Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wednesday night line
Posted by Max Brantley on Wed, Aug 24, 2011 at 4:52 PM
It's open. Last thoughts:
* BLACK AND WHITE AND RED INK ALL OVER: More down-side newspaper news today, the consolidation of some 11 Northern California newspapers into two and the loss of 120 jobs. Local angle is that one owner of the newspapers is Stephens Media Group, an arm of the Little Rock-based Stephens financial empire.
* PRYOR KNOWLEDGE: Arkansas Media Watch catches U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor acting like a Republican, in a speech in NWA.
Pryor said various tax breaks have created a system in which 45 percent of Americans don’t pay taxes. “It’s hard to have a fair tax system where only about half the people are paying,” he said.
Pryor is playing the Republican playbook card, but he should at least play it accurately. 45 percent of Americans, or thereabouts, don't pay federal income tax, but they most certainly pay federal payroll taxes and many other forms of taxes. Not the same thing as what Pryor said and it's a slander to working people when he or the GOP say it.
* HUCKABUCK: It's Mike Huckabee's 56th birthday. Naturally, he has a birthday wish — send his PAC cash.
* SEARCH FOR A KILLER: Filmmaker Peter Jackson, who was a key financier in the fight to free the West Memphis 3, says he'll continue to finance an investigation to find the killers of three West Memphis children.
* GUILT BY ASSOCIATION: I noted this Twitter today by Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, responding to a critic who cited an article about, not Mark Darr, but another Republican Mark, free-spending Secretary of State Mark Martin. It read:
The article isnt ab me RT @Lavionne: WHY are you wasting taxpayer dollars on consultants to do your job?
I can tell you that Darr is not alone among Republicans in feeling some discomfort on account of the Mark Martin clown car act.
* HEALTH CARE EXPANSION: Another new expansion of health care services announced today, an alliance between CARTI and other medical groups for a broader array of cancer treatment services in a new center to be built somewhere in Little Rock. Talk Business reports.
* APPLE NEWS: What about Steve Jobs' resignation as CEO? Black crepe on Apple store opening in LR?
Speaking of...
-
Whose side are you on in 4th District GOP primary?
May 19, 2012The Wall Street Journal today has a feature on the 4th District Republican primary race between Beth Anne Rankin and Tom Cotton (and also, incidentally, John Cowart). /more/
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Let the eagle soar
May 18, 2012Another week done. Final words: * NO CONFIDENCE: The unions that once represented employees in the Pulaski County School District have voted unanimously a "no confidence" statement on Superintendent Jerry Guess and Arkansas Education Director Tom Kimbrell for busting their unions. /more/
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They hate him; they really hate him
May 17, 2012How ugly will the presidential campaign get? You can't imagine. /more/
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Winsome
May 16, 2012In whooping him for vice president in the National Review last week Ralph Reed (remember him?, stayed out of jail somehow) called Mike Huckabee, the former bro. former gov. former Arkie now bigtime media gabbler "winsome." /more/
-
Obama's momentous day edition
May 10, 2012President Obama standing up for civil rights, Mike Huckabee getting attention as a vice presidential candidate Warren Stephens talking like a liberal, central Little Rock neighborhoods talking back to the Technology Park Authority — all covered this week. /more/
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And speaking of Mike Huckabee
May 6, 2012A former speech writer for George W. Bush writes today in an op-ed that Mike Huckabee is the perfect running mate for Mitt Romney because he'd energize the conservative base. /more/
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Tom Cotton gets McCain endorsement — so?
