Some people need to get a grip

New Hampshire GOP Bill Mandates That New Laws Find Their Origin In 1215 English Magna Carta

Get real, New Hampshire GOP. (I know, asking for the moon.) They're requiring all bills introduced to have a quote from the MAGNA CARTA. You know, the Magna Carta. Written in 1215. 797 years ago. Way to be repulsive, New Hampshire GOP!

In the continuing story of Republicans being horrible...

Republican lawmaker says he expects 'race card' from Obama in 2012

Oh good! DEADBEAT DAD Republican from Illinolis, Joe Walsh has opened is ignorant mouth yet again!

“The minute you say, 'They’re criticizing me because I’m African American,' or whatever, that is voter intimidation,” Walsh said. “You are trying to stifle honest debate, and my fear is this is going to happen again in the next election. We saw it in ’08; thankfully, the president now has a record — he didn’t have a record in ’08 — so now we can criticize the fact that he destroyed the economy, and hopefully we can do that without being accused of being racist.”

Please, someone get deadbeat Dad Joe Walsh a dictionary. Because the simple meaning of words escapes him.
Oh, also, someone ask him if he's ever going to pay his ex-wife the money he owes her.
In fact, can someone, anyone, ask him that every single day from now until he actually does?

I... Just.. I mean...

Lawmaker Says Michelle Obama Has ‘Large Posterior’

No, Jim Sensenbrenner, I have a large posterior. The FIRST LADY is a perfectly fit person. And, hey, not to fat snark or anything, but have you looked in a damn mirror, oh, ever? 'Cause you make my ass look not too bad.

My head is going to explode over absolute garbage like this. That ridiculous attention seeker in Alaska thinks there's something wrong with the White House's Christmas card. The circus peanut wearing a badger thinks that Barney Frank is disgusting. And I say, fuck off cowards. Both of you are too CHICKEN SHIT to actually run.

Somehow, I think the boy who was raped had a ruined weekend.

Devil's Deposition: Joe Paterno Delayed Reporting Sex Abuse to Avoid Ruining Anyone’s Weekend

The entire football program should be completely dismantled at Penn State.
Torn completely down. And the ground salted.
And, then, maybe in three or four decades, there can be talk about starting a football program at Penn State.

Sam Brownback is a child

Disparaging tweet about Gov. Sam Brownback lands Kansas teen in principal’s office

My alternate title is: Good for you, Emma Sullivan!

I'm quite sure Sam Brownback and his people will see this, since they seem to troll media looking for instances of his name.
So, what are you going to do, Sam? Call my mommy and tell her I was mean to you?
I guess no one is allowed to question Emperor Brownback in Kansas.

I stand for the victims.

Actually, I think I need to edit that. I stand for all victims.

I said this earlier this evening, as I was watching the news from College Park.
"Why don't more abuse victims come forward? Just look at the scene at Penn State and I think you have an answer."

The Board at Penn State fired Joe Paterno. Good for them.
I watched reporters at the press conference lead off by asking "who's coaching the team on Saturday?"
I watched students pour out across the campus, proclaiming their love for him and their anger and disgust at his firing.

And all I could think was that some of the victims of Jerry Sandusky are the same age as these students.
And that victims of abuse are current students at Penn State.

Victims of abuse don't come forward more often because they are the people that get scrutinized.
Not the abuser.
It's just that simple.

So I make it clear. I stand with the victims. Always.

People in authority are supposed to protect children

Mothers Of Alleged Sandusky Victims Speak Out

I realize how hopelessly naive that title is. I mean, just below is a story of the Boy Scouts of America protecting a child molester for 20 years. And I've written before about the horrors of the Catholic Church's behavior towards the victims of its own priests. Why should I be surprised that a football program at a major university did nothing?
We can not stop highlighting the abuses. Shine a bright light on the cockroaches who abuse children.

