June 24, 2014

Republicans rally to defend Gov. Scott Walker

Third world country within US borders

Senate Democrats Re-up Their Dark-Money Disclosure Bill—and Dare GOPers to Block It

www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/06/senate-disclose-act-dark-money-mitch-mcconnell
"The bad news: The new DISCLOSE Act is likely going nowhere. Senate Republicans, rallied by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have blocked earlier iterations of the DISCLOSE Act since 2010. McConnell, currently a foe of campaign finance limits, will no doubt fight the new legislation. It is almost guaranteed the bill will not secure the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster."

Arizona Chamber of Commerce drops plan to honor school chief after he's exposed as online creep

www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/21/1308619/-Arizona-Chamber-of-Commerce-drops-plan-to-honor-school-chief-after-he-s-exposed-as-online-creep
"Last week, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal admitted that he frequently blogs at both liberal and conservative websites. He often writes as "Thucydides," a historian sockpuppet who frequently defends the policies of one John Huppenthal, such as his key role in banning textbooks from Tucson's ethnic studies program."

Arizona GOPer: 'We All Need To Stomp Out' Spanish TV Stations, Newspapers

www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/arizona-huppenthal-stomp-out-spanish
"More anonymous online posts have been attributed to the Arizona Republican who's spent years as a prolific and provocative commenter on local political blogs."

Southern GOPer Says Only Christians Should be Protected by Constitution

www.alternet.org/southern-goper-says-only-christians-should-be-protected-constitution
"Loudermilk and Hice, of course, are seeking to succeed Phil Gingrey and Paul Broun, respectively, in the House. So the sanity threshold is set pretty low."

Mississippi, dependent on federal largess, murders their cash cow today

www.dailykos.com/story/2014/06/24/1309270/-Mississippi-dependent-on-federal-largess-murders-their-cash-cow-today
"Mississippi is one of those welfare states—states that receive more in federal money than it sends back to Washington in tax receipts. In fact, Mississippi ranks first in receiving federal largess.
The money comes in the form of farm subsidies, military spending, anti-poverty aid and retirement programs. As one of (if not THE) nation's poorest states, Mississippi is dependent on the feds for an astonishing 45.84 percent of revenues. Without the feds, Mississippi is a third-world country."

Chris McDaniel Closes Out Senate Race By Campaigning With Bryan Fischer And Wayne Allyn Root | Right Wing Watch

Chris McDaniel Closes Out Senate Race By Campaigning With Bryan Fischer And Wayne Allyn Root | Right Wing Watch

"Republican Senate candidate Chris McDaniel spent this weekend rolling around Mississippi on the Tea Party Express bus, along with a motley assortment of fringe right-wing extremists."

David Gregory Allows Rand Paul's Debunked Benghazi Lies To Go Unchallenged

David Gregory Allows Rand Paul's Debunked Benghazi Lies To Go Unchallenged

"From this Sunday's Meet the Press, host David Gregory once again proves himself to be about as useful as a potted plant when Republicans come on his show and tell already debunked lies"

Moral Movement Launches 'Freedom Summer' in North Carolina | Common Dreams

Moral Movement Launches 'Freedom Summer' in North Carolina | Common Dreams

"Protesters who for over a year have railed against the "extremist" policies of the North Carolina legislature are now bringing their fight to the voting booth as the movement known as Moral Mondays launched a bold initiative to get-out-the-vote this week."

Fifty Years After Freedom Summer, the Voting Rights Act Is Needed More Than Ever | The Nation

Fifty Years After Freedom Summer, the Voting Rights Act Is Needed More Than Ever | The Nation

"New restrictions will be in place for the first time in fifteen states in the 2014 election. All across the country, we’re seeing the most significant push to restrict voting rights since Reconstruction.
Partisanship is a strong motivating factor for the voting changes—GOP legislatures or governors enacted eighteen of the twenty-two new restrictions.
So is race. According to the Brennan Center: “Of the 11 states with the highest African-American turnout in 2008, 7 have new restrictions in place. Of the 12 states with the largest Hispanic population growth between 2000 and 2010, 9 passed laws making it harder to vote.”
These disturbing facts suggest that the strong protections of the VRA are still needed. Nearly two-thirds of the states previously covered under Section 4 of the VRA, nine in fifteen, passed new voting restrictions since 2010.
Take another look at the maps above. You’ll see that the South continues to restrict voting rights more aggressively than anywhere else in the country."

