Lindsey Graham throws a hissy fit over bloggers

Someone get that girl a chair, I do believe she has the vapors. Read More......

Treasury to link FDIC debt guarantees to TARP repayments

Finally, a decent idea out of Treasury. The banks have been doing their best to game the system and pay back TARP money to avoid the compensation restrictions. Treasury is now going to link the billions in FDIC debt guarantees as well. Until the banks pay back everything, they're stuck with the compensation limits. This seems fair and it's worth noting the significant change to the banking bailout plan. Maybe this is a sign of things to come.

Banks that want to pay back their federal bailout funds and free themselves from government restrictions on compensation and dividends will have to sever their ties to another financial assistance program.

Financial firms eager to return infusions from the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program will have to demonstrate that they can operate without debt guarantees provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., a senior government official said Tuesday. The FDIC program allows financial institutions to borrow money at lower costs.

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Michael Savage, Fred Phelps, banned from entering Britain

Good riddance. After years of pushing divisiveness, and dehumanizing those he doesn't like, radio shock-jock Michael Savage now wants a "We are the World" moment where liberals join him in expressing their outrage at this supposed affront to free speech.

Puhleez.

If Savage had his own country, we'd be lucky if all he did was ban people he didn't like.

Someone should have dropped a house on him a long time ago. And his little dog too. Read More......

After being browbeaten to say something, Steele issues watered down statement on legalization of gay marriage in Maine today

Earlier today, the RNC said GOP chairman Michael Steele wouldn't be saying anything about the legalization of gay marriage today in Maine. Well, you can guess how well that went over with the fundamentalist Christians who control the Republican party. True to form, Steele has now flip-flopped and issued a statement kind of sort of condemning Maine's action. It's one of the most legalistic, tepid "denunciations" on gay marriage ever issued from any Republican, let alone the chairman of the party:

“Our party platform articulates our opposition to gay marriage and civil unions, positions shared by many Americans. I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman and strongly disagree with Maine’s decision to legalize gay marriage.”

Did you catch that? Our party platform says it's wrong. Not God. Not morality. Not a majority of Americans. But our party platform. Then Steele says that "he" believes that marriage is between a man and a woman. He doesn't say America believes, etc., just he. What's more, he strongly disagrees, rather than condemns. And finally, most telling of all, Steele says that the party platform believes marriage is between a man and a woman, a position "shared by many Americans." Many Americans? Not most? Not a majority? Just "many."

Of course, new polls shows that more Americans support gay marriage than opposite it. So Steele felt he couldn't lie and claim that a majority of Americans disapprove. Still, what an incredibly week statement from the chairman of "the" conservative party.

They're floundering, folks. Steele didn't want to say boo about Maine. He didn't want to fan the flames of extremism and drive even more moderates out of the Republican party, if there are any even left. But in the end, he kowtowed, like he always does, to the conservative base that controls the ever-shrinking GOP. Read More......

A Jew, a gay and a black guy go into a bar...

Oh my. You might have heard that a few days ago the Delaware Department of Transportation got into a wee bit of trouble with some literature they distributed for their diversity training. It seems the Delaware DOT decided to list things you should not say to a gay, black, Asian, disabled, or Latino cowker. Well, some people were a tad offended when the document, for example, advised not to ask Asian-American coworkers to recommend a good Chinese restaurant. You have to read the document. As reader Robert, who sent it to me, said, it's like something out of the Onion. It's absolutely hysterical. And I have a copy. Enjoy.

Having said all of that, I feel a bit bad for these folks. They were trying to do good. And I could honestly see someone being stupid enough to say a lot of these things for real. So the warnings are valid. But still. What do you think - does it go too far, even though it's simply warning people what NOT to do?

Click the images below to see larger copies.



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The GOP anti-necrophilia caucus

Well, the Republicans promised us "new ideas." And having the top religious leader of the GOP campaign against necrophilia certainly counts as new.

