Jane Hamsher & the Big Jerk-Around

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Monday January 18, 2010 · 4:42 PM PST

2010/01/18 · 16:42

Several weeks ago, Jane threw in her lot with Grover Norquist to defeat the healthcare bill.

But apparently, she didn't mean it. Because now, her website FireDogLake wants Martha Coakley in the Senate so that Coakley's 60th vote will allow the bill to pass—a bill that Jane detested.

Maybe that bill wasn't so bad after all, Jane? Perhaps you were manipulating your readers and the rest of the blogosphere with your "Look At Me" histrionics? Because you can't be for the bill now when you teamed up with Grover Norquist just a few weeks ago to defeat it. The election of Scott Brown will accomplish the EXACT same thing that your unholy union with Grover was meant to accomplish.

Poll

403 votes Show Results

Defeat healthcare, or Scott Brown?

403 votes Vote Now!

Defeat healthcare, or Scott Brown?

I agree with Jane: join Grover and defeat the healthcare bill!

39 votes

I agree with Jane: defeat Scott Brown and protect the healthcare bill?

91 votes

Pie: steaming, dripping and lumpy.

131 votes

Why does politics attract such light-weights?

142 votes

Predictions: Bush in 5 years? (with a big, fat poll)

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday January 16, 2009 · 7:48 PM PST

2009/01/16 · 19:48

Duhbya is retiring young, at age 62. Happily, he has aged dramatically over the past eight years, but not as much as the rest of us.

In five years, 2014, where will he be? The poll below only allows you to pick one, so I've tried to present a range of choices. Choose the likeliest, not the most desirable!

Poll

355 votes Show Results

In five years, George W. Bush will be:

355 votes Vote Now!

In five years, George W. Bush will be:

dead.

15 votes

humiliated for public drunkenness (and caught on YouTube).

46 votes

divorced.

15 votes

in Paraguay.

28 votes

in the Hague.

12 votes

fighting extradition to the Hague.

47 votes

on the boards of Monsanto and Exxon-Abdullah, sucking down margaritas, and laughing at us all.

88 votes

re-re-born, and pastor of a techno-evangelical cult near Waco.

1 vote

truly contrite, and working 70 hours a week building houses in New Orleans.

3 votes

in jail for selling oxycontin & crystal meth to Levi Johnston.

4 votes

on the Texas Supreme Court.

3 votes

Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

12 votes

kidnapped and held for ransom somewhere, with an increasing number of toes missing.

4 votes

On the faculty or as a guest lecturer at a "school" like Pepperdine or Regents University.

37 votes

a regular guest on Fox News.

40 votes

My E-Z Proposal for Basic Ballot Reform

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday March 25, 2008 · 5:15 PM PDT

2008/03/25 · 17:15

Large Democratic majorities in the next Congress might be able to enact meaningful, uncontroversial reform of our national voting system. Here's what I offer as a basic fix. Let's standardize ballots at the Federal level but avoid the issues of re-districting and campaign finance. (These are important, but fraught with controversy. Let's fix the easy stuff first.) And let's set up a Federal voter registry.

Congress has the Constitutional authority to specify the methods of election to Federal office (Article X). It should use this to establish standards for voting: how ballots are designed, what processes are required for the physical logistics of voting, what safeguards are necessary, how disputes are resolved. It can even establish a national voter registry, with identification standards.

Congress can provide funds to municipalities to reward them for applying these standards to non-Federal races. This incentive will encourage state and local offices to apply the same, defined standards across the entire process, but they are not required to (indeed, the Constitution does not permit the Federal government to mandate how local elections are conducted).

More after the fold.

Poll

13 votes Show Results

Is a national ballot standard and voter registry workable?

13 votes Vote Now!

Is a national ballot standard and voter registry workable?

Yes. This will eliminate a lot of problems and mischief.

8 votes

No. It will bog down in partisan bickering.

0 votes

The Federal government shouldn't set voting standards. Leave these to the states.

2 votes

These changes are too small. We should go for a major overhaul of finance and redistricting.

2 votes

The FEC is not the right vehicle for ballot and registration reform.

0 votes

No way should the Post Office handle voter registration.

1 vote

I have other problems with this suggestion, and I'll post my thoughts below.

0 votes

Which Dem will prosecute BushCo's crimes?

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday January 12, 2008 · 12:24 PM PST

2008/01/12 · 12:24

Why don't the leading Democratic candidates pledge to prosecute the crimes of the Bush administration?

Review the websites of Clinton, Obama, and Edwards. None of them promises to bring the Bush crime syndicate to justice. Perjury, obstruction of justice, conflicts of interest, corruption, unconstitutional behavior, invasions of privacy: for seven years we've watched the criminal abuse of our laws and us. Yet not a single candidate has made an issue of bringing these miscreants to justice, except Dennis Kucinich (1%) and Chris Dodd (out).

