Friday, May 30, 2014

Andy Borowitz


The Borowitz Report

MAY 30, 2014

SCIENTISTS CONSIDER NEW NAMES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

POSTED BY 


borowitz-new-term-for-climate-change.jpg

NEW HAVEN (The Borowitz Report)—After a report from the Yale Center on Climate Change Communication showed that the term "climate change" elicits relatively little concern from the American public, leading scientists are recommending replacing it with a new term: "You will be burnt to a crisp and die."

Other terms under consideration by the scientists include "your cities will be ravaged by tsunamis and floods" and "earth will be a fiery hellhole incapable of supporting human life."

Scientists were generally supportive of the suggestions, with many favoring the term "your future will involve rowing a boat down a river of rotting corpses."

"Any of these terms would do a better job conveying the urgency of the problem," Tracy Klugian, a spokesperson for the newly renamed Yale Center for Oh My God Wake Up You Assholes, said.

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Juan
 
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-- Maya Angelou

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Something to Know - 29 May

Nick Anderson

1.  if you have been watching TV's episodes of Cosmos and Years of Living Dangerously, you are probably well aware that science is correct in determining that humans are contributing to the nasty effects of greenhouse gases.   Furthermore, you may not understand why fundamentally lame bozos as running around as climate deniers.  John Oliver has a way of getting to the heart of why the debate stalls and facts are ignored:

2.  It seems that the French have their own war to wage with the extreme right.  Any similarities between their problem and ours?:

3.  Let's end today's stuff with some banal tribute to the kooks among us.  We need them to remind ourselves of the scum on the side of the tub as the swamp of GeeOpie land evaporates with the deterioration of the Tea Party:
http://www.nationalmemo.com/right-wing-expendables-five-speakers-booked-years-republican-leadership-conference/

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Juan
 
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-- Maya Angelou

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Andy Borowitz


The Borowitz Report

MAY 28, 2014

OBAMA DEFENDS CONTROVERSIAL POLICY OF NOT INVADING COUNTRIES FOR NO REASON

POSTED BY 

AP985778832096-580.jpg

WEST POINT (The Borowitz Report)—President Obama raised eyebrows with his West Point commencement address Wednesday by offering a defense of his controversial foreign-policy doctrine of not invading countries for no reason.

Conservative critics were taken aback by Obama's speech, which was riddled with incendiary remarks about only using military force for a clearly identified and rational purpose.

Obama did not shy away from employing polarizing rhetoric, often using words such as "responsible" and "sensible" to underscore his message.

Harland Dorrinson, a fellow at the conservative think tank the Center for Global Intervention, said that he was "stunned" to see Obama "defend his failure to engage the United States in impulsive and random military adventures."

"History tells us that the best way to earn respect around the world is by using your military in a totally unpredictable and reckless manner," he said. "Today, President Obama showed once again that he doesn't get it."

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Juan
 
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
-- Maya Angelou

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Something to Know - 27 May

Hillary brain damage © John Cole,The Scranton Times-Tribune,Hillary Clinton, Karl Rove, 2016 elections, GOP, Democrats, brain damage




1.  Associated with the grave and senseless rampage of shooting in Isla Vista, is the image of Richard Martinez, and his plea for sanity.  Grieving for the loss of his son, he strikes out at the dark forces that are behind the continuing gun violence; "craven politicians and the NRA".  If you missed any of it, here is something to help you understand what motivates a father to try and reason for the loss of his son:

2.  I have just caught up on viewing Frontline's 2-part 3-hr program - United States of Secrets.  Behind our backs, and being lulled into accepting incursions into our civil liberties in the name of homeland security, two administrations and two presidents have lied to us.   Now, backing up, and trying to undo what has been done, has its difficulties.   Here is a current discussion.  If you have not seen the Frontline program, go to HULU and get it, since it is readily available:
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Juan
 
Even if you're not doing anything wrong, you are being watched and recorded.
-- Edward Snowden

