about this new era wherein the populace takes the law into it's own collective, righteous, Fox News-watching hands, but O'Reilly must force himself to play devil's advocate and disagree. He is obviously uncomfortable with this new "pro-life" stance, as indicated by his stumbling over phrases like, "Now, we shouldn't actually KILL these people, right?"

I can't find the video of this on youtube or google, so here's a link to Gawker, with video embedded.

For more information on how right-wing pundits can spurn on vigilante justice, see this article by Chip Berlet on Huffpo, or listen to Terry Gross interview him on Fresh Air.

I disagree with parts of Berlet's argument in the Fresh Air interview, particularly when he equates left- and right-wing extremism. Although I don't subscribe to the Truther movement, I have found that--by and large--that community is driven by skepticism of the official government explanation of 9/11, not bigotry, xenophobia, or any of the other wonderhate ideologies that are so often a part of right-wing extremism. That said, the interview is still well worth listening to. Here's a small excerpt from his Huffpo piece:

Demagogues and conspiracy theorists use the same four "tools of fear." These are 1) dualism; 2) scapegoating; 3) demonization; and 4) apocalyptic aggression. The tools of fear are a connected constellation of frames, narratives, and processes used by demagogues to mobilize resentment and undermine the democratic process.

The basic dynamics remain the same no matter the ideological leanings of the demonizers or the identity of their targets. Meanwhile, our ability to resolve disputes through civic debate and compromise is hobbled. It is the combination of demagogic demonization and widespread scapegoating that is so dangerous. In such circumstances, angry allegations can quickly turn into apocalyptic aggression and violence targeting scapegoated groups like Jews or immigrants.

Let's just say it's lucky for this blog that the Irish are now just considered White, because if they were hated like they used to be, I'd be blogging from my mom's basement.

The Coup Has Not Yet Been Tweeted

Iran recently became the cause celebre for keyboard warriors--such as this blog--and well-meaning internet people the world over. We had important work to do! There was retweeting, avatar-color turning (which I did and I'm not apologizing for--yes, it was purely symbolic, but probably better than nothing, if only in a small way), video sharing, location jamming...

The list goes on. For reasons that are not yet clear, the weekend coup in Honduras has not captured the imagination of the world in the same way. While the situations aren't identical, one would think that if Americans can get worked up over a fraudulent election in Iran, they can also get worked up over the military ousting of a democratically elected president of a country that the United States has had a military presence in since the 1980s.

Greg Grandin, professor of Latin American history at NYU and author of Empire’s Workshop: Latin America, the United States, and the Rise of the New Imperialism, spoke on Democracy Now yesterday and had this to say:

The Honduran military is effectively a subsidiary of the United States government.

Yikes! Yowza! Etc. Grandin continued:

Honduras, as a whole, if any Latin American country is fully owned by the United States, it’s Honduras. Its economy is wholly based on trade, foreign aid and remittances. So if the US is opposed to this coup going forward, it won’t go forward. Zelaya will return, if the United States—if Obama and Hillary Clinton are sincere in their statements about returning Zelaya to power.

In a show that Honduras really may be taking its cues from Washington, the NY Times reports today:

In the face of criticism from across the hemisphere, the new government hunkered down in Mr. Zelaya’s old office, ringed by soldiers and defending its actions as a bid to save the country’s democracy, not undermine it.

Acting outside the law to preserve it! I'm pretty sure that the Bush/Obama administrations have used that same rationale to justify suspension of habeus corpus rights. The world is finally looking back to the USA for moral guidance. Shining city on the hill!

With What Will We Cool Our Cocktails?!

Here's a scary picture for all you drunken liberal elitists out there. It's photographic evidence that god doesn't want you to drink so many mixed drinks so he (or rather, He) is taking away your precious ice glaciers for whiskey.


(via Krugman, Original source)

The House just passed a small step forward towards slowing down climate change. Ezra Klein is pessimistic, however.

The flip side to that bit of optimism is that the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill -- am I the only one who wants to see climate change explained to kids by way of the friendly pirate Cap'n Trade? -- probably won't do that much to avert global warming, either.

That said, it's my sense that supporters of Waxman-Markey have spent a lot of time in the last week or two defending the bill in terms of how insignificant its long-term effect on prices will be. I've been one of those people. But I'm not sure it's a good idea. Climate change is a big problem. It will eventually require a big solution. My understanding is that the polling suggests that people don't like it when you tell them this is a big problem and they don't want to be convinced that they need to spend their time worrying about something new. In fact, like kids who want to believe that they're going to the doctor for a lollipop, they want to hear that this is an awesome new jobs program. But it isn't an awesome new jobs program. It's an effort to avert a catastrophe on the only planet we know how to inhabit. And I can't see a successful respond to climate change that doesn't presuppose a majority sharing that belief.

