The Truffle

Karoli's response to the Eric Altermans and Jane Hamshers. Worth reading.

Via Blue Wave News , Van Jones' speech at the Campus Progress National Conference, which rang true to this cautiously optimistic liberal. More from Mr. Jones, via HuffPo: We are trying to build a pro-democracy movement in a country that, at least for eight years, was run by [inaudible] authoritarians. And it is not going to be easy. But I tell you, the most important thing I can say is... We feed the fearmongers. We feed the politics of division, by giving it so much attention and letting it fill up the space in our mind. We have to feed the hope. This country is an extraordinary -- I get choked up -- this is an incredible, beautiful country... That little idiot box off in the corner trying to depress you and make you feel like this is a horrible country and everybody believes evil things about the president... it is just not true. Cut it off, just cut it off and walk down the street and talk to real people in this country. They are sophisticated. They are wise. They don't kno...

Next time a teabagger blithers about spending and deficits, won't some nice journalist ask if he supported Bush--and, if so, whether he did anything to speak up against Bush's spending?

Some Jan Brewer-type yahoos have come up with a brilliant idea: Deny citizenship to native-born children of illegal immigrants! Screw that 14th Amendment! Who needs it? Jonathan Blanks has an even better idea. As you may recall, beginning in 1860, millions of Americans renounced their citizenship and took up arms against their former country. Their deeds, through direct confrontation or diseases brought on by wartime conditions, ended up in the deaths of over 300,000 loyal Americans--100 times the number killed on September 11, 2001. By the logic outlined above, that treason should be recognized and all the descendants of those who took up arms, aided their traitorous comrades, or participated in the government of the insurrectionists should have their citizenship revoked as they are progeny of traitors. They owe their heretofore recognized citizenship to the birthright. That is, of course, unacceptable. These descendants often still fly the flag of treason and commemorate their for...

Always loved this song and band. Remember "American Bandstand"?

Chicago money columnist Terry Savage has written the most unintentionally hilarious column of the year thus far. First a question: What is up with these people named Savage? They think that just because they have a unique surname, they have to turn it into a lame-o brand or slogan. There is Dan Savage, of the Savage Love column. There's Michael Savage and his Savage Nation (which sounds better than Weiner Nation). And Terry Savage, for some reason, ends every single column of hers with "That's the Savage Truth." As if adding her surname makes it truer. The Savage Truth, alas, is that she is one screwy individual. Okay. You could chalk it up to the heat, which makes people a bit crabby. But the incident I'm about to describe took place in what was presumably an air-conditioned car. So what's her excuse for getting mad at little girls? See, Ms. Savage was riding along with her brother and his fiancee in a tony Chicago neighborhood. They came upon thre...

Forget Bobby Jindal. Lindsey Graham is truly the GOP's answer to Kenneth the Page.

Now, Fox Chicago suggests that Chicago get rid of its public libraries. As a librarian's daughter, I have a two-word response to this: Up yours. (Via Badtux .)

Wingnuts are mad at Joe Biden for using the word "blitzkrieg." "Waaaaaaah! He's bein' mean an' comparin' us to Nazis!" On that note, a music break. Note: I interviewed Tommy Ramone once. Kewl dude. He now plays bluegrass and looks like a hippie. 'Tis true!

It's early 1970s German R&B/prog outfit Frumpy, fronted by the incredible Inga Rumpf. Ms. Rumpf has had a nice, long career as a band frontwoman and a solo artist but remains unknown, alas, in the US. Seriously, it's weird being one of six people in the US who've heard of her. Her more recent output is R&B rather than prog. And I love R&B, so...

Yes, President Obama isn't perfect. Yes, he should just close Gitmo already. Yes, it would be great if he'd act on his campaign promise of more transparency in government. But c'mon, people, he's not another George W. Bush. A quick comparison of their administrations will show this. Criticize the guy, sure, but let's not pretend it's still 2005, hear?

