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31 December 2008

Bobby Jindal In 2012

Maybe?
Jindal, only elected governor last year, said flatly this month he’s not interested in being president and is only focused on a 2011 reelection bid — perhaps not surprising at a time when few will admit to White House ambitions.

Still, there are indications, from Jindal and close advisers, that he truly is reserving judgment about taking on President-elect Barack Obama in four years.

If Obama is as formidable then as he appears now, it’s unlikely that Jindal, who would be only 41, would risk an uphill race against the incumbent.
Maybe not?

I hear that B-Diddy already has his bumper stickers ordered...

A Christmas Miracle

Blogger style:
A self-described geek, Grier started blogging years ago. Since then, she's contributed to a magazine's Web site and regularly posts thoughts and life happenings on her LiveJournal page. So, she published Ebony and Daniel's story, along with a link where people could make a donation.

At the most, Jaki thought she could raise enough money to help the Sampsons pay a security deposit on an apartment after their home was auctioned.

But donations started pouring in. Within 24 hours, Grier's blog had raised $1,000, far exceeding her expectations. People started linking to Grier's blog from sites across the Internet and around the country.

Attorneys posted legal advice. Others in similar situations offered sympathy. One woman sent a donation with a note that said she had just lost her own home but wanted to help anyway. Another woman wrote that she didn't have a car but would walk to her grocery store with a jar of change and donate it to the cause.

Yet another e-mail came from a woman who was unemployed, with no job prospects. She donated a dollar.

With every donation, the total raised ticked higher and higher on Grier's blog.
Head nod: OB

Foreign Policy Smack-Down

Forward to 6:36 for the really good stuff...



Head nod: Viva Chuck Todd

30 December 2008

Sticky Post: VOTE HERE!

[this post will remain on top until January 13th -- when voting has concluded]

Had to reformat... you can now VOTE HERE.

The Weblog Awards staff has made it possible for me to embed the polls for 'Best Hidden Gem' and 'Best Political Coverage' right into my blog. Go forth and vote! (and thanks for doing so)

[my thoughts on the other categories -- and links to vote for them here]

Wait For It... Tah-Dah!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

After exercising as much patience as I possibly could, I'm pleased to announce that ThePajamaPundit.com has been officially nominated for not one, but TWO 2008 Weblog Awards (can you believe it?!).

Best Hidden Gem
Best Political Coverage

To be perfectly honest, I thought that if I was going to be nominated in any category, it would be 'Hidden Gem'. I figured
that a blog as teeny-tiny as this one might have a shot in such a category. But to be nominated for Best Political Coverage? I must say that I was quite taken aback. To simply share a category with the likes of Politico, DailyKos, Townhall and Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight leaves me wondering how we wound up here.

That's right. I said we.

So, here's the deal: voting begins for the Awards on January 5th. As I'm new to this, I'm unsure how the actual voting process works, other than they will be using an electronic polling system. As I find out more information, I will post it here.

For now, I want to thank everyone who took 30 seconds out of their life to go and nominate this blog for an award. Also, I w
ant to thank B-Diddy, OB and Vast for their contributions to the site. Lastly -- but most importantly -- we have developed a small community here. I'm proud to say that it is a civil community where ideas and information can be exchanged without attacks and epithets being thrown around. I like that -- and I want to especially thank all of the readers out there. Some of you are frequent commenters, some of you are avid lurkers, but ALL of you are part of this community and I thoroughly enjoy the conversations that we have had, are having, and will have in the future.

Thanks to all of you -- and stay tuned, we're just getting started!

29 December 2008

Nike Supporting Terrorism?



No, sorry. I'm not being serious, but worth the giggle in times as bad as these. Just felt like a SNL skit when I looked at this picture.

Patience

The Pajama Wife has a few days off from work so posting may continue to be a bit sparse. I'm also patiently awaiting some news (ANY news) about the 2008 Weblog Awards. If you hear something, let me know. :)

In case you missed it last week, the blog was seemingly overtaken by holiday cheer. The festive madness starts here and moves forward. Enjoy.

27 December 2008

Saturday Morning Cartoon

Finish that bowl of Cheerios... it's cartoon time!

26 December 2008

Twice as Tough

In an unprecedented move, Caroline Kennedy spoke to the media today. Besides that...she also said told the AP that she'll have to...

NEW YORK - Caroline Kennedy tells The Associated Press she will have to work twice as hard as others if she is picked for the U.S. Senate.

TWICE AS HARD? Twice as hard as who? The only reason you'll be selected is because of your last name. Sounds like something here in good ole PA where "Casey" has become a Senator and so far...has accomplished ohhhhh so much (still trying to think of that one piece of legislation he has worked hard on).

And you are going to get a pass in every media form except for the fair and balanced ones because you're a media darling.

The media always loves those pro-gun control, pro infanticide, pro gay-marriage, anti-war, tax the rich unqualified candidates.

25 December 2008

Merry Christmas!



Merry Christmas!

24 December 2008

A Colbert Christmas (Or Hanukkah?)

Stephen Colbert briefly ponders conversion to Judaism.

Dave Matthews

Dave Matthews, A Christmas Song

A Christmas Story

Classic.

'Sh*tter Was Full!'

12 Days Of Muppets

The Muppets rule. John Denver, not so much.

Ahmed's Christmas Wish

'I KILL YOU!'

More Run D.M.C.

Who knew that Run D.M.C. had another Christmas song?! Not me -- until now.

Frosty

I love this old school stuff.

Carol Of The Bells

That Box

An instant classic... and 'bleeped' for a safe work experience.

White Christmas

I listened to a ton of Bing Crosby growing up. One of my favorites has always been 'White Christmas'.



I hope I have a white Christmas this year...

23 December 2008

Christmas, Run D.M.C. Style

I love 80s rap.

Old 'Blue Eyes'

More Bing, with Frank Sinatra this time:

Suzy Snowflake

Old school.

Rudolph

Long live the Raisins.

Microwaves

Listen. Carefully.

Hardrock, Coco And Joe

The Three Little Dwarfs.

A-Holes...

