Are the religious right and Mormons trying to water down the Ten Commandments?

It is a cold day in the hell. The religious right's top lawyer is agreeing with a Mormon town that the Ten Commandments really aren't a symbol of Christianity as much as they're a symbol of early Mormon settlers and their religious freedom. Deny me three times, anyone?

The US Supreme Court Wednesday yook up the issue of freedom of speech and religion in a case in which a small sect wants to place its own monument alongside one of the Ten Commandments in a public park in Utah.....

The Eagles had convinced Pleasant Grove, founded by 19th century Mormons, that the Ten Commandments monument was a tribute not to the Christian religion but to the Mormon pioneers who settled the area....

Pleasant Grove's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, reminded the justices that the Ten Commandments monument was erected to the pioneers' quest for freedom of religion, and that a similar monument depicting Moses with the tablets adorns the interior of the Supreme Court building itself.

Again, let me get this straight. The Ten Commandments are NOT a tribute to the Christian religion. It sure sounds like the religious right is trying to water down the religious significance of the Ten Commandments in order to push wider dissemination of the Ten Commandments. I must deny thee to defend thee. Wow. Read the rest of this post...

More job cuts announced today

As if the Citi news wasn't bad enough, Sun Microsystems is announcing up to 6,000 jobs and Fidelity 1,700. At least they don't typically announce cuts over the weekend, so thank goodness it's the weekend. Read the rest of this post...

Begich leads increases in Alaska over Stevens

From the Anchorage Daily News. You can find the ongoing tally here.

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Leahy and Sander publicly opposes Lieberman chairmanship

I know Terje Anderson, the guy who wrote this post - Terje is credible:

Senator Patrick Leahy has just finished (12.45 EST) a call in show ('Vermont Edition") on Vermont Public Radio. (Diary now updated with transcribed quotes.)

In response to a caller ("Bill from Ripton") who raised the question of Joe Lieberman's status, Senator Leahy clearly stated his opposition to Lieberman retaining his chairmanship.

Money quote #1: "I’m one who does not feel somebody should be rewarded with a major chairmanship after doing what he did.."

Money quote #2: But I felt that some of the attacks that he was involved in against Senator Obama .... I thought they went way beyond the pale, that they were not fair, that they were not legitimate, that they perpetuated some of these horrible myths that were run about Senator Obama

Money quote #3: I would feel that had I done something similar that I would not be Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the next Congress.

Leahy's colleague from Vermont, Senator Bernie Sanders, takes the same position against Lieberman.

Bernie Sanders has issued a statement that very strongly calls for Lieberman not keep his committee chair:

"To reward Senator Lieberman with a major committee chairmanship would be a slap in the face of millions of Americans who worked tirelessly for Barack Obama and who want to see real change in our country," Sanders in the statement sent our way by his office.

"Appointing someone to a major post who led the opposition to everything we are fighting for is not 'change we can believe in,'" Sanders continued. "I very much hope that Senator Lieberman stays in the Democratic caucus and is successful in regaining the confidence of those whom he has disappointed. This is not a time, however, in which he should be rewarded with a major committee chairmanship."

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More votes counted today in Alaska: "The Stevens campaign has fallen silent"

Another day of vote counting in Alaska today, although it won't all be finished until at least Tuesday. The trends and the places where votes remain to be counted look good for Begich:

More than half the absentee and questioned ballots still to be counted in Alaska's U.S. Senate race come from areas of the state that backed Democrat Mark Begich on Election Day.

That's not a good sign for Republican Sen. Ted Stevens as he seeks to overcome Begich's 814-vote lead when counting resumes today of just over 41,000 remaining ballots. A Daily News analysis, based on data provided by the state Division of Elections, shows that 56 percent of those ballots come from districts that favored Begich on Nov. 4.

The state will count about 40 percent of remaining ballots today and the rest early next week. Democrats like the trend but are wary of expressing too much confidence in a state that for decades has proven a graveyard for their hopes.

"I'll celebrate when I hear the words ... 'and the winner is,' " Begich said.

The Stevens campaign has fallen silent, offering no comment on the ballot count. Republican Party of Alaska Chairman Randy Ruedrich said he's still a believer in a Stevens victory, and he argues it's not all about which districts the votes come from.

Vote totals will be updated here. The last update was on Wednesday at 7:33 PM Alaska time. Expect new numbers soon.

