http://www.occupydemocrats.com/begging-for-aid-for-his-flooded-state-graham-says-he-cant-remember-voting-against-sandy-relief/
"The people of South Carolina deserve disaster funding as much as every state in our Union does. It is absolutely shameful that Lindsey Graham and other Republicans decided to use the Hurricane Sandy relief funds as a weapon in a petty budget dispute, and even more so that he doesn’t even have the courage to face up to his own decisions. Time and time again, they oppose relief for other states but, like Ted Cruz, run begging to Washington as soon as something happens in their states. It’s a show of astounding hypocrisy that really just goes to emphasize that nobody on the right has the compassion, empathy, or honesty to be President of the United States."
October 7, 2015
October 6, 2015
The Republican rebrand’s final indignity: “David Duke without the baggage” in line to lead House GOP
The Republican rebrand’s final indignity: “David Duke without the baggage” in line to lead House GOP
"with Speaker of the House John Boehner’s surprise retirement, it appears that the GOP may be ready to take another decisive step away from the “rebranding” the RNC report advised. Because if Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy replaces him, as is widely expected, it would mean that the man on-deck to be his replacement is none other than Rep. Steve Scalise. That’s right: the Louisiana radical who made front-page news earlier this year for speaking to a group of white supremacists is poised to be the next majority leader of the House of Representatives."
"with Speaker of the House John Boehner’s surprise retirement, it appears that the GOP may be ready to take another decisive step away from the “rebranding” the RNC report advised. Because if Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy replaces him, as is widely expected, it would mean that the man on-deck to be his replacement is none other than Rep. Steve Scalise. That’s right: the Louisiana radical who made front-page news earlier this year for speaking to a group of white supremacists is poised to be the next majority leader of the House of Representatives."
Virginia Republicans Admit They Rigged The 2012 & 2014 Elections By Gerrymandering Districts
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/virginia-republicans-admit-they-rigged-the-2012-2014-elections-by-gerrymandering-districts-7/
"Virginia may have gone the way of supporting President Barack Obama in the 2012 election, but the state’s districting map is drawn in such a way that Republicans were able to pick up eight of the eleven districts."
"Virginia may have gone the way of supporting President Barack Obama in the 2012 election, but the state’s districting map is drawn in such a way that Republicans were able to pick up eight of the eleven districts."
President Rubio's Supreme Court Picks Could Rubber Stamp This Well Before 2020
President Rubio's Supreme Court Picks Could Rubber Stamp This Well Before 2020
"If this sort of disenfranchisement is lawful by 2020, especially in purple states (North Carolina? Ohio?), it will get us that much closer to near-permanent one-party rule in Washington."
"If this sort of disenfranchisement is lawful by 2020, especially in purple states (North Carolina? Ohio?), it will get us that much closer to near-permanent one-party rule in Washington."
Maryland Republicans take a page from North Carolina on voter suppression
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/05/1427977/-Maryland-Republicans-take-a-page-from-North-Carolina-on-voter-suppression
"The Republican majority on the Montgomery County, Maryland board of elections is using the same playbook as North Carolin Republicans, apparently. They've decided to close two early voting sites in the county where there are more blacks and Democrats, moving them to lower population, white, Republican communities."
"The Republican majority on the Montgomery County, Maryland board of elections is using the same playbook as North Carolin Republicans, apparently. They've decided to close two early voting sites in the county where there are more blacks and Democrats, moving them to lower population, white, Republican communities."
Another One: Top NM Republican Facing 65 Criminal Charges of Campaign Finance Fraud
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/another-one-top-nm-republican-facing-65-criminal-charges-of-campaign-finance-fraud/
"Prosecutors will push for enhanced sentencing in this case, which is available since the allegations pertain to Duran’s work as a public official."
"Prosecutors will push for enhanced sentencing in this case, which is available since the allegations pertain to Duran’s work as a public official."
Alabama Democrat asks for Justice Department investigation into DMV closures
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/05/1427954/-Alabama-Democrat-asks-for-Justice-Department-investigation-into-DMV-closures
"Alabama isn't the only state engaging in voter suppression, of course. It's one of the top state-level Republican priorities out there, and they're finding lots of sneaky ways to make sure the wrong people (black, brown, poor, Democrats) have trouble voting."
"Alabama isn't the only state engaging in voter suppression, of course. It's one of the top state-level Republican priorities out there, and they're finding lots of sneaky ways to make sure the wrong people (black, brown, poor, Democrats) have trouble voting."
Alabama Proves Voter ID Laws are Meant to Disenfranchise Minority Voters
Alabama Proves Voter ID Laws are Meant to Disenfranchise Minority Voters
"I also think it’s important to reiterate that voter fraud is not even remotely an issue in this country. There have only been a handful of credible cases over the last 10+ years out of literally hundreds of millions of votes that were cast during that time. Then again, as any rational person can tell, voter ID laws have nothing to do with addressing the non-existent problem of voter fraud and everything to do with Republicans trying to prevent people who often don’t vote for them from being able to vote at all."
"I also think it’s important to reiterate that voter fraud is not even remotely an issue in this country. There have only been a handful of credible cases over the last 10+ years out of literally hundreds of millions of votes that were cast during that time. Then again, as any rational person can tell, voter ID laws have nothing to do with addressing the non-existent problem of voter fraud and everything to do with Republicans trying to prevent people who often don’t vote for them from being able to vote at all."
Alabama Makes Photo IDs Mandatory for Voting, Then Shutters DMV Offices in Black Counties
Alabama Makes Photo IDs Mandatory for Voting, Then Shutters DMV Offices in Black Counties
"In its Health of State Democracies assessment issued in July, which includes voting equality among the criteria, the Center for American Progress Action Fund ranked Alabama dead last, giving the state an "F" for how it fared on accessibility of the ballot."
"In its Health of State Democracies assessment issued in July, which includes voting equality among the criteria, the Center for American Progress Action Fund ranked Alabama dead last, giving the state an "F" for how it fared on accessibility of the ballot."
After Passing Voter ID Law, Alabama Closes Driver’s License Offices In Democratic Counties
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/10/01/passing-voter-id-law-alabama-closes-drivers-license-offices-democratic-counties.html
"Not coincidentally, the impact of closures will be disproportionately felt by low income voters. Also unsurprisingly, offices targeted for closure are heavily concentrated in predominately African-American, Democratic leaning counties."
"Not coincidentally, the impact of closures will be disproportionately felt by low income voters. Also unsurprisingly, offices targeted for closure are heavily concentrated in predominately African-American, Democratic leaning counties."
Virginia Republicans Admit They Rigged The State’s Congressional Districts To Elect GOP Lawmakers
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/10/01/3707838/virginia-republicans-admit-they-rigged-the-states-congressional-districts-to-elect-gop-lawmakers/
"Virginia is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country. During the last presidential election, President Obama won the state by three points, but Republicans still picked up 8 of the state’s 11 congressional districts under the GOP-friendly maps drawn by the state legislature"
"Virginia is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country. During the last presidential election, President Obama won the state by three points, but Republicans still picked up 8 of the state’s 11 congressional districts under the GOP-friendly maps drawn by the state legislature"
Alabama Will Close 31 DMVs — All In Counties With 75% Black Electorate
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/10/01/alabama-will-close-31-dmvs-all-in-counties-with-75-black-electorate/
"The people behind this want to do two things: disenfranchise the black voters in those counties and keep Republicans in control, as African-Americans are well-known for overwhelmingly identifying as and voting Democrat.
With the closing of these DMV offices combined with the new photo ID law, they are effectively keeping the people in those counties from being able to vote. Make no mistake, this isn’t about budget cuts as they claim. It is about racism."
"The people behind this want to do two things: disenfranchise the black voters in those counties and keep Republicans in control, as African-Americans are well-known for overwhelmingly identifying as and voting Democrat.
With the closing of these DMV offices combined with the new photo ID law, they are effectively keeping the people in those counties from being able to vote. Make no mistake, this isn’t about budget cuts as they claim. It is about racism."
Why in the hell did it take a random viral video for McGraw-Hill to fix this mistake on slavery?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/10/05/1427877/-Why-in-the-hell-did-it-take-a-random-viral-video-for-McGraw-Hill-to-fix-this-mistake-on-slavery
"Here's the thing: Updating the digital version and all future versions of the textbook is simply not enough. Schools need to remove these textbooks and replace them with the updated version, at McGraw-Hill's expense. The idea that one more child, of any race, will be subjected to this foolishness is completely unacceptable."
