Tax Code Meets Dress Code

My friend, the gifted and beautiful musical artist Britt Savage, has created a sensation with her dress made from shredded tax forms.  True to her good nature, she has already rejected a thousand-dollar offer for the dress, and instead is offering it on eBay, with the proceeds going to Heifer International, a group that fights hunger in 57 countries.

It was originally just a way to promote a tax day gig at MOD NIGHT-A-GO-GO in Nashville, but now it’s getting nationwide attention.  Britt says it’s the first dress she ever made.

It took a …

Happy Tax Day

My piece at The Fox Nation has a few people upset.  I suggest that, rather than protest today, we celebrate.  You see, I love my country, and am grateful that my tax dollars go to keep us safe, to provide education, to research and development in science and health care, to provide infrastructure so we can travel this great land, and for a myriad of items we never even think about.

The original tea parties were to protest taxation without representation.  We have taxation with representation.  The problem the teabaggers (and I use that term advisedly) have is that …

Earth To Conservatives: Try The Decaf

With word that Homeland Security is concerned about right-wing radical extremists, one must wonder why so many who consider themselves mainstream conservatives are taking this personally.  Michelle Malkin, for example, is calling this “a sweeping indictment of conservatives” and eloquently refers to it as “a piece of crap report,” while suggesting its release is somehow connected to tea parties. Similar paranoia is exhibited at The American Spectator and the Liberty Papers.

I agree with Jonathan Chait at TNR who asks why conservatives would want to lump themselves with murderous extremists who might be fomenting domestic terrorism.  Why are …

On Tuesday’s Radio Show…

• Alan discusses President Obama’s big economic speech with Jared Bernstein, chief economist for Vice President Biden.

• Is the current political climate fueling a resurgence in right-wing extremism? Alan finds out in a revealing interview with Jeff Schoeb, leader of the neo-Nazi “National Socialist Movement.”

• On the eve of the National Tax Day Tea Party, Alan exposes the real forces behind the allegedly nonpartisan movement.…

Who’s Behind These “Tea Parties”?

Contrary to the myth that this is some kind of grassroots movement, and neither left nor right, three conservative organizations are driving the tax day “protests.”  They want to be seen as non-partisan, but what are they protesting if not that the conservatives behind it are not in power any longer?  In fact, in Orlando during a March tea party protest, “Impeach Obama” signs abounded.

The Atlantic explores who’s greasing the wheels behind the movement, and it’s three conservative organizations.

They are: FreedomWorks, the conservative action group led by Dick Armey; dontGO, a tech savvy free-market action group …

Homeland Security Warns Of Right-Wing Radicals

Law enforcement is being warned by the Homeland Security Department about the rise in “rightwing extremist activity.” With a recession, a black president, and angry returning war veterans, there is concern that white power militia activity will increase.

A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines “rightwing extremism in the United States” as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.

“It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion …

The After-Scandal Profession: Talk Show Host

I am proud to be a radio talk show host.  It’s what I always wanted to do.  When I worked at music stations, it was always, “Shut up and play the music.”  (Now, it’s, “Shut up and play the bumper music, you liberal puke.”)  When I finally found my niche as a radio talker I never looked back, and never regretted the efforts it took to land good jobs in good markets after years of suffering the indignities of tough bosses, low pay and less-than-stellar living conditions as a result, in locations that I prayed would not be permanent.

But …

Marilyn Chambers Dead

She first became known as the Ivory Snow Girl. She is also credited with helping bring adult films into the mainstream with her hit movie “Behind the Green Door.”  Chambers was found dead in her home Sunday night at age 56 by her daughter.  It was a breakthrough to have a legitimate actress become a porn star.  Prior to her her fame for adult film work, Chambers had appeared in the 1970 Barbra Streisand film, “The Owl and the Pussycat.”

“Back then in my naive brain I was thinking that something like ‘Behind the Green Door’ had never been done …

On Monday’s Radio Show…

• Conservatives who had accused Obama of weak leadership in the pirate hostage crisis are eating their words now that Capt. Richard Phillips has been rescued. Alan offers them a chance to apologize.

• Would the “pirate problem” justify a new invasion of Somalia, as some right-wingers claim? Alan weighs the risks.

• As the Obamas welcome their new dog to the White House, Mike Rueb of the Bideawee animal welfare organization explains why adopting pets from shelters is better than patronizing breeders.…

John Bolton: Let’s “Go In (To Somalia) And End This Problem Once And For All”

Not surprisingly, former UN ambassador and war hawk John Bolton wants a coalition of the willing to invade Somalia and settle the pirate problem for all time.  This call for a “clear case for the use of force” came even before the events of this past weekend, when it became apparent that Captain Richard Phillips’ life was in danger.

h/t Think Progress

…

American Citizens Deported As Illegal Immigrants

In the frenzy to go after illegal immigrants, the United States has locked up or deported dozens of American citizens during the last eight years.  The Associated Press conducted an investigation that has documented 55 cases of citizens detained from a day to five years.

Pedro Guzman (right), has been an American citizen all his life. Yet in 2007, the 31-year-old Los Angeles native – in jail for a misdemeanor, mentally ill and never able to read or write – signed a waiver agreeing to leave the country without a hearing and was deported to Mexico as an illegal immigrant.…