HT to @KathyAngel over at Twitter and democraticunderground.com who had it first. I had to repost this, it will cleanse our souls until we get the results for tonights primaries.
This is our Open Thread. Ranting is welcome.
TheZoo
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
TheZoo 
“Be proud to be a decent American, rather than just a wanker whipping up fear.”
We ought to make that a bumper sticker.
Good morning/afternoon all.
I laughed out loud when I heard that closing statement. It is so refreshing to hear.
The Irish can be proud of their President, Michael D. Higgins. He tells it like it is. There is no sugar coating in his words.
Great quote! I love the passion in that man.
Speaking of fear:
VA’s GuvBob hides behind SWAT team
Outstanding, this is not true is it? What happened to your country? I am absolutely at a loss for words.
It’s true EV, the link has pictures of heavily armed state police lurking in the shrubbery around the governor’s mansion. I think my country lost it’s collective mind on 9/11. The feds provided (and still provide) monies to states and localities to purchase equipment to fight terrorism. My son lives in a small town in the Blue Ridge mountains, that town recently purchased an APC with homeland security money. Once the police became militarized, their response to any perceived threat became increasingly military. Some 20 years ago my husband was upset with then Gov. Doug Wilder. He drove around the governor’s mansion in our truck yelling for the governor to come out. No one even bothered to chase him off, now they call out the big guns for a candlelight vigil. Just my take on things, I could be, and frequently am, totally wrong.
I now at last know where the VA State Police were when I last sped up I-95 with an active radar detector.
What happened to our country?
Ronald Reagan, that’s what happened.
Ronnie Raygun and voter apathy have given the paranoid right and the MIC everything they need on a platter.
Oh and by the way.
There’s a monster under your bed.
Outstanding, 9/11 may have been cause or effect. I need to think a bit about it.
The GOP ‘leaders’ know what right wing protesters are capable of and for some reason believe that left wing protesters are just as dangerous.
That’s because RWers have a greater tendency to suffer from Projection than LWers. Not that LWers aren’t capable of it, but it’s more prevalent in the mind of conservatives who see threats in everything different than they. They think that we would react to things in the exact same way that they would, and they would react violently to many things we would just shrug off, like a person with a different skin color.
OMG – it was all those vaginas that frightened him.
The Republics always have to be dramatic. The presence of all those law enforcement officers is part of the drama that runs through their pea brains. They can’t keep drama for the stage or film. Everything they do requires that the camera or the media or the crowd be totally focused on them. I live next door to two tea bagger families and they are boring and tiring. It’s always about them and I could care less. Just stay off my lawn and out of my business, which by the way, is something that they can’t do. They obsess about what everyone is doing whether it be on a small local scale or a much larger national scale. The war on women is an example of the Republic drama. Unfortunately, many people suffer because of their drama (acting out).
Absolutely right Cats, it is all about them. That attitude is reflected in how the religious ones force their religion on the rest of us. They really believe they are good and are doing what God wants. Those christians, like myself, who are a bit more honestly introspective will spend the rest of our lives just trying to ascertain God’s will. All I’m ever really certain about is that I’m required to care about others.
Pennsylvania will be voting on a state sponsored rape law sometime in March. My guess is the Republic controlled state government in Pennsylvanian will pass their anti-abortion bill. Here’s a link to the most current bill as it was passed out of committee. I’m sure there will be a protest in Harrisburg. What concerns me is how will Gov. Corbett react. Corbett is PA’s Dick Cheney. He is secular and is a puppet for big money, particularly oil and gas money. The Koch’s own Corbett and they also own several of the state legislators. On second thought, Corbett will hide out at someone else’s place, maybe out of state. Just like Cheney, he will not face the public. Governor Tom Corbett is a coward. When Corbett was AG of PA he should have followed through with the investigation into Sandusky’s sexual abuse of children. Instead, he walked away from it and then put all the blame on Joe Paterno.
Zooey’s Sunday thread comes up #4 on a Google search for ‘government’ ‘vagina’. Seems a lot of folks read her thread.
Kewl. 🙂
That post has had over 1300 views, and the Zoo had a pretty good day overall yesterday.
Twas due to Mike’s blog roundup at crooksandliars,they had linked to it.
Damn, I should have used my “Vagina” column for the paper here at the Zoo instead! 😉
I love it!
Couldn’t stay up to watch the continuation of the race last night. Just finished watching it this morning. A decent race without the pairing up we’ve seen in the last couple of years. Although I think there were less challenges for the lead then in previous ‘pack’ oriented racing. Could be that Kennseth, Biffle and Earnhardt just had slightly better cars. Typical demolition derby in last 30 laps.
Glad that the jet dryer driver and Montoya are ok after that freak accident. It was like the Daytona that wouldn’t end.
