Today I get to out-intellectual-snob George Will

Not to go all “George Will” on George Will, but his latest climate change denialist headline about us all being “Cassandras” is funny as hell. Cassandra is a figure from Greek mythology who was given the gift of being able to see the future. But she was also cursed, so that no one would believe her, even though she was always right. So George Will, who prides himself on being a bit of a literary and intellectual snob, just tried to mock our views on global warming by comparing us to someone whose warnings always end up being true. Read the rest of this post...

In New Jersey, Corzine catching up. Christie goes anti-gay

DailyKos has a new poll showing Governor Jon Corzine is closing the gap in New Jersey, which confirms other polls have found. That's a good thing. If you have any doubt, check out the video I just posted from last night's debate. The GOPer, Chris Christie, is now unabashedly the anti-equality candidate. Read the rest of this post...

Six health care lobbyists for every member of Congress

Surprising that the health care Americans want is struggling. Best democracy money can buy.

America's healthcare industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to block the introduction of public medical insurance and stall other reforms promised by Barack Obama. The campaign against the president has been waged in part through substantial donations to key politicians.

Supporters of radical reform of healthcare say legislation emerging from the US Senate reflects the financial power of vested interests ‑ principally insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms and hospitals ‑ that have worked to stop far-reaching changes threatening their profits.

The industry and interest groups have spent $380m (£238m) in recent months influencing healthcare legislation through lobbying, advertising and in direct political contributions to members of Congress. The largest contribution, totalling close to $1.5m, has gone to the chairman of the senate committee drafting the new law.

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Roger Ebert on "The anger of the festering fringe"

A long, but interesting, rumination from movie critic turned political observer Roger Ebert on the birthers, Teabaggers, Glenn Beck and the rest. Read the rest of this post...

Lindsay Graham says birthers are "crazy"

From CBS News:

Asked how he deals with fringe elements in his party, Graham said, "I go to a town hall meeting and say 'you're crazy' - in a respectful way." He said the so-called "birthers," who doubt that Mr. Obama was born in the United States, fall into that catergory.

He seems to be suggesting that the Teabagger crowd attending the townhall meetings are nuts too. Read the rest of this post...

Poll: Majority prefers Dem-only bill with Public Option to bipartisan bill without one

At some point we need to ask ourselves why any Democrats, on the Hill or the White House, are giving us a hard time on this - the numbers are in our favor, and President Obama already promised a public option - so what gives?

Which of the following scenarios do you prefer/ do you prefer?

Getting a health care bill with the choice of a strong public health insurance option to compete with private insurance plans that’s supported only by Democrats in Congress, OR Getting a health care bill with no public option that has the support of Democrats and a handful of Republicans?

Public option: 52%
No public option: 39%

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Former GOP Majority Leader Bill Frist on Senate health legislation: I’d vote for it.

From ThinkProgress:

In an interview today with Time’s Karen Tumulty, former Republican Senate Majority Leader Dr. Bill Frist dismissed the GOP’s balking over health care legislation. Underscoring how much Republicans have become the “party of no” and how much the Senate Finance Committee legislation has been watered-down, Frist said that if he were still in office, he would vote for the bill. “I would end up voting for it,” he said. “As leader, I would take heat for it. … That’s what leadership is all about.” Frist has already come out for the individual mandate and has said that Democrats would be well within legal and ethical guidelines using the reconciliation process to pass health reform. In his interview with Tumulty, Frist also took issue with his party’s fearmongering, saying that “death panels and public plan arguments have been overblown.”

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Conservative media rejoicing that America lost Olympics bid

One wonders how they feel about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, since after all, Obama is trying to win those two. Perhaps someone should ask them. It is a bit sick rooting for America to lose the Olympics, and bad-mouth Chicago, simply because Obama is from there. Read the rest of this post...

Is it okay to use the word "holocaust" when you don't mean "Holocaust"?

It's an interesting question, aside from the fact that the GOP is simply upset that Rep. Grayson is one of the few Democrats will the balls to stand up to Republicans and call them on their bs. Read the rest of this post...

Krugman: More stimulus urgently needed

The administration didn't defend the stimulus much the first time around, and rather than defang the opposition, they emboldened it. Politically, I don't see how we can ever get a second stimulus bill passed, regardless of how necessary it is to save the country from permanent damage (and that's not even taking into account President Obama's visceral aversion to advocating for anything that anyone disagrees with). This is why Joe and I have been so critical of the Obama administration. When they make mistakes, it's not happening in a vacuum. It's harming our efforts on issue after issue, and it's harming our country. When you're the leader of the Free World - hell, when you run a 7-11 - you don't get a pass the first 12 months because you're the new guy. Read the rest of this post...

David Brooks attacks Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh and O'Reilly

Coming on the heels of Lindsay Graham's criticism, this is very interesting. It suggest to me that, whether or not Graham and Brooks coordinated their public rebukes, they certainly are reinforcing one another. There may actually be some backlash finally coming to the surface among non-crazy Republicans who have had it with the Teabag crowd, and their masters.

So what is the theme of our history lesson? It is a story of remarkable volume and utter weakness. It is the story of media mavens who claim to represent a hidden majority but who in fact represent a mere niche — even in the Republican Party. It is a story as old as “The Wizard of Oz,” of grand illusions and small men behind the curtain.

