How Many People Did Jade Helm Round Up?

The answer is simple: ZERO.
The right wing conspiracy machine was in full "crazy mode" to claim that the US military, Walmart, and President Obama were planning on declaring marshal law and taking over Texas & Utah.  Ridiculous and insane, but given full credit & weight by MANY Republican presidential candidates who want to play to the extreme right primary base who come out to vote like fire ants whose nest has been stepped on by a black booted Federal government thug.

If you don't know what "Jade Helm" is, the CS Monitor back in May laid it out nicely. (link here)
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2015/0505/What-is-Jade-Helm-15-and-should-Chuck-Norris-be-worried-video

If you don't remember how Cruz and Paul and most of the Republican field reacted back in May, the internet does.  (link here).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-stanford/the-pentagons-response-to_b_7251254.html

"J.E.Dyer" foretold of terrible things to come at "Liberty Unyielding".  Fool.

If you'd like to see a Map of "Operation Jade Helm" I've included one below.

To see how many people have been rounded up, and how many Counties and States have had marshal law imposed on them (staring today, July 15th, of course) read here (link).
http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/national/wire/civilians-begin-shadowing-jade-helm-war-exercise-in-texas/article_f3e54fa9-4b0d-5dbc-94e4-2ac1de1a6b0e.html

Yeah, "I've got some concerns" and "questions remain" ...  yes, like "how did you ever get elected, Ted?"

I am so glad I don't live in a backwards, regressive, insane Red State Dumbphukistan anymore.

Thank You Justice Kennedy

Swing Supreme Court Anthony Kennedy, thank you for being human, reasonable, and compassionate in your SCOTUS ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges on Friday.  All of my Gay friends can now enjoy the LONG LIST of rights and privileges that Dr Desert Flower and I have enjoyed for the last 28 years, if they find the love of their lives and want to get married as well.  Thank you.  You joined your 4 reasonable SCOTUS colleagues in making the right decision, and you worded your majority opinion so eloquently.

The hyperbolic fit throwing from the religious right - and their ridiculous predictions of being "forced" to act against their faith, or to "go out of business" as Huckabee said on This Week with Snuffleupagus - is amusingly stupid.  No chicken little, the sky is not falling, but legal barriers to basic rights are.

Thanks Justice Kennedy.

Ryan Loves Charts

Blue eyed right wing ideologue darling, and Vice Presidential hopeful Paul Ryan love charts.  So here's a few telling charts, he'll never show.

I'd really love to wipe the perpetual smirk off his face, with a resounding election loss for the Republicans, or, by other means.. but I don't want the Secret Service to come interview me, so my views will remain silent on this point.  "Grew up in a middle class family" - yeah, if by "Middle Class" your father is a millionaire who owns a very profitable construction business, and he dies when you're a teenager, leaving a large life insurance settlement to your mom.  If only everyone in America was so "middle class" as poor old Paul Ryan.

Moon Landings Were Faked!

Yes, there's no shortage of Americans who think the Apollo moon landings were faked.  They also think that the commercial airlines are dumping aluminum oxide into the atmosphere as they cross over the US, that both crack was imported and Al Qaeda was created by the CIA, as well as believing that Fluoride in drinking water leads to government mind control.  These people are gullible and easily manipulated (idiots).  Back in 2009, I less than eloquently railed against them in a brief post (link here).  Well, Science Friday talked to a planetary geologist today who has been looking at the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data, that has some amazing pixel resolution.  They've taken images of all the Apollo landing sites (as wel as surveying about 1/2 the moon, in extreme detail), from an altitude of about 25 kilometers.  Really, really, clear images.  (links here, here, here, and here). 

Faking foot prints, go cart trails, a discarded go cart, the lunar landers,  and their shadows, visible by orbiting cameras, being looked at by scientists who are trying to understand erosion, geologic science, and landscape morphology on and under the lunar surface.  Yeah, you can never believe scientists.

Oh, and they found vast fields of Titanium rich basalts, so Newt Gingrich can have some raw materials to build his moon colony out of as well (link here).

McCain: Get Off My Bus!

My Senior Senator is having more and more "senior moments".  Today, John McCain went on a rant on the floor of the Senate about how ugly President Obama's bus is, and how terrible it is that it was made in Canada.  Sure, Prevost does have a plant in Quebec that makes fine bus shells.  They manufacture them for alot of people.  The presidential bus's shell was made there too, and then finished in Tennessee.  I think Tennessee is in America, isn't it?

Yep, it's a Prevost

What other bus in recent memory were Prevost buses?  Hmmm....

Another Prevost

Enough said.

I guess attacking a campaign bus choice without the facts is what someone does when they are trying to create a distraction and stall for time.  When the Democrats are pushing for jobs bills and financial reform, the Republicans are busy voting to ban abortions in emergency rooms and criticizing presidential buses. 

