Saturday, February 26, 2011

The Rumsfeld Interviews

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has been doing the book circuit to sell his new memoir, Known and Unknown, and made a stop along the way to The Daily Show for a sit down interview with Jon Stewart.

I knew I wouldn't be home in time, so I recorded it and watched it the next day. And I have to say that initially I was disappointed. I had hoped Stewart would be a little more forceful with Rumsfeld and a little less deferential. It was incredibly frustrating listening to Rumsfeld's hemming and hawing about an exact word or phrasing of a question before answering it. And doubly frustrating to have Stewart stop, take a moment to regroup and rephrase in order to get through to an attempt at an answer.

But after letting it sit for a couple of days, I watched the complete, unedited interview posted on Comedy Central and have changed my mind about my overall take. I watched and listened intently to the questions and answers and I have to give Stewart credit for A) asking some tough questions and B) being incredibly patient under the circumstances. In hindsight, I'm glad that it was a serious interview and there wasn't crosstalk that you might find in, oh, I don't know, an Obama/Bill O'Reilly interview. Showing respect while disagreeing with someone is much harder than blustering over an answer you don't want to hear, and that's the last thing I want to see from a Stewart interview.

I also have to give credit to Donald Rumsfeld for having the guts to go out and expose himself. Yes, I know he's doing it to sell books, but kudos for not taking the safe route and remaining in friendlier confines like Sean Hannity's studio or Fox and Friends. And although some, including myself, may not like his answers, at least he's not in hiding like his incurious, lazy former boss. I also came to the realization that the reason Rumsfeld would object to certain ways questions were framed was because he's conditioned himself over his incredibly long career to prevent from falling into "gotcha" traps, whether it's a soundbite trap or not. He's not going to answer a question that, in his mind, he doesn't think is fairly phrased.

My overall opinion is that Rumsfeld, although taking responsibility as he must in his former position, is still too easily passing the buck on the faulty intelligence on which they relied. And while history shows that there was a run up to the Iraq War that, as Stewart says, was "arrogant in it's certainty," I think he sincerely believes that the decisions made weren't in haste, that there was a lot of effort of forethought, but he can't connect the forethought with the lack of followthrough as a mistake.

Here's the entire interview. You can judge for yourself.




Here, on the other hand, is Rumsfeld calling in to the Opie and Anthony Show to whore his book. Comedian Louis C.K. (one of my favorites) is a guest host (my assumption) and throws respect out the window immediately, asking Rumsfeld about the rumors that he and Dick Cheney are "alien lizards who eat human flesh" and would he take the opportunity now to deny that. He also asked, "How many guys do you think you've met that have died by hanging?"

Through it all, Rumsfeld kept a good natured sense, but he deserved this kind of treatment for being naive enough to go on this particular radio show. Some appearances aren't worth it and if I were him, I would fire his agent or publicist. Enjoy!

Must Reads



The Rude Pundit: In Brief: Scott Walker Is America's Asshole

Eugene Robinson: Starving Wisconsin's Unions

David Cay Johnston: Really Bad Reporting in Wisconsin: Who 'Contributes' to Public Workers' Pensions?

Keith Olbermann: Wisconsin and “The Union”

Nicole Belle: Why Did Paul Broun Laugh Off Supporter's Town Hall Comment: "Who Is Going To Shoot President Obama?"

JHW22 recommends...
Brad Reed: Greed is Good... Unless You're Teaching My Kids Math!

President Obama's Weekly Address - February 26, 2011

Traveling the Country, Winning the Future

Friday, February 25, 2011

Take some damn personal responsibility!!

POSTED BY JHW22

No, you should not take responsibility for a jack-ass who asks, "Who is going to shoot President Obama?" but you should take responsibility for not telling that man, and the audience who LAUGHED at the question, that not only is the question inappropriate but also DANGEROUS AS HELL!!!

HELLO! We still have a member of Congress recovering from being SHOT IN THE HEAD. Today is the birthday of one of her staffers who died, Gabe Zimmerman. One of her other staffers returned to work on Wednesday, Pamela Simon. Political violence is real even if it's a crazy man who pulls the trigger. And it's the crazy person we should all keep in mind when violent words are spoken.

