In which a man rants about the various things going on in the political sphere, such as Attorney General not prosecuting rape because of abortion, a "moderate" Republican whining about having a tough job, a hair-brained harridan not having the stones to face her opponent in debate, and basketball coach knowing what side his bread is buttered on.
So without further ado, let's light this candle.
(fires up the chainsaw)
Pearls Before Swine:
So apparently University of Tennessee Mens' Basketball coach was spotted passing gas...er, I mean pumping gas at a Pilot station in Knoxville recently. Pearl is no fool. There's a reason why the UT Mens' team has gotten closer than at any other time in history, and right now he's a popular guy among the Orange and White Faithful. This is thanks to a football team that's currently the doormat of the SEC East. Of course, it might have something to do with recruiting violations and what punishment the NCAA tells the University to lower on Pearl. So of course he's going to suck up to Haslam, who is currently the front runner in the Tennessee Gubernatorial election this year.
Here's the problem: Haslam is going to win. Why? Because McWherter, as nice of a guy as he is, is a weakling. He has had MANY opportunities to lower the boom on this guy, especially considering the Securities and Exchange Commission is looking VERY closely into the Pilot/Flying J merger and gas price fixing allegations. But no, Mikey-boy wants to play "run silent, run deep" which is a figure of speech for "My party is on the down side right now, so I best not to stir the hornets nest that is the Tennessee Tea Party." McWherter knows he's losing, and he makes no illusions about it, he just can't say it. He only ran because of his last name, and once the Republicans got done fighting with themselves and picked Haslam, it was a done deal. Haslam is going to win this one, so the best we can hope for is a close 2nd. And at this rate, I don't see that happening unless McW stops running the negative ads and starts playing to his strengths.
The few shining hopes this year are Jim Cooper (which isn't really a close one, because the last time a Republican won the TN-05 was 1868), Roy Herron who is running for the TN-08 House district, which covers Jackson and most of Western TN and is facing a sizable challenge, (though his Republican challenger's numbers are down and the independent is up), and Lincoln Davis, who has an even tougher row to hoe because of the rural vote in TN-04. Let's give our support to these guys, please?
If it wasn't for Date Rape, I'd never get laid:
So let me get this straight, Kenny boy...You didn't perform your sworn duty because you suspected the rape charge was a lie to get back at the victim?? Really?!? Why in the tympani fuck is this no-talent ass-clown being nominated for Dog Catcher, let alone Colorado Senator? Have we lost our minds? Personally speaking, while I support a woman's right to choose whether to carry the child, I also think there should be other options available to them, like adoption. This is because there are plenty of people out there who DO want children that can't have them (like my fiancee and I.) Now I can just see the whine from him: "Oh, that was taken out of context, oh that is not what I would do now, blah blah blah." See people, this is what kind of government you can expect when Colorado Ken and Caribou Barbie get control of government.
They're all for small government, except when it comes to meddling in the private affairs of people, or starting wars without end. Let's all get together and show these idiots the door.
Bachmann, Throw Her Overboard:
As anyone can tell you, debates are a integral part of the political process. It allows each candidate to say basically, "Here I am, here's what I think, here's why you should vote for me." Some candidates welcome these things because it allows them to contrast against their (used to be) respected opponents. Unfortunately, Michelle "Let's Impeach The President" Bachmann instead chose to skip the planned debate against her opponent, Tarryl Clark.
What are you afraid of, Michelle? If you are so sure that your view is shared with the people you allegedly represent, then you shouldn't have any problem defending them. But no, instead you are touring around the country supporting OTHER candidates in OTHER states, unlike the rest of your fellow Representatives who are hunkering down and staying in their districts and states. I've suspected for a long time that the only reason this hair-brained half-witted harridan is even in Congress is because she likes the celebrity. And make no mistake, true believers, this woman is out for one thing and one thing only: Speaker of The House.
Crazy? Not hardly, she is the mouthpiece for the Flea Bag Teabag GOP, and Boehner doesn't have a chance at the slot. He's got the political clout if the Grand Old Purse-snatchers win the House, but Bachmann becoming Speaker would appease the loonies in the base. Don't imagine for one moment that it won't happen, because they are just crazy enough to do it and pull it off.
Have Some Vermont Cheese to go with the Maine Whine:
Memo to Susan "Joan" Collins: Your party has been shut out of the debate because your party has refused to consider any measure. Your party has refused to do anything except stall and delay the bill, making the Democrats look weak and increase your party's standing in the public eye. Your party is out for one thing, and one thing only: Power. Unlimited, unbridled, unfettered Power. How stoopid do you think we are, Sue? More to the point, how stoopid do you think your fellow Granite State residents are that they can't see through your own parties bullshit.
You can talk about compromise until the cows come home, but it won't change a thing, because your party leaders are not interested in compromise. They are not interested in debates, and they are certainly not interested in creating good government (unless it helps their rich friends, butts into other people's private lives, or continues The Forever War.) Do us all a favor, and go whine to someone who cares.
Here's a more worthy soul who does a better job dismantling this idiot than I:
And here's an inconvenient truth for ya: today, 41 Obama judicial nominees have been confirmed after an average wait time of 90 days, versus 78 GOP confirmations by this time in the Bush presidency with an average wait time of 22 days. Obama's judicial nominees are being blocked by your colleagues (maybe even by you), along with 420 pieces of legislation already passed by the House. More whine:
During the past two years, the minority party has been increasingly shut out of the discussion. Even in the Senate, which used to pride itself on being a bastion of free and open debate, procedural tactics are routinely used to prevent Republican amendments. That causes Republicans to overuse the filibuster, because our only option is to stop a bill to which we cannot offer amendments.
Senator, this picture begs to differ---your party is abusing the filibuster like never ever ever ever ever ever ever before. And perhaps you'd like to have a word with your colleague, Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina, who's using a procedural tactic to singlehandedly derail all business in the Senate. Ahhh...there's that "unique culture" hard at work again. Awesome!
Source: The awesome that is Bill In Portland Maine
Now, I don't want to get off on a Rant here, but it seems to me that certain people who have been abusing the rules shouldn't complain when the rules have been used against them in the past with little or no complaint. It also seems to me that certain moderate elements of the GOP should wise up and realize that their party has been overrun. The inmates are running the asylum, and Dr. Tarr and Professor Feather (aka Sen. McConnell and Jim "Deminted" DeMint) are running the sideshow. You can bitch all you want about not being allowed to debate the issue, but the fact remains that your party leaders don't want a debate. They don't want a compromise. They want to get back into control, and they will say and do anything to do it, even lying to naive senators from Maine.
But then, that's just my opinion...I could be wrong.