Personal – Page 629 – Politics Plus

Did the Maine GOP Fear Being Certified Insane?

Posted by TomCat at 12:02 am Personal

Feb 172012

A few days back, I criticized Ron Paul for suggesting that the Republican party of Maine had stacked the deck against him. When I’m wrong I say so. In my own defense, it was an easy mistake to make as it’s been hard to find a time when Paul or his acolytes were not sniveling over some perceived injustice. It is now clear that there were enough irregularities in the Maine caucuses to bring Paul’s complaint into the realm of possibility. Imagine, if you will the Chair of the Maine Republican Party. Watching the returns he sees that Ron Paul might actually win the caucuses there. Oh the shame! Oh the humiliation they would suffer to be the only state where Ron Paul has ever, or will ever, win the caucuses or a primary! Faced with such an anathema, I can picture the party leaders cooking the results out of fear that the entire Republican Party of Maine might be certified insane.

Washington County, Maine, is the easternmost point in the continental United States. This region of rocky shores and pinetree forests is populated by proudly independent — and defiant — citizens.

The Republicans in Washington County have supported such radical and underdog candidates as Ross Perot and Patrick Buchanan in the past.

Too bad they didn’t get to participate in the Maine caucuses last weekend.

Due to a snowstorm, the Republican party in Washington County (and in various locations in neighboring Hancock County) was forced to reschedule its caucuses for this coming weekend. Yet despite not having results from these precincts, Maine Republican Chairman Charlie Webster declared Mitt Romney the victor in the Maine caucus. Romney, Webster reported, earned 2,190 votes, while Ron Paul finished second with 1,996 votes.

According to the Associated Press, the chairman of the Washington County Republican Party, Chris Gardner, a Romney supporter, called state party leaders and expressed his “complete and utter dismay.” Washington County Republican leaders, who moved their caucuses to this coming Saturday after snow made it difficult to meet last weekend, will convene these postponed caucuses this Saturday, and County Chair Gardner is hoping that state party officials will change their mind and accept the results.

He shouldn’t hold his breath.

After all, the Republican leadership in Maine refused to accept the results of other caucuses that were completed in time. Eighteen towns that held caucuses in Waldo County reported their results by the Feb. 11 deadline, yet those totals showed up nowhere in the final tally. Nor did the results from Waterville or Belfast make it into the GOP numbers even though the caucuses held in those towns were also completed by the deadline.

The one variable that links each of these cases is Ron Paul. If all of Waldo County’s caucus totals counted (including the excluded results), Paul would have won by 21 votes. Paul was the only candidate to visit Waterville, where he spoke to students at Colby College and tallied 16 more votes than Romney in the excluded Waterville caucus. When the chairman of the Belfast Caucus Committee telephoned his results showing a Paul victory to the state’s Republican headquarters, he was told they already had the numbers. Those numbers mysteriously — and inaccurately — showed a Romney victory in Belfast. When the final tally for Maine’s caucus was announced, zero votes from Belfast were included. Interestingly, not a single case of excluded caucus results supporting Romney has been publicly identified yet…

Inserted from <Reuters>

The best coverage of this issue I have seen comes from Rachel Maddow on Wednesday night, including her interview with Maine columnist Bill Nemitz.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

She updated her coverage last night by announcing that the Republican Party of Maine is reviewing the results and might even include Washington County. She interviewed Chris Gardner.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

There are two possibilities. If the original results were fraudulent, the Republican Party has demonstrated that they are too corrupt to be entrusted with running the nation. On the other hand, if the original results were merely an example of the same level of competence evident throughout the Bush Regime, the Republican Party has demonstrated that they are too incompetent to run the country.

Open Thread–2/17/2012

Posted by TomCat at 12:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 172012

Although I was still quite tired, yesterday was a busy one. I had to walk to the mailbox to mail a letter in support of a prisoner, whit whom I do volunteer work, seeking parole. From there, I walked to the drug store to get the collection of items I’ll need to prepare for next week’s test. All in all I walked about two miles, so I’m pretty wiped out. I’m current with replies. Today is a rest and paperwork day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:48 (average 4:43). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: The #1 Lie About Keystone That The GOP Is Pushing Right Now

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That estimate is generous. Republicans are great at creating jobs, everywhere but in the US.

From Reuters: The new U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a proposal to regulate about 200 debt collectors and companies that produce credit reports as part of an effort to extend its oversight beyond the banking industry.

The agency is charged by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial oversight law with overseeing consumer financial products, such as credit cards and mortgages offered by banks, as well as some products offered outside the industry, including residential mortgages and student loans.

It also has the authority to extend its oversight to companies that are "larger participants" in consumer financial markets.

Debt collectors and credit reporting agencies are the first industries to be targeted for supervision under this power.

Since both are rife with consumer abuse, I consider this a good idea.

From Slate: Oklahoma has become the latest state to mobilize behind so-called "personhood" legislation, which would define the beginning of human life as at the moment of conception. The state Senate passed such a bill, 34-8, on Wednesday and it looks likely to sail through the House as well, the Oklahoman reports.