More below the fold...

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday April 02, 2007 · 9:17 AM PDT

2007/04/02 · 09:17

I'm a single-issue voter: I won't vote for any presidential candidate who won't condemn torture, completely and without condition. I've heard Democratic politicians deplore it, but not one has focused on the total elimination of torture as an American tactic. None have declared themselves to be "the anti-torture candidate."

I'm still waiting for anyone to state something along the lines of:

"If elected, I will not tolerate torture under any circumstances. I will direct every agency and department of this government to halt all actions which could be construed as torture and all interrogations which use coercive techniques. From the moment I am sworn in, the United States will abide by every international agreement we have signed regarding the treatment of those in our custody, no matter where they may be. Torture is, vile, despicable and un-American. We won't do it, at all, ever, while I am president."

We haven't heard this yet from any candidate, to my recollection. Why not? (More after the jump.)

Poll

50 votes Show Results

Would you vote for a candidate who hedges on torture?

50 votes Vote Now!

Would you vote for a candidate who hedges on torture?

If it's good enough for Jack Bauer, it's good enough for me.

6 votes

I'm mostly against torture, but I'll make exceptions.

3 votes

We can't afford to look soft on torture or the right will paint us as weak.

0 votes

I won't support any candidate who hedges on torture. It's too important.

41 votes

Cut all funding for the V.P.'s office

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday February 04, 2007 · 2:48 PM PST

2007/02/04 · 14:48

If we want to stop Cheney, we should stop funding him. This is simple. The next procurement bill can have a short paragraph stating that "The Office of the Vice-President shall receive no funds beyond those required by law to pay the Vice-President's salary."

If we want to make it rock-solid, let's add: "No funds shall be diverted from other purposes to fund any functions of the Vice-President's office, whatsoever."

This will close Cheney's "office," and some of his power. Don't even give him a secretary. Force him to get his own coffee, make his own copies, and represent himself to the press. The Constitution does not stipulate anything beyond that his salary can't be lowered during his term of office.

This can be done swiftly, and the Congressional Republicans will be hard-pressed to defend the staffing of an office that has lied to them and to the American public.

Attach this to each and every spending bill. Let them filibuster or veto it: Cheney becomes the isssue either way. There is NO downside for Democrats.

Poll

73 votes Show Results

Should Congress fund any part of Cheney's office?

73 votes Vote Now!

Should Congress fund any part of Cheney's office?

No.

44 votes

Yes, give him a secretary: Jeff Gannon.

23 votes

Yes, give him a Chief of Staff, a Press Secretary, and whatever he wants. We can't risk looking petty.

1 vote

Congress may not impede the Office of the Vice-President in any way.

5 votes

The Insulting Hubris of "Benchmarks"

Veritas78

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Monday January 08, 2007 · 3:44 PM PST

2007/01/08 · 15:44

Bush's escalation will come with "benchmarks," a favorite buzzword of lazy MBAs. Iraq is the new "No Child Left Behind": we'll measure their progress and reward or punish accordingly.

And how will we punish them: by withdrawing, or by refusing to leave? The same question applies to the reward: will we leave if they behave, or will we stay if they don't?

This crystallizes the illogic of "we'll stand down as they stand up," a mantra adopted by a number of clueless Democrats who saw it as a safe haven while not thinking out the implications. It has let them evade the core question: Who are WE to set benchmarks and issue ultimatums?

All this talk of holding Iraqis and their government to any sort of standard ignores the essential fact of this war: we invaded them without... (more after the jump)

Poll

17 votes Show Results

Benchmarks are...

17 votes Vote Now!

Benchmarks are...

a useful way to encourage Iraqi participation in their future

0 votes

a time-tested method of measuring success

1 vote

MBA jargon that masquerades as policy

6 votes

an insult to an invaded populace

10 votes

How to behave at the State of the Union?

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday January 01, 2007 · 3:03 PM PST

2007/01/01 · 15:03

I'm a firm believer in small statements if big ones are unavailable. For me, Bush's upcoming State of the Union Address is an opportunity. If he can't be seized and dragged to a waiting flight to the Hague, then how about some fart noises? Some untraceable hissing?

I can't bring myself to watch another Kremlinesque farce, with craven Congresspeople leaping to their feet, multiple standing ovations before the dope has even opened his mouth, and the pack thrusting their hands (and mugs) forward to be patted and kissed.

I know that "respect for the office" trumps political pettiness, but this is a man who has shown amazing contempt for the other two branches of government. At what point do they get to return that institutional disrespect?

What should we petition our representatives and senators to do, especially if they are of the Democratic persuasion? I've got a few suggestions after the jump...

Poll

108 votes Show Results

What do you want to see or hear at the SOTU?

108 votes Vote Now!

What do you want to see or hear at the SOTU?

