Category: On Message
Republicans Own the Shutdown. Next Question?
Never been a president who won’t negotiate the debt ceiling? Never been a president who had to.
Let the record show that, as usual, Pres. Obama and the Democrats are telling the truth. This government shutdown is 100 percent on the shoulders of the Republicans, and it could end as soon as Speaker John Boehner (R-Oh) allows the House of Representatives to vote on it. Period.
And as far as his assertion, in the “Breaking News” section shown, that there has never been a president who won’t negotiate with Congress to pay the bills it authorized, please further note that there’s never been a president who had to.
Don’t Say We Never Give the Republicans Credit Where It’s Due
Hilarious photo from the Republican National Convention, tweeted by Stacy Lamb (@sllame) with the comment, “Ouch. Poor sign placement.”
Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
“We’re not perfect but they’re nuts.”
Suggestion for a Democratic campaign slogan from Rep. Barney Frank, according to the New Yorker’s George Packer.
Gingrich’s People are “Frugging” Again
frugging An unethical fundraising tactic where a telemarketer falsely claims to be a researcher conducting a poll, when in reality the “researcher” is attempting to solicit a donation. The Washington Post cites Newt Gingrich’s American Solutions advocacy group as example: “According to complaints on consumer-focused Web sites, some American Solutions calls begin with slanted polling questions before proceeding to a request for money. The tactic, known as ‘fundraising under the guise of research,’ or frugging, is discouraged as unethical by trade groups such as the Marketing Research Association.”
Egyptian Authorities Use ‘Emergency Law’ to Strip Human Rights
emergency law A nifty term used by Egyptian leaders that gives the police and military the right to strip a citizen of their human rights at any time the government sees fit. That includes unlawful arrest and imprisonment, as well as silencing opposition.
Hilary Clinton Completes a ‘Full Ginsburg’
Full GinsburgTo appear on all five of the major Sunday political talk shows in a single day. Named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who completed the rounds following her appointment to the Supreme Court. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton did a full Ginsburg yesterday, Jan. 30, 2011.
When Dittoheads Think Alike
dittoismnoun. When everyone is thinking the same thought without a healthy tendency to break the uniformity of thought.
TV Shows That Advertisers Avoid Because They Generate Both Strong Ratings and Controversies Are Said to Be ‘Empty Calories’
empty calories Refers to broadcast programming that draws great ratings but is so controversial or outrageous that advertisers avoid it. Usage: From Being Glenn Beck in the New York Times: “…As of Sept. 21, 296 advertisers have asked that their commercials not be shown on Beck’s show (up from 26 in August 2009). Fox also has a difficult time selling ads on ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ and ‘Fox and Friends’ when Beck appears on those shows as a guest. Beck’s show is known in the TV sales world as ‘empty calories,’ meaning he draws great ratings but is toxic for ad sales.”
Facebook’s Privacy Problems
privacy zuckering The act of creating deliberately confusing jargon and user interfaces that trick your users into sharing more info about themselves than they really want to.” (As defined by the Electronic Frontier Foundation). The term “Zuckering” was suggested in an EFF article by Tim Jones on Facebook’s “Evil Interfaces.” It is, of course, named after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
