Happy Macaca-versary

Wow, one whole year has passed since George Allen managed to show that wonderful racist side of his. The video was a milestone for web-based media in campaigning and the beginning of George Allen's slow descent into being kicked out of the Senate by the citizens of Virginia. Witness it in all its infamous glory:

Susan Collins And The Crazy Wingers Of Maine

The "moderate" Republican Senator from Maine made news today by going along with the local wingnuts from her home state. Apparently the right wing up there is much like the rest of their brethren across the country and even Bill O'Reilly. The website in question wrote a post that attacked Sen. Collins challenger Tom Allen for associating with Daily Kos and other "hate" sites on the left. I wonder if this commenter below has a User ID at dKos....I seriously doubt it.

From Crooks and Liars:

It appears Susan Collins doesn’t want to risk having a career ending blooper, like George “Macacca” Allen. One of her supporters posted this today on the Maine Web Report:

Markos Moulitsas’s hate-site The Daily Kos, the foul-mouthed fem-blog FiredogLake, and other ‘netroots’ extremists like MoveOn.org, have become the dominant fundraisers for Tom Allen’s senate campaign. This may be good news for Allen financially, but allowing these fringe fanatics to take over his campaign is creating a political atmosphere that will undoubtedly be rejected by Maine voters come next November.

Tom Allen’s involvement with these groups, particularly his participation in the website The Daily Kos, came onto the radar screen of Maine voters recently, as national media exposed a pattern of hateful, vulgar, and anti-semitic postings on the site. Now Allen’s extremist friends have landed on the ground in Maine, and are engaging in the same childish bullying campaign tactics that made Connecticut voters reject their attempts to unseat Senator Joe Lieberman in 2006.

The comments have been very interesting on MWR, especially this one:

Wanting to blow up an entire city with liberals (as in PEOPLE who are liberal) isn't a hateful thing to say, is it? For Ms. Collins to support these people is a smack in the face to America itself and the decency we would like to see in our political dialogue. To endorse a terror attack on our nation to persuade people to vote Republican is delusional at best. Of course these wingers will never learn, but Senators should have a better sense of morality.....obviously not here.

Fox's 1/2 Hour News Hour Loses Its Thirty Minutes

We all had our fun making jokes about Fox's lame attempt at creating a right-wing Daily Show. Sadly, that has to come to an end, since the program is off the air. Fox News promoted it to death, wingnut all-stars like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter made appearances to get it off the ground. Yet, it was all for naught.

From Media Bistro:

In a memo to senior producers this afternoon, FNC's SVP of programming, Bill Shine announced the network "will not continue the Half Hour News Hour beyond its current 15 episode run." Shine did leave the door open, however: "we are considering ways to retool the show for future scheduling needs."

The TV news satire show which airs Sunday nights, stars faux anchors Kurt McNally, played by Kurt Long, and Jennifer Lange, played by Jennifer Robertson.

The first airing, February 18 was a hit, with more than 1.4 million viewers. The show averaged 258,000 viewers (25-54 demo) in its last 10 airings, winning its timeslot all but once. FNC will air the final show September 16.

Retooling? As in making it funny perhaps? It may have won its timeslot, but we dont even have to try and compare it to The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. Not. Even. Close.

The Peaceman Versus The Chenguin

I've never heard of Dennis Kucinich as the "Peaceman" but this clip is worth it:

And Now More From The Vile Mouth Of John Gibson

John Gibson is in the blogosphere's eye again with more outrageous comments, this time involving the beloved Jon Stewart of the Daily Show. As we all know Jon is a comedian, but as New Yorker that felt the devastation of 9/11 up close and personal, it is no laughing matter. Making fun of the people in the Bush Administration for abusing the nation and the world's trust over the matter is one thing, but for Gibson to say this, it takes a stone cold heart.

From Media Matters:

On the August 10 broadcast of his Fox News Radio show, John Gibson and the program's executive producer, known on air as "Angry Rich," mocked Comedy Central host Jon Stewart for emotional remarks he made shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. While airing a clip of Stewart's remarks from the September 20, 2001, edition of The Daily Show, Gibson mimicked Stewart and sarcastically interjected, "Oh, God, Jon. Just tell me it's not true," and, "Oh! That's great. I'm -- God, I'm touched." Before playing the clip, Angry Rich asked, "Do you remember what the media was like shortly after 9-11?" Gibson answered, "Oh, Jon Stewart sobbing." After the clip concluded, Angry Rich called Stewart a "phony."

