Right wingers ~ True believers used by the tools

Jack Abramoff, Ralph Reed, Grover Norquist, ... are rightly targeted via The Anniston Star's Still searching for justice: The Abramoff scandal. The way these scared and gullible bible thumpers and others that make up the base in today's GOP get used is beyond belief. Wake up and smell the corruption! John Gunn

Is this from an emeritus professor of engineering?

While last week I lamented that Dr. Cutchins was relying on Rousas John Rushdoony for some of his radical views this week I find him working off the teevee. "This past week has seen a number of films broadcast on television about major events in our past history" writes Dr. Cutchins. In the Opelika-Auburn News he gets ink with Fly that flag proudly today where he goes off on the oddest riff about 9-11 to ... I have no idea on his theme here. And that he relies on an odd collection of "film" for his inspiration troubles me slightly. John Gunn

UPDATE - 03 November 2009 - I made some slight changes so as to try to accommodate Dr. Cutchins' gentlemanly request that I remove certain images and text that he felt was unfair. we can still disagree but I'd like to more agreeable in doing so.

Alabama Eagle Forum's "wisdom" on energy issues

Brooklyn Burgess, the Executive Director of Eagle Forum of Alabama, gets ink in the Montgomery Advertiser today with ALABAMA VOICES: Push domestic production. They really prayed for "for the stability of domestic oil production in the Gulf?" Phyllis Schlafly would be proud Brooklyn of your lack of understanding yet superb efforts on behalf of movement conservatism. Although experts agree that "drill, drill, drill" is no solution, and that anybody with a lick of understanding about the modern world knows the Saudis (and others from that neck of the woods) have not only bought up all the debt your team has once again ran up, this occurring despite of, or perhaps because of the relationship between the House of Saud and the House of Bu$h, you sell your schemes. Also, oil shale (or tar sands for that matter) is a losing proposition. Brooklyn Burgess is of course dialed in with the Heritage Foundation (reckon she is quoting Ben Lieberman?) and likely others out there earning their wingnut welfare. She's lost. Or perhaps just a liar? Maybe a little of both? John Gunn

Team Bu$hCo didn't teach her the Bu$h Doctrine?

I noted yesterday that a bunch of Bu$hies were helping get Sarah Palin at least somewhat up to speed yet you think they'd have covered "The Bu$h Doctrine" wouldn't you? Scarecrow at FireDogLake says enough of what I think to save me the time. What a disaster we'll face if Democratic Party "experts" manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in this fall's latest installment of "Let them lie, distract, divide ..." John Gunn

Team Bu$hCo gets another run with Sarah Palin

Jonathan Martin of Politico reports Palin team stocked with Bush veterans and even I was was surprised at the depth of Bu$h operatives on her team. In the process of getting Sarah Palin up to speed, at least enough speed to fool an audience made up of average Americans, who I'd argue are about as dumb as a bucket of spit, the GOP has turned to a tried and true team of handlers. They managed to keep Dubyah generally between the ditches in his public appearances so this seemingly clever, although likely much more radical, candidate will be an easy job. John Gunn

Is the American Enterprise Institute also confused?

If you've been even remotely tuned in in these last few years you're aware of the large role of the American Enterprise Institute in Bu$hCo. Certainly the neo-conservatives, like Paul Wolfowitz for instance, tied to AEI have been dialed in deep yet even "scholars" like James Glassman have been named to "diplomatic" positions. Here in Alabama we often get API's Gary Palmer shilling his right wing line using AEI's "research". They are "the tank" he and his are often up to their necks in.

So I was a bit confused to read Ben Evans' Montgomery Advertiser piece titled Experts predict deal on Jefferson County debt today where I find the following:

The panelists said Jefferson County got into the mess in the mid-1990s because local officials who didn't understand Wall Street were lured into exotic financial instruments that were riskier than most people knew. Bond rating agencies and other outside advisers contributed by failing to recognize the potential losses and provide warnings, they said. ...

"The crisis we're facing in municipal bonds is large and could be systemic," (Richard) Ciccarone said, noting that the problem could be compounded by dramatic drops in property values that account for most local governments' tax bases.

R. Christopher Whalen, an investment banker who co-founded an institutional risk consulting firm, said municipalities are now routinely getting involved with complex financial deals that he called "opaque cesspools." He said states should begin putting new limits on the arrangements.

Jefferson is Alabama's most populous county with about 658,000 residents and includes the state's biggest city, Birmingham.

The county got into trouble after it was forced by the courts to undertake a huge upgrade of its sewage system to meet federal water standards and stop raw and partially treated waste from being dumped into streams.