May 3, 2012Republican Tom Cotton, who moved back to Arkansas from D.C. so he could go back to D.C. as a congressman from the 4th District, is boasting today about his endorsement by U.S. Sen. John McCain. /more/
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Presidential money trails
April 24, 2012The predictions are that Citizens United will unleash a torrent of largely unaccountable corporate spending on the political process. /more/
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There he goes again — Mike Huckabee right on student loans
April 21, 2012Credit where due for Mike Huckabee: He endorses President Obama's support for continuation of federal subsidy of college loans against the alternative, doubling the interest rate paid by students for money borrowed to advance their education. /more/
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Huckabee: No call to be vice president yet
April 15, 2012Mike Huckabee said on Fox News he hadn't heard from Mitt Romney about being a running mate and doubts he will. /more/
- More »
Comments (37)
Showing 1-37 of 37
I'm afraid Senator Pryor is going to get the Blanche Lincoln treatment next time he's up for election. Act like a Republican, get replaced by an actual Republican.
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>>Pryor said various tax breaks have created a system in which 45 percent of Americans don’t pay taxes.<<
DUH. DUH. DUH.
It really requires someone who is
1. Very dishonest
2. Far out of touch with reality
to make an asinine statement like Pryor's.
Here's the simple facts folks laid out in simple graphic terms, easy to grasp:
The top 1% also own 50.9% of all stocks, bonds, and mutual fund assets. The top 10% own 90.3%.
You can see it on the link
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/543996…
or this one helps too
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/543996…
Archaeopteryx - Senator Pryor's problem was his vote in favor of ObamaCare. This will be a problem for him in his next campaign. I'll vote for him anyway because he is an old friend, but he needs to find a way to make everyone else forget about that.
I too just got yet another robo call from Tim Griffin, asking me to participate in a telephone town hall.
Honestly Mr. Griffin, you really DO NOT want me in an open town hall conversation.
Please, take my name off your list.
RC, that's all you. Pryor's an anti-science, anti-people, anti-Democrat. I'll not drag my carcass out of the easy chair to give him another six years.
Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO of Apple. The world is a better place in many significant ways thanks to his work, and he has my eternal gratitude.
.
If your week is sagging and you want something unique to watch here's a little docu history from BBC..you will NEVER see this on American media..
"All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace"
Pt 1: Love and Power-Part one explores the dream that rose up in the 1990s that computers could create a new kind of stable world...features Ayn Rand, Greenspan, Clinton.
Pt 2: Use and abuse of Vegetational Concepts-the story of how our modern scientific idea of nature, the self-regulating ecosystem is actually a machine fantasy...
Pt 3: The Monkey in the Machine and the machine in the Monkey-why humans find the machine image so beguiling...
http://thoughtmaybe.com/video/all-watched-…
.
Not Yo Cheese
But, it's gonna be bigger next time, we promise, again.
"For the folks out there who are anxiously awaiting the Northwest Arkansas Cheese Dip Classic you may be waiting a little longer than you thought.
The 2011 regional event, scheduled for September 10th in Fayetteville, has been canceled. Organizers say they called it off in order to concentrate on their flagship event - The 2nd Annual World Cheese Dip Championship, held at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
The competition, hosted by the Southern Cheese Dip Academy, will feature challengers from around the region vying for the championship title. They say growing the main event will allow for an even bigger Northwest Arkansas Classic in 2012.
http://nwahomepage.com/fulltext-news/?nxd_…
From Zachary Roth:
Did the 2009 stimulus bill work?
Critics of the Obama administration say no, pointing out that, two years later, the economy is still barely growing, and unemployment remains high. Supporters say without the stimulus, things would be even worse. The answer matters, because it'll help determine the kind of approaches to job creation that gain support going forward.
So Dylan Matthews of the Washington Post has done a service by rounding up the various economic studies of the question. He writes: "Of the nine studies I've found, six find that the stimulus had a significant, positive effect on employment and growth, and three find that the effect was either quite small or impossible to detect."
Matthews then assesses the strengths and weaknesses of each of the individual studies -- and concludes: "I'm inclined to believe that the preponderance of evidence indicates the stimulus worked."
That's hardly the end of the story. But it does get at an important reality: The expert consensus on the stimulus is significantly more positive than you'd think from listening to much of the debate over how to fix the economy. That debate which tends to assume that because the White House already tried stimulus and the economy is still hurting, it's now "out of bullets," and can only propose more targeted job creation ideas.
