Looks like the Repugs need another lesson in outreach to African American voters, as noted here (and as you watch this clip from about two years ago, keep in mind once more that Joy Reid’s show was cancelled by that supposedly “liberal” MSNBC network)…
…and Rev. Al (whose show is also due to end) gives us more on the Justice Department’s report on the Ferguson, MO police department…
…and here is another clip from about two years ago on the NRA and the “Connecticut Effect” in light of this recent disgusting episode…
…and I thought this was an interesting story that made me recall this tune.
Friday, March 06, 2015
Thursday, March 05, 2015
Thursday Stuff
Neither can I, Ed – kudos to former Reaganite Bruce Bartlett for speaking truth to duuuuh (here)…..
…and I give you the following in response to Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association president Steve Loomis’s claim that 12-year-old Tamir Rice, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, was responsible for his own death (here)…
…and maybe instead of trying to make fun of Al Gore again, maybe “Senator Snowball” should pay attention to this (NSFW)…
…and let’s hope this marks the end of my “winter” songs for the year after today.
…and I give you the following in response to Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association president Steve Loomis’s claim that 12-year-old Tamir Rice, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, was responsible for his own death (here)…
…and maybe instead of trying to make fun of Al Gore again, maybe “Senator Snowball” should pay attention to this (NSFW)…
…and let’s hope this marks the end of my “winter” songs for the year after today.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Wednesday Stuff
Every time I think that it’s impossible to overstate the utter repugnance of Governor Bully, I realize just how wrong I am (and about that ridiculous “settlement” with ExxonMobil, this tells us that the affected residents may see absolutely nothing, much like some still reeling from Hurricane Sandy I’m sure)…
Update 3/9/15: I once worked with a guy I otherwise respect who thought that former NJ governor Jim McGreevey was the WORST THING EVAH and SO CORRUPT because he came from Woodbridge Township (and this guy thought it was hilarious when McGreevey came out, by the way), but this person never seemed to have a negative thing to say about Governor Bully. And I’m sure that somehow, even in light of this, he still has nothing negative to say.
…and sticking with Rachel Maddow, here is her report on the recent speech by “Bibi” (and let’s not forget this about former Repug U.S. House Rep Dan Burton, by the way)…
...and I think Jon Stewart also gives Netanyahu the treatment he deserves here (somewhat NSFW at the very end)...
…and I think this is an appropriate tune for the occasion.
Update 3/9/15: I once worked with a guy I otherwise respect who thought that former NJ governor Jim McGreevey was the WORST THING EVAH and SO CORRUPT because he came from Woodbridge Township (and this guy thought it was hilarious when McGreevey came out, by the way), but this person never seemed to have a negative thing to say about Governor Bully. And I’m sure that somehow, even in light of this, he still has nothing negative to say.
…and sticking with Rachel Maddow, here is her report on the recent speech by “Bibi” (and let’s not forget this about former Repug U.S. House Rep Dan Burton, by the way)…
...and I think Jon Stewart also gives Netanyahu the treatment he deserves here (somewhat NSFW at the very end)...
…and I think this is an appropriate tune for the occasion.
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
Tuesday Stuff
Check out what “Man Tan” Boehner has to do to keep his caucus in line (here) – too funny…pass the popcorn…
…and I know a lot of this comes from a “60 Minutes” report by Steve Kroft that I already posted, but I don’t think it can be repeated often enough; I give John Oliver credit for devoting so much time to such a crucial issue, even with humor that I think is a bit misplaced (here)…
...and just in case you thought that debtor's prison was something that only existed in a Victor Hugo novel, think again...
…and I happened to come across this guy who I think is local – kind of a catchy tune.
…and I know a lot of this comes from a “60 Minutes” report by Steve Kroft that I already posted, but I don’t think it can be repeated often enough; I give John Oliver credit for devoting so much time to such a crucial issue, even with humor that I think is a bit misplaced (here)…
...and just in case you thought that debtor's prison was something that only existed in a Victor Hugo novel, think again...