"Here's the thing: Updating the digital version and all future versions of the textbook is simply not enough. Schools need to remove these textbooks and replace them with the updated version, at McGraw-Hill's expense. The idea that one more child, of any race, will be subjected to this foolishness is completely unacceptable."
10 Years After Katrina, New Orleans’ All-Charter School System Has Proven a Failure @alternet
10 Years After Katrina, New Orleans’ All-Charter School System Has Proven a Failure @alternet
"On eighth-grade reading and math tests, charter-school students performed worse than their public-school counterparts by enormous margins—2 to 3 standard deviations.
The researchers found that the gap between charter and public school performance in Louisiana was the largest of any state in the country. And Louisiana’s overall scores were the fourth-lowest in the nation."
"On eighth-grade reading and math tests, charter-school students performed worse than their public-school counterparts by enormous margins—2 to 3 standard deviations.
The researchers found that the gap between charter and public school performance in Louisiana was the largest of any state in the country. And Louisiana’s overall scores were the fourth-lowest in the nation."
Texas School Books Refer to Slaves as Immigrants Who Came to America to Work as Agricultural Workers
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/10/05/texas-school-books-refer-to-slaves-as-immigrants-who-came-to-america-to-work-as-agricultural-worke/
"Texas textbooks and education has fallen victim to Republican-led revisionist history. The conservative agenda to change American history is starting to backfire."
"Texas textbooks and education has fallen victim to Republican-led revisionist history. The conservative agenda to change American history is starting to backfire."
Texas Textbooks Caught Glossing Over The Horrors Of Slavery, Because Of Course They Did (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/10/04/texas-textbooks-caught-glossing-over-the-horrors-of-slavery-because-of-course-they-did-video/
"Whether students are learning that scientists don’t agree on what is causing climate change, that Moses is a Founding Father, or that slavery was really just a fun boat ride followed by a wealth of opportunities for Africans to become migrant workers in America, one thing is clear: the state school board has no idea what the f*ck it is doing."
"Whether students are learning that scientists don’t agree on what is causing climate change, that Moses is a Founding Father, or that slavery was really just a fun boat ride followed by a wealth of opportunities for Africans to become migrant workers in America, one thing is clear: the state school board has no idea what the f*ck it is doing."
South Dakota no longer requires kids to learn about the Constitution, Native Americans, or slavery
South Dakota no longer requires kids to learn about the Constitution, Native Americans, or slavery
"This all seems worse than the attempts in Texas and elsewhere to change the curriculum to conform to conservative or Christian views of history."
"This all seems worse than the attempts in Texas and elsewhere to change the curriculum to conform to conservative or Christian views of history."
Revisionist History Invades South Dakota Education: No Learning About Slavery or Native Americans
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/29/revisionist-history-invades-south-dakota-education-no-learning-about-slavery-or-native-americans/
"The South Dakota Board of Education has eliminated early American history from the curriculum, effectively preventing students from learning about slavery, the American Revolution, and the Native Americans.
Standing behind the adage that “those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it,” college history professors are speaking out against the board’s decision to keep kids from learning early American history."
"The South Dakota Board of Education has eliminated early American history from the curriculum, effectively preventing students from learning about slavery, the American Revolution, and the Native Americans.
Standing behind the adage that “those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it,” college history professors are speaking out against the board’s decision to keep kids from learning early American history."
With Federal Millions, “Wild West” of Charters Is about to Get Even Wilder
With Federal Millions, “Wild West” of Charters Is about to Get Even Wilder
"While eight state departments of education shared a $125-million pot of federal taxpayer money for 2015, the biggest recipient by far for this round of grants is Ohio. It landed a whopping $32.6 million grant to the dismay of public school advocates.
With its lax-to-non-existent charter school laws, and vast number of unaccountable authorizers, Ohio has long been an embarrassment even to the charter school industry."
"While eight state departments of education shared a $125-million pot of federal taxpayer money for 2015, the biggest recipient by far for this round of grants is Ohio. It landed a whopping $32.6 million grant to the dismay of public school advocates.
With its lax-to-non-existent charter school laws, and vast number of unaccountable authorizers, Ohio has long been an embarrassment even to the charter school industry."
October 5, 2015
Climate Hawks Vote: Obama Should Sue Exxon Under RICO
Climate Hawks Vote: Obama Should Sue Exxon Under RICO
"This is a brief follow-up to the blockbuster Exxon story, about how the company knew as far back as 1977 that burning fossil fuel was a big cause of climate change, that they studied the problem for ten years, then abandoned all that good work and started funding the climate denier campaign — all based on a treasure trove of internal documents."
"This is a brief follow-up to the blockbuster Exxon story, about how the company knew as far back as 1977 that burning fossil fuel was a big cause of climate change, that they studied the problem for ten years, then abandoned all that good work and started funding the climate denier campaign — all based on a treasure trove of internal documents."
How Close Do You Live to a Toxic Waste Site? This New Map Will Tell You @alternet
How Close Do You Live to a Toxic Waste Site? This New Map Will Tell You @alternet
"More than 1,300 Superfund sites are littered across the United States."
"More than 1,300 Superfund sites are littered across the United States."
Secrets of the GOP Science War: How Spin-Masters and Pundits Confuse Conservatives About Facts @alternet
Secrets of the GOP Science War: How Spin-Masters and Pundits Confuse Conservatives About Facts @alternet
"Conservatives have become much less trusting of science. A cynical right-wing campaign is behind that"
"Conservatives have become much less trusting of science. A cynical right-wing campaign is behind that"
Krugman: Today's GOP Is Further to the Right than Cheney—Yikes! @alternet
Krugman: Today's GOP Is Further to the Right than Cheney—Yikes! @alternet
"When it comes to energy policy, Republicans are wed to Big Oil."
"When it comes to energy policy, Republicans are wed to Big Oil."
Drillers Welcome: NC Lawmakers Quietly Pass Ban on Anti-Fracking Ordinances
Drillers Welcome: NC Lawmakers Quietly Pass Ban on Anti-Fracking Ordinances
"After a a number of local governments enacted temporary moratoriums on oil and natural gas development, including fracking, the Republican-led North Carolina government issued a resounding response: Drillers welcome!"
"After a a number of local governments enacted temporary moratoriums on oil and natural gas development, including fracking, the Republican-led North Carolina government issued a resounding response: Drillers welcome!"
Food Industry To Congress: We Need You To Act On Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/10/01/3708023/food-industry-climate-change-congress/
"In a letter published in both the Washington Post and Financial Times, the chief executives from Mars, General Mills, Unilever, Kellogg, Nestle, New Belgium Brewing, Ben & Jerry’s, Clif Bar, Stonyfield Farm, and Dannon asked U.S. and global leaders to “meaningfully address the reality of climate change"."
"In a letter published in both the Washington Post and Financial Times, the chief executives from Mars, General Mills, Unilever, Kellogg, Nestle, New Belgium Brewing, Ben & Jerry’s, Clif Bar, Stonyfield Farm, and Dannon asked U.S. and global leaders to “meaningfully address the reality of climate change"."
Utah Republican Introduces Koch Legislation To Begin Eliminating National Parks
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/10/02/utah-republican-introduces-koch-legislation-eliminating-national-parks.html
"LWCF is now, and has been, highly regarded as world’s best parks program and like anything considered good in America, Republicans and the Kochs want it either destroyed, or handed over to the Kochs for exploitation and ruination free of environmental and safety regulations."
"LWCF is now, and has been, highly regarded as world’s best parks program and like anything considered good in America, Republicans and the Kochs want it either destroyed, or handed over to the Kochs for exploitation and ruination free of environmental and safety regulations."
More Shocking Testimony in DuPont Cancer Trial – DuPont Witness Admits Discharged Chemical VERY Toxic
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/30/more-shocking-testimony-in-teflon-trial-duponts-own-witness-admits-discharged-chemical-very-toxic/
"His admission to the toxicity of C8 highlighted the bio-persistence of the chemical, in the environment and in living organisms. Even more shocking, Dr. Playtis admitted that he knew for more than a decade that the plant drinking water supply had been contaminated with C8, but he had not told anyone. Moreover, he acknowledged under oath that numerous epidemiological studies had been proposed by a company doctor, studies that would have specifically looked to address kidney cancer among Washington Works workers from exposure to C8, but DuPont never conducted those studies.