Election Rigging, Dark Money in Cantor's 'Upset' Loss to Koch Stealth Candidate

Election Rigging, Dark Money in Cantor's 'Upset' Loss to Koch Stealth Candidate

"The first alarm is the hidden connection that Professor David Brat's victory had to the Koch Brothers dark money network: hundreds of millions of dollars in "charitable contributions" to inoculate American academic institutions and media with extremist libertarian philosophy, promoting the Ayn Randian culture of greed while boosting radical Tea Party candidates. The net effect has been to undermine the civility of American politics, divide the Republican Party, stalemate Congress and hobble government institutions."

Racist tactic emerges in GOP primary fight

Contentious GOP primary consistently weird

The 7 craziest right-wing conspiracy theories involving America and concentration camps

The 7 craziest right-wing conspiracy theories involving America and concentration camps

"in the past few years, thanks in large part to Fox News host turned conservative media mogul Glenn Beck, specters of concentration camps have started turning up everywhere a conservative looks, from climate change resolutions to census forms to job postings."

Democrats help extremist to set up GOP failure

Rand Paul Blames Dick Cheney For Iraq Crisis

Rand Paul Blames Dick Cheney For Iraq Crisis

"History tells us that the lying warmongers were wrong on every count and we are still paying a price on those lies."

Arctic ice melt forces change to world atlases

Conservatives Hate The Idea Of The Commons – They Want Everything To Be In Corporate Hands

www.addictinginfo.org/2014/06/20/new-sagebrush-rebellion/
"Are we surprised that the Americans for Prosperity, is partially financed by the Koch brothers, is a Bronze Member of ALC?"

Jindal riles up the ‘radical right’

Fighting to save the future of American Steel

June 23, 2014

The Future Of Solar Technology Could Be As Thin And Flexible As A Piece Of Paper

www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/23/3451684/future-of-solar-technology/
"Unlike traditional silicon solar cells, used in rooftop solar panels and large-scale solar farms, OPVs use organic semiconductors — made from plastics and other flexible materials — and are much lighter, more flexible and less expensive."

“A crisis we can’t ignore”: Former Bush Treasury secretary Hank Paulson warns of the coming “climate crash”

“A crisis we can’t ignore”: Former Bush Treasury secretary Hank Paulson warns of the coming “climate crash”

"But just to reach this point — where people on both sides of the political divide stop fighting over whether or not climate change is happening and move on to debating about what’s to be done — is momentous, as is Paulson’s public declaration that climate change is "the challenge of our time"."

How Rupert Murdoch created the world’s newest climate change villain

How Rupert Murdoch created the world’s newest climate change villain

"Australia was once a leader on climate action. Thanks to American conservative powerhouses, that's no longer true"

Far right’s “monstruous” lies: Palin, Limbaugh and Medicaid fight in Virginia

Far right’s “monstruous” lies: Palin, Limbaugh and Medicaid fight in Virginia

"The willingness to concoct, promulgate and defend lies like these is amoral enough. That they’re intended to restrict healthcare access to people who really need it is just monstrous. And you get very little sense that conservatives care or even recognize this for the problem that it is."

Grand Old (white) Party: How Republicans just blew a shot to broaden their reach

Grand Old (white) Party: How Republicans just blew a shot to broaden their reach

"And as the nation becomes increasingly brown and the rainbow coalition that twice elected Barack Obama continues to reflect a sea-change of progressive, liberal attitudes, the Grand Old Party remains overwhelmingly white, dominated by men so intent on maintaining power that they refuse to see the coming of the tide."

6 Despicable Right-Wing Outrages This Week—The War on Women Rages On

www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/6-despicable-right-wing-outrages-week-war-women-rages
"George Will stumbles around defending his controversial rape column and pretty much says the same thing all over again."

Bobby Jindahl Promotes 'A Hostile Takeover' Of Washington D.C.

Bobby Jindahl Promotes 'A Hostile Takeover' Of Washington D.C.

