This blog will focus on political images I have found all around the Internet, though I will intersperse some commentary and quotes that I find interesting.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Late Night Politcal Jokes
This was compiled from Bill in Portland Maine over at Daily Kos...
"The good news is, President Obama was born in America. The bad news is, so was Donald Trump."
---Jay Leno
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"If this [birth certificate] really is from 1961, why is there not a single mention of Ed Sullivan? He was huge! And where is the stain from the delivering doctor's martini???"
---Stephen Colbert
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"A new study found that Americans spend $1.2 trillion every year on stuff they don’t need. Or as Republicans call it: health care."
---Jimmy Fallon
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"We haven’t changed since time began. That's why it's the same stories in the Old Testament and the New York Post. Scientifically we've advanced a lot, but human nature is exactly the same. That's why nanotechnology can isolate a single strand of DNA and stop a global plague, but we still need guards at the zoo so nobody tries to jump over the fence and kick the polar bear in the balls just to be a You Tube sensation."
---Colin Quinn, from Long Story Short
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"I think these storms are God’s way of sending us a message. I think that message is that when warm humid air masses surge northward from the Gulf of Mexico and combine with a strong jet stream, it can result in severe weather conditions."
---Jimmy Kimmel
---Jay Leno
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"If this [birth certificate] really is from 1961, why is there not a single mention of Ed Sullivan? He was huge! And where is the stain from the delivering doctor's martini???"
---Stephen Colbert
-
"A new study found that Americans spend $1.2 trillion every year on stuff they don’t need. Or as Republicans call it: health care."
---Jimmy Fallon
-
"We haven’t changed since time began. That's why it's the same stories in the Old Testament and the New York Post. Scientifically we've advanced a lot, but human nature is exactly the same. That's why nanotechnology can isolate a single strand of DNA and stop a global plague, but we still need guards at the zoo so nobody tries to jump over the fence and kick the polar bear in the balls just to be a You Tube sensation."
---Colin Quinn, from Long Story Short
-
"I think these storms are God’s way of sending us a message. I think that message is that when warm humid air masses surge northward from the Gulf of Mexico and combine with a strong jet stream, it can result in severe weather conditions."
---Jimmy Kimmel
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
John McCain follows Obama's lead, releases original long-form Birth Certificate
As if anyone cares - but here it is...
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wow, ain't this something...
Pakistan is lobbying Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to dump the U.S. a long-term strategic partner and "look to Pakistan -- and its Chinese ally -- for help in striking a peace deal with the Taliban." In an April 16 meeting, Pakistan leaders told Karzai that "Americans had failed them both" and that he "should forget about allowing a long-term U.S. military presence in his country."
From "The Progress Report, 4/27/2011"
Economic news
With Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner preparing for a failure to lift the debt ceiling, bank executives are urging Republicans to raise the debt limit as quickly as possible. In private meetings with reluctant lawmakers, bankers have warned that not doing so could cause bank failures, an interest rate spike, and severe depression .
From "The Progress Report, 4/27/2011"
Speaking of religion and politics
Why Evangelicals Hate Jesus
By Phil Zuckerman
This article was co-authored by Dan Cady is an assistant professor of history at California State University, Fresno. He publishes on the history of the American West, music, and religion.
The results from a recent poll published by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/Tea-Party-and-Religion.aspx) reveal what social scientists have known for a long time: White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus. It is perhaps one of the strangest, most dumb-founding ironies in contemporary American culture. Evangelical Christians, who most fiercely proclaim to have a personal relationship with Christ, who most confidently declare their belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, who go to church on a regular basis, pray daily, listen to Christian music, and place God and His Only Begotten Son at the center of their lives, are simultaneously the very people most likely to reject his teachings and despise his radical message.
