ThinkFast: July 27, 2009
ThinkFast: July 27, 2009
Sarah Palin officially stepped down as Alaska’s governor on Sunday, with a speech that “blamed the news media and declared government spending can destroy ‘everything that is free.’” Speaking to the press, Palin said that U.S. troops were fighting to protect their freedoms, adding, “So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya’ quit makin’ things up?”
President Obama has sent letters to at least seven Arab and Gulf states seeking confidence-building measures toward Israel. A former U.S. official aware of the letters said they reinforce “the Mitchell message re: the need for CBMs [confidence-building measures] in exchange for [settlement] freeze and to [get] peace talks restarted.”
Israel signaled a disagreement with the U.S. today, over a potential military action to halt Iran’s nuclear program. “We clearly believe that no option should be removed from the table,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said following talks with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. ”This is our policy; we mean it,” Barak continued. “We recommend to others to take the same position.”
Yesterday, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) distanced himself from his colleagues who have suggested the GOP would benefit politically if it can defeat Obama’s health care plan. Kyl called statements by Sens. Jim DeMint and James Inhofe “unfortunate.” “I don’t agree with that kind of language,” he added.
According to a report by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), HBO scored highest among 15 networks for its representation of gay characters last season. “Television shows that weave our stories into the fabric of the series present richer, more diverse representations,” said Rashad Robinson, GLAAD’s senior director of media programs.
Citing discouraging poll numbers, proponents of marriage equality are considering delaying a campaign to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage until at least 2012. “[W]e will step up to the plate — with resources and talent — when the time is right,” said millionaire philanthropist David Bohnett. “The only thing worse than losing in 2008, would be to lose again in 2010.”
The Obama administration is vastly expanding a federal effort, started in Houston under President Bush, “to identify and deport illegal immigrants held in local jails.” The program is being used in 70 counties across the country, though “federal officials say that while they are pleased with their new ability to identify illegal immigrants, they do not have enough agents to deport all of those identified.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said that she “does not favor a second economic stimulus package,” while appearing on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. Pelosi added she would “rather just stick with” the $787 billion package adopted in January and “get it out faster if we can.”
And finally: Are you looking for a new home? Do you have a spare $1.6 million laying around? If so, you could be the next owner of Karl Rove’s home. The Washington Post reports that Rove is “unloading the Federal-style home in D.C.’s Kent neighborhood he bought eight years ago for $799K. Five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, brick-and-stone exterior, built 1968. Real estate photos show sunny kitchen, big entertaining spaces, pleasant yard, lots of bookshelves, one wall-mounted deer head.”
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Alaska just got a little bit smarter
July 27th, 2009 at 9:01 amStepping down? Down catch a heel on your way out! The hope is that she’ll be around enough to give us a high pitched laugh a month.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:06 amSarah, How can I miss you if you don’t go away!
July 27th, 2009 at 9:07 amKyl is stepping away from the GOP because as a politician, he realized that he is a crewmember of a sinking ship.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:09 amDid you hear that media? Sarah says all her problems are your fault. Do her a favor would ya. Make her happy. No more Palin stories. Well, it would make me happy.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:10 amGood morning Levi,
I don’t believe Kyl is stepping away from the idea of trying to trash Obama’s plan, he’s stepping away from talking about why they’re trashing it. It does the repubs much less good if the public thinks that they’re opposed to heath care reform because they only want Obama to fail and they don’t care who else gets hurt.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:17 amCIA’s ‘ghost flights’ to be made public in UK trial
July 27th, 2009 at 9:18 am
After determining she didn’t have enough votes in support of a temporary suspension of the ban on gays in the military, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand tells The Daily Beast she has secured the commitment of Senate Armed Services Committee to hold hearings on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” this fall. It would be the first formal re-assessment of the policy since Congress passed it into law in 1993.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:18 amWhat is the opposite of MILF?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:18 amWhat was made up caribou barbie? And quit hiding behind the troops.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:18 amExactly which of our freedoms are US troops in Afghanistan protecting?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:20 amMILk? mom’s I’d like to kick?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:20 amAt least we’re focusing on those people who attacked us in the first place. (please don’t be a 911 truther)
July 27th, 2009 at 9:22 amThe party of NO continues to vote against everything – just because.