Can't debate honestly, so resorts to name calling

Elizabeth Warren Heckled By Tea Party Supporter

Oh Tea Party. You are so very offensive.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
So they're up to fighting.
Which means they've lost.

A little more on the incident, from Greg Sargent.
Elizabeth Warren's Anger

Fuck off Joe Arpaio

Joe Arpaio, Arizona Sheriff, Calls On Obama To Release Birth Certificate Microfiche

So yet another racist thinks he has the right to demand of our President that which has never been demanded of any other.
Gee. And I wonder why the rage of anger makes my head hurt.
I am so fucking sick of assholes who have no business opening thier mouths just keep fapping away.
Shut up. Fuck off. And mind your own business, you disgusting racist buzzard.

Wow

Boy Scouts failed to report abuser

Apparently, the Boy Scouts, who refuse with every fiber of their organizational being, to allow homosexuals in their organization, are perfectly happy to allow molesters! And they'll also help hide the molester's behavior for two decades.

If you can do this and not think there's anything wrong with it,

You are a fucking psychopath.

What the Costumes Reveal

I can't even. The country's largest foreclosure firm thinks it's perfectly splendid to dress up as homeless. So the people they've put out on the streets.
Wrap your mind around that.

As the Mayor, the buck stops with her.

Jean Quan says she has little input on Occupy raid

There is no excuse for the actions of the Oakland PD and the other departments they called in for assistance.
And then the Mayor says she doesn't know? That's horrendous. Either she's lying. Or she's so incompetent that her acting Police Chief made a decision to bring officers in riot gear against unarmed protesters. Either way, it sounds pretty bad, right?

It's time to raise the screams for a new revolution

A Womb With a View

Actually, it's well past time.
But this garbage bullshit is putting me over the top.
The economy is cratered. Actually, beyond cratered, heading towards the center of the earth.
And all the damn Republicans in Congress can do is come up with bill after bill after bill attacking women's health and abortion rights.
FUCK. THAT. NOISE.

I... I... I... Speechless.

Joe Walsh Says He Had 'Verbal' Deal Not To Pay Child Support


Wait. I take that back. I do have somethings to say. Most of them are expletives. And a lot of Seth Meyers-esque "Really?!" thrown in.
Wouldn't you just love to try this argument in court? "I thought we had a verbal agreement not to pay". Are you fucking kidding me?
Throw the bastard in jail for non support.

Um... Isn't that what it's supposed to do?

Occupy Wall Street Protests Rankle the Rich

I mean, what kind of a dumb headline it that?
That's the point of the protests.
And good luck finding people to feel bad for the rich people.
Aw, are their fee-fees hurt because the poor people and the unemployed people are mad at them?
Too bad, so sad.

Keeping it classy with a K, ladies and gentlemen, I present you Scott Brown

Scott Brown Calls Elizabeth Warren Ugly

Let's see, the guy who went on and on about his daughters' dating life on election night implies his possible opponent is ugly.
Klassy!
No wonder Elizabeth Warren was beating him in polls barely a week after she announced she was running.
Run scared Scott Brown, Elizabeth Warren is no Martha Coakley. She's not afraid of getting in the weeds.
So keep on flapping your mouth. You inner ugliness is shining bright.

Oh yeah, here's Elizabeth Brown's ActBlue page. Elizabeth Warren, you know, in case you're so inclined.

Not in my name

A Message From Troy Davis

I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.

As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail.

I cannot answer all of your letters but I do read them all, I cannot see you all but I can imagine your faces, I cannot hear you speak but your letters take me to the far reaches of the world, I cannot touch you physically but I feel your warmth everyday I exist.

So Thank you and remember I am in a place where execution can only destroy your physical form but because of my faith in God, my family and all of you I have been spiritually free for some time and no matter what happens in the days, weeks to come, this Movement to end the death penalty, to seek true justice, to expose a system that fails to protect the innocent must be accelerated. There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.

I can’t wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing,

“I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!”

Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!

My heart is so broken right now.