"This is truly nutty stuff coming out of Louisiana's governor. Comments like this are usually made by the Posse Comitatus and the Christian Identity movement. Instead of sounding like an elected public official, Gov. Jindal sounded an awful lot like Jerad and Amanda Miller, the husband and wife team responsible for the Las Vegas shooting spree designed to bring on the coming revolution."

June 21, 2014

Private Wealth, Public Squalor: America’s Dilemma | Common Dreams

Private Wealth, Public Squalor: America’s Dilemma | Common Dreams

"Profits are at record heights and wages near record lows as a portion of the economy. CEO pay soars to new heights. The wealthiest 1 percent pockets nearly all of the nation’s income growth, while typical household income continues to decline."

How Eating Broccoli Can Protect You from Air Pollution Dangers -- Study Reveals Surprising Results

www.alternet.org/environment/how-eating-broccoli-can-protect-you-air-pollution-dangers-study-reveals-surprising
"Daily consumption of broccoli can go a long way in protecting people from the harmful effects of air pollution, a study from Johns Hopkins University has found."

Credit Rating Industry Dodges Reforms, Despite Role in Financial Meltdown

Credit Rating Industry Dodges Reforms, Despite Role in Financial Meltdown

"Undeserved triple-A credit ratings were one of the major accelerators of the financial meltdown of 2007 and 2008. Wall Street firms created wildly complex securities based on junk subprime mortgages and sold them to pension funds, insurance companies and other Wall Street banks because they carried the golden seal — AAA."

Combat Veteran and Military Historian Tells Bill Moyers, "No Way" Do We Go Back into Iraq

www.alternet.org/world/combat-veteran-and-military-historian-tells-bill-moyers-no-way-do-we-go-back-iraq
"This week, Bill speaks with combat veteran and historian Andrew Bacevich about the events unfolding in Iraq and what they say about America’s role in the world in a two-part interview."

Rand Paul Blames Dick Cheney For Iraq Crisis

Rand Paul Blames Dick Cheney For Iraq Crisis

"Adding, “And what’s going on now — I don’t blame on President Obama,” he said."

Women’s voting power changes candidate’s mind

Massachusetts Passes The Highest State Minimum Wage In The Country

www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/06/19/3450807/massachusetts-minimum-wage-11/
"On Wednesday night, the Massachusetts House passed a bill that will raise the state’s minimum wage to $11 an hour by 2017. The Senate already passed that wage level, and after a procedural vote there it will head to Gov. Deval Patrick (D), who is expected to sign it into law."

New problems for Gov. Scott Walker

Focus on rebuilding America, not engaging overseas

Conservatives’ critical take on same-sex marriage

Former PA Health Employees: We Were Told Not To Talk About Fracking Illnesses

Former PA Health Employees: We Were Told Not To Talk About Fracking Illnesses

"Pennsylvania, land of ethical giants! Nice corrupt little relationship the Corbett administration has with the fracking industry, don't you think?"

Kevin McCarthy’s Rise to Majority Leader Is Great News For The Polluting Koch Brothers

www.politicususa.com/2014/06/21/kevin-mccarthys-rise-majority-leader-great-news-polluting-koch-brothers.html
"McCarthy will hardly take any steps to help low-wage workers or create jobs nationally when he adamantly opposes a major job creation project in his home state and congressional district, and there is good reason why. McCarthy is an adamant foe of California’s high speed rail (HSR) project like his cohorts in the House because, as a typical Republican, he is beholden to the oil industry and counts among his top ten campaign contributors Chevron and Occidental Petroleum. California’s oil and gas producers are already drawing up a list of favors the new Majority Leader owes them as recompense and it includes killing jobs for Californians."

Invest in clean energy in America

Utah Utility Cuts Deal For 20 Years Of Solar Power Because It’s The Cheapest Option

www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/20/3451429/utah-solar-purpa/
"Boston-based renewable energy company First Wind just finalized agreements to provide a Utah utility with 320 megawatts of solar capacity for the next two decades. And the circumstances of the contracts are yet another example of how falling solar prices are reshaping the market."

