Thursday, July 14, 2011
Thursday line
Posted by Max Brantley on Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 4:52 PM
The line is open. Final notes:
* FEDERAL JUDGESHIP: No word yet from Sen. Mark Pryor's office, but he's said to be close to sending new names to the White House for an open federal judgeship in the eastern district of Arkansas. Two we hear: Jane Duke, a member of the U.S. attorney's office who served as Interim U.S. Attorney, and Kris Baker. She's a lawyer in the Quattlebaum firm. ALSO: Today the Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed the nomination of Circuit Judge Susan Hickey of El Dorado to a federal judgeship in the western district of Arkansas. Instant analysis from Carl Tobias, a federal courts watcher who's Williams Professor of Law at the University of Richmond:
I think that she will be confirmed, but it may not be soon. [Sen. Charles] Grassley was pretty critical about her lack of trial experience,etc, but he still voted for her while warning that there may be debate on the floor. If the GOP agrees to that debate & vote, I think she will have the votes. When that will happen remains unclear, as even well qualified nominees with unanimous SJC votes are waiting months & the debt fight & ugly DC mood does not help on this front
* COPPER THIEVES: Police report theft of more than $5,000 in copper from 16 air conditioning units at the Bowman Curve Shopping Center, 400 Bowman Curve, Wednesday night. Security video may have captured the thief at work.
Speaking of...
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Kris Baker of Little Rock confirmed for federal judgeship
May 7, 2012It took some doing, but the Senate today finally confirmed 14 pending judgeship nominations, including that of Kris Baker of Little Rock for a vacancy for a federal judgeship for the Eastern District of Arkansas. /more/
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Monday night line
March 12, 2012It begins. Closing out: * JUDICIAL VOTE: Glenn Sugameli, staff attorney at Judging the Environment, Defenders of Wildlife, calls my attention to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's announced intention to call a cloture vote on an effective Republican filibuster of 17 federal district judge nominations, including Kristine Baker of Little Rock. /more/
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Time for Boozman to speed up judicial nominee
March 6, 2012Coincidence. I wrote Glenn Sugamelli this morning. /more/
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Arkansas judgeship caught in Republicans' holdup
February 28, 2012Glenn Sugameli, staff attorney for Judging the Environment, Defenders of Environment, updates me periodically on progress of federal judicial nominations. /more/
- More »
Comments (59)
Showing 1-50 of 59
THE FIRST AMENDMENT GAVE FOX NEWS THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO HACK CALLS FROM 911 VICTIMS. STOP THE PERSECUTION NOW.
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This is too funny not to share and it's only 12 seconds from the wild-eyed presidential canidate whose husband may be on the down-low.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=playe…
So I’m Mike Huckabee with my FOX News gig and this big mortgage on my Spanish Revival beachfront bunker down there in Destin which isn’t even finished yet much less furnished or moved-into and my boss, Rupert Murdoch, who was heretofore like Jesus and indestructible and walked on water is suddenly tanking across the pond and it sounds like over here too and everybody’s hinky today about, you know, their futures, including my immediate boss Roger Ailes who works for Rupert too and this is NOT a happy-making day.
Everybody knows what’s happening and this New York Magazine piece with Frank Rich and Adam Moss isn’t helping.
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/07/conve…
My first response was to get down on my knees and pray. So I did the prayer thing and then called my buddy Chuck Norris but I guess he’s out cutting a ribbon at another new strip-mall in Plano or something because he hasn’t called me back yet.
I’m not big on women’s intuition because they’re subservient and I put my trust in my Faith instead. But when Janet called earlier and said, “Should we be worried?” I have to admit that Satan flung a Doubt Dart at the pit of my stomach. But I’m The Man. So I reassured her, “No, honey. We’ll be fine.”
Though, you know. This affects a whole lot of stuff. FOX, the Wall Street Journal, I mean . . . governments, politicians, the police . . . so it’s really good I have my Faith.
I figure I can always fall back on preaching.