And no, a belated lame-ass statement IS NOT accepting personal responsibility for allowing a violent question to go unaddressed. We do not accept changing the subject, allowing people to laugh without being told to stop and without a significant statement AT THE TIME calling that language UNACCEPTABLE.

I think a proper way to show personal responsibility is for Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) to resign. That way the message is loud and clear -- Americans DO NOT THREATEN THE PRESIDENT.

He's Not Al Sharpton

If politicians actually did everything they said they'd do while on the campaign trail, the world would be a better place. But we live in reality, don't we? If someone running for president says he'd don "comfortable shoes and walk a picket line" in support of workers and unions, and then actually won the office, would you seriously expect him to do it if it came to pass?

But that's exactly what has happened and now there are pundits who are wondering if President Obama is going to Wisconsin to walk with the protesters. He's already said everyone has to tighten their belts and knows that the Wisconsin labor unions have conceded the financial point and are willing to acquiesce to Governor Walker except when it comes to giving up their collective bargaining rights, but it seems like "an assault on unions."

But, come on, guys, seriously? Walk the picket lines? He's the fucking President of the United States, not Al Sharpton!

Unserious Boobs

This is why right wing pundits and Fox News models are completely unserious when it comes to matters of discussing political policy. Here's Fox News' Megyn Kelly and Monica Crowley discussing the decision of the Obama administration to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act it deems to be unconstitutional.



Now, you may agree or disagree with the decision as is your right. But is it necessary to call the President of the United States "Mubarak Obama"? Really? Is that being a serious journalist, if that's how you define yourself? And Crowley then chose to go the route of, "Well, if Bush did this..." Remind me again how the right was all up in arms when the Bush administration gave the thumbs up on waterboarding and other torture tactics in direct violation of countless treaties and military codes of conduct. A nation of laws indeed, Monica.

In the blogosphere, Andrew Sullivan points out that Matt Drudge decided to go with this lovely headline in the midst of the protests in Libya:

"GADDAFI: OBAMA IS A FRIEND," reads the banner headline on his [Drudge's] website right now. The link goes to a year-old interview Gaddafi gave with a London-based newspaper...
So Drudge is now taking Qaddafi's insane ramblings at face value?... Drudge isn't alone. A blogger at Malkin's place picks up a loony World Net Daily article suggesting that Qaddafi, Jeremiah Wright, and Obama are all in cahoots.
Well if that's the case, Drudge, WND, Malkin and her minions, and the rest of those loons should be headlining how the protesters in Libya are just drug-addled people who were taken advantage of by Osama Bin Laden. I mean if Gaddafi said it, it must be true, right? Very serious.

ADDING... A correction, or rather a further explanation of the Justice Department's DOMA statement. The White House and the DoJ has decided not to defend the constitutionality of DOMA in appeals, not the enforcement of the law itself. So that makes the Fox clip above even more asinine.

Also, how many different ways can you spell Gaddafi? Khaddafi? Qaddafi?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Walker/"Koch" Tapes: The Definition of Numbnuts - UPDATED

Wisconsin Governor, Tea Party darling and conspiratorial union buster Scott Walker took a call today from who he thought was David Koch. Interesting who Walker's willing to speak with after saying he would speak with no one. "And so Walker, believing himself to be on the phone with his patron, seems to have had a long conversation about busting Wisconsin's unions." But it wasn't Koch. It was Buffalo Beast editor Ian Murphy.

Buffalo Beast Publisher Paul Fallon told The Huffington Post that the audio is "absolutely legit." That the call took place as described by the Beast has been confirmed by Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie.
"Basically what happened was, yesterday morning [Murphy] was watching television about this Wisconsin stuff and he saw a report where he saw Walker say he wasn't going to talk to anybody," Fallon said. "And he said, 'I bet he would talk to somebody if he had enough oomph behind him.'"
Their conversation included trashing MSNBC, dividing the public sector and private sector unions, and the domino effect this would have in busting other unions in other states. Silly me. Taking Gov. Walker at his word, I thought this was all about balancing Wisconsin's budget and had nothing to do with union busting.

And in admitting the conversation took place, spokesman Werwie said nothing they spoke about isn't something Walker wouldn't say in public. Unless of course that something is strategy on how to force the Wisconsin Democratic Senators currently AWOL back to the floor, including stopping direct deposit of their paychecks.