This could mean one more Democratic Senator. And, Begich is actually a Democrat who calls himself a Democrat. This shows even Ted Stevens isn't infallible. Most Democrats will be ecstatic, but, Joe Lieberman will probably be disappointed. If Begich wins, it short circuits Sarah Palin's hopes of getting into the Senate soon. Lieberman was a surrogate for Palin -- even as she fomented negativity and accused Obama of "palling around with terrorists." Lieberman palled around with Palin. That alone should disqualify him from the chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee. There must be consequences. Read the rest of this post...

LA Film Festival director reportedly gave $1500 to Prop 8

From the Advocate:

Los Angeles Film Festival director Richard Raddon turned up on the secretary of state's donation list as having given money to Yes on 8, backing the California ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage throughout the state.

Movie City News blogger David Poland turned up the $1,500 donation Wednesday morning on the California secretary of state's website. Raddon is a Mormon and the producer of a number of independent films, including the Lili Taylor-Guy Pearce movie A Slipping-Down Life.

Raddon has been with the festival since 2000. Film Independent made a statement to Poland, saying no employee can be fired for their religious affiliation.

Feel free to do your own search for who gave to the anti-gay bigots - here's the online database. Search your hometown and see what local businesses pop up. Read the rest of this post...

Prop 8 protests tomorrow all across America

JoinTheImpact.com is an online group planning protests all across America tomorrow highlighting Prop 8 and gay civil rights. These protests are being dynamically organized by a group which has come together online over the last week. There are now protests planned in over 80 cities. If you're still fired up and want to keep changing the world, here's a way to spend your Saturday morning / afternoon.

Find your local protest here.

Find local protests on Facebook. Read the rest of this post...

Obama reportedly offered Hillary job as Sec of State

Huff Post has it.

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Would Hillary have bested McCain in even greater numbers?

Some are suggesting it, Nate is skeptical:

If America had woken up last Tuesday morning and magically found Hillary Clinton's name on the ballot in lieu of Barack Obama, might she have won by 11 points? Perhaps. She certainly proved herself to be an exceptionally compelling candidate, even if her execution and staffing decisions were sometimes wanting.

But what would Clinton's numbers have looked like if she had actually endured ... you know ... a campaign?

Would she have handled the financial crisis with as much aplomb as Obama did? Probably. Would she have been so capable and reassuring in the debates? Almost certainly. Would she have had an easier time resonating with working class voters in places like Missouri and West Virginia? Yes.

But would she have managed the media as deftly as Obama did? Perhaps not. Would Republican attacks on Bill Clinton and Kazakhstan been as counterproductive to their cause as their effort to link Barack Obama and Bill Ayers? Maybe -- or maybe not. Would she have matched Obama's field organization and raised as much money? Doubtful.

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Hate cinema is reportedly THE central location for Sundance screenings

I reported earlier today that Sundance was going to be screening films at a theater owned by a top donor to Prop 8. An informed source now tells me that the Holiday theaters, the cinema in question, isn't just "a" theater to be used by Sundance - it's THE theater.

According to my source, the Holiday theaters are THE central location for anything and everything Sundance. Yes, there are several sites for screenings - the Egyptian, the Library, etc. - but the Holiday, with multiple screens, is the main location for non-premiere screenings (especially competition films), and is one of the two primary locations for press screenings (the Yarrow is the other).

Again, I'm sure Sundance is a very liberal gay-friendly festival. But it now appears that its main cinema is run by someone who donated $9,999 to the hateful bigoted anti-gay Prop 8. If you attend Sundance in Utah, your money is quite literally being funneled to people who took away our civil rights. Sundance has a real problem here. As do any films being shown at the hate theater.

Oh, and the Park City Marriott is the festival's headquarters.

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Only 35% of CT voters would re-elect Joe Lieberman

Clearly, Lieberman has us right where he wants us.

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Joe Lieberman is doing as U.S. senator?

Approve 36 (45)
Disapprove 61 (43)

If the 2012 election for U.S. Senate were held today would you to reelect Joe Lieberman would you consider voting for another candidate or would you vote to replace Lieberman?

Reelect 35
Consider Someone Else 18
Replace 48

Markos notes that Lieberman's re-elect numbers drop even more when you ask how voters would feel about Lieberman not getting his committee chair and then becoming a Republican. Yes, Lieberman is clearly the guy who holds all the marbles in this negotiation. Pitiful. Read the rest of this post...

School kids in Mormon town chant "assassinate Obama"

Such nice people.

