The Buck Stops Here

Regarding Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab failed undies-bomb:

"I'm less interested in passing out blame than in learning and correcting mistakes. The buck stops with me." - President Barack Obama

Such a sharp contrast with the CYA-era of Bush. Condi Rice never imagining planes being used as missile? Never briefed? Such dishonesty. It took an act of Congress to establish the 9/11 Commission. And even then, Bush would not appear without Vice President Dick Cheney. Sucks we gave them all a free pass after so many of their disasterous mistakes.

Could you imagine Obama saying he needs Joe Biden by his side before he talks? Would Republicans use a double standard to attack? You betcha.

Just a reminder, Bush, in his own words, made no mistakes:




Source: Joan Walsh

Rudy's Selective Memory

That was on ABC this morning.

"We Had No Domestic Attacks Under Bush; We've Had One Under Obama." - Rudy Giuliani.

Won't even try to make a parallel with Richard Reid. What about 9/11? Does that sound familiar, Rudy? Why would a guy who uses "9/11" in every sentence for the past 8 years forget at such a time? "America's Mayor" forgot how he got his title?

This is so typical of the Republican Party. This "we did nothing wrong" attitude. No need to ever apologize, either. They really believe they had no hand in running the country into the ground. But any chance they can slam Obama with a blatant double standard, they send their attack chimps on every TV show, where as you see, they are rarely called out for.

"I'm The Biggest Christian, Therefore I Should Have Power"

This is not a theocratic Iran, this is Huntsville, Alabama. Indistinguishable.

"I believe the Bible is true," Republican gubernatorial candidate Bradley Byrne said here Wednesday. "Every word of it."

Byrne's testimony came as he tried to clarify an earlier statement seized on by his opponents for the GOP nomination.

Byrne had been quoted in the Mobile Press-Register in November as saying, "I believe there are parts of the Bible that are meant to be literally true and parts that are not."

The Republican litmus test is proving there is no separation of Church and State. Plus, the willingness to say anything to please the extreme Right is the standard now. Piety in politics is a dangerous mix in this modern world.

Of the seven sins, pride is the biggest and basis for the others. Is shouting "I'm the biggest Christian, therefore I should have power" come across as humble?

Source: al.com

"Name One Republican Accomplishment" FAIL

GOP strategist Todd Harris was asked, "Name one thing the Republicans have done for the United States over the last 20 years". It did not go too well. Host Chris Matthews qualified the question:

"I just wanted to get the Republican bragging points straight here. So the Republican Party has kept us safe, except for 9/11. Is that the argument? No, really, because you had the worst attack on the American homeland in history, but you're bragging about your ability to defend the country.... That's your defense, right?"

I'm surprised Harris did not spurt out "tax cuts for the wealthy" since they're supposed to be the solution to every conceivable problem.

And even after 9/11, which happened under Bush, he himself did not stop attacking our economy, Constitution and reputation. Does another attack even matter when our own President does more damage?

To be fair, Republicans are still fighting the good fight in the War Against Christmas, same sex marriage, the right to carry automatic weapons in public and praying in schools. Oh, and tripling the concentration of wealth to the top 1%.



Source: Washington Monthly

If Air Travel Worked Like Health Care

This video sums it up.



Source: http://www.youtube.com/TheNewAltons

Commercial Airline Safety Graph

Strip search the world or just deal with very, very low odds?



Source: http://www.thehighdefinite.com

Congressional Retirements: Reality v MSM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) is retiring. So is Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.). The media puts out a hasty "Democrats dropping like flies" meme.

Fair? Objective? Nope. Steve Benen points out:

"In the House, 14 GOP incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while 10 Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement. Does this mean Republicans are "dropping like flies"?

In the Senate, six Republican incumbents have decided not to seek re-election, while two Democratic incumbents have made the same announcement. Is this evidence of a mass Democratic exodus?"

For Governors, it's three Dems vs. four Republicans. Five if you include Sarah Palin.

So, to review, Republican retirements outnumber Democratic retirements in the House, in the Senate, and among governors. Seems like reality and the MSM are at odds as usual.

NOTE: Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he will seek to succeed fellow Democrat Christopher Dodd in the U.S. Senate. Dems will get the seat.

Source: Washington Monthly

Matthews: Politico Morphing Into Drudge

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews calls out Politico’s Jonathan Martin on Hardball for being an unfiltered conduit for Dick Cheney.

MATTHEWS: I mean, he’s got his own news conduit.

MARTIN: You know, we aggressively report on both sides.

MATTHEWS: It’s not reporting. He feeds you this stuff. … I do like Politico. He’s feeding you guys this crap. [...]

What’s he call up and say? “I got a hot one for you, Jon. Can you take — what’s your email address?” Is that what he does?

Martin had no answer. Sadly, Politico is choosing stenography of the right wing talking points to actual reporting.



Source: Think Progress

2010 Poll

Looking back, although there was some great things, and in spite of people and a country that are basically good and caring, the past decade was run into the ground.

Make a live audience poll at Poll Everywhere

The Naughts And The Zeros

Maybe tax cuts for the rich and deregulation doesn't create as many jobs as conservatives thought. Two wars and a massive tax cut for the rich didn't help, either. This is what their trickle down economics looks like. Horrible for Americans.

All of the Republican predictions were wrong, the policies were all failures, yet they still think they have a voice. They'll even call you "elitist" for believing in facts.



Source: Bob Cesca