The New York Times Caucus Blog reports that with the passing of Senator Byrd, Senator Daniel Inouye is next in line to become the president pro tempore of the Senate. Just want to point out that this makes the presidential line of succession the following: an African-American, an Irish-American, an Italian-American, and, finally, a Japanese-American. Somewhere, Strom Thurmond is turning over in his grave.
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Subjects of the drug cartel
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer believes that most undocumented aliens illegal immigrants er, Mex’cans are here to smuggle drugs. For real: “I believe today, under the circumstances that we’re facing, that the majority of the illegal trespassers that are coming into the state of Arizona are under the direction and control of organized drug cartels and they are bringing drugs in,” Brewer said. “There’s strong information to us that they come as illegal people wanting to come to work. Then they are accosted and they become subjects of the drug cartel,” she said. That are some serious sweet...
Continue reading...Church adopts local public elementary school for Jesus
This is going to end well: LAKELAND, Fla.—When his budget for pencils, paper, and other essential supplies was cut by a third this school year, the principal of Combee Elementary School worried children would suffer. Then, a local church stepped in and “adopted” the school. The First Baptist Church at the Mall stocked a resource room with $5,000 worth of supplies. It now caters spaghetti dinners at evening school events, buys sneakers for poor students, and sends in math and English tutors. The principal is delighted. So are church pastors. “We have inroads into public schools that...
Continue reading...Is Nikki Haley racist enough to be governor of South Carolina?
People want to know: Mrs. Haley chose her words carefully in talking about the causes of the Civil War. “You had one side of the Civil War that was fighting for tradition, and I think you had another side of the Civil War that was fighting for change,” she said. She did not use the word “slavery” but hinted at it, saying that “everyone is supposed to be free.” Well, I think it’s fair to say she’s at least hit the “McDonnell Standard.” But, is South Carolina too racist for Nikki Haley? When Mrs. Haley first ran...
Continue reading...More transparency… unless you like guns.
Today in hypocrisy: finally, a cause liberal and conservative interest groups can rally together in opposition to. I’m no expert by any means on campaign finance, but here’s how I understand the story thus far: Supreme Court issues ruling lifting restrictions on campaign funding by corporations. General outcry ensues. Congress resolves to Do Something. Something takes the form of the DISCLOSE Act, which would require corporations, unions, and non-profits to report their top donors (defined as anyone who gives them $1,000). It also would require organizations to identify themselves in ads, and the orgs’ top donors to...
Continue reading...Dale Peterson wants you to vote for somebody else
Dale Peterson, who we mentioned earlier during his race for Alabama Agriculture Commissioner, may not have won the primary, but he is not going gentle into that good night. Nay, he’s got somebody he wants the fine folk of Alabama to vote for: John McMillan. As long as it’s not dummy Dorman Grace. And he really “blasts” the point home. Don’t you wish you had Dale Peterson watching your back?
Continue reading...Lightning Strike Proves God Hates Your Stupid Statue
In case the article Pop linked to in today’s Morning Constitutional wasn’t enough for you, here’s video of the ridiculously huge and gaudy (and apparently enormously expensive– $250,000!) Touchdown Jesus statue in flames. As YouTube commenter THeSLoTH77 wrote, “It’s a sign… It’s a sign that churches squander away an unbelievable amount of money that could have been used for something good for mankind and not their egos.” And as the person who tipped me off to the story observed, “It’s a weird and wonderful world.” It was always pretty hilarious to drive past TD Jesus, but I’m...
Continue reading...Meet Rick Barber, Patriot for Congress
Sure, he’s no Les Philip, or Dale Peterson, or even Tim James, but Rick Barber’s got a pretty inspiring ad here. Look at that: Founding Fathers. And they hated taxes just like he does. I actually really love how Rick conflates health care reform and the IRS, while totally and unceremoniously diminishing the Founders’ motivation for revolt to just a mere “tea tax.”
Continue reading...Homeownership sometimes isn't so good for society
Ryan Avent takes a look at Felix Salom’s arguments about the benefits of homeownership, but finds that sometimes, its societal benefits are a little overstated: It’s clearly right that homeowners take an active interest in local policy in an effort to protect and enhance local services and the value of their homes. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that homeowners are generating societal benefits. Take schools, for example. Homeowners take many actions to boost the performance of local schools, both because they’re interested in obtaining a quality education for their children and because school quality is capitalized into...
Continue reading...In Which I Fail to Violently Disagree With Ross Douthat
Wait, hold on: Ross Douthat wrote a column about feminism that didn’t leave me retching? Is it opposite day? As soon as I saw the headline– “No Mystique About Feminism,” I readied myself for the ensuing rage that invariably comes with reading Douthat’s commentary on the ladyfolk. And yet, the main point Douthat makes this time is one I kinda sorta agree with. He rehashes the feminist agitas over the female Republican candidates’ victories in last week’s primaries, and then announces that in actuality “their rise is a testament to the overall triumph of the women’s movement.”...
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