September 5, 2014
Freedomworks And The Creation Of A Texas Wingnut
Freedomworks And The Creation Of A Texas Wingnut
"Texas now has a wingnut problem, and it is the inevitable result of the racist, religious right they have courted. When your party's platform is obsessed with being anti-women, anti-science, anti-immigrant and pro-voter suppression, you are going to find all sorts of mentally unstable fanatics who will gladly toe their version of the party line."
"Texas now has a wingnut problem, and it is the inevitable result of the racist, religious right they have courted. When your party's platform is obsessed with being anti-women, anti-science, anti-immigrant and pro-voter suppression, you are going to find all sorts of mentally unstable fanatics who will gladly toe their version of the party line."
Erick Erickson Tells Rush Fans: Fast Food Strikers Are 'Mostly People Who Failed At Life'
Erick Erickson Tells Rush Fans: Fast Food Strikers Are 'Mostly People Who Failed At Life'
"Moral justification for selfishness, indeed.
Welcome to Libertarianism"
"Moral justification for selfishness, indeed.
Welcome to Libertarianism"
GOP’s Senate hopes energized by Koch network ad blitz
www.publicintegrity.org/2014/09/04/15459/gop-s-senate-hopes-energized-koch-network-ad-blitz
"The secretive political network of conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch has aired more than 43,900 television ads this election cycle in an attempt to help Republicans take control of the Senate in the upcoming November election."
"The secretive political network of conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch has aired more than 43,900 television ads this election cycle in an attempt to help Republicans take control of the Senate in the upcoming November election."
In 'Historic Moment,' US Senate Set to Vote on Campaign Finance Amendment
In 'Historic Moment,' US Senate Set to Vote on Campaign Finance Amendment
"McConnell, Cruz, and other Republican officials have claimed that constraints on campaign spending amount to an assault on free speech."
"McConnell, Cruz, and other Republican officials have claimed that constraints on campaign spending amount to an assault on free speech."
Koch Operative: Raise the Wage, Totalitarianism and Terrorism Follow?
Koch Operative: Raise the Wage, Totalitarianism and Terrorism Follow?
"Leaked audio from the latest Koch summit shows Charles Koch's "intellectual sounding board," Richard Fink, drawing a direct line between increasing the minimum wage and the rise of fascism, totalitarianism, and terrorist suicide bombers."
"Leaked audio from the latest Koch summit shows Charles Koch's "intellectual sounding board," Richard Fink, drawing a direct line between increasing the minimum wage and the rise of fascism, totalitarianism, and terrorist suicide bombers."
Move over, Mitch! Paul Ryan lets slip secrets of how GOP will run the Senate
Move over, Mitch! Paul Ryan lets slip secrets of how GOP will run the Senate
"Move over, Sen. Mitch McConnell! Rep. Paul Ryan is telling the world what you’ll do if Republicans take over the Senate.
It’s only fair, I guess, since Speaker Ted Cruz is running the House.
But seriously, who came up with this strategy, shared by McConnell, to drive a big midterm GOP victory by promising to move the political process from paralysis to rigor mortis? First McConnell told his paymasters, the Kochs, that he’ll court another government shutdown by attaching riders to spending bills that the president will almost certainly have to veto. After running that notion by the Kochs at their June retreat, and finding they liked it, McConnell brought it to Politico last month."
"Move over, Sen. Mitch McConnell! Rep. Paul Ryan is telling the world what you’ll do if Republicans take over the Senate.
It’s only fair, I guess, since Speaker Ted Cruz is running the House.
But seriously, who came up with this strategy, shared by McConnell, to drive a big midterm GOP victory by promising to move the political process from paralysis to rigor mortis? First McConnell told his paymasters, the Kochs, that he’ll court another government shutdown by attaching riders to spending bills that the president will almost certainly have to veto. After running that notion by the Kochs at their June retreat, and finding they liked it, McConnell brought it to Politico last month."