Jesus unambiguously preached mercy and forgiveness. These are supposed to be cardinal virtues of the Christian faith. And yet Evangelicals are the most supportive of the death penalty, draconian sentencing, punitive punishment over rehabilitation, and the governmental use of torture. Jesus exhorted humans to be loving, peaceful, and non-violent. And yet Evangelicals are the group of Americans most supportive of easy-access weaponry, little-to-no regulation of handgun and semi-automatic gun ownership, not to mention the violent military invasion of various countries around the world. Jesus was very clear that the pursuit of wealth was inimical to the Kingdom of God, that the rich are to be condemned, and that to be a follower of Him means to give one’s money to the poor. And yet Evangelicals are the most supportive of corporate greed and capitalistic excess, and they are the most opposed to institutional help for the nation’s poor — especially poor children. They hate anything that smacks of “socialism,” even though that is essentially what their Savior preached. They despise food stamp programs, subsidies for schools, hospitals, job training — anything that might dare to help out those in need. Even though helping out those in need was exactly what Jesus urged humans to do. In short, Evangelicals are that segment of America which is the most pro-militaristic, pro-gun, and pro-corporate, while simultaneously claiming to be most ardent lovers of the Prince of Peace.
What’s the deal?
Before attempting an answer, allow a quick clarification. Evangelicals don’t exactly hate Jesus — as we’ve provocatively asserted in the title of this piece. They do love him dearly. But not because of what he tried to teach humanity. Rather, Evangelicals love Jesus for what he does for them. Through his magical grace, and by shedding his precious blood, Jesus saves Evangelicals from everlasting torture in hell, and guarantees them a premium, luxury villa in heaven. For this, and this only, they love him. They can’t stop thanking him. And yet, as for Jesus himself — his core values of peace, his core teachings of social justice, his core commandments of goodwill — most Evangelicals seem to have nothing but disdain.
By Phil Zuckerman
This article was co-authored by Dan Cady is an assistant professor of history at California State University, Fresno. He publishes on the history of the American West, music, and religion.
The results from a recent poll published by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/Tea-Party-and-Religion.aspx) reveal what social scientists have known for a long time: White Evangelical Christians are the group least likely to support politicians or policies that reflect the actual teachings of Jesus. It is perhaps one of the strangest, most dumb-founding ironies in contemporary American culture. Evangelical Christians, who most fiercely proclaim to have a personal relationship with Christ, who most confidently declare their belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, who go to church on a regular basis, pray daily, listen to Christian music, and place God and His Only Begotten Son at the center of their lives, are simultaneously the very people most likely to reject his teachings and despise his radical message.
Jesus unambiguously preached mercy and forgiveness. These are supposed to be cardinal virtues of the Christian faith. And yet Evangelicals are the most supportive of the death penalty, draconian sentencing, punitive punishment over rehabilitation, and the governmental use of torture. Jesus exhorted humans to be loving, peaceful, and non-violent. And yet Evangelicals are the group of Americans most supportive of easy-access weaponry, little-to-no regulation of handgun and semi-automatic gun ownership, not to mention the violent military invasion of various countries around the world. Jesus was very clear that the pursuit of wealth was inimical to the Kingdom of God, that the rich are to be condemned, and that to be a follower of Him means to give one’s money to the poor. And yet Evangelicals are the most supportive of corporate greed and capitalistic excess, and they are the most opposed to institutional help for the nation’s poor — especially poor children. They hate anything that smacks of “socialism,” even though that is essentially what their Savior preached. They despise food stamp programs, subsidies for schools, hospitals, job training — anything that might dare to help out those in need. Even though helping out those in need was exactly what Jesus urged humans to do. In short, Evangelicals are that segment of America which is the most pro-militaristic, pro-gun, and pro-corporate, while simultaneously claiming to be most ardent lovers of the Prince of Peace.
What’s the deal?