Ok, I get it.

Ira Mehlman, Get A Clue

When I hear hypocritical ideologues spouting their pathetic logic on the radio in an attempt to justify their paranoia and hatred, it really aggravates me.  I was listening to Richard Gonzales' excellent report this evening on NPR, and the following was actually said publicly: (link here)

"Congress has written the immigration laws of this country. It's the responsibility of the executive branch to carry them out, whether they happen to agree with them or not," says Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform. He says his objection has nothing to do with the sexual orientation of the people whose cases are being dismissed."

Oh REALLY Ira?  Where was the "Federation for American Immigration Reform" during the Bush Administration?  Silent.  Now that several couples who are gay are about to lose their health care, be deported, or not get their spouse a green card, ENFORCEMENT is suddenly an issue??

Congress writes LOTS of laws in this country Ira.
- Laws like the Glass Steagall Act, which the Bush Administration rarely ever enforced since it "didn't like" what the teeth in the law did against their Wall Street donors.
- Laws like The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which again, the Republicans refuse to support, to fund, to enforce, to audit.
- Laws like The Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which established the Bureau of Consumer Protection which the Republican Congress refuses to fund, support, staff, and which they are trying to dismantle.  OH! But wait.... That Barney Frank is one of the gays... isn't he?  So it's all ok, right Ira?
- Congressional committees ratified some kind of agency called the EPA Ira.  It's something like a Environmental Protection Agency, proposed and organized by the flaming liberal Richard Nixon, remember him Ira?  But strangely, the Bush administration refused to level fines, indictments, or enforce EPA regulations, and the current Republican Congress would love to dismantle it.  Had you ever heard of that selective enforcement Ira??
- The Bureau of Land Management has that "Mineral Management Service", Ira.  Do you recall how back in 2008 the Sex & Drugs and Bribery scandal was uncovered at the BLM by the congressional inspector general (link here, Ira).  And who was in office, in 2008? Oh yes, that was George W Bush Ira.  No outcry back then?  Oh, it was heterosexual sex (mostly) that the MMS federal employees were having with corporate lobbyists in federal offices, as they didn't enforce federal laws, so I guess that's OK Ira?

The examples are LEGION, of where Republican Administrations and Republican legislators, who despise the very concept of government, have refused to enforce laws they don't like or install incompetent nincompoops to lead vital agencies.  Democrats on the other hand, pride themselves on competent governing, skillful public service for the greater good, helping all Americans, regardless of their political affiliation or socio-economic status. 

Is it OK Ira if Republicans do it, but if a Democratic administration does something your ideological lobbying group doesn't like, then you need to vociferously protest?  Sit down and shut up Ira.  Reasonable people don't want to hear your bigoted message of fear and hatred.

Like, Dislike, STFU =)

It's too bad that internet postings cannot have more options than just "Like" and "Dislike".  The "STFU" option would be so appropriate, so often!

NPR, Stop Covering That Alaskan Quitter!

I am seriously considering writing to NPR and asking for my annual pledge money back.  They've been really tremendously piss poor in covering the Tucson shooting.  I had to turn them off, AGAIN this evening, as I was responding to blog posts, and they ran a disgusting 4 minute piece on Sarah Palin's reaction, and her predictable re-accusal of others (as she is the Master of Personalized Victimization). Who Cares? Her 15 minutes of fame were up in November of 2008.  Stop Covering her, if you want to maintain any shred of dignity as a news organization... or did all of that leave with Ellen Wiess?  They got Mayhem Fest wrong, and didn't bother to look it up.  They're stumbling all over themselves.  They keep calling the disturbed Jared kid an "accused suspect" - there's witnesses, he's proud he did it, he was pinned at the scene, there's no "accused" about it.  Yes, yes, in America we have too many lawyers who sue everyone for "libel", whatever. 

I'm enjoying listening to my Playlist here instead.  =)

Whiny Little Sessions, STFU

...and each time I hear racist little Jeff Sessions whine on the radio or TV about Kagan's "lack of judicial experience", I want to take him on a canoe trip up the Chattahoochee in neighboring Georgia where he can squeeeeal.

Clueless lapdog Harriet Miers was fine with Jeff. But highly qualified Elena Kagan is not? Hypocrite.

Jeff Sessions, STFU

You are no longer relevant. Accept the FACT that you were REJECTED for that Federal judgeship years ago, and get on with your life, little boy.

STFU Phelps

Happy Saturday News, from my friend Matt: (link here)
The anachronistic, hate spewing, heretical, Westboro Baptist Church professional protesters are drowned out and negated entirely by a united community. Go Home hate mongers. You have no influence here.

Too bad every single school, veteran's funeral, and community in America can't unite like this, to obliterate the hate these moronic Topekians attempt to spew in futility.