What Marco Rubio Told a Secret Koch Fundraiser (Exclusive) | The Nation
What Marco Rubio Told a Secret Koch Fundraiser (Exclusive) | The Nation
"Rubio said little to surprise or offend. (A full transcript ishere.) Still, the event illustrated the close relationship between the senator and the Koch brothers, who gave more money to Rubio in 2010 than to any other candidate for national office outside of their home state, Kansas. Americans for Prosperity, the Koch-backed Super PAC, was one of the groups that gave Rubio cover from the political blowback that followed his endorsement of the Senate’s immigration reform bill."
"Rubio said little to surprise or offend. (A full transcript ishere.) Still, the event illustrated the close relationship between the senator and the Koch brothers, who gave more money to Rubio in 2010 than to any other candidate for national office outside of their home state, Kansas. Americans for Prosperity, the Koch-backed Super PAC, was one of the groups that gave Rubio cover from the political blowback that followed his endorsement of the Senate’s immigration reform bill."
Journalist arrested at public event for Georgia Republicans
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/02/1326534/-Journalist-arrested-at-public-event-for-Georgia-Republicans
"She was invited to a Republican event for Governor Nathan Deal in Dawsonville, GA, arrived early to get a front row seat, mingled with visiting politicians and then began to record the speeches. Around 14 minutes into recording, she was abruptly confronted and told she needed to stop. When she protested that she had a right to film a public political event and had permission from one of the owners, she was dragged out and arrested."
"She was invited to a Republican event for Governor Nathan Deal in Dawsonville, GA, arrived early to get a front row seat, mingled with visiting politicians and then began to record the speeches. Around 14 minutes into recording, she was abruptly confronted and told she needed to stop. When she protested that she had a right to film a public political event and had permission from one of the owners, she was dragged out and arrested."
'Libertarian' Maker-Hero Charles Koch Formed His Own Group To Protect Oil Industry's Government Handouts
'Libertarian' Maker-Hero Charles Koch Formed His Own Group To Protect Oil Industry's Government Handouts
"We are oh, so shocked that Charles Koch is a money-grubbing taker, and not a hero of the libertarian revolution! Ha ha, just kidding! You always have to watch these libertarians for their own self-interested exceptions"
"We are oh, so shocked that Charles Koch is a money-grubbing taker, and not a hero of the libertarian revolution! Ha ha, just kidding! You always have to watch these libertarians for their own self-interested exceptions"
Two Grand Juries Continuing Probe Into 2012 Iowa Payola Scandal
www.opensecrets.org/news/2014/09/two-grand-juries-continuing-probe-into-2012-iowa-payola-scandal/
"one of the grand juries issued subpoenas for emails and financial transactions between at least seventeen individuals, including Paul, Bachmann and Jesse Benton, who was Paul’s campaign chairman at the time and who resigned as campaign manager for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell‘s (R-Ky.) re-election bid late last week after news of Sorenson’s plea broke. A focus of the probe appears to be Dimitri Kesari, Kesari’s brother and several Maryland audio/video companies they are connected to. Kesari was a Paul operative who later was employed by the McConnell campaign."
"one of the grand juries issued subpoenas for emails and financial transactions between at least seventeen individuals, including Paul, Bachmann and Jesse Benton, who was Paul’s campaign chairman at the time and who resigned as campaign manager for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell‘s (R-Ky.) re-election bid late last week after news of Sorenson’s plea broke. A focus of the probe appears to be Dimitri Kesari, Kesari’s brother and several Maryland audio/video companies they are connected to. Kesari was a Paul operative who later was employed by the McConnell campaign."
Bob McDonnell’s shocking stupidity: How could a politician have been this dumb?
Bob McDonnell’s shocking stupidity: How could a politician have been this dumb?
"Cash, golf trips, Rolexes, vacations, checks, vacations, Ferrari rides: The components of the $100,000+ in gifts and loans that they received from Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams Sr., in exchange for using the powers of the governorship to promote his dumb diet pill thing, couldn’t have been a shinier bundle of objects for the prosecution to present to the jury."
