…and it's not often I agree with MSNBC's framing…

Regarding Trump:

"This is the political equivalent of lighting a house on fire, calling 911 and then expecting a medal."

It's not often I agree with Politico…

"By directly and coolly engaging a debate with his most fevered critics, Obama offered the most unmistakable validation ever to the idea that we are living in an era of public life with no referee—and no common understandings between fair and unfair, between relevant and trivial, or even between facts and fantasy."

The Long Form

If you are one of the people who were charged up by the issue, even if your argument was "he should just release it and get it over with", then you are the problem.

Corporate welfare is safe and secure

This has been all over the place recently, but it's a worthwhile read.

Irrational Exuberance and Going Galt

Here's a thorough summary (yes, I know, but bear with me,) of the impact Ayn Rand has had on today's society: From the Awl. (I won't excerpt it, as it's a good read.)

Here's a review of the upcoming part one of Atlas Shrugged, obviously written by a fanboy.

Here's my summary, thoroughly stolen from the web:

There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.

I say, Go Galt. You are largely responsible for where we are today. We don't need or want you.

"Computer Expert"

I normally don't post about issues which are sufficiently covered elsewhere, but this needs to be spread, because I haven't heard about it in the traditional media:

In 2006, Nickolaus, who was elected Waukesha County clerk in 2002, was criticized for posting election returns that temporarily skewed results of a Republican primary for the 97th Assembly District. At the time, Nickolaus told reporters some returns from the city of Waukesha were entered in the wrong column.

And last summer, the Waukesha County Board ordered an internal audit of her office, citing concerns Nickolaus was secretive and refusing to cooperate with the county's technical staff in a security review of the computerized election system.

And this tidbit about an entirely different scandal:

A few high-level staffers were charged or fined in the scandal. Nickolaus, a computer expert who handled lists of registered voters and other tasks, was among at least 18 Republican and Democratic staffers who avoided prosecution in exchange for testifying before a secret John Doe hearing in Dane County Circuit Court.

Having worked at Microsoft and several other tech companies, I can say that no "expert" would use an Access database on a desktop computer for a mission-critical task.

This isn't about (just) Planned Parenthood

…though that's how the traditional media frames the budget/shutdown debate. (NPR correctly referred to the rider's provisions as "blocking women's health services", though.)

It's about a ridiculously tiny amount of the budget going to Women's Health Care Centers (not just Planned Parenthood.) It's not about abortion, because that's already federally banned from using any government money. Regardless, PP spends 97% of its money on all things not related to abortion; things like cancer screenings and contraception and education (which the federal government does not provide.) These things prevent illness, death, and countless abortions.

So apparently, PP and all the other Women's Health Care Services are the targets of Republicans (particularly the Tea Party hardliners) because they prevent illness, death, and unnecessary abortions.

The more radical left is referring to it as the Republicans' "War on Women". It's becoming harder and harder to dismiss that as hyperbole.

Must watch more Minchin

Mackinac Center admits its FOIA request was simple harassment

Recently, the Mackinac Center in Michigan put in several FOIA requests against several state university professors who had written op-eds and personal blog posts that they didn't agree with. The requests were virtually unprecedented and included any information using state equipment mentioning "Maddow". The Center has not responded to any requests for clarification, until now.

And they pretty much admit that it's just an excuse to harass the people with whom they disagree:

The unfolding of the Wisconsin turmoil and the pitched debate over the Michigan legislation provided us an opportunity to chase an old story with a FOIA.

I miss Bill Moyers

How do Republicans apologize?

Like this:

RPDC Apologizes To Judge Sumi

The Republican Party of Dane County sent out a press release on March 29th criticizing Judge Maryann Sumi for holding up the publication of Governor Scott Walker’s collective bargaining reform bill. Upon further reflection we’d like to apologize for not understanding her point of view.

Sure, Governor Walker’s bill is unquestionably constitutional, increases worker’s rights and helps local government balance budgets without having to fire public workers. The Wisconsin state legislature consulted with their non-partisan parliamentarian to make sure that the passage of the bill followed the rules of the Senate and Assembly. But this isn’t about the law, is it?