How many racers does it take to ignite a jet dryer? Just Juan…
Btw, the family shortened its name, which was originally Montoyota.
*cough*
The Irish were wise when they elected Michael D. Higgins President in 2011. My friend that was born and raised in Ireland sent me this rant in an email several months ago. I enjoyed listening to it then and I enjoyed listening to it again. Higgins put a sock in Graham’s mouth and that is exactly what the Democrats need to do with these unpatriotic GOPers and teabaggers that flood the media with their hatred and lies.
An update on Santorum’s college days at Penn State University.
http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/101101/rick-santorum-college-liberal-conservative
Bumper sticker my husband saw… “If men had babies, abortion would be a sacrament.”
Skimming Fox’s site looking for their nonsense of the day. Down under the “Latest News” category was this headline that caught my attention:
OPINION: Soros is rich man hated around the world
Of course, why it’s under “new” is a bit odd, but it is clearly marked as an opinion piece at least. It’s written by Dan Gainor of the Media Research Center (the right-wing nut place).
It’s a comical read. Just a bunch of random tidbits (some of which it’s not clear if they’re truthful or not) clumsily pasted together in a hatchet piece. It concludes with a shot at the liberal media, of course:
“Given his sweeping global influence, you would think some traditional media outlet might look into that. Oh, that’s right, he funds journalists, too.”
Oh, that explains why Fox is unable to pursue this.
“He funds journalists, just like our owner, Prince Rupert of Morlock.”
Still, it’s amazing there is any admission at all that some of Soros’ nefarious projects are “helpful,” although I shudder to think what a Fox “journalist” might consider helpful.
Hey Georgie Boy! My check for two million dollars still hasn’t arrived in the mail!!
Unless you have tits, don’t even THINK about feeding your child.
I’m a proponent of breastfeeding, but I truly wish these tired old bitches would shut up.
Yeeeh, I thought they were in a tizzy over a man breastfeeding his baby.
Me too!!
I thought New Zealanders were supposed to be laid back bunch.
Ev, your video makes me think of this quote aimed at Senator McCarthy in 1954:
I stll like the “wanker” bit 😆
Kerrey is flip-flopping. No, the other one…
http://www.omaha.com/article/20120227/NEWS01/702279925/-1#bob-kerrey-back-on-the-fence-on-senate
Just what we need, another waffling Dem.
Dancing With The Stars has jumped the shark. They’ve announced the cast list and there are no well-known Republican felons.
Tonight’s alignment in the sky!
Google translation:
A cascade of planets in the evening sky
Just after sunset on the horizon WEST
3 planets and the moon will shine
I saw the makings of that last night as I looked up. I didn’t know which two planets I could see, but they were shining bright in the evening sky.
It just keeps getting better!
I’ve been saying that the Reichwhiners have turned the crazy up to 11 but I’ve been wrong. They’re up to about 72 at this point. Here we find that the deputy whip comparing the occupy movement to Soviet Russia.
http://www.republicreport.org/2012/mccarthy-occupy-soviet/
The republicans always need a bogeyman.
It’s how they operate.
By the way, there’s not really a monster under your bed.
But they’d like you to believe that.
You haven’t seen what the underside of my bed looks like …
ah, jeesus who is writing their playbook? Keep reaching you ignoramuses!
This is why housing is cheaper near airports.
http://www.lobshots.com/2012/02/28/plane-literally-dropped-a-shtload-on-a-married-couple/
President Obama lights it up, like Romney never will, in a speech to the UAW.
http://www.c-span.org/Events/President-Obama-Addresses-UAW-at-Washington-Convention/10737428612/
The UAW hired a plane to tow a banner around the track yesterday.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120226/POLITICS01/202260313/UAW-to-protest-Romney-at-Daytona-500-today
Zing!!
I find this whole Democrats for Santorum in the primary races to be disgusting on several levels. I understand the theory at work here but sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.
Republicans helped throw 1972 and 1988 Democratic primaries to George Wallace and Jesse Jackson. For what? Does that help the country at all? Even in a far from perfect world, I want to see TWO reasonable candidates for president.
I don’t agree with Dems doing this. Like you said, “be careful what you wish for.” Helping get the R nomination for Santorum (ew) is just too damn close to the presidency for comfort.
Having said that, are there any reasonable repiggies? 😉
I tend to agree. While Rantorum seems to be an appealing opponent I’m very uncomfortable with the idea that he might have even a slim chance of becoming our president. He could prove to be far worse than the Brush Boy. Mittens may have a better chance against President Obama but he would also, probably, be the least damaging if he was actually elected.
I’d come away feeling dirtied if I cast a vote for Sick Rantorium.
Indeed. I am sickened that anyone can actually look at him and think he’s a viable candidate.
Touche!
