August 14, 2008

Quote du Jour

August 14, 2008 Buck Banks

If I ever needed a brain transplant, I’d choose a sportswriter because I’d want a brain that had never been used.

â€” Norm van Brocklin (1916-1983), football player

Dumb Move: Clinton to be Up for Nomination at the Convention

August 14, 2008August 14, 2008 Trish

Diehard supporters of Hillary Clinton are getting their way. The senator’s name will be placed in nomination at the Democratic National Convention.

“Both sides agree that it is in the best interest of party unity and making sure that everyone’s voice and vote is honored to make sure her name is put into nomination,” a person close the negotiations said. “It’s to honor everyone who worked so hard on both sides.”

Oh please. Whoever loses the nomination always has supporters who worked hard. That doesn’t mean they get to ignore the fact that they lost.

After both Clinton’s and Obama’s names are placed into nomination there will be a roll call vote

Some details are still being worked out, but Clinton’s name will be put into nomination at the Denver convention on Wednesday. That will be one day after Clinton addresses the convention.

“This truly was a joint decision,” according to the Clinton source. “This wasn’t something she was itching for, looking for. But so many of her supporters said it was important to them. And the Obama people got how important it was to smooth over any tensions and that it was the right thing to do.”

What also hasn’t been settled yet is who will nominate Clinton and whether she will stand up with the New York delegation when they are called on.

What has been settled, however, is that after both Clinton (sic) and Obama (sic) names are placed into nomination there will be a roll call vote.

So then can we get behind Obama? Or will Clintonites come up with another demand?

I hope the party executives know what they’re doing. As anyone who’s read my previous posts knows, I have zero confidence in Howard Dean. Moves like this aren’t helping give me any.

Women’s Group Calls for Hairball Host’s Head

August 14, 2008 Trish

Contributor to domestic violence?

It might be a bit of a delayed reaction, but a group called the New Agenda has had it with Chris Matthews, host of the show, “Hairball with Chris Matthews.” Their statement of Matthews’ sins is a little vague, which makes me wonder if it isn’t really all about Hillary.

Amy Siskind of Westchester, N.Y., a founder and Clinton supporter, said the group was urging that Matthews’ contract not be renewed because “the kind of language he uses and the kind of behavior he exhibits in the public domain toward women objectifies them and leads to bad things for our society and to domestic violence.”

I’m not sure being a boorish clod leads directly to domestic violence among the masses, but I think Matthews could stand to tone it down a little. Of course, I guess it wouldn’t be “hardball” if he did.

In 2007, Matthews was talking on the air with Erin Burnett, a CNBC business news anchor, when he asked her to lean into the camera. “Come in closer — really close,” he told a flustered Burnett. He then laughed and said: “Just kidding. You look great…You’re a knockout.”

In January, Matthews apologized on the air for a comment he had made about Clinton’s political achievements. He said she owed her Senate seat and presidential bid to the fact that her husband had “messed around.”

Dufus.

Day: August 14, 2008

Quote du Jour

If I ever needed a brain transplant, I’d choose a sportswriter because I’d want a brain that had never been used.

â€” Norm van Brocklin (1916-1983), football player

Dumb Move: Clinton to be Up for Nomination at the Convention

Women’s Group Calls for Hairball Host’s Head

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.