Damn That Ojeda!

James Brown, RIP

2006-12-25T12:44:00.000-06:00

There hasn't been a single year that's passed since 1965 that James Brown has not had a direct influence on the current music trend in soul, rock or pop. That's how deep it reaches and will continue to reach. One of the facts about Brown's career that surprises me most is that he was almost dropped from King Records because the president of the label at the time considered him unproductive. With Papa's Got a Brand New Bag in 1965, however, there was no turning back for the Godfather of Soul. How he'll be missed. Here he is performing in France a medley of Sex Machine and Get On the Good Foot.

Merry Christmas Everyone

2006-12-25T12:30:00.000-06:00

Hope you all get good presents and a great dinner. :)

RIP Peter Boyle

2006-12-13T11:25:00.000-06:00

Peter Boyle died at age 71. He left an impressive body of work as an actor, but, of course, only became something of a very familiar face thanks to Everybody Loves Raymond. His other great work include the movies Joe and Monster's Ball, in both movies playing truly hateful bigots. However, his single greatest contribution for all of film eternity was his brilliant idea (after Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder were at a loss) to have his Frankenstein monster character wail out "Puttin' on the Riiiiiiiiiiiiii" in the funniest scene from Young Frankenstein:

Anniversary and Announcement

2006-12-12T13:24:00.000-06:00

Today marks the one-year anniversary of DamnThatOjeda! I assume I can expect the gift of toilet paper any time now.

I've had a lot of fun posting over the past year and thank those who have written words of encouragement regarding it. It's truly appreciated, since many times you can feel as though you are writing into a black hole called the world-wide web with your information getting sucked in to a cacophony of video, audio, bleeps, blips and trillions of bytes of text. I didn't expect any major things to come out of it, but was glad I was able to do my little part to fill up bandwidth with what I hope was entertaining, thoughtful, outrageous and funny.

For those of you who wonder what it's like to do this, I've learned a few things I can share with you. First and foremost, keeping a blog going on a daily basis is tough. No doubt about it. And if you want to have a blog with creative material, this type of project is incredibly daunting. The flip side however is how great it is to get the project up there for all to read it. You can ask my friend Barry about this (he's collaborated on some posts with me). The finished products definitely make this worthwhile.

The second factor is that blogging will really help you decide what interests you want to write about the most. This fact was hinted to me by my cousin Ralph who was pleased to learn I was blogging but suggested I come up with a focus for the blog. Very sound advice.

When I had begun this blog a year ago, I hoped I would blog about movies and music with politics and satire being a sort of side topic. As the Bush Administration got worse with each passing month, politics started becoming the main focus of the blog. I don't regret the change. I think we all needed to concentrate on the insanity of this Adminstration and do what we could to change power in Washington. This last election restored my faith in the wisdom of Americans and the restoration of the country.

But now I feel I should refocus the blog on the things I do best: present reviews/rants about strange movies I love or hate, hopefully post audio clips of music I've collected over the years (that might take a little while, but it's a goal), and present more creative writings (obviously, these works would not be done on a daily basis). This would mean that the blog would probably not operate as a daily, but as, at least, a weekly.

The one task I want to accomplish before starting the refocus is to change the host. Blogger has had some problems in the past and I have to say I'm quite pissed that AdSense has 1) provided ads for the blog that favored views I'm against (I mean an ad that praises Ann Coulter? Jesus Christ!) and 2) they've accused me of clicking on my own ads, so now they won't pay up for the clicks that supported this blog. Lying Assholes. Blogger is history. So I will be changing hosts pretty soon.

I'm not sure how much I will be posting between now and year's end. I suspect I will be sporadically, but, rest assured, once I get a new blog going, I will announce it and spread the word.

Thanks for your continued support!

Lew Ojeda

Great Music of the Week

2006-12-05T01:55:00.000-06:00

I've always been more of a fan of the piano being used for rock 'n' roll rather than guitar. The following is one of the reasons why. Amos Milburn, acknowedged influence of Fats Domino and many others who came after, rocks the Apollo Theater in 1950 with one of his many hits "Down the Road Apiece." Milburn became a major link between boogie woogie jump blues and early rock and roll. Watch how he makes it look so easy. Just incredible.

Corporate Bank Thinks It's Hip

2006-11-29T14:49:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Dave H. for bringing this to my attention.

MBNA/Bank of America thought it was so wonderful they were able to merge into one corporation, a song was sung for its own self-indulgence. It's a bastardization of U2's song "One" and boy, oh boy it's about the most derisively funny thing I've ever seen a corporation attempt. The YouTube hoster of this vid seems to believe it was done in jest, but just listen to the words and the approach to this song, and I think you might agree, these folks meant this. There's no way a merger is going to be undermined by cynical humor from the host company unless they are the dumbest business people on the planet. Then again, if they allow this travesty to occur, perhaps they are.

David Cross with Johnny Marr on guitar cover BOA's U2 cover. Shows you that you can present virtually the same material in a different setting and realize just how ridiculous it is. If any of those bank execs had any healthy contact with the outside world, they would be incredibly embarrassed sitting there listening to this.

The ONLY good Seinfeld episode

2006-11-28T03:19:00.000-06:00

National Lampoon does a brilliant job with this hilarious satire.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T08:41:00.000-06:00

Eat your turkey slowly. Don't gobble gobble or you'll get gas.

RIP, Robert Altman

2006-11-21T13:16:00.000-06:00

One of America's greatest film treasures passed away at 81. Altman's trademark became the ensemble acting film, using natural sounding dialogue and unalterated environments which could or could not interfere with that dialogue to create portraits of places and times rather than specific characters. Case in point: his masterpiece Nashville

Altman was also quite capable of character centered films as well, such as Secret Honor and Streamers. I loved that Hollywood, which ostracized Altman for many years because he wanted to direct projects personal to him, had to recognize how wrong it was by presenting him with a Lifetime Achievement award last year.

Here's a list of some of his greatest movies. Go rent them--now.

MASH
Nashville
Three Women
California Split
Secret Honor
Prairie Home Companion
Streamers
A Wedding
Gosford Park
Tanner '88
Cookie's Fortune
The Player
Short Cuts
Thieves Like Us
McCabe and Mrs. Miller
Images
The Long Goodbye

Is Michael Richards the New Gibson?

2006-11-20T10:32:00.000-06:00

This is pretty ugly. Richards was on stage "performing" at an LA comedy club when a couple of African-American guys began playfully heckling him in the audience. Richards then lets loose an unbelievably disgusting tirade, showing a deeply unfunny man (I always thought so, Seinfeld show hater that I am) on a verge of a nervous breakdown. He just fucked up his career over heckling, something he should have learned to deal with in Stand-Up Comedy 101. The audience was left shocked, gasping, and the management publicly apologized when the asshole stormed off the stage. And stay off!

Great Music of the Week

2006-11-15T16:10:00.000-06:00

Trying to catch up from my vacation with this one. I recently bought the CD "Queer Noises", which has an overview of gay tunes from 1961-1978. Here's something much more recent and quite amusing: The Hazzards "Gay Boyfriend"

Back from Vacation

2006-11-15T14:58:00.000-06:00

I returned from my vacation to Rochester, NY on Sunday but had to work Sunday and Monday nights, so I finally got some much needed rest these past two days. Had a very nice time in Rochester meeting up with old friends. I went with Don and Dave H. to have dinner at Dave W.'s house, where we were treated to a great steak and potatoes dinner with marinated grilled cuts. Delish! Terrific job, Dave W. (he was a little concerned he forgot the sauteed mushrooms, but no worry believe me).

Don was gracious to let me stay at his nice little home in Webster, a Rochester suburb, growing by leaps and bounds lately, perhaps a little too much for some of the longtime residents there who want to keep traffic at bay. He lives in a peaceful neighborhood, quite befitting his gentle and humble nature.

You might ask, how did he allow a loudmouth like me into his place? Cash. Lots and lots of cash. In fact, I talked him down on the price of the stay only after learning his order for the credit card processor had not arrived at his home yet. That, and I also presented him with a VHS copy of Citizen Kane still sealed at a local thrift store.