Dr. Playtis is not unknown to the history of C8 related problems from the plant located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 2004, it was reported that DuPont was continuing to make their same old excuses to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about their violations of federal law regarding the release and toxicity of C8, a chemical DuPont used in the production of Teflon. DuPont’s 2003 response to the EPA’s original inquiry about C8 was still in effect and their defenses to the EPA’s charges had not changed, even after the EPA announced it would take formal action against DuPont for violating the Toxic Substances Control Act. The violations involved the withholding of key studies for a period of more than 20 years."
"His admission to the toxicity of C8 highlighted the bio-persistence of the chemical, in the environment and in living organisms. Even more shocking, Dr. Playtis admitted that he knew for more than a decade that the plant drinking water supply had been contaminated with C8, but he had not told anyone. Moreover, he acknowledged under oath that numerous epidemiological studies had been proposed by a company doctor, studies that would have specifically looked to address kidney cancer among Washington Works workers from exposure to C8, but DuPont never conducted those studies.
Dr. Playtis is not unknown to the history of C8 related problems from the plant located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 2004, it was reported that DuPont was continuing to make their same old excuses to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about their violations of federal law regarding the release and toxicity of C8, a chemical DuPont used in the production of Teflon. DuPont’s 2003 response to the EPA’s original inquiry about C8 was still in effect and their defenses to the EPA’s charges had not changed, even after the EPA announced it would take formal action against DuPont for violating the Toxic Substances Control Act. The violations involved the withholding of key studies for a period of more than 20 years."
After Taking Bribes From Oil & Gas Polluters, GOP Congressman Vows To Sell Off National Parks
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/after-taking-bribes-from-oil-gas-polluters-gop-congressman-vows-to-sell-off-national-parks/
"Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has announced his intention to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a federal initiative that has helped protect more than seven million acres of parkland – an area larger than Massachusetts – at no cost to the government. Commonly referred to as “America’s best parks program,” the LWCF takes $900 million in annual royalties from oil and gas drilling and reinvests it into the purchase, protection, and enhancement of everything from National Parks to historic sites to small neighborhood parks. The current iteration of the program, however, expires tomorrow, and without the support of the Natural Resources Committee it will be defunded, leaving tens of thousands of acres of vulnerable and irreplaceable natural habitat ripe for commercial destruction."
"Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has announced his intention to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a federal initiative that has helped protect more than seven million acres of parkland – an area larger than Massachusetts – at no cost to the government. Commonly referred to as “America’s best parks program,” the LWCF takes $900 million in annual royalties from oil and gas drilling and reinvests it into the purchase, protection, and enhancement of everything from National Parks to historic sites to small neighborhood parks. The current iteration of the program, however, expires tomorrow, and without the support of the Natural Resources Committee it will be defunded, leaving tens of thousands of acres of vulnerable and irreplaceable natural habitat ripe for commercial destruction."
Koch Brothers Backing Misleading Anti-Solar Campaign in Florida
Koch Brothers Backing Misleading Anti-Solar Campaign in Florida
"The Koch brothers and utility giants are bankrolling a ballot initiative in Florida to block the development of home solar and to protect the utilities' continuing oligopoly on energy generation in the Sunshine State.
Solar is booming in the U.S., with a thirty percent increase in generation in 2014, but surprisingly it’s facing an uphill battle in Florida. The state Public Service Commission--stacked with appointees hand-picked by Republican Governor Rick Scott for their current terms--have gutted energy Florida's efficiency goals and ended a solar power rebate program for homeowners. State law even prevents homeowners from installing solar panels by restricting the leasing of equipment by consumers."
"The Koch brothers and utility giants are bankrolling a ballot initiative in Florida to block the development of home solar and to protect the utilities' continuing oligopoly on energy generation in the Sunshine State.
Solar is booming in the U.S., with a thirty percent increase in generation in 2014, but surprisingly it’s facing an uphill battle in Florida. The state Public Service Commission--stacked with appointees hand-picked by Republican Governor Rick Scott for their current terms--have gutted energy Florida's efficiency goals and ended a solar power rebate program for homeowners. State law even prevents homeowners from installing solar panels by restricting the leasing of equipment by consumers."
Jeb Bush’s Energy Plan Doesn’t Even Mention Renewables
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/29/3706874/jeb-energy-plan/
"Bush’s plan makes no mention of renewable energy of any kind, even though renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro now account for half the new electricity generation in the United States. In more economic terms, solar accounted for one out of every 78 new jobs created nationwide last year."
"Bush’s plan makes no mention of renewable energy of any kind, even though renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro now account for half the new electricity generation in the United States. In more economic terms, solar accounted for one out of every 78 new jobs created nationwide last year."
Following Exxon Revelations, The Guardian Highlights Need To Investigate Corporate Climate Deception
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/09/29/following-exxon-revelations-the-guardian-highli/205856
"Exxon's own scientific research confirmed human-caused global warming as far back as the late 1970s."
"Exxon's own scientific research confirmed human-caused global warming as far back as the late 1970s."
Why Are Republicans the Only Climate-Science-Denying Party in the World?
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/09/whys-gop-only-science-denying-party-on-earth.html#
"Rabid opposition is not the only quality that sets the GOP apart from other major conservative parties. The fervent commitment to supply-side economics is also an almost uniquely American idea. The GOP is the only major democratic party in the world that opposes the principle of universal health insurance. The virulence of anti-government ideology in the United States has no parallel anywhere in the world."
"Rabid opposition is not the only quality that sets the GOP apart from other major conservative parties. The fervent commitment to supply-side economics is also an almost uniquely American idea. The GOP is the only major democratic party in the world that opposes the principle of universal health insurance. The virulence of anti-government ideology in the United States has no parallel anywhere in the world."
Utah Congressman Vows To Kill America’s Top Parks Program
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/09/29/3706756/rob-bishop-lwcf-reauthorization/
"Barely 24 hours after Pope Francis appealed to U.S. lawmakers to help protect “our common home,” Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) announced that he intends this week to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is known as America’s best parks program. The move — which is expected to succeed — places dozens of U.S. national parks at heightened risk of commercial development, including Grand Teton National Park and Gettysburg National Military Park.
The LWCF is a budget-neutral program that uses fees from offshore oil and gas development to fund national, state, and local conservation projects. Although the program enjoys widespread bipartisan support, it is scheduled to expire on Wednesday, September 30."
"Barely 24 hours after Pope Francis appealed to U.S. lawmakers to help protect “our common home,” Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) announced that he intends this week to kill the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which is known as America’s best parks program. The move — which is expected to succeed — places dozens of U.S. national parks at heightened risk of commercial development, including Grand Teton National Park and Gettysburg National Military Park.
The LWCF is a budget-neutral program that uses fees from offshore oil and gas development to fund national, state, and local conservation projects. Although the program enjoys widespread bipartisan support, it is scheduled to expire on Wednesday, September 30."
Shocking Trial Testimony in the DuPont Teflon C8 Chemical Cancer Case
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/28/shocking-trial-testimony-in-the-dupont-teflon-c8-chemical-cancer-cas/
"In 2005, DuPont settled a class-action lawsuit regarding the presence of the chemical C8 in drinking water that had been contaminated by DuPont’s waste discharge. At the time, DuPont maintained publicly that the chemical was safe, contrary to evidence that has now been produced in the trial showing DuPont’s concerns about the safety of C8 going back for decades."
"In 2005, DuPont settled a class-action lawsuit regarding the presence of the chemical C8 in drinking water that had been contaminated by DuPont’s waste discharge. At the time, DuPont maintained publicly that the chemical was safe, contrary to evidence that has now been produced in the trial showing DuPont’s concerns about the safety of C8 going back for decades."
The GOP Is The Only Elected Political Party in the World That Denies Climate Change: There is a Reason
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/28/the-gop-is-the-only-elected-political-party-in-the-world-that-denies-climate-change-there-is-a-reaso/
"A recent study has found evidence that the American Republican Party is unique in the world for its denial of climate change science. No other major political party is able to so staunchly refuse to acknowledge scientific consensus and remain in any form of authority."
"A recent study has found evidence that the American Republican Party is unique in the world for its denial of climate change science. No other major political party is able to so staunchly refuse to acknowledge scientific consensus and remain in any form of authority."
October 1, 2015
Kevin McCarthy Shouldn't Be Speaker
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/33050-seditious-mccarthy-shouldn-t-be-speaker
"The guy who now wants to be two heartbeats away from the presidency admits to wasting millions of taxpayer dollars in a purely political conspiracy to bring down a former secretary of state.
That alone should disqualify Kevin McCarthy from being the next speaker of the House.
