Despite the current Romney-Santorum tie in Ohio (according to the polls) and the media's attempt, as is their wont, to manufacture drama, there really isn't any uncertainly as to the eventual outcome of the race. Romney will win. This has been clear for some time now, but his big wins last Tuesday, particularly in Michigan, where his margin of victory was just enough to … [Read more...] about Cue the Fat Lady: Super Tuesday is Romney Day
There’s a Reason I Call Him “Dear Leader Rush”
(Oh, by the way, check out this faux post by Kathryn Rogers, Rush's fourth wife. My most recent thoughts on Rush -- a "fat, gutless, pill-popping loser," according to Don Imus -- are here.) George Will expressed it well on This Week the other day to George Stephanopoulos: Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh has been inundated with criticism after calling Sandra Fluke, a … [Read more...] about There’s a Reason I Call Him “Dear Leader Rush”
Barbara Bush: Still Speaking Out, Still Getting It Right
The scene was Southern Methodist University. The forum was a discussion on the role of the first lady. The honored guests were Barbara Bush, wife of George H. W. Bush and Laura Bush, wife of George W. Bush. Now, I’ve got nothing against Laura Bush. She’s a great example of the perfect presidential spouse who always says and does the politically correct thing. But give me … [Read more...] about Barbara Bush: Still Speaking Out, Still Getting It Right
Ohio: What You Need Know About Today’s Primary
I'm a Leo -- I should love all this attention being lavished on Ohio because of its Super Tuesday swing state status. Where to begin? In this post, I boil it down to the polls, the women, the weather and the independents. What do you think will make the difference in Ohio and who do you think will win? … [Read more...] about Ohio: What You Need Know About Today’s Primary
Where’s the Outrage?
WASHINGTON -- How's this for political cowardice? Right-wing bloviator Rush Limbaugh launches a vile attack, full of sexual insults and smarmy innuendo, against a young woman whose only offense was to speak her mind. Asked to comment, the leading Republican presidential candidates -- who bray constantly about "courage" and "leadership" -- run from the bully and hide. … [Read more...] about Where’s the Outrage?
ClearChannel Speaks: It’s Just Humor, Folks
Almost a week after the SS Rush Limbaugh sailed into sexist seas, @ClearChannel, which owns Premier Networks, finally made a statement. An absurd one, if I can borrow their language. AdAge reports (emphasis added): "Premiere Networks is committed to providing its listeners with access to a broad range of opinion and commentary without condoning or agreeing with the opinions, … [Read more...] about ClearChannel Speaks: It’s Just Humor, Folks
Behind Breitbart’s Obama “Bombshell”
Before dying suddenly at 43 last week, right-wing activist Andrew Breitbart promised a “bombshell” to dethrone the President and has now posthumously exploded it: Barack Obama saw a play about Saul Alinsky in Chicago 14 years ago. Since politically deceased Newt Gingrich has also been hammering the President with Alinsky during GOP debates, herewith a word-for-word reprint … [Read more...] about Behind Breitbart’s Obama “Bombshell”
Who’s Advertising On The Rush Limbaugh Show?
There is no official public list of Rush Limbaugh advertisers. The Atlantic listened and posted on Monday. As did AmericaBlog. And here's an online form you can use to listen and report. Here are the biggies: ADT Security || Capitol One || Geico (continues to say it's an accident) || JC Penny || John Deere || O'Reilly Auto Parts || Winning Our Future [Gingrich … [Read more...] about Who’s Advertising On The Rush Limbaugh Show?
