This is reserved for only happy news. Period.
Archives for October 2009
What Can You Do?
By the way, in case you were wondering what you could actually do to help move the ball on LGBT issues that might be a touch more effective than screaming “just words” or flaming the administration for not issuing executive orders that will be rapidly over-turned as soon as a Republican takes office, go to this great diary at the GOS. There is a whole range of activities you can take part in that will actually make a difference.
Now granted, this involves actually expending time and energy, and will be nowhere near as exhilarating as writing hundreds of posts claiming that the DLC and Rahm Emmanuel hate progressives, and that Obama has let you down, or that moderates stole your bike, but it might actually be useful and sway the opinions of people that matter. Probably won’t get you on the top of memeorandum or an invite to PJTV to tell everyone how much Obama sucks, though, so make sure you have your priorities straight.
Not convincing
I got a question into the WaPo’s executive editor about the message parlors and I got a strange answer:
Rochester, NY: Obviously, you won’t take this question, but I’d like to ask: isn’t there a problem when the same reporters who were to be part of your health care “salon” are now essentially repeating insurance industry claims about the health care bill?
I’m referring specifically to Ceci Connolly. I write as a regular reader and fan of your paper — are you aware how much credibility you have lost as a result of the salons?
Marcus Brauchli: Actually, I will take this question, because it comes with a silly premise that needs knocking down.
First, there were no salon dinners. They were planned and they were canceled. Second, Ceci Connolly, who is an absolutely first-rate, independent-minded reporter, was simply asked who might be worth inviting to a roundtable discussion on healthcare. There is no reason she should be taken off of this story. Third, while we appreciate your visiting with us on this chat, you should read what we write. We have scrutinized the insurance industry’s claims about healthcare legislation extensively, including in a lengthy piece last week by Alec MacGillis. Finally, yes, I realize that the salon dinner episode was embarrassing and damaging to our credibility, but I would say to you: judge us by our journalism.
Which of my silly premises did he knock down? He admits Connolly was part of organizing the salons and that she now writes about health care, and he does nothing to prove that her article wasn’t about the AHIP study wasn’t a bit credulous.
Why do media elites react to any and all criticism with “fuck you, peasant”? Why not offer a substantive defense of some kind?
Way to Be, Jeff
According to the Associated Press, Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed was cited by Pittsburgh police for public intoxication and disorderly conduct outside a bar Sunday night.
The episode occurred around 9 p.m., the AP reported, outside a bar a few blocks from Heinz Field, where Reed kicked two field goals as the Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns earlier Sunday.
Can’t we just put James Harrison in charge of driving Reed home from games?
Give This Dog A Home
If you live in the Philly area and want to help a hungry dog out, drop me an email. This fellow was found by one of our readers starving to death in the cold rain by the side of the road, and he needs a good home. According to the email I got, he is playful, but very weak and hungry.
Good News on the Medical Marijuana Front
Glenn has the rundown and the implications. I think the most important part of Glenn’s piece is the recognition of how out of touch our policies are with the rest of the world. It is going to be hard to keep a very profitable and lucrative drug war going, what with all those nice property seizures for government agencies, when no one else in latin and central america wants to be as crazy as we are about marijuana.
BTW- I’m sure this happened despite strong objections from Rahm Emmanuel and Barack Obama, because they have spent every day trying to stick it to the progressives. Sure, they mouth the right words and platitudes, but do they ever come through? This was just an accident, I’m sure, and somehow or another they will screw the netroots this week. I mean, after all, if they really wanted to change marijuana policy, they would have done it by executive fiat the day after the nomination. AMIRITE?
/disgusted sarcasm
Good News on the Medical Marijuana FrontPost + Comments (104)
No Bailout Here
Maybe instead of sending 200 million to their own foundation, Goldman could spend part of the billions they plan to give out in bonuses funding homeless shelters:
But this fall, she exhausted all options. She had once owned and overseen a group home for homeless people. Now, she succumbed to that status herself, checking in to a shelter.
“No one could have told me that in a million years: I’d wake up in a homeless shelter,” she said. “I had a house for homeless people. Now, I’m homeless.”
Growing numbers of Americans who have lost houses to foreclosure are landing in homeless shelters, according to social service groups and a recent report by a coalition of housing advocates.
Just love Mondays.