Also new, his concerns about America's descent into "urophilia." I had to look it up (seriously NSFW). And no, it doesn't mean having a thing for the French.

And they wonder why they're at 20%. Read More......

Republicans and Southerners, most unpatriotic of all Americans

From DailyKos/Research 2000:





I guess patriotism really is about more than just wearing a pin and trying to oppress your fellow man. Read More......

GOP pollster slams Republican rebranding effort

From Greg Sargent:

A high-profile and well-respected GOP pollster is strongly criticizing the new effort by the GOP Congressional leadership to revive the party’s national security attacks on Obama, saying the strategy risks making the party look “out of touch and irrelevant.”

“What are we, in a time machine?” the pollster, Tony Fabrizio, asked scornfully in an interview with me moments ago. “We just got clobbered in two successive elections and lost majorities in both Houses, and the leadership appears to keep on playing the same cards.”

Same leadership. Same cards. Read More......

ADP jobs report better than expected

This is the kind of surprise that everyone wants to hear. CNNMoney:

The pace of U.S. job losses may be slowing, according to two private reports released Wednesday.

Automatic Data Processing, a payroll-processing firm, said private-sector employment decreased by 491,000 in April, a 31% improvement from the revised 708,000 drop in March.

Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had expected a loss of 643,000 jobs last month.

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Maine's Governor, John Baldacci, signed same-sex marriage bill

NOTE FROM JOHN: What's important here is that Maine now becomes the second state to legalize gay marriages through the legislative process. The number one argument that religious right bigots and their Republican and Mormon friends use against permitting gays full civil rights is that only "activist judges" have granted those rights, and if only we would leave it up to the people through their elected representatives. In Vermont and now Maine the elected representatives have legalized gay marriage.
___________

Just got the big news from Maine: The Governor just signed the same-sex marriage bill.

In the past, Gov. Baldacci had opposed same-sex marriage. But, today he supported marriage equality. This is a big win for the forces of fairness and equality. Congratulations to EqualityMaine and everyone who made it happen. Wow.

So, today, we celebrate. But, the work isn't done. Maine has a referendum process that allows voters to overturn legislation. The anti-gay forces, led by the Catholic Bishop Richard Malone, will probably be mounting a signature drive to get a repeal measure on the ballot. In today's New York Times, the Bishop's flack said the church was going to lobby Baldacci hard -- and now we know that didn't work:

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland will be among the groups lobbying Mr. Baldacci, a Catholic, to veto the bill, as will the Maine Family Policy Council, an affiliate of the Family Research Council in Washington. “We’re going to be on his case,” said Marc R. Mutty, director of public affairs for the diocese.

Catholics and the Family Research Council. Great partners, huh?

From what I hear, the field operation put together by EqualityMaine surpasses anything seen before in the state. So, if there is a referendum, our side is ready this time.

UPDATE -- Baldacci's statement:

“I have followed closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully,” Governor Baldacci said. “I did not come to this decision lightly or in haste.”

“I appreciate the tone brought to this debate by both sides of the issue,” Governor Baldacci said. “This is an emotional issue that touches deeply many of our most important ideals and traditions. There are good, earnest and honest people on both sides of the question.”

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Governor Baldacci said. “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”

“Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.’”

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State,” Governor Baldacci said.

“It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

“Even as I sign this important legislation into law, I recognize that this may not be the final word,” Governor Baldacci said. “Just as the Maine Constitution demands that all people are treated equally under the law, it also guarantees that the ultimate political power in the State belongs to the people.”

“While the good and just people of Maine may determine this issue, my responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and do, as best as possible, what is right. I believe that signing this legislation is the right thing to do,” Governor Baldacci said.

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Evan Thomas of Newsweek repeats debunked GOP smear of Obama, says Obama doesn't insist on "respect for the office"

Too bad this GOP smear was thoroughly debunked a month ago. Is it really possible that as big a journalist as Evan Thomas - not to mention his editors at Newsweek - never even heard that this was debunked?