Acting at the suggestion of outside advisers, the county borrowed money for the project on the bond market in a complex and risky series of transactions. When the mortgage crisis hit and banks began tightening up on their lending, the interest rates on the debt ballooned and payments spiraled out of control.

Huh? Are these folks advocating for limits on the marvelous markets? Would regulation be wise policy? Are they admitting the grievous consequences to the broad markets from the GOP's push toward removing "barriers to free enterprise"? I'm not sure how "states" can put limits on investments that are at least national and more likely international yet to have any AEI types openly embracing such as this seems contrary to the Republican rules. That they seem to accept a role for courts is pleasing as I'm used to reading "activist judge" whenever the Judicial branch is referenced.

I know it has to be hard for the right wingers to keep up the charade and surely at times they'll let down their guard. The movement conservatives that make up so much of the modern GOP might not have been as direct as this bunch, even with a likely sympathetic audience. Still, a little honest can go a long ways. I truly think that if they'd just stop lying and posturing then we Progressives could easily meet them somewhere in the middle. But unfortunately the vast majority of "conservatives" I know, read, hear, and/or see just aren't geared that way. John Gunn

Governor Sarah Palin is crazy as a run over dog

I'm a soldier. "A trained killer" of sorts. I'm "Chairborne" as a "Keyboard Commando" these days yet even in that role I'd just as soon not be even typing (much less killing!) as part of God's plan. For Governor Palin to suggest anything I'm doing is part of her radicalism if frankly very offensive. I might stir up some of my family by questioning the Governor's intimate relationship with whatever she's imagined as the foundation of her faith yet I'll suggest she's loony if she truly believes half of what she's openly embracing. John Gunn

Governor Sarah Palin on the power of prayer

I'm a heathen yet even I frown on praying for such as this. Poor form at best. Completely cracked in the head at worst. John Gunn

IOKIYAR ~ Governor Palin's Treason Lite

Maybe she's just being sociable yet the Alaska Independence Party is seccessionist and perfectly radical. Imagine if Barack Obama had done something like the above. John Gunn

A helluva ad from Team Obama!

Have left wing loons infiltrated the Mobile P-R?

I've noted before that The Mobile Press-Register at times manages to get things right. However, I'm flatly floored to read today's Editorial titled Poverty's roots lie in state constitution. They, or at least whomever managed to seize the reins from the usual movement conservatives that craft their reasoning, write:

The framers of the state's 1901 constitution wrote the document to keep poor people poor and wealthy people (themselves) wealthy.

Direct, sometimes racist language declares, among other things, that the state has no responsibility to educate its citizens, and limits local government to keep power in Montgomery.

Moreover, the constitution sets in stone a tax system that rewards wealthy landowners and businesses with low property taxes, and places the burden of taxation on the middle class and the poor by funding the cost of government mostly through regressive income taxes and sales taxes.

Indeed, the constitution helped establish a culture of indifference to public education and pride in low property taxes. Over the decades, that has meant impoverished schools and insufficient and unreliable funding for other state services.

High rates of poverty can be directly related to Alabama's record of poor education and a tax system that sucks money from the poorest citizens.

Because of restrictions in the state constitution, local governments remain hamstrung when it comes to controlling growth, improving education and encouraging economic development.

Amen! When the Mobile Press-Register is agreeing with those on the Progressive side of the issue then that ought to send a loud message to the powers that be up on Goat Hill. John Gunn

The Sue Schmitz jury deadlocks

The law office I first clerked with had some Charles Bragg on the walls. I continue to enjoy his work. A brief "I told you so" might not be too poor form and even if so I'm unable to resist. I'll also share my Dad's quote of "Two mistrials is as good as an acquittal" while wondering if I'll ever step inside the Bar again. The Huntsville Times reports Mistrial declared in Schmitz fraud case. I'm hoping to learn more about how the jury deliberated and I for one would think it best to know some of that information before promising to take this one to trial again. Then again, the manner of Ms. Schmitz' arrest indicated this was at least somewhat about politics rather than purely the pursuit of justice. John Gunn

GA's Hans von Spakovsky is back on offense

The Heritage Foundation, like many of the conservative think tanks, is always on offense of course. I'd read recently that Hans von Spakovsky was back in the mix. He got ink in "Spero News" with How Democrats stole an election in Alabama: Democrats consistently used absentee voter ballots to steal elections due to the unmonitored settings where there is no election official or independent observer present to ensure that the registered voter is actually the person vot­ing just today. I'm not necessarily saying that in the 1990s, and even today, Alabama's absentee process isn't less than ideal and perhaps subject to fraud yet this operative is hardly in a position to claim he's concerned about democracy. For him to suggest this is so by writing of Alabama is all the more bothersome. John Gunn

Any cognitive dissonance for Bama Baptists?

