Is Tim Pawlenty advocating domestic terrorism?

I’ve been away from the blog for a while, but I just read two stories back to back that put together really amazes me, so I had to post.

What I am amazed by is the complete insensitivity of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to the fact that we’ve had a domestic terrorist attack against the government. Does Pawlenty, while at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.,  not see the same images we see on our computers and TVs this morning? What was he thinking when he said this?

(Pawlenty) even compared Democrats to Tiger Woods, saying “we can learn a lot” from his news conference Friday.

“Not from Tiger, but from his wife,” Pawlenty said. “She said, ‘I’ve had enough.’ She said, ‘No more.’ I think we should take a page out of her playbook and take a nine-iron and smash the window out of the big government in this country.”

"I think we should ...smash the window out of the big government in this country." - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, February 19, 2010, one day after a domestic terrorist smashed his plane into the side of the glass IRS office building in Austin, TX.

Yeah. That damn government: taking our taxes and paying for roads, bridges, teachers, and the damn stimulus saving countless American jobs. Instead we need to keep our money to pay for McMansions and private planes that we can use to knock out the windows of big government, just like the new right-wing hero, Joseph Stack.

Top 10 Republican Hip-Hop Songs

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele

Newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele plans an “off the hook” public relations offensive to attract younger voters, especially blacks and Hispanics, by applying the party’s principles to “urban-suburban hip-hop settings.”

via Washington Times – Steele: GOP needs ‘hip-hop’ makeover.

Presenting the top 10 all-time Republican hip-hop songs:

“Liberals Ain’t Shit” – Snoop Dogg DeLay
“De-Regulate” – Warren B
“Lobbyists Paradise” – Koolio
“Be the Power” – Public Enema
“Straigh outta the O.C.” – R.N.C.
“Strom” – Reaganem
“GOPP” – Corrupt by Nature
“Homos Just Don’t Understand” – Tearoom Jizzy Craig & the Foley Prince
“Nuthin’ But a “G.O.P.” Thang” – Snoop Dogg DeLay
“Republican’s Delight” – The Capitol Hill Gang

Rush Limbaugh Wants America to Fail

Limbaugh is, without ambiguity, rooting for failure. In the midst of an economic crisis, Limbaugh quite openly admitted that if Obama’s economic policies are successful, it would undermine the talk-show host’s worldview. As such, Limbaugh wants desperately to see more Americans suffer, more workers unemployed, more businesses close up shop. The key here is philosophy — if government spending can stimulate the economy, as it always does, then the right is wrong. Limbaugh would much prefer a suffering nation than a reevaluation of conservative ideas.

via The Washington Monthly.

Tom Daschle = Dumbass

’nuff said.

GOP to America: “No We Can’t!”

Really? Republicans want tax cuts. Really? REALLY?

We’ve been cutting taxes for people who “create jobs” for a decade now and our economy is in ruins. And now that they are out of power, what is their new idea for America? The Republicans want more tax cuts. Really? Really.

They say the things listed below aren’t stimuli. The GOP says they won’t create jobs.

The thing is, government exists for a reason. It is the embodiment of the brain and brawn of our nation. We have government in order to do things collectively that would be inefficient to do individually: national security, sewage and other utilities, infrastructure investment, health care. We also have it for protection from the worst of humans and nature: food & water and materials inspection, business regulation, emergency management, federal police. Refusing to fund the basic necessities of America may make a GOP tax-cutter feel highly self-righteous, but it is unpatriotic. No amount of lapel-pin wearing will hide how the GOP wants America — in Rush Limbaugh’s immortal words — “to fail.”

via What GOP Leaders deem wasteful in Senate stimulus bill – CNN.com:

On Monday, House Republican leaders put out a list of what they call wasteful provisions in the Senate version of the nearly $900 billion stimulus bill that is being debated:

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.

Let’s see, we’ll spend $9 billion to fund the inefficient Missile Defense System (which I’m not against), but the GOP won’t invest in trying to come up with clean coal technology? Imagine if we did finally discover the ability to have clean-coal energy. America is packed with coal. Imagine the American-made energy. Imagine the jobs and exports it would produce.

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.

One of America’s greatest exports is Hollywood.  It makes us a ton of cash and creates thousands of jobs, including at Kodak, a struggling American company. We would do well do invest in this export. Besides, this is $246 over 11 years – a tiny investment.

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.