…and I happened to come across this guy who I think is local – kind of a catchy tune.
Monday, March 02, 2015
Monday Stuff
Yeah, Hosni Mubarak Walker is pretty godawful, but like any other Repug, he considers his foul rhetoric as merely “red meat” for the base (and the “badger state” had a chance to bounce him last year but failed to do so – oh well)...
…and hey, did you hear the one about Billo watching the nuns getting shot in the back of the head? He continues to be an utter fraud…
…and here is some of the reality point of view in honor of “Bibi” arriving here to give his damn speech…
...and did you know that this week is National Sleep Awareness Week? Well, neither did I, but here is a tune for the occasion.
…and hey, did you hear the one about Billo watching the nuns getting shot in the back of the head? He continues to be an utter fraud…
…and here is some of the reality point of view in honor of “Bibi” arriving here to give his damn speech…
...and did you know that this week is National Sleep Awareness Week? Well, neither did I, but here is a tune for the occasion.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Friday Stuff
RIP Leonard Nimoy – a lot more to this guy than just Spock, though he will always be remembered for that above all else, which is probably as it should be (please don’t smoke, people – find a way to stop somehow).
“This Side of Paradise” might be my favorite episode of the original “Star Trek” series (partly because Spock gets to knock Kirk around a bit :-), and this is probably the key moment of revelation between Nimoy and Jill Ireland – of all the clips of Nimoy that could be presented as a tribute, this is the one I personally prefer the most…
…and as usual, pop culture parody is the sincerest form of flattery…
...and by the way, we had great Net Neutrality news this week, though I'm sure the lawsuits from the usual corporate suspects will follow (video lags at end)...
…and kudos to Dem Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for this…
...and sportscaster Dale Hansen does it again here - kudos as well...
…and I guess this video depicts just another Friday night for you millennial hipsters out there – I remember those days (sigh).
“This Side of Paradise” might be my favorite episode of the original “Star Trek” series (partly because Spock gets to knock Kirk around a bit :-), and this is probably the key moment of revelation between Nimoy and Jill Ireland – of all the clips of Nimoy that could be presented as a tribute, this is the one I personally prefer the most…
…and as usual, pop culture parody is the sincerest form of flattery…
...and by the way, we had great Net Neutrality news this week, though I'm sure the lawsuits from the usual corporate suspects will follow (video lags at end)...
…and kudos to Dem Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for this…
...and sportscaster Dale Hansen does it again here - kudos as well...
…and I guess this video depicts just another Friday night for you millennial hipsters out there – I remember those days (sigh).
Thursday Stuff
I think it’s actually pretty hilarious to watch anyone from our supposedly “respectable” corporate media take shots at Jon Stewart for supposedly debasing our already-trashed political discourse, and Fix Noise dutifully obliges here (as always, though, it’s a stretch to consider these particular frauds as emblematic of anything whatsoever besides rank propaganda).
The networks with initials for names have fundamentally failed to educate and inform their audience on the critical issues that we face in this country, opting instead for a two-or-more-dueling-talking-head format that serves only to inflame passion instead of cultivating reason (for ratings of course, and also to try and deflect the charge of “liberal bias” that will be made by the usual suspects regardless). And the void created by that terrible decision has been filled by Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, John Oliver, and many others.
I would ask that you consider all that while you watch this clip (here)…
…and I give you Ed Schultz on Jeb Bush (Rachel Maddow, among others, covered some of this already, though it shows that Jeb definitely haven’t “sealed the deal” with the base)…
…and here is Cenk and Ana from TYT on Patricia Arquette (NSFW…sounds like the extremes of both sides were mad, which must mean that she was doing something right)…
…and here is something bluesy and more current than the rest of what I’ve featured here this week.
The networks with initials for names have fundamentally failed to educate and inform their audience on the critical issues that we face in this country, opting instead for a two-or-more-dueling-talking-head format that serves only to inflame passion instead of cultivating reason (for ratings of course, and also to try and deflect the charge of “liberal bias” that will be made by the usual suspects regardless). And the void created by that terrible decision has been filled by Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, John Oliver, and many others.