As an educator I valued creating some cognitive dissonance in kids and indeed thought that as important a part of educating them as was teaching them one damn fact after another that could perhaps eventually, and possibly even fairly, be measured with a #2 pencil. I explicitly taught the construct every so often as "thinking about thinking" often was possible. And almost always the smarter kids were more eager to accept that human beliefs and values are a bumpy road at best. The rednecks and rogues often tuned out or turned angry.

I know plenty of good Christians, Southern Baptists even, that wrestle with the challenges inplicit in a life of faith and service. I bet most, but not all, in Alabama will pull the lever for McCain/Palin this fall but I hope they at least struggle some in doing do.

I'm hoping that all but the most clueless know St. John's Sugar Momma made her millions via her Daddy's major Budweiser distributorship. The circumstances of his divorce from the first wife are also likely known. I covered Miss Cindy's unreleased tax returns some time back yet I'm thinking she's now released them or pledged to do so. I'm not so sure they are relevant yet let us not forget how Teresa Heinz Kerry's wealth was handled by Bu$hCo in 2004. I doubt the devil's drink distribution would be handled out of the White House if St. John takes office in 2009 yet the irony is rich.

Also, Huggy's temper is legendary, the most recent coverage provided by David Lightman and Matt Stearns of McClatchy just today. And I'll use my first and likely only link to Drudge to share a claim St. John called Cindy a trollup and c**t once.

Cindy's stealing pills from her own charity would also be a cause for pause for some Baptists I know.

Finally, in the McClatchy piece I noted it mentions Huggy's high school experience at the high end Episcopal High School. From there this favored son went on to Annapolis (having a Grandfather and Father holding the ranks of Admiral no doubt helped) where he finished near the bottom of his class. There are echoes of Dubyah with that legacy and performance! Again, who is the elite candidate?

Sarah Palin is helping shore up support for St. John in Dobsonville and the like yet I do wonder how the fundie set is squaring their beliefs with the beer and ... John Gunn

UPDATE ~ A mere few minutes after posting I found Rich Mauer of the Anchorage Daily News via McClatchy reporting Palin used state funds for trip to speak at her former church. Where's the taxpayer outrage?

UPDATE #2 ~ Maybe an hour or two later I noticed Oops! She Did It Again from Hilzoy on The Washington Monthly's Political Animal Most of the Baptists I know frown on fibbing, or at best leaving off the full story, Governor Palin. Does 2004's "I was for it before I was against it" not apply? Then again, it could be just one more IOKIYAR.

UPDATE #3 ~ At least two hours later ... If in fact Governor Palin did say “So Sambo beat the bitch!” I'd think that would bother some Baptists I know. I'm not vouching for "Lucille the Mystery Waitress" or for that matter Charley James yet given how so many Democratic candidates get smeared I'm at least willing to drop the link.

Obama bashing in the Opelika-Auburn News

The claim by Auburn's Vic Payne that "We are all aware that his pastor and close friend for 20 years not only hated America but was also a racist. Obama’s wife has no regard for this country (until recently) and has used her own racist remarks. Also look at Obama’s long-term friendship with certain American terrorists." is way off base. His reliance on the "work" of Dr. Alveda C. King is revealing. She's tied to the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution and obviously was a Sam Brownback backer. She's drafting off Dr. King's legacy at best.

His pastor "hated America" yet didn't Rev. Wright serve under arms? He was in the Marines and served as a Navy Corpsman. That counts for much in GOP logic doesn't it? Does frustration with certain facets of our society count as "hate" Vic? What explicitly racist remarks as to this country has Michelle Obama uttered? C'mon Vic ... I'd like you to prove it! Even Laura Bu$h calls BS on your line of attack. I'm guessing you listened to Big Fat Idiot one too many times but I'm hardly sure what motivates your type. And are Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers really the best y'all can come up with on claims Senator Obama has ties with "certain American terrorists" given the whole of the right wing smear machine? Their past dastardly deeds after all happened when Barack Obama was a child Vic.