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Something to Know - 24 May

Rob Rogers

1.  I, as a non-Catholic, and confirmed quasi-atheist/agnostic, am thoroughly entertained by the new Pope.  He has bravely refocused an institution on matters of urgency and humanity.  That being said, watching the Cardinal from New York suck up to his new boss is as equally entertaining:

2.  This op-ed piece from the NY Times is just another example of how big corporations manipulate the system of globalization, Capitalism, and politics to avoid their duty to pay taxes like the rest of us.   What this drug company does just makes you sick:

3.  Gail Collins has this little ditty about how the big Senate plays its insider games, and does nothing to solve problems.  It's like we elect these guys so that they can get entrenched in their jobs and lifestyles just so that they can use the halls of Congress as a drag strip and play chicken all year:

4.  The general consensus is not totally clear at the moment, but most conversations tilt to the outcome of the Republicans taking control of the Senate, while holding on to the House.   This article, from Politico, speaks to this possibility as a negative for the GeeOpie:
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/05/how-republicans-lose-by-winning-106961.html?hp=t1

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Juan
 
Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.
-- Alexis de Tocqueville

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Tea Party Last Stand


This email just came to my box.  To me it indicates that Mississippi is the last stand for this election cycle.   Tune in tomorrow to your news, TV or newspaper to see how Chris McDaniel came out in Mississippi.  There is one last piece of bread in the toaster.

Dear Patriot,

The Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund (TPPCF) announced its first electronic advertising buy for Mississippi. A 30-second TV spot titled "What Happened to Thad Cochran?" that can be seen here will run statewide on broadcast and cable TV between now and the June 3 primary election, and a 60-second radio version of the spot will also run statewide between now and the June 3 Republican primary election.

"Mississippi voters have a choice in this election – between, on the one hand, a dynamic young Constitutional conservative in Chris McDaniel, or, on the other hand, a man who's lost his Mississippi values in Thad Cochran," TPPCF Chairman Jenny Beth Martin said. "Let the voters of Mississippi decide: Does a politician who runs up the debt, accepts an exemption from ObamaCare for himself and his staff, and votes with Harry Reid to make amnesty for illegal immigrants possible really represent Mississippi values?"

In the ads, viewers learn that Thad Cochran:

•   Voted to raise the debt ceiling no fewer than 24 times, putting every man, woman, and child in Mississippi in debt to the tune of $58,000;

•   Agreed to exempt himself and his Congressional staff from Obamacare; and

•   Voted with Harry Reid to make amnesty for illegal immigrants easier.

Finally, Ben Sasse, the conservative Tea Party candidate for the open U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska won the GOP nomination. This is really big news. The Ruling Class Republicans went after Sasse hard. Congratulations Ben!

An exclusive sneak peek at the buy can be seen here.

In Liberty,

Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund 


P.S. Please make sure you read TPPCF Chairman Jenny Beth Martin's article for USA Today on how the Tea Party is setting the agenda for the Republican Party!

PAID FOR BY THE TEA PARTY PATRIOTS CITIZENS FUND 
NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE 
HTTP://TEAPARTYPATRIOTSCITIZENSFUND.COM


Contributions to the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund are not tax deductible 
as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

While the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund does not earmark contributions
for individual candidates, your contribution will be used to support only those
Tea Party candidates who have met our exacting standards for endorsement.


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Juan
 
My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.
-- Woody Allen

Something to Know - 22 May

Rob Rogers
1.  The Tea Party is probably gone now.  At least I have not received any emails from Jenny Beth Martin.   This is a double-edged sword.  Good for political sanity, but bad for Democrats who were counting on the TP to suck away votes from mainstream Republicans.  Now, if the stubborn wing of the TP makes like the Dixiecrats back in the late 1940's, that could be interesting, but highly unlikely.   The complexion of the Young Guns who swept in last time on the wave of Tea Party sentiment is what will be interesting to watch:

2.  The State of Georgia got rid of some of its wingnuts the other day.   Don't worry, there is a whole barrel full of them still around:
http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/georgia-senate-runoff-paul-broun-phil-gingrey-going-home/?dcz=

