Great News About Qaddafi. Not Great News About Perry

The rebels in Libya are feeling increasingly good because it seems that the last of Qaddafi's holds in Libya are falling apart. They've given loyalists one week to surrender. I hope they surrender and don't make this fight last longer than it has to.

Read the CNN article.

I get how someone can be so bogged down in the life they've always known. And for someone who's life has been filled with Cristal champagne, marble pools, and lots o' cash, holding onto what's left of Qaddafi's regime seems like the better idea.

But for those who were subjected to be one of a ton of lower class denizens under a dictator, freedom was their only option. Yay for the NATO involvement and I hope Libya can replace Iraq in our interventionist memory.

In other news, Rick Perry leads in another poll.

Why would anyone vote for this secessionist steal-jobs-from-other-states, Hispanic loathing, education hating, pay-to-play faux cowboy?

I'm about to get real whiny right now. I was batshit crazy Michele Bachmann on top! It's not fair. She sounds reasonable enough. But why does Perry get to spout all the same crazy Christiandoms she does but he's more popular with moderates? Maybe it's cause his spouse isn't trying to de-gay the masses.

Well, there's always still Sarah Palin. I'm waiting on her particlar anti-intellectualistic view of the world to join in this race. Where are you Sarah?

How To Fix Obama's Inaction

The Republicans seemed primed to benefit from their obstructionist behavior for the last few years. At least according to polls, their gamble is paying off. People are seeing Obama as unable to get things done and his approval ratings are suffering as a result.

The Republicans ratings are in the toilet too. But when faced with a decision between bad and worse, people tend to forget which is worse and go with the option they haven't recently tried. I can only hope people are that ridiculously stupid, but alas it may be so.

I get really sad when I think about the possibility of Rick Perry or Michele Bachmann as president. Mitt Romney would be less gag-inducing, but only marginally.

The only real solution in times like these is to get rid of the obstructionists. If the Republicans lose their majority in Congress, they can't say no to everything Obama suggests. Then he can get things done and move this country forward.

They seriously say no to everything he suggests. They have opposed every single revenue raise. But when Obama proposes continuing the social security tax, suddenly they're against it. Are you kidding me!??! They say they only want tax cuts that will grow business. As if business is the only things that needs growth. And those rich folks they're extending the Bust tax cuts for are not running around hiring new people with the saved money. They're hoarding!

These folks are full of it. I just hope enough Americans realize it so they will make the right decision in this upcoming election cycle.

Another Anti-Gay Person Brought Down By Their Homosexuality

Why is it that people just can't be themselves? Why must they hide away their true proclivities? They do that and then the worst happens. They fight so hard against something they desire (I'm looking at you Elliott Spitzer). Then they get into a position of power and use it to abuse others to fulfill their desire (I'm looking at you Bill Clinton).

Who's the latest asshole in this trend of denying yourself until you have to exploit others secretly to fulfill your wants? Why, Bishop Eddie Long of course. Bishop Eddie Long, of the we-hate-gays-so-let's-organize-a-march-against-them-but-isn't-it-questionable-that-I-set-up-my-church-in-Hotlanta variety was in the news last year for this scandal.

He supposedly had sex with teenage boys and used the church's resources to entice them. Read about it here.

And now the boys can't keep quiet anymore. After taking a lot, a lot, of money to keep quiet, they can't help but talk. They're writing a tell all book and gave an exclusive interview to a CNN affiliate. Read about it here.

So what about losing their settlement money?

In Wednesday’s interview, the men said they don’t care that talking about the case could mean risking their settlement money.
“I feel like burning [the money],” LeGrande said.
“I’m going to tell the world – money does not buy happiness,” he said. “When you sleep at night, the problems are still there. The money stuff, who cares about the number.”

Interesting stuff? I wonder if Eddie Long will take on these renewed allegations with claims of being like David again...

Don't even get me started on how this shouldn't even be an issue except poor Eddie Long grew up in a black community that frowned on homosexuality and he was forced to be someone other than himself. Poor not-self-aware baby.

Libya Free From Qaddafi?

According to breaking news on CNN.com, Libya is now under rebel control.

They've arrested a couple of his sons.

Obama made an official announcement on Sunday signalling his belief that Qaddafi was truly done as ruler.

All signs point to him being done.

I have to admit this makes me really happy. I first posted about the revolution in Libya on March 31st. It kicked off on February 15th.