But here's the thing, the Benghazi conspiracy is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Kevin McCarthy.
It's nothing compared to the part he played - and continues to play - in the "Caucus Room conspiracy," that began seven years ago this January.
On January 20, 2009 - a night when the Obamas were dancing at inaugural balls - a group of Republicans were planning the end of the Obama presidency before it even got going.
At the Caucus Room restaurant in Washington, DC, they drew up a plan to intentionally sabotage Obama at every point possible.
On the guest list for this "invitation only" meeting were Republican Senators like Jim DeMint, Jon Kyl, Tom Coburn, John Ensign and Bob Corker.
Also in attendance were Congressmen Paul Ryan, Pete Sessions, Jeb Hensarling, Pete Hoekstra, Dan Lungren, Eric Cantor, and - you guessed it - Kevin McCarthy.
Over the course of four hours, this group of powerful conservative lawmakers committed to a plan of action.
They promised each other that they would filibuster and obstruct any and all legislation supported by the new president, Barack Obama.
They would do everything possible, for as long as it took, to make his a "failed presidency."
Newt Gingrich, who was also there at the Caucus Room, admitted to me a few years later that Republicans were actually intentionally trying to sabotage the Obama administration."
"The guy who now wants to be two heartbeats away from the presidency admits to wasting millions of taxpayer dollars in a purely political conspiracy to bring down a former secretary of state.
That alone should disqualify Kevin McCarthy from being the next speaker of the House.
But here's the thing, the Benghazi conspiracy is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Kevin McCarthy.
It's nothing compared to the part he played - and continues to play - in the "Caucus Room conspiracy," that began seven years ago this January.
On January 20, 2009 - a night when the Obamas were dancing at inaugural balls - a group of Republicans were planning the end of the Obama presidency before it even got going.
At the Caucus Room restaurant in Washington, DC, they drew up a plan to intentionally sabotage Obama at every point possible.
On the guest list for this "invitation only" meeting were Republican Senators like Jim DeMint, Jon Kyl, Tom Coburn, John Ensign and Bob Corker.
Also in attendance were Congressmen Paul Ryan, Pete Sessions, Jeb Hensarling, Pete Hoekstra, Dan Lungren, Eric Cantor, and - you guessed it - Kevin McCarthy.
Over the course of four hours, this group of powerful conservative lawmakers committed to a plan of action.
They promised each other that they would filibuster and obstruct any and all legislation supported by the new president, Barack Obama.
They would do everything possible, for as long as it took, to make his a "failed presidency."
Newt Gingrich, who was also there at the Caucus Room, admitted to me a few years later that Republicans were actually intentionally trying to sabotage the Obama administration."
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Admits Benghazi Hearings Were About Destroying Hillary Clinton
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Admits Benghazi Hearings Were About Destroying Hillary Clinton
"Despite the fact that the Benghazi special committee has run longer than the Watergate investigation, no evidence of any wrongdoing has been found – but that was never the intent of the committee to begin with. Republicans were well aware that the media (especially conservative media) operates on a “guilty until proven innocent” mindset, and just an investigation alone would be enough to fire up their base while eroding faith in the assumed 2016 Democratic nominee."
"Despite the fact that the Benghazi special committee has run longer than the Watergate investigation, no evidence of any wrongdoing has been found – but that was never the intent of the committee to begin with. Republicans were well aware that the media (especially conservative media) operates on a “guilty until proven innocent” mindset, and just an investigation alone would be enough to fire up their base while eroding faith in the assumed 2016 Democratic nominee."
Next Speaker Of The House Kevin McCarthy Admits Benghazi Investigation Is A Sham
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/30/speaker-house-kevin-mccarthy-admits-benghazi-investigation-sham.html
"Now that the incoming Speaker of the House has admitted that the Benghazi investigation is a fraud, it would be a good time for our fact allergic media to start asking some questions about why Republicans felt it was necessary to investigate Benghazi for an eighth time right before the next presidential election.
The left has long known the real motivation behind the Benghazi hearings, but since McCarthy is taking credit for the Republican abuse of power, it is time for the American people to demand that investigators be investigated, and for Republicans to be held accountable for their blatant abuses of office."
"Now that the incoming Speaker of the House has admitted that the Benghazi investigation is a fraud, it would be a good time for our fact allergic media to start asking some questions about why Republicans felt it was necessary to investigate Benghazi for an eighth time right before the next presidential election.
The left has long known the real motivation behind the Benghazi hearings, but since McCarthy is taking credit for the Republican abuse of power, it is time for the American people to demand that investigators be investigated, and for Republicans to be held accountable for their blatant abuses of office."
The dark art of boldly lying to America: Why Carly Fiorina is Dick Cheney’s spiritual successor
The dark art of boldly lying to America: Why Carly Fiorina is Dick Cheney’s spiritual successor
"Lying is an initiation into the conservative elite."
"Lying is an initiation into the conservative elite."
Top Republican Admits House Benghazi Committee Designed To Attack Hillary Clinton’s Poll Numbers (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/09/30/top-republican-admits-house-benghazi-committee-designed-to-attack-hillary-clintons-poll-numbers-video/
"McCarthy’s slip of the tongue while promoting his campaign for Speaker to Fox News’ conservative audience has accidentally revealed the true purpose of the taxpayer funded investigation: Preventing Hillary Clinton from becoming president by trying to drive her poll numbers down.
It is unusual for a Washington operation like this to be exposed for the partisan witchhunt it is in such bold terms, but Rep. McCarthy’s own words have now confirmed what many Democrats have been saying for months."
"McCarthy’s slip of the tongue while promoting his campaign for Speaker to Fox News’ conservative audience has accidentally revealed the true purpose of the taxpayer funded investigation: Preventing Hillary Clinton from becoming president by trying to drive her poll numbers down.
It is unusual for a Washington operation like this to be exposed for the partisan witchhunt it is in such bold terms, but Rep. McCarthy’s own words have now confirmed what many Democrats have been saying for months."
Marco Rubio’s Grotesque Vision of Women is an Indictment of Republican Values
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/09/marco-rubios-grotesque-vision-of-women-is-an-indictment-of-republican-values/
"Rubio and his fellow white, male Republicans are engaging in a very serious war against women in America and are using a doctored, blatantly misleading video to take down one of the country’s most important women’s health care resources. Republicans see no harm in lying or smearing women – tactics that are no longer part of a coherent strategy, but a defining characteristic of the party itself."
"Rubio and his fellow white, male Republicans are engaging in a very serious war against women in America and are using a doctored, blatantly misleading video to take down one of the country’s most important women’s health care resources. Republicans see no harm in lying or smearing women – tactics that are no longer part of a coherent strategy, but a defining characteristic of the party itself."
Shameless Carly Fiorina Knows the Truth Just Doesn’t Matter Anymore
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/09/shameless-carly-fiorina-knows-the-truth-just-doesnt-matter-anymore/
"The truth matters. Facts have to be the same for everyone, no matter what Fox News is telling the people inside the bubble. We can argue over opinions all we want but we have to keep going back to the same well to get the facts that inform those opinions. There has to be common ground — even if, more and more, there’s less and less these days.
The fact is — the truth is — that Carly Fiorina shamelessly lied."
"The truth matters. Facts have to be the same for everyone, no matter what Fox News is telling the people inside the bubble. We can argue over opinions all we want but we have to keep going back to the same well to get the facts that inform those opinions. There has to be common ground — even if, more and more, there’s less and less these days.
The fact is — the truth is — that Carly Fiorina shamelessly lied."
How the Media Gave Carly Fiorina a Free Pass to Lie About Planned Parenthood
http://www.thenation.com/article/how-the-media-gave-carly-fiorina-a-free-pass-to-lie-about-planned-parenthood/
"Ever since Ailes founded Fox News in 1996 (with Rupert Murdoch’s money), the station has served as a propaganda arm and ideological enforcer for the Republican Party even as it pretends to be a news network. Its broadcasts ignore reality whenever convenient, preferring to purvey whatever misinformation and/or ideological obfuscation serve Ailes’s strategic and financial purposes. Because the network’s loyal viewers believe whatever nonsense it broadcasts, and because they happen to be the conservative movement’s most dedicated activists, Republican politicians have no choice but to pander to them. Members of the political media are therefore faced with a choice: expose the nonsense or try to imitate it. Alas, most of them—or at least their bosses—took a look at the billions of dollars Ailes and company rake in and, well… money talked.