I don't understand the desperate need to kill

Troy Davis: 10 reasons why he should not be executed

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on tv. But I'm pretty sure there has to be some evidence actually linking a person to the crime they're being put to death for. And in the case of Troy Davis, evidence seems to be absolutely lacking.
The state of Georgia is rushing to kill him.
7 of 9 people have recanted their sworn testimony. 1 has not spoken about the case ever in 20 years. And the last is one person who originally Davis was the murderer. And has been spoken of by more than one person as being the real killer.

By the way, the evil racist who dragged James Byrd to death and confessed is also supposed to be put to death today. I oppose that state death as well.

Elizabeth Warren is amazing

The Elizabeth Warren Quote Every American Needs To See

I don't think it's any kind of a surprise that I really like Elizabeth Warren and the positions she takes. I think she'll do a fantastic job as Senator from Massachusetts. (Maybe send her some dough, if you like.) She announced last week that she's running and has already taken a 2 point lead over Scott Brown.

And the State of California pisses itself from laughing so hard.

Bachmann predicts a GOP win in California in 2012

I love the fact that the very first sentence of the article is basically "yeah, she's full of crap."
Or, put another way, no way in hell is a Republican going to win a statewide election in California.

Sarah Grunfeld is absolutely 100% wrong

Student who mistakenly accused Prof of anti-Semitism unapologetic

There's wrong and then there's SPECTACULARLY wrong. Sarah Grunfield is SPECTACULARLY wrong. She has accused a professor of antisemitism based on something she heard incorrectly. And refuses to back down. So for the rest of her life, she needs to be followed by this story. Prospective employers will google her and learn how she said a professor said something antisemitic. And when confronted with the actual reality, refused to back down. So feel back being ignorant and wrong, Sarah Grunfield.

She's losing and getting more desperate.

Health Expert Offers Bachmann $10,000 If She Can Provide One Case Proving HPV Vaccine Causes Retardation

Let's leave aside the sheer ridiculousness of Bachmann's statement. It's utterly unprovable on her part. The part of the article that caught my eye is the end. Where some adviser or the other said that Bachmann only pays attention to about 80 or 90% of whatever she's reading. And I can believe that. So many of her actions and statements seem to be of a person who hasn't caught the entire story. I'd feel bad that she's been shunted aside in the race. But then I remember that the Republican contenders are all pretty much a group that really doesn't care about the actual working people of the country. And get over my sympathy for her.

You sound like an unpleasant person

My Brief OkCupid Affair With a World Champion Magic: The Gathering Player

Many many other people will write many words about this article by Alyssa Bereznak at Gizmodo.
I just want to say, Ms Bereznack, you sound like an unkind person. So he wasn't your flavor of date. Was he mean, rude, unkind, abusive, or drunken during your date? Doesn't sound like. Sounds like he was a nice man with a hobby you want to mock. Which makes you mean.

Despicable

Embattled Fullerton police chief goes on medical leave

Key phrase, for me:

City spokeswoman Sylvia Palmer Mudrick said the chief cannot be fired while on medical leave.

I don't know if you've read anything about this story. A young schizophrenic homeless man was beaten to death by some Fullerton police officers. He was well known in the area and people say he was harmless. The picture taken of him just before he died is so sad. You can't recognize him.
And the official response has been horrendous. The Chief of Police should be fired. "Medical leave" is a cop out. He's running away from his responsibility to the citizens.

Only deeply unserious people spew things like this.

Beck: Youth Camp Attacked In Norway "Sounds A Little Like The Hitler Youth"

Look, I am aware that giving Beck attention is giving him what he craves. But absolute insane bullshit does not go unreplied to.

From a survivor of the attack in Norway

The worst day of my life.

It's translated, but some of the translation is a bit rough.
It's heartbreaking to read. 14 to 18 year olds, working to build a better world.

