Boner Caves

And it's about time. Finally John Boehner gave in and cut a deal with Senator Harry Reid and the Democrats in extending the payroll tax cut for 60 days, during which time a one year deal could be worked out.

Why, WHY John Boner would have let himself be led to the edge of a political and career cliff by a small handful of Teabaggers is hard to imagine.

This is the party that signed a Pledge to Obey a Lobbyist and never, ever, ever, ever raise taxes. But until last night that seemed to only apply to the 1% -- the millionaires and billionaires. Even when he finally and appropriatedly caved, it was done grudgingly.

He's the weakest and least effective Speaker I've seen in my lifetime. Just knowing that this payroll tax cut extension would benefit 160,000,000 American Middle Class workers should have been enough. Having to have the Wall St Journal, Karl Rove, Mitch McConnell, John McCain and many other major rightwing mouthpieces tell him he was going in the wrong direction for the country -- and committing political suicide -- is extraordinary.

What's wrong with this man? How screwed up IS he? Can't he think for himself? Can't he see when something is the obvious thing to do?

Apparently not. He had to be beaten over the head by his own party for 3 days before relenting. He deserves to be stripped of his title as Speaker of the House.

Pathetic.

Merry Christmas -- Your Taxes are Going Up

Thanks to the Regressive republicans and Teabaggers in the US House of Representatives which Weeper of the House John Boner cannot control.

The Senate passed a bi-partisan Payroll Tax Cut Extension bill by the wide margin of 89-10, including 39 Regressive republicans voting FOR a 2-month extension so the holiday recess can go on without the American Middle Class workers getting hit with a $1,000 tax increase. The purpose: to continue the tax extension without interruption and have plenty of time to work on the ONE YEAR extension after the holidays. No Democrat only wants a 2 month extension. Anyone who says that on Fox or elsewhere is a liar.

Reid

McConnell

It was compromised and agreed upon by Senator Harry Reid (D) and the chinless wonder, Mitch McConnell (R). Boehner and his Teabag Extremists are holding it up, refusing to pass it in the House. Now Boner wants the US Senators -- who already did their job and passed the bill -- to fly back to Washington to start negotiating all over again, as if this time he'll be able to control his far rightwing mob.

So, to sum it up... in the Senate, both the Democrats and the Republicans are IN FAVOR of extending payroll tax cuts.

In the House, Democrats IN FAVOR of extending payroll tax cuts.

But House Republicans REFUSE to extend payroll tax cuts.

Boner has no control over his people. They control him.

He's an embarrassment. Now is when he should cry, and for good reason.

The Weeper of the House will soon be fired.

In a related story...


From CNN:

President Barack Obama’s approval rating jumped 5 percentage points from November to December, fueled by dramatic gains among middle-class Americans, according to a CNN/ORC International poll released Tuesday.

Obama’s approval rating rose from 44% last month to 49% now, and the results suggest the debate over extending the payroll tax cuts in Congress is helping Obama’s efforts to portray himself as defender of the middle class. The poll was conducted from Friday through Sunday, while the Senate was passing the measure with bipartisan support and House Speaker John Boehner was giving it a dim outlook in his chamber.

And a majority now say they have more confidence in Obama than in Republicans in Congress -- last spring, only 44% felt that way.

Democrats do particularly well among middle-income Americans, while the Republicans win support only from the top end of the income scale.

In addition, the Regressive republican-led Congress now has THE LOWEST APPROVAL RATING IN THE HISTORY OF THE GALLUP POLL:     11%.

Behind the Scenes at Letterman's Late Show with Darlene Love

Best show of the year is the final one before Christmas -- a Late Show tradition -- featuring Darlene Love singing Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) just as she originally sang it in 1963.  Biggest production of the year, with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra, an entire string section, and choral background singers.  Oh, and snow!

Watch this short video of the rehearsal including clips from years past.

You can see this year's version on The Late Show With David Letterman this Friday night (12/23).

Bill Press's "Parting Shot"

From Dec 20.

Newt Gingrich wants to arrest judges with whom he disagrees if they don't come before Congress to defend themselves; wants to fire half the school janitors and hire 8-year-olds to clean the toilets; blames Freddie Mac for the foreclosure epidemic while taking $1.6 million to lobby for it.