UPDATE (2:45pm): A member of the Wisconsin 14 responds:
A member of the crew of 14 Democratic state senators who fled Wisconsin to prevent passage of a sharp anti-union measure, said a revealing prank phone call involving Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has strengthened the resolve of those breaking the quorum and pushed them even further away from the negotiating table... [calling] Walker "cocky" and "gullible" for believing that David Koch, the billionaire conservative bankroller, would call him up to discuss political tactics.
...The part that really had my eyebrows up is the idea that he would trick us to come back for a compromise and use that as an excuse for passing it," said [State Sen. Chris] Larson. "He is such a hypocrite because he is saying what we are doing is an affront to democracy and then he is going to trick us into coming back?"
"To anyone who was thinking, 'Well they wouldn't try anything shady,' this puts an end to that idea," he added.
Nice going, Scotty.

Gay Marriage

POSTED BY JHW22

This just in...

The Obama Justice Department has decided that part of the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and will not defend it in court.
Woo hoo!

Let's Compare!

POSTED BY JHW22

We have alarming levels of heart disease, diabetes, childhood obesity--and all of these maladies are on the rise. Now, I won't stand here and lecture--for very long--but health care reform on an individual basis is often just this simple: we could save a lot of money, and a lot of grief, by making smarter choices.
It starts by ending destructive habits, and beginning healthy habits in eating and exercise. In my case, it's hard to slack when you have the ever-present example of an Iron Dogger nearby. But many of us could use a little more time in our great outdoors--and when you live in the Great Land, there's no excuse.
Protecting good health is largely a matter of personal responsibility, but government policy can help. Our new Alaska Health Care Commission will recommend changes that affect the well-being of Alaskans far into the future.
The emphasis is mine. The words are Sarah Palin's in her State of the State Address in 2009 -- two days after Michelle Obama became First Lady and 18 days before the First Lady launched her "Let's Move" initiative to accomplish the same things Sarah Palin laid out in her plans and speech. Sarah Palin quit her job about 5 1/2 months later, whereas Michelle Obama is still working her butt off to accomplish these goals.

What does the First Lady force on Americans through her "Let's Move" initiative?
Helpful tips and step-by-step strategies for families, schools and communities to help kids be more active, eat better and grow up healthy.
How does Sarah Palin interpret that?
"And I know I'm going to be again criticized for bringing this up, but instead of a government thinking that they need to take over and make decisions for us according to some politician or politician's wife priorities, just leave us alone, get off our back and allow us as individuals to exercise our own God-given rights to make our own decisions and then our country gets back on the right track."
Considering the "Let's Move" agenda sounds just like Palin's agenda as governor, the question is, why she isn't claiming the First Lady stole the plan from her, just as Palin claimed Obama stole the "Change" messaging from her?

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Cartoon of the Day

Stewart: American Workforce Makeover

Monday, February 21, 2011

Breast Pumps

POSTED BY JHW22

Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin have a beef with boobs. Since I consider those two women boobs, I guess I do, too.

But seriously, folks, MB and SP are mad that Michelle Obama is encouraging women to pump their breast milk AND take the tax exemption a breast pump now qualifies for as a medical expense. Now, you'd think that Grizzly Mama, family values lovin, baby-havin, women would be with the First Lady on this issue. And because they aren't, you KNOW they're just grasping at straws.

Here's why MB and SP should support the First Lady:

Breastfeeding is good for the baby and the mom.

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months has many benefits for the infant and the mother. Chief among these is protection against gastro-intestinal infections which is observed not only in developing but also in industrialized countries. Early initiation of breastfeeding, within one hour of birth, protects the newborn from acquiring infections and reduces newborn mortality. The risk of mortality due to diarrhoea and other infections can increase in infants who are either partially breastfed or not breastfed at all.
Breast milk is also an important source of energy and nutrients in children 6 to 23 months of age. It can provide one half or more of a child's energy needs between 6 and 12 months of age, and one third of energy needs between 12 and 24 months. Breast milk is also a critical source of energy and nutrients during illness and reduces mortality among children who are malnourished.
Adults who were breastfed as babies often have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, as well as lower rates of overweight, obesity and type-2 diabetes. Breastfeeding also contributes to the health and well-being of mothers; it reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer and helps space pregnancies -- exclusive breastfeeding of babies under six months has a hormonal effect which often induces a lack of menstruation. This is a natural (though not fail-safe) method of birth control known as the Lactation Amenorrhoea Method.

