Anti-Government Protests Spreading In The Middle East

Citizens in the Middle East are standing up to their regimes.

In Libya’s second-largest city, Benghazi, witnesses said security forces shot at mourners attending a funeral Sunday for protesters killed the day before (pictured). The U.S.-based group Human Rights Watch has raised Libya’s death toll during five days of unrest to 173.

Several thousand anti-government activists in Morocco rallied in Rabat Sunday to demand political reforms limiting the power of King Mohammed…

Thousands of Tunisians poured into the streets of their capital to demand the resignation of the interim government…

In Bahrain, thousands of pro-democracy activists have re-established a …

Democratic Wisconsin Assemblyman Shames GOP: “Look At Yourselves In The Mirror”

Wisconsin Assemblyman Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) rails against the Republican-led legislature for trying to rush through the budget repair bill without giving him proper notice. He learned of what they were doing via a radio ad paid for by the conservative Club for Growth.

Hintz raised a point of order upon arrival in the Assembly and then voiced his frustrations when given the chance to speak. The vote was moved to a later date, but not before Hintz chided Republicans for how they handled the legislation.

“I think it had probably been building up,” Hintz said. “I think the build-up of …

GOP Cuts Healthcare, Aid To Poor, Enviro Regs, Child Care, Research

The Republican-controlled House approved a bill in the middle of the night that should curtail monies for healthcare, social services, environmental regulations, child care and research.

The bill, approved 235-189 Saturday with overwhelming Republican support and over united Democratic opposition, would reduce federal spending by more than $60 billion over the next seven months. It represents the completion of the top objective of the new Republican majority and its emboldened wing of budget hawks and government critics.

It’s an extreme bill, agree both House Democrats and the White House, and unless both sides agree, the government could shut down March …

Wisconsin Doctors Supporting Teachers; Telling Them: Call In Sick

Some Wisconsin doctors are supporting the teachers’ efforts to retain their rights, are advising them to call in sick, and saying they will write sick notes.

The Madison School District has said teachers who call in sick to protest won’t be paid, but a group of licensed Wisconsin doctors came to the capitol today saying they would write a physician’s note for anyone who asked.

Dr. Kathy Oriel told ABC affiliate WKOW-TV in Madison that the doctors realize they could get in trouble for their offer.

“We think its worth the risk,” she said. “Teachers have no choice.”

The …

Civic Association Elects Dog As President

The Hillbrook-Tall Oaks Civic Association in Annandale, VA, a nice group of community-minded citizens, didn’t know much about Ms. Beatha Lee, a new resident.

This past election, to make the meeting move faster, only the names and qualifications of the candidates were announced. Running for president, Ms. Beatha Lee was described as a relatively new resident, interested in neighborhood activities and the outdoors, and who had experience in Maine overseeing an estate of 26 acres.

Though unfamiliar with Lee’s name, the crowd of about 50 raised their hands, assuming that the candidate was a civic-minded newcomer. These days, it’s hard …

Peaceful Protestors Shot And Killed In Bahrain

Bahrain’s army shot and killed peaceful protesters Friday, when the protesters tried to retake the square from which they’d been ousted.

At least five people have died in the recent unrest, with dozens more injured. The opposition has so far rejected talks with the government, ruled by the Khalifa royal family, until “tanks are off the streets.”

Although the protest movement in Bahrain is fueled by economic and political concerns, the breakdown of power runs along sectarian lines. The country’s Shia majority complains of discrimination and abuse at the hands of the Sunni-dominated government.

The United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet …

JWoww Has Nude Video, But Can’t Explain It: Makes Snooki Look Like Einstein

Jersey Shore’s JWoww, occasionally known as Jenni Farley, acknowledges that there exists a nude video of her, courtesy of an ex-boyfriend, but can’t quite explain it to CNN’s Brooke Anderson (via Mediaite).

As for how the video came to be, the reality star also wants to be clear: “it’s not like me posing, or like you know how like girls like do that?” Um. “These are like sleeping or like things like that.”

Anderson–this is truly a priceless interview–says, “Nude, sleeping in the nude?” Answer? “Yeah, something like that. I have no idea.”

What JWoww does have an idea …

Want To Cut Social Security? You Sure?

by Sandi Behrns

A new study from the Journal of Public Health Policy (subscription only) may make things a bit uncomfortable for those who advocate cuts to Social Security benefits on the grounds that Americans are now living longer. Turns out, improvements in longevity may not be independent of Social Security. In fact, when benefits are improved, older Americans benefit most, through lower mortality and improved health.

Americans over the age of 65 experienced steep declines in the rate of mortality in the periods that followed the founding of and subsequent improvements to Social Security…

Peter Arno, Ph.D., the study’s lead

…

Tea Party To Rally For Anti-Union Legislation

Tea Partiers will have something to do Saturday as they come out to protest against unions.

Drew Ryun, president of American Majority Action, one of the conservative groups planning the demonstration, said organizers were “meeting fire with fire.”

“We have buses coming in from all over the state,” Ryun said of what was dubbed the “I Stand With Scott Walker” rally. “We see this as the opening salvo of the 2012 election season. The Tea Party movement facing off against the unions. And we like the odds.”

Walker on Friday ruled out a compromise proposed by a key union …

House Votes To Stop Federal Dollars For Planned Parenthood

Even though no federal monies go to Planned Parenthood for abortion services, the House voted to stop any federal dollars from going to the group.

Friday afternoon, the House passed the amendment by a vote of 240-185. The vote was generally along party lines, with all but seven Republicans voting against the cut, and 10 Democrats voting in favor. One Republican voted present…

The measure would eliminate about $330 million through the end of September for preventative-health services, including federal funding for contraception and cancer screenings, at Planned Parenthood clinics across the country.

Planned Parenthood is already prevented by federal …

On Friday’s Radio Show…

• Kim Anderson of the National Education Association tells Alan why she believes the Wisconsin anti-union bill is one of the “worst attacks on workers’ rights” ever.

• Indiana State Sen. Jim Tomes defends his controversial gun bill, which could allow firearms in libraries, arenas, and even the next Super Bowl.

• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!…