Bill Press explains that the Newtmare is almost over.

OK, make it number five. Five Republican candidates not named Mitt Romney who have had their 15 minutes of fame at the top of the polls – only to crash and burn.

First, it was Donald Trump. Then, Michelle Bachmann. Followed, ever so briefly, by Rick Perry. Who soon gave way to Herman Cain. Who in turn passed the torch to Newt Gingrich.

And now it’s Newt’s turn to fold. The latest polls from Iowa, all of which he led just two weeks ago, now show Ron Paul in first place, followed by Mitt Romney – with Newt far behind in third place, for now.

In a sense, it’s no surprise Newt’s bubble would burst, once voters got a closer look at him. He’s a failed Speaker, a huge flip-flopper, a closet liberal on some issues, a serial adulterer, a big-time lobbyist, and dispenser of a lot of wild-ass, crazy ideas.

But, the truth is, none of those five wanna-be Republicans were ever serious candidates. And neither is Ron Paul. The media only trumpeted them as serious candidates because it helped to keep the race interesting – and generate ratings.

We all know Mitt Romney is going to be the Republican candidate. And the sooner everybody admits that, the better.

That’s my parting shot for today.

Bill Press's live radio show can be heard M-F 6am-9am on Sirius/XM Satellite radio and on many stations including Green 960 on an iPhone ap.

Rick Perry: Little Dumber Boy

From the Stephanie Miller Show:

The Little Dumber Boy by Mike In Raleigh

Message on Iraq from President Obama

Good afternoon,
After nearly nine years, our war in Iraq is ending.

In recent days, many of our troops have come home and been reunited with their families for the holidays. Over the next few days, a small group of American soldiers will begin the final march out of Iraq.
This moment of success is because of their sacrifice. More than 1.5 million Americans have served in Iraq. More than 30,000 of these brave men and women were wounded. Nearly 4,500 gave their lives. America’s military families have borne a heavy burden.

As we mark the end of this war, we need to show our veterans and their families that they have the thanks of a grateful nation.

Take a minute to look back at the moments that brought us to this point, then share a personal message of gratitude with those who have served.

New Christmas Traditions

From a recent email I've received:

 

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are
kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a
gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about
gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are
thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed?
Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who thinks
nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all
offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.

Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their
car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE
the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find
some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and
running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local
crafts people make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated
restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre?

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing
local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten
thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

Don't forget to donate to local animal rescues!

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American
pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post
it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants
and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local
paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

President Obama's Groundbreaking Speech

Newt's on Top; Trump Moderates Upcoming Circus-Debate

The ONLY reason Noot has a turn at the top is the Regressives are so miserable with each of their clownish contestants, since they've pretty much run through each of them as the flavor-of-the-month, they are down to backing Newton Gingrich by default. There's simply no one left.

The Regressives couldn't back serial adulterer and philanderer Herman Cain, so they've decided to support serial adulterer and philanderer Newt Gingrich.

Huh?

You may remember his illustrious history. Newt was forced to resign in shame as Speaker of the House under a cloud of a half-million dollars in ethics violations. He cheated on, and left, his first wife while she was dying of cancer in the hospital; he left his second wife after cheating on her with what would be his third wife.

While railing against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, he accepted almost $2 million as a lobbyist for them.

His latest bizarre thought? Firing janitors and making 9 year olds clean toilets in school. He actually said, out loud, that child labor laws are stupid.

This is who they're rallying around this week.

By the way, don't you love how these Teabaggers rallied about how much they've "changed" their republican party -- yet the two front runners (Romney and Gingrich) are old Regressive hacks who have been around for 30 years, pushing their tired, old, failed ideas to whomever will listen. Unbelievable.

And have you heard about the hilarious upcoming debate? Not even sponsored by any news organization, it's being promoted by "newsmax", the far rightwing website. And even funnier, one of the earliest failed clowns to be kicked to the curb -- fake billionaire Donald Trump -- will be moderating!

I couldn't have written a better script to make these bizarre cartoon characters look more buffoonish. Can't wait to make some popcorn and watch this!

By the way, so far 2 of their candidates were smart enough to say, "I'm not participating in this ridiculous circus" -- Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman. Good for them.