"Cash, golf trips, Rolexes, vacations, checks, vacations, Ferrari rides: The components of the $100,000+ in gifts and loans that they received from Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams Sr., in exchange for using the powers of the governorship to promote his dumb diet pill thing, couldn’t have been a shinier bundle of objects for the prosecution to present to the jury."
Ohio Early Voting Cuts Violate the Voting Rights Act | The Nation
Ohio Early Voting Cuts Violate the Voting Rights Act | The Nation
"Last year, Ohio’s Republican-controlled legislature cut a week of early voting and eliminated the “Golden Week” when voters can register and vote on the same day during the early voting period. GOP Secretary of State Jon Husted also issued a directive prohibiting early voting on the two days before the election, and on weekends and nights in the preceding weeks—the times when it’s most convenient to vote."
"Last year, Ohio’s Republican-controlled legislature cut a week of early voting and eliminated the “Golden Week” when voters can register and vote on the same day during the early voting period. GOP Secretary of State Jon Husted also issued a directive prohibiting early voting on the two days before the election, and on weekends and nights in the preceding weeks—the times when it’s most convenient to vote."
The 47% On Steroids, With A Hit Of Koch
The 47% On Steroids, With A Hit Of Koch
"They will blow your mind with how far to the right these billionaires and their friends go. But the voters in states like Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, and Kentucky ought to especially read them, and ask the politicians who are such good friends of the Kochs if they, too, believe all this crazy stuff."
"They will blow your mind with how far to the right these billionaires and their friends go. But the voters in states like Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, and Kentucky ought to especially read them, and ask the politicians who are such good friends of the Kochs if they, too, believe all this crazy stuff."
Texas District Judge Tells Wingnut 'Stink Tanker' He's 'Not A Credible Witness'
Texas District Judge Tells Wingnut 'Stink Tanker' He's 'Not A Credible Witness'
"Joe "We're Not A Front Group" Bast, head of the wingnut Heartland Institute, will say anything at all to push his Koch-funded, ALEC-friendly deregulation agenda, and it's great to read this Texas judge so adeptly slamming his credibility"
"Joe "We're Not A Front Group" Bast, head of the wingnut Heartland Institute, will say anything at all to push his Koch-funded, ALEC-friendly deregulation agenda, and it's great to read this Texas judge so adeptly slamming his credibility"
Man Who Defrauded EPA Calls EPA 'Fraudulent' On FOX
Man Who Defrauded EPA Calls EPA 'Fraudulent' On FOX
"This all fits into the framework that is becoming nauseatingly familiar to American voters: billionaires pull the strings, and our voices don't matter. Stossel is just one of many Koch-funded or Koch friendly media personalities that wrap Charles Koch's values in patriotic rhetoric and un-factual packaging."
"This all fits into the framework that is becoming nauseatingly familiar to American voters: billionaires pull the strings, and our voices don't matter. Stossel is just one of many Koch-funded or Koch friendly media personalities that wrap Charles Koch's values in patriotic rhetoric and un-factual packaging."
PERRspectives: Medicaid Rejection Costing Red States Billions of Dollars, Thousands of Lives
PERRspectives: Medicaid Rejection Costing Red States Billions of Dollars, Thousands of Lives
"To put those findings in terms Republicans can understand, up to 3,000 of Rick Perry's Texans will needlessly die each year. Those dead will joined by up to 671 from Scott Walker's Wisconsin, 1,176 in Nathan Deal's Georgia, 2,221 in Rick Scott's Florida and 1,145 in Pat McGrory's North Carolina."
"To put those findings in terms Republicans can understand, up to 3,000 of Rick Perry's Texans will needlessly die each year. Those dead will joined by up to 671 from Scott Walker's Wisconsin, 1,176 in Nathan Deal's Georgia, 2,221 in Rick Scott's Florida and 1,145 in Pat McGrory's North Carolina."