... need Christmas trees too you know.

Senator Al Franken?

It's beginning to look that way:
As the U.S. Senate recount approaches another crossroad today, it appears that DFLer Al Franken's recently attained lead over Republican Sen. Norm Coleman could narrow to double digits.

Today, the state Canvassing Board is scheduled to award votes from thousands of challenges that each candidate had filed against his opponent's ballots but later withdrew. A draft list Monday by the secretary of state's staff about how those votes should be allocated showed Franken leading by 48 votes.
All I want for Christmas is for Al Franken to give his acceptance speech in character as Stuart Smalley... because he's good enough, smart enough, and doggone it -- people like him.

I think that I can hear Diddy weeping from here...

It's A Marshmallow World



I love that he's smoking a cigarette while he sings...

Bing & Bowie

Classic cheese.

22 December 2008

Holiday Sharing

I wanted to take something important from my family and share it with yours.

This movie happens to be mine and my wife's favorite movie, 'Just Friends'. It kinda snuck under the radar as far as movies go but it's brought my wife and I great joy for a couple years now and I wanted to share it with you. It's just a bonus that it's a funny movie starring Ryan Reynolds

JFK. BO. OB. WTF?

All these initials, what's going on?

With Vast's recent post I started to think. If Obama is mildly successful as President in his first term and get's elected in 2012, do you think he could set an ambitious goal like John F. Kennedy and get the human race to Mars before 2016?

Honestly, what an amazing and exciting time in our life. The moon was one thing, but three days to get to the moon in a spaceship that was barely powerful enough to power my laptop today.

Mars is an actual planet. One that could potentially harbor life after some terraforming. I'm a realist in the sense that I know man will most likely destroy this planet and rape it of all resources eventually. This could be a great opportunity to start over. But most importantly a chance to move from one planet to the next, to the next, etc. The discoveries would be endless.

I. Love. Science.

To Mars and Back in 80 Days

In 1873 Jules Verne published the novel "Around the World in 80 Days", in which an English Gentleman attempts to circumnavigate the Earth on bet. At the time the story was taken as simple fiction.

In 1889 Nellie Bly actually succeeded in making the trip and did it in just 72 days.

Today the Space Shuttle can make the trip in about 90 minuets.

A new plasma based rocket engine system, named Vasimr, has just recently been approved for testing on the ISS in 2012. The new engine could make it possible to travel to Mars in as little as 39 days, making around trip voyage of less than 80 days.

could we finally be on the Brink.

Nasa Web Site

3 Kings

Smooth jazz kings. Or camels.

Happy Christmas

Last Christmas

Pure 80s Christmas cheer.



Side note: I would have loved to be at the pitch meeting for this video... "Okay folks, here's the concept: we shoot a bunch of footage of the 'band' having a good time at a wintry retreat. Dinner. Snowball fight. Nobody sings a word. Annnd, we're done."

Tolerance For All

Since this topic has gone from a pastor giving a prayer back onto Homosexuality and the rights they wants/deserve, I figured I'd finally give my opinion on the matter since I have been quiet on the subject.

I am a conservative, but definitely a different type than my friend diddy. These are my views:

I don't feel that every gay couple has the right to be married as Man and Man and Woman and Woman. The reason why I feel this way is because marriage is a religious union. Each religion does it differently and if a particular church does not want to honor the union between a man and man or woman and woman then that is definitely their decision and we should respect it.

Now with that said, I don't agree that a State or even this Country has the right to decide for all institutions making gay marriage illegal. If there is a church that has no problem with joining a homosexual couple in the bonds of matrimony then we, as a society, should have no problem with it. They should legally be wed just like a straight couple and have the same rights with taxes and hospitals visits as Vast talks so passionately about.

I also feel that if a gay couple's church is not willing to marry them under God and they are okay with a civil union as a couple that they should also have the same rights as a married couple.

To me this is the only logical way to handle this situation. The respective churches can get their way, they don't have to marry any gays. The churches with compassion and heart can have their way and marry those of same sexes wanting to get married. And finally, and most importantly the gay couples themselves get their way because they can be considered equal like every man, woman and child should be in this country.

[written by OB while at work]

Classic

Pure, unadulterated kitch.

Caroline Sarah Kennedy Palin

How funny is it that just months after the media and Democrat Party bashed Sarah Palin for not having enough experience to run for national office...they are about to put in Caroline Kennedy...a NYC 5th Avenue Socialite with a famous last name? Can anyone name me a political triumph Caroline Kennedy has in her life on this planet? I realize her last name is Kennedy...but come on. Is Roger Clinton the next President of the USA?

Sarah Palin is a governor of a State. Caroline Kennedy is a ________ of a _________?

Sarah Palin has constructed and approved a budget. Caroline Kennedy has _______ with a budget?

Sarah Palin has shown she can take on her own party when she needs to. Caroline Kennedy has release statesments supporting gun control, gay marriage, abortions and amnesty...not at all Democratic ideological platforms (sarcasm).

Sarah Palin was bashed and bashed (by the author of this blog especially) for not doing a press conference. Caroline Kennedy released statements to Politico through her spokesman.

Hey...if Caroline Kennedy gets into office because of her name...I can't do anything about it. Except potentially hope Rudy Guiliani runs against her in 2010.

Holiday Goodies

By the way, if you see something that you feel is Holiday-Goody-Post-Worthy, feel free to e-mail the link to me here.

Crazy Lights

There are a whole bunch of these kinds of clips on the YouTubes. However, this is my favorite because you can't beat the TSO. ROCK!

RIP VHS

The last big supplier of VHS tapes is ditching the format.

Holiday Fun

Lighten up everyone. This is the first post in a series of light-hearted holiday musings.

Since yesterday at sundown marked the beginning of Hanukkah, I thought this might be appropriate... kind of.


Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!

21 December 2008

Oh what a bigot.

I use that title in jest...as some have called him that on this blog.

From the AP:
Toward the end of his speech on Saturday, Warren also talked about singer Melissa Etheridge, who performed earlier in the evening. Warren said the two had a "wonderful conversation" and that he is a huge fan who has all her albums. The openly lesbian gay rights activist even agreed to sign her Christmas album for him, he said.