Anyhoo, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Viper -- A few months back one church had $40k in damages performed for $500 in copper. Here's the story: http://arkansasmatters.com/news-fulltext?n…
Then these thefts on Bowman, the church on Rahling road, several others... We were remodeling a house in The Heights last summer only to arrive one morning to find all the copper water pipes gone.
Then, the Darwin awards go to the fools who enter the Entergy substations and steal copper where one wrong step is instant death... i.e. the Hwy 10 substation copper theft a year or two ago.
I realize I am naive, but I would like to think there was a line even criminals wouldn't cross -- like with the community centers and churches. Just sad to think of people being so numb and absorbed to do such harm to others for such little in return.
Michele and Prancer "You Big Silly" Bachmann receive $161,000 ANNUALLY from Medicaid and other state and federal funding, for their scientifically discredited Christian "ex-gay" reparative therapy clinic.
Plus OTHER federal funds for their other enterprises.
After Michele's fist-pumping demands for federal spending cutbacks for just such programs? After Michele's lying about it to Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday?"
You betcha.
Question being posed across the web? Does Medicaid fund witch doctors too?
http://openchannel.msnbc.msn.com/_news/201…
Happy Bastille Day. In celebration, have fun building scaffolds, sharpening blades, and knitting.
Hey Yossarian beat me to it...
Here's a brief history of this date in 1789, the blood bath and taking of stone
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/bast…
One of those very small, bordered ads on page 3B of today’s ArkD-G:
OBAMA/BIDEN BUMPER STICKER REMOVER KITS $20.12
Satisfaction Guaranteed
For more information listen to “The Deacon on 880” AM radio show Saturday from 2:00-3:00 pm
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The incessant hatred astounds. But money is money. Thus, it would not surprise if the Arkansas Times, too, would accept this ad.
.
Question: How to get large numbers of grannies for freedom, working class heroes to cast aside their own interests and support the Koch-Funded agenda of the Tea Party?
Sometimes clear and unbiased account is found from outsiders looking in.
"Mass psychosis in the US "
"Has America become a nation of psychotics? You would certainly think so, based on the explosion in the use of antipsychotic medications. In 2008, with over $14 billion in sales, antipsychotics became the single top-selling therapeutic class of prescription drugs in the United States, surpassing drugs used to treat high cholesterol and acid reflux.
Once upon a time, antipsychotics were reserved for a relatively small number of patients with hard-core psychiatric diagnoses - primarily schizophrenia and bipolar disorder - to treat such symptoms as delusions, hallucinations, or formal thought disorder. Today, it seems, everyone is taking antipsychotics. Parents are told that their unruly kids are in fact bipolar, and in need of anti-psychotics, while old people with dementia are dosed, in large numbers, with drugs once reserved largely for schizophrenics. Americans with symptoms ranging from chronic depression to anxiety to insomnia are now being prescribed anti-psychotics at rates that seem to indicate a national mass psychosis."
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opini…
Did y'all see this item????
http://arkansasmatters.com/fulltext/?nxd_i…
All that expense of purchasing a pricey wedding gown can now be ear-marked for more kegs at the A-T wedding reception! (Kizzy, you're off the hook, my friend. Save those food stamps).
I fit all of the requirements because I'm engaged and my intended has been deployed within the last five years. Yippee! Free dress for me!!!
My newest bridesmaid, Mountaingirl, and HHW have agreed to come along for the fitting to give me "Straight Eye for the Queer Girl'' assistance.
I'd love for Norma to fly in from LA, but I think that would be an imposition given that she's waving all her fees for the expected blockbuster performance at the reception.
I really don't anticipate any problems, aside from the "wearing white'' tradition. After all, WBW wasn't my first rodeo for this mid-40s gal.
Wait, WBW was just reading over my shoulder and slapped me on the back of my head.
"Oh, they won't care about the lesbian thing, my sweetness,'' I explained to her condescendingly. "Arkansas is the Land of Opportunity.''
Anybody want to help me select my free wedding gown???? We better get there early in case they run out.
Let's get there when the doors open...this may take awhile. HHW and I will be bringing you lots of dresses to try on.