September 4, 2014
McDonnells’ humiliating fall: Former GOP governor and wife convicted on multiple corruption charges
McDonnells’ humiliating fall: Former GOP governor and wife convicted on multiple corruption charges
"The McDonnells now await sentencing and potential jail time after a lengthy trial, in which they were accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts — a” silver Rolex watch, golf clubs, Louis Vuitton shoes and $15,000 to help pay for the McDonnells’ daughter’s wedding,” along with more cash – from Virginia businessman Johnnie Williams Sr. The McDonnells were accused, then, of lending the weight of the governor’s office to inappropriately help Williams promote his line of questionable dietary supplements."
"The McDonnells now await sentencing and potential jail time after a lengthy trial, in which they were accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts — a” silver Rolex watch, golf clubs, Louis Vuitton shoes and $15,000 to help pay for the McDonnells’ daughter’s wedding,” along with more cash – from Virginia businessman Johnnie Williams Sr. The McDonnells were accused, then, of lending the weight of the governor’s office to inappropriately help Williams promote his line of questionable dietary supplements."
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell Found Guilty On Eleven Counts Of Corruption
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell Found Guilty On Eleven Counts Of Corruption
"A federal jury Thursday found former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, guilty of public corruption — sending a message that they believed the couple sold the office once occupied by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson to a free spending Richmond businessman for golf outings, lavish vacations and $120,000 in sweetheart loans."
"A federal jury Thursday found former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, guilty of public corruption — sending a message that they believed the couple sold the office once occupied by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson to a free spending Richmond businessman for golf outings, lavish vacations and $120,000 in sweetheart loans."
Bob McDonnell convicted on political corruption charges
Bob McDonnell convicted on political corruption charges
"The former Republican governor of Virginia and his wife were found guilty of corruption, fraud and bribery"
"The former Republican governor of Virginia and his wife were found guilty of corruption, fraud and bribery"
Elizabeth Warren: Cantor Hit Revolving Door At A 'Speed That Would Blind You'
Elizabeth Warren: Cantor Hit Revolving Door At A 'Speed That Would Blind You'
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren let former House Majority Leader Cantor have it for his run through that revolving door straight to Wall Street and the fact that he epitomizes one of the things that are so severely broken in our political system"
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren let former House Majority Leader Cantor have it for his run through that revolving door straight to Wall Street and the fact that he epitomizes one of the things that are so severely broken in our political system"
Eric Cantor lands plum new job on Wall Street
Eric Cantor lands plum new job on Wall Street
"The former House majority leader and longtime opponent of financial regulation is now an investment banker"
"The former House majority leader and longtime opponent of financial regulation is now an investment banker"
Dinesh D'Souza Throws Himself On The Mercy Of The Court
Dinesh D'Souza Throws Himself On The Mercy Of The Court
"Here's the thing. D'Souza knew exactly what he was doing. Exactly. And if he doesn't have a penalty that stings, he's going to do it again, or encourage someone else to do it again."
"Here's the thing. D'Souza knew exactly what he was doing. Exactly. And if he doesn't have a penalty that stings, he's going to do it again, or encourage someone else to do it again."
Leaked Audio Suggests Koch's AFP Violated Law During Walker Recall
Leaked Audio Suggests Koch's AFP Violated Law During Walker Recall
"Leaked audio from an invite-only Koch donor summit highlighted the role of the billionaire brothers in boosting Scott Walker in Wisconsin -- and suggests that David Koch's Americans for Prosperity Foundation may have violated its charitable status during the state's 2012 recall elections."
"Leaked audio from an invite-only Koch donor summit highlighted the role of the billionaire brothers in boosting Scott Walker in Wisconsin -- and suggests that David Koch's Americans for Prosperity Foundation may have violated its charitable status during the state's 2012 recall elections."
September 3, 2014
Vietnam vet to Mitch McConnell: 'You failed to do' your duty
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/02/1326556/-Vietnam-vet-to-Mitch-McConnell-You-nbsp-failed-to-do-your-duty
"when wounded Vietnam veteran and cancer survivor Charles Erwin appears in the latest Vote Vets ad and tells Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell that McConnell hasn't done his duty, he's talking about McConnell's efforts to block $21 billion in funding for veterans."