That’s great!. The militia could drill on the church grounds right after coffee hour.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/portions-of-911-victims-remains-taken-to-landfill-report-says/2012/02/28/gIQAZVpKgR_story.html?wpisrc=al_national
Jesus wept.
The ignorance of Rick Santorum:
“‘Go and read the speech,’ Mr. Santorum said. ‘[He says] ‘I will have nothing to do with faith. I won’t consult with people of faith.’’ But JFK said nothing remotely like that.
He expected, of course, to consult his conscience, as all presidents are expected to do, and in his case it would be a conscience informed by faith and the teachings of the Gospel. But he promised to listen to no prelate, however well-intentioned, telling him how he must make public policy. This distinction is so simple that even a caveman would understand it … The temptation of any presidential candidate is to do whatever works in a primary, figuring to tone down red-hot rhetoric later. Mr. Santorum may be unique. His appeal is based on saying whatever pops into his head, as long as he pleases his inner priest. If that upsets the congregation, tough. But it’s difficult, for Catholics, Protestants and others alike, to envision a rogue priest presiding over the White House,” – Wes Pruden.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/28/pruden-the-ignorance-of-rick-santorum/
I have to quibble. Sick Rantorum is stupid and/or insane. It’s fairly easy for smart, sane, people to cure their ignorance but Sicky’s mind makes connections that don’t occur in the minds of smart, sane, people. He wears his ignorance like an armor against the cause and effect universe we live in.
He allows the voices inside his head to speak all at once.
This has been explained scientifically through understanding the way the brain is wired.
There is a connection between the amygdala and the hippocampus that forms a persons ability to feel right or wrong.
Sociopaths have been analyzed as being unable to empathize and correspondingly have a weak neurological bridge between the the two brain functions.
This weak primal link in the brain tends to make this type person become a serial killer, a used car salesmen, or a politican.
Next up, watch Rantorum ranting about all the money being wasted on liberals trying to indoctrinate hippos on the Hippo Campus.
Frugal, that’s funny stuff right there!
I’m borrowing that phrase from TtT.
Wait. What? That’s in the Washington Times? I’ll be damned.
The missing piece is (well, the rest of the speech of course) that JFK was addressing a conference of Baptist clergy and his intent was to reassure them that he wouldn’t be taking orders from the Pope. Maybe that’s the part that made Sanitorium’s tum tum hurt.
Nice article by David Atkins .,
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/this-is-what-terrifies-conservatives-by.html
BTW that link was provided over at TPM after a Freeman post; and Hooda jumped in, as only Hooda can. Seems like old times being revisited. Heh.
Which post on TPM, nwoldguy?
President Obama’s “Barnburner” speech to the UAW
Thanks!
Of course freeman is on that post — it’s over 600 comments. Yeesh…
Is Freeman Kevin Schmidt?
Very nice and I agree…last gasp of a dying demographic.
Wood Ducks at the feeder. (British Columbia)
The RWBB seems kind of pissed off.
I was lucky this year.
I had a pair of wood ducks show up on the pond out back.
Been a good year for waterfowl compared to other years.
There was also a three foot gator floating around looking for territory.
Ebb, you wanted a report on the new sewing machine. It’s fantastic! It makes me realize how much I’d been struggling with the old machine. It does very well with the heavier materials I’m using.
Sadly, I couldn’t find a non-industrial machine that’s made in America, and while it’s called “heavy duty,” it’s not nearly as well-made as my old machine.
Excellent! Few things worse than listening to a machine struggling just before it says “enough. enough. I stop here”.
or having a needle break every fifteen minutes.
“Rick Santorum, meet my son; he has a degenerative disease that’s left him blind, paralyzed, and increasingly nonresponsive. If I had known before he was born, I would have saved him from suffering.”
http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/02/rick_santorum_and_prenatal_testing_i_would_have_saved_my_son_from_his_suffering_.html
Santorum this is what it’s about. Neither black nor white. Good nor evil. Angel nor Satan.
You are the “satan” you seem to detest..look in the mirror!
Teh stupid, it burnsssss…
http://www.care2.com/causes/alaska-lawsuit-claims-obama-cant-be-president-due-to-his-race.html?cid=reddit_alaska-lawsuit-claims-obama-cant-be-president-due-to-his-race
…from the lawsuit article..
As Barack Hussein Obama II is of the ‘mulatto’ race, his status of citizenship is founded upon the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Before the [purported] ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment, the race of ‘Negro’ or ‘mulatto’ had no standing to be citizens of the United States under the United States Constitution.”
Note to clueless baggers….The Fourteenth Amendment was actually fucking ratified and IS the fucking law of the land…
Morons.
Slight linguistic revision recommended for the nitwit who has brought the suit:
There. That oughtta do it, right?
BREAKING….
Olympia Snowe will not run for re-election.