Finally, after much fighting, it seems to have reached a tipping point. I feared it would never end. Libya is no Egypt and there was no way this was going to end as smoothly. But now, hope has returned.

So now, I wait and I watch. I look forward to the day when Libya is building a new future for themselves that doesn't involve anyone with the last name Qaddafi.

Light Fare: New Additions To The Dictionary

Sexting and Jegging and Woot, amongst others, get added to the dictionary

This is my life. I live in a world where pop culture terms get added to a dictionary. You do too. If you can "retweet" and get a word to catch on, you too can be in the dictionary in less than 5 years. Tried and true changes in the English language are no more...

Seriously, does anyone still use the word Bootylicious anymore?

It's like the dictionary is suddenly the pop culture peoples' choice awards. If your term is awesome enough to be in widespread use (read: even old white guys who aren't John Stewart know what it means when they hear it), you get voted by the academy into the dictionary.

I wonder how long it will take before they remove words that aren't in use anymore. I bet pantaloons is still in the dictionary, so mankini may be there forever Sigh.

At least I can depend on Blogger. All those new dictionary words I've typed in this post come up highlighted yellow when I click spell check. Score one for not being on top of the times.

How To Get Your Name In The Headlines: Obscure Repub Edition

There are the big names one thinks of when they think of Republicans today. Those people matter either because of the current position they hold or because of their chances at a future current position. These are people like Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, and yes, Karl Rove.

When you hear these names, it's because you've just heard them and will hear them again tomorrow. Those who don't make this cut are sidelines for a number of reasons. Either they're not important enough, or their important belongs more to yesterday.

CNN's Politics page seems to be splattered with insignificant people who've made big statements in an effort to beef up their public exposure. Well, here you go people, I'm exposing you.

Herman I-Wanna-Be-The-New-Token Cain Thinks Obama Should Be Impeached.

Pulling out the big guns a bit early, are we Herman? Who do you think you are? Rick Perry? You're no Rick Perry. Silly rabbit. Who do you think is going to reward you for such insolence?

Christine O'Donnell walked out on Piers Morgan and she is rightly being lambasted for it. I agree with this opinion piece wholeheartedly. What did she think she was going to be asked? Seriously, chick you're no Michelle Bachmann.

On to people who it does make sense to mention these days, and the old folks trapped in their headline by association...

Bill Clinton had the hots for Rick Perry

Maybe it's me, but I don't see it. I don't think Rick Perry is very good looking at all. All I can see is that large expanse of skin from his nose to his upper lip. It's like unkempt landscape over there. I love laugh lines, but his just look angry. His eyebrows don't suit his face, his ears are too big, and that old man loose skin flap threatening to hide the top of his collar is soooo icky. I'm just saying...

Bachmann screw up... oh hell everything. This time it's Elvis' birthday. I think all the people who think education sucks must be her biggest fan. It's totally fine to get everything wrong all the time because at least you're not an egghead. Is that the reasoning? Someone please explain to my why anyone cares what comes out of her mouth?

If my job was fact-checking this chick, I'd be rich! Rich!

Really Perry?! Already With The Talk Of Treason?!?!

So, apparently, it's never too early in one's primary race for president to start throwing around the word treason. At least, not when it comes to Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Apparently, being "passionate" is a good reason to call Ben Bernanke treasonous.
Seriously?! You've been campaigning for all of, what, three days and you're pulling out words people used to die over?!

Those are fighting words, Perry. Fighting words!

And seriously?! You're going after Democratic people already?! Why not focus on the actual primary which you must win to even be relevant in this discussion in a year.

And while I'm on the subject, seriously?! You won like 875 votes in the Ames' Straw Poll for emotional farmers and you think it's time to focus on the long game?

Seriously dude, you have to beat batshit crazy Michele I Don't Believe Anyone's Really Gay But They Can Be A Witch Bachmann before you've earned the right to start calling folks treasonous.

If this is what you're doing this early, Lord only knows how much farther you'll sink on the premise of passion. Hopefully you'll sink just far enough for reasonable people to run screaming away from you. Seriously.

He Lingers Cause He Likes What He Sees

A Confident Rick Perry

Iowa is receiving him well. Hell, he might have beat Michele Bachmann in the Ames Straw Poll had he announced his candidacy sooner.

The big thing to remember about this guy is that his talk of job creation is a lie!