Ron Paul on America's favorite fake billionaire, fake candidate and used car salesman:

"The selection of a reality television personality to host a presidential debate that voters nationwide will be watching is beneath the office of the Presidency and flies in the face of that office's history and dignity.

Mr. Trump's participation as moderator will distract from questions and answers concerning important issues such as the national economy, crushing federal government debt, the role of the federal government, foreign policy, and the like. To be sure, Mr. Trump's participation will contribute to an unwanted circus-like atmosphere.

Mr. Trump's selection is also wildly inappropriate because of his record of toying with the serious decision of whether to compete for our nation's highest office, a decision he appeared to make frivolously."

Even Karl Rove thinks it's ridiculous. From the NYT:

"Karl Rove, the former political adviser to President George W. Bush, railed against the idea of a debate hosted by Mr. Trump. In an appearance on Fox News on Monday, Mr. Rove called on Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, to put a stop to the debate.

“What the heck are the Republican candidates doing showing up at a debate with a guy who says, ‘I may run for president next year as an independent,’ ” Mr. Rove said. “I think the Republican national chairman ought to step in and say we strongly discourage every candidate from appearing.”

UPDATE 12/7/11: Willard Romney has also stated he will not attend this debate circus.

UPDATE 12/9/11: Bachmann the Clown and Perry the Clown have also stated they will not attend this circus.  How soon until it's cancelled?

Herman Cain Quits

Noooooooooooooooooo!

Serial adulterer and philanderer Herman Cain just CAN'T quit on us now! The clown car is getting emptier. How sad.

I guess his followers will naturally have to join serial adulterer and philanderer Newton Leroy Gingrich. It's a natural progression I guess.

This was never supposed to be a campaign. It was a book tour gone awry. He never expected to get so popular. But he did despite his best efforts to make himself look cartoonish. I guess the Regressive population will glom onto ANYTHING at this point.

His big economic plan was stolen from the Sim City video game; his closing statement at the first debate was lifted from a Pokemon song; he has a trail of [alleged] sexually harassed women, some paid to keep their mouths shut; he wasn't familiar with that obscure thing that happened in Libya ("hmm... Libya... Libya... there was a uprisin' there, right? Was that Khadaffy? is that what we're talking about?") and he thinks it's not necessary to know who runs "U-beki-beki-beki-stani-stan".

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

No Payroll Tax Cuts For You

When you start paying $1000 more, thank your Regressive republican congress.  Send a nice bouquet of flowers if you can afford it. They FAILED to pass an extension of the payroll tax cut which would keep the Middle Class from seeing an increase of $1000 a year.

Democrats in the Senate and President Obama were for continuing the payroll tax cuts for the middle class and it would be easily paid for by a 3% increase for those making MORE THAN a million a year. Regressive republicans refused to extend YOUR tax cuts, and they will cost you $1000 more a year, because they refuse to add a penny to multimillionaires' taxes.

The Regressives had their own ridiculous bill spectacularly voted down last night. Get this: In order to continue your payroll tax cuts, they wanted to CUT 200,000 Federal jobs. "Help the Middle Class by firing 200,000 of them." Genius. Pure genius.

Democrats and the majority of Regressives in the Senate killed that stupidity. It went down in flames.

Apparently the Regressives' "Pledge to Obey a Lobbyist" and not raise taxes didn't include YOUR taxes -- only millionaires'.

And some righties will continue to be stupid enough to vote for them, against their own interests.

Fire Alarm Interrupts NBC Nightly News

Within 3 seconds of beginning the network newscast, one of those annoying, loud alarms goes off. Watch Brian Williams handle it as deftly as anyone could.


Now the Daily Show's version:

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Herman Cain Completely Befuddled on Libya Question

This would be hilariously funny if it weren't for the fact that you are taken aback upon realizing, "Wow. This guy actually wants to be the president of the United States."

When asked about President Obama's handling of Libya, Squirmin' Herman has no clue.  Watch and squirm with him.

All he had to say was, "President Obama handled the situation perfectly, by aiding the Libyan rebels with air cover, not putting any Americans on the ground in harm's way, and successfully getting Khadaffy in only 7 months with no American casualties, no American deaths, and costing only 1% of what Iraq has cost us so far."