Also great was seeing Dave H. again. On that Monday, we went to the great record store in Rochester The Bop Shop. Dave told me President Bill Clinton was in town canvassing for local candidates (God, it's amazing to actually be able to call someone a President instead of an Occupant). I was able to get to the airport in time to shake President Clinton's hand and present a couple of the store's business cards (Clinton is known as quite the Jazz aficionado). I then visited the video store I used to work in (Hyatt's Classic Video) and was able to get a copy of The Telephone, the last movie co-written by the great Terry Southern and disowned by its star Whoopi Goldberg, who should have instead taken copies of Fatal Beauty, Burglar and Jumping Jack Flash to the nearest rifle range. I had a tough time finding copies of The Telephone in Chicago. Maybe all the copies were seized at the county line, but the movie's actually worth a look.

The latter half of the week I spent with my family in Wayne County with early Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. Played some lively rounds of Parcheesi with my niece, brother, mom and sister-in-law. And my two nephews were fascinated with the Slinky I brought them. The only drawbacks of the trip were the bout of stomach flu the day before I left and the sinus attack I had the morning of my return, but overall, a really good time.

Thank God for the good sense of Americans!

2006-11-08T10:55:00.000-06:00

If you've been under a rock for the last couple of days, the Dems won the House and probably the Senate. I've been checking the results on tv from my mom's house and it certainly looks great. Via MSNBC, the results show Dems picking up 32 seats in the House (15 was the minimum amount for victory) and getting 4 in the Senate and with VA and MT still reporting some final returns, Dems Webb and Tester are both leading in those states respectively.

Bush and Rove got their asses majorly kicked! Yeah, baby!!

Vacation

2006-11-04T09:59:00.000-06:00

I'm off on vacation for a week in NYS. It's early Thanksgiving time. Yum!

Derisively Funny Read of the Day

2006-11-02T07:58:00.000-06:00

Bradblog writes about the hilarious attempt Diebold makes to try and stop HBO from airing its documentary tonight, "Hacking Democracy." It seems the Republican-favoring company has not only not seen the documentary, it rips into detailed criticisms about the film that don't show up. Those scenes are part of another film about Diebold, VoterGate. It also exposes the set-up by an imbedded Diebold employee of the CA SoS office who "invites" a hacker to the office to "prove" the Diebold machines can't be hacked. Just read it and you'll see how this company digs its own grave just a little deeper.

Dolly and A.P Weigh In on the Upcoming Elections

2006-11-01T21:20:00.000-06:00

Rant from Dolly Dentura:

Hello again, readers.

Dolly Dentura here, with a reminder: Election Day 2006 is coming up faster than a home-cooked meal at AP Perkins' house. But seriously, folks, this is no time to sit on your sofa and leave the voting to your neighbors. This election will decide whether America continues to kick the keisters of terrorists, or whether a bunch of flower children take over both houses, start throwing wads of cash at deadbeats (on YOUR dime), and turn this mighty country into a schoolyard sissy with all the strength and resolve of France.

"Dolly, are you trying to influence my vote?" Folks, I hear this comment all the time. Even if I wanted to, it would be illegal for me to step into an antiquated voting booth and try to help you to move levers that have been so rusted for the last 50 years they can barely move. Listen, some people are trying to keep the rumor alive that modern-day voting technology is oooooo, so scary! So untrustworthy! The same kind of buttons that set off nuclear explosions! But rest assured, no matter what kind of voting apparatus your district has, it's all PERFECTLY accurate. I mean, come on? Where do you think we live? Below the equator?? (An FYI: Diebold machines are usually the most accurate.)

So, get out and vote, people! And keep in mind, it's up to YOU to decide whether or not we stay the RIGHT course and keep America rich and thriving, or if we give into the will of evildoers, drop to our knees, and scream, in French, "Come and beat us to a pulp!"

---Your friend in truth,
Dolly

Counterrant from AP Perkins:

Dolly, I swear, you are more prolific letting gas belch out of your flabbing lips than Le Petomane ever was blasting it out of his ass.

You're defending probably the worst Congress who've ever supported the worst president who ever lived--a president who just announced to the press that Face Shooting Fatfuck will remain Vice President for another two years. Apparently, he doesn't read the Constitution he just tore up, since he doesn't get to appoint VP's. They're elected. George Bush saying that Dick Cheney will remain as Vice President is like Pinocchio saying Geppetto will still remain his puppeteer, which, I guess, makes sense since that wooden-headed, nose-growing bastard isn't even ready to become a boy yet.

You talk about terrorists, Dolly, but if you want real honest-to-goodness Halloween terror, look into the face of Dracula Dick Cheney. Or listen to his wife flap her blistered pustules. Or get out of the car and let Laura Bush drive. Or read My Pet Goat to kids when you're told "America is under attack." Does any of this smell like brie, bitch?

And the e-voting machines? Why do you think they're called Diebold? Because anyone bold enough to vote for anyone with integrity will have his or her vote die in the machine. The only paper trail your favorite party wants is a line of hundred dollar bills leading to an underage Congressional page's ass!

I only thing I can agree with you is that everyone should get out there and vote, and before election day, do what you can to help get fresh blood in the Congress. You can always tell your opponents that Dracula needs fresh blood to get their votes. They'll be too drunk and too busy having Brittany-porking fantasies and listening to K-Fed to notice.

--In the realm of sanity,
A.P. Perkins

Move On.org's Call for Change

2006-10-31T01:22:00.000-06:00

On the left hand column there's an ad to join MoveOn.org's Call for Change, a way in which you can use whatever little spare time you have to call and urge registered voters to do their parts to get change in DC. If you can do so, please help out. We need to take back Congress.

Great Audio from Diane Rehm

2006-10-30T11:48:00.000-06:00

The mild-mannered radio talk show host kicks Rush's ass for suggesting Michael J. Fox is exaggerating his illness for political purposes. It's great, you should hear it (Courtesy of MQAblog).

My comment: if Rush needs kneepads, he can use his bag full of hillbilly heroin and Viagra.

Record Show in Rochester, NY

2006-10-29T10:51:00.000-06:00

I was recently told that the best record store in Rochester, NY (or in all of western NY for that matter) will be having one of their record shows just in time for my arrival. It's the collectors' show (open to everyone) put on 3-4 times a year at Village Gate Square in Rochester, NY and hosted by The Bop Shop, a fantastic place for new and used vinyl and, of course, CDs too. The owner and proprietor Tom Kohn is an avid music lover and collector, and his employees are the most musically knowledgeable I've ever met (some are great musicians too). Tom knows jazz like the back of his hand and I've been privy to his great collection of some of the most bizarre and hilarious recordings he's ever found. For you fans of Songs in the Key of Z (The Bop Shop probably has it), I've heard the entire album of Touchy by Luie Luie, so eat your hearts out!

"The Other" Halloween Party

2006-10-28T20:12:00.000-05:00

If you are in Chicago, check out Darnell's great Halloween party tonight at 10pm with montage and experimental music by DJ Castration Anxiety (well, it is Halloween) . His website with address and directions here.

Lynne Cheney is a Major Bitch

2006-10-28T12:02:00.000-05:00

Don't ever talk again about how Hillary is caustic. Lynne Cheney, wife of the face shooter and author of a novel with lesbianism, rape and prostitution, opens her vile hole and instantly disinvites herself from hundreds of dinner parties. If you've ever wondered who on earth would open her legs for Dracula Dick, you've got your answer.

Maybe Stem Cell Research Can Create a New Brain for Michael Steele

2006-10-27T08:55:00.000-05:00

This is hilarious.

Maryland's Lt Gov Republican Michael Steele, running for the Senate against Dem Ben Cardin, criticized his opponent for not knowing a correct proposed subway stop during a debate. Steele tried to hammer home the point during a press conference at the proposed site for a new "Purple Line." The only problem: his photo-op was four miles away from where it should have been.