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Juan
 
My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.
-- Woody Allen

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Something to Know - 21 May

Ben Sargent

1.  David Brooks is reviewing someone else's opinion. so its hard to tell if he is buying in.  In any event, this op-ed hits the current state of our dysfunctional democracy right on the head.   Having skewered Capitalism, in some of my past mailings. it's time to pick on our current state of affairs.  What do you think of the Guardian State?   Read on:

2.  Thomas Friedman does defy the critics at times, and comes up with something with an interesting opinion.  Here's something, although he has to frame it by starting off by talking about Donald Sterling:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/opinion/friedman-four-words-going-bye-bye.html?emc=eta1

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Juan
 
I had the right to remain silent... but I didn't have the ability.
-- Ron White

Monday, May 19, 2014

Something to Know - 20 May

Clay Bennett
1.  Capitalism.  It is a name for a system of economic that can be used to spur development and growth.  It is also a tool to abuse - and is now stealthily employed by the scions of Capitalism.   Where Unions have now been cleverly demonized to almost extinction, nothing is ever said about the collective union of greedy businesses who gather to promote and buy elected officials to impose draconian work rules on their employees.   Where and when will this abuse be recognized by the docile electorate who are lulled into believing that sucking the life out of the workers of the supply chain is better for the consumer?   Those at the short end of the stick have nowhere to go right now for relief, other than the ballot box.  And who is going to get them to the ballot box?  You, that's who.....not someone else:

2.  Republican leadership in Congress is nothing more than a state of mind of permanent obstructionism - plain and simple.   It goes to work to spend as little time on anything meaningful, making a mockery of the legislative mission, and wasting everyone's time and a vast treasure of resources:

3.  A couple of Republicans got to talking the other day, and basically said that a loving family relationship between a man and a woman will transcend all problems of poverty.   The implication is that tough times can be overcome by that spirit, and anybody not meeting those qualifications can go suck eggs:

4.  Timothy Geithner is running around promoting his new book "Stress Test", and holding himself up as a good guy who helped save the US Economy.   As expected, Paul Krugman takes exception, and with good reason.  Geithner is one, like many, who thinks that the stability and strength of our economy is based on the stability and strength of our Wall Street Banking system.   Nobelist Krugman believes that the sign of strength is based on how well those on the bottom rung are doing.  As of now, the bottom rung is hanging out to dry, and anyone who ignores the failings to shore up the bottom is not connected to reality:

Andy Borowitz

The Borowitz Report

MAY 18, 2014

G.O.P.: EVIL MASTERMIND BEHIND BENGHAZI IS FRAIL OLD WOMAN WITH BRAIN DAMAGE

POSTED BY 

hillary-clinton-580.jpg

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is an evil genius capable of masterminding the most elaborate cover-up in U.S. history and is also a frail old woman with brain damage, leading Republicans charged on Sunday.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus led the attack while appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," where he said that the American people should be wary of electing a woman who is capable of orchestrating the complex conspiracy to whitewash Benghazi while, at the same time, being too old, feeble, and brain damaged to serve in the Oval Office.

"These two aspects of Secretary Clinton would have me very concerned," he said.

Mr. Priebus said he saw "no contradiction" between the portrayals of Secretary Clinton as an evil mastermind and a brain-damaged crone, explaining, "The one part of Secretary Clinton's brain that works perfectly well is the part that creates elaborate cover-ups, and that is the part of her brain that is currently covering up the fact that she is brain damaged."

The R.N.C. chairman said he was confident that once the American people realized Secretary Clinton is both an evil mastermind and a frail old woman with brain damage, they would reject her at the ballot box.

"The one thing the American people will not tolerate is double-talk," he said.