Warren has won kudos from some liberal quarters by focusing less on traditional conservative issues such as abortion and gay rights, and instead calling on evangelical leaders to devote more attention to eradicating poverty, fighting AIDS in Africa, expanding educational opportunity for the marginalized, and global warming.
Obviously this guy is full of hate. I mean...any leader of a church who fights AIDS in Africa and who expands educational opportunities for the less fortunate is a major hate-monger.

Oh that's right. Some far-left thinkers believe that if you don't believe in homosexual marriage than you must be homophobic and a bigot. Whatever happened to respecting others opinions and inviting all thoughts to the table?

Really?! 16 New Reality Shows?!

On MTV. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
In trying to keep its hold on young and fickle audiences, MTV over the decades has undergone some fundamental programming shifts, but never before on this scale.

The cabler's recent ratings declines include a 23% fourth-quarter drop in its core demo of 12- to 34-year-olds. So MTV is embarking on a major programming overhaul, with 16 new unscripted series over the next 4½ months.
Aren't all television audiences fickle these days? I'm old enough to remember when MTV (and even MTV2) actually played music videos...

Ah, the good old days.

Faith vs Heart

I found this story in the LA Times and wanted to pass it along to everyone. The struggle between faith and homosexuality is not limited to just the Christian world.

in some Muslim sects, homosexuality is considered a crime punishable by death.

Thank you Vince McMahon

I've been a WWE fan for a LONG time now. I think it is a genius product and the man behind the product is even more genius. Vince McMahon took professional wrestling...told his audience "hey it's fake and it's entertainment"...and made it into a world-wide phenomenon. I know many of you reading this think of WWE as a redneck trailer trash sport of steroid using men and women...but if you would actually watch the product and understand it for what it is...you might think differently.

Saying that...WWE has been sending it's superstars to IRAQ for the past 6 years and I just got done watching their show on NBC this evening. The men and women of WWE take the 22 hour flight to Iraq...hang out with and entertain our troops around Christmas Time...and do it knowing they are surrounded by the finest men and women in the world.

I want to publicly thank the WWE for committing to the cause and combining with Armed Forces Entertainment...produce the biggest show for our troops every year. This is a noble effort that crosses partisan lines and acknowledges the real heroes in this world...those fighting unselfishly for our freedoms and the freedoms of those in Iraq. 2008 was a banner year for the Iraqi people and the armed forces and I continue to pray for their safety.

WWE...thanks for giving a great show for our USA heroes. God bless America!

20 December 2008

I Love You, Man


I may be developing a serious hetero-man-crush on Paul Rudd. Everything he does is funny. At least, everything I've seen. Plus, you can't go wrong with casting Andy Samberg as his brother...

Where was the outrage then!?

I also had to comment how ironic I find it that the liberal left is attacking Pastor Rick Warren for his remarks about how he disagrees with homosexual marriage. BUT...where was the outrage when this occured?!

An ABC News review of dozens of Rev. Wright's sermons, offered for sale by the church, found repeated denunciations of the U.S. based on what he described as his reading of the Gospels and the treatment of black Americans.
"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon. "God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme."
In addition to damning America, he told his congregation on the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001 that the United States had brought on al Qaeda's attacks because of its own terrorism.
"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," Rev. Wright said in a sermon on Sept. 16, 2001.
"We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America's chickens are coming home to roost," he told his congregation.


So ya'll are upset about Rick Warren praying at the inauguration...but I can't find remarks on the Huffington Post ANYWHERE when all of this was said. In other words...you disagree with the homosexual lifestyle...you're a bigot, homophobic and lacking in knowledge. If you think America is a terrorist state and we got what we deserved on September 11th...it's just another day in the church (the same church where Obama sat for 20 years and of whom the pastor married he and his wife and who baptized his kids, etc etc)

Tolerance for all (unless your name is Warren)

The silence has been broken! Why? The hypocrisy of far-left Americans is infuriating me and I need to speak out.

Growing up in a Christian School and conservative area of PA, there were many people who didn't like homosexual Americans. They didn't agree with their lifestyle and they didn't think they were good people. The problem was...these Christians missed the entire message. Christ walked the earth and loved EVERY individual...including those who hung Him on a cross (remember that whole "forgive them Father for they know not what they do?). Christ's biggest lesson to us was to love all people...even if we disagree with them.

Rick Warren has lived this philosophy. He has never preached hatred. He does say that he believes that gay marriage should not exist in America and so far 30 out of the 30 states who have voted on this measure agree. Proposition 8 in California...hello?! I have been preached, lectured, instructed, etc about tolerance. We should tolerate people with a different lifestyle or race or background because that is how we'll get along. Hell, I think this was one of the backbone's of the Obama Presidency. I believe you can love an individual even if you disagree with them (PJ and I are the bestest of friends...you've seen our disagreements).

NOW...the anger of the liberal left has shown through. For years, we have been told to accept, tolerate and practically support marriage for homosexual Americans or we were bigoted. If you didn't want homosexual Americans to get married, you were homophobic. Really? I didn't know if you disagreed with someone that you were then ill-informed and insensitive (also the terms Steven Waldman of the Huffington Post uses to describe Warren in his "defense of Warren"). BTW...Don't even get me started on how "tolerant" the Huffington Post is. There is more hatred toward religion and conservatives on that webpage than you can imagine. But I digress...