When pressed on the issue, Steele snaps at the reporters, "This is where they told me to come...". You can bet as part of the GOP Congress connected to this White House, that won't be the last time you hear that statement from him.

By the way, what does Steele, who stated that stem cell research is a holocaust, think of Hillbilly Heroin and Dominican Republic-whore-chasing, Viagra-smuggling Rush's tirade against Michael J. Fox? Should he apologize? How about another press conference for this answer.

GOP: Watch Out! Here Come the Homos! (Again)

2006-10-25T14:34:00.000-05:00

Another election season, another season of gay bashing.

The GOP's ratings are stagnant, so they're going after the age-old scare tactic of homophobia, especially after The Occupant outright lied for the 2,586,763,907th time on TV, in this case Iraq is now not about "stay the course."

Now, that Bush fucked that up, the anti-gay forces come out in full swing, starting with John Hostettler, arguing that if he loses, Nancy Pelosi and extreme left-wing gays will run Congress.

Colorado's Marilyn Musgrave wants to waste time in Congress by reintroducing the twice-lost anti-gay marriage amendment yet again.

And, Joe Scarborough gets into the act by asking where are the moderates by painting Pelosi as an "arch-liberal from San Francisco." What's wrong, Joe? Don't want to come out and say she comes from "Faggottown?" He gets seriously slapped by his guest Bill Maher, who won't put up with this nonsense and challenges Joe's smear, leaving the former GOP Rep puking up a right-wing talking point of "she voted against defense spending," as though people can't see through that shit.

So, are the Log Cabin Republicans still going to help out the GOP? How about Ken Mehlman?

God Almighty, this GOP needs serious exorcism.

Hey, The Occupant Goes Online!

2006-10-24T18:09:00.000-05:00

He uses "The Google." Golly. Maybe The Asshole uses The Google to search for and to play The Donkey Kong.

Received My Absentee Ballot Today

2006-10-24T11:21:00.000-05:00

Just received my absentee ballot today. It's a form in which you fill in the arrows with a black or blue ink pen. The postmark due date is Nov. 6 here in IL, so be sure to get it returned as soon as possible.

Also, the voting machines in Cook County are E-Voting Touch Screen machines by Sequoia. It's the main reason why I'm doing absentee. Why? Although you get a printed readout of how you voted, YOU CANNOT KEEP THIS RECEIPT.

Honestly, do you think this is any way to have a clean election? Oh yeah, I'll trust you'll keep my vote exactly as I expressed it. When I asked for a receipt to keep when I went to vote early, the workers there looked at me as though I did not trust them. It's not them (the counter help), it's whoever tallies the votes, the person I don't see.

I think you still have time to have an absentee ballot sent to you in Illinois. Remember, one of the choices on the form for why you need to vote absentee is that you "expect" to be away from the district on Election Day. You can always claim, truthfully, that you had a change of plans. :)

Paper. Paper. Paper. Paper. Paper. The only way to have a traceable cleaner election. Period.

Great Music of the Week

2006-10-22T11:59:00.000-05:00

Two blues greats, Marcia Ball and the Duke Robillard Band, perform Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927" in remembrance of the Katrina tragedy. Ball's made a name for herself in Blues with her fantastic heartfelt vocals and wonderful piano stylings. And yes, she can really pound the keys barrelhouse style. The Duke Robillard Band is great too. In fact, both these acts are among the many reasons Blues is still alive in the US today.

Beer-Bellied Politician Touts Thickness to Save Your Kids

2006-10-21T03:23:00.000-05:00

The thickness referred to here is of school textbooks, which Bill Cozier, candidate for Oklahoma state school superintendent, believes can save kids during a shooting spree. He video records his shooting textbooks with different rifles and pistols and, when he's finished, offers the chance to shoot them to two young boys! A buddy then makes an incredibly racist remark about hunting immigrants. I just finished watching a couple of seasons of SCTV on DVD and I swear this lunacy would fit right in if it wasn't for real.

Way to set an example there, Bill.

Play 'Spot the Asshole'

2006-10-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

Bush and the GOPs numbers are going down the shitter, so he had a meeting recently with what I would call the Brainless Trust (FDR had The Brain Trust). These are all right-wing radio talk show hosts whose duty it is to lie and smear to listeners. Crooks and Liars and Think Progress has documented the insanity of each of these "celebs:" Mike Gallagher, Neal Boortz, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity and Michael Medved. Of course, it's not a good idea to leave out the one advisor who has more brains and compassion than all of them put together.

For an hour and a half, Mr. Bush discussed his case for the war in Iraq, his immigration proposals and even the personality of his Scottish terrier Barney, who scratched on the door during the session until the president relented and let him into the office, according to several hosts who attended.

Another High-Ranking Former Bush Official Comes Out Blasting Bush's Empty Promises

2006-10-17T16:15:00.000-05:00

First, David Kuo from the Faith-Based Initiatives Office admits Bush could care less about what his right-wing Christian supporters want.

Now, another Bush appointee, the Reverend DeForest Soaries, the former Chair of the US Election Assistance Commission, says that the Occupant's efforts at election reform are "a charade." This Commission was set up after the Florida 2000 debacle and according to Soaries, the White House and Congress made matters worse with the Help America Vote Act by not requiring a voting standard. Kudos to Bradblog.com for getting this unaired (why the hell was that?) interview.

If you want to send a letter to your Governor, Sec. of State, and Election Director demanding emergency paper ballot alternatives, go here and take action.

Excellent Political Satirical Video

2006-10-16T02:00:00.000-05:00

Another really good one by Gary Lee Stewart, who previously made the online vid "Joe & Dub's Wedding." This one is "Roll Out the Perils," done to the tune of The Beer Barrel Polka.

Another Nominee for Stupid Political Ad of the Year

2006-10-15T11:45:00.000-05:00

Colorado is placing on the ballot a resolution for an increase in the minimum wage. The opponents are using an ad with God and Moses opposing such a hike. I'm not affiliated with a religion and that ad offends me. How do you think the devout are going to react to this?

Great Music of the Week

2006-10-14T03:18:00.000-05:00

Since election time is just around the corner, I wanted to first remind you all to get out and vote November 7th (or earlier if absentee). Second, I wanted to post a cool catchy ditty being used on several House campaigns. This is "Have You Had Enough?" performed by Squirrel Nut Zippers with Rickie Lee Jones singing lead. The version below is for John Laesch who's running against sex predator enabler Dennis Hastert.

Welcome to Chicago, George!

2006-10-13T08:41:00.000-05:00

Here's a photo gallery as a keepsake for your album.

Have a Chat with "Foley"

2006-10-12T13:12:00.000-05:00

Or actually a Foley-bot created to give you answers automatically. All the responses are from his actual emails. Have fun!

Rove Threatened Foley into Running for Re-Election in 2006

2006-10-12T11:43:00.000-05:00

According to an article in The New Republic, Rove pressured Foley into running again in 2006, after the latter was much more interested in a lobbying job. Supposedly, Foley was told his chances for that job would be better if he ran.

Hmm, Karl Rove now harbors sexual predators. Does Chimperor know?

Duh-UH!

Journalist who "outed" Foley and Kolbe says Foley was propositioning minors prior to 1996

2006-10-10T17:00:00.000-05:00

I just read an Advocate interview with Kurt Wolfe, a freelance journalist who wrote for the magazine in 1996. According to the article, he knew but could not get substantiated at the time, an underage page was the recipient of unwarranted advances from Foley. Originally the premise of the article was to expose the hypocrisy of those closeted gays who voted for the anti-gay "Defense of Marriage Act" in 1996, but Wolfe was diverted with a bombshell:

One of our sources for Foley had been a [congressional] page. He was an adult when I was speaking to him, but he was a minor when he was a page. He told me that he had been the recipient of many inappropriate sexual communications from Foley. That changed the whole story. I contacted [Foley’s] offices for comment. I told them that we were running the story and that one of our sources was a former male page. The response was pretty nasty and ended with a hang-up. Now the angle is now “who knew what, when.” I can’t [attest] to the current [GOP] leadership [knowledge], but I can [attest] to Foley’s staff. They were notified.