Pumped breast milk is good for the baby and the dad (hey! don't go there!)
Hooray for Hands-on- Dads! Three cheers for helpful grandparents, relatives and friends! Hats off to day care providers! With mom pumping and you giving the baby bottles of breast milk, you're giving your baby the best nutritional start and following The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that babies ideally receive breast milk for the first year of life. Not to mention being hands on with your baby and saving both time and money. Pumped breast milk is low cost compared to formula and you can't even compare the quality. Don't forget that a breast pump is a one time only investment; if you buy formula it can cost you as much as $2000.00 a year.
A breast pump helps the family by allowing the mom to go back to work sooner to help pay all those new bills that come with a baby.

Really, families who make a lot of money are the ones who can claim the deduction (since the standard deduction makes the breast pump deduction moot) and we KNOW MB and SP love rich people.

Don't Republicans always WANT tax deductions?

And hey, if there's a breast pump, there's a baby. A breast pump means the woman didn't choose an abortion. That right there should be reason enough to get on board with the First Lady's encouragement of breast feeding and buying breast pumps!

EDITOR'S NOTE:  I wanted to add a couple of things on this subject.

First, here is the new information for the dedcution:
The IRS ruling on the tax deduction savings states that the new deduction "will allow mothers to use pretax money from their flexible spending accounts to cover the cost of breast pumps and other supplies. Those without flexible spending accounts may deduct breast-feeding costs if their total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income and they itemize."
Now there will probably be debate from those who think this a frivolous deduction, or whether all breast pumps should be included. A hand breast pump goes for around $50. A electric/battery operated breast pump can cost upwards of $350 and some much higher. So is someone taking advantage of the tax deduction by purchasing the more expensive pump?

The short answer is no. While it may seem a luxury to get a double pumped electric model with leather seats as a opposed to a single shot Model-T version with roll down windows, the fact is that the time, efficiency and effort saved is well worth the money. And from experience, as you can throw your back out cranking up that old Model-T, you can actually cause carpal tunnel flareup or repetitive motion injury using a manually operated breast pump.

And let's not forget that 7.5% threshold for the deduction. They more money you make, the less likely you'll be eligible for the deduction.

Secondly, does hypocrisy know no bounds? Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann, both mothers of five, should be the last people to criticize Michelle Obama's support of breastfeeding. While breastfeeding isn't for everyone, we all know the benefits of it. So did a certain governor just 3½ short years ago (emphasis mine):
WHEREAS, breastfeeding is recognized as an unequalled means of providing food for infants.
WHEREAS, throughout their lives, breastfeeding can offer children protection against serious health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Breastfeeding also saves lives by reducing the incidence of life-threatening cancers in women and preventing premature death in infants.
WHEREAS, breastfeeding forms the most basic bond between mother and baby and is a foundation for lifelong health and wellness.
WHEREAS, government and community organizations have a vested interest in protecting and promoting breastfeeding as a means of preventing infant malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality.
WHEREAS, during October, organizations throughout our state will promote the importance of breastfeeding. This year, in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week - October 1 through October 7 - the State of Alaska will support networks that encourage and promote breastfeeding in all communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim October 2007 as:
Breastfeeding Awareness Month
Just further proof that Palin and Bachmann are unserious goofballs who will oppose anything that arises from the Obama administration for the sake of being contrarian just to stoke their base, even disagreeing with philosophies and ideals with which they were once proponents.

- Broadway Carl

D & C

POSTED BY JHW22

I won't link to an offensive speech on the House floor last week, where a man decided he knew what was in a woman's heart and ranted and raved about abortion -- speaking for women, about women and to women. I won't link to it because he was wrong, cruel and arrogant.

So it took a woman to speak out and call his speech what it was -- insulting. Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) was eloquent and honest in discussing her personal story as a woman who HAS had to make a decision and choose a traumatic procedure that the man had no place in discussing.

