Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

President Biden is doing good where he can, and getting it done.

The media handbook says “controversial” is the most negative description that can be used for a Republican.

The jury literally has a bell they can ring to force Trump to show up on command. Greatest thing ever!

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

I conferred with the team and they all agree – still not tired of winning!

The new republican ‘Pastor’ of the House is an odious authoritarian little creep.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

Republican also-rans: four mules fighting over a turnip.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

I am pretty sure Katy Tur wasn’t always such a bootlicking sycophant.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

This country desperately needs a functioning Fourth Estate.

The Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become the ultimate, unaccountable arbiter of everything.

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

It’s not hopeless, and we’re not helpless.

The willow is too close to the house.

They love authoritarianism, but only when they get to be the authoritarians.

You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

You are here: Home / 2008 / Archives for July 2008

Archives for July 2008

Religous Freedom in the Military

by | 94 Comments

This post is in: ,

Some interesting reading about the Christianisation of the U.S. Military. Army Spc. Jeremy Hall is in the U.S. Army. He is an atheist. He needed a bodyguard to protect him because of that.

In March, Hall filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, among others. In the suit, Hall claims his rights to religious freedom under the First Amendment were violated and suggests that the United States military has become a Christian organization.

“I think it’s utterly and totally wrong. Unconstitutional,” Hall said.

Hall said there is a pattern of discrimination against non-Christians in the military.

Two years ago on Thanksgiving Day, after refusing to pray at his table, Hall said he was told to go sit somewhere else. In another incident, when he was nearly killed during an attack on his Humvee, he said another soldier asked him, “Do you believe in Jesus now?”

Hall isn’t seeking compensation in his lawsuit — just the guarantee of religious freedom in the military. Eventually, Hall was sent home early from Iraq and later returned to Fort Riley in Junction City, Kansas, to complete his tour of duty.

He also said he missed out on promotions because he is an atheist.

“I was told because I can’t put my personal beliefs aside and pray with troops I wouldn’t make a good leader,” Hall said.

You might think this is isolated, but I’ve read a number of stories like this, and it doesn’t surprise me one bit. Don’t have time to comment now, but I’m sure you all will.

Religous Freedom in the MilitaryPost + Comments (94)

Snow Patrol

by | 46 Comments

This post is in: 

Just heard a song called Shut Your Eyes by these guys, and there was something about it that was really pleasing.

Any of you heard anything else by these guys? Not my normal type of music, but I wanted some input before I buy a disc. Are they a one-hit wonder?

*** Update ***

Yeah, I am a moron. Should have checked youtube.

*** Update #2 ***

And I don’t like anything else they have done. Just saved myself fifteen bucks.

Snow PatrolPost + Comments (46)

A Sign Of What Is To Come

by | 69 Comments

This post is in: 

I told ya
No more lyin’
No more tears fallin’
Stop your cryin’
Ooooh, baby (ooooh, baby)
I’m your fan
Before you go back to your side track
Baby understand (understand)

Danger there’s a breakdown dead ahead
And just maybe you’re in way above your head

– Boz Scaggs, Breakdown Dead Ahead

If Jonah’s earlier silliness about Obama’s volunteer program being comparable to slavery didn’t finally clue you in as to how crazy the right wing is going to be over the next few months, you need to do a quick survey of the battlefield to prepare yourself. In addition to Jonah’s foolishness, which was lapped up by the usual suspects, Hilzoy has found this gem at the National Review’s Campaign Spot:

“So, the recent news out of the Obama camp is that they’re planning a huge rally with thousands of people in a stadium, want to create a mandatory youth corps for national service, and are thinking about a big dramatic speech in Berlin.

Yes. Obama is just like Hitler.

It is only going to get worse. When you consider they hate their candidate, who, by the way has a campaign that is in absolute chaos, they are trailing nationwide in Congressional races that are normally safe seats, they can’t mount a defense of their current standard-bearer and are running from him every chance they get, on almost every issue the public sides with the Democrats, you quickly realize that all they have is a visceral anti-Democratic hatred going for them. That really is it.

Even the war triumphalism is pretty pathetic as of late, with the latest attempt being a rather limp assertion that non-weapons grade uranium that everyone in the world knew Saddam had, including the UN weapons inspectors, was somehow evidence of… a clandestine nuclear weapons program. They are flailing, they know they are going down, and it is going to drive them insane.

And this is only the beginning, so you have been warned. I am using my stimulus check to buy scotch, cigars, and hip waders. I suggest you do the same.

A Sign Of What Is To ComePost + Comments (69)

How Do You Spoof This?

by | 119 Comments

This post is in: ,

Jonah Goldberg compares Obama’s volunteer national service program to slavery.

I give up. I can’t keep up with them.

*** Update ***

Does this mean the Solomon amendment to deny federal funding to universities that do not allow ROTC programs is JUST LIKE PRESS GANGS!

*** Update #2 ***

Comment of the day:

I have never told this story before now, but Jonah has empowered me to step forward.

From the age of five until the age of sixteen, I was forced by an “institution of learning” to learn to read and write. I was also compelled—against my will—to learn mathematics as well., I had no choice. I was a slave.

But that is not the worst part. The worst is that I had become so indoctrinated that, like a kidnap victim who comes to identify with their kidnappers, I continued my slavery for an additional seven years of “my own free will.” I eventually earned a degree, but I now realize that it was A DEGREE IN SLAVERY.

My God, I weep when I think of the poor innocents who will be enslaved by Obama into volunteer service and will be “paid” with college tuition.

How Do You Spoof This?Post + Comments (119)

Paging Duncan Black

by | 30 Comments

This post is in: 

Duncan Black:

I’m watching Dan Abrams’ show, and Michael Waldman just said that in past presidencies, being seen as hiding something or obstructing justice was enough to cause people to agree to testify to Congress. I wonder what’s changed.

Ernie Fletcher. This has been another edition of Simple Answers to Simple Questions.

Paging Duncan BlackPost + Comments (30)