And for those Republicans out there who think this was a journalist hanging on to this story until it was politically expedient for the Democrats:

I couldn’t get another source to substantiate it, and this young man would not come forward. He was terrified. Had he been a minor when I spoke to him, I would have gone to the police. But he was an adult. I’m going to contact my local congressman and tell him that if they have a congressional hearing, I’m willing to testify under oath about this.

The former page was an adult when Wolfe spoke to him in 1996. This means Foley was out-of-control with minors for well over a decade.

"Secret Homosexual Network"

2006-10-10T13:01:00.000-05:00

John at Americablog found this wacko opinion on the Foley Scandal from Accuracy in Media. Remember them? They were the crazies who called the Washington Press corps "a bunch of Bolsheviks" because they were supposedly too rough on then-President Reagan. They also browbeat ABC into backing the ridiculous (and hilarious) mini-series "Amerika," about what would happen if the Russians took over the US.

Continuing the high-standard of psychosis, they've now blamed the "Capitol Hill homosexual network" for this crisis and calls for it to be immediately dismantled.

I can't even get that channel on cable, although Lord knows I've tried. But a friend in DC who gets that network locally saved me a screenshot of "station identification." Here it is:

Very Good Photoshop Funny

2006-10-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

This one from Dood Abides on DailyKos, taking aim at George Allen and Bush. By the way, Allen has gotten himself into more trouble lately, not just with "macaca," but with undisclosed stock options.

Cheney Loses It with Woodward

2006-10-09T03:11:00.000-05:00

Bob Woodward goes on Meet the Press and discusses how Cheney lost it with him regarding his disclosure that Henry Kissinger is helping advise the White House on how to get into a deeper quagmire than Vietnam. Dracula, of course, has lost so much of his credibility that the very idea he would be outraged with Woodward (calling his report, "bullsomething") elicited laughter from the on-stage crew (listen very carefully).

Great Music of the Week

2006-10-08T04:03:00.000-05:00

Or at least I think so.

If "outsider music" is going to be given a serious platform for listening study, then I think time is way overdue for Mrs. Miller, a mid-60's pop phenomenon who's built up a group of loyal cult followers four decades after her albums began showing up on the Capitol label. A middle-aged housewife who was "discovered" while making records for her husband, Elva Miller was promoted as a novelty act, using her earthquake vibrato and dowager-sounding voice to warble and whistle such popular tunes as "A Hard Day's Night" and "Downtown." The tone of her voice may not be all that appealing to many, but unlike horrendous singers like William Hung, Miller did show a keen sense of rhythm and timing. It was brought out best in the rare album, "Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing," which had the great Elva, dressed in tie-dye, presenting a plateful of hash brownies (after making the album she claimed shock upon learning its drug references), and singing truly hilarious satirical tunes about reading smut and getting high. This scene is from the rare 1960's teen movie The Cool Ones which has Mrs. Miller singing the standard "It's Magic" to Billy Strange's mod orchestration. Dig, baby!

New Documentary Debuting in Chicago

2006-10-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

My friend Eric will be debuting his new documentary on gypsy jazz guitarists entitled (I believe) Gypsy Spirit at Katarina's in Chicago on October 10 at 7:30pm. I helped out just a little bit in post-production and am looking forward to seeing his final work.

Surprise!

2006-10-05T11:56:00.000-05:00

It's October, so here's the GOP's surprise for the election. Well, um, I guess the surprise is on them.

Fox Should Lose Its FCC License for This

2006-10-04T13:43:00.000-05:00

The other night on O'Reilly's blather disgraced Republican Congressman Mark Foley was mislabeled as a Democrat as this viewer-recorded Youtube video shows (there's no sound):

Now, as put forth by DailyKos, Fox is once again misinforming viewers about the Dems role in the Mark Foley scandal--a role which is non-existent, since the Dem on the Page Board and another Republican too were not informed of the emails. Reid asked this question of the Republicans, not the Democrats.

You know, broadcasting glitches can happen once I can understand, but in reports this important and sensitive, you have to straighten out your act once you're caught with misinformation. It's amazing that not only is Fox trying to blatantly lie, but is so poorly doing it.

UPDATE: Now the Associated Press was caught doing it too by Talking Points Memo. Man, is incompetence some sort of virus spread through mainstream media?

THIS is "Breaking News?"

2006-10-03T18:13:00.000-05:00

I was out listening to the radio while mowing the lawn and heard that a news conference by Mark "IMing 16 yr old boys" Foley's lawyer would be held and he had "bombshell" information. I thought, this should be interesting. Wonder what the info would be? Foley got to hundreds of boys? More Congressmen were doing this? More Reps knew of his misconduct?

So I turn on the cable news (a rare occasion nowadays), and I learn that Foley was sexually abused by a clergyman when he was young and that he--Mark Foley-- is a GAY MAN!

Well, stop the fucking presses and slide in a new ink roll.

First of all, Foley's gayness has already been mentioned during this scandal and even before. In fact, it's one of DC's worst kept secrets as evidenced by this Boston Phoenix profile of him three years ago. Newt Gingrinch even brought up the issue of gayness as one of the reasons the House leadership should not have pursued Foley when the first emails surfaced. To kinda paraphrase Digby at Hullabaloo in his good post, now they give a damn about the gay issue? After the anti-gay marriage amendment votes? After openly using gays as an election wedge issue?

Second, okay it's terrible that Foley was molested as a teenager, but most survivors of sexual abuse do not become predators. Nor do most become the Chair of the House Caucus for Missing and Exploited Children. He took a position of power to hide the fact he was going after 16 yr old boys who wanted to make a career in politics and so would not seek justice if they were violated or had unsolicited advances made. If any of them did, they would be threatened as CNN reports Foley's accuser (and others) have been.

This ludicrous press conference was set up to divert attention from the House leadership allowing a sexual predator to keep on IMing and keep on cyberstroking, even if it comes (pardon the pun) during a vote on the House floor. And take a look at the bizarre and sickening press conference by Tom Reynolds caught on youtube by Buffalo Geek. In order to "protect himself," Reynolds rented a daycare center and surrounded himself with kids, perhaps as a good reminder of who the Reps aren't protecting, and basically threw Speaker Hastert under the bus. Literally, hiding behind kids. Well, like I said before--no child's behind left unchecked.

Fox News to Sex Predator Victims: "Tough Shit"

2006-10-03T16:15:00.000-05:00

Raw Story reports that Fox News, doing the (hand) job it always does for the Pedo Party, had the info on Foley's emails and did not report them, believing they weren't serious enough to warrant investigation.

Okay, pedos, Fox News department apparently doesn't mind if you email their teen kids about how hot other teens are, even if you are old enough to be grandpas.

Instead, they have Sean Hannity on saying it's Clinton's fault.

Newt: Stupid and Full of Shit as Usual

2006-10-02T10:27:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Think Progress for getting the videos on this and other stupid comments by the Pedo protector party. Newt Gingrinch goes on Fox and states that if the Rep leadership were aggressive at getting Foley, they would have been accused of gay bashing.

Bullshit. There's not a single gay spokesperson that would be okay with a child predator, which is what Foley is.

You want proof, just look at how pleased the gay community was when Jim West, outed mayor of Spokane, was caught with his online predatory antics toward boys. Who embraced West then? It wasn't the gay community, it was the religious right-wing organizations who like their gays tormented 1950's melodrama-style.

As Americablog reminds us, this inquiry began because a 52-year old man told a 16-yr old boy that another 16-yr old boy had a hot body. This is a case of pedophilia, not homosexuality. Thanks for bringing up the old homophobic fear, Newt, and good luck with your presidential run. We'll remember you as soft on pedos.

White House: No Child's Behind Left Unchecked

2006-10-02T10:02:00.000-05:00

Or no child's penis left unmeasured.

