Month: February 2014

Even the 2nd Amendment’s Little Known Dumbass Clause Wasn’t Strong Enough

Trish

While this ad from Saatchi & Saatchi for the “gun responsibility” group, Evolve, is funny, neither the ad’s, nor the group’s, dots connect.

“Personal decisions” leave us at the mercy, not of good guys with guns, but just guys with guns which in reality is all there is

The spot’s creators said they were not taking a stand on gun safety laws.

“When we researched the gun debate in America, we saw that it’s become almost impossible to have a thoughtful discussion about gun safety. What I love about Evolve is that they’re not about taking a side in that debate–they’re squarely focused on promoting personal decisions about gun safety.”

[…]

On the ‘Fake Campaign Trail’ with Donald Trump

Buck Banks

The notion that he is simply too big — too presidential — for a measly job in the Albany Statehouse has temporarily quelled his insecurity. But after this morning, Trump can no longer escape the fact that his political ‘career’ — a long con that the blustery billionaire has perpetrated on the country for 25 years by repeatedly pretending to consider various runs for office, only to bail out after generating hundreds of headlines — finally appears to be on the brink of collapse. … The reason: Nobody seems to believe him anymore.

Buzzfeed‘s McKay Coppins goes on “the fake campaign trail” with Donald Trump.

S.C. Has Most Black Candidates Running for Statewide Office Since Reconstruction

Buck Banks

7

The number of African-American candidates running for South Carolina statewide office in 2014. “Some could be eliminated in June’s primary elections, but it appears at least three black candidates will make it to November’s general election,” The State reports. “South Carolina also is assured to elect its first African-American candidate in a statewide race since Reconstruction in one U.S. Senate race, where all three of the announced candidates are black.”

The List of What Young Black Males Can’t Do Grows Longer

Trish

When I saw this sobering warning from Twitter about an image related to the trial of Michael Dunn, the man who fired 10 shots into a vehicle occupied by four black male teenagers, killing one, 17-year-old Jordan Davis, I steeled myself for the worst. I do the same when I suspect I am about to see something that’s going to stay with me, like a tale of horror visited upon an animal.

I braced myself as much as I could, deciding it might be worth the psychic damage, and clicked, “View photo.” Here’s what appeared.

[…]

U.S. Ranks Behind Romania in Press Freedom Index

Buck Banks

46th

The United States’ ranking out of 180 nations in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index.
Conor Friedersdorf: “Countries that scored better include Romania, South Africa, Ghana, Cyprus, and Botswana. And 40 others. Put simply, it’s an embarrassing result for the country that conceived the First Amendment almost 240 years ago.”

One in Five Obamacare Enrollees Failed to Pay Premium

Buck Banks

20%

Of people who signed up for health insurance under the new health care law failed to pay their premiums on time and therefore did not receive coverage in January, the New York Times reports. “People could have many reasons for not paying their premiums. Some decided they did not want a health plan for which they had applied. Some never received an invoice from the insurance company, or received it late. In addition, phone lines of some health plans were overwhelmed.”

No Deaths Resulted From N.J. Retaliatory Bridge Closure

Buck Banks

0

Number of deaths caused by the closure of access ramps to the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee, N.J., according to a comprehensive review by the Associated Press: “A traffic jam deliberately orchestrated by members of Gov. Chris Christie’s staff that caused days of gridlock in northern New Jersey appeared not to lead to anyone’s death or seriously compromise their medical care.”

Six GOP Senators Changed Vote on Debt Ceiling Issue

Buck Banks

6

Number of Senate Republicans who switched from ‘nay’ to ‘aye’ on the critical vote allowing the nation’s debt limit to be extended, a copy of the official Senate vote tally sheet provided to Roll Call suggests. “The tally sheet is the only record of which senators may have switched their votes because the Senate clerk — in a break with tradition — didn’t name names during the nearly hourlong vote. Capitol Hill reporters are protesting that change, still within the rules, as lacking transparency.”