Saturday Stuff

This is just about too despicable for words – I hope one day that Ken Shupe experiences a breakdown of his vehicle on the road and is denied service the way he denied it to Cassie McWade – what an idiot, Shupe I mean…



…also, Chris Hayes talks to David Cay Johnston about “Trumponomics” (great point by Johnston about the state of New Jersey intervening on Trump’s behalf against his casino creditors, supposedly contrary to Trump/Repug “free market” ideology)…



…and I’ve fallen down a bit on the “science and green news” videos from Thom Hartmann, so here is the most current segment…



…and here’s another tune for Mother’s Day, because why not?

Friday Stuff

Yeah, I know we’ve definitely done the “bathroom bills” thing to death (the best commentary as far as I’m concerned, though, was from The Young Turks who actually bothered to read the fine print and realize that these bills are also assaults on worker protections), but I still thought this was a good commentary from Seth Meyers last week, if for no other reason than to give us an opportunity to take a final shot or two at “Calgary” Cruz (here - sadly, though, this remains topical, as noted here)…



…and while I think Ben Howe of Red State doth protest too much, I also thinks he makes some good points about “The Donald”; seriously, though, Howe and other conservatives shouldn’t be too shocked by this, since they’ve been catering to “the great unwashed” of their beloved base for years (including the late but still lamentable Andrew Breitbart), and their elevation of someone like Trump should not be surprising at all…



…and as you know if you’ve spent much time at this site at all, you know that I’m definitely not averse to using humor to try and make a serious point (here)…



…and Thom Hartmann brings us economic and labor news for the week…



…and to be honest, this isn’t exactly the type of story I was looking for given that Mother’s Day is Sunday, but I still thought it was interesting, particularly the last minute (those zany Aussies)…



…and as Mr. S. might say, happy Mother’s Day to all you muthas out there.

Thursday Stuff

Rachel Maddow brings us another fine report on what the ascendancy of “The Donald” truly means in the appropriate historical context… as Karoli at Crooks and Liars noted previously, it should scare the hell out of any sane person that Trump will now actually receive classified CIA briefings…beyond freaking belief…



…and with everything else going on, I have to admit that I didn’t pay a lot of attention to this story, but fortunately Ana Kasparian of The Young Turks did; great work, including her “in your face” finish (NSFW)…



…and given all of the pandering against the LGBT community out there with all of the “bathroom” legislation, particularly in North Carolina (and to this I say, "Gee, ya' think?!"), I think it’s time once more for another installment of “This Day In Doomsy History” from 5/5/11, in which Minnesota State Representative Steve Simon spoke so eloquently in defense of all of the “non-straights” out there (backgrounder here)…



...all of which somehow makes me want to hear this song.

Wednesday Stuff

“May the Fourth Be With You” indeed (and I thought "The Force Awakens" was pretty good, for what it's worth)…



…and yeah I know I’m not exactly impartial here, but I still think this is an effective ad…



…and by the way, bye Ted…



…and bye John (takes a few minutes to get to Kasich, but it does)…

…leaving this cretin still standing, which, as far as I’m concerned, is proof that the “party of Lincoln” doesn’t deserve to be taken seriously (NSFW – and yes, people, he actually could win)…



…and when it comes to this election cycle, I have a feeling that Keb’ Mo’ is exactly right.

Tuesday Stuff

RIP Father Daniel Berrigan (a little late with this I know)…



...and as long as we're traveling back in time a bit..to truly appreciate the next clip, you need to watch this one first (harking back to this)…



…and in the clip below, Rachel Maddow interviews Republican Bill Bogert, who starred (I guess that’s the correct word) in the prior ad; what a nugget of history she unearthed here, and totally appropriate IMHO; the big difference to me, though, is that, after the landslide Goldwater defeat in ’64, the “party of Lincoln” reinvented itself and ultimately began the ruinous conservative ascendancy many years later – after what may come this fall, they could indeed be heading to extinction, which would be utterly deserved…



…and I personally think we’re waaay past the point of talking about climate change, but kudos to Jimmy Kimmel & co. for fighting the good fight (here)…



…and it’s taken me a little while I know to get around to this Kyle Kulinski clip about the Illinois police chief getting rid of body cameras, but here it is anyway (NSFW)…

...and when I saw this on tha’ Twitterz, I immediately thought of this song, and yeah, I know it doesn’t quite fit, but I want to hear it anyway (if you don’t follow Chris Hayes, by the way, you should).