I am shocked that the same tolerance I show to homosexual Americans (of whose lifestyle choice I disagree with) is not shown to a preacher who has done more work against poverty in America, who gives 90% of his earnings to charity (beat that Rosie and Barbara) and who has given hope to MILLIONS of Americans through his AMAZING book "The Purpose Driven Life". In fact...that same Huffington Post article has these comments on it:

His one stance on homosexuality simply outweighs anything else he preaches. He is not a good choice & i absolutely disagree with Obama on this one. -doublels

This debate/outrage is good as it has brought to light the true nature of Warren, and the injustices he perpetuates against a minority group. (I'm from the rural South, I don't know anyone who is gay but have seen the ignorance of racism all my life) Warren's attitude toward gay citizens is no different than the Klan's attitude toward blacks. Hate is hate, regardless of which robe is being worn. -
ncmom54

Why reward hateful behavior and slap the face of the gay community who overwhelmingly rallied to support Barack Obama? It"s unsettling and incongruous. Are we supposed to embrace Creationists now? Do we pat the backs of people fighting to stop any stem cell research? - JacklynD

So where is the tolerance my friends? Rick Warren does not believe homosexual marrige should exist in America...where is tolerance from those disagreeing with him? The liberal left needs to practice and preach it's own message. I thought we were supposed to welcome those to the table those who we disagreed with. ALL RICK WARREN IS DOING IS SAYING THE INAUGURATION PRAYER. I suppose the only way to solve this would be to have a gay American pastor say the prayer? Come on people...you preach tolerance. Let's act it out.

Saturday Morning Cartoon

Can't get enough of Super Golden Crisp... it's cartoon time!

19 December 2008

The Coming Week

Loyal readers of The Pajama Pundit --

The coming week is going to be a busy one for many Americans, and it is no different for Yours Truly. As I will be headed to family gatherings, church services, holiday parites and hosting guests at my house, I am unsure of the frequency of my posting. I will continue to post, but likely not at my usual pace.

I will also be posting some special clips of my favorite holiday TV junk. It will be nothing compared to the awesome collection of 'hathos' that others have compiled, but it will be my contribution nonetheless.

To all of my blogospheric friends I wish you Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, a festve Kwanzaa, a solemn Ramadan and to those who do not worship (or for those faiths whom I have missed) a warm and cozy winter season. Thank you for reading this blog (and contributing) and I hope you will continue to stop by in 2009.

Happy Holidays to all!

John McCain On The Auto-Bailout

He doesn't like it:
I regret the President's decision to give away over $17 billion to the domestic automakers... I find it unacceptable that we would leave the American taxpayer with a tab of tens of billions of dollars while failing to receive any serious concessions from the industry.
If John McCain had talked this way back in October, he would have looked very different in the eyes of many people voters.

$17 Billion Auto-Industry Bailout

... and Ford Motors says, 'no thanks'?

Wow. That's some serious restraint.

More On Rick Warren

Steven Waldman at the Huffington Post writes:
[Rick Warren is] mostly about God. Yes, he says things that are controversial and, I believe, is sometimes ill-informed and insensitive. But The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose of Christmas barely mention the hot-botton culture war issues. He has his views on those issues but really believes that getting right with God is most important thing.

For Obama, picking Warren for the inauguration is a smart move. George W. Bush chose Franklin Graham, a hard-right evangelical to do his prayer. Instead of retaliating by choosing a liberal preacher, Obama opted for spiritual bipartisanship. The move helps to depoliticize prayer -- which, of course, is very politically shrewd.
There is also an extremely interesting tid-bit in there about how much Warren tithes. Read the rest here.

Happy Birthday


Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law! As you'll recall, my father-in-law's birthday was two days ago. Today, it's her turn. Yeah, their birthdays are a mere two days apart.

Happy birthday Barb!

The Chicken Or The Egg?

My son just asked me this question:
Daddy? When there are fish in a pond, how did the very first fish get there? [his emphasis]
Yikes. My kid is really deep. No pun intended.

The Other Preacher

Rick Warren is getting quite a bit most of the attention in discussions about the Inauguration Day ceremonies. Jonathan Martin looks at the preacher who is giving the benediction:
That would be the Rev. Joseph Lowery, a Methodist preacher, former president of the SCLC and lion of the civil rights movement.

They make for an interesting bookend, Warren and Lowery, and offer a nod to the political coalition Obama would surely like to put together in 2012. One is representative of the new vanguard of the Christian Right, socially conservative but interested in a broader portfolio than Falwellian culture warring. The other embodies the black community's old guard, the "Moses" generation that toiled outside the very political establishment which Obama came up through.

...

He may be an old-time preacher from the Deep South, but Lowery has been outspoken on the topic. In fact, he even brought it up in his King eulogy, pointing out that the widow of the slain civil rights leader had, like him, "frowned on homophobia." It's at the 3:55 mark, but the whole thing is a tour de force and worth the watch.
There is accompanying video of Rev. Lowery speaking as well. Check it out.

A Whole New Meaning To The Term 'Flamers'

Ew:
According to a press release, "The King is setting hearts ablaze for the holidays with his new scent of choice. FLAME™, a new men's body spray by Burger King Corp., features the scent of seduction with the hint of flame-broiled meat..."
Get your meat on. Grease sold separately.

Obama, Warren And Pissed-Off Progressives


I've been putting off talking about stories that relate to the gay community because equality is an issue that really gets my blood boiling.

For the record, I was against California's Proposition 8. Period. End of story. It more-than-shocked me when California, a state that Republicans often point-a-finger and decry is that bastion of liberalism, voted to define marriage as 'between one man and one woman'. [Side note: it seems to me that before Mitt Romney ran for president, the 'marriage definers' always said "between man and woman" when defining marriage. Coincidence?]

I believe that marriage is a state of person, not government. The Wikipedia entry for marriage says:
Marriage is a social, religious, spiritual, or legal union of individuals. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding and the married status created is sometimes called wedlock.

Marriage is an institution in which interpersonal relationships (usually intimate and sexual) are acknowledged by the state, by religious authority, or both.
...
People marry for many reasons, but usually one or more of the following: legal, social, and economic stability; the formation of a family unit; procreation and the education and nurturing of children; legitimizing sexual relations; public declaration of love; or to obtain citizenship.
...which I think is a pretty good description.

I am a straight man. I recognize that my opinions are likely very different from those of a gay man (or woman) because I have a very different worldview. However, I have gay friends and family members whom I love very much and would like the world to recognize as being completely equal to me in every way. The idea that someone cannot 'marry' their partner simply because they have a different attraction than I do sickens me to no end. But, having gay friends and family members gives me only a glimpse into the struggle and I cannot begin to imagine how much something like Proposition 8 would make me feel if I were gay. I would never presuem to speak for someone who goes through that struggle everyday.