But, of course, we shouldn’t be surprised by this story. Over the past few years the talk jocks have demonstrated their real-world weakness time and again. Back in 2006, they threatened to build a new majority on anti-immigration fervor. House Republicans like J.D. Hayworth and Randy Graf, both of Arizona, built their re-election campaigns under that banner. But these two didn’t march to glory. Both lost their seats....

Just months after the election and the humiliation, everyone is again convinced that Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity and the rest possess real power. And the saddest thing is that even Republican politicians come to believe it. They mistake media for reality. They pre-emptively surrender to armies that don’t exist.

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Lead religious right anti-Jennings activist suggests that gays are perverts

So much for all the hullabaloo over gay Obama administration appointee Kevin Jennings, and the religious right's claim that they're not motivated by homophobia. Once you throw the pervert word around, it's pretty much a done deal. (I'd written yesterday that I smelled a bit of homophobia permeating this campaign.)

UDPATE: Media Matters has confirmed conclusively that the student in question was 16 years old (they've got his drivers license.) So, there is no there there -- and there never was. This is about blatant homophobia. Read the rest of this post...

Joe the Plumber at the DC Improv

Oh, it's good.

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CNN debunks anti-Jennings smear, again

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Vitter Seeks Investigation of ACORN for Assisting Fake Prostitution Ring; CREW Seeks Investigation of Vitter for Role in Real Prostitution Ring

Oh the joy.

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Friday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

The President is on his way back from Copenhagen after pitching Chicago for the 2016 Olympics. The Olympic Committee votes later today. Then, we can listen to endless blather about whether Obama's trip helped or hurt. And, it will be blather -- and endless.

It seems like the only thing anyone paid attention to on Capitol Hill this week was the Senate Finance Committee hearing. Max Baucus had his moment in the spotlight. I, for one, will be glad when the spotlight leaves him. I've had my fill of Baucus. And I'm way, way over the Republicans on that panel. Seemed to me that "might as well be President" Olympia Snowe sided with her GOP colleagues most of the time.

Also, can someone enact a moratorium on all things related to Jon & Kate? Please.

Let's start threading the news... Read the rest of this post...

Babies born in rich countries will often live to 100

Most rich countries are trending in this direction except for the US, which is facing problems related to obesity.

Most babies born in rich countries this century will eventually make it to their 100th birthday, new research says.

Danish experts say that since the 20th century, people in developed countries are living about three decades longer than in the past. Surprisingly, the trend shows little sign of slowing down.

In an article published Friday in the medical journal Lancet, the researchers write that the process of aging may be "modifiable."

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Argentina's first family increases wealth, but losing support

In the old days this kind of wealth gathering was restricted to the developing world. It raises eyebrows and makes you wonder how such fortunes could be amassed so quickly. Despite a belief that this only happens "over there" it's simply not true. Look at the rapid and enormous wealth generated by Bill Clinton after leaving office. Look at Tony Blair. To be fair to both it was after they left though we're kidding ourselves if find either example acceptable. Have we evolved into "one of those countries" or has it always been there? More on the recent wealth generated by President Cristina Kirchner and her husband (former president) Nestor:The first couple has declared ownership of 28 properties (not all in Calafate) valued at $3.8m (£3.5m), four companies worth $4.8m and bank deposits of $8.4m.

A plot of municipal land bought for $34,400 in 2006 garnered $1.64m when sold on last year. Since coming to power in 2003 their wealth has exploded from $1.7m to $12m.

The problem is that many Argentinians consider these rewards not so much magical as dodgy: the result, it is claimed, of using influence over local authorities for financial gain. Opposition members of congress have called the Calafate property bonanza a scandal and demanded an inquiry. Read the rest of this post...

Obama declares disaster in Samoa

And unfortunately, the death count has increased, as predicted earlier by authorities. AP:

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster for American Samoa, a day after an earthquake sent a massive tsunami toward Samoa and American Samoa, leaving at least 99 dead and dozens missing.

Obama said the Federal Emergency Management Agency is in contact with emergency responders, and the U.S. Coast Guard is helping deliver resources to areas in need of assistance.

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UN sacks US diplomat to Afghanistan

Was it fair to remove someone who was calling for a complete review of the ballot-tampering charges or did it make sense to limit the investigation? Neither solution sounds very attractive though the charges of corruption (and lack of progress) in Afghanistan do wear thin over time.

As No 2 in the mission, Mr Galbraith was in charge of the UN's supervision of the 20 August election which returned President Hamid Karzai to power. But his insistence on a full investigation into the alleged massive ballot stuffing that marred the vote brought him into head-on conflict with his boss Kai Eide, head of the UN mission in Kabul, who favours a more cautious, less confrontational approach. It also made him virtually persona non grata with the Karzai government.

The clash, of both style and substance, split the UN mission. Neither Mr Eide nor Mr Galbraith bothered to conceal their differences. "The disagreement has been about how active the UN should be in promoting the goal [of free and fair elections]," Mr Galbraith acknowledged in a radio interview last week when asked about the turmoil. "Not surprisingly there are strong feelings within the mission."

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The world needs more like William Kamkwamba

What an amazing person. Read the story and see why Al Gore is even talking about him. Read the rest of this post...