I would ask that you consider all that while you watch this clip (here)…
…and I give you Ed Schultz on Jeb Bush (Rachel Maddow, among others, covered some of this already, though it shows that Jeb definitely haven’t “sealed the deal” with the base)…
…and here is Cenk and Ana from TYT on Patricia Arquette (NSFW…sounds like the extremes of both sides were mad, which must mean that she was doing something right)…
…and here is something bluesy and more current than the rest of what I’ve featured here this week.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Wednesday Stuff
By the way, when we refer to the “corpocracy,” we’re not kidding, and never have been – and oh yeah, the Idaho Repugs apparently need a biology lesson; the serious stuff, though, has to do with DHS (an update is here - yep, looks like congressional Repugs still can't get their act together; heckuva job, all you idiot voters who gave them the keys to the metaphorical car that they promptly drove into a ditch)…
...and as I watch this, I wonder why the hell every Democrat running for election last year didn't wrap themselves around health care reform - and yes, I know the answer...
...and after watching this NSFW clip, I have even less interest in ever actually seeing “American Sniper”...
...and "the quiet Beatle" would have been 72 today.
...and as I watch this, I wonder why the hell every Democrat running for election last year didn't wrap themselves around health care reform - and yes, I know the answer...
...and after watching this NSFW clip, I have even less interest in ever actually seeing “American Sniper”...
...and "the quiet Beatle" would have been 72 today.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Monday Stuff
Science fiction writer Robert Heinlein, in his famous novel Starship Troopers, envisioned a society where voters, too, had to demonstrate their patriotism before being allowed to vote. In his fictional society, the right to vote came only after some kind of dangerous public service — in the military, as a volunteer in dangerous medical experiments, or in other ways that demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice personally for the common good. The thought was that such voters would be more careful, and less selfish, in their voting.So, just for the record, "The Ole Perfesser" thinks that voting should only be allowed if someone of a suitable age had first participated in an activity like this...
So when the five-day wonder of questioning Barack Obama’s patriotism is over, perhaps we should address another question: How patriotic is the electorate? And how long can we survive as a nation if the answer is “not very”? And we should proceed from there.
…and I have no idea whether or not author Robert Heinlein was ever influenced by controlled substances or not – makes me wonder a bit based on that clip – but in case he was, I think that makes this NSFW commentary from Bill Maher (here) particularly at the end even more timely…
…and I have three words for Cenk Uygur based on this…Nail. Hammer. Head…
…and RIP Clark Terry.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Saturday Stuff
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday Stuff
Meet the new Bush, same as the old Bush…
…also, Ed Schultz tells us more about the battle to keep the U.S. Postal Service in operation – yes people, it really is a bargain, and if it goes away, we’re going to be really screwed…
…and I give you more misogynist Repug hijinks (yeah, let me know how that whole “outreach to women voters” thing goes, OK)…
…and I really don’t have a dog in the hunt, as it were, concerning Tinsel town’s upcoming soiree on Sunday evening (here), but may the best in each category win – makes me recall this glam-rock-ish tune, which I think is apropos.
…also, Ed Schultz tells us more about the battle to keep the U.S. Postal Service in operation – yes people, it really is a bargain, and if it goes away, we’re going to be really screwed…
…and I give you more misogynist Repug hijinks (yeah, let me know how that whole “outreach to women voters” thing goes, OK)…
…and I really don’t have a dog in the hunt, as it were, concerning Tinsel town’s upcoming soiree on Sunday evening (here), but may the best in each category win – makes me recall this glam-rock-ish tune, which I think is apropos.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Thursday Stuff
By the way, allow me to say right now that I am absolutely done with this crap about what Obama did or didn’t say about radical Islam at that prayer breakfast, whenever it was. I expect Fix Noise to come down with a case of the vapors, but I’m beyond disgusted with how the supposedly liberal MSNBC is wasting precious time and resources on this idiocy also.