Investing in the the improvement of America’s technology backbone will keep our country on the cutting edge, which is important in job creation in the digital age.  Helping  consumers use this new technology as soon as possible is vital for American technology companies to remain competitive in today’s information economy.

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).

Yes, GOP.  Shipbuilding isn’t job creation. Santa’s elves come down from the arctic and build our ships for free.

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.

Construction must not be job creation, either.

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.

Furniture elves?

Automobiles:

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations

Lord knows American car companies don’t need to sell cars and we don’t need to conserve gas or get off of foreign oil. It’s always 1956 in the GOP.

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD’s.

Didn’t we just have a ton of layoffs at Whitman-Walker while completely closing one location in Northern VA? This is obvious job creation in the health field and advertising. STDs don’t screen themselves.

I guess spending a few dollars on early-diagnosis cures per patient isn’t as economically stimulating as when the government and local hospitals will need to spend exponentially more for expensive medical care and hospital stays for indigent patients.

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.

No need to hire engineers. No need to be proud of America’s ability to offer clean water and land to her citizens, especially in the nation’s capital.

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.

Improving our national treasures and is important for the pride in America, and we must fund our constitutional mandate. But these will create jobs in the DC area, and we all know the GOP hates Washington.

• $75 million for “smoking cessation activities.”

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.

I guess spending a few dollars on counseling jobs and medical help per patient isn’t as economically stimulating as when the government and local hospitals will need to spend exponentially more on fighting cancer and liver disease.

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.

• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.

American computerand software companies certainly don’t need to sell any more products or retain workers.

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.

Isn’t this job creation?

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into “green” buildings.

Engineers smengineers! No jobs for you!

• $500 million for state and local fire stations.

Wow. Just wow. The GOP calls the construction (jobs) of fire stations (jobs) wasteful. Wow.

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.

• $1.2 billion for “youth activities,” including youth summer job programs.

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.

• $160 million for “paid volunteers” at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Again, aren’t these all direct job creation? GOP: “No We can’t! no we can’t!”

• $5.5 million for “energy efficiency initiatives” at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

The GOP would rather not hire anyone at a veterans cemetery and continue to be “energy inefficient.”

• $850 million for Amtrak.

Whether this is stimulus is arguable. How is the money spent?

• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.

Whether this is stimulus is arguable. How are we reducing the hazard? Are we hiring people for summer jobs to strip and fix lead-painted buildings?

• $75 million to construct a “security training” facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

Cut this? More of America on the cheap.

The GOP: “No Can Do!” Do they have a desire to invest in America, or do they just want their tax breaks?

Obama: “Shameful!”

President Obama fired a warning shot at Wall Street on Thursday, branding bankers “shameful” for giving themselves $18.4 billion in bonuses as the economy was spinning out of control and the government was spending billions to bail out many of the nation’s most prominent financial firms…

“That is the height of irresponsibility,” Mr. Obama said angrily. “It is shameful, and part of what we’re going to need is for folks on Wall Street who are asking for help to show some restraint and show some discipline and show some sense of responsibility.

via Obama Harshly Criticizes Wall St. Bonuses – NYTimes.com

Aretha’s Inaugural Hat has a Posse

Aretha's Inaugural Hat has a Posse

Aretha’s Inaugural Hat

A personal note to everyone who came to DC for the inauguration, especially if you didn’t make it to the Mall

My group’s plan was to meet at the Shaw Metro Station at eight.
“The train is broken down on the tracks,” came the call.
“The platform is packed. We Better Walk.”

We walked down 7th street, passing signs that said,
“A Bus will be along every 10 minutes on Inauguration day”
But they neglected to mention buses would all be full.

A sea of people in the DC streets the morning of the inauguration

We emerged in the Capital, downtown, truly in a sea of people.
No one knowing what was happening, but following the crowds
Hoping to finally land in a place to witness History.

A report of a water-main Break on Seventh
“Entrances Every Three Blocks” they say.
But no one in those lines is moving either.

“Eighteenth and H! Eighteenth and H!”
One cop repeats to anyone looking for the Mall.
The Mall was full by seven we heard. Now it’s nearly ten.

A river of bundled pilgrims flowed around every corner,
And like an overflowing river, there was no hope of containment
We were fluid, escaping through every street and around every bus blockade

We made it to 18th, and down to the Mall.
We walked over the hill at the Washington Monument and hit a wall of people
We made it finally to 14th, but they said no one was going to get through.
So we retreated and settled near the base of the Monument.