June 20, 2014

Judith Miller Wants The Media To Leave Poor Dick Cheney Alone

Judith Miller Wants The Media To Leave Poor Dick Cheney Alone

"Miller was a willing participant in selling the lies, not just some impartial observer. It would be "helpful" if any of the ones who lied us into invading Iraq were actually held accountable for their actions. It would be "helpful" if Faux "news" were taken off the air and no longer allowed to spread right wing propaganda and the opportunity to attempt to rehabilitate former Cheney stenographers like Judith Miller."

Pennsylvania Instructed Its Employees To Ignore Residents Sickened By Drilling

www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/20/3451311/pennsylvania-frack-gag-health/
"The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s hostility to examining the health effects of fracking is just the latest development in a series of policies and laws that make it easier to make money from fracking — at the expense of public health. For instance, a Pennsylvania law makes it illegal for doctors to tell their patients which fracking chemicals are poisoning them, to protect the secret blends they inject into the earth."

US civil rights legacy tested 50 years after ‘Freedom Summer’

‘Constitutional cop-out’ by Congress on Iraq

Scott Walker: The Karl Rove, 'Secret Email,' 'Criminal Scheme' Candidate | Common Dreams

Scott Walker: The Karl Rove, 'Secret Email,' 'Criminal Scheme' Candidate | Common Dreams

"Even worse for a governor who has already had to try an explain away highly´controversial emails from former aides, as well as the investigations, prosecutions and convictions of aides, appointees, allies and campaign donors, are the actual details of the documents that were ordered unsealed by Federal Appeals Judge Frank Easterbrook."

Liberal Group: Sheldon Adelson Illegally Gave $1M To Pro-Corbett PAC

Liberal Group: Sheldon Adelson Illegally Gave $1M To Pro-Corbett PAC

"an Adelson contribution of nearly $1 million ended up in Corbett's campaign account, in violation of the state gaming law's prohibition of casino owners giving political contributions in Pennsylvania."

Bradley Foundation Bankrolled Groups Pushing Back on Scott Walker John Doe Criminal Probe

Bradley Foundation Bankrolled Groups Pushing Back on Scott Walker John Doe Criminal Probe

"The Bradley Foundation ties to Walker and others under investigation run deep."

Scott Walker accused of ‘criminal scheme’

Bridgegate still haunting Chris Christie

You Might Be Able To Sign Up For Obamacare This Summer

www.thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/19/3450831/obamacare-special-enrollment/
"Anyone who experiences a “life-changing event” — graduating from college and losing a student health plan, moving to a new home, getting married, having or adopting a baby, or turning 26 years old — may be eligible to enroll in a new marketplace plan even before the next enrollment period starts in the fall. They can take advantage of what’s called Special Enrollment."

Scott Walker under investigation

Food fight for GMO labeling

June 19, 2014

Chris McDaniel's Shady Racist Friends Hosted Heritage Hater Brigitte Gabriel

Chris McDaniel's Shady Racist Friends Hosted Heritage Hater Brigitte Gabriel

"With the Mississippi runoff right around the corner, TeaBircher Chris McDaniel's racist associations are coming sharply into focus."

Scott Walker Is A Crook, Just Like You Always Thought | Common Dreams

Scott Walker Is A Crook, Just Like You Always Thought | Common Dreams

"With prosecutors reportedly likewise closing in on Chris Christie, it could be tough for the GOP to find any unindicted presidential candidates."

Governor Scott Walker Accused Of ‘Criminal Scheme’

www.thinkprogress.org/election/2014/06/19/3451197/scott-walker-illegal-coordination/
"Prosecutors allege Walker was part of a “criminal scheme” to circumvent state election laws."

Sources: Prosecutor Closing In On Chris Christie

Sources: Prosecutor Closing In On Chris Christie

"There's so much dirt there, and investigators have been patiently sifting. Looks like they have enough to start bringing indictments"

16 Wacky Ideas In The Texas Republican Party’s New Platform

www.thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/06/19/3450942/xx-wacky-ideas-in-the-texas-republican-partys-new-platform/
"Immigrants, gay people, children, minority voters, the environment, elderly Americans and, of course, President Obama, are the big losers in the Texas Republican Party’s 2014 platform. Meanwhile, rich taxpayers, conspiracy theorists and Wall Street make out like gangbusters."

