Monday, January 23, 2012

Weekly Roundup, January 16-22, 2012

by Blueberry T
Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Patrick had another great scoop! This one was about poor Bristol’s little “fixer-upper” on Lake Lucille, described in InTouch magazine, which has paid her handsomely for her silly stories in the past and apparently still does. The backstory is that she claimed that the altercation with Stephen Hanks in September in LA (in which her homophobia was on display) convinced her to move back to Alaska. The funny thing is that she had already bought the house in Alaska prior to this little altercation. Hmm, caught in another little lie, Bristol? In the InTouch article, she claimed she bought a rundown property in need of major renovation. Well, check out the photos for yourself and you can decide whether Brissie is being entirely truthful on that point, also2. Patrick also discovered some real estate dealings by “Iron Properties” which, as it turns out, happens to be owned by one Sarah and Todd Palin of Wasilla, AK. In his typical meticulous fashion, Patrick discloses all the details of the heretofore secret dealings by the Palins. Good times! (Aside: I love that the Gawker article refers to Bristol as “America’s most successful unsuccessful abstinence advocate.”)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Update: Gingrich Panders to Palin

Kathleen covered the web blackout in protest of web censorship legislation, and EbbtideMB took one for the team by reporting on a non-partisan MLK Breakfast in Myrtle Beach that was attended by Gingrich, Perry and local GOP rising star Tim Scott. Ebbtide offers candid reactions to Gingrich’s pandering and Perry’s preaching. It sounds like the day was saved by a gentleman’s beautiful recital of King’s inspiring “I Have a Dream” speech. During the thread, the news broke that Newt Gingrich announced that, if elected, he would appoint none other than Sarah Palin to a key post in his administration. The comments were full of good ideas about what she would be qualified for…

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Another crazy day on the Republican primary circuit. First up, Rick Perry “suspended” his campaign. His own gaffes did him in. Oh, and he endorsed Gingrich, proving how committed these guys all are to the family values that they continually preach about. Then, ABC aired clips of Marianne Gingrich, claiming that in the late 1990s Newt wanted her to accept an “open marriage” at the same time that HE was spouting off about family values while spouting off in the the bedroom with his then-intern, Callista (the one who is a really devout Catholic except for the commandments about adultery and not desiring the neighbor’s spouse). Obviously, he WAS having an open marriage regardless of his wife’s refusal to agree to it. Adding to the sense of one big dysfunctional family, Palin ranted about Marianne Gingrich being “disgruntled” and came to Newt’s defense. Hahahahahahaha, she sure is consistent!! To top off the bizarre day, the Iowa GOP announced that they screwed up the caucus count and Rick Santorum actually won, but they lost the votes from 8 precincts. BTW, these are the people who want to run the country.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Sunnyjane took our minds off the idiocy and lifted our spirits with her post commemorating the inauguration of President Obama three years ago. The photos and text are an inspiring reminder of that historic day and all the hopes that accompanied it. Despite the ugly political and personal attacks that President and Mrs. Obama have endured since that day, they continue to provide an example of grace and dignity, allowing for continued hope that we can transcend our differences and move this country toward greater equality and justice. IWantTheTruth had a wonderful comment describing her experiences during the Inauguration festivities. There was also a lively but respectful back-and-forth in the comments, with some dissenting opinions about President Obama.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

In case you didn’t realize it, Rick Santorum is really a victim of people attacking his beliefs about marriage. He has been vilified. Tsk tsk. Nomad’s excellent post calls out the “bully’s defense” for what it is – a deflection of the person’s own victimization of others who they are now blaming. Conservatives are becoming adept at not only blaming the victim, but going a step further (turning reality on its head) by attacking the actual victims as if they were the ones doing the victimizing. Santorum now tries to excuse himself by claiming that he was dealing with gay marriage as bad public policy, but he is on record opposing homosexuality and connecting it with bigamy, polygamy, incest, adultery, pedophilia, and bestiality. He denies the right to privacy, but claims that none of his words should be construed to imply that he does not believe in equality. Hmmm. Nomad closes with the important question of exemptions from hate crime and anti-bullying laws for those who claim religious reasons.

Sunday, January 22, 2012





Nomad has put together a terrific series of videos of Newt Gingrich doing what he does best – running his mouth off on every possible topic. Interestingly, the videos display the fact that Gingrich does occasionally say something sensible – for example, his comments on the need for effective government programs to protect us from pollution and other problems is quite sane. It is kind of gratifying to see that several news anchors nailed him regarding the hypocrisy of going after Clinton while he was having his own extramarital affair with an intern. Hubris, thy name is Gingrich! Of course, ethics violations do occasionally come back to bite people, and when they are as arrogant as Gingrich it can only bring a smile to your face; H/T to HonestyinGov for this link.


On Sunday, many of us were saddened yet also inspired by the video message from Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, announcing that she is stepping down from Congress to focus on her recovery from the devastating head wound she received during the assassination attempt a little over a year ago. She feels that this is in the best interest of her Arizona constituents. She thanked them for their faith in her and made a plea for our political leaders to work together for the common good. Politicalgates wishes Gabby the best in her recovery, and we hope that she and her husband Mark Kelly will have many happy and fulfilling years ahead.
Some Comments and Links:

Molly_WI had a good comment about how little Palin knows about anything, including this: SHE IS MY AGE and I, a med tech here in Wisconsin, know MORE ABOUT HISTORY --and dare I surmise, more about current events--than a former GOVERNOR and VP CANDIDATE.