But no. Here's what happened:

Republican Jackass of the Week

Rightwing Teabagger Joe Walsh.

Watch this guy have a meltdown and scream at his own constituents. His excuse the next day?  He was hungry. But check out where his meltdown takes place -- in a freakin' restaurant!

If his name sounds familiar, it should. He was in the news recently because he's a deadbeat dad -- and owes over $117,000 in unpaid child support to his ex wife.

In other words, he's a typical Republican.  And our Jackass of the Week.

Far Rightwing Laws Go Down in Flames

Last night the Regressive republicans got their teeth kicked in all over the country as Americans went to the polls. Rightwing extremist ideas were soundly rejected all across the country:

• In Maine, same-day registration and voting will be reinstated after Regressive republicans legislated to eliminate the popular practice as a way to suppress the vote (fewer people voting always means better results for republicans);
• Mississippi's "personhood" law, making all forms of birth control illegal, making all forms of abortion illegal, including in the cases of rape or incest, and making a fertilized egg "a person" at the moment of conception failed. If a far rightwing law like this can fail in a bright red, goober-filled, moronic state like Mississippi, it has no chance to pass anywhere else;
• in Arizona, the Repressive republican president of the Senate, and the architect of the harsh anti-immigration law in that state, was recalled;
• In Michigan, Regressive republican representative Paul Scott lost his seat after backing policies that weakened teacher tenure and cut education spending;
• And the biggest win for Liberals was in Ohio, where, by a huge margin, voters overturned Gov John Kasich's anti-collective bargaining legislation.  Voters said loudly and clearly they wouldn't stand for Kasich's war on the American worker.

Is Herman Cain's Candidacy an Big Inside Joke?

Rachel Maddow of msnbc sure seems to think so. And her arguments are very persuasive. This may be a bunch of inside jokes and subtle pop-culture references calculated to mock the political process, or to serve as an audition for a show on Fox, or simply just a way to gain free national attention and sell more books.

Some of Rachel's examples:

• He ended his first debate with a pre-written closing statement quoting "a famous poet" which turned out to be a lyric from a Pokemon song;
• His bizarre 9-9-9 plan was allegedly written by a "secret" economist, but was really written by a local bank employee at a Wells Fargo branch on Chagrin Boulevard in Pepper Pike, OH. 
• This 9-9-9 plan was originally seen as a tax plan in a video game from the '90s called Sim City;
• He has yet to set up a campaign staff in any key state;
• When he was referred to as the latest Republican flavor-of-the-month, he said he's not -- but that he has "staying power just like Haagen Daas Black Walnut Ice Cream."  That flavor has no staying power -- it was discontinued years ago;
• He admittedly knows nothing about basic policy. He never heard the term "Neo-con," admitted he had no clue what the Palestinian "right of return" meant; and joked that he had no idea who the leader of "Ubeki-beki-beki-stani-stan" is;
• The bizarre commercials with his campaign chief smoking at the end;
• Claims China is "attempting to develop nuclear weapons," when, in fact, they've had nuclear weapons since 1964;
• Proclaims he's proud to be connected to the billionaire Koch brothers, and says he's their "brother from another mother," which is a line stolen from the Ben Stiller movie, Meet the Fockers.

Waaaay too many ridiculous gaffes to be real, Rachel claims. Maybe he's trying to let us in on the joke?  Is this whole campaign an art project?

Watch Rachel's clip and decide for yourself:

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog Visits Occupy Wall St

RadioVegan Blog's 2nd Birthday.

I hope that's a vegan cupcake.

Foreign Policy Victories!

Within the last few months, President Obama, his security team, and US armed forces have secured several huge victories. It began on May 1, 2011 when the most-wanted terrorist in the world -- Osama Bin Laden -- who George Bush and Dick Cheney failed to capture for 8 years, was captured and killed.

On September 30, 2011,President Barack Obama publicly and proudly confirmed the death in Yemen Friday of one of the most prominent leaders of Al Qaeda, American-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

“The death of al-Awlaki is a major blow to Al Qaeda’s most active operational affiliate,” Obama said at a military ceremony Friday morning in Arlington, Va. “The death of Awlaki marks another significant milestone in the broader effort to defeat Al Qaeda and its affiliates.”