Don't we need a wedding planner?
Jerry's the man! No moonbeams here, just the facts and a call for honesty.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/14/c…
Mountaingirl,
We're trying to keep things on the cheap so as not to interfere with the reception. Lots and lots of booze and corndogs can get pricey.
As for my dress, I want something very conservative (ironic, huh) and tasteful. Keep in mind that I've just had Lil' Cam and am perimenopausal.
I will totally defer to you and HHW with the selection if there's some kind of stalemate on the dress selection.
OK -- Pryor offers another Repub - Jane Duke. She was Bud Cummins' top assistant. Does anyone believe that Bud appointed an apolitical person to his top post? Why can't our senior senator find a decent Dem to nominate?
Most would have thought that the rejection of his last Repub - Amy - would have been enough.
It's funny, but I wondered if you were going to try and qualify for a free wedding dress when I saw it on the news today, Sister.
I say go for it, but bring a TV news crew with you.
What about that cash-tyke you're carrying around. Will the freebie dress allow for him?
Outlier I read your article about Gov Brown signing the Gay history inclusion bill and then googled "famous queers" and boy! Did I get a page-full.
Wiki has California's history list ready and waiting, all done alphabetically including
"Axel and Eigil Axgil...b. 1915 1922–1995...Danish.
First gay couple in the world joined in a civil union"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gay,_…
And of course your dress MUST be in keeping with your Alabama Southern Belle image, Sister. Think munchkin-size Scarlett O'Hara.
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/web/…
Actually, we'd probably never find you under all that poof and ruffle. So maybe this is more your style.....
http://www.thisnext.com/tag/scarlett-ohara…
Sister definately go for strapless. What will WBW wear?
I will be the "Planner" for free. How hard could it be? LOL!
Listen HHW,
I understand why you'd think of Scarlet O'Hara. It all stems from one of those drunken AGMWA meetings when I told you Vivien Leigh was a hottie. (She was a certifiable nut, but a hottie all the same).
Just scratch that image from your brain. I don't want ruffles or anything poofy.
Think about something that I could move around freely in while doing the jitterbug. I plan to do a lot of dancing with Tap and Durango after the limbo contest.
How exciting Sister! I can't believe how lucky you are! To think that you will have the esteemed Norma Bates performing at your wedding along with other performances by Tap & Durango; Nanc, HHW & me in the costumes HHW made, and now a free dress!
I think as the official wedding photographer I should be there snapping photos of you trying to look like the "conservative" Southern Belle. But I think MG & HHW should steer you away towards something a little more "progressive". You don't strike me as the type who wants all the ruffles. Just slap on some Spanx and no one will know that Little Cam left any "baby" fat behind.
Nanc,
You're on to something. Strapless works for me, although this will be an outdoor reception and I doubt it will be before late Fall. Obama is fighting the Ninth Circuit's ruling (breaking news tonight) and has no immediate plans to ratify DADT repeal.
I sure hope that doesn't hurt me in my pursuit of a free wedding gown. (Kizzy, save those food stamps after all).
How's this? No poof, no ruffles......and you can dance all night with those boys in this one.
http://www.unique-vintage.com/2011-away-al…
Sister--Mountaingirl has picked a good one but here is an option that fits your requirements--strapless, slimming, and room to move when you dance.
http://www.bridalgownsonsale.com/chiffon-s…
Mountaingirl--I'm sure the 93 year old Durango is thrilled to be called a boy, but I'd be careful about calling TAP "boy"! :-)
Okay, Sister, it's understood that you want to be comfortable. Maybe we should look at something with an elastic waist for when you get to the beer-drinkin' part of the festivities.
But let's just get this clear. No way in hell am I'm letting you wear your 25-year-old Vanderbilt sweatshirt!
Tap knows I adore him, think of him as a mentor, and used the term affectionally.
As for Durango, I have a feeling there is still a lot of life left in that 93 year old body! We shall know when he sees our Sister in that teeny tiny little dress I picked out for her.
