Chalmers Johnson RIP

James Fallows - The Atlantic
NOV 21 2010, 1:40 AM ET
I have just heard that Chalmers Johnson died a few hours ago, at age 79, at his home near San Diego. He had had a variety of health problems for a long time...

Kamala Harris CA AG?

"...Unlike Republicans, Democrats have reason to be worried about dirty tricks. The Cooley campaignhad major support from Karl Rove, who of course had a leading role in the 2000 travesty. Rove has made his career on dirty tricks since he won a bitter 1973 campaign for Executive Director of the College Republicans -- in part by getting votes for his opponent disallowed. Although Rove was caught on tape counseling other young Republicans on how to cheat, then Republican National Committee chair George H.W. Bush chose Rove as the winner and later, fatefully, connected him with his son, George W..."

It may come down to LA County.

Attorney General - Statewide Results

Tweet

Krugman

Axis of Depression
Published: November 18, 2010

What do the government of China, the government of Germany and the Republican Party have in common?They’re all trying to bully the Federal Reserve into calling off its efforts to create jobs. And the motives of all three are highly suspect.

<em>Shadow Elite</em>: Truthiness, Porn and the Real Problem With Reality TV

You didn't mention the porn stars who last three months in the business and then have to retire because of a prolapsed anus.



I'm thinking that the American voter pretty much has a prolapsed anus and part of that is because instead of getting real news we get performances bought and paid for by really big media conglomerates.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Grover Norquist: GOP Must Be Willing To Force Government Shutdown In Battle Against Federal Spending

Yes, Norquist has done quite well for himself whoring for the rich hasn't he? And Gingrich still thinks he's running the country.



Gingrich: Don't just reject the left, replace it

http://fir­stread.msn­bc.msn.com­/_news/201­0/11/18/54­89895-ging­rich-dont-­just-rejec­t-the-left­-replace-i­t
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Oh boy, Bunnypants AND a shitload of GOP Governors

They are here. Ugh. A gang who spent 50 million bucks to win these seats complaining about spending just cracks me right the fuck up.



Mystery sewer foam.
A thick, oozing mess was spewing up from the storm drain near Davis' condo at Kellogg Beach in Point Loma, on the bay near Shelter Island,

Obviously we already have a problem with pollution.

Sometimes I really hate this town and it's FauxNewz brainwashed inhabitants.

This makes me want to shower with anti-bacterial soap and I hate that stuff. I think I need something to settle my stomach now.

Newt Gingrich Outlines Plans To Republican Governors

SAN DIEGO — Newt Gingrich on Thursday urged GOP governors to turn what he calls "the rejection of the left" into "the replacement of the left" by enacting conservative, transformational policies in the states.

You've got to be kidding me. The arrogance of these assholes.

Republican Push To Defund NPR Fails (VIDEO)

and let the batcrap crazymaking begin!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Presidential Book Tour Stops in San Diego

By JANELL LEWIS
Updated 6:01 AM PST, Thu, Nov 18, 2010
Source: Presidential Book Tour Stops in San Diego | NBC San Diego

Former president George W. Bush will be in San Diego Thursday to meet with the Chamber of Commerce.
Bush has been busy talking with television networks, cable hosts and others about his book called "Decision Points," a memoir on his presidency.
The president will share his personal thoughts on some major events during his presidency, including the war in Iraq, the 9/11 terrorists attacks and Hurricane Katrina.
The meeting is not open to the public but we will be there to report on the discussion.

Should The City Of San Diego Consider Bankruptcy?
November 17, 2010

Oh the irony.Tweet

Maddow reports, you decide

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

Willow Palin Facebook Posts: Homophobic Slurs, Curse Words & More (PHOTOS)

The Palins. Just part of the bread and circuses. Where's the bread?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Republicans? You been had.

Bush Photoshops Rove Out of Plame Scandal
Tue Nov. 16, 2010 3:00 AM PST Mojo
"...Bush neglects to remind his readers that Novak's second source was Karl Rove, his key political strategist..."

GOP's Top Tax Guy: Republicans Will Block Permanent Middle-Class Tax Cut
Brian Beutler | November 16, 2010, 4:51PM TPM

Freshman GOPer: Hey, Where's My Health Care?

Josh Marshall | November 15, 2010, 11:14PM

Just go read it.

I've been watching a British show called "Survivors" ('08, '10) streams on Netflix and my favorite line came out of one of the most reprehensible characters in the show. At a kangaroo trial that his boss the politician had just made a speech in which she pushed the jury to convict because she had already sold the defendant into slavery. The line went something like "Who you going to believe, him or a politician, known to be some of the most self-promoting wankers on the planet?"

Reading Now

Well, picking it up again, actually. If you don't know anything about the IMF and the World Bank it's a good primer.

The Age of Stupid

2008 UK
92 min - Documentary

In the desolate future of 2055, an archivist (Pete Postlethwaite) combs through a vast collection of videos to learn what went wrong with the planet. His research points to the first decade of the century, when humans blithely ignored the warning signs of climate change. The footage he views is actually culled from real-life interviews conducted by the filmmaker, whose sharp -- and darkly funny -- insights populate this sobering documentary.