Before attempting an answer, allow a quick clarification. Evangelicals don’t exactly hate Jesus — as we’ve provocatively asserted in the title of this piece. They do love him dearly. But not because of what he tried to teach humanity. Rather, Evangelicals love Jesus for what he does for them. Through his magical grace, and by shedding his precious blood, Jesus saves Evangelicals from everlasting torture in hell, and guarantees them a premium, luxury villa in heaven. For this, and this only, they love him. They can’t stop thanking him. And yet, as for Jesus himself — his core values of peace, his core teachings of social justice, his core commandments of goodwill — most Evangelicals seem to have nothing but disdain.
You can read more by clicking here.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Voters uninformed
I watched it for years as a local union leader - people voting against their own best interests. I've no idea what motivates them, but whether it is family tradition to vote conservative values, or religion, or historical ignorance, they will do it - and they will do it in droves. More proof...
I have no sympathy for seniors complaining about dismantling Medicare. You old, uninformed, easily confused, overly religious morons voted for Republicans - did you think YOUR benefits were somehow off-limits?
I have no sympathy for seniors complaining about dismantling Medicare. You old, uninformed, easily confused, overly religious morons voted for Republicans - did you think YOUR benefits were somehow off-limits?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
North Carolina is unhappy that Florida is labeled as the wackiest state in the nation.
Yep - North Carolina wants to lay claim to the title of "Home to the Screwiest People in North America."
Read the entire post HERE.
OK, so, the way I’m reading the bill, if someone comes into the emergency room and his 5-year-old son has a bullet in his leg, a doctor can’t even ask the guy whether he keeps firearms in his house? Jesus, have all the 2nd Amendment folks lost their collective minds...?
Read the entire post HERE.
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FROM QUESTIONING PATIENTS ABOUT LAWFUL ACTIVITY RELATED TO FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION WHEN PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO PATIENTS AND TO AUTHORIZE THE IMPOSITION OF A FINE ON HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WHO ENGAGE IN THE PROHIBITED CONDUCT.
OK, so, the way I’m reading the bill, if someone comes into the emergency room and his 5-year-old son has a bullet in his leg, a doctor can’t even ask the guy whether he keeps firearms in his house? Jesus, have all the 2nd Amendment folks lost their collective minds...?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A crazy thought
I was just watching a video of Clifford Stoll, a scientist/technician, and he very briefly raised one of the most interesting questions I've heard in a long time - do we have too many computers in schools? Should we have any?
This made me ask - did America's schools begin to fall behind the rest of the world when we introduced computers into the classroom? Do we ask kids to rely too little on their minds and too much on the technology?
Perhaps we are asking our children to just be computer operators and not to be free thinkers.
I have no answers to these questions, but as a former math teacher, I often questioned the wisdom of allowing calculators in school until long after we were sure that kids could add, subtract, multiply and divide. Being a mathematician requires that kids have a strong sense of the concept of "number" and they'll never get it by having machines do the basic work for them.
I'd love to see some research - did our students do better before they had computers?
This made me ask - did America's schools begin to fall behind the rest of the world when we introduced computers into the classroom? Do we ask kids to rely too little on their minds and too much on the technology?
Perhaps we are asking our children to just be computer operators and not to be free thinkers.
I have no answers to these questions, but as a former math teacher, I often questioned the wisdom of allowing calculators in school until long after we were sure that kids could add, subtract, multiply and divide. Being a mathematician requires that kids have a strong sense of the concept of "number" and they'll never get it by having machines do the basic work for them.
I'd love to see some research - did our students do better before they had computers?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Probably quite right...
"Ryan’s pieties notwithstanding, his budget is a prescription for diminishing prosperity and security, a road map, in fact, for national decline."
-- Harold Meyerson, in his Washington Post column,
"Who's hurt by Paul Ryan's budget proposal?"
-- Harold Meyerson, in his Washington Post column,
"Who's hurt by Paul Ryan's budget proposal?"
Conservatives continue to fight to make you more poor
More proof of the point I was making yesterday, i.e that Republicans want the lower classes to work for less money so that they can have more of the nation's wealth. The link leads to a video.
Tea Party Candidate Rips Minimum Wage
Sunday, April 17, 2011
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