Sen. Jeff Sessions says he will vote against Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation to the Supreme Court in the committee vote scheduled for Tuesday.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:22 amSessions’ decision, while not a surprise, is one more sign that Republicans are likely to muster significant opposition to Sotomayor, although her confirmation is not in doubt. On Friday, two other senior Republicans — Texas Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the GOP’s Senate campaign committee, and Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch— announced they would vote “no.”
This was one of the most painful speeches to listen to, with or without your eyes closed. Her cadence, stop-start-stutter. loaded with “buzz” words like “freedom”, “America” “great country” ring hollow and false. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard the last from her. Canada is looking better and better….
July 27th, 2009 at 9:22 amSpeaking to the press, Palin said that U.S. troops were fighting to protect their freedoms,
No. The US military was actually fighting to fulfill the NeoCon agenda of establishing a permanent US military and compliant political presence in the Middle East and to establish a model “free-market” economy in Iraq subsidized by billing US taxpayers for the cost of the war and reconstruction whilst making an outrageous profit.
A lot of the soldiers THOUGHT they were “protecting our freedoms” because that’s what the Bush administration and the media told them.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:25 amThey THOUGHT they were fighting a contemporary Hitler because that’s how Saddam Hussein was described to them.
US soldiers fought for the Iraqis freedom, not ours—but in the process they freed inhumanity.
And whilst they thought they were fighting for the Iraqis freedom, America’s freedoms were being trampled ( and still are being trampled, as long as Obama keeps playing the secrecy card). .
On the last topic of GLAAD’s recommendations for television shows, I have to congratulate both HBO and SHOWTIME for their matter-of-fact inclusion of gay characters and situations.
These networks have actually depicted gay characters with normal everyday lives, including sexual lives, that haven’t caused the sky to fall in or the culture to self-implode.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:25 amdbadass says:
What is the opposite of MILF?
Do you mean “Mother I’d like to forget?”
July 27th, 2009 at 9:27 amdbadass says:
What is the opposite of MILF?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:18 am
____________
Lou Dobbs?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:27 amevangenital says:
These networks have actually depicted gay characters with normal everyday lives, including sexual lives, that haven’t caused the sky to fall in or the culture to self-implode.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:25 am
____________
How soon before the Dobsons and Robertsons and other haters denounce HBO and Showtime for promoting “the gay agenda?”
July 27th, 2009 at 9:28 amDo you have a spare $1.6 million laying around? ….Rove is “unloading the Federal-style home in D.C.’s Kent neighborhood he bought eight years ago for $799K.
That’s a tidy profit for an “investment” home, espescially in this housing market. I suppose that he did considerable rennovation and upgrading to justify the incredible mark-up on the price. I should hope to sell my house after 8 years for double what I paid for it. I’d do that in a heartbeat.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:29 amBlue Dogs have to be called out on their delays and mixed messages on health care reform.
We knew all along that the Republics would stall & delay.
Harry Reid isn’t even in the ballgame. Why? Same with Nancy. Why?
Has big pharma & health corporations bought out the conservative Democrats? It sure looks like it.
If you’re represented by one of the Blue Dogs, call their office & speak your mind. It’s your right, & one of the few freedoms we still retain.
Don’t let them do what they did to Hillary in the ’90’s!
July 27th, 2009 at 9:30 amAnd finally: Are you looking for a new home? Do you have a spare $1.6 million laying around? If so, you could be next owner of Karl Rove’s home. The Washington Post reports that Rove is “unloading the Federal-style home in D.C.’s Kent neighborhood he bought eight years ago for $799K.
____________
$1.6 million? Hell, it’ll cost twice that much to get all the evil scrubbed out of the carpeting. Thanks, but no thanks.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:31 amMore from the Alaskan link: “And one other thing for the media: Our new governor has a very nice family too. So leave his kids alone,” Palin said, again to enthusiastic applause.
She’s a Pink Floyd fan? Oh, no, this is about how now one should pay any attention when she drags her own children, including an infant, to every public event she could.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:34 am‘you could be next owner of Karl Rove’s home.’
Which reminds me; didn’t Rush Limbaugh promise several months ago that he was selling his NYC apartment to work exclusively out of Florida?
