I've Been Avoiding

what we're calling the "war on women" this week because once I start I won't be able to stop. (I'm currently trying to stop swearing about the legislature in Virginia that thinks freedom is requiring an internal vaginal probe.)  But while I'm trying to get calm enough to construct actual words, you really must see the panel that testified on women's reproductive health today to Mr. Issa's committee.

I did not make this up.

Posterization courtesy of Amy at The Pragmatic Progressive

Don't Want

From The Guardian

Oh My!

I've neglected you all. I'm so sorry. Swamped with RL and and and ...

Take heart in Rush's sobbing, the rage over Obama's Nobel, and autumn leaves. Pay no attention to the pseudo-progress of the health care bill. Go work on a Hallowe'en costume. Or go for a walk and kick the leaves like you did when you were little.

I Thought I Was Done With Tea Parties

but I tripped over this picture at TPM's photo gallery and couldn't resist sharing. This was in Philadelphia, City of Brotherly Love.

The Teabaggers

I have been cruising the photos today, trying to select my Very Favorite Sign and I just can't do it. It is like being in a candy shop and having to pick the one best treat. This will have to do for now, but there are so many that are better.

The stupid. It burns!

Dick Cheney

surprisingly has short fat little fingers.

I knew you'd want to know.

Dana Perrino

looks like crap today. She has a cold and a huge dark circle under her right eye (or maybe somebody punched her) and her makeup looks like it is running after crying all night. That's one tough job she has there.

You Title This!

Getting To Know You: Sarah Palin Edition

Your Vice Presidential Candidate "speaks" at the Wasilla Assembly of God in June 2008. Yes, a mere three months ago. This may seem like a lot to watch but it will tell you most of what you need to know about her history, attitudes, and politics. In this two part series you will find that the war in Iraq is God's will. Apparently God also controls the Congress because she asked the congregation to pray for a pipeline.

"I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that."

Republicans Love Her; Independents Not So Much

I was amazingly unimpressed with the Republican Vice Presidential nominee last night. I thought her snipey and snotty and sarcastic when she didn't have the chops for any of those. There was no substance but lots of lies. She had that "I got nothing so I'll attack you" tone that guys get when they haven't matured past the freshman year of hight school. Kind of like John McCain and George Bush. But when a beauty queen was introducing herself, it just convinced me that there is nothing there.

But I read the reports and everybody else -- well almost everybody -- seemed taken with the Governor. So I was pleased to discover that The Detroit Free Press conducted a focus group after Sarah Palin's speech. It included Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. The previous link contains quotations from each of the participants. Reading it is most interesting because it is clear that the independents are quite skeptical.

Here are a few quotes. Follow the link for more.

“Sarah Palin came across as the small town girl who made good. I knew that I disagreed with her on some issues before this evening. After listening to her speech … it appears that once she makes up her mind, that is the end of it. We live in a gray world, not every answer is black and white.”

-- Diane Murphy, 42, Sterling Heights independent

“Who is Sarah Palin? I'm sorry but I still don't know anymore about this young lady tonight than I did last night ... The way it looks to me, she's the Republican vice presidential nominee for one reason: because Hillary wasn't selected.”

-- Mike Kosh, 38, West Bloomfield independent

“Nothing worked for me. I found her barrage of snide remarksand distortions to be a major turn off. She is not a class act. The most important point she made is that she will be an effective attack dog.”

-- Jan Wheelock, 58, Royal Oak independent

“Sarah got as much applause as Hillary did, and had a friendly, appealing appearance.
Her delivery style reminded me of a high school valedictorian who also might have been a cheerleader. I thought she would appear more professional, more stateswomanly. She's no match for Joe Biden.”

-- Joellen Gilchrist, 64, Beverly Hills independent

Spawn 'o Reagan

For any of you who still foolishly believe that the late Ronald Reagan was just a nice actor who happened to luck into the presidency, here is what he spawned. This is Michael Reagan on this talk radio show. Warning -- this is pretty rough.