The degree to which CNN prostituted itself to the Republican Party during the debate would be shocking had this frog not been slowly boiling for over a decade."
"Ever since Ailes founded Fox News in 1996 (with Rupert Murdoch’s money), the station has served as a propaganda arm and ideological enforcer for the Republican Party even as it pretends to be a news network. Its broadcasts ignore reality whenever convenient, preferring to purvey whatever misinformation and/or ideological obfuscation serve Ailes’s strategic and financial purposes. Because the network’s loyal viewers believe whatever nonsense it broadcasts, and because they happen to be the conservative movement’s most dedicated activists, Republican politicians have no choice but to pander to them. Members of the political media are therefore faced with a choice: expose the nonsense or try to imitate it. Alas, most of them—or at least their bosses—took a look at the billions of dollars Ailes and company rake in and, well… money talked.
The degree to which CNN prostituted itself to the Republican Party during the debate would be shocking had this frog not been slowly boiling for over a decade."
To Combat Right-Wing Assault, Millions 'Pinkout' in Support of Planned Parenthood
To Combat Right-Wing Assault, Millions 'Pinkout' in Support of Planned Parenthood
"In response to a right-wing video smear campaign orchestrated by anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress, some lawmakers are pressing for legislation that would sever federal funding for Planned Parenthood for the next year unless it stops providing abortion care. Republican members are threatening a government shutdown over the issue, even though the videos have been debunked as frauds—and no evidence has been produced showing that Planned Parenthood has committed any violations of federal or state laws."
"In response to a right-wing video smear campaign orchestrated by anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress, some lawmakers are pressing for legislation that would sever federal funding for Planned Parenthood for the next year unless it stops providing abortion care. Republican members are threatening a government shutdown over the issue, even though the videos have been debunked as frauds—and no evidence has been produced showing that Planned Parenthood has committed any violations of federal or state laws."
Poll Shows 69 Percent Oppose Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood
Poll Shows 69 Percent Oppose Shutdown Over Planned Parenthood
"Nearly seven in 10 Americans - 69 percent - oppose shutting down the government over funding for Planned Parenthood, according to the results of a new national Quinnipiac University poll released Monday."
"Nearly seven in 10 Americans - 69 percent - oppose shutting down the government over funding for Planned Parenthood, according to the results of a new national Quinnipiac University poll released Monday."
Anti-abortion radicals from Operation Rescue are secretly directing those bogus attacks on Planned Parenthood
Anti-abortion radicals from Operation Rescue are secretly directing those bogus attacks on Planned Parenthood
"Although the videos have been debunked as misleading, at best, House Republicans have held congressional hearings and some states have withdrawn funding to Planned Parenthood — and House Speaker John Boehner resigned, in part, over an ongoing dispute with anti-abortion hardliners.
Operation Rescue, whose leadership overlaps with CMP’s, appears to be directing the entire campaign with the 26-year-old Daleiden as its public face."
"Although the videos have been debunked as misleading, at best, House Republicans have held congressional hearings and some states have withdrawn funding to Planned Parenthood — and House Speaker John Boehner resigned, in part, over an ongoing dispute with anti-abortion hardliners.
Operation Rescue, whose leadership overlaps with CMP’s, appears to be directing the entire campaign with the 26-year-old Daleiden as its public face."
WATCH: Out of control congressman badgers and interrupts Planned Parenthood head 19 times in 5 minutes
WATCH: Out of control congressman badgers and interrupts Planned Parenthood head 19 times in 5 minutes
"Appearing at the GOP-led witchhunt — coordinated between virulent anti-abortion extremists and hard right conservatives — Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards repeatedly came under attack from the Republican-dominated committee."
"Appearing at the GOP-led witchhunt — coordinated between virulent anti-abortion extremists and hard right conservatives — Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards repeatedly came under attack from the Republican-dominated committee."
Extremist Behind Bogus Planned Parenthood Videos Arrested Trying To Sneak Into Australia (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/10/01/extremist-behind-bogus-planned-parenthood-videos-arrested-trying-to-sneak-into-australia-video/
"United Airlines is in hot water for allowing Newman to fly to Australia, in spite of the fact that his Visa was revoked by the government. Apparently allowing terrorists to fly into the country is a pretty big deal. The airline is subject to fines and other legal action on behalf of the Australian government."
"United Airlines is in hot water for allowing Newman to fly to Australia, in spite of the fact that his Visa was revoked by the government. Apparently allowing terrorists to fly into the country is a pretty big deal. The airline is subject to fines and other legal action on behalf of the Australian government."
Reminder: The GOP crusade against Planned Parenthood is built on outright lies
Reminder: The GOP crusade against Planned Parenthood is built on outright lies
"Now, in addition to the ongoing deceit, the Republicans are getting downright obnoxious about their behavior in these hearings, perhaps believing that if they’re petulant enough, they can distract their people from the falsehoods upon which their arguments rest."
"Now, in addition to the ongoing deceit, the Republicans are getting downright obnoxious about their behavior in these hearings, perhaps believing that if they’re petulant enough, they can distract their people from the falsehoods upon which their arguments rest."
Anti-Choice Leaders Blast GOP-Led Planned Parenthood Hearing As An Embarrassment
Anti-Choice Leaders Blast GOP-Led Planned Parenthood Hearing As An Embarrassment
"Rep. Chaffetz knowingly lies about a chart he had made"
"Rep. Chaffetz knowingly lies about a chart he had made"
Far-right’s choice for House Speaker is Duggar-allied religious fanatic called ‘Taliban Dan’
Far-right’s choice for House Speaker is Duggar-allied religious fanatic called ‘Taliban Dan’
"he is a follower of Bill Gothard and his Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP), which prescribes strict rules for the sexes and urges women to be submissive to their male family members in all things.
Writer Sarah Posner described Gothard’s views thusly:
“[S]ubmission is a central tenet of Gothard’s teachings. His evangelical critics have described the insular world of Gothard’s organization as “a culture of fear” and Gothard’s teachings as a “parody of patriarchalism,” the “basest form of male chauvinism I have ever heard in a Christian context,” and “anti-woman.” The core of Gothard’s authoritarian teachings is a chain of command of spiritual authority from God to the husband and father, who is responsible for seeing to his wife’s and children’s obedience in order to ensure their eternal salvation.
The Duggar family are followers of the IBLP and Gothard’s teachings, which place the blame for inappropriate male sexual behavior on women for not meeting the men’s needs properly, for tempting them unduly and for being the vessels through which evil enters the world."
"he is a follower of Bill Gothard and his Institute of Basic Life Principles (IBLP), which prescribes strict rules for the sexes and urges women to be submissive to their male family members in all things.
Writer Sarah Posner described Gothard’s views thusly:
“[S]ubmission is a central tenet of Gothard’s teachings. His evangelical critics have described the insular world of Gothard’s organization as “a culture of fear” and Gothard’s teachings as a “parody of patriarchalism,” the “basest form of male chauvinism I have ever heard in a Christian context,” and “anti-woman.” The core of Gothard’s authoritarian teachings is a chain of command of spiritual authority from God to the husband and father, who is responsible for seeing to his wife’s and children’s obedience in order to ensure their eternal salvation.
The Duggar family are followers of the IBLP and Gothard’s teachings, which place the blame for inappropriate male sexual behavior on women for not meeting the men’s needs properly, for tempting them unduly and for being the vessels through which evil enters the world."
Fiorina is a Pathological Liar: Here are Some of Her Claims and the Actual Facts
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/27/fiorina-is-a-pathological-liar-here-are-some-of-her-claims-and-the-actual-fac/
"the hypocrisy of Fiorina is becoming clear along with the fact that she is a pathological liar."
"the hypocrisy of Fiorina is becoming clear along with the fact that she is a pathological liar."
Iranian Extremists and Republicans are Basically the Same Damn People
Iranian Extremists and Republicans are Basically the Same Damn People
"When you get right down to it, Iranian extremists and these far-right religious radical Republicans are the same type of people.
Both groups:
Believe society should be governed by a theocracy.
Oppose abortion, gay and women’s rights.
Use hostile anti-Iran/anti-U.S. rhetoric to stir up the sheep who follow them.
Use religion to manipulate people into supporting people in power who don’t have their best interests in mind.
Believe that their religion is the only acceptable one.
Fiercely oppose change or progressive ideas.
Often use aggressive pro-war rhetoric when discussing the nations or people they oppose.
Don’t want to see the Iran deal succeed."