Tools Get Much Needed iPhone Tool

When you run (or read) a blog as popular as this one, you're gonna have ladies throwin' theyselves at you left and right. Luckily, some enterprising misogynist has created an iPhone app that will help readers of ComedyandPolitics keep their ladies straight.

Here's the product description, from the website. [ed: Providing link for verification purposes. Don't buy this app.]

Welcome to the famous "The Amazing Girlfriend Manager"!

With this application you can improve your relationships by applying concepts of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) on your girlfriends. Think about your girlfriend as a client! What information and tools you need to improve your relationship? This application is the answer.

Features of this application:
- Allows you to manage multiple girlfriends at the same time (not recommended for moral reasons)
- You can assign a rating for each girl
- Stores personal information, preferences, sizes of clothing, notes and other data for each girl

For each girl you can register:
- Gifts given and received, cost and rating
- Dates, location, cost and rating
- Special dates (first date, first kiss, first trip together, bla bla bla…)

Benefits that this application can bring to you:
- Don’t make mistakes. Check the measurements of the girl before you buy a new pair of shoes or clothing
- Be creative. Do not repeat gifts
- Be more creative. Avoid always going to the same places with the same girl
- Be attentive. Do not forget your special dates
- Be healthy. Do not mix information from two girls
- Be the master. Show to your friends your long list of girls
- Be selective. Through the analysis of ratings and cost of dates and gifts, you can keep only the girls with the best cost-benefit

WARNING: For your own safety, under any circumstances, do not let your girlfriend access this application

Hahahaha WOMEN ARE COMMODITIES!

Froomkin Throws A Middle Finger Up, Says See Y'all In A Few Weeks

Dan Froomkin's recent firing from the Washington Post resulted in a huge (and much deserved) backlash from the blogosphere.

The Post published his last column today, which includes this fantastic line:

Hopefully, the next time the nation faces a grave national security crisis, we will listen to the people who were right, not the people who were wrong, and heed those who reported the truth, not those who served as stenographers to liars.

Wherever Froomkin eventually lands, take note. He's been one of the best, and we need him to continue to hold Obama accountable. You know, like a journalist.

Wallabies Enter Heroin Phase

I'll pass this story along, because why not. It's a summer Friday afternoon, and these lazy days are fit only for stories of drugged up marsupials. From the BBC:

Australian wallabies are eating opium poppies and creating crop circles as they hop around "as high as a kite", a government official has said.

Lara Giddings, the attorney general for the island state of Tasmania, said the kangaroo-like marsupials were getting into poppy fields grown for medicine.

She was reporting to a parliamentary hearing on security for poppy crops.

Australia supplies about 50% of the world's legally-grown opium used to make morphine and other painkillers.

"The one interesting bit that I found recently in one of my briefs on the poppy industry was that we have a problem with wallabies entering poppy fields, getting as high as a kite and going around in circles," Lara Giddings told the hearing.

"Then they crash," she added. "We see crop circles in the poppy industry from wallabies that are high."

I can tell you from personal experience that you don't want to be around when wallabies are coming down from a morphine high. Lots of crying. Lots and lots of crying.

This is the animal kingdom equivalent of doing donuts in the high school parking lot and then sleeping in an opium field.

King Of Pop Meets Iran

Here's your video for today. It covers everything that is happening in the world right now.

Citizen Radio

I recorded a very fun podcast last Saturday afternoon with Jamie Kilstein, Allison Kilkenny, and co-guest Mike Drucker, esquire (probably).

You can listen to it online here, or download it from itunes by searching for Citizen Radio and downloading today's episode. While you're there, subscribe to the show. It's a good one.

The four of us talked for a loooong time, so there will be at least one more part to our conversation, which will air next week.

Drink At Work Video

I was involved in a Drink at Work video that just got posted online, but the computer I'm currently on doesn't have quicktime, so I can't embed it. Here's a link. I haven't seen it yet, so if you watch it tell me if I'm any good in it.

Aged News

This is from a few days ago, but it is an absolute must watch from The Daily Show.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
End Times
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Newt Gingrich Unedited Interview

David Angelo Radio

For anyone who's interested, I'll be on the David Angelo Radio program tonight. Listen live, or download it later, here.

What Does Internet Mean To You?

Old video, via Wonkette. Favorite part: the reporter doesn't use the definitive article "the" before "internet," so it sounds like he's talking about some robot named "Internet."

