Russian to Judgement
The Sochi Olympics are almost here,
But if you go, you’d better not act queer.
Seems that the Russians
Are serious about gay-bashin’
‘Cause their homophobia starts with Comrade Vladimir.
Year: 2014
Obama Focused on His Legacy
I have no desire to be one of those presidents who are just on the list — you see their pictures lined up on the wall. I really want to be a president who makes a difference.
— President Obama, in an interview with The New Yorker.
Most Oppose NSA Anti-Terror Data-Collection Program
53%
Disapprove of the government’s collection of telephone and internet data as part of anti-terrorism efforts, a new Pew Research poll finds, while 40% approve. Overall approval of the NSA’s data collection program has declined since last summer, when the story first broke based on Edward Snowden’s leaked information.”Today, 40% while 53% disapprove. In July, more Americans approved (50%) than disapproved (44%) of the program.”
Facebook Engagement Seems to Be an Electoral Predicter
8 of 9M
Toss-up Senate races in 2012 were won by the candidate with the more engaged Facebook fan base, Politico notes. “And in the 2012 House elections, 20 of the 33 most competitive races across the country were won by the candidate with a measurable Facebook fan engagement advantage.”
U.S. Senators Spend a Third of Their Term Raising Money
A typical United States senator spends two-thirds of the last two years of their term raising money.
— Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD), quoted by National Journal.
Utah Residents Evenly Split Over Gay Marriage
48% to 48%
Residents are now evenly split on whether same-sex couples in Utah should be allowed to get state-issued marriage licences — 48% for and 48% against — and 72% said same-sex couples should be allowed to form civil unions or domestic partnerships in lieu of marriage, according to a Salt Lake Tribune poll.
Word of the Day
Rom-denfreude (noun) — The pleasure Mitt Romney loyalists are taking in the struggles of Chris Christie. The condition is prevalent, stemming from a range of perceived Christie slights towards Romney during the 2012 campaign, which several Romney loyalists ticked off quickly — and with still-evident bitterness.
— Ken Vogel, on Politico.
Takes One to Know One
What an asshole.
— House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), quoted by Texas Monthly, after Rep. Steve King (R-IA) compared young undocumented immigrants to drug mules.
Enough Spying Already!
In the wake of the Edward Snowden leaks fuss,
Obama says he wants a government we can trust.
‘Cause they only stopped one plot,
Yeah really, that’s all they got
For all those years the NSA was spying on us.