To My Dear Republican Friends...

Every time I hear a Republican / Libertarian / Tea Bagger / Blogger / Conservative / Pox News 'analyst' / Pundit say that The Daily Show is partisan and liberal, they need to watch this clip:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-january-18-2010/mass-backwards

[link here, if the embedded video does not work]
And after watching the video, I recommend some mango chutney with their crow, as they Shut Up.
"John Lennon's favorite Beetle, is Mickey Dolenz"
"Curt schilling is a Yankees fan"
"Coakley believes Larry Bird, is a Sesame Street Character"
"Coakley went into the bar at Cheers, and didn't know anybody's name" "Hey, Jerome!"

TDS writers and Jon Stewart are equal opportunity satirists, pointing out stupidity and irony amusingly whenever possible. The monumental stupidity and incompetence of the Bush administration masked the lingering malaise that is the Democratic party from 2000 to 2008. Now, the Democrats are once again proving their inability to win, lead, or execute governance efficiently.

"The reason it will die.... if Coakley loses, Democrats will only have an 18 vote majority in the Senate, which is more than George W Bush Ever Had in the Senate when he did whatever the f#ck he wanted to do. In fact, the Democrats have a greater majority than Republicans have had since 1923."

"See, it's not that the Democrats are playing checkers and the Republicans are playing chess. The Republicans are playing chess and the Democrats are in the nurse's office because once again they glued their balls to their thighs."

"It's not your fault Democratic leadership. No one should have raised the bar of expectations for you. We should just leave the bar on the ground. Wait for you to trip."

NFL + DVR = 80 minute game

Last night as I watched the Chicago Bears trounce the Denver Broncos on NBC, for the first time in my life, I watched a NFL game as it was being recorded on DVR. Commercials took about 4 seconds to fast forward through. Booth reviewed calls took all of 10 or 15 seconds. I did not have to listen at all to Chris Collinsworth droning on - except when he would NOT Shut Up in the 4th quarter. Finally, Madden is gone, and now we have to listen to Collinsworthless? Ah, but DVR to the rescue!

Paused to light the grill, recycle consumed beer, obtain more cold beer, grill wings, eat said wings, were an extra 30 or 40 minutes all-together, max. I could really get used to this. As Stephen Colbert says "it's like having a DVD player, a time machine, and friends, all in one!"

On a regional note, cry-baby Cutler did not do too badly. Finally da Bears have a QB who can do more than hand off to the running back! Hester did a nice 40 yard punt run back to help change momentum. It was a nice Sunday Night pre-season opener. It looks like it won't be a losing season for da Bears. =)

Sessions, you're way out-matched

"SESSIONS: Do you stand by your statement that my experiences affect the facts I choose to see?

SOTOMAYOR: No, sir. I don't stand by the understanding of that statement that I will ignore other facts or other experiences because I haven't had them. I do believe that life experiences are important to the process of judging. They help you to understand and listen but that the law requires a result. And it would command you to the facts that are relevant to the disposition of the case. "

Jeff, if you're gonna try and pick a fight with a highly qualified, extremely experienced, wise Latina Federal Appeals Court Judge, be ready to admit defeat and eat crow when she calmly, sweetly, with a smile, deconstructs your accusations to reveal you sir, for the ignorant cracker you really are. Compared to the unqualified racist buffoon that you were when you were nominated by Reagan for a Federal Judgeship, Sotomayor's replies to your pathetic attacks is like her bringing a mini-gun to a knife fight.

Good to have a level headed, rational, intelligent President!

Even Nick Burns, the diplomat W appointed to negotiate with Iran, believes Obama's tone with Iran's election turmoil is spot on, precisely what is correct to express at this point, to DENY Iran the convenient target of blaming internal Iranian struggles on external forces.

Cantor, Rohrabacher, Pence, STFU. Listen to those who know what they are talking about, and learn a thing or two before spouting your misguided rhetoric. Nick Burns has been joined by Kissinger, Buchanan, Lugar, and other moderate, sane political voices from the right. I shudder to think what would happen if W's, or McRage's hand were on the ship's wheel.

0.0507% Nationalized

For all the Libertarians and Republicans and other self proclaimed "small government" advocates who are hysterically shouting about how President Obama is a Socialist, or a Communist, and how he's nationalizing American businesses, and the American way of life is going to hell in a hand basket as the 'free market' and Capitalism is being over-run by 'Big Government' and we're all going to be reading Marx and joining agricultural cooperatives soon, I offer this insightful graphic from this month's Atlantic:


Yeah, that's 0.0507% of all the businesses in America have been nationalized. A giant tidal way of Federal control, a cultural and socio-economic tsunami. Give me a break! Hey, paranoid, sensational, hysterical morons, STFU! Let me know when this number begins to approach 10%, like in some Western European countries, or over 50%, like it is in China or Cuba or North Korea.