This is pretty damn disturbing. Tony Snow goes on the record saying that even if Congressional leaders were found to have known ahead of time about Foley's predatory nature, the White House will not call for resignations. Also, White House aide Dan Bartlett says the White House opposes an independent investigation into this and that the Rep leadership can handle an internal investigation. That's just great because in the past 72 hours we've seen those same leaders' responses to the Foley scandal change as much as they change their clothes. And is it just me, or is a five-year inaction on prosecuting a sexual predator in your midst when you know the info is out there flowing just not "very aggressive," Dan?

Voting Reminder

2006-10-02T09:58:00.000-05:00

The last day to register by mail to vote is October 10. Get out there and register now.

Great Political Satire

2006-10-01T11:46:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Bring It On!, The Asylum Street Spankers sing "Stick Another Ribbon on Your SUV" and really sticks it to anyone who would believe this empty gesture really helps the troops.

GOP = Grope On, Pedophiles!

2006-09-30T11:39:00.000-05:00

Apparently, that's the message from Speaker Dennis Hastert and House Majority Leader John Boehner who both knew about Foley's pedophilia and did not a damn thing (from Americablog). Talking Points Memo is also keeping up on this blockbuster.

But good news for you Florida Republicans who want a pedo to represent you: Mark Foley still remains on the ballot! (from WashingtonPost.com)

The news emboldened Democrats that they could gain the 15 seats they need to regain the House majority they lost in 1994. The Florida district's Democratic nominee, Tim Mahoney, has been running a credible campaign, raising more than $700,000 and airing TV ads for nearly a month, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The committee said it is too late under Florida law to remove Foley's name as the GOP nominee on the Nov. 7 ballot, a circumstance that would greatly improve Mahoney's chances of being elected.

Tell you what you can do. Give generously to Mark Foley's replacement through his website.

Oops!

Image from Talking Points Memo. Inset: Foley pissed because he was promised some nice young hot boys for the ceremony.

Great Music of the Week

2006-09-30T03:07:00.000-05:00

And certainly one of the weirdest pairings for an outrageous song ever. Screaming Jay Hawkins and Serge Gainsbourg duet together on pianos for "Constipation Blues," written by Hawkins after a bout in a hospital with no-flow bowels.

Closeted Gay Republican Mark Foley Resigns After Being Caught Sending Raunchy Emails to a Minor

2006-09-30T02:38:00.000-05:00

Pretty disgusting, really. ABC News came up with the stunning emails:

Maf54[Mark Foley] (7:46:33 PM): did any girl give you a haand job this weekend
Xxxxxxxxx [16 yr old boy](7:46:38 PM): lol no
Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:40 PM): im single right now
Xxxxxxxxx (7:46:57 PM): my last gf and i broke up a few weeks agi
Maf54 (7:47:11 PM): are you
Maf54 (7:47:11 PM): good so your getting horny
Xxxxxxxxx (7:47:29 PM): lol...a bit
Maf54 (7:48:00 PM): did you spank it this weekend yourself

The link above gives more details.

He was supposed to be some sort of proof that the GOP is gay-friendly, but, just like with Jim West, it's another example of a gay right-winger cowering in the closet and acting out in inappropriate ways.

What's even more shocking, and why this news story has legs, is that Foley was the Chair of the House Caucus for Missing and Exploited Children and remained so, even though House Speaker Dennis Hastert was informed nearly a year ago of Foley's unacceptable behavior. Now the website for Missing & Exploited Children treat this pedophile like a dear departed friend. Very creepy. Makes me wonder about the type of people running that place.

Very Funny British Satire

2006-09-28T02:21:00.000-05:00

Here's another great mental hygiene campy satire called Women: Know Your Limits, brilliantly directed in old black & white documentary style (think Peter Watkins).

Dr. Phil Reaches Settlement for Lawsuit Over Ineffective Diet Pills

2006-09-26T14:24:00.000-05:00

What's more pathetic: a brow-beating, condescending fat bastard who spews pop-psych horseshit pushing diet pills or the truly sorry people who would pony up cash to this guy to get ripped off?

"Liberal" Media Covers Bush's Ass Again

2006-09-26T13:47:00.000-05:00

Here are this week's Newsweek covers from its world distribution. The US has lost the war in Afghanistan (to get this relatively unimportant--as Bush considered him--criminal named Osama) as the Taliban have returned to power. Now, which is the more important cover story, Taliban resurgence or Anne Liebowitz? Good catch of this by Rising Hegemon

Must See Special Comment

2006-09-26T03:23:00.000-05:00

Keith Olbermann delivers another great one courtesy of Crooks and Liars. It's truly breathtaking to finally see journalism this good.

My Former Home City Does Right

2006-09-25T00:57:00.000-05:00

Rochester, NY's City Council wants gay marriage. Yay!

Bill Clinton Feeds Fox "News" Interviewer His Own Liver (Updated)

2006-09-24T12:10:00.000-05:00

Read the transcript from Think Progress on the upcoming interview between Bill Clinton and Mike Wallace's waste of sperm, Chris. The son-whore living off daddy's fame tries to sandbag the former president by blaming him for not catching Osama, and Clinton makes the asshole smirk like the Occupant in what has to be some pants-shitting moments for the alleged anchor.

Update: Here's the main portion of the interview about what Clinton did/did not do to capture Bin Laden. Oh. My. Christ! Clinton so owns wussy Chris Wallace on this, that the latter should be sold in shares on Wall Street. Amazing.

"Ex-gay" Conference Protested

2006-09-24T11:35:00.000-05:00

500 people protested an "ex-gay" conference in CA and did so in a rather brilliant way: instead of using anger that this issue could generate, they used a very welcoming attitude of celebration. In the web article on 365gay.com there was an interesting tidbit. Actress Anne Heche's mother Nancy spoke to the "ex-gay" members supporting their cause, but urging no hatred towards gays. Once again, it's another example of "hate the sin, but love the sinner" which didn't work when the last Pope tried this. What makes her think she's going to do any better? It's certainly not helping with her own daughter:

In her recently published memoir Nancy Heche maintains that homosexuality can be cured by prayer and says that when she bared her soul to God Anne Heche ended her affair with Ellen DeGeneres. Anne Heche now considers herself heterosexual and is married, but is estranged from her mother - something Nancy Heche did not mention on Saturday.

Yeah, and we all know how smoothly the relationship with Ellen ended (from the Who2 profile):

Soon after their breakup, Heche was found on a farm near Fresno, California, under the influence of drugs and claiming that she was "Celestia" and was waiting for a spaceship to take her to heaven. In 2001 her autobiographical book Call Me Crazy explained Celestia as an alter-ego created as a defense against bad childhood memories (including incidents her family has adamantly denied).

Nancy wants to admit that praying to God made her daughter do this? That's pretty psycho (pun intended). No wonder Anne's staying away.

Low-Brow Entertainment

2006-09-23T03:51:00.000-05:00

Here's Hollywood Brown (voiced by Rudy Ray Moore) and a rap by
Thirstin Howl III, "I Live with My Moms:"

Rather Amazing Publishing Story

2006-09-22T01:06:00.000-05:00

US foreign policy critic, author and philosopher Noam Chomsky has a lot of trouble getting publications like the New York Times Review of Books to even look at his work. But after Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez suggested to the UN that members read the MIT professor's Hegemony or Suvival, Chomsky's 2003 book went from ranking number 160,722 to 7 on Amazon. I just checked at 1am Friday, Sept 22 and as I'm writing, it's number one.

The Luke Johnson Phone Experiment

2006-09-21T08:48:00.000-05:00

I actually called this young handsome man (slut that I am) and participated in his experiment. He was actually very genial for having had only 2 hours sleep last night from his cel phone ringing constantly. I was caller number 1245 since Monday night.

Kill the E-Voting Machines

2006-09-19T19:29:00.000-05:00

Watch these videos and pass them along. It's quite frightening that Diebold (a GOP-friendly corp) has the power to ignore serious flaws in these machines so they can be hacked without being traced.