...here's William Shatner's interpretation of the Harry Chapin classic "Taxi." How did this clip go unnoticed for so long?

"Loony left" and "moonbat" are now synonyms for "proven right all along."

Sarah Palin's latest quest to find something to stand for has led her to call herself a feminist and talk about "mama grizzlies." Why feminists don't simply laugh their asses off is beyond me. Oh, I know why--it's because somehow Palin's new schtick has earned her a Newsweek cover story, which means that Very Serious Media People are supposed to take it seriously. Jezebel , at least, is having fun Photoshopping said Newsweek cover. Let's leave aside the part about Palin making Wasilla's rape victims pay for their rape kits. And her stand on abortion. (Here, I should emphasize that I believe it's possible to be a feminist and oppose abortion. It would be really cool, however, if Feminists for Life and their ilk would push contraception, work to make adoption easier, and promote responsible, realistic sex education. It would also be helpful if they'd admit that the days of botched abortions are not an era any woman would want to revisit....

Seriously, I have finally found one of those bands that's really, truly unlistenable. Besides Nickelback, of course. The band in question is Brokencyde (it's supposed to be pronounced "broke inside"). The only people who know about this band are commenting on how terrible they are. They're not even lovably bad like Final Placement . For one thing, there probably will never be an online petition to get Brokencyde to play SXSW. Click if you dare.

GWB's daughter, Barbara, supports health care reform AND is glad the health care bill was passed. Something tells me Chris Wallace won't invite her back any time soon. I have a mental image of Wallace screeching, "Get me Liz Cheney next time!"

The Kentucky Senate race is looking to be fuuuuuuuun. Now, Rand Paul is complaining about liberals . Yes, according to him, liberals are displaying "intolerance." Just for once, I'm going to dispense some advice to one of these people: Stop whining. Mr. Paul, you were on the Rachel Maddow Show and Ms. Maddow gave you an opportunity to explain yourself. You dodged her questions, and it was really cringe-worthy. If you can't handle it, go back to eye surgery.

From Balloon Juice , a story involving a teabagger trying to free another teabagger from jail and conduct a citizens' arrest. Actually, Commander Guy has the whole, complete story. Oh yeah, and the perpetrator of this wingnut jail break informed law enforcement in advance. I guess it's more exciting than standing around with misspelled signs.

They use "socialist" and "Communist" as euphemisms for "uppity Negro."

Mudhoney, "Good Enough."

"After the last eight years, it’s good to have a president that knows what a library is." That's Sir Paul McCartney, after accepting a prize from President Obama. All of a sudden, the wingnutosphere remembered that insulting the president (specifically, the one before Obama) is ANTI-AMEHRIKIN! This is very amusing, given that right wingers have been trying to forget GWB even existed since, I dunno, 2007. They even kept him away from the 2008 Republican convention. After all, Bush-bashing had become a universal past-time, indulged in by everyone from comedy writers to Mayans . Now, all of a sudden, in a sudden rush of 2003-style faux outrage, right-wing politicians and pundits are mad at McCartney. John Boehner whined to Human Events about it (and lots of commenters joined in the whining). Human Events reporter Connie Hair tried to buff GWB's scholarly credentials by pointing out his Harvard MBA (thank heaven for legacy admissions, eh, Connie?). It's re...

Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church still exist and are still acting like evil, soulless ghouls. No, wait, that's insulting to evil, soulless ghouls. Picketing Ronnie James Dio's memorial service? Well, given that these freaks usually target soldiers' funerals, RJD is in very good company. I really hope that Ozzy Osbourne is able to outlive Fred Phelps. I hate to imagine what will happen if he goes first. Of course, if God DOES exist, maybe a bunch of angry Dio fans will kick the crap out of these people. Gah, they're so repulsive.

Garbage, "Stupid Girl."

