The Young Turks: Cenk Uygur: ‘President Obama Sets Bear Trap, Republicans Walk Right Into It’

Source:FOX News– Fox News, talking about President Barack Obama.

Source:The New Democrat

“Following President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, where he called on Congress to end discriminatory workplace practices that “belong in a Mad Men episode” Fox News host Martha MacCallum proclaimed on the program American’s Newsroom that women did not want special laws ensuring equal for equal work because they already were compensated “exactly what they’re worth.” On the Fox program, two men, liberal radio host Alan Colmes and Fox News host Tucker Carlson, debated equal pay for women. Carlson assertedthat women actually made more than men if the time they “voluntarily” took off work to raise children was factored in. “The numbers don’t lie,” he insisted…”.* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.”

From The Young Turks

The current Republican governing policy is, “if Democrats are for it, we are against it, even if we are for it, or were once in favor of it”. And even offered it in health care reform a perfect example of that where the Affordable Care Act actually has a lot of good conservative ideas like the health care mandate and the health care market place in it. Which is the main reason why there hasn’t been much compromise in Congress between the House and Senate because when Democrats say okay we’ll agree to that, the House GOP just moves the ball further to get more compromises.

Then instead of Republicans saying okay let’s do that, Republicans just move the ball and say well, “if Democrats are willing to give us this, we can get them to give us this as well and hold off on a deal”. The deficit reduction negotiations are a perfect example of this where Democrats have put entitlement reform on the table and what Republicans is do is to say well, “if they will do that, then they’ll take exactly what type of entitlement reform we are interested in”. Like cutting Social Security benefits to future retirees or cutting benefits to current beneficiaries.

The only goal Republicans have right now is absolute power. And to accomplish this, they need to hold onto the House and 2014 and retake the Senate in 2014. To give them a united Republican Congress and to win back the White House in 2016 as well. While hanging onto Congress and the hard right partisan Republicans in the House and Senate have one clear strategy. “If Democrats are for it, it must be a bad idea even if it is our idea. So we are only going to put policies that are as far to the right as possible to get our partisan right-wing base behind us to avoid primary challenges”.

Which leaves us with gridlock when you have the Republican Leadership saying no to anything that the Democratic Leadership especially in the Senate and White House say yes to. Because now Democrats are in a position where they are only negotiating with themselves. Trying to find more moderate members in Congress to go along with some of these more conservative ideas in broader packages, while not losing any of their more, well lets say progressive members. Instead of negotiating with their own caucus’ in the House and Senate, along with Congressional Republicans.

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The Young Turks: John Iadarola: ‘Ted Cruz “Filibuster” On Obamacare’

Source:The Young Turks– U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (Republican, Texas) speaking at length (to quote John Iadarola) about ObamaCare.

Source:FreeState MD

“Ted Cruz finally released his grip on the Senate floor after more than 21 hours of speaking about the need to defund Obamacare.

The Texas Republican seized control of the Senate floor on Tuesday about 2:42 p.m. vowing to “speak in support of defunding Obamacare until I am no longer able to stand.” Cruz could have spoken all the way up to a 1 p.m. procedural vote on moving spending bill forward, but he relented at noon.”.* John Iadarola (TYT University, The Common Room) breaks it down on The Young Turks.”

From The Young Turks

Where Senator Ted Cruz’s speech about ObamaCare was a filibuster, or a crazy man with nothing better to do, then to go down to the U.S. Senate floor and prevent the presiding officer of the Senate from going home to get some much needed sleep, (like a selfish person, or something) Senator Cruz proved one point. He can speak for hours and hours about nothing, add nothing to an already controversial debate about ObamaCare. And apparently do this leaving plenty of coffee and candy bars for everyone else in Washington.

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Melody Cat: CBS Evening News, 12/26/72: The Death of President Harry Truman

Source:Melody Cat– CBS News commercial break.

“CBS news broadcast from Dec 26 1972 focusing primarily on the death of 33rd U.S. President Harry Truman.”

From Melody Cat

I believe Harry Truman was one of our top 3-5 presidents in American history, but certainly in the top ten. Because of how he managed post-World War II especially in Europe and put America in position to successfully win the Cold War. With the buildup of the national security state to deal with Russia, as well as the NATO.