"when wounded Vietnam veteran and cancer survivor Charles Erwin appears in the latest Vote Vets ad and tells Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell that McConnell hasn't done his duty, he's talking about McConnell's efforts to block $21 billion in funding for veterans."
Koch Brothers’ Top Strategist: Minimum Wage Will Turn USA Into Nazi Germany
www.thinkprogress.org/politics/2014/09/03/3478289/koch-brothers-minimum-wage-fascism/
"At the same conference, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promised those present that if his party regains a majority in the Senate this November, the body will no longer waste time on “gosh darn” minimum wage increases."
"At the same conference, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promised those present that if his party regains a majority in the Senate this November, the body will no longer waste time on “gosh darn” minimum wage increases."
New Docs Undermine Walker Statements on Criminal Probe
New Docs Undermine Walker Statements on Criminal Probe
"The latest documents indicate that prosecutors are indeed looking at potentially illegal conduct from Walker himself."
"The latest documents indicate that prosecutors are indeed looking at potentially illegal conduct from Walker himself."
Billionaires Speak On Big Campaign Donations: 'It Gives You Access'
Billionaires Speak On Big Campaign Donations: 'It Gives You Access'
"The most blatant example of Pay For Access And Results by corporate and billionaire interests was Walker's deal with Gogebic Taconite LLC, a Wisconsin mining company. The company donated $700,000 to Walker, and sought access to a public forest for mining purposes.
Scott Walker, having heard the company's position and appeal, supported legislation to expedite the permit approval for the company. And that's not all. Walker and Wisconsin Club for Growth also supported legislation making that an exclusive deal by closing access to the forest.
As icing on the cake, let's not forget that the John Doe investigation was shut down by a judge who pals around with the Kochs and their cohorts at annual meetings."
"The most blatant example of Pay For Access And Results by corporate and billionaire interests was Walker's deal with Gogebic Taconite LLC, a Wisconsin mining company. The company donated $700,000 to Walker, and sought access to a public forest for mining purposes.
Scott Walker, having heard the company's position and appeal, supported legislation to expedite the permit approval for the company. And that's not all. Walker and Wisconsin Club for Growth also supported legislation making that an exclusive deal by closing access to the forest.
As icing on the cake, let's not forget that the John Doe investigation was shut down by a judge who pals around with the Kochs and their cohorts at annual meetings."
Exclusive: Secret new tape exposes Kochs’ ludicrous strategy to win over America
Exclusive: Secret new tape exposes Kochs’ ludicrous strategy to win over America
"a parallel tier of programming during the lavish weekend advanced the brothers’ newest priority: Reversing Americans’ perceptions that they’re just greedy gazillionaires by repackaging their research and activism as promoting Americans’ “well-being,” not merely free-market fanaticism."
"a parallel tier of programming during the lavish weekend advanced the brothers’ newest priority: Reversing Americans’ perceptions that they’re just greedy gazillionaires by repackaging their research and activism as promoting Americans’ “well-being,” not merely free-market fanaticism."
George Will's Ethical Problems Continue With The Kochs And AFP
www.mediamatters.org/blog/2014/09/02/george-wills-ethical-problems-continue-with-the/200601
"Will's attendance at the Koch-backed group's annual convention comes after he spent months promoting Koch-backed candidates for public offices and advancing Koch-backed policy issues in his syndicated column."
"Will's attendance at the Koch-backed group's annual convention comes after he spent months promoting Koch-backed candidates for public offices and advancing Koch-backed policy issues in his syndicated column."
GOP’s Labor Day scorecard: Here’s how they’re flunking and hurting us all
GOP’s Labor Day scorecard: Here’s how they’re flunking and hurting us all
"So how are we doing? How’s the Republican-led House of Representatives faring on worker issues? (Spoiler: Womp womp.)"