Do your job.

Obama's style is more informal than his predecessor's. Bush insisted on respect for the office: aides wore coats and ties and saluted smartly, metaphorically and literally. White House photos show Obama in his shirt sleeves or tossing a football in the Oval Office.

Bush aides always wore coats:



Bush never worked in shirt sleeves:



And Bush never, ever joked around in the Oval Office:

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Is government doing too much for you?

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Mormon GOP Congressman from Utah threatens to prevent D.C.'s new marriage provision from becoming law

From trying to steal the soul of President Obama's mother, to murdering love in California, you perhaps won't be surprised to hear that a Mormon is spearheading the effort to legislatively bash gays in Washington, DC.

Yesterday, the D.C. City Council passed legislation that would allow D.C. to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Only our former Mayor Marion Barry, who has been married four times, voted no.

D.C. is subject to Congressional interference with our laws. And, as expected, a top Republican is already talking about blocking the bill:

At least one GOP member said yesterday that he will try to block the bill from becoming law.

"Some things are worth fighting for, and this is one of them," said Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah), the ranking Republican on a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee that oversees the District. "It's not something I can let go softly into the night. . . . I recognize the Democrats are in the majority, but I represent the majority of Americans on this issue."

What a coincidence that a Mormon Congressman from Utah is taking the lead on this. Rep. Chaffetz should read the latest Washington Post/ABC News Poll, which shows more Americans support same-sex marriage:

Most striking is the sharp shift in public opinion on same-sex marriage. Forty-nine percent said it should be legal for gay people to marry, and 46 percent said it should be illegal. About three years ago, a broad majority said such unions should be illegal (58 percent illegal to 36 percent legal).

Even better, as some of Chaffetz's fellow Republican ponder rebranding the GOP, he should check out this finding from the New York Times/CBS poll:

More significant is evidence in polls of a widening divide on the issue by age, suggesting to many Republicans that the potency of the gay-marriage question is on the decline. It simply does not appear to have the resonance with younger voters that it does with older ones.

Consider this: In the latest New York Times/CBS News poll, released on Monday, 31 percent of respondents over the age of 40 said they supported gay marriage. By contrast, 57 percent under age 40 said they supported it, a 26-point difference. Among the older respondents, 35 percent said they opposed any legal recognition of same-sex couples, be it marriage or civil unions. Among the younger crowd, just 19 percent held that view.

We also have to figure out who is funding the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which has been running radio ads in D.C. That group seem to have easy access to funds. Now, who in the past has provided large sums to prevent same-sex marriage? That would be the Mormons. Maybe Rep. Chaffetz can find out. Read More......

AIG bonus numbers keep growing

If they can't even keep these numbers straight, it's no wonder this company is such a disaster. It's difficult to say what it will take for AIG to register how serious the situation really is but continuing to lavish the failed company with bonuses that grow by the minute doesn't appear to be the way. Again, if Washington wants to kick around Detroit, how about we apply the same rules for Wall Street? Wall Street is much more costly and they've been much more central to our economic problems.

AIG has been provided too many chances, but then again, there's that all important Goldman Sachs connection and we all know nobody on either side in Washington wants to get tough with Goldman. Timmy Geithner might not have a tennis partner or be invited to big parties if he makes them angry and we wouldn't want that. Politico:

In a response to detailed questions from Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the company has offered a third assessment of exactly how much it paid out in bonuses last year.

And the new number, offered in a document submitted to Cummings on May 1, is the highest figure the company has disclosed to date.

AIG now says it paid out more than $454 million in bonuses to its employees for work performed in 2008.

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Wednesday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

Yesterday, Obama met with Israeli President Shimon Peres. Today, he's meeting with Afghanistan's President, Hamad Karzai, and President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan. Obviously, all of those are top foreign policy priorities. In the midst of all those high level meetings, Obama is having a one-on-one with ultra-right wing Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. Now, that's talking with the enemy.