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A contrary view on Lieberman

Reader MG offers a contrary, but well argued, view on Joe Lieberman:

Not sure I agree with you on what to do with Lieberman. I totally agree that he has behaved like a scum bag and I personally find him odious and totally untrustworthy. But if Lieberman is one thing, he is an opportunist. If he keeps his gavel, because the tide has turned, I think he will behave. His committee can boot him if and when he continues down the path he has been on so he is on notice. He was put on notice by Evan Byah last night.

Obama and Rahm want 60 votes and they will take all the Republicans they can get to vote for Obama initiatives including Lieberman. Apology? Not going to happen. Do they care? No. Obama is a pragmatist through and through. He just wants results. The best revenge is going to be passing the Obama agenda with 60 + votes. That is going to be the sweetest revenge on these last 8 years. The American people are going to like it and the GOP is not going to be in power again any time soon.

If we have to placate an asshole like Lieberman to get that agenda through, so be it. I'm ultimately for making the change happen even if it means holding my nose. In the end the Democrats will demonstrate backbone, spine, whatever you want to call it, by being savvy and getting things done. If you remember, there was a lot of talk among us that Obama was not fighting back, he didn't stand up to the Republican smears, no backbone, etc. Well, he won by being way smarter than us and them. And I think we have to let Obama do his thing, and so far he has shown himself to be extraordinary at what he does. If he wants Lieberman, I'm with him.

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Sundance hosting movies at anti-gay bigot's cinemas

UPDATE: This is at least one Sundance theater owned by the man who gave nearly $10,000 to the Mormon and religious right anti-gay bigots supporting Prop 8 in California:

HOLIDAY VILLAGE CINEMAS, Cinemark Holiday Village Cinemas

The cinema is in Park City, Utah. That's the "gay-friendly" "super-liberal" town that we were told would never lift a finger to hurt gays. I pity the person whose movies are showing at that cinema during Sundance, because I have a funny feeling there are going to be some really bad pickets. And it's not clear who is going to remain in line for the movie after being informed that by attending the movie they're supporting a Prop 8 donor. Some directors and producers are going to be really pissed at Sundance for putting their movies at that cinema.
__________________________

I'm sure the Sundance folks are nice liberal people. But the problem with having a film festival in Utah is that anyone who attends will be helping to finance the repeal of their own civil rights.

I wrote yesterday about how the CEO of Cinemark, a huge international chain of cinemas, donated $9,999 (anyone else find that number a bit fishy) to the hateful bigots running Yes on 8 in California. Well, today we learn from the Los Angeles Times that the Sundance Film Festival, taking place in Utah this coming January, will be using the hateful bigot movie chain's theaters to show its movie.

There has also been talk of a boycott of the Cinemark movie chain, whose CEO gave money to "Yes on 8." This could have a major effect on the Sundance Film Festival, which uses the chain's theaters to show movies.

That means that if you pay to attend Sundance, your money is going into the pockets of people who will then use your money to take away your civil rights. Unless Sundance is getting the cinemas for free, you are quite literally funneling money to anti-gay bigots.

It ain't pretty. I'm sure the Sundance folks are nice people. But they picked the wrong state to settle down in. Anyone who attends Sundance is quite literally funding the enemy. (PS, here's a list of the hate-cinemas in the US.) Read the rest of this post...

New petition calls out Sarah Palin

Just read it. I laughed out loud.

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Obama will YouTube his weekly radio address

It's a small step, but one that shows this will be a modern White House. The weekly radio address meets the 21st century :

Today, President-elect Obama will record the weekly Democratic address not just on radio but also on video -- a first. The address, typically four minutes long, will be turned into a YouTube video and posted on Obama's transition site, Change.gov, once the radio address is made public on Saturday morning.

The address will be taped at the transition office in Chicago today.

"This is just one of many ways that he will communicate directly with the American people and make the White House and the political process more transparent," spokeswoman Jen Psaki told us last night.

In addition to regularly videotaping the radio address, officials at the transition office say the Obama White House will also conduct online Q&As; and video interviews. The goal, officials say, is to put a face on government. In the following weeks, for example, senior members of the transition team, various policy experts and choices for the Cabinet, among others, will record videos for Change.gov.

A transparent presidency. What a concept. Read the rest of this post...

Friday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

Just trying to catch up with the news. Looks like that report about Hillary Clinton being Secretary of State is credible. This morning, Andrea Mitchell reported that Hillary was in Chicago yesterday -- and an "unidentified" motorcade was at the transition building. Speculating about cabinet appointments is all the rage these days. But, if there's one thing we know about the Obama crew, they keep things very close to the vest.