Charlie Crist, ex-Republican, now independent, has changed his mind about DADT . He used to support it. He now says it should be repealed. Mustang Bobby has a theory on the about-face. So why the sudden switch? A couple of reasons come to mind. First, he's going after the moderate to progressive voters that are not completely sold on Kendrick Meek, the Democrat in the race; second, he sees that DADT repeal is moving through Congress and it polls very well (some give it a 75% approval rating), thereby making it a safe place to be since he's not worried about pissing off the right-wing base any more. And if Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) is in favor of it, that makes it okay to go there. That it might actually be the right thing to do for gay and lesbian soldiers who want to serve their country without living a lie probably never crossed his mind. Meanwhile, GOP congresscritter Connie Mack makes a conservative case against Arizona's dumbass immigration law.

The Other Dude Running for Senate, a.k.a. Jack Conway, comments on Randy and Precious Princess Palin. From Edicts of Nancy : "Rand Paul has this tendency to get in public or get on national cable shows and feel like he wants to give me a lecture on constitutional law," said Conway. "I'm the attorney general of Kentucky. He didn't go to law school. I did. I don't need a lecture on Constitutional law from Rand Paul or Sarah Palin." The senate debate between these two is going to be fun.

Is it me, or does Jake Gyllenhaal's hair look awful in those Prince of Persia pictures?

It's Final Placement , a group of earnest Christian teens from Midland, Texas. Judging from this video, Midland, Texas is one ugly-looking town. Anyway, despite their best efforts, Final Placement have become a new internet meme. There was even a Facebook petition to get them to play South by Southwest. Their first (and thus far, only) release, "Shine," has been covered on piano and ukelele. And the guitar solo...well, it just has to be heard to be believed.

Police arrested a Puerto Rican man and threatened to have him deported. Even AFTER his mother showed up with his birth certificate. Imagine how much fun it's going to be in Arizona if someone doesn't strike down that stupid immigration law. Hispanics can, unfortunately, expect more of this kind of grief in the months ahead.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain performs "Theme from Shaft."

Elayne Riggs suggested this as his new libertarian paradise. I'm going to be following this guy for the next few months. Something tells me he'll be the gift that keeps on giving.

When female Republicans are just as loopy and dubiously qualified as their male counterparts. More from Balloon Juice.

It seems Americans really do support abortion rights after all. See, three recent polls have indicated a slight majority of respondents consider themselves "pro-life." Except that a recent Slate article breaks it down: Republicans and GOP-leaning independents are more likely to call themselves "pro-life." Gallup editor Lydia Saad told Slate that "Republicans, in particular, may be less willing to identify as 'pro-choice' if they perceive that aligns themselves with the Democrats or Obama." In other words, partisanship is a factor. What else is new? Meanwhile, Nate Silver shows that support for Roe v. Wade remains high. Sixty-eight percent of poll respondents oppose overturning Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, an ABC News/Washington poll has similar results: fifty-eight percent said Roe v. Wade should be upheld. Needless to say, it is perfectly possible to oppose abortion on a personal level and still support choice. Besides, polls are snapshots of...

Yes, there are already a lot of media takedowns of Rand Paul. However, Katha Pollitt has an excellent one showing the limits of Rand Paul's libertarianism: Apparently, it doesn't extend to women's reproductive rights. Randy is so anti-choice that he supports laws with doofy names, like the Sanctity of Life Amendment and the Human Life Amendment. Basically, laws saying that life begins at conception and abortion should be outlawed in case of rape and incest. You know, a return to the days of back-alley abortions. Really un-libertarian stuff.

Roosevelt turned corporate opposition into a badge of honor: “I welcome their hatred,” he declared. It’s time for President Obama to find his inner F.D.R., and do the same. More here.

Alas, I can't take credit for it. If you really, honest-and-truly believe that government is the problem, not the solution, then don't run for political office.

Dusty Springfield, "People Get Ready."