Not that what experts say tends to cut to much weight in Washington these days.
Interesting article on the Tea Party:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/opinion/…
Polls show that disapproval of the Tea Party is climbing. In April 2010, a New York Times/CBS News survey found that 18 percent of Americans had an unfavorable opinion of it, 21 percent had a favorable opinion and 46 percent had not heard enough. Now, 14 months later, Tea Party supporters have slipped to 20 percent, while their opponents have more than doubled, to 40 percent.
Of course, politicians of all stripes are not faring well among the public these days. But in data we have recently collected, the Tea Party ranks lower than any of the 23 other groups we asked about — lower than both Republicans and Democrats. It is even less popular than much maligned groups like “atheists” and “Muslims.” Interestingly, one group that approaches it in unpopularity is the Christian Right.
I regret that another newspaper is disappearing. Even worse is watching some decline--like the DesMoines Register--yet others thrive like the Sioux City Journal. Then there's the Dem-Gazette--it was free when they first dropped it at my house. Now it's $180 a year. Some days I can't stretch it through breakfast.
Elwood: out of touch is too kind for Mark Pryor. That branch fell far from the tree, ie he sure doesn't sound like his Daddy.
I too received a call to join Griffin's telephone town meeting. I listened for about a minute. Also received a questionaire from him. Would have mailed my negative response only it would have cost me a stamp. During his campaign he said "we against them". I must be a them.
NPR's Fresh Air had an interesting program tonight on the Dominionists, otherwise know as the "New Apostolical Reformation," a group which apparently claims Rick Perry amongst its adherents. They believe that they have a sacred duty to take dominion over government and society, for the glorification of Jesus. They also believe they have the duty to drive the "demons" out of everyone who does not agree with them. I wonder if this will include burning at the stake, and other such godly cures as were practiced in Salem in the 1600s?
Yes, let us not forget that Pryor does not believe in evolution.
It's a litmus test. I don't care what political party a person belongs to, if they reject science and reason they have no business being in office.
They really have no business graduating high school, actually.
Why is the unconvicted felon calling my house and mailing me postcards? When we freed the WM3 we should have used one of those slots for Griffin.
Archaeopteryx - Senator Pryor's reelection may depend on the Supreme Court's eventual decision on the ObamaCare individual mandate. If they uphold the most recent ruling that it is unconstitutional, Pryor's vote is somewhat mooted and his reelection prospects are improved. If they reverse, Pryor is in jeopardy.
This blithering idiot is the GOP front runner by 16 points?
Must be seen to be believed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngiJhmoFKkw…
I guess it's well known on this blog the Martin Luther King memorial was made in China.
Homophobic State Rep. (R-Indiana) Not Gay, Not Racist, Hires Black Rent-Boy.
Uh . . .
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-20…
radical, you've told us you voted for Mark Martin as your Secretary of State for political party diversity, essentially. And now you tell us you will vote for Mark Pryor because "he is an old friend".
Did you ever consider voting for candidates because they are the best qualified or because they would best represent the interests of their constituents and the country? And did you ever consider taking voting seriously?
Some people pick race horses ("I'm voting on the jockey in the pink silks") the same way you pick office holders.
Sound Policy - Oldest rule of politics: support your friends, even if you don't agree with them 100%.
That said, I want my friends to do a good job, and represent the will of the people in our district while they hold office. I don't condone corruption or cronyism.
.
I dunno Sound, taking a vote seriously (from a limited, crippled, fixed menu)
has done nothing but lead me into serious depression. Now a recall vote would
stimulate my glands to no living end!
Radical, you do know about dogs? If you're in politics and need a friend, get a dog.
radical centrist, how about incompetence? Mark Pryor is sure guilty of that. He's as bad on the Demo side of the aisle as Boozman is on the Anarchist side.