Should I not have taken Rush Rimjob at his word?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:35 amSpeaking to the press, Palin said that U.S. troops were fighting to protect their freedoms, adding, “So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya’ quit makin’ things up?”
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I’ve never understood this talking point. How, exactly, do service members fight for press freedoms? Are there Marines arguing prior restraint cases before the Supreme Court? Sailors lobbying the FCC for low-power FM radio licenses? Cause I fail to see how bombing an Afghan wedding party with a predator drone preserves my First Amendment rights.
It’s a bullshit, meaningless, empty-rhetoric line that empty-rhetoric politicians use to get applause. Nothing more.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:36 amchiroptera toasterhead says:
$1.6 million? Hell, it’ll cost twice that much to get all the evil scrubbed out of the carpeting. Thanks, but no thanks.
It is impossible to scrub the evil out of the carpet. I’ve tried. Unfortunately evil of Rovian magnitude seeps into the woodwork, stonework, and even the soil outside.
A congregation of shammans and holy men representing at least 13 different religions performing exorcisms, smudgings, banishings, and spiritual cleansings for 6 months non-stop might be able to get the evil out.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:37 amWhen I heard, “So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya’ quit makin’ things up?”, I thought, “You mean like calling someone named ‘Sam’ ‘Joe’, and saying he’s a plumber when he’s not?”
July 27th, 2009 at 9:38 amIf he’s still voting in lockstep with the Republican minority, he hasn’t distanced himself from anything.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:39 amSpeech? You call that a speech? That was a rambling, mess of words that blamed everything but Palin. I can’t believe McCain picked this woman. She is Geogre Bush with lipstick. A empty vessel which the GOP wanted to control.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:39 amSpeaking to the press, Palin said that U.S. troops were fighting to protect their freedoms, adding, “So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya’ quit makin’ things up?”
As usual, BatshitCrazy ExGov Flailin Palin is missing all concept of making sense… Does she play a banjo?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:40 amWhile the rest of us have seen the value of our home plummet, Rove seeks to double his money.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:41 amComing up next, on Fox News: Hannity and Palin
July 27th, 2009 at 9:41 amP.D. says:
A empty vessel which the GOP wanted to control.
And that is how repuggies view all women.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:42 amin exchange for [settlement] freeze and to [get] peace talks restarted.”
And any Arab state that believes that a settlement freeze is going to happen is very likely to bid on the Bridge I have up on Ebay right now.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:42 amReal estate photos show sunny kitchen, big entertaining spaces, pleasant yard, lots of bookshelves, one wall-mounted deer head.”
Put Karly’s head up on the wall and I’ll buy it.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:43 amSarah Palin: The tundra twit that quit.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:44 amCagey@37, Yeah. You should have seen Ann Coulter defend her to David Frum. So I say, “Let Palin run in 2012!” The GOP will sink like a stone.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:47 amPALIN: “I want Alaska to be a place where every child has the right to earn his or her way to college or job training and I will assure that Alaska continues to help the neediest among us, whether younger or elder, from public or private resources”
You mean that kids currently don’t have the right to pay for their own education?
And despite the fact that you are no longer Governor, you will assure ( sic) public and private resources for the needy?
So, how about you quit makin’ things up, Sarah?
OH and by the way,Sarah, how about in honor of the American soldier, you stop misusing and abusing that freedom of speech that soldiers have died to protect?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:47 am(please don’t be a 911 truther)
Much better we should be a 9/11 liar. It’s more convenient and more comfortable to accept the lie than to consider the likelihood of an inside job.
And neither Afghanistan nor the Taliban attacked the United States. We invaded a sovereign nation because its government refused to extridate someone without sufficient proof. Our invasion of Afghanistan was an international war crime. But, like Iraq, we broke it, so we own it.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:49 amGod, I hope that the 15 minutes of Fame that dragged out for an entire year is done.
Stick a fork in Sarah, I believe she’s finally done.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:49 amRUCeriousMaggot! says:
in exchange for [settlement] freeze and to [get] peace talks restarted.”