"When you get right down to it, Iranian extremists and these far-right religious radical Republicans are the same type of people.
Both groups:
Believe society should be governed by a theocracy.
Oppose abortion, gay and women’s rights.
Use hostile anti-Iran/anti-U.S. rhetoric to stir up the sheep who follow them.
Use religion to manipulate people into supporting people in power who don’t have their best interests in mind.
Believe that their religion is the only acceptable one.
Fiercely oppose change or progressive ideas.
Often use aggressive pro-war rhetoric when discussing the nations or people they oppose.
Don’t want to see the Iran deal succeed."
Scott Walker: Back in the Saddle, Back to His Old ALEC Tricks
Scott Walker: Back in the Saddle, Back to His Old ALEC Tricks
"On the heels of Scott Walker abandoning his presidential bid, the Wisconsin governor is returning to the state and flipping through the old American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) playbook for ideas.
Walker comes back to Wisconsin with his approval at an all-time low. Following a sneak attack on the open records law, a plan to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on a stadium for an NBA team co-owned by Walker's campaign finance co-chair, and mounting allegations of lawbreaking and political kickbacks at Walker's job creation agency (the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation), even Walker's longtime GOP supporters began to disapprove of the governor.
With his return to Wisconsin, some called on Walker to build bridges and mend fences.
Yet rather than reach across the aisle or put his weight behind broadly popular measures, Walker is returning to an old divide-and-conquer strategy: rally the far-right base by scapegoating public workers and pushing ALEC policies.
Just three days after ending his presidential run, Walker announced he was backing a plan to gut the state's civil service laws, a Progressive era-reform designed to safeguard against political patronage. Civil service laws provide a merit-based system for hiring (so employment isn't premised on political connections) and due process protections for firing (so public workers aren't fired for political reasons).
Walker's proposal reflects the ALEC "At Will Employment Act," which would eliminate civil service or other worker protections and (as the name suggests) make all employment at-will.
The elimination of civil service protections is particularly troubling in Wisconsin, because Walker justified the anti-union (and ALEC-inspired) Act 10 by claiming that public workers didn't need collective bargaining, since they would still be protected by civil service laws."
"On the heels of Scott Walker abandoning his presidential bid, the Wisconsin governor is returning to the state and flipping through the old American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) playbook for ideas.
Walker comes back to Wisconsin with his approval at an all-time low. Following a sneak attack on the open records law, a plan to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on a stadium for an NBA team co-owned by Walker's campaign finance co-chair, and mounting allegations of lawbreaking and political kickbacks at Walker's job creation agency (the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation), even Walker's longtime GOP supporters began to disapprove of the governor.
With his return to Wisconsin, some called on Walker to build bridges and mend fences.
Yet rather than reach across the aisle or put his weight behind broadly popular measures, Walker is returning to an old divide-and-conquer strategy: rally the far-right base by scapegoating public workers and pushing ALEC policies.
Just three days after ending his presidential run, Walker announced he was backing a plan to gut the state's civil service laws, a Progressive era-reform designed to safeguard against political patronage. Civil service laws provide a merit-based system for hiring (so employment isn't premised on political connections) and due process protections for firing (so public workers aren't fired for political reasons).
Walker's proposal reflects the ALEC "At Will Employment Act," which would eliminate civil service or other worker protections and (as the name suggests) make all employment at-will.
The elimination of civil service protections is particularly troubling in Wisconsin, because Walker justified the anti-union (and ALEC-inspired) Act 10 by claiming that public workers didn't need collective bargaining, since they would still be protected by civil service laws."
It is time to get very afraid: Extremists, authoritarians now run the GOP — and no one can stop them
It is time to get very afraid: Extremists, authoritarians now run the GOP — and no one can stop them
"In 1968, Nixon made this Movement Conservative argument part of the established Republican Party when he resorted to the Southern Strategy. He expanded the villains’ list, too: he added to it grasping women, all minorities, and anti-war activists in the streets. They were all trying to destroy America.
Nixon’s people were purposely vague in their accusations—the administration’s favorite straw man was the murky “they” of “they say.” That unspecified “they” allowed Nixon’s people to preserve the illusion that they were describing facts. But President Ronald Reagan unhinged the rhetoric of Movement Conservatism even further from reality. He told folksy stories about Welfare Queens who stole tax dollars and hardworking individuals threatened by “a little intellectual elite in a far-distant Capitol.” When journalists fact-checked Reagan, he accused them of bias and rallied supporters against the “Liberal media.” And it played. In 1987, his administration ended the Fairness Doctrine that had required media to present facts and a wide range of opinions. This enabled Movement Conservatives to spew their worldview on talk radio and later television, railing against lazy blacks, women, minorities, workers and “Liberals,” all of whom were destroying America and holding the country back from regaining its former glory. And the more Movement Conservatives attacked, the more they weakened their enemies, and the more they despised them. Just as Hoffer had predicted.
By the time of the George W. Bush administration, Movement Conservatives controlled the Republican Party, and they abandoned reality in favor of their simple story line. A member of the Bush administration famously noted to journalist Ron Suskind that “the reality-based” view of the world was obsolete. “That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” this senior adviser to the president told Suskind. “When we act, we create our own reality.”
That is exactly what today’s Movement Conservatives are doing. After the last Republican debate, astonished observers noted that many of the candidates’ assertions were flat-out lies."
"In 1968, Nixon made this Movement Conservative argument part of the established Republican Party when he resorted to the Southern Strategy. He expanded the villains’ list, too: he added to it grasping women, all minorities, and anti-war activists in the streets. They were all trying to destroy America.
Nixon’s people were purposely vague in their accusations—the administration’s favorite straw man was the murky “they” of “they say.” That unspecified “they” allowed Nixon’s people to preserve the illusion that they were describing facts. But President Ronald Reagan unhinged the rhetoric of Movement Conservatism even further from reality. He told folksy stories about Welfare Queens who stole tax dollars and hardworking individuals threatened by “a little intellectual elite in a far-distant Capitol.” When journalists fact-checked Reagan, he accused them of bias and rallied supporters against the “Liberal media.” And it played. In 1987, his administration ended the Fairness Doctrine that had required media to present facts and a wide range of opinions. This enabled Movement Conservatives to spew their worldview on talk radio and later television, railing against lazy blacks, women, minorities, workers and “Liberals,” all of whom were destroying America and holding the country back from regaining its former glory. And the more Movement Conservatives attacked, the more they weakened their enemies, and the more they despised them. Just as Hoffer had predicted.
By the time of the George W. Bush administration, Movement Conservatives controlled the Republican Party, and they abandoned reality in favor of their simple story line. A member of the Bush administration famously noted to journalist Ron Suskind that “the reality-based” view of the world was obsolete. “That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” this senior adviser to the president told Suskind. “When we act, we create our own reality.”
That is exactly what today’s Movement Conservatives are doing. After the last Republican debate, astonished observers noted that many of the candidates’ assertions were flat-out lies."
The ‘Accomplishments’ Of John Boehner
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/09/the-accomplishments-of-john-boehner/
"A government shutdown in a failed attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act that cost America taxpayers $24 billion."
"A government shutdown in a failed attempt to defund the Affordable Care Act that cost America taxpayers $24 billion."
Republican Rep. Peter King: Boehner’s Exit Signals ‘The Crazies’ Have Taken Over the GOP (Video)
Republican Rep. Peter King: Boehner’s Exit Signals ‘The Crazies’ Have Taken Over the GOP (Video)
"There’s no other way to say it – it’s insanity which is taking over the Republican party. These are not people who care about reality, facts or even rational common sense – they’re crazy people who will destroy this country if we let them."
"There’s no other way to say it – it’s insanity which is taking over the Republican party. These are not people who care about reality, facts or even rational common sense – they’re crazy people who will destroy this country if we let them."
John Boehner Was Really Bad at His Job: Now Things Are About to Get Epically Worse @alternet
John Boehner Was Really Bad at His Job: Now Things Are About to Get Epically Worse @alternet
"the modern GOP has spent the last five decades courting those sentimentally opposed to its anti-slavery origins as “the Party of Lincoln,” and the last 10 years, at least, reviving the anti-immigrant sentiments on which the Know-nothings were founded. As confused as Boehner may be about his role, his responsibilities, his place in the order of things, it is only a small part of the much larger confusion that the GOP as a whole has been wallowing in for years—and, sadly, dragging the rest of America along with it."