Meanwhile, there goes Shep Smith of Fix Noise practicing some actual journalism again here, this time with another Dubya-era flunky who apparently pines for the firm foreign policy hands of "Honor and Virtue" McCain and Huckleberry Graham...
…and though I’ve never completely bought into the concept of Black History Month, which we observe in February of course – what about Jewish History Month or Catholic History Month? – I have to admit that I thought this was a good report by Melissa Harris Perry…
…and in a related story, just remember that idiot Mississippi state rep Gene Alday is the real victim here, people – sure he is (more here)…
...and I hope she's on the mend from her recent health issues - can't tell based on this.
Meanwhile, there goes Shep Smith of Fix Noise practicing some actual journalism again here, this time with another Dubya-era flunky who apparently pines for the firm foreign policy hands of "Honor and Virtue" McCain and Huckleberry Graham...
…and though I’ve never completely bought into the concept of Black History Month, which we observe in February of course – what about Jewish History Month or Catholic History Month? – I have to admit that I thought this was a good report by Melissa Harris Perry…
…and in a related story, just remember that idiot Mississippi state rep Gene Alday is the real victim here, people – sure he is (more here)…
...and I hope she's on the mend from her recent health issues - can't tell based on this.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Wednesday Stuff
Rev. Al takes a look at the stalling going on in “the world’s greatest deliberative body” concerning Obama Attorney General Nominee Loretta Lynch (though I think the following needs to be pointed out here – not taking a shot at Lynch, but only saying that there’s a way for intelligent adults to discuss the HSBC stuff…I realize that many in the Senate are not intelligent adults, of course…and by the way, it’s particularly galling for the Repugs to complain about improper fiscal oversight given this, where they punted on their own chance to do the same thing, which led to the meltdown of our economy)…
…and as far as I’m concerned, one answer to this is to shop at Office Max and tell Staples where to go (and just toss out the 5:00 – 6:00 stuff with this guy from The Manhattan Institute – trying to un-couple the employer mandate from the individual mandate would be catastrophic to the ACA, and if he isn’t smart enough to know that or honest enough to admit it, then he doesn’t belong on my teevee)…
…and congrats to Miss P (woof!)…
…and as far as I’m concerned, one answer to this is to shop at Office Max and tell Staples where to go (and just toss out the 5:00 – 6:00 stuff with this guy from The Manhattan Institute – trying to un-couple the employer mandate from the individual mandate would be catastrophic to the ACA, and if he isn’t smart enough to know that or honest enough to admit it, then he doesn’t belong on my teevee)…
…and congrats to Miss P (woof!)…
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Tuesday Stuff
Joy Reid tells us about FBI Director James Comey’s recent speech on race – I wonder if FBI agents will turn their backs on Comey now as the NYPD did against Mayor de Blasio for saying much the same thing?...
Update 2/22/15: Sorry to find out that Joy Reid's show was cancelled - would that that fate would befall "Morning Joe" instead.
…and I hope the cause of what is mentioned in this story isn't attributed to the legalization of pot in the state of Colorado – sure would be a drag, as it were…
…and this just in – it looks like tragedy has come to the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile (though as “America’s Fish Wrap” tells us here, it plans to be back on the “hot dog highway” again soon)…
…and RIP Lesley Gore (sad face).
Update 2/22/15: Sorry to find out that Joy Reid's show was cancelled - would that that fate would befall "Morning Joe" instead.
…and I hope the cause of what is mentioned in this story isn't attributed to the legalization of pot in the state of Colorado – sure would be a drag, as it were…
…and this just in – it looks like tragedy has come to the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile (though as “America’s Fish Wrap” tells us here, it plans to be back on the “hot dog highway” again soon)…
…and RIP Lesley Gore (sad face).
