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14 Aug 2010 15:39

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Politics: Here comes the backtrack: Obama clarifies mosque comment

  • Again, it’s freaking Manhattan. Manhattan. Despite the fact that his comments about the Ground Zero mosque weren’t really all that controversial, the president put a qualifier on what he said last night. “I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there,” he notes. Come on. Stand behind it or don’t stand behind it. Don’t waffle. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 8 Comments • Permalink

14 Aug 2010 14:14

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Politics: Obama’s latest tactic: Vilifying the GOP’s Social Security intentions

  • I’ll fight with everything I’ve got to stop those who would gamble your Social Security on Wall Street. Because you shouldn’t be worried that a sudden downturn in the stock market will put all you’ve worked so hard for — all you’ve earned — at risk.
  • Barack Obama • Making a bold claim that the GOP wants to destroy Social Security by privatizing it – and that they’ll have the ammo to do so if you vote for them in 2010. It’s part of a Democratic campaign started by DNC chair Tim Kaine with ties around the 75th anniversary of the venerable American institution. Is he right? Is he wrong? Who knows. All we know is that it’s an interesting tactic. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

13 Aug 2010 19:04

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U.S.: It’s official: Mr. Candidate Alvin Greene could be Mr. Felony

  • bad Greene’s initial(ly hilarious) candidacy and surprising Democratic primary win was marred by (among other things) an arrest on pornography charges.
  • worseKnee-deep in campaign mode, Greene has been charged for the incident – one felony and one misdemeanor. Porn + Public office = Not a good mix. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Aug 2010 12:00

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Politics: Did Obama have anything to say about that immigration bill?

  • NO he signed it into law without any public comments source
  • » Though in his defense … Obama may not have allowed reporters when he signed the bill into law, but he did make a statement after the Senate passed it in a one-person-strong voice vote yesterday. “The resources made available through this legislation will build upon our successful efforts to protect communities along the Southwest border and across the country,” he wrote.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Aug 2010 21:31

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Politics: Dear Robert Gibbs: We love you, but you should zip it

  • Robbie, it’s been a love affair for us. You seem like a genuine fun-loving guy and have generally been a decent press secretary. But recently, you’ve just been opening up your mouth too much. While refreshing honesty is nice and refreshing, it’s not your job. Your job isn’t to fight the “professional left” for respect. Your job is to help Obama communicate with the press. And if you become the news, you aren’t doing your job anymore. We love you and your demeanor. It’s refreshing considering some of the guys Bush had in that spot (Scott McClellan, anyone?), but don’t it get in the way of your job. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Aug 2010 19:46

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U.S.: Oh, Blago: Jury deadlocked on what to do about the dude

  • question The jury asked the judge what they could do if they could not reach agreement on all counts in the Rod Blagojevich case.
  • response The judge said it was OK for them to rule on some of the charges, and continue deliberating on what to do about the guy’s hair. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Aug 2010 11:12

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Politics: Happy birthday Charlie Rangel! Ethics trials are good presents

  • Strangely enough, some guests can’t attend his party. Rangel, who turns 80 today, plans to have a $200-a-plate dinner gala tonight, with the proceeds going to Rangel’s ethics-stained reelection campaign. He has invited a number of political bigwigs who may or may not show up – including Bill Clinton (can’t make it), David Paterson (not confirmed), Charles Schumer (not confirmed) and Michael Bloomberg (not confirmed). Worst of all, the night’s entertainment, Aretha Franklin, can’t make it either, due to a rib injury. The 20-term congressman recently made a passionate speech about his plight. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

11 Aug 2010 10:39

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Politics: Newt Gingrich’s perceived racism: Esquire writer’s opening salvo

  • Just before he made the jump-shot crack, one member of the audience called Obama ‘the Kenyan.’ Gingrich said nothing. Another complained about all the shiftless people living on welfare in New Orleans. Gingrich didn’t say anything then, either.
  • Esquire writer John H. Richardson • In an essay about former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who is expected to make a presidential run in 2012. Newt was speaking amongst a group of Southern conservatives, and had made a quip about his basketball prowess: “The more angry we get, the worse it is for Obama. I don’t care how many three-point jump shots he makes.” He was discussing a pickup basketball game he played in Kuwait over two years ago. Richardson uses this lead-in to set up the 8,000-word article he wrote about Gingrich, which, based on that introduction, should make Newt feel like he’s being attacked. (Hat tip Mediaite) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

10 Aug 2010 23:45

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U.S.: Linda McMahon won her primary! Let’s celebrate by running this clip

  • We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: Any woman who can take a move like this and make a successful run for Senate deserves to be in office. And McMahon looks like she’ll have her chance – she won her Senate primary in Connecticut. Question: Will a woman who openly peddled violence to kids through the WWE have a better chance of winning than Richard Blumenthal, a guy who was dishonest about his military service? We’ll find out. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

10 Aug 2010 21:34

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U.S.: Alaskan legacy: Why Ted Stevens was the Robert Byrd of Alaska

  • From frozen tundra, we built airports, roads, ports, water and sewer systems, hospitals, clinics, communications networks, research labs and much, much more.
  • Former Sen. Ted Stevens • Speaking during his unsuccessful 2008 Senate campaign. Stevens, perhaps the most well-known politician in Alaska until Sarah Palin came along, was a tireless advocate for his state. While the many earmarks were controversial, it earned him some high marks amongst the people in his home state. He defended the earmarks in part because the state was relatively new, the government owned most of it, and there were numerous strategic reasons for modernizing Alaska. The state legislature responded by making him the “Alaskan of the Century” back in 2000. The scandals and flub-ups he faced late in his career (including the embarrassing “series of tubes” incident) put a negative mark on a popular politician, but ultimately, he was cleared of the ethics charges against him, leaving his reputation relatively in check. Still, a sad end for an iconic senator. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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