This first video is the 9+ min. presentation by Princeton Univ. proving the Diebold machines can be hacked:

Next is the presentation on Fox News (Oh My Christ! Fox did a report worthwhile! Miracles happen!):

Lou Dobbs report on the upcoming debacle in Ohio's midterm elections and its hint that Ken Blackwell, GOP candidate of course, is full of shit:

And courtesy of Crooks and Liars, footage of Jack Cafferty asking the question, "Should e-voting machines be outlawed?" I think you know my answer to that one.

My apologies

2006-09-19T19:24:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a few days. Been quite busy and will continue to be busy this week but hope to get on track soon.

Is It Possible to Impeach a Pope?

2006-09-16T11:14:00.000-05:00

I mean, really, in 2006 do Catholics want a Pope who is not only a former Nazi, protector of pedophiles and a homophobe, but now inciting the hatred of millions of people around the world, because he reads from old texts during the Middle Ages describing Moslems as "evil?" In the secular (read "real") world, such a man would be described as a crazy-assed fuckhead, but throw some colorful duds on the man and he's supposed to be given reverence. Give me a break.

Great Music of the Week

2006-09-16T04:06:00.000-05:00

No one made the Hammond 3 Organ sing and swing quite like Jimmy Smith (although others like Brother Jack McDuff and Jimmy McGriff sure do their damndest with great work). Here's Smith with a fantastic version of "Walk on the Wild Side":

Bush Goes Psycho

2006-09-16T02:56:00.000-05:00

Watch his truly despicable ranting with David Gregory when that reporter asks a very serious question of Mr. Constitution Breaker regarding the use of torture. My God, I mean we're actually having a serious discussion about whether the US should use torture and a person who stole the Presidency wants to bring that on? Bush belongs in a strait-jacket.

Fred Barnes Confirms What We Already Know

2006-09-15T08:59:00.000-05:00

Bush thinks getting Osama is not a top priority. Watch Barnes as he gives this jaw-dropping news in an almost non-chalant manner. This man will be kissing GOP ass to the grave. In fact, you may have to pull him away from an open casket in some cases.

Feel safe yet, voters?

Well, It Does Help Cause an Explosion of Sorts

2006-09-14T12:41:00.000-05:00

Authorities released a man who was misunderstood at airport security. When asked about what he was carrying onboard he was heard to have said "bomb" when he actually said "pump," as in penis pump.

"Girls Gone Wild" Producer Too Dumb to Get It Right

2006-09-13T16:50:00.000-05:00

He got slapped with a $2.1 million fine for failing to get the ages of the gals going topless in his videos. Pretty standard procedure the age qualification and model release, isn't it?

Great Quote from Director Robert Greenwald

2006-09-12T08:53:00.000-05:00

Producer/director Robert Greenwald may not the best documentary feature director, but he is a great documenter, getting the facts out there for the general public to see and doing so in a very efficient manner. His DVD "Uncovered: The War on Iraq" was the first feature that disputed the nonsense fed to us about why we "needed" to invade that country (the DVD has since been updated).

Greenwald's quote appears in a Newsweek article that should be read by anyone and everyone who has anything to do with the news media:

Would you say your films are balanced?
No. But they're truthful. Do I have to show a side that isn't truthful---that doesn't have the facts behind it---in order to create balance? I argue no.

What a superb answer. For decades, the corporate media felt the need to put stupid, senseless liars on the air (you know who--Coulter, Hannity, Limbaugh, Malkin, Horowitz and the like) simply to counter facts. That's not journalism, that's a freak show that panders to a particular faction that demands airtime that doesn't deserve it. Fred Phelps with his anti-gay rantings and Alex Jones with his crazy 9/11 conspiracy theories would both love to get mainstream air time, but do either deserve it? No, because they don't present any facts to the audience that make their arguments solvent and, thus, make them relevent.

This is the same for Coulter, Malkin and the others. It doesn't matter if you sell a shitload of books or write for a major "newspaper." If you go on the air and lie, you don't come back on the air...period.

Disney Scrubs "Path to 9/11" Quite Poorly

2006-09-11T08:58:00.000-05:00

Kidneystones over at DailyKos just might be correct with this diary stating that ABC/Disney probably hit the panic button with the strongly worded warnings from the Dems and former President Clinton.

The boycott's already begun. Let the lawsuits come forth like a hurricane over the Magic Kingdom.

ABC/Disney's Director of "The Path to 9/11" Has a Shitty Resume

2006-09-09T03:08:00.000-05:00

Check out this post over at Crooks and Liars. Seriously, if you presented such a skeletal resume to any company, do you honestly think it would survive the trash can? Now imagine that Disney gives this director David L. Cunningham (whose work seems to be inexplicably hidden or maybe even virtually unseen) one of the most important mini-series of the decade.

Disney looked unfair when they rejected Fahrenheit 911. They looked incompetent when they released America's Heart and Soul (in place of Michael Moore's documentary) and that movie died a quick death--easily predictable given the less-than-enthusiastic reception it received in test screenings.

But giving a virtual unknown such an incredibly important project is just plain STUPID. It's evident that, even after working with one of the two co-commissioners of the 9/11 panel, Cunningham is somehow not able to even garner the respect of the writer/producer of the film and of Harvey Keitel, both of whom have already blabbed that the movie just makes up stuff (Credits both to Americablog and Crooks and Liars, respectively).

If I were the director of such a magnanimous project, and I truly believed in the film's message sent across the airwaves, I would make damn sure that everyone involved with the movie was on the same page in stating this was an accurate depiction of actual events. The fact that writer Cyrus Nowrasteh and Keitel can so freely admit to falsehoods in a movie about the worst attack on American soil in the last century is an indication that this mini-series was made with no inspiration, no soul and no apparent regard for the truth. It becomes a cold and heartless bid for ratings and votes for the GOP.

Rick "Man-Dog Sex" Santorum Uses His Kids to Do His Dirty Work

2006-09-07T11:33:00.000-05:00

It's one thing to use your family in a political ad to praise you. There's no problem with that, lots of politicians have done it. But it's truly something else when you have to be so low as to have your kids participate in a negative political ad. Note also how the smear is covered with a gentle, soothing piano track. What, is this to signal to voters this is a not-quite-so negative ad? Is he going to have his kids call Casey names next time?:

"Bob Casey is a doo-doo head."
"Yeah, he's a doo-doo head!"

This belongs right up there with the Lieberman cartoon ad and Vernon Robinson's psychotic ads as among the worst of the year.

Ricky is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

ABC Prepares to Air "Docudrama" That Blames Clinton for 9/11

2006-09-07T02:00:00.000-05:00

You know, we haven't had a full and accurate accounting yet of the extent of Bush's fuckups for Sept. 11, so ABC is appeasing right-wing nutcases who want to boost the GOP's chances of winning in November with an anti-Clinton 4 hour mini-series. Given Disney's attempts at shitting on the Manassas Battlesite in the past, they can't be trusted with delicate historical subject matter. Current Disney execs also can't be bothered reading statements by past top-level reps who gave up on this idea (named Disney America). Ignorance is no excuse, guys. The reasons Disney gave up on the Manassas project in the past were pretty clear:

In the end, Disney executives surrendered, concluding that the national debate over the $650 million project had wounded the company's image. "The controversy over building in Prince William County has diverted attention and resources from the creative development of the park," said Peter Rummel, president of the Disney Design and Development Company, in a press release.

Oh and one other thing--guess who was a cheerleader for this travesty? None other than Mr. Macaca himself, George "Hey-Let's-Pose-with-the-White-Supremicists" Allen:

...Disney's America's biggest booster is no liberal but Virginia's new Republican governor, George Allen, who ran for office in 1993 on a conservative platform of oldfashioned morality and fiscal restraint. When Allen talks about Haymarket, though, he doesn't talk about anything resembling conserving.

Well, except conserving plantation replicas on the fairgrounds with real live slave owners and negroes. Could George host a slave auction? I would love to see Disney come up with the ad copy for that.

But now about ABC/Disney's new PR travesty: The Path to 9/11. Americablog, as well as other blogs ranging from Editor and Publisher to Crooks and Liars, have been pounding the network for what is being touted as a blatant disregard for the truth. TV networks catering to the right-wing crowds is not really news. It's been done before with shows like Amerika, DC 9/11, and The Reagans.

