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26 Dec 2010 12:15

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Politics: Robert Gibbs: Obama’s cabinet likely to stay mostly the same

  • I think we’ve had a very capable and good cabinet that has helped move the president’s agenda forward.
  • Obama’s Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs • Emphasizing that there shouldn’t be major changes to the cabinet on the horizon, despite the departure of at least one major figure, top economic adviser Larry Summers (he’s stepping down). However, not all reports agree with that assessment. Among other things Gibbs said on “State of the Union”: Obama is likely to run in 2012, though he hasn’t made it official yet, and he offered hope that the GOP would work more with Democrats in the upcoming session, referring to the “cranky bipartisanship” that the successful lame-duck session wrought. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Dec 2010 11:55

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Politics: Democrats could kill (or fix) the filibuster with simple majority

  • obvious Democrats, having had a solid two years of hell as a result of the filibuster giving the minority party insane leverage over every major decision, have had enough, and want rules to change so that things can actually get done.
  • ironic On the first day of a Senate session, a simple majority is needed to change rules – such as the filibuster. Which means they could kill (or significantly change) the filibuster without fear of it getting filibustered. source
  • » Two proposals: Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) are the guys fighting for the changes hardest. Udall and Merkley, both first-termers, have different ideas about how to handle the change. Udall wants rotating changes based on weaknesses that show up in the system after each session. Merkley wants to bring the rules in line with what the country expects of a filibuster – only allowing them on complete bills and out in the open. (Thanks Samuel Rubenfeld)
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

24 Dec 2010 16:17

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Politics: Dear birther movement: Hawaii’s governor knew Obama’s parents

  • It’s an insult to his mother and to his father, and I knew his mother and father — they were my friends, and I have an emotional interest in that. It’s an emotional insult, it is disrespectful to the president, it is disrespectful to the office.
  • New Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie • Expressing his anger over the “birther” movement – something he has a personal stake in because he was good friends with Obama’s parents when they first met and had Barack. So, just to shut those morons up, he’s working on ways to improve the law or offer even more details of Obama’s birth. We hope Abercrombie’s work means Orly Taitz will never be on TV ever again. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Dec 2010 09:44

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Politics: Gay marriage advocates, here’s a Christmas present from Joe Biden

  • I think the country’s evolving, and I think there’s an inevitability for a national consensus on gay marriage.
  • Vice President Joe Biden • Offering up the kind of phrase on “Good Morning America” this morning that will get gay marriage advocates cheering. They may even say that it’s a “big fucking deal” on a hot mic just as the president is gonna make an announcement. Now, if only he can get Obama on board for this … source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Dec 2010 13:31

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Politics: Pat Robertson: We need to stop criminalizing marijuana (really!)

  • I mean, I’m not exactly for the use of drugs, don’t get me wrong, but I just believe criminalizing marijuana, criminalizing the possession of just a few ounces of pot, and that kind of thing, I mean it’s costing us a fortune, and it’s ruining young people.
  • Televangelist Pat Robertson • Leaving us speechless. (via thenewrepublic by way of thedailywhat) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Dec 2010 13:21

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Politics: Tom Coburn: The Senate’s only beard isn’t Joe Miller’s, guys

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Dec 2010 10:44

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Politics: Dear Nina Totenberg: We shouldn’t have been so quick to judge

  • Jeesh, these folks need a life – and perhaps a touch of the Christmas spirit, as well.
  • Nina Totenberg • Explaining her meaning behind apologizing for calling something a “Christmas party” on PBS the other day. The explanation? She was actually ripping on the Department of Justice for calling the event a “holiday party,” essentially leveling the kind of criticism on them as bloggers leveled on her. Dear Nina: We shouldn’t have been so quick to judge. We’ll hold off until you say something outlandishly bad about Jesse Helms again. (thanks goes to hman‘s awesome tumblr for the link) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

22 Dec 2010 09:50

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Politics: Mitch McConnell is a jerk who’s clouding the net neutrality issue

  • This would harm investment, stifle innovation, and lead to job losses. As Americans become more aware of what’s happening here, I suspect many will be as alarmed as I am at the government’s intrusion.
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch “I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about” McConnell • Talking about net neutrality, which proves that he doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about. If only Ted Stevens were still alive to remind Mitch that the ‘net is a series of tubes. What happens to your own personal Internet when an obstructionist jerk like McConnell tries to favor large corporations over consumers? It won’t be like a dump truck. It’ll be like your own busted series of tubes that you’re paying out of the wazoo for. All because McConnell wants you to think that all government regulation is bad, even when it’s not bad. While this net neutrality policy is kinda weaksauce, it’s better than letting AT&T and Comcast regulate usage. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Dec 2010 22:06

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Politics: Haley Barbour backtracks on controversial segregation statements

  • Nobody should construe that to mean I think the town leadership were saints, either. Their vehicle, called the ‘Citizens’ Council,’ is totally indefensible, as is segregation.
  • Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour • Making the inevitable backtrack after his controversial statements that suggested he didn’t think racism in the South wasn’t that big a deal. And not a moment too soon. This guy wants to possibly run for president in 2012. After that interview, have fun with that, buddy. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Dec 2010 21:44

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Politics: Dear Internet: We need a Salad Bar Security Administration, stat

  • So, CBS is reporting that a recent terror threat involved the poisoning of food. Here’s how it would’ve worked. First, the terror suspects would go to salad bars or buffets out in the open at hotels and restaurants and put poison (ricin and cyanide) in the food. Then, a bunch of people would get sick. Then they’d die. Next thing you know? Full-body scanners every time you go to Golden Corral, meaning that every time you just have to grab another rib from that delicious buffet of theirs, all the while avoiding the trailer trash you’re slumming with, you’ll have to put your fork and knife in little baggies. And then your plate will have to be sanitized with a crazy machine. The federal government will need to hire millions of people to ensure our ranch dressing is safe. And the unemployment rate will drop. And we’ll all be safe. Until that is, the terrorists start fucking with our air. Then, friends, we’re all dead. (Photo by jacobms, complete with bacon cameo.) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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