Virginia House legislators also passed a pair of anti-abortion bills this week, including its own personhood measure. The other bill would require women to have an ultrasound before undergoing an abortion. A version of the ultrasound legislation has already passed the state Senate and Republican Governor Bob McDonnell is expected to sign the bill into law, CBS News reports.

With Republicans, the right to life begins at conception and ends at birth.

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Open Thread–2/16/2012

Posted by TomCat at 12:03 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 162012

Yesterday I felt very tired and rested, except for doing my research. I’m current with replies, albeit briefly. Today I need to go purchase items for a witch’s to prepare for a medical procedure next week.

Jig Zone Puzzles:

Yesterday it took me 4:33 (average 5:30). To do it click here. Today it took me 3:56 (average 4:56). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From LA Times: A $260-billion, Republican-drafted House bill is facing opposition from the left and the right, forcing GOP leaders Wednesday to put off a final roll call while they scramble to line up the votes to pass it.

The White House on Tuesday threatened a veto, saying the measure "jeopardizes safety, weakens environmental and labor protections and fails to make the investments needed to strengthen the nation’s roads, bridges, rail and transit systems." If the bill gets to the president’s desk, the White House budget office said, his senior advisors will recommend that he veto it.

This is the monstrosity that even Ray LaHood said was the worst he had ever seen.

From Washington Post: A Connecticut human-rights commission has rebuked a mayor who made a disparaging remark about Latinos.

The state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities said Tuesday it unanimously approved a resolution condemning East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Maturo Jr. for saying last month he might have tacos as a way to do something for the community.The Republican mayor made the remark in response to a reporter’s question after the arrests of four police officers on charges they harassed Latino residents and businesses. He received criticism from all quarters, including Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Just another example of Republican racism.

From Huffington Post:

Lisa Chan, the actress who appeared in a political ad that was widely criticized for furthering negative stereotypes of Asian-Americans, has apologized, calling her participation "a mistake."…

…"I am deeply sorry for any pain that the character I portrayed brought to my communities," Chan wrote on her Facebook page, as first reported by the Angry Asian Man blog. "As a recent college grad who has spent time working to improve communities and empower those without a voice, this role is not in any way representative of who I am. It was absolutely a mistake on my part and one that, over time, I hope can be forgiven. I feel horrible about my participation and I am determined to resolve my actions."

I’m glad that Chan has apologized, but even though he has pulled the ad, Peter Hoekstra still refused to apologize and continues to double down on his Republican racism.

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Open Thread–2/15/2012

Posted by TomCat at 12:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Religion

Feb 152012

Yesterday I felt so tired when I returned home from the prison that I wrote this, set it to be published right after midnight, and went to bed. The meeting was excellent. Three new men joined our CoDA group there. We did some insightful digging and made excellent progress. I cannot say more without violating confidence, except that I could not be more proud of my guys. I am not current with replies. Today is a day for catch-up and recovery.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

It was not out yet. I’ll put up two tomorrow.

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: What If Everyone Saw This Message From Robert Redford?

Keep saying NO to Big Oil!

From Business Week: The New Jersey Senate passed a bill that would allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, in the face of Republican Governor Chris Christie’s promise to veto it.

The Senate voted 24-16 in favor of the measure, sending it to the Assembly, which plans to consider it Feb. 16. Democrats, who control both houses of the Legislature, have made gay marriage a priority for 2012, two years after they failed to pass a similar bill supported by then-Governor Jon Corzine.

When Christie vetoes it, pass it again!

From Truth Dig: The prolonged Republican primary campaign appears to be taking a toll on independent voters’ faith in Mitt Romney. According to the latest Pew poll, only a minority of independents now describe Romney as “honest and trustworthy” and slightly more than half of independent voters now favor Barack Obama in a race against Romney, who led the president in that category only a month ago.

As is pointed out every four years or so, so-called independent voters typically decide presidential elections.

It’s still way too early to depend on polls, but this is positive news, especially since Obama does even better compared to the Frothmeister.

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Open Thread–2/14/2012

Posted by TomCat at 12:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 142012

Yesterday I spent most of the day doing prep work for today. I’m current with replies. Today is a volunteer day for me in prison. I will return home late, having missed a sleep cycle, so there may be no new articles on Wednesday, and if there are, they may be late.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:13 (average 4:59). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From MoveOn: In Which States Can Ellen Get Fired For Being Gay?

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That’s obscene! To correct this, we need to clean out Republicans at the state level.

From CBS: Seven members of a Midwest militia group accused of plotting to overthrow the government are in Federal Court in Detroit for the start of their trial, in which jurors will decide whether federal authorities prevented an attack by homegrown extremists or simply made too much of the boasts of weekend warriors who had pledged to "take our nation back."

Opening statements were set for Monday in the trial of the militia members, known as Hutaree, who are charged with conspiring to commit sedition, or rebellion, as well as weapon crimes.

I guess this is what Republicans mean when they call for Second Amendment solutions.

