2014 - Page 77 of 98

Campaign Carte Blanche

April 15, 2014 Buck Banks

The Supreme Court’s interpretations are increasingly sly:
If a candidate’s for sale, then corporations can buy.
If that got you vexed,
Just look at what’s next:
Candidates have a First Amendment–protected right to lie!

New Campaign Ad Hits Boehner Hard

April 15, 2014 Buck Banks

If you have a Boehner lasting more than 23 years, seek immediate medical attention.

— A new ad from J.D. Winteregg (R), who is challenging Speaker John Boehner in next month’s Ohio congressional primary.

Dealing with Inouye’s Dying Wish

April 15, 2014 Buck Banks

I received that letter, ostensibly coming from Sen. Inouye himself, a half an hour before he died in Washington, D.C. Literally. Whether or not this could be construed as Sen. Inouye’s dying wish — let me put it this way — is problematic.

— Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D), quoted by the Los Angeles Times, on whether a letter requesting that he appoint Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D) to the Senate was authentic.

Cheese Stands Alone

April 14, 2014 Buck Banks

Wisconsin Republicans support their state’s right to secede.
They say the 10th Amendment says they can, if they please.
But if they give the 49 the axe,
They’ll have to charge import/export tax,
And who’s going to pay extra for regular old Wisconsin cheese?

Half of Americans Think Their Federal Income Tax is too High

April 14, 2014 Buck Banks

52%

Of Americans say the amount they have to pay in federal income tax is “too high,” while 42% say it is “about right,” according to Gallup. The percentage who say their taxes are too high has hovered around 50% since 2003, although the current 52% is up from 46% two years ago.

Huckabee Thinks North Koreans are Freer Than He Is

April 14, 2014 Buck Banks

I’m beginning to think there’s more freedom in North Korea sometimes than there is in the United States.

— Mike Huckabee, quoted by TPM.

You Only Have to Be 25 Years Old to Be Part of the Problem

April 13, 2014April 14, 2014 Trish

50%

Of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere since the start of the industrial age was produced since 1990, according to a new report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The group urges major reforms to how energy is produced and consumed globally, including not exploiting every last fossil fuel deposit left on earth.

G.W. Bush Makes LBJ Joke

April 11, 2014 Buck Banks

You know, I’m impressed by the new renovations at the library. I want to thank you for showing them to me. Former presidents compare their libraries the way other men may compare their, well… Just wondering how LBJ would’ve handled that.

— George W. Bush, quoted by First Read, at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library.

Florida Political Insiders Think Jeb Will Run

April 11, 2014 Buck Banks

74%

Of 120 of Florida’s “most plugged in politicos” think Jeb Bush (R) will run for president in 2016 but just 32% think Sen. Marco Rubio (R) will do so, according to new Florida Insider Poll. In addition, a whopping 87% said Rubio would not run if Bush does.

What Sibelius Would Take Away

April 11, 2014 Buck Banks

If you have a Boehner lasting more than 23 years, seek immediate medical attention.

— A new ad from J.D. Winteregg (R), who is challenging Speaker John Boehner in next month’s Ohio congressional primary.

I received that letter, ostensibly coming from Sen. Ino­uye himself, a half an hour before he died in Washington, D.C. Literally. Whether or not this could be construed as Sen. Ino­uye’s dying wish — let me put it this way — is problematic.

— Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D), quoted by the Los Angeles Times, on whether a letter requesting that he appoint Rep. Colleen Hana­busa (D) to the Senate was authentic.

52%

Of Americans say the amount they have to pay in federal income tax is “too high,” while 42% say it is “about right,” according to Gallup. The percentage who say their taxes are too high has hovered around 50% since 2003, although the current 52% is up from 46% two years ago.

I’m beginning to think there’s more freedom in North Korea sometimes than there is in the United States.

— Mike Huckabee, quoted by TPM.

50%

You know, I’m impressed by the new renovations at the library. I want to thank you for showing them to me. Former presidents compare their libraries the way other men may compare their, well… Just wondering how LBJ would’ve handled that.

— George W. Bush, quoted by First Read, at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library.

74%

Of 120 of Florida’s “most plugged in politicos” think Jeb Bush (R) will run for president in 2016 but just 32% think Sen. Marco Rubio (R) will do so, according to new Florida Insider Poll. In addition, a whopping 87% said Rubio would not run if Bush does.

If I could take something along with me, it would be all the animosity.

— Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, quoted by the New York Times, on her resignation.

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%

$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.

I received that letter, ostensibly coming from Sen. Inouye himself, a half an hour before he died in Washington, D.C. Literally. Whether or not this could be construed as Sen. Inouye’s dying wish — let me put it this way — is problematic.

— Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D), quoted by the Los Angeles Times, on whether a letter requesting that he appoint Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D) to the Senate was authentic.