Angry white people protest that other angry white people will pay a little more in taxes – no one notices

The U.S. military could kill everyone in Iraq, Iran and even Sweden, for that matter, and the only protest you’ll hear from most is that we aren’t killing fast enough. Raise taxes on the tiny wealthy minority by a couple percent, however, and it’s revolution time. Oh yeah, and budget deficits. They matter now, it seems.

Sadly, no one noticed these protests as the liberal media refused to report on them. Except when they did. But these pocketbook patriots at Tea Party events around the nation were at least able to stay focused on the problem at hand.

Mostly. And few seemed ready to “Go John Galt” anytime soon,

–WKW

No one expects a blogaround – Volcanic Edition II

• Tom’s Astronomy Blog: Mt. Redoubt in Alaska erupts, here’s more info.
• Shakesville: What’s wrong with the girls?
• Blue Gal: Sitting on the (virtual) Left Bank, watching the (class) war go by.
• Whiskey Fire: When Night Ranger or Paula Abdul is a better option than NPR.
• I Eat Gravel: Elwood likes bats. I don’t.
• Michael Sackett’s Photography Blog: Some stylish shots of the Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.
• Fire Dog Lake: Timothy Geithner: Making Countrywide Executives Rich Again.

–WKW

Brazilian Bishop makes himself look even more evil in interview

Brazilian Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, facing a firestorm of criticism over excommunicating the mother and doctors of a 9-year-old girl who received an abortion after being impregnated with twins following being raped by her stepfather, spoke to the Brazilian magazine Veja recently. And he only managed to make himself look more twisted and evil.

In the interview, Sobrinho says, among other things:

– That everyone gets upset about Hitler killing six million Jews but no one says anything about the 50 million abortions in the world.

– Getting an abortion or being a physician that does an abortion is subject to automatic excommunication. He goes on to say that there are nine ways to be automatically kicked out, including assaulting the Pope. Translation: You can rape and impregnate a 9-year-old girl and you’re cool. Punch the Pope and you’re out.

– He relays a story about a doctor he calls a “Hero.” Seems a very poor mother went to this doctor with a child in tow. She told the doctor she was pregnant and needed an abortion as she was too poor to care for another child. The doctor pointed to her child and said “How about I kill this child and then you can afford to raise the one you’re pregnant with?” The woman left the doctor and did not get the abortion.

– He had planned to have a party for when he baptized the twins if they had been born. If they had been born, BTW, the young girl would have very likely died.

– Finally, in the epitome of detached evilness: When asked if he knew the 9-year-old girl’s name, neither the bishop, nor five of his assistants knew.

You look at this story and you think “what an evil bastard.” But the fact is that he was just doing the Vatican’s bidding, and the Catholic Church has his back. They are truly a sick group.

–WKW

George W. Bush unveils marketing plan for new book

George W. Bush – famed for starting two open-ended wars and leaving in the U.S. economy in complete shambles – has announced he will be penning a book tentatively called “Decision Points.”

Included in the announcement was the marketing strategy for the new book. The marketing strategy will be multi-layered, leading up to it’s anticipated release in 2010 by Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House. The strategy includes:

1. Check if Blackwater has any writers on their staff and privatize the authorship of the book.
2. Create an early buzz for the book and build a sense of anticipation. Have Cheney go on Meet the Press and state that not buying the book would almost assuredly be fatal. Have other surrogates go on other news shows pushing the talking point that if people don’t buy the book here, terrorists will come here and read it to them. Keep this going non-stop for six months, while denying it’s actually happening.
3. Have Bush take a six-month vacation at the Ranch.
4. Divert 90 percent of publicity budget to the audio book. Get Cheney back on “Meet the Press” to tell the public that the real threat will come if they don’t listen to the book.
5. Have Bush wear really tight pants, thus winning the endorsements of media types like Chris Matthews.
6. Have Bush do just one interview prior to publication, with Fox News’ Glenn Beck, who is reportedly quite populist.
7. Cover Crown Publishing Group’s headquarters with kindling and old newspapers and douse with gasoline. Shoot flaming arrows at it.
8. Have the President watch disinterestedly as Crown Publishing Group burns to the ground just prior to the final release of the book. Say there was no way anyone could have anticipated it and blame liberals. Congratulate printers on a job well done. Salt the Earth.
9. Decide to abandon the project and leave the whole thing for some one else to deal with.

