August 23, 2012

Telenovela In Tampa

August 23, 2012August 23, 2012 Buck Banks

Do we really need to hear her rich-girl whine?
And if we missed her speech would it be a crime?
She won’t get our attention
At the Republican convention,
Because Ann Romney ain’t ready for prime time.

We Feel Sorry for Pro-Choice Republicans — Not!

August 23, 2012 Buck Banks

It’s very tough for people like me who are pro-choice Republicans. It’s an admittedly not a large caucus. But when I have to see a story like Todd Akin, and then turn to my wife and my daughters, who are looking at me and saying, `Really? These are the kind of people you’re associating with in the Republican Party?’ That’s a problem.

— Political advisor Mark McKinnon, quoted by the Washington Post.

Obama Describes Campaign In Sports Terms

August 23, 2012 Buck Banks

I can’t resist a basketball analogy. We are in the fourth quarter. We’re up by a few points but the other side is coming on strong and they play a little dirty.

— President Obama, quoted by the Washington Examiner, at a New York fundraiser attended by basketball greats Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Walt Frazier.

Splitting Hairs Over ‘Legal’ and ‘Lawful’

August 23, 2012 Buck Banks

Just because a law is on the books does not mean that it’s lawful. I talk about the difference of ‘legal’ and ‘lawful.’ It used to be legal to own slaves, but that didn’t make it lawful. It used to be legal to restrict someone of color to the back of bus … Just because a piece of legislation says it’s legal to murder the unborn doesn’t make it lawful.

— New Hampshire County Sheriff candidate Frank Szabo (R), quoted by Bedford Patch, refusing to back off comments that deadly force is an appropriate means to prevent abortion.

Is John Lennon Still Dead? Then No Parole

August 23, 2012August 23, 2012 Trish

7

Number of times Mark David Chapman has been denied parole for shooting and killing John Lennon in 1980. Besides Aug. 23, 2012, Chapman was denied parole every two years after he became eligible: 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010.

Day: August 23, 2012

Telenovela In Tampa

We Feel Sorry for Pro-Choice Republicans — Not!

— Political advisor Mark McKinnon, quoted by the Washington Post.

Obama Describes Campaign In Sports Terms

I can’t resist a basketball analogy. We are in the fourth quarter. We’re up by a few points but the other side is coming on strong and they play a little dirty.

— President Obama, quoted by the Washington Examiner, at a New York fundraiser attended by basketball greats Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Walt Frazier.

Splitting Hairs Over ‘Legal’ and ‘Lawful’

— New Hampshire County Sheriff candidate Frank Szabo (R), quoted by Bedford Patch, refusing to back off comments that deadly force is an appropriate means to prevent abortion.

Is John Lennon Still Dead? Then No Parole

7

Number of times Mark David Chapman has been denied parole for shooting and killing John Lennon in 1980. Besides Aug. 23, 2012, Chapman was denied parole every two years after he became eligible: 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010.

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.