I have this theory that David and Barbara Pryor must have adopted Mark.
Pryor "jumped the shark" a long time before Archaeopteryx noticed and has stayed because of more fortuitous re-election dates than "Blank.'
Can't imagine why nobody has yet wished Mike Huckabee "Happy Birthday" so I won't either.
Besides, I'm in love and you will be too. Perfect for tooling around Lake Hamilton, where size matters.
Comes with its own matching car.
A cool $27.6 million. But if you had to ask, don't even think about it.
More pragmatically, I'm curious about exactly what I have to do to whom to be invited aboard.
http://www.superyachts.com/news/strand-cra…
I hate to write a post making fun of a family member, but what the hell.
Y'all know my family members are fundamentalist, rapture-loving Christians who live in Alabama. Hell, they've already given to Rick Perry's campaign for all I know.
That's neither here nor there because they're blood and I would do anything for 'em. It's not reciprocated because of the "gay thing,'' but whatever. That's their problem, not mine and why I live 400 miles away from them. Regardless, we're all on *superficial* good terms and speak frequently.
Anyway, my oldest sister called me (I'm the youngest of 5) to bend my ear about how she was heartbroken that her daughter had recently broken up with her two-year beau. They thought he was "the one.''
My niece is an extremely attractive, 23-year-old, Auburn-grad, third-year pharmacy student who has sworn to God she won't have sex until her wedding night. (Don't even get me started about that).
She's been dating a 32-year-old lawyer in B'ham & a former frat boy from the University of Mullet who's been fine with her chastity belt. He's always maintained he was happy to "wait.'' In fact, he told her he was a "virgin'' too. (begin gag reflex now).
I knew from the get-go something wasn't right. This guy is charismatic, makes good money, drinks beer like it's going out of style and is very handsome. He takes her to church on Sunday and is very "doting,'' according to my sister.
(I've thought to myself, why wouldn't he try to have sex with her after dating this long? Hmmm.)
My niece broke up with him recently because one of her sorority sisters saw him dancing with another woman while out of town on business. Niece confronted him and he said, "This is probably for the best because I have commitment issues.''
I'll call my sister "Amy'' to protect the naive.
Me: So, he never pushed the sex thing (with niece) for two years?
Amy: No, he was a perfect gentleman. He said he understood. I know he loves her because he's so affectionate toward her.
Me: So, he's never tried to have sex with her after two years?
Amy: No, in fact, he's so respectful of her wishes, he hardly touches her when they're alone. She said she's made some advances, like second base, and he won't hear of it. She is only his second girlfriend. His family just loves her.
Me: You know he's gay. And (niece) was the perfect beard. It was a good two-year run for him.
Amy: What the heck is a beard?
Me: A beard is a woman who dates a gay man so the gay man can appear to be straight.
Amy: What? No way. Sure, the thought crossed my mind but he can't be gay because he's not effeminate. Do you know any gay men who aren't effeminate?
Me: Actually, tons. Some of the most macho men I know are gay. You really need to get away from your church and the christian school from time to time.
Amy: (laughter) This is why I call you.
Me: Seriously, let's recap. He's a 32-year-old, not-very-religious, beer-swilling, successful lawyer who doesn't want to have sex with (23-year-old, attractive niece).
Amy: When you put it like that, it sounds like he's definitely gay. But, why would anybody be so cruel to do that? (Meaning, lead a hetero on).
Me: Here's the deal, Amy. He has no other choice if he lives in Alabama and wants to thrive as a lawyer. He has no rights as a gay man and probably stands to lose his job in the firm if he were an "out'' gay man. It's a double-edged sword. He needed a beard to be accepted and (niece) was his beard.
Amy: What does that mean? Double-edged sword?
Me: (I took a deep breath at this point and repressed what I wanted to say. I wanted to say, "It's because you freaking fundamentalist yahoos make some weak-minded gay people bow to your wishes, act straight and break your hetero hearts in order to be "accepted by society.'' Screw you if you get hurt. This is your doing.)