Monday Stuff

Yesterday was the 13th anniversary of “Mission Accomplished” Day; here is an appropriate tribute of sorts (and in the "reap what you sow" dept., I give you this)…



…oh, and I just remembered that I need to stop by Target and pick up some home furnishings (NSFW – “Goober” Gohmert proves once more that he is the stupidest life form in the entire universe – I didn’t know about the stuff noted in North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” at about 9:00…interesting that the whole trans-bathroom thing may just be the proverbial Trojan horse)…



…and by the way, do you want to know what led to this? Here is a refresher…



…and stupid decisions have consequences (here)…



…don’t they, Sen. “No Corporate Tax”? (To do something about it, click here.)...



…and I had this song in mind once again as I watched the first video noted above.

Friday Stuff

I don't think "despicable" quite describes this, either when it comes to the actual incident or, particularly, concerning the ruling (here - yes, I know a law is probably needed for clarification, but what about a little common sense?)...



...and in somewhat of a related vein, I remember when TV news anchors who had some credibility actually could opine on awful subjects like this with something approximating a force of morality; of course, times being what they are, we have to leave this up to comedians, and Jimmy Kimmel does the job beautifully here…



…and it looks like “Top-Step Shill” outdid himself this time – what an utter fool; his employer told him to knock it off but apparently he was too dumb to listen, so that automatically becomes the fault of “liberals” (here)…



…and it’s almost heartbreaking to watch this and realize what kind of standards we used to have in this country for running for president, and then realize how far we’ve fallen down on that…and yes, this has to do with “Fergus Laing” – NSFW...



…and I didn’t get to this great John Oliver video about lead last week (here), so I’ll do so now; worth it for no other reason than to see “Republic Party” U.S. House Reps Mark Meadows, Tim Walberg and particularly Jason Chaffetz shown up as the thoroughly bought-and-paid-for frauds that they truly are…



…and Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich tells us about the racial component of the wealth divide in this country, continuing to explain common-sense situations and concepts that are probably understood by too many of us as “the new normal,” and that includes me, though that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do something about it (here)…



...and Thom Hartmann brings us Economic and Labor News for the week (tying back a bit to the Reich video)...



…and we lost a true blues guitar legend last week with the passing of Lonnie Mack – RIP.

Thursday Stuff

Rachel Maddow talks with historian Michael Beschloss about the line from aviator and anti-Semite Charles Lindbergh to Pat Buchanan to Donald Trump on the “America First” movement (and based on what she says here, I can’t say much about her choice of friends)…



…and I’m sorry (well, actually not); believe me when I tell you that I’m interested in an intelligent discussion on all manner of issues, but as far as I’m concerned, there is never an excuse for flag desecration (though firing people from their jobs over it is more than a bit of an overreaction, unless they work for, say, the National Park Service or a high-profile public sector job, the type Republicans hate)…



…and who thought that this could end up as the ultimate revenge for Citizens United? (funny, actually - NSFW)...



..and RIP Les Waas – here’s a tune in his honor.

Wednesday Stuff

(Kudos to Steve Santarsiero for winning the Dem nomination to run for Mikey the Beloved’s PA-08 seat in the U.S. House…sorry to see Bernie lose, though I wasn’t totally surprised; definitely on board with HRC if she ends up as the nominee for prez…for U.S. Senate, was kind of hoping that Joe Sestak would win, but I’m happy with Katie McGinty also – best to all.)

Turning to other matters, the Chernobyl nuclear “incident” was 30 years ago yesterday, by the way (more here)...



...and I know I said something about this earlier, but kudos to Samantha Bee for this (NSFW - killer of an ending, by the way)...



…and in response to a story like this, I think the best thing I can do is give a plug to the opponent of the utterly odious Roy Blunt (remember this?) in Missouri’s U.S. Senatorial Election (to do more to help Jason Kander, click here or here)…



...and I know he's coming to Wilkes-Barre, PA next month on the 19th, but don't know if and when he's coming back to Philly - I'll let you know if I hear anything.

