lowkell

Our failure to act responsible at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. That includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe," the president said at a naturalization ceremony for members of the military.

In fact, I've instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at the federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country.

He added, "As a nation, as a people, we can choose a different future - a future that keeps faith with our history, with our heritage, and with the hope that America has always inspired in the hearts of people all over the world."

"Misguided efforts" like...portrayed here, for instance?

I don't always agree with Cenk Uygur, but this is an instant classic. Watch as Cenk asks former vice presidential nominee for the Libertarian Party, Wayne Allyn Root, where the Tea Party protests of Wall Street are exactly. The answer, although Root won't outright admit it, is that "there are no such protests and there never will be." Fascinating.

Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Friday "Clips."

1. MCDONNELL UNHAPPY WITH REJECTED ETHICS BILL CHANGE
3. GOVERNOR TO SIGN ETHICS BILL, MINUS HIS 2 CHANGES
4. DESPITE A FEW LOSSES, MCDONNELL CLAIMS SUCCESS ON MOST ISSUES WITH ONE-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION
5. MCDONNELL LOOKS FOR WAYS TO SPEED UP RIGHTS RESTORATION PROCESS
6. A MEETING OF TWO GOVERNORS: MCDONNELL AND WILDER
7. CUCCINELLI SPEAKS TO AUGUSTA CHAMBER
8. MEDICAID UNCERTAINTY LEAVES VA. LEGISLATORS ANXIOUS
9. SENATORS PRESENT INDOMITABLE COLGAN WITH GAVEL FROM MARATHON SESSION
13. VA. SENATORS SEEK END TO 'SECRET HOLDS' IN U.S. SENATE
14. EX-NAVY SECRETARY WEBB: CARRIER MOVE IS 'UNLIKELY'
17. ARLINGTON WINS FIRST BATTLE IN HOT LANES LEGAL WAR
22. VA. TO USE NRA MEASURES IN NEW GUN-SAFETY PROGRAM

Can we get any more vapid, empty, and lacking in substance than Bob McDonnell's "Earth Day" statement? Here are excerpts from it, with my (snarky) [annotations]

Here in Virginia, we are blessed with countless beautiful open spaces, scenic rivers, the Chesapeake Bay and rolling mountains...[blah blah blah meaningless pabulum, whatever]...I took a hike with local schoolchildren and planted trees while talking to them about the importance of a clean environment...[did they ask you about your AG's assault on the environment? how did you respond?]...The recent good news that the Blue Crab population in the Chesapeake Bay has increased by 60% since last year [right, that improvement was under Tim Kaine, now you're governor and we're looking to see what you're going to keep that progress going exactly], and is now at its highest level since 1997, demonstrates that good public policy [for instance, do you support doing something about sprawl? pollution from coal-fired power plants? impermeable pavement? encouraging "green roofs?" climate change?] will lead to a cleaner and healthier environment...[of course, all those efforts will be for naught if we don't do something about climate change, ASAP]...I encourage all Virginians to conserve, preserve and give back to clean up our environment...[except that, when it comes to public policy, you're not doing even 0.1% of what you need to be doing on that front].

Amazing; Bob McDonnell issues an "Earth Day" statement and doesn't even mention the #1 "Earth" issue - climate change. He also doesn't mention the fact that his fellow Republican, Ken Cuccinelli, is one of the most rabid anti-environment Attorney Generals this country has ever seen, and that McDonnell says they're totally in sync with each other.

Also not mentioned by McDonnell: this last General Assembly session, members of his party - presumably with McDonnell's acquiescence if not encouragement - killed basically every piece of strong legislation on energy efficiency, renewable power, and seriously protecting our environment. On the other hand, McDonnell "took a hike with local schoolchildren and planted trees," so all is well in the world I suppose. Ugh.

UPDATE: Now this is more like it; thank you, President Obama!