Okay, now the Rick-Warren-as-inaugural-speaker controversy.

I understand the politics. I know that the gay community has felt completely dismissed by the most recent Democratic administration. Bill Clinton talked a good talk, but when it came to actually standing up for equal rights for people who are gay, we got things like 'don't ask, don't tell' -- essentially a slap-in-the-face to gay service members. Barack Obama was built-up to be a breath-of-fresh-air for the gay rights movement. Inviting Rick Warren to speak at Obama's Inauguration Ceremony does not appear to be a step in the right direction (or is it the 'left' direction?).

However, I see it a little bit differently.

As far as I'm concerned, Rick Warren is as decent as Evangelical preachers go. Sure, he is socially conservative (to the max), but he strikes me as much more compassionate that uber-right-wingers like Pat "let's assassinate foreign leaders" Robertson, or the late Jerry "the Teletubbies are gay" Falwell. Conversely, I firmly believe that Rick Warren is out-of-his-gourd when he makes assertions that compare homosexuality to polygamy or incest. This is simply moronic in my view.

When Barack Obama was campaigning for the presidency, he made it crystal clear that he was/is against gay marriage -- but also against a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage. Obama explained to Americans (in Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, amongst other places) that he firmly believes in civil unions where benefits such as health insurance and hospital visitation rights are afforded to gay couples the same as straight couples. But still, he voiced his opposition to actually allowing gay couples to wed.

Now that Barack Obama has won the election and is preparing for Inauguration Day, he has named Rick Warren as a speaker (giving the opening invocation) and a guest on the deus for the historic ceremony. This has understandably enraged progressive activists, particularly in the gay community. While I understand the frustration and anger over the choice of Warren, I think that looking past the differences here is essential.

During the 2008 election season, Obama talked about a new politics in Washington. He spoke often of working with people with whom you disagree. I think that in this instance, Barack Obama is extending the proverbial olive branch to Evangelical Christians -- particularly those who did NOT vote for him on November 4th. Rick Warren himself recognizes this:
I commend President-elect Obama for his courage to willingly take enormous heat from his base by inviting someone like me, with whom he doesn't agree on every issue, to offer the Invocation at his historic Inaugural ceremony.

Hopefully individuals passionately expressing opinions from the left and the right will recognize that both of us have shown a commitment to model civility in America.
However, just because Barack Obama has asked Rick Warren to speak on Inauguration Day does not mean that Obama and Warren see eye-to-eye on every issue.

At National Review, Byron York writes:
[So] why are gay groups so angry, knowing that Obama opposes gay marriage? In the end, it seems that the reason for the anger is that, no matter what Obama says, a number of gay activists appear to believe the president-elect is, deep down, with them on the issue. “He’s stated his support for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, he spoke out against Proposition 8, he’s against the Federal Marriage Amendment, he’s for full civil unions and domestic partnerships, he’s for the repeal of Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell,” [Human Rights Campaign spokesman Brad] Luna said. “He’s with us on all the issues of concern to our community except classifying relationships with the term marriage.” So what if Obama says he believes marriage is between one man and one woman; his positions, especially his support of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, seem to suggest otherwise. That’s why the choice of Warren seemed such a betrayal.
A betrayal? I'm not so sure. But, I will concede that the timing could have been a little better. With Proposition 8 passing in California just weeks ago, the sting of defeat is still very fresh in the minds and hearts of those who opposed it -- and Warren was an active supporter of the measure. But Obama was against Prop 8 and made that position well-known.

It's a tough issue, to be sure. I go back-and-forth with it, but in the end I have to follow my gut and my gut tells me that Obama is not (intentionally) dissing the gay community by asking Warren to speak. Barack Obama simply wants to make good on his politically inclusive rhetoric. He wants to hear from all sides of a position -- and Rick Warren differs greatly with Obama on many policial issues.

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on this...

------
Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

BREAKING: Auto Bailout, Part Deux

More from Politico:
The White House announces a $17.4 billion bailout for auto manufacturers, with a demand that they present a plant to become profitable “soon.” The taxpayer assistance will go to GM and Chrysler in the form of loans, which can be called in by the government on March 31 if the firms don’t present acceptable plans for “viability.”
Is anyone surprised?

BREAKING: Auto Bailout

From Politico:
President Bush will make an announcement at 9 a.m. Eastern today about an auto bailout, the White House said. The plan is likely to include taxpayer assistance for GM and Chrysler in return for radical restructuring. And they will have to present a credible plan to become viable firms, according to administration sources.
Thoughts?

Oops!

Silly me. It's not Saturday yet!

I've been one-day-off all week long...

18 December 2008

Let It Snow!

No, you are not seeing things. It is indeed snowing.

Mmmm... festive.

Parents


The Pajama Parents came to visit today -- surprised me and the Pajama Kids.

Have a great weekend. My posting will resume on Monday.

17 December 2008

Chrysler Closing 30 Manufacturing Plants

Ouch:
Chrysler LLC said Wednesday that it is closing all 30 of its manufacturing plants for a month starting Friday as it seeks to counter the most severe downturn in U.S. auto sales in more than two decades. By extending the traditional two-week holiday shutdown period, the struggling Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automaker can adjust production to slowing demand and conserve cash.

In a statement Wednesday, Chrysler said tighter credit markets are keeping would-be buyers away from its showrooms. The company said its dealers are unable to close sales for buyers due to a lack of financing, and estimate that 20 to 25 percent of their volume has been lost due to the credit situation. Sales in November slid 47.1 percent.

Chrysler and larger rival General Motors Corp. have warned they could run out of cash within weeks without financial aid from Washington. Chrysler has said its cash will drop to $2.5 billion by Dec. 31, the minimum needed to meet payroll, pay suppliers and run the company. It would have trouble paying bills after the first of the year.

Operations will be idled at the end of the shift on Friday, Dec. 19th shift. the earliest plants will reopen is Jan. 19, 2009. A few plants will reopen on Jan. 26.
And so it begins...

