A quick look back at the Age of Oil. And, yes, Virginia, it’s all coming to an end.
Monthly Archives: August 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.”
For Some Pilots, Home Is An LAX Parking Lot : NPR
Now, I’m sure that some of folks do this for convenience, but it turns out that some airline workers have taken to living in the LAX parking lot in order to save money.
I tell ya, we’re just one step closer to having our poorest citizens living out of storage units.
T.R. Reid: Looking Overseas For ‘Healing Of America’
I haven’t read the book yet, but I’m looking forward to it.
I have, however, heard this Fresh Air interview, as well as an interview with The Word and the subject seems done with much open-mindedness and real perspective.
In addition, read “5 Myths About Health Care Around the World” by the same author in the The Washington Post.
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.
The Sitka Speech | TPM
Talking Points Memo has found some videos of Kennedy is his own words. First of, his Sitka Speech after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Also, some of his work on the floor of the Senate in 2007 during the minimum rate increase debate:
More ‘Evidence’ of Intelligent Design Shot Down by Science | Wired Science | Wired.com
Just in case you were still curious, yet another tenant of “Intelligent Design” has been utterly refuted by using…actual science.
Whodathunkit?
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.