Something the New Freshman Class of Extremists Senators should be required to watch. It wont happen of course, they are too busy watching their corporate sponsor's bottom lines so that their campaign coffers remain full.

Sending the husband to the store

So he spends $40 on $30 worth of shit and I talk him through one purchase that he still manages to screw up. At least I didn't have to go to the store. *sigh*

Rachel Maddow Clashes With Jon Stewart, Civilly, In Hour's Worth Of Interview Excerpts

"We live in a plutocracy where the rich and powerful are about preserving their power to the exclusion of all others. They will use both parties to achieve this end."

I agree with that. I also got the impression that Jon knows he's part of the circus and Rachel understands that people still need bread with that circus.
About Jon Stewart
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

The Professional Left

I got nothing today, go listen to Driftglass and Blue Gal.

I was going to explain my irritation with the Maddow/Stewart "discussion" but why bother?

Now I'm going to go listen to Left, Right and Center"...Simpson Bowles doesn't balance the budget till 2037...."

I will not be visiting the harbor area today

UPDATE 1-Bedraggled cruise passengers return to port

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2010

Stricken Splendor Passengers Disembark

1,000-foot Luxury Liner Adrift Without Power for Four Days; NTSB Says it Will Investigate

1 Passenger Taken To Hospital As Others Disembark Cruise Ship

Carnival Cruise Ship Splendor Arrives In San Diego
POSTED: 4:49 pm PST November 8, 2010
UPDATED: 11:41 am PST November 11, 2010

The short walk to Seaport Village is lovely, they should be able to get a decent meal there or many other places very close by (Anthony's is well known for having great seafood) and at least the hotels have hot water and air conditioning, although at a sunny 76 degrees F who needs it?

Tweet

White House Gives In On Bush Tax Cuts

Update:President Obama on tax cuts: I'm not caving in to GOP pressure to extend cuts for wealthy
BY ALIYAH SHAHID
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Friday, November 12th 2010, 7:50 AM

My bad.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/11/12/2010-11-12_president_obama_on_tax_cuts_im_not_caving_in_to_gop_pressure_to_extend_cuts_for_.html#ixzz15DDh4L8x

"But I don't want to trade away security for the middle class in order to make that point."



wtf? What planet does he live on?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Reprehensible creatures and debt reduction

"..LORI MONTGOMERY(WaPo) : Well, the idea that they would completely wipe out the tax deductions that are known as tax expenditures -- these things are worth more than $100 billion a year. As you mentioned, they include things like the mortgage interest deduction, the tax-free treatment of employer-provided health care.

I mean, there's stuff in here that touches everyone. And they would just wipe it out, in exchange for some lower tax rates, but they would suck some more money out of the tax code. Raising the retirement age, we were sort of expecting that. But there are a number of other reforms that they are proposing that would also serve to lower benefits for wealthier retirees. That is going to be very controversial.

And they have got more than $200 billion a year in discretionary spending cuts, which is something like a 20 percent reduction in Pentagon and other agency budgets..." (watch the whole 8 minute PBS News Hour clip)

(Nobody mentions the tax rate decrease on the wealthiest)

Between this and the QE2 stuff and the QE2 G20 stuff I hate the wealthy and the powerful. Speaking of reprehensible creatures who's only means of survival is dragging your drowning ass down, I'm gonna go watch K Street which starred Carville, Matalin and all the congresscritters you could stand.

War sucks part 308,539,485

I watched some awful History channel series on the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. It was somewhere between 8 and 12 hours long, I lost track. The reason I thought it was awful is not necessarily because it was a lousy telling of history because I don't know enough to be able to say that.

I hated it for two reasons.

One, because none of the names of the major players were shown in script so I didn't know how to look them up and the scholars interviewed didn't pronounce them the same way. I don't read, write or speak Latin, Barbarian or Hun. Some of the names were familiar, but according to the History channel's pronunciation some of the time I was left wondering wtf, who they talkin' 'bout?

(one name stands out because this is my favorite painting)

Two, because the stupid, gory costumed battle, and pillage scenes were relentless. Jeez Louise, I lost track of how many years went by because time seemed to be measured in battles, invasions, raping and pillaging rather than years. Ho hum, felt like I was watching some stupid action film period piece and I'm not partial to action films, they bore the shit out of me.

War sucks. Human nature sucks. In the Roman Empire series I was struck by how many invasions were instigated by leaders trying to feed their people. There are close to 7 billion people on this planet and most leaders understand that they are in mortal danger if they cannot feed their people.

We as Americans are probably not in any danger of starvation in the short run so why are we in one Godamned war after another?

They go on and on. Ten years in Afghanistan and still...

If you haven't read Pepe Escobar's Pipelineistan series, do it.