"the modern GOP has spent the last five decades courting those sentimentally opposed to its anti-slavery origins as “the Party of Lincoln,” and the last 10 years, at least, reviving the anti-immigrant sentiments on which the Know-nothings were founded. As confused as Boehner may be about his role, his responsibilities, his place in the order of things, it is only a small part of the much larger confusion that the GOP as a whole has been wallowing in for years—and, sadly, dragging the rest of America along with it."
Florida Republican Suggests Misusing Voting Rights Act to Rig Elections
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/25/florida-republican-suggests-voting-rights-act-elections.html
"The fact that she tried to deliver the comments without reporters present revealed her awareness that what she was suggesting was unethical."
"The fact that she tried to deliver the comments without reporters present revealed her awareness that what she was suggesting was unethical."
How Big Pharma Is Price-Gouging You @alternet
How Big Pharma Is Price-Gouging You @alternet
"The United States stands out among wealthy countries in that we give drug companies patent monopolies on drugs that are essential for people’s health or lives and then allows them to charge whatever they want. Every other wealthy country has some system of price controls or negotiated prices where the government limits the extent to which drug companies can exploit the monopoly it has given them. The result is that we pay roughly twice as much for our drugs as the average for other wealthy countries. This additional cost is not associated with better care; we are just paying more for the same drugs."
"The United States stands out among wealthy countries in that we give drug companies patent monopolies on drugs that are essential for people’s health or lives and then allows them to charge whatever they want. Every other wealthy country has some system of price controls or negotiated prices where the government limits the extent to which drug companies can exploit the monopoly it has given them. The result is that we pay roughly twice as much for our drugs as the average for other wealthy countries. This additional cost is not associated with better care; we are just paying more for the same drugs."
The 4 Worst Things John Boehner Did As Speaker
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/25/3705592/4-things-john-boehner-did-as-speaker-that-make-us-cry/
"4. Boehner ran the least productive Congress in history. According to the Pew Research Center, Boehner ran the least productive Congress of all time. The organization found that the combined productivity of the 112th and 113th Congresses – in which Boehner served as speaker — was the lowest of any back-to-back Congresses on record. The 112th Congress, is considered the least productive in history"
"4. Boehner ran the least productive Congress in history. According to the Pew Research Center, Boehner ran the least productive Congress of all time. The organization found that the combined productivity of the 112th and 113th Congresses – in which Boehner served as speaker — was the lowest of any back-to-back Congresses on record. The 112th Congress, is considered the least productive in history"
'David Duke without the baggage' to run for House majority leader
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/25/1424856/--David-Duke-without-the-baggage-to-run-for-House-majority-leader
"If you can't quite place the name Steve Scalise, I'll make it easy for you: He's the member of House Republican leadership who spoke to a David Duke-founded white supremacist group in 2002, and before and after that accumulated quite the record of racially suspect votes in the state legislature"
"If you can't quite place the name Steve Scalise, I'll make it easy for you: He's the member of House Republican leadership who spoke to a David Duke-founded white supremacist group in 2002, and before and after that accumulated quite the record of racially suspect votes in the state legislature"
Carly Fiorina Responds With Outdated Information When Veteran Asks About Medical Marijuana
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/25/3705774/carly-fiorina-medical-marijuana/
"The issue was particularly personal to Van Winkle, a veteran and nurse who treats patients with PTSD"
"The issue was particularly personal to Van Winkle, a veteran and nurse who treats patients with PTSD"
The meritocracy is a lie: The wild myths that allow CEOs, hedge funders and the 1 percent to outearn us all
The meritocracy is a lie: The wild myths that allow CEOs, hedge funders and the 1 percent to outearn us all
"This fabricated logic is a substitute for clear thought. As I have shown, large corporations have increased their profits and stock prices through their influence over the basic rules of the “free market”—property, market power, contract, bankruptcy, and enforcement. A growing portion of the compensation of top corporate executives and Wall Street bankers, hedge-fund managers, and private-equity managers—who together constitute the majority of the top one-tenth of 1 percent of earners—turn on these rising profits and stock prices. To this must be added the political influence of corporate executives and Wall Street traders and managers over specific rules pertaining to fraud, conflicts of interest, insider trading, and limited liability, which also affect their compensation. An analysis of their after-tax incomes would reveal their growing influence over the effective tax rates they pay as well, but my focus here is on their more consequential and less understood roles in shaping the basic rules of the game. As I hope I make clear, the current incentives operating on the richest members of society are not at all necessary in order to get them to do the work they do, and those incentives do not in any meaningful way reflect the social value of their work relative to the value of the work that others do."
"This fabricated logic is a substitute for clear thought. As I have shown, large corporations have increased their profits and stock prices through their influence over the basic rules of the “free market”—property, market power, contract, bankruptcy, and enforcement. A growing portion of the compensation of top corporate executives and Wall Street bankers, hedge-fund managers, and private-equity managers—who together constitute the majority of the top one-tenth of 1 percent of earners—turn on these rising profits and stock prices. To this must be added the political influence of corporate executives and Wall Street traders and managers over specific rules pertaining to fraud, conflicts of interest, insider trading, and limited liability, which also affect their compensation. An analysis of their after-tax incomes would reveal their growing influence over the effective tax rates they pay as well, but my focus here is on their more consequential and less understood roles in shaping the basic rules of the game. As I hope I make clear, the current incentives operating on the richest members of society are not at all necessary in order to get them to do the work they do, and those incentives do not in any meaningful way reflect the social value of their work relative to the value of the work that others do."
Why Conservatives Are So Filled With Hate @alternet
Why Conservatives Are So Filled With Hate @alternet
"Racism runs deep in the Republican Party, as we have all learned, seven years into the presidency of Barack Obama."
"Racism runs deep in the Republican Party, as we have all learned, seven years into the presidency of Barack Obama."
Carly Fiorina’s $4 Billion Job Scam at Hewlett-Packard
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/09/23/carly-fiorina-s-4-billion-job-scam.html
"Instead, almost all of it was put into stock buybacks as a way of funneling cash to stockholders, these prominently including CEOs.
Never mind that the bill prohibited such buybacks."
"Instead, almost all of it was put into stock buybacks as a way of funneling cash to stockholders, these prominently including CEOs.
Never mind that the bill prohibited such buybacks."
Carly Fiorina Makes a Lot of Stuff Up About Everything
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/09/carly-fiorinas-revisionism-problem
"As it turns out, Fiorina's tendency to embellish—or altogether avoid—the facts goes back much farther than last week's debate."
"As it turns out, Fiorina's tendency to embellish—or altogether avoid—the facts goes back much farther than last week's debate."
Carly Fiorina’s despicable Planned Parenthood lies have gotten even worse
Carly Fiorina’s despicable Planned Parenthood lies have gotten even worse
"We know that Carly Fiorina blatantly lied to the whole country about her performance as head of Hewlett Packard in the GOP presidential primary debate a couple of weeks ago. Every fact check has proven her recitation of events to be false. This is part of a pattern."
"We know that Carly Fiorina blatantly lied to the whole country about her performance as head of Hewlett Packard in the GOP presidential primary debate a couple of weeks ago. Every fact check has proven her recitation of events to be false. This is part of a pattern."
Elizabeth Warren demolishes the myth of “trickle-down” economics: “That is going to destroy our country, unless we take our country back”
Elizabeth Warren demolishes the myth of “trickle-down” economics: “That is going to destroy our country, unless we take our country back”
"Warren went on to talk about inequalities caused by trickle-down economics which she says hasn’t trickled down to anyone. “What happened starting in 1980?” Warren asked. “Remember trickle-down economics?” she asked."
"Warren went on to talk about inequalities caused by trickle-down economics which she says hasn’t trickled down to anyone. “What happened starting in 1980?” Warren asked. “Remember trickle-down economics?” she asked."
Inhofe Responds To Pope's Call To Protect 'Our Common Home'
Inhofe Responds To Pope's Call To Protect 'Our Common Home'
"He ignores proven science in favor of the profitability of big oil. Inhofe is another selfish Republican who cares nothing for future generations, his own family included. He really missed the point of what Pope Francis so eloquently stated."
"He ignores proven science in favor of the profitability of big oil. Inhofe is another selfish Republican who cares nothing for future generations, his own family included. He really missed the point of what Pope Francis so eloquently stated."
The GOP Primary Has Turned Into Trolling for Anti-Mexican, Islamophobic and Birther Votes
The GOP Primary Has Turned Into Trolling for Anti-Mexican, Islamophobic and Birther Votes
"It's appalling to watch so many of the GOP presidential candidates try to outdo each other in trolling for racist and xenophobic votes by using the low-hanging fruit of bigotry."