Arkansas Media Watch: Arkansas Democrat Gazette playing politics on front page
It's pretty absurd to claim that "2 sides remain dug in", or "Neither side blinks in debt showdown" when it is exactly one side that persistently refuses to compromise. The ADG front page should report the facts, not make up what they think should be the facts.
http://arkansasmediawatch.wordpress.com/20…
http://arkansasmediawatch.wordpress.com/
MG,
You're close, but I really don't think I could pull that off. How about a cocktail-dress length that is very conservative? I really liked NVR's suggestions.
And, are we sold on white? I think my best colors trend toward the bolder shades. We could go for a VU theme (black and gold) or an Auburn theme (orange and blue). Does the dress shop (that's giving me my free dress) even have that option? If so, can the bridesmaids be dressed like me?
Oh, Cam has agreed to give me away and Baby Cam (who should be walking by that time because he's a future Heisman Trophy winner) will be the ring bearer.
And yes, HHW, an elastic waist is a must. We'll be shot-gunning beers (when you basically drink a full beer within 20 seconds) so elasticity is essential.
Does velcro come in the mid-section for some wedding dresses? If so, let's keep that as an option.
NVR's choice is beautiful.........looks like we have a style.
As for color....... They can always dye a dress to coordinate with any sports team of your choice.
And now for something completely different: Check out the US drought monitor at http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html. You'll be impressed, to say the least.
http://arkansasmediawatch.wordpress.com/
What a fun night on the blog when the AT "blog girls" take over!
I'm with Cammack--"as long as I don't have to try on or wear a dress, I'm there".
I'll be happy to help you pick out a dress Sister. It's your wedding so it's your choice what color you wear. Everyone could be dressed in the same dress & same color or you could have all four colors you mentioned with each person wearing a different one. It is all up to you.
Yes, indeed; I am a huge fan of mountaingirl's (mentor? No way) and took no notice of that word. Bless your sweet heart, NVR, for looking out for my feelings.
I'm so excited.
mountaingirl, my friend, perhaps you had not joined our little group when I posted this video preview of a little something Durango and I have been working on for weeks. We're gonna knock 'em dead at the wedding:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBb9hTyLjfM
Well, of course, that's it, Sister! We'll attach the skirt to an elastic waistband with velcro. Then when it's time to get out and jitterbug with Tap and Durango, we simply rip off the skirt to expose a pair of your favorite shorts. You're ready to go!
Wow! It's gonna be so klassy!
BREAKING NEWS- Arkansas lottery officials received word today that lottery director Ernie Pass-a-lay is building a $22 million dacha in South Carolina in a very exclusive location, said to be far, far away from the little people. Pass-a-lay reportedly made an $11 million down payment on the dacha and when questioned by the media about where the money came from refused to comment, saying: "Mind your own damn business."
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Buckabee, upon learning of Pass-a-lay's dacha which will be 6 times as big and incredibly more grandiose (including 48-carat gold shower curtains in all 14 bathrooms) than Buckabee's simple little $3 million bungalow, suffered a minor heart attack upon hearing the news and had to be rushed to Charity Hospital for treatment. Buckabee is expected to make a full recovery with the possible exception of his broken heart. In the recovery room Buckabee was overheard to say: "On a minister's salary I just couldn't afford to build on that scale."
Pass-a-lay, when asked by the media if it was just a coincidence that he made an $11 million down payment on his dacha, the same amount the Arkansas lottery is short of proceeds this year, told the reporter "to shut his face or he would have him fitted for cement shoes".
Beware the "Bait-and-Switch," stj. No reflection on the store that's making the offer (I don't even know who it is), but you know how retail folks try to get you in the door and then tack on extra frills. Better stay in constant text contact with your WBW, who seems the practical sort.
Sent by my 93-year young Dad (same age as Durango):
Murdoch- I'm clueless
A Letter from Rupert Murdoch: Where I Stand on the News Corp. Scandal Dear Friends, As details of the scandal surrounding my company, News Corp., have emerged in recent days - including employees hacking into mobile phones and bribing the police - my defense has been consistent: I had no idea what was going on.