For the full transcript of President Obama's speech this morning on Wall Street reform click here. A few key quotes are after the "flip." Now, it's time for Congress to pass financial reform and make sure that we never again go through a crisis like the one we saw in late 2008.

Thanks to Tom Whipple for the Thursday "Clips."

2. VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE RESTRICTS ABORTION FUNDING
3. HOUSE REJECTS AT-RISK YOUTH CUTS, OTHERS BY GOV
9. MEMBERS OF BLACK CAUCUS WANT MORE COMMUNICATION FROM GOVERNOR, BUT NOT NECESSARILY A MEETING
10. PROTESTING 'CONFEDERATE' PROCLAMATION, LAWMAKERS WEAR BLACK RIBBONS IN MEMORY OF SLAVE ANCESTORS
11. GOP-LED HOUSE KILLS MCDONNELL'S AMENDMENT ON EUTHANIZING DOGS
13. ALLEN AND ABOUT 1,200 TURN OUT FOR SHAD PLANKING
14. CUCCINELLI ISSUES RARE PRAISE FOR EPA IN STORMWATER CASE
16. FORMER MCDONNELL BROTHER-IN-LAW ADDRESSES GAY-RIGHTS RALLY
18. NYE: NAVY TO KEEP CARRIER HERE UNTIL AT LEAST 2019
20. POLL: STATE'S ENVIRONMENT NEEDS WORK
24. VIRGINIA STAMPS OUT LICENSE TO HATE: DMV RECALLS PLATE WITH CODED RACIST MESSAGE
36. METRO INTERIM CHIEF ANNOUNCES PLAN TO STRENGTHEN RAIL SYSTEM

UPDATE: Video from the Shad Planking, attended this year by 1,200 people, including George Allen and Terry McAuliffe.

For more information on the Republicans' innovative-in-a-"back to the future"-way approach to health care in America, click here. And some people say the Republicans aren't an intellectually serious party?  C'mon, people, think of the possibilities here. Ha.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele tells us something we've known for several years now.  Better late than never, I guess.

Why should an African-American vote Republican?

"You really don't have a reason to, to be honest - we haven't done a very good job of really giving you one. True? True," Republican National Chairman Michael Steele told 200 DePaul University students Tuesday night. [...]

"For the last 40-plus years we had a 'Southern Strategy' that alienated many minority voters by focusing on the white male vote in the South. Well, guess what happened in 1992, folks, 'Bubba' went back home to the Democratic Party and voted for Bill Clinton."

Thank you, Michael Steele, for stating the obvious and acting like it's a great revelation!

P.S. A few more groups of people who should never vote Republican: women, GLBT folks, Hispanics, religious minorities (including atheists and non-religious people), teachers, police officers, government employees and contractors, scientists, anyone who needs health care, anyone who cares about the planet (including hunters, anglers, etc.), anyone who's not in the top 1% in terms of wealth, anyone who lives in a city, etc., etc.  I wonder if Michael Steele will admit it.

Another instant classic from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, once again involving the infamous homophobic bigot (and all-around lunatic) Eugene Delgaudio. Watch for yourself, starting around 1:56 of the video and particularly at 1:59-2:01.  Fun times.

...Delgaudio attacked Miller for making the proposal and for not being business friendly. Changing the subject, he then accused Miller and his family of leading an effort to disparage him.

[...]

On Tuesday, Delgaudio hinted at the episode and started to mention "Miller's family," when Miller lunged for his microphone to interrupt.

"You are done speaking for me," Miller shot. "I will speak for myself, sir!"

"You've made me mad in the past," Miller continued. "But this is the first time you made me mad in public," before adding, "Keep it up and you'll regret it!"

Delgaudio quieted his stance. "Great, I'm the one that gets laughed at on Comedy Central," he responded, before the matter moved on to another supervisor.

By the way, I couldn't embed this video, but you can click on the image above and it will take you to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors website, where you can view it.

UPDATE: Liz Miller weighs in.