Tuesday Stuff

I thought this was a good report by RT’s Ed Schultz on how the Germans aren’t getting fooled by the trade deal nonsense being spouted by both Number 44 and Angela Merkel; sorry to hear the closing remarks about “B. Barry Bamz,” but dude, you did this to yourself…



…and Rev. Al reminds us that Prince had more of a commitment to social justice than many of us knew at the time (well, me at least anyway)…



…and I know this is a humorous clip (well, I think so anyway), but this is a serious story, didn’t even know World Penguin Day was a thing, but we observed it yesterday apparently; I have a soft spot for these small flightless birds I’ll admit because they live in the worst climates of the world and survive all manner of threats by working together – I can think of no apt metaphor for what we’re doing to this planet than to note how endangered they are, and as always, we can do something about that…



…and RIP Billy Paul (and please spare me the moral lectures – it’s just a great song).

Monday Stuff

Before I begin, I want to note that an individual has been driving around my location for the last couple of weekends with a green pickup truck and a Gadsden flag flying in the breeze. Yes, I realize that he has the right to express his political opinion, stupid though it may be, but here is a suggestion; instead of burning all of that gas for no good reason, why don’t you do something that is actually constructive such as help out at a food bank or, say, help Catholic Social Services in some capacity (maybe helping moms/women with dependent children who are in need)? You could also help to work on the political campaign for the candidate of your choice.

Basically, there’s are a hell of a lot more constructive things you could do instead of parading your intolerance.

And by the way, primary Election Day is tomorrow in PA, so let’s get out for this guy (here)…



…and this guy (here – and yes, before anyone out there starts, it’s true that the gun bill Steve refers to was not signed into law, but kudos for his effort on this and many other issues)…



…and speaking of elections…ugggh (here) – but remember that this definitely isn’t the time to talk about gun laws, is it, Mr. Green Pickup Truck?...



…and this report from Rachel Maddow probably should have ended at about 13:50 – really don’t care about the stuff having to do with Maine Republican delegates – but it shows Paul LePage, that state’s Republican governor, as the insufferable clown that he truly is yet again; really don’t understand why this guy hasn’t been vilified more thoroughly by our corporate media, though maybe I’m answering my own question on that one (more here)…



Update 5/3/16: Excellent work by the Maine "lege" here...

…and Rev. Al talks about Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill with Vanessa De Luca of Essence Magazine (not the most pressing of issues as far as I’m concerned, but something that is hugely symbolic I’ll admit, as Rev. Al says)…



...and kudos to Joe Walsh for this.

Friday Stuff

Look like Alan Grayson has done it again – kudos (here – I think all the empty seats speak to the true priorities of most of those life forms in the U.S. House, and I certainly don’t mean that as a compliment)…



…and if you want to elect somebody in PA-08 who will stand with Grayson, watch and click here…



…and Thom Hartmann brings us economic and labor news for the week…



…and hey, corporate media? You want to give us a break from opining on the never-ending presidential election in this country and try paying attention to stuff like this instead?...



…and Happy Earth Day from the Democratic Party (here)…



…and here is a song for the occasion.

More Thursday Stuff

Rachel Maddow recalls the PMRC hearings in the ‘80s with Tipper Gore and Susan Baker that led to record label warnings, which actually are kind of quaint now when you look back at it – worth recalling with Prince’s passing today (more here)…



…and I finally found the tribute video I was looking for earlier – Sign O’ The Times indeed.

See all music videos Prince

Thursday Stuff

Way too damn young to go – I’m sure we’ll find out more later; couldn't find any good videos to upload, so I wasn't planning to say anything else…



...and yeah, I know it’s utterly not shocking for our corporate media to swoon over their latest Republican “sugar daddy” (see The Sainted Ronnie R and his “son”), but it’s still vile and repulsive anyway; kudos to Media Matters for compiling this video (here), which must have been a truly gut-churning task…



…and speaking once more of “The Donald,” Cenk tells us how the all-but-named Repug presidential nominee supposedly helped on 9/11 - uh-huh…



...and I just saw "The Graduate" on a movie channel lately, which made me remember this tune.

Wednesday Stuff

By the way, I have something to say about any self-proclaimed pundit of any political affiliation who indulges in the equivalent of navel gazing about his or her preferred presidential candidate and then laments about how tiresome the electoral process is in this country (which it is):

If you’re wasting column or online pixel space engaging in this exercise instead of devoting space to REAL people dealing with REAL issues instead, then stop whining, because YOU are part of the problem too.