Oh my! The last of the ‘moderate’ republicans bails on the party of religious kookdom.
Thanks for nothing Olympia, hey Elizabeth got any friends in Portland?
Nate Silver estimated GOP’s chances of holding Maine senate at 85% before. Maybe 20-30% now after Snowe retirement.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Maine elect an Independent to the Senate.
I’m sure Wingnuttia will pitch a fit:
Opting to play a game on a Wednesday for the first time in more than 60 years, the NFL will open the regular season on Sept. 5, to avoid conflicting with Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention the next night.
Medicare, Obamacare,
Texacare…
Nate Silver’s projections for Super Tuesday are very interesting. The only state projected for Romney is Virginia, mostly because his only opponent is Ron Paul. http://tinyurl.com/7x4oe6b
Rush Gives Democrats Another Half-Million Or So Votes
So far, twice as many Dems have voted in the GOP primary as in the Democratic one. Geeze.
https://twitter.com/#!/FixAaron/status/174671375443836928
I’m still torn on that stuff. Do we really want to risk ANY chance of Sicky becoming our next president?
I don’t think much of it. It’s manipulation of the vote, not using a vote for it’s pure intent.
Me too. Although I do find it hilarious that Mittens is whining about it when he claims to have done the same thing himself. The guy is about as consistent as a hairdo in a hurricane.
His hair is the only thing consistent about him. I doubt it would move a millimeter.
We have quite a mess brewing tonight. A nice steady rain and 32 degrees. Ice is already forming on trees and stuff so I figure it’s just a matter of time before power lines start falling. Ah well. At least I don’t have anything pressing tonight or tomorrow so I shouldn’t be too inconvenienced. And, maybe, there will be some opportunities for pictures of ice; assuming It’s possible to stand!
Very dreary here, steady rain, supposed to get windy tonight as the front moves past.
You need a wireless shutter thingy with the camera on the tripod, pete, that way you can sip and snap at the same time!
Heh! Actually, I have yet to figure out if there’s a wireless remote available for my camera But I can always just set it to record video and capture snapshots. Taking stills of the fish is damnably hard. The dang things won’t hold a pose!
petelngh, do you have a backup generator for the aquarium?
It has clouded over getting ready to rain – no chance to have seen the alignment of Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and the Moon.
Likewise, predictions of possible snow here too.
I have a light enough fish load that I’m not too concerned about the aquarium. If there’s a protracted blackout I can just mix the water by siphoning out a bucket of water and pouring it back in. My filters are purely mechanical so shutting them down doesn’t present much of a problem.
With a quarter of the vote in: Romney’s squeaking ahead by 41 – 38.
Who’s your avatar, bmm?
My Dad in 1932.
He died on Leap Day 2004.
Thanks, remembering Dad.
Nice way to memorialize bdmDad.
The under-30s go for Ron Paul again in Michigan. Meanwhile, 2 percent of the vote was black. 92 percent was white. That’s the GOP we have come to know.
I’m guessing it’s San Scrotum winning in west Michigan, and Romnoid on the east. East side is wealthy auto industry types, west side is the many flavors of christian and christian reformed. Lots of old world catholics there too.
Santorum wins every segment under $100,000 household income; Romney wins the richer. Santorum wins easily among union members.
Class war!!
Catholics are not Santorum’s constituency; they voted 43 – 37 for Romney, the Mormon.
MI seems to be very topsy-turvy.
Rmoney must be shaking his head about now wondering what the hell happened. He’s so sure of himself and that the vote shouldn’t be so close.
Interesting. Things are probably more complex than I’m imagining. I do know that Kent (Grand Rapids) and Ottawa (Holland, home of Erik Prince of Blackwater infamy) counties are notoriously anal, and would suck up to Ricky’s vision of paradise.
The black percentage of the Arizona Republican vote? Zero percent.
ZERO.
Just guessing that’s not a good sign for the general election.
For the republicans anyways.
Hmmmmm… Has anyone seen any mention of Michigan’s large Muslim population? Did any of them vote?
ABC is calling MI for Mittens.
Santorum just said that his grandmother went to college. I guess he knows he stepped in it – especially with women.
Looks as if Neutered won’t hit 7% .. that gladdens the heart.
He’ll be deflated yet won’t let on.
Just quit, Newt.
Just go away.
Sheldon Adelson isn’t getting nearly enough bang for his 10 million bucks.
The turnout is abysmal and the demographics of those who actually turned out are astounding. I think it’s safe to say that the GOoPers have succeeded in alienating all but the basest of their base. I will try not to get too excited at this early date but I’m starting to think that most of the American electorate are a bit smarter than I once thought.
They’re wising up. There will still be that stubborn percentage of poor, and poorly educated, racists who cling to the belief that the big man with the nice hair and all the money has their best interests at heart.