The Republican Party of Dane County recognizes that Judge Sumi is a leftist living in Dane County. Her friends are leftists living in Dane County. Her son is a left wing activist in Dane County. She goes to cocktail parties held by leftists in Dane County. She shops at organic gourmet food shops run by leftists living in Dane County. If she were to enforce the law of Wisconsin and do what was in the best interest of the people of Wisconsin, she’d be exiled from her lifestyle. She’d lose her friends!

The leadership of the Republican Party of Dane County have all made the choice to stand against the Dane County elite. We accept that Left feels righteous vandalizing our homes and keying our cars. It's only fair. We disagree based upon logic and principle. That is intolerable! We prioritize the Constitution and the well being of the people of Wisconsin over foie gras at cocktail parties. That’s the choice we made. We respect Judge Sumi’s decision to live her life with the rich diversity that liberals cherish.

Golden Corral

Our pleasant niche of the seafoody-snobbish has been inundated by a flood of commercials for Golden Corral, which markets itself as the cheapest seafood chain around. It even felt the need to produce a making-of ad-let of its lame ad:



There are certain items, in this life, you don't want to opt for the cheapest solution. Seafood is one of them.

How those tax cuts have worked for the past 10, 20 years

That is, tax cuts for the wealthiest sliver of us. Oh, and corporations.

…After the nation recovered from the 1990-91 recession, 43 states made sizable tax cuts from 1994 to 2001 as the economy surged. Twenty-eight states, in fact, reduced their unemployment insurance payroll taxes after 1995.

But states that cut taxes the most ended up with the largest budget shortfalls and higher job losses when the economy slowed again in 2001, according to research by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/03/28/111161/states-broke-maybe-they-cut-taxes.html#storylink=misearch#ixzz1I33Ei9VW

Your government at work

Today's House Appropriations bill vote will slash tsunami warning systems in the U.S.

Via Slog

I am perfectly happy being agnostic; people like this simply add evidence. I mean, seriously? You're joyful that Japan was destroyed, and attribute it to your prayers to "wake up" atheists?

UPDATE: I should really listen to the voices in my head saying it's a troll…

Prescient—Reality imitates art

I'm late on this, but with all of the vilification of teachers and union workers recently, I pondered on this story. The Fox reporter (while off-camera) claims the protesters hit him, called him names, etc. (Again, none of it caught on their camera.) But another camera shows the assault (a tap on the shoulder):


Which reminded me of this brilliant and prescient bit:

Bullies

Sure, it's an outlier, but it is far too common for Christians:

More of your liberal media pushing the protests right here

Here are some of the "above the fold" pages for the traditional media. We have 100,000-person rallies right here in the US, with dozens of other rallies in support in other cities. Ohio is also ramping up. The rallies have been going on for 14 days in Madison. They have already ceded all—ALL—financial concessions, which the Governor rejects. He just wants to take their collective bargaining rights (but only from the unions that opposed him; the unions that support him are exempt.)

Big news, right?

Here's today's snaps of the major traditional media frontpages (kudos to CNN and ABC for having stories buried in there, but you'll have to squint to pick them out):

Unlike the US, Canada bans lying on its airwaves/cable

Which is why there's no FOX News Canada.

Your liberal, union-supporting traditional media at work

Your liberal media is working furiously to cover the Wisconsin protests (note the Police have commended the protesters on their peacefulness). So, the coverage of this big, American, working class story? Nothing above the fold. Charlie Sheen's more of a pressing issue for Americans, apparently.

CNN:

MSNBC:

Coverage: Charlie Sheen, Angry Birds, Protests in Libya/Middle East, Oscars, and a blasphemous portrait of Jesus.

Non-coverage: Anything relating to the Wisconsin protests, which are happening right here, right now, (with many rallies across the country,) and directly impact working Americans.

That's your liberal media for you.