He "created" jobs not by increasing consumer demand alone, but by luring jobs from other states because of the low wages most of Texas enjoys. I use enjoy as if it were opposite day, of course.

He simply cannot use his job creation strategy on the whole country, so don't believe that load of crap for one minute.

But let's focus on what's right in front of us. Perry is stealing Bachmann's shine. I think that lade is batshit crazy, but I think I'd rather have her contesting the presidency.

Yes Perry's from Texas, Dubya's state.

Yes Perry's scarily anti-immigration.

Yes Perry hates education.

But all of that won't keep him from picking up more votes than he deserves. By nature of simply not being Barack Obama, people can expect he'll face a less contentious Washington. That alone worries me.

This one guy with the chance to beat both boring-ass Romney and crazy-ass Bachmann is taking his stand. I'll be here to remind folks that he's full of hot air. Hopefully I won't be the only one to notice.

Rick Perry, Get On In Here!

Oh yeah! I'm doing a happy dance as more and more loony ass Republicans hop into the race for President. Rick I-Don't-Like-Hispanics-Even-Though-Countless-Numbers-Of-Them-Live-In-My-State Perry threw his hat in the ring.

The only thing that could make me more happy is if Sarah Palin would join in too.

Although he doesn't officially announce his candidacy until tomorrow, like other Repubs before him, <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/11/breaking-perry-will-announce-saturday/">there's been a pre-announcement</a>.

Previous reports had indicated that Perry would use a speech at the conservative RedState Gathering in Charleston to make his intentions clear, but would stop short of officially announcing a presidential bid.

But the Republican source told CNN that Perry will be in the Republican presidential race on Saturday.

And doing her job as the newer, loonier, slightly better educated Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann is doing her "look at me" dance by already commenting on his candidacy -- before it even starts. <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/12/bachmann-camp-to-perry-why-the-no-show-at-gop-debate/">Read the article</a>.

"I think the interesting thing is, he wasn't here tonight," Bachmann adviser Ed Goeas said. "He's not involved in the Iowa Straw poll. If he in fact…is getting in this race at the end of the week, I think the real question, especially for many of the people here in Iowa are asking was: why weren't you here tonight?"

This was about Thursday's race. And seriously, who cares about Iowa's straw poll? We already know what's going down there, they are going to pick whoever combines the right mix of fiscal conservativism (real word? prolly not) with social freedom with a dash of states rights.

Iowa only matters as much as what the next three states do. For the Democrats in 2008, it was a big deal because no one expected Obama to beat Clinton. But there's far too many candidates in the race for the Repubs to make a difference, in my not-so-humble opinion.

So while they fret about things that won't make a difference anyway, I'll just sit back and grin and hope more and more nutbags join up and muddy the waters.

Widespread Violence

That's a screen shot of CNN's home page at the time I'm writing this. I don't even know what to say about how ridiculous all this violence is.

I don't even have one story to talk about. I could talk about all the violence right now, but where would I start?

All across the country and globe. I know Mercury is in retrograde now, but this is way more than just lost keys.

Calm down everyone, it isn't even that hot anymore these last couple days. There is nothing so bad that you have to kill someone or destroy their livelihood. That goes for you too Congress.

Palin Strings Together A Coherent Argument, If Only Because So Many Others Have Said The Same Thing Before

<a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/08/palin-on-downgrade-i-told-you-so/#more-170473">Read the CNN article</a>

I'm not saying she's coherent, mind you. I'm saying her argument was. Any conservative can string together a bunch of reasoning about lowering spending and stopping regulation and lowering taxes.

I'm not even sure if it was really coherent or if I'm just so used to hearing conservatives say this crap that it sounds normal.

But let's get real here. Lowering spending gets you nowhere without revenue increases. Every idiot, except Palin knows that.

Stopping regulation is why we got in this mess in the first place. Without regulation, every body gets broke in bubble after bubble, everyone gets asthma, and everyone eats GH-pumped food. But looking at the size of her kids, I guess that's not such bad thing to her.

Mark's no Brawny man, but she makes him look dainty. Big ass.

And lowering taxes is of course stupid. Maybe cause she's in Alaska she doesn't realize how essential roads and cops and telephone lines are to the rest of us. Without taxes, they will never get around to fixing that pot-ridden ass hole on the next block down from my parents' house.

