Sisyphus's blog

But not before I share a few things with you. Next time you root down into one of your emails and find the word "abomination" in reference to teh gay, reply with this.

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From Boing Boing comes this compelling presentation on the method by which we save the planet. Its less than 20 minutes but once you click play, you'll never notice the time.

As I buried in the post on the Beckpocalypse, unfortunately the Nuge won't be performing at the "I have a nightmare" speech. He's been scrubbed, no doubt because of the racist comments. Beck's partners couldn't have that on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of MLK's landmark speech. But the tea baggers' loss is Boise's gain. But $60! Hell, Dylan was just here for $50. Good luck with that.  read more »

Yes the economy sucks, but there ain't no way electing this will make it better.

I must say Labrador fits right in with this cast.

Christ on a crutch. Who knew that almost a half century after Brown v. Board of Education, there's still segregation practiced in southern schools.

Updated 8/27: Shortened the title from "Senator Crapo Unwittingly Publicizes the Inherent Contradiction in Republican Campaign Strategy" Catchy, no? And I got some wonky quibbles on the numbers down below.

You think teh crazy talk and inhibited logical faculties are limited to the tea baggers? Its embedded in the Republican game plan of reducing deficits while repealing health care reform. Senator Crapo, in an election year gambit, attempted to demonstrate economic justification for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (health care reform). Crapo asked the Congressional Budget Office for an analysis on the deficit should the ACA be repealed. And the response (.pdf) probably won't be heralded by any press releases from the Senator's office:

"[Y]ou asked what the net deficit impact would be if certain provisions of PPACA and the Reconciliation Act that were estimated to generate net savings were eliminated -- specifically, those which were originally estimated to generate a net reduction in mandatory outlays of $455 billion over the 2010-2019 period. The estimate of $455 billion mentioned in your letter represents the net effects of many provisions. Some of those provisions generated savings for Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children's Health Insurance Program, and some generated costs.

"If those provisions were repealed, CBO estimates that there would be an increase in deficits similar to its original estimate of $455 billion in net savings over that period."  read more »

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Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) penned an editorial this weekend which should be the template for every leader in this country on the controversy near Ground Zero. He nails it in seven short paragraphs.

The debate swirling around the proposed mosque and Muslim community center in lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center site has, for many, tapped into strong emotions of a national trauma that is still raw. But in the churning political and constitutional arguments, one question has not been adequately addressed: what makes a mosque near ground zero offensive?

Nearly everyone in this debate affirms the constitutional right for the mosque's construction. Indeed, that right is a cherished founding principle. As Thomas Jefferson said, "The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." It is no accident that the right to worship in accordance with one's own conscience is enshrined in the First Amendment.  read more »

Down With Tyranny

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The 'almost next to hallowed ground zero Mosque/Islamic Center/ex-Burlington Coat Factory' controversy is being demagogued to death by bigots and opportunists. Discriminating on the basis of religion is against everything this country was founded upon. Glenn Greenwald observed this exchange which is the first mention in the traditional media of what this controversy is really about, telling the Muslims they can sit anywhere they like on the bus, just not the front. When this first broke I thought this was an actual proposal to build a Mosque deliberately on ground zero. And upon reflection I can think of no better way to signal to the world that Islam is not the enemy of America. No American Muslims flew those planes or killed the innocent and the first responders. We should encourage moderate Muslims and seek retribution from the killers who have declared America its enemy.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Mosque-Erade
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

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From Popkey:

Former Idaho GOP Sen. Larry Craig will be on KBOI-670 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, [CALL 336-3700 or 1-800-529-KBOI] filling in for conservative host Nate Shelman. Craig will be joined by Wayne Hoffman, executive director of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, and formerly an Statesman political reporter and spokesman for former U.S. Rep. Bill Sali, R-Idaho.  read more »

The latest right wing conspiracy theory which shamelessly utilizes their favorite motivation, fear. Needless to say, it has no basis in reality. Watch this congressman embarrass himself when called out on his baseless fear mongering.  read more »

demonizing teh Muslin. H/T nic.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - Weapon of Mass Construction
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News

A US District Court issued a ruling finding California's Proposition 8, an initiative purporting to prohibit gay marriage, as violating the equal protection and due process clauses of the Constitution. The Court concluded:

"Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite- sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional."

The Court further found:

Plaintiffs do not seek recognition of a new right. To characterize plaintiffs’ objective as "the right to same-sex marriage" would suggest that plaintiffs seek something different from what opposite-sex couples across the state enjoy —— namely, marriage. Rather, plaintiffs ask California to recognize their relationships for what they are: marriages.  read more »

More of this please.
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Consider this as another in my series providing election year ammunition. This one is targeted for the lies spread by deficit hawks gunning for Social Security. Send them an email.

Top 5 Social Security Myths

Rumors of Social Security's demise are greatly exaggerated. But some powerful people keep spreading lies about the program to scare people into accepting benefit cuts. Can you check out this list of Social Security myths and share it with your friends, family and coworkers?

Myth: Social Security is going broke.

Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.6 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a 'T').  read more »

Here's a DNC list of the Republican agenda. Watch for the very last one which is complements of the Idaho State Republican Party Platform. Way to go Idaho Republicans.

Detailed list below the fold. Sourced here.  read more »

As a follow up to Election Year Ammo I have a couple quick links to assist in correcting the record for the upcoming election which should be useful to candidates, bloggers or commenters when challenging their opponents, the media or tea baggers.

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From sister of Sisyphus, we have this most excellent piece of snark composed of an email exchange between a concerned parent and a "Christian Volunteer" over some proselytizing allowed in Australian schools. This one's for Binky where ever he is.

Dear Darryl,

I have received your permission slip featuring what I can only assume is a levitating rabbit about to drop an egg on Jesus.  read more »