But the woman I most want to hear from on this issue, wrote this in her book:

At the beginning of my second trimester, I went in for my monthly exam.
...
The doctor said, “There’s nothing alive in there”.
...
She went on to explain that I could go home and let "it" pass naturally. Or I could have a D & C.
...
When the doctor’s bill arrived in our mailbox, it came with a typo. In the box describing the procedure, someone had typed "Abortion.” Instead of starting over with a fresh form, they painted it over with a thin layer of White-Out, and retyped, "Miscarriage." For some reason it just felt like salt in the wound.
The woman who wrote about the pain of the same procedure Ms. Speier passionately conveyed in her speech should speak out and stand with a woman who shares her experience -- despite their party differences.

Sarah Palin, where are you? The word abortion was salt in the wounds of your D & C. So why aren't you defending other women who suffer the same grief?

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Wisconsin State Troopers Association Regrets Walker Endorsement -UPDATED

From Tracy Fuller, Executive Board President of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Association, posted on WLEA website:

Feb. 16, 2011

I am going to make an effort to speak for myself, and every member of the Wisconsin State Patrol when I say this.
I VALUE THE CAPITOL POLICE, AND THE U. W. POLICE. I VALUE ALL OF THE POLICE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS OF ALL OF THE AGENCIES IN OUR UNION, AND THE STATE TROOPERS, AND THE INSPECTORS OF THE STATE PATROL. I VALUE “ALL” OF THE SUPPORT STAFF OF ALL OF THE AGENCIES AROUND THE STATE. I DON’T KNOW HOW ANY OF US COULD FUNCTION WITHOUT ANY OF US AROUND THE STATE WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER.
I VALUE THE BUREAU OF FIELD SERVICES, FIELD AGENTS OF LOCAL THREE, NO LESS THAN ANY OF THE OTHER MEMBERS IN THE UNION. I AM HERE FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THIS UNION AND ALWAYS THOUGHT I HAD BEEN UNTIL THIS WEEK.
I SPECIFICALLY REGRET THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE WISCONSIN TROOPER’S ASSOCIATION FOR GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER. I REGRET THE GOVERNOR’S DECISION TO “ENDORSE” THE TROOPERS AND INSPECTORS OF THE WISCONSIN STATE PATROL. I REGRET BEING THE RECIPIENT OF ANY OF THE PERCIEVED BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNOR’S ANNOINTING.
I THINK EVERYONE’S JOB AND CAREER IS JUST AS SIGNIFICANT AS THE OTHERS. EVERYONES FAMILY IS JUST AS VALUABLE AS MINE OR ANY OTHER PERSONS, ESPECIALLY MINE. EVERYONES NEEDS ARE JUST AS VALUABLE. WE ARE ALL GREAT PEOPLE!!
UPDATE (2/21/11 12:45am): Fuller has removed his statement from the WLEA website.
"I am in no position to speak for the Troopers Association on any issue, other than just being -- I am a member, that's the truth. Because the reason that I am a member, and I'll give you this piece of information, the Troopers' Association does a lot of beneficial things in this state."
...Fuller's quick decision to pull down the statement is a further sign of the tensions in organized labor in Wisconsin and the rapid pace of events in the unfolding crisis. Divisions within Fuller's union are due to Walker having exempted the State Patrol but not other WLEA members from his budget proposal to remove most collective bargaining rights and place other heavy restrictions on public employee unions.

Why Are State Pension Plans Broke?

Matt Taibbi might give anyone who blames state public employees' unions for their deficit plight a more realistic answer.



So who are the real freeloaders?

A friend of mine just said this, which I tweeted (I didn't want to take credit for it):

Try to say this with a straight face: "We're running a deficit because the teachers and police make too much money."

Ed Schultz Responds To Limbaugh's "Freeloaders" Comment

To Rush Limbaugh, the 70,000 protesters in Madison, Wisconsin who are fighting for their rights to collectively bargain, the teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, sanitation workers and others, who are exercising their Constitutional right to redress grievances, those people are just "freeloaders" as if they didn't work for their money; as if they didn't pay taxes on their salaries.

Ed Schultz had a response for Limbaugh as he stood with the crowd in Madison.


 
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