Both Gibson and Angry Rich are world-class jackasses. There is no doubt about that. Don't be expecting an apology anytime soon, just more of the same. The only way to combat shit like this is to call up their advertisers and demand to know why they would spend money and put their names alongside a crap-tacular program like this.

Bashing Veterans And Being A Hypocrite Takes Real Talent

I have to hand it to Rep. Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.) on his performance the other night while talking about his challenger last year and for 2008, retired Navy man Eric Massa. Kuhl had some pretty nasty things to say about Massa, especially when the nastiest thing in the 29th district of New York is Kuhl, his ridiculous behaviors and his positions.

From The Daily Gotham:

What is it with republicans and actual veterans? They cut their healthcare, let things like Walter Reed happen, start illegal wars, and when push comes to shove, point to yellow-ribbon bumper stickers to cover up their systematic abuse of America's military and the men and women in uniform.

From the 29th District comes another such tale of woe. It starts, predictably enough, with potshots taken by draft-dodger, Certified Wingnut™ and incumbent republican Congressman Randy Kuhl against Democratic challenger Eric Massa, a retired Navy Vet. In this specific case, Kuhl broke ground with an interesting description of military retirees.

To Kuhl, these aren't retired military personnel - they just don't have a job. This from a professional politician who has served in elected office for almost three decades.

Kuhl is certainly one to talk. While Massa was literally fighting for his country, Kuhl was voting for his own interests while using the troops as props. Now that one of those in uniform is running against him to take away the opportunity to abuse his power, he'll do and say anything to disparage Eric Massa. Time for this scumbag to get a real job and not in Congress.

Killer Toys!

When it comes to profits and safety, we know that corporations are going to choose saf....um, I mean profits. Thankfully Mattel is recalling the leaden toys now, but why are we in this position in the first place.

Feds Show NYC The Congestion-Pricing $$$

Congestion-pricing took a giant leap towards being reality in the city today when Mary Peters of the Department of Transportation announced that NYC will receive $354 million to help implement the system of cameras and tolls that will charge drivers $8 for cars and $21 for trucks to enter Manhattan below 86th St.

From WCBS-TV:

(CBS) NEW YORK Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan got a big boost Tuesday with the announcement of federal funding. The federal government has agreed to pay $354 million to New York City to help install tolls for drivers entering the busiest parts of Manhattan.

At 10 a.m., U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced that New York City will receive federal money to put the mayor's congestion plan into place.

The article goes on to paint New Yorkers view of the plan to be terrible, mostly from people driving into the city (who woulda thunk?). Perhaps they'll start to use mass transit and help reduce congestion and increase the air quality around the city (there is a reason its called congestion-pricing). My favorite interview though, was from Manhattan resident Judy Feldman.

Manhattan residents aren't celebrating either. Judy Feldman lives along East 60th St. and sees a majority of the congestion from the 59th Street Bridge. She says she is not sure how much the plan is going to help.

“I don't know how if it's going to help the air quality, it probably will help the congestion,” said Feldman. “Although people that can afford to park in the city and drive in everyday probably won't think of anything else will pay the extra, it's a business expense.”

Dear, reducing the amount of traffic in your area is going to be one of the benefits. Oh and if you think reducing congestion and pollution aren't related, you might want to look at some of the cars in Manhattan and see what comes out of their tailpipes. There is a reason you aren't supposed to breathe that stuff up close, it can kill you. And over time, breathing polluted air reduces the quality of life for all of us. Just a little common sense, ya know?

People are going to bitch and moan about this, but really, we all need to do our part to clean up the air locally so we can help the planet globally. If not for you, for your kids, grandkids, etc. Get my point?

The Nannies Of New York

The hard-working nannies in the city that watch thousands of children every day do a great service. The ones that sit in city council and other spots around New York are not. Instead of real legislation that makes a difference in the lives of New Yorkers, they come up with ridiculous laws and stunts that are aimed at potty mouths. Oh my, those dangerous potty mouths.

From The Huffington Post:

First the city voted to ban the Noun that Begins with N -- the derogatory term for blacks that has been pushed out of public public speech but shoved its way into entertainment, chiefly rap music. A local NAACP branch even gave the word a funeral, coffin and all, as a show of hope that ugliness can be buried along with a word that is freighted with ugliness.

The city ban has not been accompanied by any enforcement measures -- police, for example, cannot slap a strip of duct tape across the offending mouth and effect an arrest. But so successful has this legislation presumably been that New York City Councilwoman Darlene Mealy, of Brooklyn, now wants to add the word ''bitch'' to the no-no list.