Judge Strikes Down NC GOP's Effort To Silence Moral Monday Protesters

Judge Strikes Down NC GOP's Effort To Silence Moral Monday Protesters

"North Carolina Republicans must be shocked -- SHOCKED -- to discover that the First Amendment doesn't just apply to them!"

Prosecutors Allege Gov. Scott Walker At Heart Of 'Criminal Scheme'

Prosecutors Allege Gov. Scott Walker At Heart Of 'Criminal Scheme'

"Scott Walker is now implicated in an illegally coordinated fundraising effort or as prosecutors call it, a "criminal scheme"."

Leaked Doc Reveals Wall Street Plan for Global Financial Deregulation | Common Dreams

Leaked Doc Reveals Wall Street Plan for Global Financial Deregulation | Common Dreams

"Wikileaks published a previously tightly-held and secretive draft of a trade document on Thursday that, if enacted, would give the world's financial powers an even more dominant position to control the global economy by avoiding regulations and public acccountability."

5 Issues Where Right-Wingers Are Crazier and Meaner Than Ever

www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/5-issues-where-right-wingers-are-crazier-and-meaner-ever
"But once in awhile, having to be pulled forward with the tide of progress causes some conservatives to throw a fit and insist, instead, on regressing, often in shocking ways. Here are five issues where conservatives have, in recent months and years, taken a giant step backwards from where they had been before."

How Politicians Are Using Taxpayer Money To Fund Their Campaign To Sell Off America’s Public Lands

www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/06/18/3450397/politicians-taxpayer-money-seize-public-lands/
"In addition to using taxpayer funds to advance unconstitutional bills to seize federal lands, the ALC also relies on financial support from the mining industry and fossil fuel interest groups. Americans for Prosperity, for example — another group financed by the Koch brothers — is listed as a “Bronze Member” of ALC."

FLASHBACK: Remember When Paul Wolfowitz Said Not to Worry About Sectarian Violence in Iraq?

www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/watch-paul-wolfowitz-said-not-worry-about-sectarian-violence-iraq-bush
"The former Bush administration official is perhaps the worst person to give advice about the current crisis in Iraq—but that hasn't stopped him from speaking out."

Cheneys shock with lack of self-awareness

Dick Cheney seeks influence despite poor record

GOP Candidate Refers To Whites As ‘Traditional’ Voters, Wants to ‘Divide and Conquer’ the Poor

www.forwardprogressives.com/gop-candidate-refers-whites-traditional-voters/
"The cornerstone of the continued Republican success across the South over the last few decades has been the “Southern Strategy,” and his remarks show all the hallmarks of someone who uses that strategy to gin up the base every election. The problem for Thom Tillis and the rest of the GOP is that this blueprint cannot work forever with the shrinking of his “traditional population.” You see, while using the racial dogwhistles and xenophobia has worked for all this time to convince poor and working class whites that minorities were their enemy, it doesn’t work so well on the younger and more diverse voting population that is moving into North Carolina and other states across the South like Texas, Virginia, or Georgia."

Major Newspaper Dumps George Will, Apologizes For ‘Offensive’ Rape Column

www.thinkprogress.org/health/2014/06/18/3450722/st-louis-post-dispatch-drops-george-will-rape-victims/
"Early this month, Washington Post columnist George Will wrote a column claiming that being a rape victim is now a “coveted status” that college women seek out."

Dick Cheney is still wrong on Iraq

George Will trivializes sexual assault

June 18, 2014

Wingnuts’ sheltered fantasy: This is the far right’s scary myopic vision

Wingnuts’ sheltered fantasy: This is the far right’s scary myopic vision

"The bubble around the conservative movement is no accident. It has been spawned from the desire of those on the far right to isolate themselves in every conceivable way from any group that is at all different. Ultimately, this isolation is both self-reinforcing and politically toxic, and as Beutler pointed out, it creates a cultural petri dish from which twisted conspiracy theories can emerge."

Dick Cheney Should be Rotting in The Hague, Not Writing Editorials

Dick Cheney Should be Rotting in The Hague, Not Writing Editorials

"He lied his way into an illegal war, profited off that war, and shredded the Constitution."