Booing and hissing

4 votes

Stony silenceâ€"no standing, no clapping

61 votes

Stand, but don't clap

8 votes

Reading of newspapers

2 votes

Catcalls and middle fingers

3 votes

Do the pizza thing

1 vote

Pilates stretching

0 votes

"Om" sound, mouth closed, key of G

1 vote

Bathroom breaks, but don't returnâ€"half-empty hall by the end

2 votes

Rush the podium and throw him in a strait-jacket

8 votes

Quiet, desperate drinking from flasks

2 votes

Boycott the whole damn thing

16 votes

It's time for a War Tax

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday December 16, 2006 · 3:22 PM PST

2006/12/16 · 15:22

Over 60% of Americans oppose the Iraq war and occupation, but our voice isn't yet an angry roar. Perhaps that's because we haven't had to pay the cost, yet, unless we've had a family member or friend die. BushCo has hidden the bodies and put the cost off-budget. The incoming Democrats are trying to put it back on- budget, but they run the risk being accused of ballooning the deficit if the public isn't crystal-clear on what is being paid for.

It's time for a War Tax. Until now, all we've been asked to do is go shopping. Now, we should do the math on this debacle and let everyone know the out-of-pocket cost to each of us in dollars.

I propose both a fuel tax and an windfall-profits tax on petroleum products. (We've done each before.) For the latter, we can allow a 10% return on the actual cost of distilling oil into gasoline, heating oil, jet fuel, and other petroleum products. The government, representing us, should take the rest.

More after the break...

Poll

68 votes Show Results

Is a War Tax a good strategy?

68 votes Vote Now!

Is a War Tax a good strategy?

Yes, Americans should feel the cost of waging war.

56 votes

No, all I care about is cheap gas.

4 votes

No, Republicans will accuse us of raising taxes.

8 votes

Poll: Who killed Pierre Gemayel?

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday November 25, 2006 · 2:08 PM PST

2006/11/25 · 14:08

There are motives on all sides. Pierre Gemayel was assassinated last Tuesday, Nov. 21. His murder occurred as the U.N. authorized an inquiry into the assassination of Rafik Hariri, the popular former Prime Minister of Lebanon who was blown up in February, 2005. If you follow Lebanese politics a bit, please vote your hunch. If you don't know what religion Gemayel was, please don't vote.

Poll

97 votes Show Results

Who killed Pierre Gemayel?

97 votes Vote Now!

Who killed Pierre Gemayel?

The Syriansâ€"they are trying to collapse the Lebanese government

20 votes

Hezbollahâ€"they're getting rid of a competitor

12 votes

The U.S.â€"we're planting false flags so we can attack Syria

17 votes

Israelâ€"at the behest of the U.S.

22 votes

Israelâ€"turmoil in Lebanon will help them justify another attack

19 votes

Lebanese Sunnisâ€"they saw him as a charismatic up-and-comer

1 vote

The Vaticanâ€"just to prove they still can

6 votes

How To Handle Lieberman

Veritas78

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday November 08, 2006 · 4:51 PM PST

2006/11/08 · 16:51

We've won the Senate, but with a margin that puts us at the mercy of a bitter, vengeful, pissed-off Joe Lieberman. Given his history as a drama queen, he'll make sure that we know: It's All About Him.

How should we approach this unstable, self-pitying, narcissistic dweeb? The answer is coded into our DNA, whether we're nerds or football heroes:

NOOGIES!! And wedgies, swirlies, and swooshies!! All Democratic Senators must promise to tackle the Lieberdweeb in the Capitol corridors, surround him and noogie off what hair he has left. Then, grab inside his pants for the elastic of his briefs (he's not a boxer guy) and hang him from the nearest door closer. If he's got a briefcase, steal it and hide it behind the radiator! Endless fun will ensue!! If it doesn't work, drag him to the boys' room!!!

Respect? Never! He craves abuse, and we should give him all we can.

MA-Gov: Healey demands, then rejects 1-on-1 debate with Patrick, because it's in Roxbury

Veritas78

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Thursday October 26, 2006 · 2:28 PM PDT

2006/10/26 · 14:28

Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Murphy Healey has been demanding a 1-on-1 debate with Deval Patrick, who is now leading her by more than 20 points in their race for Governor of Massachusetts. She wants to exclude Christy Mihos, a hometown Libertarian, and Grace Ross, the Rainbow-Green Party candidates. (Both poll about 8% between them, but they've been fine agitants in the three debates to-date, needling both candidates on their lapses and getting in some good zingers.)

It turns out that a Roxbury civic group is happy to host a 1-on-1 debate--in fact, they've extended 3 invitations so far, and Patrick has accepted. The problem? Healey is trying to live down her notorious black-rapist-lurking-in-a-parking-garage ad. There wouldn't be awkward questions that she's trying to avoid, would there?

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