The air was bitter cold and
The changing wind contained harsh reality
There was no transportation
But you came.

You were millions who believed in hope.
They told you it would be a “nightmare”
And anti-American preachers prayed for rain
But you came.

You woke before dawn, dressed your children
Loaded your cameras, and left your warm homes
Uncertain of the day, but determined to be part of it
That is why you came

Do not be sad if you came to the Capital but didn’t make it to the Mall.
Because your story is the most important one
You are living proof how America, in one of her most difficult moments,
Rejected fear, cynicism, empire, and oppression
For Hope, Belief, Common Good, and Liberty

Doug Mills/The New York Times

In our eagerness to embrace this new attitude and new Time
Our Capital City was bursting at the seams with restless Humanity
That only stopped for one brief moment while one young man put his hand in the air
Swearing himself to be our protector, and our servant.

Your pilgrimage to a patch of grass may have been cut short
And you may have ducked into a hotel or bar on the District city streets.
But where you settled only expands the reach of the importance of that day

Your wild tale of how you got there
Or how you made it only so far
Will go down in History.

And Generations from now when we look at that overflowing day in Washington
We will remember how we came together as One people. Full of hope. Full of promise.
And wherever we stood at that moment, we will remember when our country
Embraced a new day.

Inaugural Silent Protest of Rick Warren

From my images from the inauguration, coming soon on Washington Photo Journal.

Rich Murray from Brooklyn, NY, turns away from the US Capitol in silent protest during Rev. Rick Warren's invocation. The selection of Warren, who is seen above on the Jumbotrons, angered many voices in the LGBT community because of his anti-gay views.

Cory Booker: Our next Black President?

Every time I see Newark, NJ, mayor Cory Booker on television, I’m impressed. After reading his bio and a few other stories, I discover he’s got brains, balls, and a good sense of what America needs. Born in 1969, an unquestionable member of the 13th generation. Booker is “known to be friends” with (in 12 hours, 40 minutes and counting) President Barack Obama. Jon Corzine may be needed for an appointment in say around 2010, creating an opening for Booker to obtain the governorship. In 2016 he’ll be 47. He undoubtedly has ambition. A run for president in 2016 isn’t out of the question.

I’m making a note today. Keep your eyes out for Cory Booker.

Cory Booker – Wikipedia

What’s really going on in the gay rights movement?

LGBT people pinned hopes on Obama being the salvation. As if his election alone would nullify the influence of the religious right. LGBT leaders are recognizing the practicality and politics, while the people are still outraged by Rick Warren. His mere presence to them symbolizes a complete failure by Obama even before his presidency gets started.

There is a disconnect in the community. Leaders are being too practical and not outraged enough, while people are too used to being outraged while not thinking strategically how to make a real difference.

Dan Gilgoff at US News:

I’m struck by the angry reactions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender folks to my story this week on the elation of the gay rights movement over President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson to give the invocation kicking off inaugural week. (I noted separately, on this blog, that some of the elation is born of the Obama transition team’s stepped-up its outreach to LGBT leaders.) The gay rights movement is far from elated with Obama, a number of commenters write.

Is the Gay Rights Movement—or Are Just Its Leaders—Elated Over Gene Robinson? – God & Country (usnews.com).

More gays in Obama White House?

The (unnamed source Democratic) activist… said David Medina, a gay man who is a former national political director for John Edwards’ presidential campaign, has been tapped as deputy chief of staff for Michelle Obama…

Dave Noble, a gay man led efforts to mobilize gay voters for Obama’s presidential campaign, will serve as the White House’s liaison to NASA, the activist said…

Karine Jean-Pierre, a lesbian, has been selected to be the White House liaison to the Department of Labor…

More gays to serve in Obama White House – Washington Blade

New out lesbian in Illinois Senate may vote to oust her brother-in-law governor

Talk about a family feud. How often to you get to impeach your in-laws?

Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich enters the State Capital for first time since his arrest in December. The imbattled Governor will swear in the Illinois Senate, the same body that will decide his political future, today at noon.

New House members to be sworn in Wednesday include Deborah Mell, D-Chicago, the governor’s sister-in-law…

Deborah Mell, a lesbian and advocate of gay rights, was once arrested at a protest for gay marriage. She and the governor have publicly disagreed on gay marriage. Mell ran unopposed in November, paving the way for her to become the first out lesbian in the Illinois General Assembly.

Ironically the newly elected Mell may soon be asked to vote on Blagojevich’s impeachment.