And here's a serious question: do you remember any of those? If not, then I think you might be like most people, since most of these docudramas will basically have no bearing on the historical record. Right now, I'm betting ABC wishes it had programmed a few extra hours of America's Funniest Home Videos, because the momentum of the fury about the upcoming telecast is gaining major strength. John Aravosis of Americablog documents what's happened just recently here.

Where ABC truly fucked up in this campaign is disallowing copies of the show to made available to prominent figures who've requested it--refusing a copy to President Clinton when the movie is about him? Really, really dumb move--while allowing right-wing bloggers to get their shares. What this does is make ABC admit de facto that this is a movie out to get Clinton, and thus admittedly partisan. Ethics and standards in broadcasting, anyone?

The distribution of the 100,000 copies to schools as teaching materials should be halted, since kids could become compelled to watch this in classrooms. As for the rest of us with TV sets, I hope ABC runs the telecast after this PR disaster rains down upon them. I hope the sponsors get a shitstorm from angry viewers, I hope Clinton and Albright and Berger sue ABC/Disney for all they're worth until what's left are Chip & Dale's nuts, I hope ABC/Disney stockbrokers sell off their stocks and make the empire suffer. Rather than calling for the show to be yanked off the air, which would give the right-wingers a "censorship" talking point, bloggers are doing now exactly what should be done: getting the true information out there about what Clinton actually did in fighting terrorism and badgering ABC to explain its actions. It's obvious the network hasn't gotten its shit together about this movie or how to explain to us why it's fair-minded when they've been caught lying about it. The bloggers and others, doing their parts, have already made ABC pay dearly.

ABC/Disney walked into a major embarassment and I don't think they'll get themselves out of it. Oh, and uh, this won't help the GOP's election chances in November either.

GOP Senator Jim Talent Tries His Hand at Running Away

2006-09-06T16:19:00.000-05:00

Ah, but alas, he can't. He makes the claim that he doesn't think he's mentioned Bush while running in 2002, but you know that's baloney, because Bush certainly spoke about him. In fact, he made a whole damn fundraising speech about him in June '02.

More Running Away

2006-09-05T08:26:00.000-05:00

They just can't be near him, LOL. But I especially love this one great statement by a Democratic Party official in MD:

"This Labor Day, (Gov. Robert) Ehrlich and (Lt. Gov. Michael) Steele are afraid to be seen with the most anti-working-class president since Herbert Hoover, even while they gleefully count his checks for their campaign," Maryland Democratic Party Executive Director Derek Walker said in a statement.

I hope the Occupant can reach all 50 states before election. Use public moneys to do it, Chimp, I'm with you all the way.

GOP, See How They Run...Away

2006-09-04T09:44:00.000-05:00

Here's an article describing how GOP candidates are distancing themselves as far as possible from Bush.

As a spokesperson for the Dems says:

"What we're seeing is a number of candidates who embraced Bush in previous elections are now treating him like a leper," said Phil Singer, spokesman for the Senate Democratic campaign organization.

"Treating him like a leper," hmmm. I wonder where I read that before?

Psycho Running for Congress in NC

2006-09-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

I might have posted one of these ads on my blog before, but do watch both of these together and you may agree, we definitely have someone with a screw loose trying to get to DC. If the Dems win the House, I almost wish this nutcase would get there too, just so he can be the face of the GOP.

Listen to the horrible melodramatic B-movie soundtrack on the second video. Is this video a parody? I almost expect it to appear on "Mind of Mencia."

Great Music of the Week

2006-09-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

I must do pennance for putting this one off. My friend Dave H. emailed me a little while ago regarding the passing of influential rock artist Arthur Lee founder and frontman of Love, a very important group that helped herald the psychadelic rock era. Lee's music had a great sense of humor about it that never delved into "novelty," always genuine. Here's a recent performance by Lee performing "7 and 7 Is":

Drunk: Iraq Conflict Not a Civil War Until I Say So

2006-09-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

As the AP reports, Bush only acknowledges "sectarian violence."

Uh, here in the human world we call that civil war, just as others have.

Meanwhile, the GOP is laughingly treating this head of the party like a leper. But The Occupant need not worry. He's so anti-science, he won't recognize cause and effect anyway.

So, Tell Me, Did You EVER Forget September 11?

2006-08-31T08:42:00.000-05:00

John at Americablog has a good rant about this stupid wasteful ad campaign reminding us about 9/11.

The whole problem is that we are constantly reminded about 9/11 and almost always in the wrong context, with the wrong intent, and by the wrong people--the Gangster Administration which was asleep at the wheel when it happened. It's as though some guy snoozed while driving a car, ran over and killed your mom, and then comes back to constantly remind you of how terrible that event was.

If anyone wants to tell us about how terrible 9/11 was, the last person in the world should be George W. Bush.

If anyone wants to remind us about the evils of terrorism, the last person in the world should be George W. Bush.

If anyone wants to remind us about how horrific Katrina was, the last person in the world should be George W. Bush.

And if anyone wants to tell us about how the future of Iraq and the Middle East should unfold, we can't even bring this asshole into the picture.

Bush is quite simply not worth his fucked-up drunken words, and never has been.

Roger Ailes Orders More Titties on the Tube

2006-08-30T01:28:00.000-05:00

That's the only way Fox News is going to stop from hemorrhaging declining viewership. A loss of 28% since August 2005. Titties, flag-waving, violence, happy Iraq news along with massive GOP propaganda and you guys STILL can pull off large numbers. Boy, do you guys really, really suck! Ha! Ha!

Macaca Allen and Moses Buddies with White Supremicist Pigs

2006-08-29T19:27:00.000-05:00

As found with a 1996 uncovered by The Nation and reported also in Raw Story. Oinking on the left side is George Allen and on the right is Charlton "You-Damn-Dirty-Apes!" Heston.

Katrina Anniversary

2006-08-29T19:09:00.000-05:00

A year ago the US lost a city for the first time in its history.

My suggestion to the Dems is to utter "Katrina" and "New Orleans" every time the Administration says "9/11" or "terrorists" just as a constant reminder of Bush's ineptitude. Bush wants to play by Rovian tactics, let him swallow his failures.

"I Come in the Name of the Lord, Beeaatch!"

2006-08-29T04:11:00.000-05:00

Oh my god, this is hilarious. A one-man public access religious program "The Spirit of Power" has this guy answering phone calls in a wildly obscene way that would make Samuel L. Jackson blush. I'd also would love to know how he decided to mix Cube hip-hop with a mountain backdrop and have an uncontrollable camera zooming in and out. Certainly a classic of bizarro television:

Archbishop of Canterbury Turns Against Gays

2006-08-28T08:48:00.000-05:00

He once looked favorably on gay relationships, but not anymore. What, did Joe Lieberman get over there and talk to him? Asshole.

Image: Nice dress, Archie.

Stupid stupid person

2006-08-28T02:25:00.000-05:00

Anyone who's seen the Diet Coke and Mentos jet-propulsions on YouTube would realize you would probably not want to ingest the two together, right? Wrong. Now this unfortunate fool's action is online for the whole world to see. Witness the human fountain squirting in two directions.

How to Get Your Kids Hooked on Heroin by Age 12

2006-08-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

Just have them dress like this every night.

I got this from the Carpetbagger Report blog and it assures me it's genuine, which makes sense since there's no limit to tastelessness when making cash in the name of the Lord.

"Hey, your mom's on crack and she dresses you funny!"

Great Music of the Week

2006-08-26T03:39:00.000-05:00

Funk, quite simply, could not have started in its classic late 60's, early 70's form without three artists: James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, and this seminal act, The Meters. Underappreciated when their records were first released (they only had one hit to speak of, "Cissy Strut"), they've now earned a new respect for their innovative rhythms and, in hip hop tunes, have been sampled more times than a trayful of brownies at a Grateful Dead concert. Watch and listen to them perform a medley of "Look-a-Pye-Pye and Jungle Man." Uh!