…and I know there are Republicans out there who will ABSOLUTELY LOSE THEIR MINDS if you point out to them that their party wins in no small part by voter disenfranchisement; too f*cking bad…own it, wingnuts...and one more thing, for the benefit of the host of this video - EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT!…



…and in the latest “horse race” political news, all I can say in response to these obscene sums of money is – THANK YOU JOHN ROBERTS (tongue in cheek of course) for this…



...and for PA-08 folks, to do more to help, click here…



…and I give you another installment of “This Day In Doomsy History” (more or less), with a video from 4/16/12 in which the “party of Lincoln” tried a subliminal advertising trick aimed at Number 44; as we know, though, the Repugs are the real “Mad Men”…



…and, in a story timed for “4/20,” it looks like our neighbors to the north are moving forward with national legalization of pot; personally, I’ve always favored decriminalization, but it’s a “vox populi” kind of thing…



…and I honestly didn’t know “4/20” was a thing – can’t think of a more apropos tune than this one.

Tuesday Stuff

When it comes to Billo, I wasn’t going to “go there” when it comes to the personal stuff, but I got tired of reading garbage like this and this…



Update 4/20/16: Keep it up, Billo (here)...

…and I think this clip from Samantha Bee is an appropriate palate cleanser, timed for today of course (here – definitely NSFW; LOVE the Kasich description)…



…and Kyle Kulinski tells us about the primary challenge in Florida to that Dem traitor DWS and why she’s in deep doo-doo (NSFW as well – to help, click here)…



…and I think the sound of this guy is too interesting to ignore any more.

Monday Stuff

GO, BERNIE, GO (tomorrow is indeed the big day in “The Empire State,” with PA a week from tomorrow)…



…and I thought this was an interesting report by Rachel Maddow on Repug governors and their “stage craft” at signing ceremonies, leading to a report on how utterly tone deaf on gender issues John Kasich is (and he’s supposed to be the “smart” one)…



…and I also agree that violence against people and property isn’t justified in the circumstances in this video (here), but neither is it justified to forget about the root causes of why poverty and blight exist in this country…



…and like you I’m sure, I’m glad Diana Ross is OK (here); gives me an excuse to put up this tune (with a legendary bass line by Motown “Funk Brother” James Jamerson).

Friday Stuff

I give you a snapshot of Life In These United States (Washington, D.C. in particular) from yesterday (and this happened also)…



…and Rachel Maddow brings us some echoes of Repug history in this clip, mainly how The Sainted Ronnie R began his campaign for the presidency (rounding up the herd of racist cats, if you will) and what that has in common with the latest escapade from "The Donald" on Long Island...



…and on a similar note, I usually couldn’t give a fig about all of the political horse race BS, but I thought this was an interesting discussion between Chris Hayes, GQ’s Drew Magary and Sam Seder about what “The Donald” might do once he takes a good, hard look at the reality of this election, assuming he hasn’t done that already (somewhat amusing stuff)…

…and “Occam’s Razor”? “Deus ex Machina”? Dag Chris, this is MSNBC, not Wellesley College!...



…and John Oliver delivers a pithy expose of sorts once again, this time on credit reporting (just like most “snoozer” topics, it’s easy to forget how important this stuff really is – here)…



….and Thom Hartmann brings us economic and labor news for the week…



…and we ended up with a nice little refund; hope you all end up doing OK also (50th birthday of this song also, believe it or not).

Thursday Stuff

In case you’re wondering, the answer is no; I’m not going to stop beating the proverbial drum over North Carolina’s anti-trans bathroom bill (and when it affects porn, you know that sh*t just got real)…



…and it looks like Verizon workers are “feeling the Bern” (more here); to do what you can to help, click here…



...and Cenk gives us an update over the recent idiocy he had to deal with at the hands of American Airlines (and MAN, is that the question of the hour at the end, or what?)...



...and Lowell George would have been 71 yesterday.

Wednesday Stuff

I thought this was a good report by Chris Hayes on the 1994 Bill Clinton crime bill (I remember that idiot John McLaughlin on that show of his losing his mind about the supposed threat of “midnight basketball” back then - Hayes is right; great observations all around but particularly by Jeremy Travis)…



…and kudos to Bryan Adams – didn’t know he was still touring – and everyone else protesting that horrible trans “bathroom bill” in North Carolina…



…and wow, did Tamron Hall from that supposedly “liberal” MSNBC network try her best to torpedo Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich and, by extension, Bernie Sanders (Hayes's report was actual journalism, as opposed to this)…



…and what balls by Steve Miller for this (I hear the ring of truth in most of it).