(snip)

If the players in this would add a little Harry Potter to their summer reading, they'd learn at least as well as George Orwell could demonstrate that fearing a word gives it power, and banning it makes it more powerful still.

Look at how the word "queer" has evolved from an insult -- which it still is in some people's minds -- to a word that some gays embrace defiantly. They use as both a shield and a weapon, to make its original ugliness boomerang back on the person who hurled it so viciously in the first place.

This post is right on. Giving words power with fear of the law makes them so much worse. Laughing at the words is what we need most. It isn't about the word, its the power behind it. This is why I love "Borat" so much. Both of us are Jews, and his use of the character to laugh at anti-semitism is pure brilliance.

Words change in meaning all the time, that is how language works. Just think about how one interprets "colored" and "negro" now, thirty years ago, sixty years ago, etc. So to Councilwoman Mealy and other morons like her, stop with this crap and draft laws that make a difference for your constituents that improves their lives and not their mouths.

Who You Calling A Puss......eeee

Forget the asterisk, just sound that one out. Kristol has a lot of nerve to go on the Daily Show and talk shit to Jon Stewart. Of course, Jon can talk right back:

Elizabeth Goes On The Attack, Watch Out Hillary And Obama

The two top front-runners got a verbal beating from John Edwards' wife in the current issue of Progressive Magazine. She hit on a theme that really resonates with me. It is a question of leadership, and what candidate can be a true leader after the terrible disgrace that is George Bush. Now the top three are all good people, and they'll all be miles ahead of the current President, but we need someone that has passion and convictions. I do not see that in Hillary and I'm not so sure about Barack. Elizabeth Edwards certainly has a bias, but there's a lot of truth in her words.

From the ABC News Blog:

Mrs. Edwards praised her husband for apologizing for his vote in favor of the Iraq War, and questioned Senator Hillary Clinton's, D-N.Y., for not doing the same.

"She even, in the New Hampshire debate said, 'I made a mistake.' People are looking for a mea culpa from her. And when she buried a line like that –- I give her credit for saying that –- but when she buries that line... we're electing a leader of the free world, and just like the votes on this last funding bill, we're looking for a leader," Edwards contended.

And while Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., was in the Illinois state legislature and not the Senate in 2003, Mrs. Edwards equally questioned his motives.

"Obama gives a speech that's likely to be extraordinarily popular in his home district," Edwards said, "and then comes to the Senate and votes for funding... so you are going to get people behaving in a holier-than-thou way."

"Holier-than-thou," ouch! In a way though, there is some truth in it. Watching Obama and Hillary slip into the Senate to vote against funding the war a couple months ago at the last minute was sad to see. I know they made the right choice, but how they went about it was so cowardly. Of course Edwards has nothing to lose when he speaks out because he is no longer in the Senate, but its more than a political calculation to him.

The two of them, John and Elizabeth, make such a great team together. The leadership that both of them take on the issues that matter to them (like poverty and health care) is inspiring to say the least. It would almost be nice to see the Edwards' on the top of the ticket instead of just John, but as long as they are together, thats what counts.

Until I see any other candidate (thats in the race) stand up the way Edwards does.....I do not know who'd I vote for when the primaries come to New York in February.

Giuliani Is The New Flip-Flopper King

His royal highness (egotistically speaking) Mitt Romney has been officially disposed of his flip-flopping title by Rudolph Giuliani, formerly the wanna-be dictator of New York City. As Rudy's numbers keep going south, his views are magically changing to fit the electorate he is chasing. Thankfully we have articles like this one out of Boston to keep track of Rudy's ever-changing mind.

From The Boston Globe:

More than any candidate in the Republican presidential field, rival Mitt Romney has been tagged with the flip-flopper label. But Giuliani, with late shifts on civil unions and federal campaign finance laws, is a political makeover in progress.

On Aug. 6, he called his past support of the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law a mistake, deciding after two election cycles that it does not work.

Giuliani's transformation is, in many aspects, subtler than that of Romney, who has reversed his support for abortion rights.

Giuliani often cites a states' rights rationale as the basis of his new views, though his objection to states adopting civil unions is a notable exception. What was right for his city when he was mayor might not be for other states, he says frequently to explain changing stances.

Yeah, right, sure Rudy. His flip-flopping has nothing to do with principles (since he has none), what he is following is the McCain model. Lean hard right for the base and expect them to believe you. Um, Rudy, you should see where dear old John is at now. That might not be the best track to take.

The problem is, none of the Republicans have much in the way of principles. The only one that is a true conservative or anything close to it is Mike Huckabee, and that might just be why he finished 2nd in the Iowa straw poll with little money or much of a ground game.