From Think Progress: In a bid to fast-track approval of the Canada-to-Texas Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, Senate Republicans plan to attach an amendment mandating the pipeline’s construction onto a must-pass highway funding bill. The amendment — developed by Sens. John Hoeven, Richard Lugar, and David Vitter — is but the latest congressional push to advance TransCanada’s $7 billion project, which was rejected by President Obama last month.

Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has publicly raised objection to the measure, arguing that it will ultimately “kill the bill.”

If you have not called both of your Senators to demand this be rejected, please do. Republicans are holding hundreds of highway jobs hostage to blackmail America.

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Open Thread–2/13/2012

Posted by TomCat at 12:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 132012

Yesterday I mourned the absence of light from the Ellipsoid Orb. The timing of my day was fouled up, because one of the sites, where I post my articles, was down for maintenance, and I had to do it after I woke up. I ran behind for the rest of the day. I’m current with replies. Today I organize for Tuesday’s volunteer day in prison.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:18 (average 4:18). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: Where Americans Most Depend on Government Benefits

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The darker the map color, the greater the portion of people’s personal income comes from government benefits. Note that the darkest colors are almost exclusively Republican dominated areas. The original map is interactive, so click through for much more.

From CNN: GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney won the close-watched Conservative Political Action Conference presidential straw poll on Saturday.

Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, took 38% of the vote in the poll. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum received 31%, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was at 15% and Texas Rep. Ron Paul stood at 12%.

They wouldn’t let Rabid Ron buy it this year.

From Daily Kos: It’s that the Republicans have staked out a position that requires that they lie, 24/7, 365. Not shade the facts their way. Not put their own spin on the situation. Lie. Big, sloppy, and constantly.

This is one of those articles were you have to read the whole thing to understand it. Click through for an excellent read.

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Open Thread–7/12/2011

Posted by TomCat at 12:08 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 122012

Yesterday I hooked up with my barber, at long last, and I’m as shorn as a GOP Sheeple. I took advantage of feeling better and cooked a big turkey dinner. I’m current with replies. Today I shall be mourning the sad fact that the Ellipsoid Orb has set, and except for a brief glimmer in April for the Holy Day of Choosing Acolytes, shall shed no more divine light until late summer. 🙁

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:09 (average 5:29). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: As some Republican leaders wring their hands at the prospect of a drawn-out nominating contest, many of the 10,000 people attending the Conservative Political Action Conference [CPUKE delinked] here did not seem too concerned about that possibility…

…The Republican nominee, it seemed, mattered less in their efforts to mobilize than their intense dislike of President Obama. In dozens of interviews at the conference, which was to end Saturday afternoon, people expressed preferences for Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum or, less often, Newt Gingrich or the absent Ron Paul. But every one of them said the same thing, often in the same words: “Anybody but Obama.”

I can appreciate how Republicans want to get rid of Obama, but they take it beyond extreme. Democrats were most anxious to rid ourselves of the worst President in history, GW Bush, aka Potomac Pinocchio. However, we were never so desperate to do so that we were willing to sabotage the country.

From MoveOn: Going Viral Now: The Food Stamp President?

Did Gutierrez hit it out of the park, or what?

From Raw Story: Andrew Breitbart loses control at ‘Occupy’ protesters

Dang! His screw is so far loose that he’s a … Republican!

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Open Thread–2/11/2012

Posted by TomCat at 12:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 112012

Yesterday my back was giving me quite a bit of pain so I stayed down. I’m current with replies. Today I still need to get a haircut, and do research for a meeting next week at the prison.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:11 (average 4:32). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Short Takes:

From USA Today: President Obama announced a plan today that attempts to accommodate certain religious employers opposed to a rule that would require them to provide access to birth control for women free of charge.

Obama announced that the rule would be tweaked so that in cases where non-profit religious organizations have objections, insurance companies would be required to reach out to employees and offer the coverage directly.

"Under the rule, women will still have access to free preventive care that includes contraceptive service no matter where they work," Obama said. "That core principle remains.

This was a stroke of brilliance. The Church as withdrawn their objections. Women’s groups are most pleased. The only people who are unhappy are vulture capitalist health insurance companies and Republicans. Here’s Ed Schultz.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

From Washington Post: The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee over possible violations of insider-trading laws, according to individuals familiar with the case.

Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), who holds one of the most influential positions in the House, has been a frequent trader on Capitol Hill, buying stock options while overseeing the nation’s banking and financial services industries.

This is one of the reasons why Republicans are trying to gut the law banning Congressional insider trading.

From Business Week: The Arab League may seek approval in the United Nations’ 193-member General Assembly of its plan for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step aside, after Russia vetoed the initiative in the Security Council, UN diplomats said.

The 22-member League, which has suspended Syria and imposed economic sanctions on the country, is looking for fresh ways to intensify pressure on Assad and may seek a vote in the General Assembly by Feb. 17, according to two senior UN diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because plans haven’t been made final.

Kudos to the Arab League for patience and wisdom in the way they are taking the lead, as they should.

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