Archive for May, 2009

Religiocons Questioning Obama’s Faith On National Prayer Day

President Obama, unlike President Bush 43, but like most previous chief executives, is not attending a breakfast for National Prayer Day, and not taking part in a formal early morning service.  He is, however, signing a proclamation that sets aside the first Thursday of May as National Prayer Day, which has been a tradition since 1952.  This has certain conservatives and evangelicals up in arms to the point where they are knocking his commitment to his faith.


Predictably, National Day of Prayer chair Shirley Dobson (wife of Focus on Family’s James), says her group is “disappointed by lack of participation …

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 6, 2009 • 280 Comments »

Why Conservatives Will Yell “Activist Judge” Until You’re Blue In The Face

The right wing will go crazy about a video circulating where potential SCOTUS justice Sonia Sotomayor says, “The Court of Appeals is where policy is made.”  Speaking on a Duke University panel in 2005, Sotomayor quickly added that she knew this was on tape and she wasn’t advocating this.


The New York Post headline is already blaring “Supreme Screw-Up.”  Look for this video and audio to be played on conservative outlets until and after you scream “uncle.”


Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 6, 2009 • 18 Comments »

Arnold: Let’s Debate Legalizing Pot, Not That I’m For It, Mind You

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Calfornia Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says it’s time to debate legalalizing marijuana.  But he also says he’s not supporting the idea;  just the debate about the idea. Talk about straddling a political fence.  But at least he wants the debate.


Democratic state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano says legalizing marijuana for adults over age 21 and taxing it at $50 per ounce would bring the state more than $1 billion a year. He has a bill in the Legislature but has delayed seeking approval until next year.


Now, if they’d legalize prostitution as well, and both marijuana and prostitution were legal in …

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 6, 2009 • 141 Comments »

Will Miss California USA Lose Her Crown?

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Opposite marriage advocate Carrie Prejean could be stripped of the title of Miss California USA for keeping semi-nude photos a secret from pageant organizers, and for speaking on behalf of an anti-gay group without permission.


Pageant spokesman Roger Neal said Tuesday that it appears Prejean has run afoul of several sections of the 12-page contract that all prospective contestants were required to sign before competing in the November state contest.

 

The detailed document prohibits the titular Miss California from making personal appearances, giving interviews or making commercials without permission from pageant officials. In the last 10 days, Prejean …

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Joel May 5, 2009 • 28 Comments »

On Tuesday’s Radio Show…

• Is the GOP’s “big tent” getting too small? Former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who is now running for Rhode Island governor as an independent, responds.

• “Can A Brotha Get A Break“? Florida state Sen. Al Lawson explains why he wants license plates to display his offbeat message.

Think your life is rough? You won’t feel so bad after Alan’s listeners share their own tales of woe.

Read more » Posted in Radio Show by Joel May 5, 2009 • 5 Comments »

Patriotism Is A Gun Flagpole

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Bill Sutherland, the proprietor of Bill’s Hardware and Flooring in Cloverdale, Indiana, wanted to display his patriotism in a unique way, and so he fashioned a flagpole in the shape of a gun.  Sutherland says this honors military veterans and those still serving.

 

“What states more what it takes to get our freedom than a gun?” he said. “It’s a memorial to the ones that lost their life and now have their lives on the line for our freedom.”

 

I’m working on a flagpole in the shape of my ACLU card.…

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 5, 2009 • 84 Comments »

Bush Officials Lobbying To Soften Torture Report

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Former Bush officials must be quite concerned about the forthcoming report on torture. The subjects of the probe are primarily John Yoo (r) and Jay Bybee (l), and it appears as though their attorneys are working behind the scenes to get the Justice Department to go easy on them.  Another Bush attorney, Stephen Bradbury (c),  is also being looked at, but a previous draft of the report makes no disciplinary recommendations concerning him.


In recent days, attorneys for the subjects of the ethics probe have encouraged senior Bush administration appointees to write and phone Justice Department officials, said the sources, …

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 5, 2009 • 29 Comments »

Gay Marriages To Be Recognized In DC

The D.C. Council voted unanimously to recognize gay marriages performed in states where they are legal.  This comes the same day that Vermont recognizes same-sex marriages and a week after legalization in Iowa.

 

“I think we’re going to look back at this week as a moment when our entire country turned a corner,” said Jennifer C. Pizer, national marriage project director for the advocacy group Lambda Legal. “Each time there’s an important step forward, it makes it easier for others to follow.”

 

But 43 states still prohibit gay marriage, and 29 states have constitutional amendments that define marriage …

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 5, 2009 • 122 Comments »

Savage, Phelps Banned From UK

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Extremist radio talker Michael Savage (right), under his real name, Michael Weiner, has been “named and shamed” by Britain. He and 15 others are on a list of those prevented from entering the country.  Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had this statement:


“I think it’s important that people understand the sorts of values and sorts of standards that we have here, the fact that it’s a privilege to come and the sort of things that mean you won’t be welcome in this country,” Ms Smith told GMTV.

 

“Coming to this country is a privilege. If you can’t live …

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 5, 2009 • 54 Comments »

Pigs Defend Themselves On Swine Flu

h/t Crooks and Liars


Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 5, 2009 • 4 Comments »

Janet Jackson’s Breast (Below) Still Making News

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The US Supreme Court is ordering a lower court to reconsider reintating the fine against CBS for breastgate. 


The high court on Monday directed the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia to consider reinstating the $550,000 fine that the Federal Communications Commission imposed on CBS over Jackson’s breast-baring performance at the 2004 Super Bowl.

 

Last week, SCOTUS upheld the FCC policy of fining even one-time uses of prohibited words on live television.  But CBS rightfully argues it could not have anticipated the image that caused so much commotion, an image of a breast being considred as unacceptable …

Read more » Posted in Liberaland by Alan May 5, 2009 • 17 Comments »