But I'm still in shock. And that is why I write this note. I can not bear to tell the story over and over again. It was in brief what happened. With me. But the fear was there all the time ... Do NOK not think I can put it into words. We also continuously hear who was shot, etc. - that I have omitted to write about. It is degrading above the relatives. They deserve better.

We deserve not to die. And it's also why I write this note. We are just normal teenagers. We are engaged in politics. We will make the world a better place - I missed the part where we becam the bad guys.

My sympathies to Norway and the suffering families.

Do we need to pull out a dictionary?

In Response To Prosser Choking Allegations, Fox’s Van Susteren Calls On Female Chief Justice To Resign

Frankly, I just want to ignore Van Susteren. Trolling shouldn't be rewarded. And you know as well as I that's what she's doing. Because she can't really be calling on the person WHO WAS ATTACKED to resign, can she? I mean, that would be colossally stupid. And trollish.
And let us talk about Judge Prosser. Who admits to putting his hands around Justice Bradley's neck. But, according to him, she had it coming. Really? In what magic dream world does he live in, that you can actually do that? In the world I live in there's no justification for ever putting hands on anyone. No matter the circumstance. But apparently there are special rules for Mr. Prosser.

Congratulations New York!!!

National impact from New York marriage law: experts

You guys! I'm so excited about this vote! I'd have been happier if the Church-y types had kept their noses out of it. But steps in the right direction are steps in the right direction.
Also, friends, I am fully prepared to travel for weddings. hint hint.

5 years.

Bin Laden 'in same house for five years, says wife'

Obama's been in office for 2 years. And caught bin Laden.
Bush, the guy who was "going to get him dead or alive" couldn't find him. Then Bush defunded the unit that was specifically tasked to hunt down bin Laden.
Bin Laden was in the same house for FIVE years.
Oh, don't get me started on Pakistan's role in this, by the way. Most wanted man in the world hiding in a million dollar compound 30 miles from your capital, 1000 yards from your military training compound. Suuuuuuuuuuure you didn't know he was there. Riiiiiight.

Oh hello rotten puritans!

Parents: English Teacher Writes Racy Novels

You know, the news this day is filling me with rage.
I woke up to news of the President releasing his long form birth certificate. So straight up racism is being given media time. Wow.
And then this story. I... I just can't. The ignorance and hate displayed by the complaining parent is unbelievable. Judy Buranich, the teacher,has 25 years experience teaching. Twenty five years. And, from the comments, she's quite well loved. So what's the big deal?

updated to add: Erotic Romance Writer Outed

There's nothing "immoral" about anyone writing erotic fiction. And to say that because a person chooses to write in a certain genre says something about them as a person doesn't really get it. 'Cause then shouldn't we be concerned about writers of horror? Or mysteries? I mean, aren't they suspect for coming up with all those gory deaths? What's that? That's different? Um, no. No it isn't.

What an amazing young woman

Pregnot: Toppenish High student fakes pregnancy as social test about stereotypes, rumors

Gaby Rodriguez, for her senior project, pretended to be pregnant for a good portion of her senior year for her senior project. Her mother, the principal and a few select others knew about it.
I am so impressed by her. What an amazing social experiment. I really don't have the words to explain how fascinating an idea it is.
Don't read the comments.

Just Saying

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

If Tasini was actually serious, he'd be suing other places as well.

Huffington Post's Unpaid Bloggers Are Suing Arianna

I mean, I'm not a fan of the HuffPo. I think people like Amanda Terkel and Ryan Grim do some really great work.
Nobody forces the unpaid bloggers to post at HuffPo. I won't generalize anyone's motives. But if Tasini were honestly serious about suing the people who use his freely posted work for their own gains, he'd be suing Daily Kos as well. Too bad that doesn't suit his narrative of choice.