Most recent addition to the Whinerpalooza: Stephen Baldwin . And why is Mr. Baldwin whining? Because people have been making fun of him. From his Web site: He has been publicly ridiculed and insulted by people who think that he has been abandoned by God. A simple search through the internet will reveal that people not only mock Stephen, but mock God. Oh good gravy. Has Stephen Baldwin elevated himself to demi-godhood? Seriously, this is another right-winger with an inflated persecution complex. Thus, mocking Stephen Baldwin = TEH BLASHPHEMY!!1!1! He also compares himself to Job. And is soliciting donations so he can be "restored," whatever that means. Can't Alec Baldwin give him a guest spot on "30 Rock" to shut him up about this persecution complex? Check out the site. It has to be seen to be believed.

Seriously...you can't get more 1970s than this clip:

Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan caught on live mike, dissing Precious Princess Palin.

Poetry that doesn't scan, that is. From The Stranger , some tea partier channels his/her inner Allen Ginsberg: I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW BLIND OBAMA YOU HAVE WAKEN UP A SLEEPING GIANT WE THE PEOPLE UNITED WE STAND AS ONE NATION TO SAY NO YOU MUST GO WE THE PEOPLE SAY NO YOU MUST GO IMPEACH OBAMA AND BRING HIM TO JUSTICE IMPEACH IMPEACH BRING HIM TO JUSTICE WITH ALL THE OTHER TRADERS TO WE THE PEOPLE AND THE CONTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHO STAND TOGETHER AND WILL NOT FALL PLAY WE MAY BUTT WHEN NEEDED WE COME STAMPEDING PROWD AMERICANS READY TO FACE ANY ENEMIES FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC WE THE PEOPLE SAY THE CONTITUTION IS IN OUR HEARTS ONLY A TRUE AMERICAN KNOWS ITS TRUE PATH AND WILL DEFEND UNTIL DEATH YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOW'N FREEDOM WILL STAND FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE Well, despite the line about bringing Obama to justice "with all the other traders," at least this person can spell "impeach." Then again, perhaps this particular te...

Via Tomfoolery , a comparison between the GOP of Barry Goldwater and the GOP of Sarah Palin. To quote Barry the G: [T]he use of God’s name on one’s behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. I’m frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ and ‘D.’ Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? I suspect that if Goldwater were alive today, he'd be an independent or a member of the Libertarian Party.

You have some of the most ugly-ass general templates I've ever seen. Can't you design some new ones? Why do you think I downloaded a template from outside? Seriously guys, those templates are eyesores.

(Via Balloon Juice )

...care of Badtux : If your every criticism of Obama starts with "I'm not racist, but..." or ends with "it's not about color"... dude. Quit being in denial and get fitted for your bedsheet and pointy hat ASAP, 'kay?

The wonderful and underrated jazz singer Blossom Dearie passed away last year. To my generation, she's best known as the lady who sang "Unpack Your Adjectives" and "Figure Eight" on Schoolhouse Rock . Here she is, performing in the mid-1980s.

Via Brilliant at Breakfast , a blast from the past: Bobby Jindal scoffs at volcano monitoring. Can't wait for the Icelandic government's response to this one.

Stephen Bates wonders why the heck Republicans would want to derail financial reform. It's the Waterloo approach: Jim DeMint telegraphed their moves last year, claiming that if health care reform went down in flames, it would be Obama's Waterloo. Of course, health care reform did not go down in flames. Now, the GOP has decided to give the Waterloo strategy another shot. At some point, some wingnut welfare recipient will point out that this is completely nuts and will be shown the door.