To which sunnyjane replied: Hell, my nine-year-old granddaughter knows more about WWII than Sarah does, just by watching The Sound of Music with me!

Psalm023: These Palins are the most disgusting bunch of con artists to have ever lived.

Patricia O: Their familial cons are the only thing that keeps them together. When a lie is confided to a family member, that is the only thing that makes them feel loved, or paid attention to. They all get to conspire together. The lies are the glue that keeps the Palins a "family". The only one who seems healthy enough to seek real love and affection is Track. That's why he is not part of the conspiracy and apparently NOT embraced by the family. You are only as sick as the secrets you keep.

DebinWI: I really wonder if Levi didn't win a custody battle and require Bristol to move back to AK.

Triple Moon: I wish I had known having a baby out of wedlock was so profitable! I would have encouraged my daughter to get knocked up in high school instead of going to college. Silly me.

EbbtideMB not only wrote the excellent post this week but gave us this:
Newt and Sarah’s Theme Song BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER (AND A LATE NIGHT SNACK) AT TIFFANY’S

Newt Gingrich, wider than a mile,
His pander’s so in style today
Then Sarah the taker, that noisemaker,
Says Newt I’ll be with you, however I may.
Two grifters off to fleece the world.
There's such a lot of rubes to reach.
They’re after the same rainbow's end--
So many to offend
(which ones the horse’s end)
Newt Gingrich and screech.



As usual, maelewis put into words what many of us are thinking: The issue isn't whether or not Newt had affairs while he was married. It is the fact that he speaks publicly about the defense of marriage, appealing to the "values voters" in the Republican party. He moralizes, while having shown a lack of the same morals in his own marriages. He lectures others but does not heed his own message. We have heard it before, "Do as I say, not as I did." (Yeah, Bristol, too, also).
Newt went on the attack against CNN for daring to question him about his past affairs, calling the questions despicable. No, what was despicable was Newt turning his back on his first two wives when they had major health problems, to pursue an affair with a mistress. I am bothered by the fact that the so-called values voters don't see anything wrong. Forgiveness! They don't forgive President Obama anything. It is a handy eraser to use for their own sins while lecturing others. Hypocrites!

Anon_in_MI: Frankly, I expect men and women who are in positions of power to have affairs and that doesn't bother me as long as they can get their work done and they are open with their spouses about it. The problem for me is when they talk about the lack of family values in society or the sanctity of marriage while they are violating these self-proclaimed standards themselves. I think it shows contempt for voters when they say one thing then do another.

JCos: I fell asleep watching the debate last night, before they got to the controversy over whether the Earth orbits the Sun or vice versa. Did the evangelicals reach a consensus on this urgent topic? I feel like such a dumbarse!

SLQ: How can a guy who cheated on two wives and wanted an open marriage possibly get a standing ovation from the conservative right? Crazy days.

CracklinCharlie: Corporations want all of the benefits of person-hood, with none of the responsibilities of person-hood.

Madam Deal: Gingrich has burned far too many bridges that actually went somewhere.

HopeforAmerica reminded us of Newt’s family values: Newt Gingrich, Representative (R-GA) and leader of the Republican Revolution of 1994:[53] Resigned from the House after admitting in 1998 to having had an affair with his intern while he was married to his second wife, and at the same time he was leading the impeachment of Bill Clinton for perjury regarding an affair with his intern Monica Lewinsky. (1998)[54][55]
Hope also posted several excellent links on the connection between the Koch Brothers and XL Pipeline.

Patrick and lilly-lily linked to the Daily Mail report on Game Change. Patrick also had an excellent longer comment; here is part: There are several things that concern me. As I said in a tweet, Newt and Sarah are a "match made in hell." They both don't play by the rules, they play dirty. Don't expect a "fair fight." I hope that their opponents have realized that. For Sarah, it's always war. She wants to win - whatever it takes… He also linked to this article by Dan Fagan.

Cheeriogirl: Unemployment is down to 8.3. Wonder what the GOP will do to turn that around? [And:] @NewtGingrich's new slant on #DOMA - #Marriage should be between ONE man, ONE woman,and ONE mistress... at a time. #GOP #FOTF #familyvalues

Good piece by Chris Hayes on “former Boehner aides turned Wall Street lobbyists” strategizing to discredit OWS and targeting Democrats. “…The document represents everything that is wrong with America in 4 short pages.”

Maelewis linked to this on McCain’s opposition file on Romney.

Juicyfruityy pointed us to this Jason Easley article on Gingrich win in SC being a gift to Dems.

HonestyinGov linked to this article on Republican panic after Gingrich’s SC win.

The Last Word (I don’t agree with John Sununu on very much, but he is right about Newt; H/T sunnyjane): Asked explicitly if he believed Gingrich is not a stable man, Sununu responded: “I believe that he cannot resist spouting off, making rash decisions that he cannot believe, reacting quickly and emotionally rather than analytically. He is the artist of the bumper-sticker statement that sounds good in a debate. But there is no depth. There is no deep analysis. There is great rhetoric but no execution. He’s got a great mouth. His mind isn’t so hot and his discipline and commitment are terrible.”

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