I didn't. I said, "She's much better off without him. She's 23 and will have her pick of the litter. It's hard now, but she doesn't want to hang her hat on this guy.''
Amy agreed wholeheartedly and we got off the phone. WBW heard my side of the conversation and was scream-laughing.
Oh, the irony of it all...heteros angry when gay people "act'' straight and break their hearts.
Who knew?
"heteros angry when gay people "act'' straight and break their hearts.
Who knew?"
You see the irony here, don't you, dear, sweet stj?
Looks like another Virginia quake (4.5), from USGS:
4.5 2011/08/25 05:07:51(UTC) Lat. 37.940 Long -77.896 Depth 5.0 km
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
The aftereffects of the Tea people throwing around their weight in D.C.?
An op-ed in Thursday's NYT rebukes Hershey Corp. for abusing guest workers from all over the world -- young people who PAY to come to the U.S. under a State Department program to learn about us, only to have Hershey work them for $8 per hour, overcharge them for over-crowded housing, so that they net one or two dollars per hour, while Hershey avoids hiring living wages, payroll taxes, and all fringe benefits.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/…
And, if you would like to do something about it, here is more information and a way to act:
http://www.change.org/
Sister, here's a song for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APSQWPf0XLg
But one thing: Why was he out dancing with another woman? That detail doesn't fit.
It is funny to me that Mark Pryor has been one of the biggest spenders in the U.S. Senate history with all his votes with Obama in favor of an almost 800 billion stimulus and a government overall of our healthcare system, but Pryor now wants to talk like a conservative. I am going to let him have it every chance I get http://haltingarkansasliberalswithtruth.co…
SalineRepublican: "Pryor now wants to talk like a conservative"
Let's get this straight - when Pryor is lying, he is "talking like a conservative"? And you object to that not because lying is wrong but because he only pretends to be "conservative"? Interesting take. Explains quite a bit.
Tap! You're back! thank goodness you're a man again. thank you STJ. there is a shortage of decent single men in the world, Sister, in case you didn't know. And there is the matter of a house in Hillcrest ..... Did you see that article in sports yesterday about how your precious Cam won't be getting any tattoos? His team owner said that. Now I didnt read the article because .... well, I didn't care that much. But if i had an oppinion i would be glad.
John A, Sister's niece's ex is dancing with another woman because he can't dance with another man in Mullettville, Alabama, and keep his head above water in his law practice. Also all their mommas (the other people at the dance) know HIS momma and prolly go to church with iher. Really, he has a hard life. He's never going to get to be who he really is as long as he stays where he wants (?) to live and work.
Arkansas Media Watch, on my blog I QUOTED THIS AS PART OF THE PASSAGE CONCERNING PRYOR'S SPEECH IN ROGERS:
Getting the economy on track will require deep cuts to the federal budget and a fairer tax system, Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., said Tuesday.
National defense, Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid will account for more than 60 percent of federal spending in 2012, according to pie charts he displayed. Spending in those areas will have to be reduced along with cuts to other programs if Congress hopes to get the budget under control, he said.
NOW I CAN'T FIND ANY LIE IN THIS PART OF THE SPEECH AND IT DOES SOUND LIKE A CONSERVATIVE. There is one place where he talks about 45% of the people do not pay taxes and I agree with you that is incorrect. However, I chose not to address that but to link both your post and the one by Max Brantley so people could read about that there.
When blogging I have to watch my time because I am very busy. I don't have time to explore all issues with every blog post, but I don't mind going on record and saying that you are absolutely correct on that point. Now does it sound like I really do prefer lies?
For all you liberals who may have missed this.
Michelle having a ball on your taxpayer money.
Had to take 2 planes to martha's vineyard!?!?!?!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-20…
We used to have a saying in the North years ago to exemplify this kind of living
Wanna guess what it is?
"If they were a different colour and a different party, we wouldn't remark upon it."
That's my guess.
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