Head nod: OB

Target Acropolis


Yesterday I talked about the unrest that has griped Greece and spread through out Europe. Today, those protesters have gone from high tech to ancient history by placing banners on the Acropolis.

Now, I honestly haven't decided one way or another how I feel about the cause the protesters are trying to fight for. The death of Alexandros is a tragic one. But as a person who studies history, especially that of Europe, these banners hanging off of one of the great works of the Ancient world certainly doesn't earn them any points in my book.

Certainly these people should every right to have their voices heard, but I feel that history should be respected and these banners cross the line.

Picture by Orestis Panagiotou / EPA and MSNBC.

Right On, Newt Gingrich

[It's a long quote, but please bear with me.]

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich addresses his own party's dumbass-ness:
I was saddened to learn that at a time of national trial, when a president-elect is preparing to take office in the midst of the worst financial crisis in over seventy years, that the Republican National Committee is engaged in the sort of negative, attack politics that the voters rejected in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles.

The recent web advertisement, "Questions Remain," is a destructive distraction. Clearly, we should insist that all taped communications regarding the Senate seat should be made public. However, that should be a matter of public policy, not an excuse for political attack.
In a time when America is facing real challenges, Republicans should be working to help the incoming President succeed in meeting them, regardless of his Party.

From now until the inaugural, Republicans should be offering to help the President-elect prepare to take office.

Furthermore, once President Obama takes office, Republicans should be eager to work with him when he is right, and, when he is wrong, offer a better solution, instead of just opposing him.

This is the only way the Republican Party will become known as the "better solutions" party, not just an opposition party. And this is the only way Republicans will ever regain the trust of the voters to return to the majority.

This ad is a terrible signal to be sending about both the goals of the Republican Party in the midst of the nation's troubled economic times and about whether we have actually learned anything from the defeats of 2006 and 2008.

The RNC should pull the ad down immediately.
I've made it painfully clear that in recent years I have become completely disgusted with the Republican party. I don't have tremendous love for the Democrats either, but -- as the GOP has overwhelmingly proven in the past eight years -- the Democrats are the much-lesser-of-two-evils right now.

All of that being said (and I can't believe that I'm about to type this) I completely agree with Newt Gingrich.

[*burp* Ugh. I just thew up in my mouth a little bit. ]

The former Speaker is absolutely correct that we should ALL be putting our partisan differences aside and working towards a common good right now. I would be saying the same thing if John McCain had won the election and it were a bunch of Democrats attacking him. Working to better our country knows no political party.

The United States of America is facing down problems the likes of which we have not seen in generations. An economy in the midst of collapse. An overstretched military fighting two wars. Someone please explain to me how nitpicking the incoming administration over some petty political b.s. is going to help solve our nation's woes. Oh wait, it's not.

Recently, I've discussed where I believe conservatism (and by proxy, the Republican party) is headed -- and where I think it should be headed. To that point, Mr. Gingrich echoes my thoughts when he says,
"[working with the president-elect] is the only way the Republican Party will become known as the "better solutions" party, not just an opposition party. And this is the only way Republicans will ever regain the trust of the voters to return to the majority." Indeed. How is it that the logic in Washington D.C. has become so toxic that even giving the appearance of bipartisanship is a bad thing? If the GOP continues down the 'path to the Dark Side', they will never regain a majority in the House or Senate -- much less the Executive branch.

And with this kind of partisan display, that's probably a good thing.

...then the cynic in me thinks, 'Gingrich might just be saying this because he's going to run for president in 2012...'

The Couple Is Registered At Target...

Crazy.
Drew Peterson is engaged to a 23-year-old woman.

Peterson's publicist Glen Selig confirms that the engagement happened a few days ago.
Which is crazier though; the fact that some woman is willing to get engaged to Drew Peterson -- or the fact that Drew Peterson has a publicist?

Head nod: OB

And The 'Person Of The Year' Goes To...

Not-so-surprising when you think about it.

I mean, the odds were stacked against him -- except for that whole 'the Bush administration f**ked everything up for Republicans' thingy.

But other than that...

Happy Birthday


Happy Birthday to my father-in-law. I know that the chances that he reads this blog are slim-to-none -- but I thought that I would offer my glad tidings into the ether anyway. Happy birthday Jim!

A Letter To Santa


Head nod: Rebecca

To My WoW Buddies

Watch your back:
On a gamer forum, a vigorous discussion about whether it's fair for employers to discriminate against World of Warcraft players when hiring, on the grounds that WoW players are never fully out of the game.
I think, in a weird way, this is a civil-rights issue. Can an employer discriminate potential employees based on their on-line gaming preferences?

Real Issues: The War In Iraq

Chris Matthews is still talking about it:

The Jews Get Blamed (Again)

An excerpt from Patrick Tyler's forthcoming book, A World of Trouble via The Atlantic's Jeffery Goldberg:
A servant appeared with a bottle. Tenet knocked back some of the scotch. Then some more. They watched with concern. He drained half the bottle in a few minutes.

"They're setting me up. The bastards are setting me up," Tenet said, but "I am not going to take the hit."
...
"According to one witness, he mocked the neoconservatives in the Bush administration and their alignment with the rlght wing of Israel's political establishment, referring to them with exaxperation as, "the Jews."
Now, I'm no lover of the Bush administration or the neo-conservative movement. But really gang? The Jews? When are people going to realize that it's not one particular race or religion that is to blame for the problems of the world (I'm looking at you Mel Gibson)?

Honestly.

Scary

*shudder*
Russian warships have been plying the waters off Venezuela and Panama in recent weeks and are now heading for Cuba, but U.S. officials are not so much wringing their hands as yawning.

Asked about a Russian warship transiting the Panama Canal earlier this month, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — who saw the ship while crossing the canal last week — told The Associated Press: "I guess they're on R&R. It's fine."
Man, Rice isn't even trying, is she? 'I guess they are on R&R'? That's the best she's got?

Lame duck for sure.

'Santa Claus Will Take You To Hell'

Yeah.
So get this fact straight: you're feeling God's hate, Santa's to blame for the economy's fate...
Douches.

