Politics Plus

I’m still down and got almost no sleep last night.  I hope to catch a long nap today, so I don’t fall asleep during the SOTU.  I have not projected what Obama will say tonight, because I prefer to reply to what he does say.  I am current on comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:19 (average 5:06).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Reuters: A key climate change adviser to President Barack Obama will step down soon, administration officials said on Monday, in the latest staff departure as the White House adapts to a shift in power in Congress.

Carol Browner, White House coordinator of energy and climate policy, "will stay on as long as necessary to ensure an orderly transition," a senior administration official said.

This is a clear indication that Obama has given up on environmental legislation.  Maddening as that is, with Republicans controlling the House, it is reality based.

From Politico: Just three weeks into his congressional career, Rep. David Rivera (R-Fla.) has earned the dubious distinction of being the first member of the historic class of House GOP freshmen to find himself at the center of an ethics scandal.

The Rivera case also could prove an early and politically sensitive problem for Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia and other top Republicans who criticized former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s handling of scandals involving Reps. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).

The Rangel and Waters cases moved forward, while no cases against Republicans did, because Democrats on the panel voted to go after Democrats, but Republicans on the panel refused to vote against their own.  I’m not taking bets that Rivera will be charged.

From Alternet: Arizona State Sen. Linda Gray (R) argued over the weekend that gun control is not the way to prevent another shooting like the one in Tucson. The real answer, she said when asked about preventing such a shooting in the future, is to better "respect the life of an unborn."

This Republican is a fool.  Does she actually expect anyone to believe that Roe v. Wade is responsible for the shooting?!!?

Cartoon:

Warning: If you plan to watch Bachmann’s batshit-crazy response, have several barf bags handy and a large garbage can, if not a dumpster, handy for the overflow.

I know I won’t be visiting today, because I’m still down, and because today is the second highest holy day in the Church of the Ellipsoid Orb: the Festival of Conference Finality.  I am up to date on replies to comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:21 (average 5:05).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From NY Times: A fight to lead the New Hampshire Republican Party through next year’s presidential race ended Saturday with an upset victory  by a conservative candidate backed by members of the Tea Party.

That’s a big plus for Democrats!

From On the Hill: As the White House considers how to reform troubled mortgage giants Fannie and Freddie, some of the nation’s largest banks have piped up with their own suggestion. The New York Times reports that banks are suggesting that they be allowed to take over some of Fannie and Freddie’s work of issuing securities backed by a government guarantee.

What a shock!  Banksters want to take all the profits, while taxpayers assume all the risks!

From LA Times: Michele Bachmann — yes, Michele Bachmann — is considering a presidential run, according to several of her aides who suddenly started discussing the subject with Minnesota reporters.

Batshit Crazy Alert!!

Cartoon:

May the Orb bless your team!

I’m feeling a bit better today, but not much.  Yesterday was the worst COPD flare up I’ve had in months.  Comments are up to date.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 4:39 (average 5:37).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From Washington Post: The new Republican leaders in the House have received millions of dollars in contributions from banks, health insurers and other major business interests, which are pressing for broad reversals of Democratic policies that affect corporations, according to disclosure records and interviews.

It’s the worst House mobey has bought.

From Atlanta Journal Constitution: In the last 24 hours, former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich has touched base with several prominent Republicans in his former home state, telling them that he intends to make a run for president in 2012 using Georgia as his base.

I hope he runs on his record.

From News Hounds: On Saturday (1/15/11) Forbes on Fox debated panelist Dennis Kneale’s suggestion that pay cuts are good for our economy and, therefore, as the banner on the screen read, “GOOD FOR AMERICA!” Funny, none of the proponents volunteered to reduce their own wages.

They will not apply this to millionaires and billionaires.

Cartoon:

What’s happening this weekend?

I know I won’t get any visiting done today, because I have to go out to run errands, and when I return, I have to do my online grocery shopping for the month.  But I am up to date with comments.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today it took me 3:48 (average 5:31).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

Short Takes:

From The Hill: House Republicans will force Democrats to go “on the record” about government spending in a symbolic vote next week timed to coincide with President Obama’s State of the Union address.

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday approved by a party-line vote of 8-4 a resolution calling on House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to limit non-security discretionary spending in the second half of 2011 to 2008 levels “or less.”

This is more political theatre.  The Republican-dominated House has still done nothing of note.

From Salon: This is how Rush Limbaugh honored Hu Jingtao on a State visit to the US.

Ironically, he has never sounded more intelligent!

From Think Progress: In an article published on theloop21.com, John Wilson, a “regular contributor to Hip Hop Republican,” mused that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) should resign her seat as she recuperates from her gunshot wounds. Citing media reports about Gifford’s medical condition, Wilson compared Giffords to the late Rep. Gladys Spellman (D-MD), who went into a coma while in office. He then asked, “Should constituents allow members to hold onto their seats like political Brett Favres with no concept of when it is time to go?”

Other Republicans have taken up this despicable meme.  It may well be that Giffords will have to resign, but could we at least wait until we know the extent of her disability, the degree of recovery possible, and the time required to do so?

Cartoon:

Let’s make today Republican toilet paper day.  Wipe well.