One personal thing: Thanks for all the thoughts and notes about my dog, Boomer. I really appreciated John's post yesterday -- I'm just starting to read through the comments this morning. And, my fellow dog lover, Jane Hamsher, wrote a post last night that really captured the spirit of my trusty companion. He really was a great dog who got me through a lot - including eight years of the Bush/Cheney administration.

Anyway, we have work to do....let's get started....

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Citi to cut another 10,000 jobs

It just gets worse for Citi. They have already slashed thousands upon thousands of jobs and there's no end in sight. How in the world are they even talking about buying new banks - probably with even more financial assistance from Uncle Sam - when they can't properly run what they already have? Citi is a basket case with more problems ahead and more bailout requests in the works. They used to be simply a miserable company and now they're miserable plus a financial basket case.

Citigroup Inc (C.N) is cutting at least 10,000 jobs in its investment bank and other divisions throughout the world, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Citigroup Chief Executive Vikram Pandit and his deputies have instructed managers to slash their budgets for employee compensation by at least 25 percent, the paper said citing the people.

"We will continue to carefully manage our head count levels as we re-engineer the company in line with our stated goal and market realities," Citigroup spokeswoman Christina Pretto told the paper.

Citigroup announced last month it cut 11,000 jobs in the third quarter, bringing the total number of job cuts in 2008 to 23,000.

Citigroup aims to shrink its workforce to about 290,000 employees by next year from 352,000 as of Sept 30, the WSJ said, citing another person.

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FDA reviewing food imports from China

You think it's necessary? I mean sure, tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people have been sick and OK, some died. But besides that, shouldn't we ignore all of that and help our favorite trading partner in case they might help companies build even cheaper products? That seems to have been the policy for years, hasn't it?

Federal health officials on Thursday ordered dozens of imported foods from China held at the border as possible health risks. Most are ethnic treats, including snacks, drinks and chocolates.

The Food and Drug Administration has had an import alert in place since Oct. 10 for specific products found contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine and melamine-related compounds.

It’s unusual for the FDA to put such a broad hold on goods from an entire country, not just a few rogue manufacturers. The order, which covers products made with milk, is a precaution to keep out foods contaminated with melamine, which can cause serious kidney problems.

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AIG to pay top management over $500 million

Tell me again why we saved this company? It gets more expensive by the day and we will never make a profit let alone break even, especially with giveaways like this.

American International Group plans to pay out $503 million in deferred compensation to some of its top employees, saying it must tap the funds to keep valuable workers from exiting the troubled insurance giant.

News of the payments to top AIG talent comes as the federal government has just put more money into saving the company from bankruptcy, beefing up the total public commitment to $152 billion. Meanwhile, members of Congress are questioning the company's expenditures -- including lavish business trips to resorts -- during a time when taxpayers are on the hook for the bailout.

AIG's troubles stem from bad bets it made guaranteeing and buying risky mortgage investments. On Monday, the U.S. government announced that it would have to expand its rescue of the company to nearly double the $85 billion loan it first provided in September when AIG was unable to pay billions of dollars in claims.

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85,000 foreclosures in October

The GOP legacy continues. By the time Bush leaves office the US housing market will almost surely exceed 1,000,000 foreclosed homes. It's hard to imagine why Americans said "enough" of the policies and attitudes that created this disaster.

As government and industry scrambled to stem the housing crisis, another 84,868 homes were lost to foreclosure in October, according to a report released Thursday.

Last month 279,561 struggling borrowers received foreclosure filings, including default notices, notices of auction sales and bank repossessions, according to RealtyTrac, an online marketplace for foreclosures. That's a 5% increase from September, and up 25% from October 2007.

"October marks the 34th consecutive month where U.S. foreclosure activity has increased compared to the prior year," said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac in a statement.

A total of 936,439 homes have been lost to foreclosure since the housing crisis hit in August, 2007.

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El Coyote Boycott? Mormon Manager’s Faith Overrides “Love” For Customers

An excellent report from the breakfast gathering at the El Coyote Cafe in LA this morning. The public meeting was held after it was revealed that the daughter of the owner was a donor to the bigoted Prop 8 gay-bashing legislation. Seems people are pretty ticked at El Coyote Cafe. And they should be. The Mormons and their hateful buddies in the bigoted religious right have every right to be intolerant neanderthals who oppose civil rights and try to steal the souls of dead Jewish Holocaust victims. But their victims have every right to practice the same democracy they do, and fight back.

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