And any Arab state that believes that a settlement freeze is going to happen is very likely to bid on the Bridge I have up on Ebay right now.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Considering that advanced (?) developments willn’t be halted, and that Israel keeps refusing to return the Golan Heights, they’re asking the countries surrounding Israel to shut up for nothing.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:52 amI saw somewhere a proposed Palin bumper sticker:
Palin: 2012 – 2014.5
July 27th, 2009 at 9:57 amSarah Palin just makes stuff up, all the time, 24/7.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:02 amThe resignation ceremony itself was dignified yet highly emotional.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/sarah-palin-abdicates-hands-over-regalia/
July 27th, 2009 at 10:03 amHopefully Rove’s dungeon will be on the market for years and he’ll eventually lose it because he can’t pay the mortgage.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:04 amP.D. says: So I say, “Let Palin run in 2012!” The GOP will sink like a stone.
I know a lot of people have had more than enough of Palin, but just think of the fun!
Diva that she is, she’d insist on being ‘in control’, so the campaign would be utterly incoherent.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:05 amAs the primary candidate she wouldn’t be able to avoid the press and long term exposure of even the most friendly and banal kind will grate like nails on a chalkboard.
She’d have to pick a VP—can you imagine the choice she’d make? Joe the Plunger perhaps?
When Queen Palin surrendered her throne did she do some fancy pageant walking?
July 27th, 2009 at 10:06 amMike Licht says:
Actually Mike, your post was pretty darned dignified too
July 27th, 2009 at 10:09 amBy KKKarl Rove’s home?
July 27th, 2009 at 10:11 amYou must be joking.
It needs to be burned to the ground.
God knows what diseases one could pick up there otherwise
I love how she claims she didn’t ‘Quit’ and how she did this to move forward.(???) Sarah Palin, hopefully, will be a footnote in the history of politics. If not, we can have fun watching her stumble time and again. After all, not many politicains have the ability to stick their foot in their mouth the way Sarah does.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:13 am“Sarah Palin officially stepped down as Alaska’s governor on Sunday, with a speech that “blamed the news media”
if that’s the case then why did she waste five years of her life going to six different colleges to pursue a degree in broadcasting?
July 27th, 2009 at 10:14 amBozo The Neoclown says:
“Sarah Palin officially stepped down as Alaska’s governor on Sunday, with a speech that “blamed the news media”
if that’s the case then why did she waste five years of her life going to six different colleges to pursue a degree in broadcasting?
Those that can, do, and those that can’t, kvetch.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:24 amIf Palin doesn’t want the media coverage why didn’t she resign in private with some humility and let the new Governor have his day?
July 27th, 2009 at 10:31 amSpeaking to the press, Palin said that U.S. troops were fighting to protect their freedoms, adding, “So, how about, in honor of the American soldier, ya’ quit makin’ things up?”
_____________________________________________________________
A typical GOP technique. When you have nothing, fire off a baseless accusation, hoping it lingers like a fart in the air — long enough for people to believe it has some truth to it.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:40 am“So, how about in honor of the American soldier, ya don’t support people who send ‘em ta die for no good reason, fer God’s sake….”
This woman has no conscience.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:46 amShayne says:
When Queen Palin surrendered her throne did she do some fancy pageant walking?
_____________
I heard she wore a bathing suit…
July 27th, 2009 at 10:48 amI wouldn’t want her as a teacher let alone President.
She kind of reminds me of the whacked-out principal my school had at one time. Eventually they brought in someone competent enough to enforce the rules but stay calm and professional.
Support those who serve… except for that McDonald guy in Afghanistan or whatever… and support Chambliss over Martin/Cleland, Bush over Kerry, Romney/Rudy over Paul, etc.
Regardless of Ron Paul’s policies all the Republican “insiders” laughed him off at the debates. Then the market was NOT healthy (surprise), Huck and Hound Dog and all them, they’re all out of office, often loitering on Faux… besides McCain who lost almost every swing state (worse than Dole, others) and might lose in 2010.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:48 amThumbs up , Sarah?
Sit on it.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:50 amI’ve read some pretty biting, pretty funny stuff on this thread, but this is pure poetry.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:50 am
The Obama administration is vastly expanding a federal effort, started in Houston under President Bush, “to identify and deport illegal immigrants held in local jails.”