Harry Truman was the man not many people respected until they saw him in action. I don’t know of an American politician, especially a great American politician that was more underestimated than Harry Truman. A fairly unknown U.S. Senator who had only been a Senator for ten-years, where all of his Congressional service was served, becomes Vice President of the United States in 1945. Who didn’t have much of a professional resume at all before he was fifty-years old, not just becomes President of the United States, but achieves that within days of becoming Vice President. And becomes one of the best President’s in American history.

You can also see this post at FreeState MD, on WordPress.

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Dabell 43: Ed Murrow vs. Joe McCarthy

Source:Dabell 43– Walter Cronkite was the face and voice of CBS News (if not network news in general) from 1963-81.

“Murrow vs. McCarthy: From the CBC documentary series, “Dawn of the Eye.”
Ed Murrow- You can’t defend freedom oversees if you won’t defend freedom at home.”

From Dabell 43

To quote Edward R. Murrow. “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.” Which pretty much sums up the difference between people who believe in free speech and fascists. “We cannot defend freedom abroad when we are making it weaker at home”. Going to other countries to defend freedom and American values as we are crushing those values at home for the American people. That is what this debate in the early and mid 1950s was about. I don’t want to make the Tea Party look like McCarthyites. But there’s a wing in that movement with Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann who see the world and America one way And if you don’t agree with them, they’ll label you as Un-American. That movement was around on the Right in America in the 1950s as well.

Ed Murrow and his nightly newscast See it Now and their investigation into Senator Joe McCarthy’s committee hearings about supposed Communists inside of the U.S. Government, put CBS News on the map as far as TV in this country. And probably led to the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite that eventually became a half-hour show. Because Murrow and See it Now took down a movement that was trying to destroy free speech and assembly for the rest of the country. Which is what Joe McCarthy and his supporters were about. Either you’re as terrified about Communists taking over America, even though the theocratic Christian-Right, outnumbers Communists and perhaps the Far-Left in America in general by millions, the Far-Right will view as Un-American. And someone who should be in jail.

The 1950s and the start of the Cold War with Russia, was a great time to be a demagogue. Especially if you were on the Right and were in public office. Because Americans were literally scared to death that Communists, probably from Russia, would invade America and throw our liberal democratic government and way of life. Even though we clearly always had the upper hand against Russia if it ever came to some actual physical war. Simply because of our overwhelming economic strength and economy. The Russians even knew that which is why they went through several stages of economic reform. Including even some privatization of their Marxist system. To try to compete with America and Europe economically. And Senator Joe McCarthy exploited this fear very well.

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CBS News: See it Now- Edward R. Murrow On Senator Joesph McCarthy (1954)

Source:CBS News anchor Edward R. Murrow, on U.S. Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, in 1954.

“Edward R. Murrow’s most powerful anti-McCarthy broadcast, March 1954. This is the one that took McCarthy down! This is Murrow’s most famous, and most inspiring, 2-min speech.”

From PMW 8000

The way that Ed Murrow defeated Joe McCarthy in this little media battle was by using Senator McCarthy’s own words and actions against him. By reporting exactly what Senator McCarthy was saying and doing during his so-called investigation into Communists inside the United States Government.

This was not commentary on Ed Murrow’s part, but Murrow accurately describing the dangerous actions of Senator Joe McCarthy, who was the Chairman of the Select Committee on Communists in Government. (Not the exact title, but close enough)

What Murrow was doing was explaining how dangerous this type of fascism on the Senator’s part was to our American values of Freedom of Assembly and Speech. That Americans shouldn’t be judged by who we associate with, or what we think, but by how we live our lives as Americans.

McCarthyites, have a hard time making the case of some vast left-wing conspiracy against Joe McCarthy, since all that CBS News led by Ed Murrow did to him, was report his own views and opinions. With Murrow then telling Americans what they meant as well as what he though of McCarthy’s views.

McCarthyites, can’t accuse Murrow and See it Now for making it look like the Senator said something that he didn’t, or that his views were taken out of context, since all they did was show videos of his speeches. And even gave the Senator an opportunity to respond live on their show to the reporting that See it Now did on him and his Congressional hearings that he chaired.

Joe McCarthy, was the classic right-wing demagogue, the George Wallace of the 1940s and 50s, who saw fear in average Americans (lets say) and used it to advance his own political career. He was looking at running for president perhaps as early as 1960.

