Eleven Fired From Military For Being Gay In January

The numbers are out for the last firings set in motion during Bush administration under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”  The information was released by Congressman Jim Moran, a senior member of the House Defense Appropriations Committee. 

“At a time when our military’s readiness is strained to the breaking point from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the armed forces continue to discharge vital service members under the outdated, outmoded ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy,” said Moran. “Our allies have overcome this issue, facing no adverse consequences from lifting bans focused on soldiers’ sexual orientation. Polls show the American people overwhelmingly …

On Thursday’s Radio Show…

• Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich explains why he’s encouraging states to pay pregnant teenagers to take vitamins.

• Could Republican Chairman Michael Steele really be pro-choice? GQ magazine writer Lisa DePaulo tells Alan the story behind her bombshell interview with the controversial RNC chief.

• Pastor Jerry Lawson promotes “Great Sex: God’s Way,” but does his sexy sermon spread sin? He’ll discuss his message with Alan and evangelist Roland Belew.…

What Was Chip Reid Thinking?

All I know is, if a reporter had said “Republicans raising their ugly heads” during a daily White House Press briefing, you’d have a thunderous outcry from conservatives about the “liberal media.”  Chip Reid’s slip of the tongue(?) was met with only laughter when the CBS chief White House correspondent asked about “Democrats raising their ugly heads on the hill.”  I believe he was talking metaphorically.

h/t TV Newser

…

Uh Oh! Michael Steele Used The “C” Word

RNC Chair Michael Steele, in an interview with Lisa DePaulo for GQ, said something that has Republicans up in arms.  Here’s the exchange:

Steele: “The choice issue cuts two ways. You can choose life, or you can choose abortion. You know, my mother chose life. So, you know, I think the power of the argument of choice boils down to stating a case for one or the other.”

DePaulo: “Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?”

Steele: “Yeah. I mean, again, I think that’s an individual choice.”…

Iraqi Shoe-Thrower Gets Three Years

The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at President Bush in December was given three years in jail by an Iraqi court.

The journalist, Muntader al-Zaidi, had pled not guilty, saying at a hearing earlier this month that he was overcome by passion because of the suffering of the people of Iraq.

“In that moment, I saw nothing but Bush, and I felt the blood of the innocents flowing under his feet while he was smiling that smile,” he said during a hearing last month.

The defense argued that because the offense took place in the green zone, …

Defending Bush Is Hard

If you’re going to brag that we haven’t been attacked since 9/11 because of the great work of President Bush, don’t you have to acknowledge that 9/11 happened on Bush’s watch?  And don’t you think that if we get hit again, God forbid, and it’s on Obama’s watch, Republicans will blame liberals for allowing it to happen?

Former Bush Press Secretary Ari Fleischer tried to have it both ways with Chris Matthews: bragging that Bush kept us safe, but refusing to take into account that it was during the Bush presidency that we were attacked.

h/t Huffington Post

…

Star Mag: Bristol And Levi Split Up

According to Star Magazine, Bristol Palin has cut herself out of Levi Johnston’s life, and cut their baby out of his life as well.

Now’s Levi’s sister, Mercede is telling all exclusively to Star and the picture she paints of life in Wasilla, Alaska is not a pretty one. Bristol, 18, has virtually cut Levi out of the life of their two-month-old son Tripp.

“Levi tries to visit Tripp every single day, but Bristol makes it nearly impossible. She tells him he can’t take the baby to our house because she doesn’t want him around ‘white trash’!” Bristol …

On Wednesday’s Radio Show…

• Alan dissects the Republican outrage over earmarks and the omnibus spending bill.

• New York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz explains why he wants the government charge a $10 fee to strip-club patrons.

• Can you survive the cut? It’s Sudden Death Radio!…

Great Sex: God’s Way

Pastor Jerry Lawson of Good Hope, Alabama, and his Daystar Church, have these signs up on rural highways to promote a series of sermons, and it’s stirring things up in a county where you can’t even legally buy beer.  Evangelist Roland Belew, for example, a former trucker who now preaches at a truck stop, says this goes against the teachings of the New Testament.  He says, “Talking about sex ain’t gonna get nobody to heaven.”  (Well, maybe not in the afterlife, but possibly in this one).

Before liberals like me get too excited about this idea of marrying sex to …

The Unemployment Line: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

I used to live down the street from the Bull and Finch Pub,  the Boston bar that became the model for “Cheers”, and which later changed its name to reflect its new-found fame.  Although I was never a regular there, and didn’t know Eddie Doyle, reading about him makes me wish I did.  Doyle, in his mid-60′s, was laid off from Cheers after 35 years because of the bad economy.

The bar’s owner has said a tough economy and sagging business forced the move, which was one of several layoffs.

Doyle said he’s not bitter, just surprised and a …

So Is Obama Still A Radical?

President Obama’s education speech today should be applauded by conservatives.  He wants to tie teachers’ pay to student performance, expand charter schools, and have longer school days and years.  These issues don’t always sit well with teachers’ unions, and yet Obama garnered praise.

“We finally have an education president,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.4 million-member American Federation of Teachers. “We really embrace the fact that he’s talked about both shared responsibility and making sure there is a voice for teachers, something that was totally lacking in the last eight years.”

The president of the 3.2 million-member National …