Republicans hate ear marks, except their own

As I listen to grumpy, sour grapes, angry old McCain on local PHX PBS radio this morning, I am struck by how snide & bitter he is. He's blaming Obama for 9000 ear marks that are in the omnibus spending bill, 40 percent of which Republicans put in there. The NPR host pointed out that Turtle McConnell of Kentucky is one of the strongest hypocrites, loading the bill up with his own pork, and then complaining that Democrats are all to blame. STFU Mitch. John, can you sound more disgusted on the radio? Is it possible?

And the ear marks are less than 10% of the total bill - or about 2 months of Bush administration unjustified war in Iraq. Stop the whining, and pass the damn thing.

A Masterful Speech

If you missed President Obama's speech last night to the joint session of Congress, here's the transcript. This leader knows how to speak, frankly, directly, plainly, relating to real people. Not just rich mfs as W did. Truly an impressive address (as noted last month as well) by one who has a attained a mastery of the English language and it's use to motivate a nation.

Meanwhile, flavor of the month Jindal makes such a ridiculous republican talking-points response, the SNL version this weekend should be quite hilarious! Once again he spoke of a potential magnetic train from Vegas to Anaheim as if it was fact, when it is still conjecture. He derided "volcano monitoring" as misguided / wasteful. Hey Jindal, didja realize that NOAA monitors volcanoes??? You know, NOAA, the ones who accurately warned your state about the intensity of HURRICANE KATRINA? Yeah, we don't need ACCURATE SCIENCE to help make our lives easier and avert disasters, let's just pray instead. This types of puppets who just regurgitate the same RNC talking points without offering substantive alternatives need to STFU.

This week's news

no time to blog today, too busy packin and backin-up my laptop for the up-coming Bangalore adventure. A few items of notice this week...

Scum Dog Million Hairs - TDS coverage of Blago's impeachment is hilarious. Lego hair! LOL!

"Not Magneto" - TDS's 'Guantanamo Baywatch - The Final Season' compares the inept and hapless prisoners at Guantanamo to the existing legion of hardened US criminals, including "the brain eater". 'They're a bunch of thugs and bunglers, they're not Magneto' - beautifully put! Documents Republican fear mongering at it's best, and W's legacy and what a clusterf*ck it's left us.

Ahmadinejad, STFU - Iran's version of W, an extreme idealogue at the margins of his nation, President Ahmadinejad tells Obama he loves to keep his fist clenched, and the the US must apologize to Iran for all it's done and cut off ties with Israel. Cuckoo. Cuckoo. Cuckoo! The Supreme Religious authorities (somewhat akin to a Shia S.C.O.T.U.S. combined with a Polit Bureau in some ways) in Iran need to reign this bozo in. He's really hurting their country's image.

Marc A. Thiessen - wrong previously, still wrong

Last week on the BBC and this week on NPR, mouthpiece and tool Marc A. Thiessen is spewing his ideological rhetoric and lies. This FORMER speech writer for W, was wrong on so many levels during the last 8 years. Now, he's still incredibly delusional, he truly believes that torture provided excellent intelligence. As the moderator on Diane Rehm's show said today "time after time, expert after expert, we've spoken to military interrogators and CIA officials who have stated torture provides false confessions". This Thiessen ideologue is SO convinced that his Führers (W & Cheney) were absolutely right, he's not listened to anyone who was actually trying to get the intelligence, or any of the authors who have written extensively on it.

MORE Americans HAVE BEEN KILLED due to inspired jihadists AFTER 9-11 than were killed ON 9-11. Torturing inspires jihadists and degrades American values, morals, international standing, effectiveness, and safety. Marc A. Thiessen, join Douglas Feith and STFU. Your party and ideology lost. Get over it.

The longer I listen to this radio show today, the more disgusted I get with the right wing nuts who are calling in. Amazing.

STFU - Douglas Feith

On NPR this afternoon, they have a "panel of foreign policy experts" on. One of them, is W's former under-secretary of Defense, Douglas Feith. You remember who this piece of work is?

"Doug Feith, of course, is without question, one of the most brilliant individuals in government. He is – he's just a rare talent. And from my standpoint, working with him is always interesting. He's been one of the really the intellectual leaders in the administration in defense policy aspects of our work here" - Rumsfeld.

Consider the source. Enough said. I cringe every time I hear this moron in an interview. He was wrong on Iraq. Wrong on WMD. Wrong on Pakistan. Wrong on Afghanistan. Wrong on everything he touched. Now Feith needs to STFU. No one needs to hear from him anymore, ever again, except perhaps, to do exactly the opposite of whatever he recommends. His ideology was voted out of power. His incompetence and ridiculously stretched justifications are best left to the pages of the WSJ and other right wing mouth pieces.