Rant/Counterrant

2006-08-26T03:14:00.000-05:00

A.P. Perkins and Dolly Dentura are back with their discussion of embattled Senator George Allen of Virginia:

Rant by A.P. Perkins

When I first heard that George Felix Allen was running for Senator in VA again and would eventually be running for President, I thought "cool! Another politician connected to celebrity." He's the son of George Burns and Gracie Allen, right? Damn, I remember tokin' up and watchin' cable late at night and watching those old black-and-white tv shows (Felix knew those two colors were separate back then). Gracie would get in a mess of shit because of her chronic case of the head funnies. And George would always smoke his great cigars (no need for blunts back then) turn to the audience and tell them he'll have to straighten out the fucked-up situation so the neighbors can stop lookin' at them all confused and constipated. Then everybody can go to sleep happy so they can all wake up the next day ready to do the same shit all over again. Ah, the 1950's sense of security!

But then I found out Felix wasn't related to them. Fuck! And he wasn't Oscar's roommate either. Double fuck!! Instead, he's the son of a Hall of Fame Football Coach. Oh great. That means when he's out talking to people or on the floor of the Senate, he's gonna start in with the pigskin lingo. You know I'm not gonna listen to anything he's got to say unless he's got a cheerleader with titanic tits standing next to his boring ass, and he better get some of his ex-football buddies to install a perpetually flowing beer fountain in my backyard if he wants my vote.

That beer would go well with the great Indian food I get from down the street. But now I can't invite asshole Allen, he had to go and call an Indian-American citizen a "Macaca," which in much of the rest of the world can get you slapped upside the head. If the restaurant ever found out I would have had Allen here, who knows what they might do for revenge. Shit in his samosas, maybe. Hey, you know, his taking a bite into one of those might make another fun video prank for YouTube, Ha Ha!

I guess the lesson here, Dolly, is that if you want to run for the big one, don't say anything that will get you kicked in your Steamed Toor Balls, unless you're related to Hollywood legends.

Counterrant by Dolly Dentura:

Did you know you can cook with cucumbers? Seriously. They can be sauteed, baked, mashed up into a quick bread that goes great with tea. Why, you may ask, am I talking about cucumbers? (And it's not because their green, warty waxiness reminds me of Mr. Perkins.) My point is this: most people have blinders on when they look at things. "But Dolly--cucumbers can only be sliced up and thrown into a salad! Or made into pickles by Groucho Stork!" That would be an example of how AP Perkins sees the world. It's pickles or nothin'. It's "mowww--hawwwwwwwwk" or, damn you, you're Archie Bunker.

I'd hazard a guess that AP Perkins has never spent more than a few days in the Commonwealth of Virginia. George Allen has. Maybe he wasn't born there, but he's lived there. A long time. Long enough to know that the lingo is different from Beltway DoubleTalk or LeftCoast BirkenstockSpeak. Come on--is it such a stretch to think that a regional accent might make "mohawk" sound like "Macaca"? I remember years ago telling a travel agent I wanted to book a flight to N'awlins (the proper, Southern way to pronounce "New Orleans") and this poor woman was convinced I was pointing out a run in her nylons. Lord help me if she'd been of another race or creed. I might be in jail today.

Sure, people say, "But George Allen has flown the Confederate Flag! He's Klan, pure and simple!" That, I'm afraid, is our old familiar friend, Mr. Guilt By Association. I have a miniature flag of the United Kingdom displayed on a bookshelf in my house. Does that make me English? No. Not in the least. Unless you still want to brand me as such merely because I mentioned tea in the first paragraph.

So let's stop jumping to conclusions and overreacting, two things that AP Perkins has medals for. If a young man with a poor choice of hairstyles--quite frankly, a look that faded out after Madonna was touched for "the very first time" for about the 500th time--finds it necessary to freak out when someone calls him to the carpet, then maybe he should visit a trendy salon and work on his appearance rather than trying to undermine the campaign of someone who's out there fighting for lower taxes and the freedom to cut up a cucumber and cook it the way they see fit without the federal government - or reactionary blowhards - telling them how.

In Praise of Rail Investment

2006-08-25T00:33:00.000-05:00

Very good post by someone who does the math and figures out that rail travel is cheaper, economical and better for the environment than even hybrid cars. I ride the Metra also and can tell you it's better to commute to Chicago that way than alone in your car. Cross-posted at Daily Kos here.

The Bitch Gone Crazy

2006-08-24T15:47:00.000-05:00

I sure hope there's a documentary crew picking up every interview and every video moment that albatross around the necks of the Florida GOP (aka Katherine Harris) gives. From her latest screed: fuck democracy and the separation of church and state, God chooses our leaders:

"We have to have the faithful in government and over time," the Witness quotes Harris as saying, "that lie we have been told, the separation of church and state, people have internalized, thinking that they needed to avoid politics and that is so wrong because God is the one who chooses our rulers."

Time to become an atheist.

sick, sick!, SICK!!

2006-08-23T16:38:00.000-05:00

Glumbert, an internet video site I'm starting to like a lot, has this despicable ad for a new coin "commemorating" those who died on 9/11 with metals forged from silver recovered from Ground Zero. Can we do a DNA test for any human remains blasted into each coin, too?

Looks like there are "terrorists" and "insurgents" in the GOP too

2006-08-23T14:37:00.000-05:00

Remember when the voters in CT were referred to as such when Lieberman was tossed out on his ass in the Democratic primary? Well, looks like the Alaskan Republicans had enough of the incumbent in their state primary for governor. C'mon, Cheney, tell us how the voters in Alaska support the terrorists.

Remember, Bush Plans to NEVER Leave Iraq, No Matter What

2006-08-22T08:37:00.000-05:00

Americablog has this reminder as its latest post, and it's an important one. Crooks and Liars has perhaps the only footage of the Occupant's disasterous press conference (in which he looks like the little boy who defies his parents' claims that he did indeed knock over and break that vase) that you need to know. Iraq had no WMDs. He admits it. Iraq had no connection to 9/11. He admits that. Now, will the 30% or so of the brain-fried out there who believes this man is the second coming get these admitted lies and deceptions through their thick skulls?

I'm glad Americablog includes the last paragraph of the analysis, because I truly have a feeling that, just as was the case in Vietnam when that war was spinning out of control, people inside the White House know this battle is lost and will do anything to keep from blame, even hoping we will eventually forget Bush got us into this.

Well, mouth-breathing White House war criminals and pundits alike, forget about it. Just as Americans are too smart to blame all of Vietnam on the last president who inherited it (we all know the big one to blame for it was Johnson), Bush won't EVER get out of this one, no matter how he fucking tries, because no President in my memory has ever personalized a war as his own more than he. This is HIS war and he's made that very clear to all of us.

A Political Cartoon that Deserves a Pulitzer

2006-08-22T02:34:00.000-05:00

Go here to see it. It's simple and eloquent and speaks volumes of the stupidity of mainstream news.

Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel is Talking Some Sense

2006-08-21T09:12:00.000-05:00

He talked about the Republican party gone astray. That can only mean one thing: the GOP will have to swiftboat him, since he served in the Vietnam War. But how? Hmm, let's see...

He shot a civilian in the face. That's it!

Oh wait, no...that was Dracula.

Osama's Eyes are on Whitney Houston

2006-08-21T08:36:00.000-05:00

Personally, I think he just wants the connection to a good crack dealer.

Welcome to the Real World, Mainstream Media

2006-08-21T01:46:00.000-05:00

And it's about damn time.

For months, bloggers have been calling the Iraq War exactly what it is--a civil war. Finally, and I'm sure probably pissing off the Gangster Administration, the Washington Post is getting it right. Here's the opening sentence of the latest Sunday editorial:

The debate is over: By any definition, Iraq is in a state of civil war.

Our troops are now baby sitting an incredibly anarchic situation, thanks to Bush's greed and delusion of power. He, Cheney and Rumsfeld and perhaps more have got to see the insides of a prison cell for a very long time.