If I were the King of Going Postal
Tuesday’s looking pretty damned good, but if there’s one thing the Republicans have taught us, it’s that they don’t draw any lines when it comes to winning at any cost. The gang that can’t wait to bring back slavery won’t hesitate to call out the troops if they see a window of “opportunity.” [See Colbert on some of their extremist tactics to date]
The dashed hopes of countless Americans are riding on this one. If enough of us stand up to them, they will back down. Not from Obama, but from America.
Strangely enough, Gov. Walker is suddenly hiding in his office. Amber Hahn probably thought about doing the same, but then resigned instead.
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I was stunned yesterday to see David Weigel go into full CYA mode on Rick Perry’s behalf. Notice how closely cropped those prayer rally photos are? Here’s what the Dallas newspapers ran:
Lower bowl only, and they didn’t even fill it up.
I’ve been getting weird vibes from Weigel for a few weeks now. He’s covering the Republicans and the longer he does, the more it seems like he’s carrying water for some of them. Playing favorites? Trying to get/keep access?
I don’t know, but I know his pictures don’t jibe with the one above. More from Steve Benen.
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The Bank of America death watch continues
Did an S&P insider just rip off the market for one billion dollars?
Ripping on S&P some more [more]
How debt has defined human history (it’s certainly defined my history)
Charles II calls for a Jubilee year
Donald Kaul on hard core negotiating
The USPS wouldn’t default if I was in charge. First, I’d raise first class stamps to at least 75¢, and then I’d eliminate all junk mail rates (why subsidize something no one wants?). Next I’d slash overnight prices to $5 and then laugh hysterically as FedEx and UPS find out what it’s like to compete against the United States Post Office when the USPS actually fights back.
I’d boost employee morale by firing about half the insane USPS executives who turned the Post Office into Fed Ex/UPS’s bike rack, and I’d trim routes and would focus on customer service. I’d serve notice to the union that I could forgive anything but rudeness to customers, and then I’d start jettisoning the dead weight at the customer service counters.
Later, after Fed Ex and UPS had gone belly up and the USPS had acquired their trucks and planes at fire sale prices, I’d jack overnight prices up to $20 before giving myself a $20 million bonus for saving the Post Office. That’s how business carved a chunk out of the USPS, and if the USPS ever got to fight back, they’d murder the bums.
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I’ll be honest. When I read an article about the feds prosecuting pot growers, every time I see “federal,” I think Obama.
Every fucking bit the hypocrite that George W. Bush was on this, and more. Putting people in prison for growing plants? There’s no walking that back, and no forgiveness. But mostly? I can’t forgive the assfucking he’s been giving whistleblowers. [click here for an even less forgivable example]
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More politics:
Sam Pizzigati on the new normal
One of the better non-Colbert/Stewart videos I’ve seen lately: Tea Party! America Thanks You!
Levi’s sister to bare all, and not just skin
Sarah fan rents Chicago theater, gives away tickets
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Fat grams awaiting deep frying
Yes, it’s that time of year, and the world’s greatest state fair just started in Des Moines. Meanwhile, 350,000 art lovers jammed into Minneapolis this weekend for the art fairs and Fringe Festival.
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Etc.:
Some animated GIFs hurt more than others
Turley on the Nola convictions
Charles Graner getting out of prison (because all of those Iraqis in Abu Ghraib have gotten over it and have moved on (or already blown themselves up))
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First summer I’ve ever been through when nothing ever got brown, and I mean nothing. It’s painfully green outside in southern Minnesota. We’ve still got August to get through but I suspect this fall will see countless rural highways destroyed when a record-breaking harvest gets taken to market.
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A KGB hit? And happy birthday to the Amazing Randi!
As disgusted as I am with Obama, I’ve decided I cannot succumb to the despair I sense many progressives feel with the current situation. (Like emptywheel, e.g.). I suppose Obama is holding us as hostages too in a sense. But I cannot forget or get over what McConnell and Bachmann and others of these vile people have made their goal: to make Obama a one term President. They have demonstrated they are willing to wreck the country to make their point and “teach us a lesson” for even thinking about electing a progressive as President (even if he turned out to be a dud). This is not about Obama. It’s about decent people being able to express their hopes in voting and not be repaid with this hatred and vengeance that spews from the fascists.