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Juan
 
A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.
-- Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Something to Know - 18 May

Stuart Carlson

1.  Immigration Reform is an often referred to wedge topic.  Unfortunately, it is not well understood, and is deep meaning is often ignored.  To that end, this piece from the NY Times offers us an opportunity to see what the issue means in Laredo, Texas, and how it may differ from the mainstream understanding
:

2.  I hope you give time to read this.  It concerns the bullying tactics employed by the Trans Canada Pipeline (Keystone XL) to plow their way through the Mid-West.   Standing in their way, is a grass-roots coalition of farmers and ranchers in Nebraska, who have united in spirit by issues common to them - their way of life and clean and fertile land.   Bill McKibben is the intellectual head of the movement, but it has taken abuse by Trans Canada and an awakening in values by Nebraskans to unite in spirit.   It's the old common people vs. the greedy corporation story:

3.  Frank Bruni of the NY Times offers up his opinion on how the elite colleges and universities are failing in really changing the upward mobility problem.  It's still the same old rich peoples' kids getting in and succeeding.  I think the abysmal situation is not a fault of the elite institutions of learning.   The problem is the shitty way we have neglected our elementary, high school, and state institutions.   Also, if we had a decent GI Bill, based not only on military, but public service, we might be able to extend to push for upward mobility to those who really need it, and who will actually do more to improve the overall situation.   Harvard, Stanford, and Yale, can continue to being who they are.   We need to focus support on those who have little or no name recognition:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/opinion/sunday/bruni-class-cost-and-college.html?emc=eta1

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Juan
A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.
-- Theodore Roosevelt

Friday, May 16, 2014

Something to Know - 16 May

Ben Sargent

1.  As we in the West are roasting in record-setting temps, and the rest of the nation experiences extreme conditions, the issue of Climate Change is getting more 'heated" - pun intended.  Paul Krugman has us look at the GOP phenomenon of political ignorance to describe something that is more dangerous than the changing climate itself:

2. Within the Republican Party, there is a fight (kind of subdued at the moment) which will provide political junkies great entertainment.  Whether this display spills over into the general public is something that the Democrats would love, but so far, it is only a hope.   The real issue is trying to determine what does the Republican Party stand for, and what does it offer to the problem solving that has been delayed and postponed throughout the administration of Barack Obama?  That is what the bottom line is as the two parties gear up for the next elections:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/conservatives-seek-to-regain-control-of-republican-agenda/2014/05/15/aaa20c80-dc6e-11e3-bda1-9b46b2066796_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

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Juan
 
We've arranged a civilization in which most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology.
-- Carl Sagan

Monday, May 12, 2014

Fwd: NYTimes.com: Crazy Climate Economics

Paul Krugman .....as I try an iPad entry from Washington D.C.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: juanma2t <emailthis@ms3.lga2.nytimes.com>
Date: Monday, May 12, 2014
Subject: NYTimes.com: Crazy Climate Economics
To: juanma2t@gmail.com


 
Sent by juanma2t@gmail.com:
Op-Ed Columnist

Crazy Climate Economics

By PAUL KRUGMAN

How environmentalism became a Marxist plot.

Or, copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://nyti.ms/1iELDHk
To get unlimited access to all New York Times articles, subscribe today. See Subscription Options.
To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add nytdirect@nytimes.com to your address book.
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Copyright 2014 | The New York Times Company | NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

 




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Juan
 
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
-- John F. Kennedy

Monday, May 5, 2014

Something that Krugman Wrote, and I Botched - 5 May

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/05/opinion/krugman-inventing-a-failure.html?hp&rref=opinion

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Juan
 
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
-- John F. Kennedy

Something to Know - 5 May


Ben Sargent

I'll be out of range for a while.  Going to our Nation's Capitol - YES ...D.C.  for a week of tourism and a view of the inside that should be truly memorable.

1.  Louis C.K. has his an unfavorable opinion on "Common Core".  Maybe we do not all agree on this subject, but keeping minds open to all factors is healthy:

2.  Paul Krugman can always be counted on for his views on anything.  Today he writes about how the GeeOpie is trying to find something to talk about in the wake of Obama Care's success.  Benghazi, anyone?:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2014/05/louis-ck-against-the-common-core.html?utm_source=tny

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Juan
 
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
-- John F. Kennedy