Daily Archives: August 27, 2009

Tributes | Edward M. Kennedy

Here is a collection of some of the many tributes being given by various persons and organizations. One of them, by the AFL-CIO’s John Sweeney, have been both touching and respectful of the man we have lost.

“Ted Kennedy was not just a senator for Massachusetts; he was our senator–a senator for working people, for poor people, for the old and the vulnerable. For all those who needed a champion, he was our champion. He personified a sense of aspiration that has become America’s aspiration–to make things better, to make them more fair, to make our nation more compassionate and hopeful, to make life work for working men and women.”

Kennedy Lauded For His Service, Idealism : NPR

A nice piece on Teddy Kennedy and on his service to this nation.

Also, a very cool diary concerning Kennedy’s work on immigration reform. In short, the modern face of America is partly to the credit of his work.

Plus, a story on his civil rights legacy.

Also, his overall work for “the little guy”:

The Boston Globe has a touching story on Teddy’s last days.

Another touching tribute of the man’s life by Ted Sorensen.

CIA Documents Provide Little Cover for Cheney Claims

Surprise. Surprise. Turns out that – once again – Dick Cheney is a liar. After months of claiming the CIA has documents “proving” torture works, the release of said documents say the exact opposite. From the article:

Strikingly, they provide little evidence for Cheney’s claims that the ‘enhanced interrogation’ program run by the CIA provided valuable information. In fact, throughout both documents, many passages — though several are incomplete and circumstantial, actually suggest the opposite of Cheney’s contention: that non-abusive techniques actually helped elicit some of the most important information the documents cite in defending the value of the CIA’s interrogations.

The Cause of His Life

“This is the cause of my life. For four decades I have carried this cause — from the floor of the United States Senate to every part of this country. It has never been merely a question of policy; it goes to the heart of my belief in a just society.”

– Ted Kennedy on providing health care to all Americans

Lush Rimjob is chortling his fat, drug-addled ass off, gleefully declaring “victory” by “predicting” that Ted Kennedy would be dead before health care reform was passed in this nation. It is bastards like that, encouraging bullyboy tactics and general thuggery that are derailing said reform and rotting our nation’s democracy.

Senator Robert Byrd wants to rename any health care legislation after Kennedy. Here’s a blog entry that states the same opinion.

And, of course, HonorKennedy.com asks you to add your name to an online petition to do the same.

That said, given the crap put out by Fifth Columnists like Max Baucus, they’re gonna have to rewrite any bill to fit Teddy’s requirements. As best put by Bob Cesca’s latest column, “Healthcare Reform Named After Ted Kennedy Must Not Suck”.

Republican Heroes: Random Vile Cretins and Racists

First off, we’ve got Rep. Lynn Jenkins of Kansas, who proudly told her constituents that the GOP is searching for a “great white hope” to challenge President Obama. More here from Matt Yglesias, who is far more forgiving than I am.

Conservative blogger (and asshat extraordinaire) Andrew Breitbart decided to go full-out crazy and bash on Kennedy before he’s even in the grave. Aside from the lies and distortions and just plain meanness, I’m sure Andrew is a fine example of conservative Christian charity and love for all mankind.

Yeah, I almost puked writing that.

Back to racist Republicans, Neal Boortz, another conservative media blowhard is all about leaving New Orleans to rot. How do I know this? Because he states it in the most delicate Tweet possible:

The “debris” he speaks of are presumably the black residents that have yet to return to their hometown.

Foreign reporters discuss the uncaring mean streak we Americans seem to have when it comes to the welfare of our fellow citizens. Granted, not every jerk is a Republican, but the Democrats certainly haven’t codified it into their platform like the GOP has.

Why does *anybody* take these people seriously anymore?

Segue: Bill Moyers did a good segment on talk radio violence recently. Give it a look.

Too Much Hate and Stupidity

First off, the stupid.

Senator Mike Enzi, Republican from Wyoming, recently told his town brawl supporters that he never planned to compromise on health care reform, he just wanted to screw it up as much as he could. In his own words:

“It’s not where I get them to compromise, it’s what I get them to leave out.”

Even more degenerate Senator Jim Inhofe gets to the real role of GOP legislative “prowess” in the Age of Obama. On health care reform legislation:

“I don’t have to read it, or know what’s in it. I’m going to oppose it anyways.”

With enemies like this, you’d think all Democrats would rally around reform. You’d think so, but you’d be wrong. Here are the Fifth Columnist Democrats (and Lieberman) who are willing to sell out reform and act like pigheaded Republicans who can be bought with lobbyist silver. In some of their cases – especially YOU Baucus – that’s millions in silver.

Now for the hate.

I know I wasn’t going to focus on this, but dear lord do these so-called Christians know how to hate their neighbors.

Here is a sampling of the hateful attacks on Ted Kennedy after the news broke that he had died. Apparently Republicans have no ability to respect the dead.

In California, Rep. Wally Herger still refuses to back down on supporting a “proud right-wing terrorist”.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, Steven Anderson, the pastor of one of the degenerates who brought an assault rifle to the President’s event there last week wants Obama to die. He gave a sermon on “Why I Hate Barack Obama” and preaches the following from the pulpit:

“I’m going to pray that he dies and goes to hell.”

Then he goes on to state that he in no way supports the assassination of the President. But damn is he proud of his parishioner showing up packing heat to a political event.

And, once again, you wonder why I have a problem with organized religion. The Bible says this:

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

– Timothy 2:1-2 (King James Version)

And instead we get the following from the Talibangelicals like Anderson:

“No where in the sermon did I advocate vigilantism. It’s a spiritual battle….I’d rather have him die of natural causes anyway, that way he’s not some martyr. I’m praying for him to die just so he gets what he deserves.”

Special.

You’d hope all Republicans would hesitate to assassinate our nation’s leader. That said, Republican Rex Ramell, when prompted by an audience member at a GOP rally said, “The Obama tags? We’d buy some of those.”

Laugh it up asshole. You want to be governor of Idaho, but just admitted to wanting to hunt the President.

You’d hope he’d do time for something like that, but Rethugs strangely never do time for violent threats.