_____________________________________________________________
Just a couple of questions, here.
1. How much does it cost taxpayers to keep someone behind bars (I’m assuming an undocumented foreign criminal costs the same as an American citizen criminal)? How does this amount compare to deporting said criminal and having to deal with him again when he sneaks back over here? This isn’t really a snarky question — I’d like to know. I’m hoping factors like this are being weighed.
2. When we deport an undocumented foreigner who has committed a crime in the United States, are we basically giving him his freedom in another country? Or will the country we are deporting him to take him into custody? If the only crime committed is being undocumented, I don’t mind deportation, but if we’re talking about rape, robbery, murder, and other serious crimes, I have some misgivings about releasing them — even to another country.
More information on this matter is needed.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:51 amOh and I know it’s McKiernan, she said McLellan. Scott?
Plus the Repubs do almost NOTHING for veterans after they lose the “Troops” luster. Homelessness, Katrina abandoning, etc.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:52 amBriseadh na Faire says:
And neither Afghanistan nor the Taliban attacked the United States. We invaded a sovereign nation because its government refused to extridate someone without sufficient proof. Our invasion of Afghanistan was an international war crime. But, like Iraq, we broke it, so we own it.
I agree with you, but I have to admit I was happy the Taliban got removed from power, after what they did to the Buddhas of Bamyan.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:54 amHey politicians: don’t worry about made-up stuff when you make actual blunders!
Shopping spree, anyone? Wolf sniping? Palling around and audiences screaming for blood? Way to raise the level of discussion/class.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:00 amPalin’s real speech – quite funny:
July 27th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Oops
Palin’s real speech – quite funny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuCxUIl4DDc
July 27th, 2009 at 11:03 amPossible bone to the right for healthcare votes? He doesn’t need that many…
July 27th, 2009 at 11:10 amWanna bet Cheney has a subsidiary of Halliburton buy Rove’s house for the asking price? Sort of a hush, hush kind of thing?
PEACE
July 27th, 2009 at 11:22 amMother I Wouldn’t Take to a Booger-picking Contest as an Entry.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:23 amMom I Wouldn’t Take to a Shit-fling as Ammunition.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:24 amI think all Repugnacan lame duck governors should now also explain why they aren’t quitting for the good of their state.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:30 amIt’s such classic Palin rhetoric. In honor of the American soldiers why don’t you do a favor for ME?! I’m so important that the honor of American soldiers pales in comparison to my wardrobe! You betcha.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:37 am.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:43 amI dunno. I miss the old wars. The great wars. The wars for freedom & democracy. You know, like the Afghan War. What ever happened to that war? Oh, yeah, right, we outsourced it.
.
Opposite of MILF?
How about MILD? Mom I’d like to De-emphasize.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:31 pmMom’s I’d like to Ignore For Eternity
MILIFE!
July 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pmPalin is a rerun of Nixon; blame the media for all your troubles and wave the flag. Politics at its worst.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:52 pmI got so much pleasure watching Carl Berstein lay out the facts about this ridiculous woman this morning on Morning Joe. He was up against Pat Buchanan of all people.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:20 pmCorrection: Bernstein
July 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pmJust imagine if the GOP nominee was a 68 or 70 years old male who was picked to be McCain’s running mate,the media would have forgotten how to spell this nominee’s name by now…
He would have been forgotten by now…
But Sarah is everywhere from talk shows, to news to covers of magazines etc.. etc. and she has been since she was nominated by McCain..
She knows how to play the media very well…yet she keeps accusing the media of their bias against her.
wow
And what Sarah would be without the media?
She was created by the media.
I hope with her being ex-governor now that the media will slow their chase for her daily stories.
But I don’t think Sarah will let the media slow, even if she creates her own line of underwear to sell.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:53 pmMy god, how could anyone with any thought or half a brain keep claiming that our military men and women fight and die for stupid ass slogans like “freedom” and “liberty.” Anyone who has served or will serve pretty much fight and die because of thier courage, bravery, mission, and thier commerades in arms. Do you really think our soldiars give a shit about Iraq being “free?” Yeah, just what I thought.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:00 pmThank you..
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July 30th, 2009 at 3:08 pmSesli Sohbet
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