In the 1950s, we were at the height of the Cold War with Russia in the 1950s. And millions of Americans were terrified of communism and thought it would not only come to America, but take over our system and turn us into a communist authoritarian state.

Part of the irony here is that his committee was essentially investigating a Republican administration. Since Dwight Eisenhower was now President. Who he and is administration were strong anti-communist Cold Warriors. Just an example of how off-base the McCarthy Committee was.

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The Young Turks: Cenk Uygur: ‘Harry Reid Full Of Cat Shit On Filibuster Nuclear Option’

Source:The Young Turks– Seriously, is this the best we can do to lead the U.S. Senate?

Source:FreeState MD

From The Young Turks

I was watching a little of C-SPAN today before I went bike riding and went out and did what I needed to do. Why, because I’m a political junky who is interested in other things than the George Zimmerman case. And actually interested in important news that affects the country and that makes me un-American, then so be it.

C-SPAN was showing a debate in the U.S. Senate and for all of you Zimmerman trial junkies who are perhaps reading this blog by accident, thinking this was also about George Zimmerman, one turn off your TV.

Source:FreeState MD– No wonder Washington gets so much heat and humidity: Congress is always full of hot air.

But C-SPAN is the network that covers the United States Congress and other current affairs events that are going on the country. And C-SPAN was showing an old Senate debate from 2005 when the then Senate Republican majority and the last one that they’ve had wanted to eliminate the filibuster on executive appointments. I was watching this old Senate debate and couldn’t, but help notice the hypocrisy on both sides.

If I had to guess there was more hypocrisy coming from the Republican side led by then Senate Assistant Leader Mitch McConnell. Who is now of course the Minority Leader a job he’s had since 2007 when Democrats took control of Congress. And if I had to bet there’s probably more hypocrisy coming from Senate Republicans than Democrats. But if this were some crazy contest it would be a nail biter. I mean it would be like trying to decide which is redder: or the red apple or tomato? How would you and besides why would you care?

Neither side has been very responsible here. But guess what, this is Congress and why would the Senate be responsible anyway, they don’t work for a living. Neither does the House of Representatives in too many cases as well. But the same people led by Mitch McConnell today Senator Orin Hatch and Senator Jeff Sessions all members of the Judiciary Committee and then Senate Leader Bill Frist who first proposed the so-called nuclear-option, are now saying this is a power grab by Senate Democrats and they’re the ones being unfair.

“Sure, if we do this, we’re acting in the best interest of our party, I mean country. But when the other side does it, it is a complete abuse of power and unconstitutional”. I mean seriously anyone who is actually familiar with Congress, still wondering why they have a ten-percent approval rating? And who are these ten-percent anyway? Any of them not living in mental hospitals and not in comas. Perhaps whoever does these polls, counts dead people. You know, the way they vote in Illinois, Louisiana and New Jersey.

Where do Congress people come up with these labels? “We’re saying the Democratic obstructionism is out of control. And we need to do away with the filibuster? Are now saying that: “The filibuster is a check on absolute power in America”. On the Democratic side back in 2005 led by then Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid who is now of course the Leader to go along with Senator Chuck Schumer who is also on the Judiciary Committee to go along with Senator Jack Reid, Senator Evan Bayh and others, those Democrats were saying eliminating the Senate filibuster would be a power grab.

“We’re saying that eliminating the filibuster would be an abuse of power and go against two-hundred years of Senate tradition and so-forth”. Wait, aren’t these Democrats supposed to be the Liberals, what do they care about tradition?

But now Senate Democrats are saying that: “The filibuster now represents ruling by minority. With one minority party in this case the Senate Republican Conference led by Mitch McConnell now running and having veto say on how the executive and judicial branches can now operate. When instead they are just supposed to be one voice and a minority voice at that”.

The point being that there’s enough hypocrisy and hypocritical people (to be nice) bullshit artists (to be accurate) here to form their own national club of bullshit artists. “We’re a club that creates and promotes bullshit across the country”. Apparently the agriculture sector is really struggling and then they need to create this national club, because they aren’t producing enough bullshit. Apparently Winnie the Bull is sick or something.

This club wouldn’t need any other members because all the available spaces would be filled by the United States Senate and an example of why ninety-percent of Americans dislike Congress. Because we have a lot of Senators like this. This whole Senate filibuster debate is all about “do what I say not what I do. Forget about my past record because this is what is important now and what I believe in”. They sound like your parents, right.