And my biggest gripe is that after all of this, she said "I told you so"?!?!? Seriously?! She's such a brat. She could have said, "I saw this coming," but no, she went more petulant. As is her way.

And yet still, I'm hoping and wishing this woman would throw her hat in the ring.

Post-Racial My @#$

Yeah, Barack Obama represents the shift to a more post-racial world and all that. My father refers to me as "post-racial" occasionally. He means it as a half-compliment.

But, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/06/mississippi.hate.crime/index.html?hpt=hp_c1">just read this and you'll understand why I titled this post the way I did.

Image: <a href="http://www.mississippilink.com/image_6f47a670-b1b7-11e0-8081-001cc4c03286.html">The Mississippi Link</a>

In these current times where Hollywood etc. are glossing over history and removing evidence that things weren't always so integrated, it's nice to see CNN not shy away from the hard details of what happened. Here's a direct quote from the article:

As the teens were partying and drinking miles away from Jackson that night, in largely white Rankin County, Dedmon told friends they should leave, saying "let's go fuck with some niggers," according to law enforcement officials.

It's hard to read and it makes me very sad. These mis-guided young men did a horrible thing. They suck and they will pay.

The one good thing about the Big Brother-ness of America these days is that this attack was caught on camera. The entire thing was caught on camera.

There's no doubt this was racially motivated. The hate crime designation makes this offense have a stronger punishment, even in Mississippi.

These racists will be punished. James Craig Anderson will be avenged via the justice system thanks to technology. I can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through. Nor can I imagine what the families of the criminals are going through.

I do hope this doesn't spark some sort of race war. This is Mississippi after all. If I could change one thing about the world, it would be to make everyone magically aware of everyone else's humanity.

It's amazing that people forget others are people too! Just because they look different or speak differently doesn't mean they're not still a person with family, hopes, dreams, personality.

If you forget those who are not your in your immediate circle are people too, you're an asshole. It's just that simple.

WTF Non-Compromisers! Are You Happy Now?!

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/06/business/us-debt-downgraded-by-sp.html?_r=1&hp">S&P Downgrades America's Debt</a>

The financial implications of this aren't clear yet. But one thing is clear: this crap could have been avoided!

Were the political points worth the downgrade of our country's debt rating? Some jerks would probably answer yes. Sigh. I'm moving to France.

I would love to go live in Europe for at least a year after my fiance and I finish grad school. I wonder if I have a baby there with dual citizenship, if I can move there to take my kid "home" when America has slid a little further into decline and is no longer a great place to live...


Image via <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/06/business/us-debt-downgraded-by-sp.html?_r=1&hp">nytimes.com / credit: Scott Ellis/Bloomberg News

These people, this business, they did what they had to do. It's no one's fault, or wait, yes it is! All these folks should have done better. Every single one of you who refused to speak with maturity and clarity and logic. It's all your fault, those who stood by and only complained without ever offering a viable solution.

“The downgrade reflects our opinion that the fiscal consolidation plan that Congress and the administration recently agreed to falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government’s medium-term debt dynamics,” it said.

That quote points out the big "DUH" that occurred to me when this deal was signed. This deal sucks. I know it, Paul Krugman knows it, and Obama knows it. If this is really the best we can do, I'm going to downgrade my belief in our government.

The Best Part Of The Debt Ceiling Bill

In the midst of a situation that makes me want to move to France, there was something to smile about.

They finally worked out a deal. It apparently had the gooey center that pundits dream of. The only people who voted "Hell no" to this bill were the super conservatives and the super liberals. That usually means the people who need the most help from the bill aren't getting it.

It must be nice to be a special interest, huh?

Well, back to the something to smile about. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the House for the vote.

The big question is, how did she vote?

She voted yes. Yay for bipartisanship.

They say she entered to thunderous applause. It really warms my heart to see someone fight back from the brink, and the first thing they do is continue their fight for a cause. Whether that be public service, healthcare, education, music, whatever. I just like to see someone fulfill their life's potential.

For her to continue to strive for her goals makes me swell with pride. It makes me think, surprisingly, of all the women who can't do what she's done. In some places in time and history, women aren't holding elected positions.

They aren't making a difference in the world. They don't have a platform on which to stand as an example to others. It's nice to see someone up there on that platform really truly being a great example to follow.

From Giffords we can learn perseverance, strength, commitment, and faith.

I wish we had more like her. If more people knew the importance of every day, they wouldn't waste so many of them.