On October 20, 2011, after running Libya for 42 years as a ruthless dictator, Moammar Khadaffy was captured and killed by rebel forces in that country, thanks to the aid of President Obama and NATO forces.

Now, on October 21, 2011, President Obama sent this message:

Good evening,

I'm writing to tell you that all US troops will return home from Iraq by the end of December. After nearly nine years, the American war in Iraq will end. Our servicemen and women will be with their families for the holidays.

The war in Iraq came with tremendous cost. More than a million Americans served in Iraq, and nearly 4,500 gave their lives in service to the rest of us. Today, as always, we honor these patriots.

When I came into office, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end. As Commander in Chief, I ended our combat mission last year and pledged to keep our commitment to remove all our troops by the end of 2011. To date, we’ve removed more than 100,000 troops from Iraq.

This is a significant moment in our history. For more information, including video, please visit WhiteHouse.gov/BringingTroopsHome.

The end of the war in Iraq reflects a larger trend. The wars of the past decade are drawing to a close.

As we have removed troops from Iraq, we have refocused our fight against al Qaeda and secured major victories in taking out its leadership–including Osama bin Laden. And we’ve begun a transition in Afghanistan.

On the first day of my Administration, roughly 180,000 troops were deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. By the end of this year that number will be cut in half, and we’ll continue to draw it down.

As we welcome home our newest veterans, we’ll enlist their talents in meeting our greatest challenges as a nation—restoring our economic strength at home. Because after a decade of war, the nation that we need to build is our own.

Today the United States moves forward, from a position of strength. 

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Truth About the Economy in 2 Minutes

7 Republican Lies

Ridiculous Regressive Republican Priorities

Below is a recent poll showing what Americans think is the most important issue. Ignoring the priorities of the American public, the Regressive Republicans still have not come up with a jobs bill and have refused to pass President Obama's American Jobs Act which would put millions of Americans to work, and which would be fully paid for. Instead, tomorrow the Regressives in Congress will be working on yet another anti-abortion bill -- an issue that isn't even in the top 10 in the minds of Americans. REMEMBER THIS next year at election time. And send this blog to all your Republican friends.

CBS News Poll. Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2011. N=1,012 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.
"What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?" Open-ended
			%
	Economy and jobs		54
	Budget deficit/National debt		6
	War/Iraq/Afghanistan		4
	Partisan politics		3
	Health care		2
	Education		2
	Politicians/Government		2
	Religious values		2
	Moral values/Family values		2

Republicans Vote Against Middle Class Jobs Bill

Last night, even though a majority of the Senate voted in favor of President Obama's jobs bill, it failed because it did not receive a 60 vote filibuster-proof majority.

The bill would have provided for

• a large cut in payroll taxes for the middle class, leaving more take-home pay of spendable income
• extending unemployment benefits
• funding for job training
• $35 billion for states to rehire laid-off teachers, police and firefighters.

And it would have been completely paid for by a 5.6% surtax only on incomes over $1 million dollars. So if you made a million dollars next year, your taxes wouldn't increase by even one cent. If you made over a million, say $1,100,000, then you would have to pay an additional 5.6% only on that additional $100,000 above and beyond the first million. So if you made $1,100,000, you'd pay an additional $5,600. That's it. That's what all the fuss is about.

This would affect only one tenth of one percent (0.1%) of Americans.  But the Regressive republicans don't care about the US economy, the middle class, jobs, or small businesses. They have proven, once again, that they only care about the very richest one tenth of one percent of the population.  Every Republican voted against this economy-saving, completely paid for jobs bill. Remember this next year at election time. And send this blog to all your Regressive republican friends.

Half of the GOP Doesn't Know What GOP Stands For

Hard to believe.

As seen on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on Current TV, a recent poll taken by 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair asked Republicans what the term "GOP" stands for. Amazingly, only 51% knew it meant "Grand Old Party." More than a third thought it stood for "Government of the People" and 5% actually thought it meant "Grumpy Old People."
Now that I'm thinking about it, I think those 5% are right.

Happy World Vegetarian Day!

Take a look at 33 celebrities who are either vegetarian or vegan. Click here.