Watch and wonder.

KATG

For anyone who's interested, I'll be on Keith and the Girl tonight at 7pm. You can listen live at their web site www.katg.com, or download the podcast later tonight from the same place. It's always a fun time over there, so do tune in if you have a chance.

Conservatives Ruin Something In New, Profoundly Upsetting Way

If you're anything like me, you've been waiting for two white guys to rap about how awesome conservative ideology is.

Oh, you're not like me? You say no one is? You say no one has ever been or will ever be waiting for conservative rap?

You're probably right.

Presented below without comment--because, really, these guys say more than enough themselves--is The Young Cons, "rapping" their song "Young Con Anthem." Everyone (so far) seems to think that this is real, so who am I to say that anything this grotesque when taken at face-value must be a brilliant parody.

If it's real, it's embarrassing to every group even tangentially associated with it--conservatives, religious folk, rappers, white people, men, people who own or use video cameras, anybody who has ever spoken into a microphone for any reason, etc. If it's fake, it is absolute genius. [via TPM]

Lawmaker Really Knocked This One Out Of The Park

John Culberson (R-TX) recently addressed Texan high school kids, but was stumped by a question about gay rights. He proceeded to make a fool of himself when asked how he can reconcile his "libertarian" and "states-rights" views while simultaneously advocating for a federal ban on same-sex marriage. Here's a snippet [click through to see the incoherent video]:

However, when a student asked Culberson about state control over gay marriage, Culberson rapidly descended into incoherence. He began by declaring, “It’s up to the states.” But by the end of his rambling answer, he tried to explain why the federal government “cannot permit” a state like Vermont to make its own rules. All this while repeating that people’s “privacy is fundamental”:

CULBERSON: Well under the 10th amendment, the states have a first responsibility for providing for public safety, public health, public morality. All issues that just affect the people within that state. It’s up to the states. And you either follow the constitution or you don’t. [...]

Federal law cannot permit — if one state, Vermont, wants to do that, you can’t let that cross state lines. You’ve got to let — frankly, a lot of these issues have got to be left up to the states. But the federal government cannot permit for example — The federal government has a legitimate role in interstate commerce. And that’s where the federal government comes in. I think the federal government can’t recognize — shouldn’t recognize it, it’s just a bad idea. And uh — But fundamentally, the right of privacy’s fundamental. I’m not interested — what people do at home’s their own business.

In Which I Predict the Sad Future

Here's a headline I posted on this blog a few days ago:

US Investment Bankers Sent To China In Covert Plan To Destroy China

And here's a headline from today's New York Post:

CIA IS BULLISH ON WALL ST. INSIDER $POOKS

THE CIA IS READING MY BLOG AND MAKING POLICY BASED ON IT!

No Webby For Sad Repub

The video below is truly one of the saddest clips you'll ever see. In it, Rep. Tom Price, the head of the Republican Study Group--which, in all seriousness, is one intern sitting at an old Dell PC twittering "waht shood we doo guyz?"-- claims that because Barack Obama paid lip-service to "not standing with hedge funds," we should all pee our short pants in terror.

Judging by the odd edits and stuttering, the "director" got fed up after 147 takes and said, "fuck it, we'll fix it in post." In this case, that means putting a horrible blue title at the end.

Gibbs Explains Context, Which Really Shouldn't Have To Happen

The job of the White House Press Secretary--currently Robert Gibbs--is to lie to reporters and conceal information in the slickest way possible. I find Gibbs generally disagreeable for this reason and this reason alone. In the clip below, though, he comes across as an adult who understands that the context in which a statement is made is very important. The journalist asking the question, on the other hand, comes across like the winner of a reality TV show where the prize is getting to ask stupid questions to that man in front of the prezidant's sealy thing.

The idiotic question this idiot asks is "why did La Sonia JustICE accurately describe the difference between appellate and circuit courts on that youtube clip?" but he asks it like an idiot and totally misses the point. Gibbs then explains that youtube shouldn't determine who is on the Supreme Court.


I love his follow up question, which is essentially, "but what if everybody is as stupid and shallow as I am?"

The Enemy Laughs

The National Review's blog, The Corner, linked to my Onion headline. I don't want to read too much into this, but I will say that I don't particularly care for it.

I can't remember exactly what I've written about The Corner on this blog in the past, but I've probably called them xenophobic war-mongering bigots--or, if I haven't before, now I have.

Maybe they have a sense of humor? That seems unlikely. Need to process this unlikeliest turn of events.

New Onion Headline

In Attempt To Jump-Start Economy, Obama Declares Tuesdays Ladies' Night

The rest of the story is here.