"It's appalling to watch so many of the GOP presidential candidates try to outdo each other in trolling for racist and xenophobic votes by using the low-hanging fruit of bigotry."
The GOP Hates Obama: Why? Because Despite Trying to Destroy Him, Check Out His Accomplishments
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/24/the-gop-hates-obama-why-because-despite-trying-to-destroy-him-check-out-these-facts-of-his-accomplishment/
"Are they looking to return to the George Bush era when our country was on the brink of economic disaster, embroiled in endless conflict in the middle east? Are they longing for higher unemployment rates, higher fuel prices, greater numbers of uninsured Americans, lower GDP?
During the Bush administration, the unemployment rate had climbed as high as 7.8 percent. As of August of this year, it is down to 5.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Fuel prices peaked at an all-time high of $4.12 per gallon in July of 2008, under George Bush. As of this month, under President Obama, the price of gasoline is down to an average of $2.28 per gallon.
Under President Bush, the uninsured rate was above 14 percent. With the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the victory of one of President Obama’s staple programs, that rate is down to 9.2 percent.
Under George W. Bush, the GDP came to a screeching halt, dropping to -0.03 percent. That means the economy was shrinking under President Bush. Under Barack Obama, the GDP had reached 3.7 percent as of July.
So what are Republicans longing for? Nothing really. They just don’t want a black, Democrat being president, and they are willing to have the entire country regress in order to see their white, bigot, racist friends back in power."
"Are they looking to return to the George Bush era when our country was on the brink of economic disaster, embroiled in endless conflict in the middle east? Are they longing for higher unemployment rates, higher fuel prices, greater numbers of uninsured Americans, lower GDP?
During the Bush administration, the unemployment rate had climbed as high as 7.8 percent. As of August of this year, it is down to 5.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Fuel prices peaked at an all-time high of $4.12 per gallon in July of 2008, under George Bush. As of this month, under President Obama, the price of gasoline is down to an average of $2.28 per gallon.
Under President Bush, the uninsured rate was above 14 percent. With the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and the victory of one of President Obama’s staple programs, that rate is down to 9.2 percent.
Under George W. Bush, the GDP came to a screeching halt, dropping to -0.03 percent. That means the economy was shrinking under President Bush. Under Barack Obama, the GDP had reached 3.7 percent as of July.
So what are Republicans longing for? Nothing really. They just don’t want a black, Democrat being president, and they are willing to have the entire country regress in order to see their white, bigot, racist friends back in power."
Fiorina Scammed the Govt. out of $4 Billion: Used Money to Buy Back Stock During Massive HP Layoffs
http://ringoffireradio.com/2015/09/24/fiorina-scammed-the-government-out-of-4-billion-and-used-the-money-in-stock-buyback-during-massive-hp-layoffs/
"The tax savings was meant for companies to reinvest in a way that would create jobs. It specifically prohibited stock repurchasing. Fiorina used $4.3 billion to buy back HP stock, while firing 14,500 employees. Many other companies did the same thing."
"The tax savings was meant for companies to reinvest in a way that would create jobs. It specifically prohibited stock repurchasing. Fiorina used $4.3 billion to buy back HP stock, while firing 14,500 employees. Many other companies did the same thing."
Breaking: Carly Fiorina and HP Scammed Taxpayers Out Of $4 Billion
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/breaking-carly-fiorina-and-hp-scammed-taxpayers-out-of-4-billion/
"Under Fiorina, Hewlett-Packard heavily lobbied the U.S. government for a tax holiday – the Homeland Investment Act of 2004. Piteous moaning about the burden of having to pay corporate taxes and how it was restricting them from creating jobs was met with open arms by the George W. Bush Administration, which bent over backwards for the oligarchs and gave them a tax break on money earned overseas. Their tax rate was dropped from 35% to 5.25%, and HP saved $4.3 billion dollars.
Fiorina then decided that her personal finances were more important than the workers of her company or even the health of the company herself, and poured four billion dollars into stock buybacks, where a company artificially inflates its own stock by putting its own money into it, funneling the profits directly to Fiorina and the shareholders- which was specifically prohibited in the tax holiday bill in the first place."
"Under Fiorina, Hewlett-Packard heavily lobbied the U.S. government for a tax holiday – the Homeland Investment Act of 2004. Piteous moaning about the burden of having to pay corporate taxes and how it was restricting them from creating jobs was met with open arms by the George W. Bush Administration, which bent over backwards for the oligarchs and gave them a tax break on money earned overseas. Their tax rate was dropped from 35% to 5.25%, and HP saved $4.3 billion dollars.
Fiorina then decided that her personal finances were more important than the workers of her company or even the health of the company herself, and poured four billion dollars into stock buybacks, where a company artificially inflates its own stock by putting its own money into it, funneling the profits directly to Fiorina and the shareholders- which was specifically prohibited in the tax holiday bill in the first place."
Mathematician Suspicious of Election Fraud Hires Lawyer to Force Kansas to Hand Over Voting Records @alternet
Mathematician Suspicious of Election Fraud Hires Lawyer to Force Kansas to Hand Over Voting Records @alternet
"Confirming a theory initially reported by two other statisticians in 2012 [PDF], Clarkson has found that computer-reported results from larger precincts in the state, with more than 500 voters, show a “consistent” statistical increase in votes for the Republican candidates in general elections (and even a similar increase for establishment GOP candidates versus ‘Tea Party’ challengers during Republican primaries)"
"Confirming a theory initially reported by two other statisticians in 2012 [PDF], Clarkson has found that computer-reported results from larger precincts in the state, with more than 500 voters, show a “consistent” statistical increase in votes for the Republican candidates in general elections (and even a similar increase for establishment GOP candidates versus ‘Tea Party’ challengers during Republican primaries)"
Florida Lawmaker Reveals Plan To Defeat Black Democrat By Packing District With Inmates
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/09/24/3705270/florida-prison-gerrymandering/
"Brown, a longtime member of the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus, represents a district that courts have found has already been unconstitutionally gerrymandered, by drawing a snake-shaped district that packed in voters of color, making the surrounding districts more white and conservative. Brown has protested the new proposed version of her district, in part because it includes 18 prisons filled with people unable to cast a ballot.
Lawmakers are currently in the process of fix the voting maps, attempting to obey an order from the Florida Supreme Court that they not be drawn to benefit any particular political party. But some are resisting that mandate, arguing that it’s a violation of their First Amendment rights. Two Republican Party chairmen have sued the state, claiming the anti-gerrymandering law infringed on their right to free expression."
"Brown, a longtime member of the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus, represents a district that courts have found has already been unconstitutionally gerrymandered, by drawing a snake-shaped district that packed in voters of color, making the surrounding districts more white and conservative. Brown has protested the new proposed version of her district, in part because it includes 18 prisons filled with people unable to cast a ballot.
Lawmakers are currently in the process of fix the voting maps, attempting to obey an order from the Florida Supreme Court that they not be drawn to benefit any particular political party. But some are resisting that mandate, arguing that it’s a violation of their First Amendment rights. Two Republican Party chairmen have sued the state, claiming the anti-gerrymandering law infringed on their right to free expression."
GOPer Caught On Tape Explaining How She’ll Redistrict Black Democratic Colleague Out Of Office (AUDIO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/09/23/goper-caught-on-tape-explaining-how-shell-redistrict-black-democratic-colleague-out-of-office-audio/
"Rep. Janet Adkins was at a private gathering during a meeting of the Republican Party of Florida. Rather than focus on things like plugging the numerous holes in the Republican sinking ship, Adkins was hatching a plan to steal the election instead. According to tapes secretly recorded and leaked to POLITICO, Adkins wanted to kick long-time liberal congresswoman Corrine Brown out of office by carefully redrawing her district to include as many prisons as possible. Prisoners, you may recall, cannot vote. But first, she made everyone swear that there were no reporters in the room that would rat on her."
"Rep. Janet Adkins was at a private gathering during a meeting of the Republican Party of Florida. Rather than focus on things like plugging the numerous holes in the Republican sinking ship, Adkins was hatching a plan to steal the election instead. According to tapes secretly recorded and leaked to POLITICO, Adkins wanted to kick long-time liberal congresswoman Corrine Brown out of office by carefully redrawing her district to include as many prisons as possible. Prisoners, you may recall, cannot vote. But first, she made everyone swear that there were no reporters in the room that would rat on her."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)