Now, I'm sure many of you are wondering, how could I, Rupert Murdoch, one of the most powerful men in the world, have no idea what is going on? The answer, my friends, is simple: I get all of my information from my own newspapers. If you relied on News of the World , the S u n , and the New York Post for your information, I can assure you that you wouldn't have a clue what was going on, either.
Some of you aren't buying this argument. You maintain that a media titan like me would get his information from sources beyond newspapers - like TV, for example. Well, that's true. But in my case, the only TV I watch is the Fox News Channel. So not only do I not know what is going on around me, I know nothing about the theory of evolution, global warming or President Barack Obama's birthplace.
If you still don't believe that I know nothing, here's a final piece of evidence: I paid $500 million to acquire MySpace. Case closed.
Now that we've established that I know nothing, let me address some of the allegations about News Corp. that have come up in recent days: first and foremost, that our reporters have regularly bribed the police to obtain information. I am shocked and appalled by this charge. News Co rp. has a long-standing zero tolerance policy regarding information, both the getting of it and the publishing of it. Going forward, we will be subjecting our employees to a series of random information tests. Any employees found to be possessing even trace amounts of facts will be immediately terminated.
In closing, I want to assure you that I intend to make amends for any and all of the wrongdoing perpetrated by employees of News Corp. in recent years. And to that end, I have a plan: I implore the British government to let me own 100 percent of the satellite broadcasting giant BSkyB. I have made some grievous mistakes with the media properties I already control, and the only way I can think of to make things right is by controlling even more.
Your friend,
Rupert
ANDY BOROWITZ
Satire
Oh Sister--HHW is brilliant! The new trend is convertible wedding dresses so you can just undo the skirt and enjoy the reception in a shorter dress (see the link). But HHW has taken it one step further by suggesting shorts instead of a shorter skirt! How practical. And conservative! That way you don't have to worry about accidentally showing off your undies while dancing with Durango or Tap. If that happened, Durango might have a heart attack and we wouldn't want that.
http://blog.couponalbum.com/images/2011/01…
WOW Tap.........I can't wait to see that. Make sure you perform before everyone gets too drunk to appreciate your hard work.
Sorry, Goof; you know I can't keep a secret. I'll have to spoil the reception surprise. Imagine Max out front---
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT6InvLJUzA
Tap--thanks for sharing the secret! That will be the highlight of the evening--after you and Durango that is!
That's fantastic, Tap! Can't wait to see you and Durango doing those leap-frogging splits down the stairs! It's so very impressive!
But you're also still planning to do the one-man Village People routine, aren't you?
Damn! I can't find that video. Every site says it's been taken down.
Lord-Amighty, every day I get more and more excited about Sister’s and WBW’s weddin’ and reception.
Have bought a new suit and new dress shoes for the occassion, and can’t wait to get there and see NVR, HHW, Nanc, Cammack, Kizzy, Tina, and everybody else. Talk about some kissin' and carryin' on! (Is the outlier a comin'?)
Like I’ve said before, I’m totally pumped about the number Tap and I are gonna perform. If only y’all knew how hard we’ve worked on this thing.
(Tap, I think we could recruit Goof, SkyPilot, Sound, and Perplexed and do the Wedding Thriller thing as an encore, don’t you? Give it some thought, bud.)
Mountaingirl, I’m mighty glad you’re gonna be at the weddin’. You knock me out. Don’t tell your husband, but I think I’m falling in love with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWx5OX9Vqgk
You are so fickle Durango! Always fallin' in and out of love with the blog girls when we all know that you're just a big tease.
NVR, I think some of Sister may be rubbing off on me. You know how fickle SHE is. However, unlike Sis, I never fall OUT of love. I just fall IN love. As in love with NVR. No way could I ever fall out of love with my red rose. Or any of the other blog girls for that matter. And that ain't teasin': That's just a fact!
Durango, my pal, your fickledness is why *I* will ultimately prevail as stj's PointlessHeteroBlogCrush.
I'm just saying...
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