Via Balloon Juice comes this tale of rich conservatives with sour grapes--erm, I mean, right-wing populists : I stopped by Freedom Plaza on Tax Day to check on the progress of the nation's populist revolt. On the stage, I saw the great populist leader himself: Grover Norquist, who, after getting two Harvard degrees, developed his common-touch lobbying for the tropical island paradise of the Seychelles. Norquist spoke from a lectern bearing a Tea Party emblem and a simple message: "The people speak." And which people might those be? The people of the Seychelles tourist industry? Or the people of British Petroleum, Fannie Mae, the Distilled Spirits Council and the Interactive Gaming Council? Norquist represented them all, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. It gets better from there. Seriously, these teabaggers are being played like a cheap kazoo.

This article at The Nation is a must-read. Basically, Rupert Murdoch is going green while Faux News tries to debunk global warming.

He blames Iceland's volcano on the health care bill. And claims it's "God speaking."

Ben Domenech was recruited several years ago as a Washington Post affirmative-action hire: They needed a conservative blogger to balance...uh, I guess to balance journalism that conservatives didn't like. Ben was then revealed as a serial plagiarist and had to resign this position. So what happened? CBS News hired the guy. They wanted to outdo CNN, I guess. CNN, of course, had hired Eric "Gimme my wife's shotgun and I'll point it at them thar census workers, pardner!" Erickson. How can CBS outdo the conservative crazy? By bringing in a winger with less ethics than Erickson, I guess. Benjy delivered the goods, repeating a rumor that potential supreme court nominee Elena Kagan is a lesbian . I'm on Team Who-Gives-A-Shit-If-She's-Gay. The White House denies she's gay. While I don't want to assume anything on Mr. Domenech's part, I'm sure he was aware that his right-wing readers might have certain opinions (possibly negative) about ...

Tomorrow, I begin jury duty. Time to stock up on paperbacks. This is gonna be soooooooooo fun. I'm one of those people who keeps getting called while others are called once or twice in their lives. What's up with that?

C'est Francoise Hardy, avec "Voila."

On the GOP stripper club visit: "This is their version of a stimulus package." See, this is one of many reasons I wuv him. More fun at the RNC's expense here (via Badtux ).

Democrats aren't the only ones being threatened. Some wack job has threatened to kill Eric Cantor and his family. This should be condemned against anyone, regardless of party. I hope that our elected officials are hiring extra security. I'm really nervous someone's going to get killed.

By spending donor money at strip clubs. I'm sure this nation's titty bars will thank them. I certainly hope they are good tippers. Comedy gold of the day: The Republican National Committee spent about $30,000 in February on private airplanes and limousines. But those charges were overshadowed by the $1,946.25 charge at Voyeur West Hollywood, which was described by The Los Angeles Times last year as a “high-end nightclub” with an interior “reminiscent of the masked orgy scene” from the movie “Eyes Wide Shut.” Y'know, Jesse James is getting boring. Someone needs to interview the women at this club.

Ricky Martin has come out of the closet , describing himself as a "fortunate homosexual man." I haven't thought about this guy in several years, actually. Does he still do anything?

Heart, "Barracuda"

From TBogg : Having exhausted all of the possibilities of television (due to excessive cancellations), Tucker Carlson has discovered that cool beans internet thingy that all of the kids are getting on their iComputers and stuff... Yup, Li'l Tucker is trying to launch a rightie HuffPo. Apparently, he found funding for this venture from someone who isn't a family member. (Daddy is a former ambassador and Corporation for Public Broadcasting head--and a big GOP donor to boot. Mommy is a frozen food heiress. If you ever wondered how Li'l Tucker got a foot in the door and where his family money comes from...now you know.) The funder for this [s]money loser[/s] internet venture is named Foster Friess. Yes, that's his name. Foster. Friess. Anyway, Li'l Tucker has ripped off HuffPo's headline format for the lamely titled Daily Caller . And alas, HuffPo is ragging on the president often enough, so there really isn't much need for this inane venture. From TBogg...

The Disasta from Alaska has a job at Faux News. Can everyone stop taking her seriously now? Please?

Which shall it be? I like Wordpress' templates, but Blogger is so much more user-friendly...Sigh. Decisions, decisions.