"So how are we doing? How’s the Republican-led House of Representatives faring on worker issues? (Spoiler: Womp womp.)"
Charles Koch Personally Founded Group Protecting Oil Industry Hand-Outs, Documents Reveal
www.alternet.org/charles-koch-personally-founded-group-protecting-oil-industry-hand-outs-documents-reveal
"Charles and his brother David are personally responsible for founding and funding much of the modern conservative infrastructure. The popular libertarian think tank, the Cato Institute, was in fact first named the Charles Koch Foundation, Inc before rebranding."
"Charles and his brother David are personally responsible for founding and funding much of the modern conservative infrastructure. The popular libertarian think tank, the Cato Institute, was in fact first named the Charles Koch Foundation, Inc before rebranding."
Mike Pence joins the cult of Koch
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/29/1325641/-Mike-Pence-joins-the-cult-of-Koch
"Count Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN) among the groveling acolytes of the Koch brothers. The Kochs are having another one of their big shindigs this weekend in Dallas, where a bunch of Republicans 2016 presidential hopefuls are expected to line up and kiss the ring. Among them, Texans Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Ted Cruz, along with Kentucky's Sen. Rand Paul. But they'll have an awful lot of kowtowing to do to top Pence."
"Count Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN) among the groveling acolytes of the Koch brothers. The Kochs are having another one of their big shindigs this weekend in Dallas, where a bunch of Republicans 2016 presidential hopefuls are expected to line up and kiss the ring. Among them, Texans Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Ted Cruz, along with Kentucky's Sen. Rand Paul. But they'll have an awful lot of kowtowing to do to top Pence."
GOP’s crazy scapegoat: What their next shutdown will really be about
GOP’s crazy scapegoat: What their next shutdown will really be about
"Any Republican with a lukewarm political IQ knows that shutdown politics are absolutely toxic for the party, and they also know that the only reason we’re talking about shutdowns to begin with is that a large portion of their party is insane and can’t be controlled."
"Any Republican with a lukewarm political IQ knows that shutdown politics are absolutely toxic for the party, and they also know that the only reason we’re talking about shutdowns to begin with is that a large portion of their party is insane and can’t be controlled."
McConnell’s Appeal to Millionaire Donors Makes Case for Constitutional Amendment on Political Money
McConnell’s Appeal to Millionaire Donors Makes Case for Constitutional Amendment on Political Money
"The real radicals are those who argue that their free speech rights include the right to use their wealth—corporate or individual—to drown out the voices of other Americans. They view the Citizens United decision, which invited corporations to spend freely on our elections, as—in Sen. McConnell’s words— having “leveled the playing field for corporations.”
The American people know better."
"The real radicals are those who argue that their free speech rights include the right to use their wealth—corporate or individual—to drown out the voices of other Americans. They view the Citizens United decision, which invited corporations to spend freely on our elections, as—in Sen. McConnell’s words— having “leveled the playing field for corporations.”
The American people know better."
Kentucky press examines just how cozy McConnell is with the Kochs
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/29/1325634/-Kentucky-press-examines-just-how-cozy-McConnell-is-with-the-nbsp-Kochs
"The audio tape release of Mitch McConnell cozying up to the Kochs is raising some eyebrows back home in Kentucky. Particularly that part where he tells the billionaires gathered at the Koch retreat that the "the worst day of my political life" was when the campaign spending limits in McCain-Feingold passed."
"The audio tape release of Mitch McConnell cozying up to the Kochs is raising some eyebrows back home in Kentucky. Particularly that part where he tells the billionaires gathered at the Koch retreat that the "the worst day of my political life" was when the campaign spending limits in McCain-Feingold passed."
September 1, 2014
Koch Network Poised To Control FSU
Koch Network Poised To Control FSU
"Remember when the Koch brothers tried to buy the economics department at FSU? Well, stand by because they're about to control the entire university."
"Remember when the Koch brothers tried to buy the economics department at FSU? Well, stand by because they're about to control the entire university."
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