Mr. Payne just doesn't get either Senator Obama or Dr. King's message. He's claiming "Obama is way out of step not only with the values of black Americans but also with mainstream Americans of all stripes." yet I'm doubting he has been given authority to speak for either. John Gunn

Senator, the GOP does think we're stupid

I've long claimed to be a "Propservralist" in that I'm a blend of Progressive, Populist, Conservative, Liberal, and Pragmatist yet I'm surely a Populist with roots in the red clay of hill country East Alabama. Georgetown Professor Michael Kazin appears in the Washington Monthly with The Great Populist Divide: Conservative Populism Dies Hard and it is a must read. Language and delivery is so critical in fighting back against the GOP approach. Barbara Boxer seems to get it yet surely we can find some Alabama or at least Deep South politicians/leaders that can do the same. John Gunn

UPDATE ~ Some ten minutes later ... The Mobile Press-Register thinks we're stupid as well. "Sen. McCain does indeed have an appealing reform agenda. He outlined it in his acceptance speech: Education reform through school choice, health care reform that empowers individuals, tax reform based on tax simplification and spending reform that eliminates wasteful pork." In order, the marvelous markets solve everything. Actually, his solution is to take away the deductions small businesses get now for health care and let the marvelous markets work within Big Pharma and Big Insurance to cover Americans that already get decent although expensive coverage. Those left out can just go to the emergency room (the most expensive care of all, per a McCain advisor. Vague claims that St. John wants to simplify the tax code will not cut it. I know he now supposts the Bu$hCo tax cuts for the wealthy yet here are his positions as best as I can tell. Here are Obama's. For Huggy to select Sarah Palin as his Veep given she has embraced earmarks, even going so far as hiring lobbyist to reel them in for her town in a state that already gets tons of revenue from DC. As the Anniston Star rightly pointed out, is Alabama really wanting to walk away from the pork?

UPDATE #2 ~ Some twenty minutes later ... Georgia's Lynn Westmoreland must think we are also. The use of "uppity" to describe Barack and Michelle Obama shows he either ignorant or racists. Neither are of course positives. He remains a credit to his state and Party. "You can have more education than you can use." was a prior quote of Lynn's so the irony is priceless.

Susan J. Hobart ~ Why I hate NCLB

Susan J. Hobart, M.S. Ed., appears in The Progressive with One Teacher’s Cry: Why I Hate No Child Left Behind with much that is worthy of a visit. Driving home "demoralized after another meeting where our success is dissected with a knife manufactured in Texas" is something I can surely relate to. She closes with, " I don’t want to be remembered as the teacher who taught them how to sing “Testbusters” or to “bubble up.” I want to be remembered as a teacher who inspired them to learn." Amen! John Gunn

UPDATE ~ Evening of September 8, 2008 - I really liked Peg Tyre's Struggling School-Age Boys: A new study says parents are right to worry about their sons in Newsweek.

Mike Rogers bashes MEN like Paul, Russ, and Al?

The late Paul Wellstone is pictured to the left. He was one of the original "Community Organizer" types thank you very much! Markeshia Ricks of The Montgomery Advertiser reports No More Mr. Nice Guy where Mike Rogers is having a hissy fit that Josh "Segall has worked for a number of high-profile liberals like U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota) and former Vice President and global warming film producer Al Gore (D-Hollywood)."

I've worked for Russ and that experience will be one of the greatest honors of my life. Mike, Al and Tipper live in Nashville actually. I'm not sure what damage these claims do. In fact I think the average Bubba or Bubbette in East Alabama might truly appreciate these men if they understood their work, issues, reality ... I'd stack their love of this nation plus their intellect and pretty much everything else they've accomplished against that from Mike Rogers on any day of the week!

Finally, I didn't realize Tripp Skipper was connected to Wadley, Alabama. I know people involved with Soles for Souls actually. Truly, I know (and like!) several of the people from Four Corners Ministries. What a small, small world! John

Sarah Palin's Jesus

GOP Thinks Organizing In Your Community Is Worthless by Christy Hardin Smith says enough for me ... on a busy night at least. Amen! John Gunn

Mobile Press-Register scolds Great Orange Satan

The Mobile Press-Register, the most right wing paper of the Newhouse Triad in Alabama, shows how clueless they are with their Editorial An Internet sewer spill in today's paper. Mobile P-R, ArcXIX is not a "blogger" on Daily Kos. His or her diary is not even available on the site now. I wonder if the Mobile P-R ever reads Red State or Melanie Morgan or Free Republic or ...? Everyone involved with those outfits is always perfectly sane and polite I'm sure. The P-R didn't mention Byron York either. Ann "Crazy Run Over Dog" Coulter is a mainstay of the GOP and actually gets airtime on the TeeVee and y'all want to go after this? The P-R closes with some angle attacking Democrats who hang with "those who inhabit the creepiest corners of the left-wing blogosphere". The P-R is lost, clueless, wrong, ignorant, ... as usual. But they always are movement conservatives! John Gunn