–WKW

Jesus Christ returns to Earth – punches Pope in face, leaves again

Jesus Christ – a leading figure in modern Christianity – returned to Earth today after a nearly 2,000-year hiatus. The Second Coming was cut short, however, as Christ, 37, went directly to the Vatican and punched Pope Benedict XVI square in the mouth. Jesus then ascended back to heaven.

While a bloodied Benedict had no comment, Christ put out a press release shortly before his ascension.

“My children, it is not my time yet,” read the statement in part. “But someone had to give that A-hole a good face punching, and the buck stops here.”

According to reports, Christ delivered a vicious right cross to the Pontiff’s mouth, healed him, then punched him again and left without saying a word. In his press release, Christ made it clear he was not happy with the leader of the Catholic Church.

“Ok, I’m sorry for the language, but this prick is running around hugging Holocaust deniers and telling people in AIDS-ravaged nations that condoms hurt in the fight against HIV. And this d***head is supposed to be speaking for me?”

Reaction from the Christian community was quick, but quickly quelled in divine fashion. Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren was the first – and only – religious leader to speak out.

“This is not the Christ I worship,” said Warren. “This is a Christ who refuses to damn homosexuals and obviously refuses to turn the other cheek.”

Warren was quickly rebuked in the form of a lightning strike and locust attack. Those near Warren at the time said they could clearly hear a voice ringing out from the heavens, which stated “Drive this purpose, Bitch.”

Christ gave no word on when the true Second Coming would take place, but stated that if humanity continues down its current path, it could be quite some time.

“This f***neck walks around in his mansion wearing ridiculous outfits,” wrote an apparently peeved Savior. “And then he has the nerve to judge others? This is just ridiculous.”

While Christ saved most his venom for the Pope and the Catholic Church, he also chastised Catholics and Christians around the globe.

“Did no one see the memo about worshiping false gods,” the statement read. “Seriously, people are freaking dying of hunger and you people are worshiping this clown? And what’s the deal with saying so many prayers to my Mom? She’s great and all, but I’m a f***ing God, people. Hellloo???”

Hours after Jesus’s second career ascension to heaven, the Vatican released a short statement of its own, telling followers that “we need your tithing now more than ever.”

-WKW

Words of Ick from the New York Times’ new conservative columnist

Let us read from the book of Douthat:

One successful foray ended on the guest bed of a high school friend’s parents, with a girl who resembled a chunkier Reese Witherspoon drunkenly masticating my neck and cheeks. It had taken some time to reach this point–”Do most Harvard guys take so long to get what they want?” she had asked, pushing her tongue into my mouth. I wasn’t sure what to say, but then I wasn’t sure this was what I wanted. My throat was dry from too much vodka, and her breasts, spilling out of pink pajamas, threatened my ability to. I was supposed to be excited, but I was bored and somewhat disgusted with myself, with her, with the whole business… and then whatever residual enthusiasm I felt for the venture dissipated, with shocking speed, as she nibbled at my ear and whispered–”You know, I’m on the pill…”

I know I’m somewhat disgusted with myself for reading that.

–WKW

Alex Rodriguez kisses up to himself

Remember: Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.

–WKW

Needle exchange a big step in ending the “War on Drug Users”

While the Pope holds tightly to dogma and sentences people to death by making them fear condoms, on this side of the pond reality is taking hold as the Obama Administration seems to understand that just yelling at intravenous drug users to quit, or jailing them, just isn’t working:

The Obama administration signalled today that it was ready to repudiate the prohibition and “war on drugs” approach of previous presidents, and steer policy towards prevention and “harm reduction” strategies favoured by Europe.

David Johnson, an assistant secretary of state, said the new administration would embrace policies supporting federally funded needle exchanges. The aim, he said, was to establish a policy based on public health needs. “This will result in a policy that is broader and stronger than the one we had in the past,” Johnson said on the sidelines of a UN drug strategy conference in Vienna.

His words come days after the nomination of the Seattle police chief, Gil Kerlikowske, to the post of director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the nation’s drug czar. Kerlikowske has built a reputation in Seattle for pursuing drug policies based on harm reduction. The state has an established needle exchange programme, has legalised marijuana for medicinal purposes and has made marijuana among the lowest priorities for law enforcement.