The Catholic Church And Contraception
This is a follow up to Robert Levine's excellent post below on American Puritanism. A very good article in The Washington Post a couple of weeks ago has not received the attention it deserved, How the Catholic Church almost came to accept birth control. The Catholic Churches' objection to birth control is recent. Contrary to widely held assumptions, the Catholic ban on birth … [Read more...] about The Catholic Church And Contraception
Limbaugh Fallout: 15 Advertisers, Two Stations (updated)
Version 3c: I asked Friday if there were a line that, if crossed, would cause Rush Limbaugh's sponsors to leave. As a result of the Sandra Fluke fallout, the answer seems to be a qualified yes. The headcount is now 15 14 12. And according to AP, "KPUA, an AM station in Hilo, Hawaii, said it is dropping Limbaugh's show immediately." ( Update 6:37 pm) CBS reports that WBEC in … [Read more...] about Limbaugh Fallout: 15 Advertisers, Two Stations (updated)
Some Angry Rush Limbaugh Listeners Contact Us “Sluts” (UPDATE 3)
Today Rush Limbaugh continued his apology (almost), taking full responsibility for his comments (weelllllll....), and moved on and didn't take any more swipes at Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke (OK so he talked about her being at a lot of demonstrations and being an activist during some years at college). No matter. Limbaugh's listeners are loyal. And in the past 24 hours … [Read more...] about Some Angry Rush Limbaugh Listeners Contact Us “Sluts” (UPDATE 3)
American Puritanism and Government Regulation of Sexual Activity
A streak of Puritanism and moral certitude has influenced politics in America since the landing of the first colonists. While these attitudes have ebbed and flowed at various times, they have always affected public discourse and legislation. Over the years, politicians have passed laws trying to outlaw contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and miscegenation because these … [Read more...] about American Puritanism and Government Regulation of Sexual Activity
Headphones: More Powerful Than A Locomotive
A Maryland pediatrician found that serious injuries to pedestrians wearing headphones have more than tripled in the last six years. Neil Wagner: Looking over case reports of pedestrian injuries or fatalities involving moving vehicles between 2004 and 2011, the doctor and his team found 116 where the victim was using headphones. Seventy percent of these … [Read more...] about Headphones: More Powerful Than A Locomotive
Note to Rush Limbaugh On What A Real Apology Looks Like
Back in May of last year, liberal talk show host Ed Schultz called conservative talk show host a "right wing slut." Reaction was rather fierce, and Ed Schultz offered what a real apology should look like. Rush Limbaugh and fans, take note: Laura Ingraham herself was initially a bit snippy about it, tweeting "MSNBC suspends Schultz. Oh great, now his ratings will go up," … [Read more...] about Note to Rush Limbaugh On What A Real Apology Looks Like
A Court Unlike Any Other
Going back to its inception, the United States Supreme Court has been made up of 106 combinations of Justices. Professor Benjamin H. Barton of the University of Tennessee has run the data and come to a conclusion. The current version of the Court is an outlier when compared historically to the 105 that preceded it. Here are a few of the findings; • This is the first … [Read more...] about A Court Unlike Any Other
MSNBC/Wall Street Journal Poll: Republican Party and Its Presidential Candidates Hurt by Primary Season as Obama Rises
If politics is all about branding then the Republican Party and its candidates vying for the 2012 Presidential nomination are in trouble. A new MSNBC/Wall Street Journal poll finds President Barack Obama's approval ratings are up, potential Republican candidates don't do well in match ups against him, the primaryies have not helped the party's image, and Democrats in Congress … [Read more...] about MSNBC/Wall Street Journal Poll: Republican Party and Its Presidential Candidates Hurt by Primary Season as Obama Rises
Sluts, Snobs and Social Sanity
Conspiracy theory: Is Rush Limbaugh trying to take the heat off Rick Santorum in the Off-the-Wall Olympics? The mouthiest presidential candidate in memory was getting attention last week for his “snob” and “throw up” criticism of the President and JFK until El Rushbo took after a Jesuit university law student with his “slut” and “prostitute” aria over her backing of … [Read more...] about Sluts, Snobs and Social Sanity
Girl Scouts USA: A 100th Birthday Salute (Guest Voice)
Girl Scouts USA: A 100th Birthday Salute by Danny Tyree It's a regrettable sign of our fast-paced lives. After Veterans Day our thoughts of the nation's heroes go back into mothballs along with their uniforms. After Christmas, "good will to men" shifts into channeling our inner Scrooge once more. And after the last box of Thin Mints has been consumed, Girl Scouts tend to … [Read more...] about Girl Scouts USA: A 100th Birthday Salute (Guest Voice)
Politics Barely Masking Sheer Hate
You have to ask what has happened to our politics when you see sheer hatred not very convincingly masked as something happening over policy when you read THIS. Truly amazing -- and totally repugnant. … [Read more...] about Politics Barely Masking Sheer Hate
Age Discrimination (Guest Voice)
Age Discrimination by David Goodloe From time to time, I send e–mails to the White House about issues that concern me. When you do that, you have the option of checking a box that serves as a request for a reply. I did check that box the first couple of times that I e–mailed the White House, but, frankly, I don't do it anymore because the responses I received never … [Read more...] about Age Discrimination (Guest Voice)