I'm not ready for the Bristol Palin media blitz, but it's starting. She's got to counter all that attention Levi got. And, I'm really not wanting to hear too much more about John Edwards and his affair. But, Elizabeth deserves the chance to tell her side.

There's already too much real news.... Read More......

Report: Bank of America needs $34 billion

This is a stunning number so if true, a major overhaul is going to have to happen. No more second or third chances. This numbers shows that BofA has not been as upfront as they should have been and who knows what else is going on with the banks. It's time to wave goodbye to the Bank of America executive team and clean house. Reuters:

Bank of America has been deemed to need an additional $34 billion in capital, according to the results of a government stress test, a source familiar with the results said on Tuesday.

A Bank of America spokesman declined comment.

The amount is far higher than published reports had speculated the largest bank might need. It is certain to increase the pressure on Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis, whom shareholders ousted as chairman last week.

And for those who may have been getting ahead of the game, it may be time to settle and wait for a few more real signs of improvement instead of picking a few random bright spots. Read More......

Birth control for men tests a success in China

Just one shot and it works. The Chinese have had good success with some functional and inexpensive solutions in the pharmaceutical industry and this may be the next one. The Independent:

Scientists believe they are one step closer to developing an effective male contraceptive jab after successfully carrying out the largest feasibility study to date.

Researchers at the National Research for Family Planning in Beijing injected 1,000 healthy, fertile male patients with a testosterone-based jab over a two-year period and found only 1 per cent went on to father a child. The men were all aged between 20 and 45 and had fathered at least one child in the two years before the testing began. They were also all involved with healthy female partners between the ages of 18 and 38 who had no reproductive problems of their own.

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No ketchup? We're doomed!

This is a major crisis. A burger is supposed to have ketchup. Period. I need to sit and calm myself down after reading this horror story. At least I can feel better about Biden's burger since it included jalapeños. Bacon on either might have helped me sleep better knowing that at least one of the burgers had one of the critical pillars of an acceptable burger. CNN has the critical burger story:

Biden took the lead ordering a swiss cheese burger with jalapeños and a root beer.

Obama opted for a basic cheddar cheese burger, with mustard, hold the ketchup, and a bottle of water. Disappointed at first when told that the restaurant didn't carry French fries, Obama decided to go with an order of the restaurant's special cheese and tater puffs.

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Slackers of the world, unite!

In these stressful times, maybe being a slacker isn't such a bad thing after all. Listening to the FranklinCovey preachers is enough to throw anyone over the edge so here's the new religion. The seven habits of highly effective slackers. What would the world do without them?

There is a common misperception in the workplace that effective and productive people fit into the go-getter, proactive, or highly organized mold. While it may be true that these people are often rewarded for their seemingly productive ways, their productivity levels are actually well below those of the effective slacker.

Go-getters are always busy but they only focus on tasks that get noticed by executives. These tasks are usually highly visible but rarely important to the success of the company.

Proactive types are also always busy but their proactiveness leads to an eventual interference of completing higher priority work.

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Former Bush Officials Work to Soften Ethics Report on Interrogat

The crime that keeps on giving. From the Washington Post:

Former Bush administration officials are launching a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign to urge Justice Department leaders to soften an ethics report criticizing lawyers who blessed harsh detainee interrogation tactics, according to two sources familiar with the efforts.

In recent days, attorneys for the subjects of the ethics probe have encouraged senior Bush administration appointees to write and phone Justice Department officials, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the process is not complete.

A draft report of more than 200 pages, prepared in January before Bush's departure, recommends disciplinary action by state bar associations, rather than criminal prosecution, against two former department attorneys in the Office of Legal Counsel who might have committed misconduct in preparing and signing the so-called torture memos. State bar associations have the power to suspend a lawyer's license to practice or impose other penalties.

Let's hope that President Obama draws the line at whitewashing official reports about what really happened. Read More......