Wars destroy military personnel. If only men who send others to war understood that now. I'm thinking that the Roman generals who ended up being Emperors got that.

Ya think Commander Codpiece covers that in his new book? Somehow I doubt it, but then again, in order to save what's left of my sanity I'm reading the Borowitz Report tweets on that subject.

So last night I turn on the TV to watch Chuck...

and who's there talking to Matt Lauer about a book he wrote?

Bush 'Decision Points' – how many books will he sell?

(Christian Science Monitor)
Nov 9, 2010
Publishers of President Bush's 'Decision Points' have printed up 1.5 million copies. President Bill Clinton's 'My Life' sold 606,000 in its first week, and has totaled 2.2 million since.

I couldn't grab the remote and get that TV off quick enough! I had been sort of amused at some of the twittering on this subject all day, but I wasn't really prepared for that gut-wrenching revulsion of W. that happens to me.

Dude is still a dry drunk?

Ummm.....Laura?

South of the Border

South of the Border 2009 NR 77 minutes

Eager to investigate how the U.S. media has depicted Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, director Oliver Stone journeys south to interview the man himself and speaks with several other South American presidents in the process. Among the distinguished subjects in Stone's probing and controversial documentary are Bolivia's Evo Morales, Brazil's Lula da Silva, Argentina's Nestor Kirchner and Cuba's Raúl Castro.

Cast:Tariq Ali, Raúl Castro, Hugo Chavez, Rafael Correa, Cristina Kirchner, Nestor Kirchner, Fernando Lugo, Lula, Evo Morales

Director:Oliver Stone Genres:Documentary, Political Documentaries, Biographical Documentaries, Social & Cultural Documentaries Format:DVD and streaming (HD available)

I loved it. I absolutely loved it. It's streaming on Netflix now.

negative ads and Kamala Harris

blech, pthooee, ggghaaaah, people are stupid here. Local Dems didn't vote for her and I suspect it's because national money went into state races.

National GOP Spends Big in State Contests

state results

local results

Congratulations should go to "Turdblossom"

D.A. will prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries -- even if L.A. does not ban sales [Updated] November 17, 2009 | 12:00 pm (LA Times)
Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said today he will prosecute dispensaries that sell medical marijuana even if the Los Angeles City Council adopts an ordinance that does not ban such sales.

Palin Lashes Out At Bernanke, Urging Him To 'Cease And Desist' Purchase Of Treasuries

Do people write articles on Palin's antics just so they can laugh at all her nicknames in the comments?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

I am so guilty

of not getting involved:

"...Drawing on a report “Counting on Change in San Diego: Why California’s Future Begins in San Diego’s Immigrant Communities,” which is available on the Foundation’s website, Fanestil told the political post-mortem gathering rather than lurching from one election to the next, dependent on occasional voters, it was possible to build a permanent, solid progressive bloc by focusing on the over 1 million eligible voters in San Diego County who are not registered.

He mentioned the demographics of color in local elections by pointing out that while whites are only 48 percent of the county’s population, they comprise almost 70 percent of its registered voters and a whopping 83 percent of its elected representatives. By using multi-sectional, multi-racial strategies, Fanestil said that a “progressive election infrastructure” which “would sustain itself across elections” would be dependent on leadership development in the neighborhoods. He called “transactional coalitions” short lived..."

My only excuse is that I get irritated with right-wing idiots and their bombastic show of hatred towards anything "librul," and there are a lot of them here in this county. Seriously, you think my disdain for them developed in a vacuum?

Keith Olbermann To RETURN Tuesday, Phil Griffin Announces

Updated: 11- 8-10 08:22 PM
Olbermann Apologizes, to Viewers Strikes back at MSNBC


Dang, the petition didn't go over 300,000
(Update, now it is 313,852 at 9:21 AM Mon Nov 8)

http://sav­eolbermann­.com/?sour­ce=gwa-sho­rt&gclid=C­JjiueuXkKU­CFRRqgwodK­BbWNw
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Bernie Saunders had this gem for us:

"If there is a silver lining in the action of MSNBC against Keith Olbermann, it is that people will now pay more attention to the political role of corporate media in America. ..."

The Infidel

Streaming now on Netflx. I laughed.

Still reading

Republican Gomorrah by Max Blumenthal.

I was right, reading this is no fun. I know crazy, believe me, and crazy is easier to deal with than crazy and stupid.

The Economist on the election

Lexington
And now on to the White House
But the Republicans may have to fight a civil war on the way
Nov 4th 2010

"......"But after the wine of victory has been drunk and the party begins to sober up, the job will come to look trickier again. That is because although the voters spoke this week, nobody can be sure what they intended to say.

For example: were they voting for the Republicans, or against the Democrats? Were they repudiating the whole Obama agenda or just registering a protest against hard times? Are voters more enthusiastic about the tea-party insurgents who set the grass-roots on fire, or the safer hands of the establishment types who wrote the cautious, bet-hedging Pledge to America, the nearest thing the Republicans offered to a manifesto?..."