The Gall Of Dick Cheney

The Gall Of Dick Cheney

"Dick Cheney was the virtual co-president with George Bush from 2000-2008, and between the two of them, they made up the worst president in all of our lifetimes. He lied us into attacking a country that didn't attack us, which has now destabilized the entire Middle East and fueled new terrorist groups around the world. The idea that he can shovel crap around without batting an eye or taking any kind of responsibility is astounding."

Glenn Beck admits liberals were right about invading Iraq

Glenn Beck admits liberals were right about invading Iraq

"Speaking on his radio show on Tuesday, conservative commentator Glenn Beck delivered a rare admission, saying that the latest disorder in Iraq is yet more proof that liberals who opposed the invasion in 2003 were right all along."

The shocking numbers: Americans are dangerously ignorant on politics

The shocking numbers: Americans are dangerously ignorant on politics

"There are a great number of reasons for the decline in American political literacy. One that cannot be overlooked is the absence of national standards, which is why American children know so much less about their history than European children know about the history of their native lands. Another is the collapse of journalistic standards."

PERRspectives: Ambassador Bremer, Give Us Our Medal Back

PERRspectives: Ambassador Bremer, Give Us Our Medal Back

"No one person did more to spur Sunni disenchantment and violence than Viceroy Bremer."

Robert Scheer: Up Close and Personal With George W. Bush’s Horrifying Legacy - Robert Scheer - Truthdig

Robert Scheer: Up Close and Personal With George W. Bush’s Horrifying Legacy - Robert Scheer - Truthdig

"The Iraq disaster remains George W. Bush’s enduring folly, and the Republican attempt to shift the blame to the Obama presidency is obscene nonsense. This was, and will always be, viewed properly as Bush’s quagmire, a murderous killing field based on blatant lies."

ISIS Born from Occupation of Iraq, not Syrian Civil War | Common Dreams

ISIS Born from Occupation of Iraq, not Syrian Civil War | Common Dreams

"Although it's not clear where the Saudis stand in relation to ISIS, the group itself is a product of the Iraq War, and Western diplomats were in deep denial about its power prior to its major military offensive that began last week."

Reid Rejects Neocons On Iraq: 'The Wrong Side Of Dick Cheney Is The Right Side Of History'

Reid Rejects Neocons On Iraq: 'The Wrong Side Of Dick Cheney Is The Right Side Of History'

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday lashed out at pundits who had pushed for the Iraq War during President George W. Bush's term, and were now calling on President Barack Obama restart war efforts."

Extremist neocon dunces: They weren’t just wrong — they have no following anymore!

Extremist neocon dunces: They weren’t just wrong — they have no following anymore!

"Armchair war heroes Bill Kristol and Paul Wolfowitz are back, all over the television"

Iraq Vet Blasts Romney and Iraq Revisionists With Damning Letter

www.addictinginfo.org/2014/06/18/iraqi-vet-blasts-bush/
"Mitt Romney is the same guy who proudly took part in “pro-Vietnam” draft rallies. Of course Mittens didn’t join up himself on the account of trying to convince French people that drinking wine is bad. Lecturing poor people on the merits of war is what guys like him do best. However, one Iraq vet happened to take great exception to Romney’s above-mentioned comment."

Glenn Beck Admits Liberals Were Right About Iraq War

Glenn Beck Admits Liberals Were Right About Iraq War

"this is something I thought I'd never hear come out of his mouth. He actually admitted that liberals were right about about the Iraq war."

June 17, 2014

Americans poorly served by media on Iraq, Benghazi

US diplomatic power unique for Iraq solution

Candidate haunted by past statements on race

Benghazi Suspect Says Yes, It Was The Video

Benghazi Suspect Says Yes, It Was The Video

"Remember when the New York Times did that exhaustive breakdown of the Benghazi tragedy a few months back and also said it was the video? Right awaySenators McCain and Graham led the charge against it, claiming it was just hack journalism. Yet here we are with the confirmation right out of the mouth of the suspect."

A major capture in the Benghazi case

This is what an Obamacare victory looks like

Elon Musk talks Tesla and climate change

Elon Musk on his reasons for pessimism