Which of course is the easiest near advantage that they can use against the other side and hit them as hard as they can with it until they lose power. Apparently unaware that will be used against them once they are out of power. Rather than doing what is best for the Senate and respecting the true role of the Senate as the upper chamber in Congress and its role in the Federal Government.

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CBS News: The Longines Chronoscope- Norman Thomas (1953)

Source:CBS News– Socialist Party Leader Norman Thomas.

Source:FreeState MD

“LONGINES CHRONOSCOPE WITH DR. NORMAN THOMAS – National Archives and Records Administration 1953-02-16 – ARC Identifier 95979 / Local Identifier LW-LW-48 – TELEVISION INTERVIEW: William Bradford Huie and Hardy Burt talk with Dr. Norman Thomas, Socialist Leader, on criticism of the new Eisenhower administration policies regarding Formosa and Chiang Kai-shek, communism, bombing of Manchurian bases, recognition of the People’s Republic of China, Korean truce, a third World War and world peace. Copied by IASL Master Scanner Thomas Gideon.”

From Public Resource

What I respect about Norman Thomas (even though he was a Socialist and we probably agree on almost nothing as it relates to economic policy) is that he was a real Democrat. A real American Democrat, a real Democratic Socialist.

Norman Thomas was probably against communism as much as any Conservative, or Liberal and spoked out against communism. Which is different from democratic socialism. Democratic socialism, is democratic and communism is authoritarian. At least in how it’s been practiced around the world. He wasn’t one of these far-lefties that spoke up in favor of Communists and other authoritarians, who were dictators around the world, for a couple of reasons. One, he was against communism, but also because of how badly socialism has been made to look like.

Thanks to the success of right-wingers, going back at least since the late 1960s in America, socialism has been made to look like communism, as if they are part of the same philosophy, because they are not. And Democratic Socialists like Norman Thomas tend to believe in at least a certain level of capitalism and private enterprise. Just not at the expense of the people and what want as many people as possible to benefit from private enterprise.

Norman Thomas, was the Bernie Sanders of his time. He and Henry Wallace, another Democratic Socialist, who ran for president for the Progressive Party in 1948, were very similar when it came to economic policy. But Thomas, was perhaps not as much as a dove when it came to foreign affairs and national security.

If you pay attention to this video, you consistently hear Norman Thomas criticize the Soviet Union, totalitarianism and even communism, that the Russian people, were essentially subjects of the Russian Government in the Soviet Union. You didn’t hear him unlike others on the Far-Left in America, try to claim that Russia was misunderstood during the Cold War. Or even try to suggest that America might have been the bad guys in that war of words. Or even the wrong country won that war.

Thomas, was a Socialist in the European sense. Democratic in nature and even supported capitalism and private enterprise. But wanted a big central government to manage the resources of the country and support the people with a welfare state. So no one would have to go without, or have too much, according to him.

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Thom Hartmann: Mike Papantonio- ‘The Decline of Broadcast News in America’

Source:Thom Hartmann– left-wing talk radio show host Mike Papantonio.

Source:The Daily Journal 

“Thom Hartmann talks with Mike Papantonio, attorney and Host of Ring of Fire Radio about the decline of broadcast news since Ronald Reagan did a way with the Fairness Doctrine and Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act.
If you liked this clip of The Thom Hartmann Program, please do us a big favor and share it with your friends… and hit that “like” button!”

From Thom Hartmann

If as a country, we want to have strong broadcast news divisions, then Americans have to actually watch network news. Instead of just getting all of their info from cable or online.

We live in a liberal democracy, meaning people get to see what they watch. Rather than programming being forced on them. You can’t force people to do what is in their best interest and make the best decisions for themselves in a free society. Which is what a liberal democracy is.

We have a First Amendment which includes our free press (meaning not controlled by the government) and that means our private media is owned privately. Which means our broadcast networks, including their news divisions have to make money in order to stay in business. Unlike big government propaganda agencies that you see in communist countries that are literally owned and operated by the party in power and the government.

So for hard news to be seen and read in America, Americans actually have to watch and read that news coverage, otherwise it won’t make money and put the operating budgets of news companies, including news divisions, at risk. We get all the soft news and partisan news coverage in this country, because that’s what American watch, listen to and read and what makes money in this country.