McCain Moments

Short-Circuit Citi

Groan.
Customers of New York City-based Citibank have lost access to much of their account information because of a computer outage.

Many of the troubled bank's clients haven't been able to retrieve account details online or by telephone since Tuesday afternoon. Others can access only parts of their account profiles.
So, I guess I should keep an eye on my account activity then?

Blago-Free Zone

I have to admit folks, I am sick and tired of this scandal.

As far as I can tell, Barack Obama was not in any way involved with the creepy goings-on of the disgraced Illinois governor. If that changes, then I will have to revisit my ruling here.

Henceforth, this will be a Blagojevich Scandal-free-blog. Period.

There are far too many more important matters to discuss (or make fun of) than worry about a potty-mouthed, insatiably crooked governor with a dirty-sounding name.

[note: this is my own personal declaration and does not prohibit the other contributors on this blog from writing about the topic]

Break Out The Duck

Ahem:
NBC News has confirmed that former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack will be named Agriculture secretary.
My guess is that we will see the return of the Vilsack Duck on The Daily Show. Maybe.

Anyone remember the Vilsack Duck?

16 December 2008

2 Years for Shoeing

Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi could recieve up to 2 years in jail for the crime of publicly insulting a foreign state, an international organization or a foreign country's head of state.

From MSNBC

UPDATE: (12/17) According to Richard Engel on the today show this morning the official charge is assaulting a head of state and he could get up to 15 years.

Voice in the Wire

Late in the evening of December 6th, in the Exarcheia district of central Athens, 15 year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos was out with friends. Shortly after 9pm the group became part of a confrontation with members of the Greek Police. Alexandros was shot and killed.

In the days following the killing Alexandros became a symbol of a growing frustration among Greek youth over the country's growing economic problems, rising unemployment, and a general perception of an inefficient and corrupt Greek government.

Riots in Athens over the death quickly spread like through out the country and then through out the whole of Europe.

The speed at which the riots spread has in part been attributed to organizers using text messaging and the internet as a means of spreading their message and setting up meeting locations. In an article to the Associated Press, Paul Have wrote...
At least some of the protests were organized over the Internet, showing how quickly the message of discontent can be spread, particularly among tech-savvy youth. One Web site Greek protesters used to update each other on the locations of clashes asserted there have been sympathy protests in nearly 20 countries.
This isn't the first time we have seen the internet become a tool of the disenfranchised as a means of organizing protests.

When California passed Proposition 8 on November 4th, a wave of Anti-Prop 8 web sites such as Join the Impact, appeared on the web as a means of directing information to protesters and to organize events such as the Nationwide protest of November 15th and upcoming December 20th "Light Up The Night For Equality".

Even in tightly controlled China, the internet has been used to organize people to effect change in government policies and stop construction of a chemical plant.

The internet is still basically in its infancy and the genie is out of the bottle. It's difficult to imagine just how the civil rights movement of the 1960's would have progressed had the internet been available. Imagine watching Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech as a live web cast or if Rosa Parks could have texted all her friends to join her in sitting at the front of buses all over the country on the same day.

Often, as individuals, we feel somewhat powerless against those with power, whether it be government, or the vocal majority. We sit in our homes feeling sorry for ourselves and saying "I can't do anything about my situation so I'll just make the best of it." What we don't realize is that we are rarely if ever truly alone.

Auto-Maker Bailout: I'm Confused

An argument against the auto-bailout, summed-up nicely:
Financial markets are supposed to allocate capital and monitor that it is used to good effect. They are supposed to be rewarded when they do that job well, but bear the consequences when they fail. The markets failed. Wall Street’s focus on quarterly returns encouraged the short-sighted behaviour that contributed to their own demise and that of America’s manufacturing, including the automotive industry. Today, they are asking to escape accountability. We should not allow it.
Makes sense to me.

But, please do not misunderstand, I'm not a heart-less, callous bastard. I do have sympathy for workers who have just been doing their jobs. It's the yahoos that 'run the joint' that I'd love to take out back to the woodshed.

I don't know what the ideal solution to this problem is. I'm not a financial guru (otherwise I would not still be paying down credit card debt from college). What I do know is that Americans don't want to foot the bill for companies that fail.

Face(ed)book

Doh!
An Australian lawyer has served legal documents on a couple via Facebook in what is thought to be a world first, his firm said on Tuesday.

Mark McCormack used the Internet to track down the pair after they defaulted on a large loan and was given permission by the Australian courts to use the social networking site to file papers against them.
Head nod: OB

The Truthers

This is a post by Patrick Appel while he was substitute blogging at the Daily Dish. In it, he makes the argument that the quest to discover the 'truth' behind Sarah Palin's baby Trig is, frankly, quite asinine. I have replaced all references to Sarah Palin, and replaced them with references to Barack Obama and the birth certificate 'truthers'. It fits quite well, I must say:
The easiest way to disprove these conspiracy theories [about Barack Obama] is to consider what would be required for them to be true. ... [He] would have needed to get friends to lie about [his American citizenship]. [He] would have had to silence an entire community – including [all relatives and friends-of-family] – while the national media and the National Enquirer snooped around. Implausible to say the least.

I don't believe [Barack Obama] is capable of pulling off such a cover-up. And, like [The Pajama Pundit and other people who voted for Barack Obama], I don't understand what is being accomplished by continued investigation.
To say nothing of the birth certificate and other info that disputes these ridiculous claims. Get over it gang. Seriously.

Coming...


... soon. To a t-shirt vendor near you. Or online.

15 December 2008

X-Men Origins: Wolverine


Two words: Hell. Yes.

More Shoey Madness

Marc Ambinder has a second-by-second account of the shoe-vent. My favorite moment? Eight seconds into the situation, just after the shoeter loosed his size tens at the president:
0:08: From the back, several more security agents push through the row of cameras and help the agents who are struggling on the floor with the shoe-thrower. It is at this point that White House press secretary Dana Perino gets whacked in the eye with a boom mic.
Ouch.

2009 Guesses

Rod Dreher worries about his job in 2009:
What do you think's going to happen in '09? Seriously.