Impeached Illinois governor to swear in Senate (ChicagoPride.com)

Labour MP Chris Bryant speaks about “horrible” Gaydar underwear photo controversy

Gay MP is outed in the worst way, gets reelected:

Labour MP Chris Bryant

In 2003 the tabloid press published pictures of Mr Bryant posing in his underwear, which they procured from his Gaydar profile, alongside transcripts of sexually explicit messages he sent to other site users.

In his exclusive interview with Attitude he described the experience as “very, very, very, very unpleasant.”

“I didn’t sleep much for about three months.

“Friends of mine were phoned and abused and had their sexuality revealed to their families.

“My family had journalists turning up on their doorsteps.

“It was very, very, very horrible at the time.

“We had a general election since then and I increased my majority, so my constituents … they certainly know everything there is to know about me.”

Chris Bryant speaks publicly about “horrible”Gaydar photo controversy – from Pink News – all the latest gay news from the gay community – Pink News.

Bishop Robinson, Rick Warren, and a deep divide

From Christian author Albert Mohler:

One interesting facet of the controversies over Warren and Robinson is the fact that the inclusion of the one does not placate the critics of the other. Homosexual activists are still angry over the choice of Warren to deliver the invocation on January 20. A host of others will be offended by the choice of Bishop Robinson. These two responses illustrate the depth of the divide over the issue of homosexuality.

The Idol of Our Many Understandings — Bishop Robinson at Prayer.

Inaugural Committee Releases CD/DVD with Obama Speeches and Music

Get your Commemorative Inauguration CD/DVD | The Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden

Obama Supported Gay Marriage

Obama’s answer to the 1996 Outlines question was very clear: “I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.” There was no use of “civil unions,” no compromise whatsoever.

Windy City Times – Obama changed views on gay marriage.

Rebublicans in the Wilderness

I’ve been photographing protests in DC now for nearly four years. Most of the “take it to the streets” protests are organized by only a few groups. This weekend’s A.N.S.W.E.R. Gaza protest and Free Republic counter protest was no exception.

A.N.S.W.E.R. usually organizes whatever major war protest is happening on the mall. The counter protest is usually organized by Free Republic. I think both of these groups are extremist, but A.N.S.W.E.R. tends to grab ahold of whatever is happening at the moment. Their protests are large because they attract new people who care about a cause, plus the same core group of left-wing protesters who carry their own agendas regardless of the issue of the moment. Free Republic tends to tow the extreme Republican party line of the moment, whether it be “We have to fight them over there…” or “Nuke Iran.”

Since the Free Republic group is usually pretty small, you begin to recognize people after a while. This weekend there was one long-haired mountain man that I first didn’t recognize, then it dawned on me I had photos of him from September of 2005, where he looked like an overgrown boy scout. While some Free Republic people (or “Freepers” as they are called) can spew some pretty vile stuff at these rallies, this guy is usually pretty quiet and holds a sign. His transformation to this bearded man of the wild was pretty stark. Upon reviewing the photos my buddy Bullneck got to thinking: “Is this a sign of Republicans wandering in the wilderness?”

Is this a sign of Republicans wandering in the wilderness?

Gay Bishop Robinson to offer prayer at inaugural event

Doesn’t a gay Bishop outrank a homophobic Reverend?

Bishop V. Gene Robinson

The first openly gay Episcopal bishop will offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial at an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama.

The selection of New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson for Sunday’s event follows weeks of criticism from gay-rights groups over Obama’s decision to have the Rev. Rick Warren give the invocation at his Jan. 20 inauguration…

Robinson, 61, said both Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will attend the event, and Obama is expected to speak. As for himself, Robinson said he doesn’t yet know what he’ll say, but he knows he won’t use a Bible.

“While that is a holy and sacred text to me, it is not for many Americans,” Robinson said. “I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation.”

Gay NH bishop to offer prayer at inaugural event : NPR

Andrew Sullivan says the selection is the squeeky wheel getting the grease. Let’s hope LGBT can learn to be more than just a squeeky wheel. We need to help steer.

Photo by Flickr user janinsanfran

Larry Craig abandons quest for bathroom cruising rights

Former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has reached the end of the road in his effort to reverse his conviction in an airport bathroom sex sting, one of his lawyers said Thursday.

Attorney Tom Kelly said Craig had decided against asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to void the conviction. The decision means the legal wrangling in the case is over.

PageOneQ | Larry Craig drops further appeals