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CSPAN: President Barack Obama- ‘At The 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner’

Source:CSPAN– President Barack H. Obama (Democrat, Illinois) speaking at the 2011 White House Correspondents dinner, in Washington.

Source:FreeState MD

“President Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. View the complete program here:CSPAN.”

“Journalists, politicians and celebrities gathered for the White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner where journalism awards were presented. President Obama gave humorous remarks focusing on his potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates. His speech featured a fake trailer for “The President’s Speech,” a spoof sequel to the film “The King’s Speech.” He was followed by “Saturday Night Live” head writer Seth Meyers.”

Source:CSPAN– comedian Seth Meyers.

From CSPAN

Ever since the mid-term elections of 2010, the President has been in full reelection mode. Thinking that if Democrats can lose the House, he could lose the White House just as easily.

And every decision and policy position and speech President Obama has given, has been based on that. Only when President Obama has to take a stand on anything, it’s after endless concentrated thought on every possible proposal and idea that’s out there. Libya being a perfect example of this and then after finally taking a position on anything.

Watching Barack Obama make up his mind on anything, (from a distance, anyway) is like watching a midget try to tackle an elephant: it is really difficult and painful thing to see that you want it to end and for some resolution to the matter: “If we do this, than that will happen and that will be bad. But if we don’t do this, then this could happen and that might be worst”. Politicians who try to please everybody tend to be the most unpopular. Because they end up offending everyone. And that is sort of where President Obama is right now.

It’s the weakest position possible designed to offend the very least. It’s Independent voters that the President is targeting. Meaning that he can’t seem too strong on anything, because he might offend those who look for the middle ground on everything­.

Which means that President Obama ends up doing what he wants the least, which is looking weak. Because he can’t figure out what the hell he should do. Right now President Obama who’ve I tended to agree with on foreign and economic policy, is the On the Other Hand President.

President Barack Obama: “Well, if we do this, it could work, but on the other hand if we do this instead, it might work better. And costing the country economically because we have a weak economy that needs strong action”.

Sometimes you just got to say, screw it! And do what you think is right and let the chips fall where they may. That is what leadership is about and what being President of the United States is about. The On the Other Hand Presidency might turn out to be effective leadership in the long-term, but it’s definitely weak leadership in the short-term. And costing President Obama popularity and the ability to lead a large divided country.

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J.M. Studios: Memorial Day Tribute (2007_

Source:J.M. Studios– Memorial Day 2007.

Source:FreeState MD

“Dedicated to all the military: Past, Present, and Future. A little tribute I created for Memorial Day, enjoy.”

From J.M. Studios

On this beautiful, hot and sunny Memorial Day, the official kickoff of summer in the nation’s capital, as we go to our cookouts, beaches, pool parties, pub crawls, and whatever else, let’s take a moment to remember why this is all possible.

Before we begin our celebrations, let’s remember our brave American warriors stationed in Europe, Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan, Korea and everywhere else around the World who won’t get to spend this time with their spouses, kids, parents, nephews, nieces, and friends because they’re serving our country so that their fellow Americans can. As we’re celebrating, let’s take some time to honor them and their families, who will spend this Memorial Day without each other.

Let’s also remember our brave fallen warriors from Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Afghanistan, the Civil War, World Wars I, and II, Korea, Vietnam, and all the other wars they’ve fought to keep America safe so that we can celebrate Memorial Day today.

Let’s also remember the sacrifices of our brave warriors who were wounded and who will never fully recover from their injuries. Let’s not feel that it’s too big of a sacrifice for us to make sure that they receive the health care that they will need for the rest of their lives because of what they sacrificed for America. So as we go to our cookouts, beaches, pool parties, pub crawls and whatever, else let’s take time out to remember who has kept it all possible.

America is a great country because of all of our values, freedoms and choices that we have the freedom to m make when it comes to our own lives. But we didn’t obtain our freedom and greatness by accident. We’ve literally fought for it as a country. Well, our warriors have so the rest of us can have the freedom that they’ve fought for.

And because of their sacrifices as well as their families sacrifices we have the ability and freedom to go to cookouts, ballgames, the beach, parties, bars and everything else. Even as the families of our brave warriors have to go through the great holiday that is Memorial Day without their sons and daughters, spouses, fathers and mothers and some cases even children. And because of this it is never too late or too much to remember why we have the freedom to celebrate Memorial Day the way we do.

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