In a further sign of a new approach in Washington, congressional committee hearings last week heard lawmakers argue for a shift in national drug policy, largely in response to the rising drug-related violence seeping into the US from Mexico.

Those hearings followed a report by the former presidents of Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, which dubbed the war on drugs a “complete failure”. Ernesto Zedillo, César Gaviria and Henrique Cardoso, all conservative politicians, blamed the US emphasis on criminalisation for the continuing toll caused by drug trafficking, and called for an approach based on public health, including the legalisation of marijuana.

Johnson said the latest shift came as a result of a direct instruction from the new administration. “There was very much an official directive from Washington,” he told Reuters. “There was no confusion whatsoever. The [switch on] needle exchange was the clear signal of that.”

The “War on Drugs.” Just another worthless piece of rhetoric that made the righteous feel powerful. It’s long past the time for it to be shelved and for our government to act humanely. Because the “war” was never about getting rid of drugs, it was about getting rid of drug users that conservatives don’t accept.

–WKW

One-Liner: A vast left-wing conspiracy?

Like most vast left-wing conspiracies, no one seems to trust me enough to tell me what it actually is.

–WKW

Noam Chomsky may be persona non-grata in the U.S., but at least he has his own coloring book

I know this is incredibly naive, but it has consistently amazed me that far-right extremists like Charles Krauthammer, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, et al, have grand pulpits to stand on and shout their nonsense, while Noam Chomsky is considered the devil incarnate and completely excluded from the national debate.

But that’s the case, and likely will be for some time to come. Far-right = acceptable and embraced. Far-left = not acceptable and completely ignored.

But, hey, at least Chomsky has a coloring book dedicated to him.

–WKW

Pope: Condoms make AIDS problem worse

If there is one thing the Vatican can take credit for, it’s millions of AIDS-related deaths in Africa and elsewhere around the globe. And they aren’t about to slow down yet:

Benedict said that the Roman Catholic Church is in the forefront of the battle against AIDS.

“You can’t resolve it with the distribution of condoms,” the pope told reporters aboard the Alitalia plane headed to Yaounde. “On the contrary, it increases the problem.”

Benedict has it all backwards, of course. Condoms are at the forefront of the battle against AIDS, and the Roman Catholic Church only increases the problems.

–WKW

No one expects a blogaround – Bonus Edition VI

Let it now be known that no one affiliated with this web site will be accepting any bonuses this year.

• Digby: The U.S. takes all the risk and will reap none of the rewards for the $1 Trillion or so in financial bail outs.
• In The Pines: Ok, what the hell is Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne doing commenting at this blog?
• The Vanity Press: Of course Barack Obama is doing a lot of things at once. He’s the freakin’ President.
• Michelle Malkin: Shady AIG execs getting millions in bonuses? This is obviously Obama’s fault

.

• Endi Thinks: Conservatives are all about patriotism when they’re in charge – and all about treason when they aren’t.
• Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub: Only a few more shopping days until National Poetry Month.
• Mike the Mad Biologist: Incompetent Pseudo-Nationalization Is the Worst Policy.

–WKW

Real Time with Bill Maher jumps the shark

After watching last week’s episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher,” one thing is perfectly clear – the show and its host have jumped the shark.

Maher’s two guests on the show were Matt Drudge-creation Andrew Breitbart and Michael Eric Dyson. And it was Breitbart who truly dragged the show into mediocrity on that night. Endlessly repeating how the worst thing in the world was to be called a racist, Breitbart defended Rush Limbaugh’s racism and played the new GOP calling card – he’s not a Republican, he’s a Libertarian.

And while Breitbart’s fans may be all-consumed with their hero’s victimization – a schtick he continued after the show – the entire discussion was typical of any other panel show you’d see on any other network, aside from the fact they were allowed to say “fuck.” And Maher was no help either, as he seemed fixated on Social Security and who should get less of it.

After Dyson and Breitbart, Maher then tried to talk to Sarah Silverman about current events, obviously forgetting she’s Sarah Silverman and that she never stops her schtick. This is nothing against Silverman, but after Breitbart and Maher had ruined the first segment, her addition to the show made the whole venture seem like Maher doesn’t really give a crap.