Monday, February 16, 2015
Monday Stuff
Happy President’s Day – I thought this video was kind of cool; the Inquirer gave a little exercise on the Op-Ed page to list all of them in order, which would have been kind of neat if it weren’t for the fact that it gave the answers on the same page – kind of takes away the challenge, I would say…
…and I give you another bravura report by John Oliver, this time on cigarettes here - hopefully he won't get sued, and no, I'm not kidding (NSFW)…
…and this just in – Bill Maher provides a great New Rules segment on Brian Williams IMHO (here - I think this is NSFW also)…
…and I thought this was a neat story on Pattie Boyd, ex-wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, who had a bit of a penchant for photography – I know she’s credited as the influence behind “Layla,” but I always associate her with this tune above all others.
…and I give you another bravura report by John Oliver, this time on cigarettes here - hopefully he won't get sued, and no, I'm not kidding (NSFW)…
…and this just in – Bill Maher provides a great New Rules segment on Brian Williams IMHO (here - I think this is NSFW also)…
…and I thought this was a neat story on Pattie Boyd, ex-wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, who had a bit of a penchant for photography – I know she’s credited as the influence behind “Layla,” but I always associate her with this tune above all others.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Friday Stuff
Happy Friday the 13th, everybody (what's left of it anyway)...
...and I thought this was a good Russia Today interview with original CIA torture whistleblower John Kiriakou...
...and this just in...and hold onto your hats, people...but more guns actually means more gun violence - hard to believe, I know (removing my tongue from my cheek)...
...oh, and of course it "demeans the presidency" as far as the wingnuts are concerned if it's actually positive for Number 44 - as opposed to just about anything by Obama's wretched predecessor that did that for real (maybe I shouldn't have something a bit light-hearted given the Kiriakou stuff, but I have to admit that I got a kick out of this)...
...also, I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow...
...and for the opposing point of view, I give you this :-).
...and I thought this was a good Russia Today interview with original CIA torture whistleblower John Kiriakou...
...and this just in...and hold onto your hats, people...but more guns actually means more gun violence - hard to believe, I know (removing my tongue from my cheek)...
...oh, and of course it "demeans the presidency" as far as the wingnuts are concerned if it's actually positive for Number 44 - as opposed to just about anything by Obama's wretched predecessor that did that for real (maybe I shouldn't have something a bit light-hearted given the Kiriakou stuff, but I have to admit that I got a kick out of this)...
...also, I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow...
...and for the opposing point of view, I give you this :-).
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Thursday Stuff
Yeah, it’s more than a bit of an understatement to say that I’ll miss Jon Stewart on my teevee, but God knows he’s earned the right to walk away from all of this stuff as far as I’m concerned (here)…
…though I’d like to see Stewart’s soon-to-be-open spot go to Samantha Bee along with possibly her “Daily Show” husband Jason Jones – still blown away by this legendary “Black Swan” parody of “The Five” from awhile back…
…and changing the mood, I honestly can’t recall moments of corporate media wankery attributable to Bob Simon of CBS News, a legendary correspondent who was killed in a horrific auto accident yesterday; condolences to family and friends (though I think this stands as a bit of an indirect tribute to his work…afflicting the comfortable, as it were)…
…and I should probably be tired of these guys by now, but I’m really not.
…though I’d like to see Stewart’s soon-to-be-open spot go to Samantha Bee along with possibly her “Daily Show” husband Jason Jones – still blown away by this legendary “Black Swan” parody of “The Five” from awhile back…
…and changing the mood, I honestly can’t recall moments of corporate media wankery attributable to Bob Simon of CBS News, a legendary correspondent who was killed in a horrific auto accident yesterday; condolences to family and friends (though I think this stands as a bit of an indirect tribute to his work…afflicting the comfortable, as it were)…
…and I should probably be tired of these guys by now, but I’m really not.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Wednesday Stuff
(I also posted about Brian Williams here, for what it's worth.)