I wish I could think clearly enough to offer anything, even something semi-demi-hemi-baked. The only prediction I can focus on right now is my belief that there's a 50 percent chance that by this time next year, I'll be unemployed.
He and probably 50% of Americans are feeling insecure with their jobs right now.

Hell, I feel that way and I'm a stay-at-home-dad...

Who else has predictions for 2009?

15 December, 1791

On this date in 1791, The Bill Of Rights was placed into effect as it had been ratified by three-quarters of the States.

Happy Bill Of Rights Day.

Shrek It Up


From The Beast:
Amidst all the Broadway closings, those looking to catch a musical this winter will have at least one new option: Shrek the Musical. Ben Brantley at The New York Times has a surprising review: "Shrek, for the record, is not bad."
'Bad' indeed. I just don't understand how there could be a 'not that' in front of it. Ugh.

------
Photo:Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Dynamite Urban Development


This is Shaun Donovan, president-elect Barack Obama's pick for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

OB points out that there seems to be a striking resemblance to Napoleon Dynamite. He then continues his nerditude by hypothesizing a Napoleon-Dynamite-as-HUD-Secretary quote: "You'll get whatever housing development I put you in, gosh."

So much for our civilized political discourse, eh?

------
Photo: Getty Images

Yankees Build Stronger Pitching Line-Up

Another scoop by Andy Borowitz:
In their latest bid to beef up their pitching rotation for the 2009 season, the New York Yankees today signed Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zeidi to a three-year deal worth $32 million.

The right-handed al-Zeidi, 28, impressed the Yankee scouts with his performance in Baghdad yesterday when he threw both of his shoes at President George W. Bush.
I've watched the video several times and it never ceases to both amaze and entertain.

REALLY?!


Thank you Amy... you are so funny and have been a fantastic part of the SNL cast. You will be missed.

LogObama


An extremely interesting article on the growth and development of the Obama campaign logos.

It also takes a peek at some of the 'rejected' versions of the logo.

More John McCain

Like his comments about Obama, I'm sure that this nugget will likely not play well with the base:
Speaking to ABC's "This Week," McCain was asked whether Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin could count on his support. "I can't say something like that. We've got some great other young governors. I think you're going to see the governors assume a greater leadership role in our Republican Party," he said, citing Governors Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jon Huntsman of Utah.

McCain said he has "the greatest appreciation for Governor Palin and her family, and it was a great joy to know them. She invigorated our campaign" against Barack Obama for the presidency.

Pressed on why he can't promise support for the woman who, just months ago, he named as the second best person to lead the nation, McCain responded that "now we're in a whole election cycle. Have no doubt of my admiration and respect for her and my view of her viability, but at this stage, again … my corpse is still warm, you know?"
Cue Hannity, Limbaugh, et al losing their minds in 3... 2... 1...

Hard Wuerk


-M.Wuerker, Wuerking Drawings

John McCain Plays Nicely

...with Barack Obama. John McCain reminds everybody why the GOP really doesn't like him:
I think that the Obama campaign should and will give all information necessary. You know, in all due respect to the Republican National Committee and anybody -- right now, I think we should try to be working constructively together, not only on an issue such as this, but on the economy stimulus package, reforms that are necessary. And so, I don't know all the details of the relationship between President-elect Obama's campaign or his people and the governor of Illinois, but I have some confidence that all the information will come out. It always does, it seems to me.
Alas, this is why I like(d) him. He wants to play nice -- when he's not in a tough election battle.

Thank You, Rod Blagojevich

Christopher Buckley wishes to gives thanks to Rod Blagojevich. Reason number One (and my favorite):
Thank heavens Mr. Fitzgerald has given us another juicy political crisis to keep our mind off bailouts, the greatest economic crisis since the Depression, and our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. For a minute there, it looked we were might have to concentrate on The Big Picture. How much more diverting to focus on the villainy of a potty-mouthed Illinois pol. He manages to make Rahm Emanuel sound like an altar boy.
Mmmm... you can almost taste the snark.

Worst Luck Ever?

Suddenly my life doesn't look that bad anymore. Poor guy. This guy being murdered while working security at a popular night club on Friday night was just the end of a really hard few years.
"He was basically trying to rebuild his life," his brother, Leland Minnick, 63, said Saturday.

In recent years, Minnick had gone through two divorces.

A bank foreclosed on the 48-year-old's Montbello home.

He moved into a mobile home, which was destroyed by fire in February 2007. His dog was killed.

Minnick had an Internet business, Intertec Web Solutions, which tanked because much of his clients' data burned in the fire. He declared bankruptcy in October.

Then another brother died of a massive heart attack last month.

"He was struggling to put everything back together," Leland Minnick said.

What Could Go Wrong?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Crocs?
A crocodile colony at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Homestead, Fla., has grown to about 400 of the big reptiles.

The National Wildlife Federation calls the sanctuary, which emerged about three decades ago, a "crocodile Eden," The Miami Herald reported Sunday.
Shredder better watch this back.

14 December 2008

Beware The Flying Shoes


That dude must be pissed! I was actually more startled by the slow-response from the Secret Service...

Head nod: B-Diddy

Happiness Is...


Going Christmas tree hunting with your grandfather.

13 December 2008

Saturday Morning Cartoon

Finish up that bowl of trix... it's cartoon time!

12 December 2008

General Motors Closing 20 Factories

'Temporarily':
General Motors Corp. said Friday it will temporarily close 20 factories across North America and make sweeping cuts to its vehicle production as it tries to adjust to dramatically weaker automobile demand.
Yeah. That can't be good.

'Multiple-Kill Vehicle'

Be afraid*. Be very afraid.

*Okay, not so much you. More like anyone who seeks to use ballistic missiles on the United States.

Bring it on.

Wow.

Here is a post that is a couple of weeks old, and received a new comment today. A comment that I feel is worthy of some spotlight action:
Maybe if colmbs had some ligit arguments instead of getting his but whipped everynight liberal puke
Totally worth it.

Dear Anonymous:

Please see here. That is all.

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