As for Maher, it seems as though all he has in his arsenal is political incorrectness.But not even his crowd seemed to appreciate this, as groans outnumbered real laughs. It was uncomfortable.

With “Religulous,” Maher proved he can take on big topics in depth and with humor. With “Real Time,” however, Maher is obviously struggling for inspiration. Because should one turn the dial from HBO to Comedy Central, you’d see comedy and issues attacked in deep and meaningful ways. With big issues confronting the nation, Stewart is rising to the challenge. Maher, on the other hand, seems content to snarkily rest on his laurels.

This is a very complex time in U.S. history, and there are many issues that can be taken apart with both style and substance. By having Breitbart play victim, followed by Silverman making Jew jokes, it’s apparent that Maher has lost his way and has neither style nor substance at a time when both are needed.

>–WKW

Meghan McCain the latest to be eated by fringe Conservatives

It’s only about two months into Barack Obama’s new Democrat-dominated government, and Conservatives are striking back – at themselves.

The latest attack goes against Meghan McCain, who made the error of questioning one of conservatism’s shining stars, Ann Coulter. The retaliation was swift, angry, hate-filled and mostly targeted against McCain’s physique rather than her words:

Dan Riehl:

To be fair Meghan, you didn’t give her much to work with on the “ideological differences” front. Other than some slapped together it’s pop culture-ish so you should be cool with it positions, what is it you stand for when you aren’t writing of the travails of finding a guy to position your legs behind your ears and give you a good roll in the hay?

Robert Stacy McCain:

Meghan McCain announces she’s a “progressive Republican,” prompting Jimmie at Sundries Shack to say that a “cute caboose” is the only difference between David Frum and Crazy Cousin John’s daughter.

As I told Jimmie, I’ve never actually seen Meghan’s caboose, so he’s probably giving her too much credit. And Donald Douglas writes:

And on and on. The radical right will not go down with a fight and will take down anyone that disagrees with them in any way. They really are sort of like the Taliban in that way. All I know is that watching them eat their own is sort of fun. By 2012 the entire conservative movement will very likely be as fringe as Lyndon LaRouche.

For more on this, check out the Village Voice and Pandagon. Also, read McCain’s well-done response to people mocking her weight.

–WKW

England is pro-rape

For a nation that emulates Big Brother at nearly every turn, England is remarkably disinterested in rape. In fact, it’s really reached the point that you can safely say that England is a pro-rape nation:

Rape complaints were not classified as crimes by police

The Metropolitan police failed to investigate scores of rape allegations because officers did not record them as criminal offences, the Guardian has learned.

An internal review by Scotland Yard found that women who complained to police that they feared they may have been raped or suffered a serious sexual assault had their concerns dismissed in up to six London boroughs. In a breach of police policy, officers instead classed the incidents as crime related incidents [CRI], meaning the cases were not investigated properly, informed sources say.

Several women who believe they were victims of the black cab rapist John Worboys, suffered this fate, with their complaints not being classed as crimes. Worboys was convicted by a jury on Friday of 19 charges of drugging and sexually assaulting 12 of the women, in one case raping his victim.

The practice of dismissing women’s fears of rape and failing to class them as crimes is believed to have continued for several years and was ended last year. The review that identified the practice was triggered by the Worboys case.

When the procedure was corrected it led to a spike in recorded rape cases, up by 25% over the past year, at a time when overall crime in London fell.

According to Scotland Yard’s own figures, in the 12 months to December 2008, 2,366 rapes were recorded at the Met, compared with 1,897 in the year before – an increase of 469 recorded rapes. It is believed the bulk of this increase follows the error having been corrected.

Officers are told all allegations of rape should be investigated, unless there is strong evidence the claim is false. But this policy was ignored in six of the Met’s boroughs. One source said: “The object could have been a massaging of the figures or a misinterpretation of policy. There is some evidence of trying to keep the figures down.”

Throughout the UK, rape convictions are horrendously low .And the way they appear to want to handle it is by ignoring rape claims. And while they have attempted to fix these issues, the numbers and attitudes just don’t lie. Until some type of large national effort is made to protect women, England must be considered a pro-rape nation.

–WKW

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