Rachel Maddow tells us the story of C.J. Phillips and Charlie Rainwater, the “high-tech bears” who, as far as I’m concerned, have done a first-class job trolling Jeb Bush (here)…
…also, Cenk Uygur goes after that numbskull Eric Bolling for saying that Christianity has never, ever led to violence – uh huh…
…and I thought this was a pretty damn funny (and definitely NSFW) commentary by Australian comic Jim Jefferies on guns here…
…and speaking of crazy, I felt like hearing both these tunes after reading this story, particularly the second one (and is it too cheeky of me to point out the phallic image on the cover of that great album?).
Rachel Maddow tells us the story of C.J. Phillips and Charlie Rainwater, the “high-tech bears” who, as far as I’m concerned, have done a first-class job trolling Jeb Bush (here)…
…also, Cenk Uygur goes after that numbskull Eric Bolling for saying that Christianity has never, ever led to violence – uh huh…
…and I thought this was a pretty damn funny (and definitely NSFW) commentary by Australian comic Jim Jefferies on guns here…
…and speaking of crazy, I felt like hearing both these tunes after reading this story, particularly the second one (and is it too cheeky of me to point out the phallic image on the cover of that great album?).
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Tuesday Stuff
Now seriously, where else are you going to go now when you need a new phone line to plug into the wall outlet at the last minute because your cat has eaten through it? Oh, and by the way, the clip is very NSFW…
…and after watching this clip also, I’m starting to realize just how much I missed John Oliver on my teevee…
…and while I applaud the efforts of the manufacturer of this device intended to reduce fatalities arising from the response of a police officer, the cases that I see and read about where police have used excessive force aren’t exactly scenarios where the officer is in a dark alley surrounded by armed hoodlums who plainly intend to do harm – it’s more a case of horrible judgment aimed at civilians such as a hugely overweight man in NYC pleading not to get hurt or a 12-year-old boy getting shot…
…and after watching this clip also, I’m starting to realize just how much I missed John Oliver on my teevee…
…and while I applaud the efforts of the manufacturer of this device intended to reduce fatalities arising from the response of a police officer, the cases that I see and read about where police have used excessive force aren’t exactly scenarios where the officer is in a dark alley surrounded by armed hoodlums who plainly intend to do harm – it’s more a case of horrible judgment aimed at civilians such as a hugely overweight man in NYC pleading not to get hurt or a 12-year-old boy getting shot…
Monday, February 09, 2015
Monday Stuff
I give Bill Maher credit for trying to drive a metaphorical stake through the zombie lies that pollute our discourse, but the problem is that a waay-too-profitable cottage industry has been created built on their continued propagation – and oh yeah, Sarah Palin is still an idiot (here)…
…and I know this is mainly about Governor Bully, as it should be (and he can’t resist the food metaphors, can he?), but I’m sure the full title of the Jeb Bush book at the end is “I Only Fight Old, Small People Who Are Not Capable Of Anything Larger Than A Five-Figured Campaign Donation” (here)…
...and Rev. Al tells us about how Fix Noise typically blew off coverage of the prayer breakfast recently attended by President Obama (always a slippery slope as far as I'm concerned when politicians talk religion, but don't attack Obama if you don't even give your viewers "fair and balanced" reporting on the subject)...
…and I know these guys toured all over the place last year, but apparently they’re giving 2015 a rest so far – should be coming to a venue near you eventually.
…and I know this is mainly about Governor Bully, as it should be (and he can’t resist the food metaphors, can he?), but I’m sure the full title of the Jeb Bush book at the end is “I Only Fight Old, Small People Who Are Not Capable Of Anything Larger Than A Five-Figured Campaign Donation” (here)…
...and Rev. Al tells us about how Fix Noise typically blew off coverage of the prayer breakfast recently attended by President Obama (always a slippery slope as far as I'm concerned when politicians talk religion, but don't attack Obama if you don't even give your viewers "fair and balanced" reporting on the subject)...
…and I know these guys toured all over the place last year, but apparently they’re giving 2015 a rest so far – should be coming to a venue near you eventually.
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