The GOP hates women

I mean, it's not like you needed me to tell you that. But this looming shutdown over the defunding of Planned Parenthood really points to nothing else. I mean, after all the Hyde Amendment prevents any Federal funds go to provide abortions. So who exactly does the GOP think they're fooling with this bullshit?
It's nothing but a naked attempt to slap at women's healthcare. Flat out.
Now, I don't have a personal story about Planned Parenthood. But I do have a story about former college roommates of mine. (And since I haven't spoken to either one of them in over 20 years, I'm going to tell it.)
I went to a small Catholic college in Rochester, NY for my undergrad. Late '80s, early '90s. My freshman year I roomed with 2 women from far upstate NY. I'd met them both on a visit to the campus and they'd seemed like nice people, so we asked to room together. Anyway, one of these women had a boyfriend at home. He was slightly younger than her and still in high school. And she was always telling us about how they were both going to wait until they got married to have sex, and were always going to be true to each other. You know, all the things you say as an 18 year old.
Well, she came back from Christmas break and it seems they'd "done it" over the break. As the next few days progressed, well, she was having some problems. But couldn't go to the health center on campus. Catholic school, you know.
So we took her to Planned Parenthood. And hey guess what?! She wasn't pregnant. But her never had sex ever boyfriend had given her and STD! Which Planned Parenthood diagnosed and helped her treat.
But if it hadn't been for Planned Parenthood, she would not have done anything about it. She was never going to go to student health services.
So. The GOP wants to shut down the national government because the Democrats refuse to defund Planned Parenthood. And I say again, the GOP hates women.

Help Japan

SHELTERBOX IN JAPAN

donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999

Two ways you can help with the devastation in Japan.

Victim blaming in the New York Times

Vicious Assault Shakes Texas Town

An 11 year old girl is raped by a gang and we're supposed to care that

They said she dressed older than her age, wearing makeup and fashions more appropriate to a woman in her 20s. She would hang out with teenage boys at a playground, some said.

And also:

“It’s just destroyed our community,” said Sheila Harrison, 48, a hospital worker who says she knows several of the defendants. “These boys have to live with this the rest of their lives.”

Yes. Those poor poor boys. Who are accused of violently raping an 11 year old. The attack that they recorded on their cellphones, by the way. I feel ever so terrible for them. Oh wait. I completely feel nothing but contempt and disgust for those men. And great amounts of sympathy for the 11 year old girl who was raped.

Just go read this

I’m Not Your Scapegoat

Audrey Barbakoff, a public librarian in Wisconsin, says what I've been thinking for a very long time.

Librarians add incredible value to society. We help children develop the early literacy skills that will allow them to excel in school, reduce their dropout rate in high school, and continue on to higher education (and incomes). We help unemployed patrons learn the tech skills they need to find work. We provide enriching books and company to isolated seniors. We are defenders of intellectual freedom—safeguarding free, nonjudgmental access for everybody.

And those are just among the things we are asked to do.

We also do a million little things that were never in our job descriptions. Every day, we cope with patrons dealing with homelessness, mental illness, and extreme poverty—along with their ramifications. We are the default social service for those that have slipped through the cracks. I can’t imagine that anybody would take all of that on just because they want to make $40 grand a year. Like teachers, nurses, police officers, and many other public employees under fire, we do it because we understand how critically important it is.

I think most people have no idea what it is we do. And I don't claim to be perfect.

I know everyone's already seen it. But I still love it.

and a bit more.

zzzzzzzzzzz

Fewer Americans describe themselves as Democrats

Yawn. And also an "oh please" followed by an eyeroll.
Two years is a long time. I'm not going to start worrying about Obama's and Democrats' chances. 'Cause we have ever so many helpful Republicans like Scott Walker and John Boehner around. Hey guys, keep fucking up the lives of Americans. We'll see who is in power in 2013.
I'll bet you $100 it isn't Republicans.

These are their wives, daughters and mothers that they are attacking.

Top 10 Shocking Attacks from the GOP's War on Women

Go check out that list. Every single item on there is directly harmful to women and their health. Every single one.

You know, this week has just blown my mind. It seems every single day the news has been full of Republicans actively working against women and the working class. I can't seem to find the words to express how horrifying it is to me.