“Mitt Romney Releases Gingrich Ethics Attack Minutes Before Debate

In a preview of one of the lines of attack he plans to use against Newt Gingrich in tonight’s debate, Mitt Romney released a new film about Gingrich titled “Mr. Washington Insider,” …  The film is a fitting introduction for a debate that all three campaigns say they plan to use to challenge rivals on questions of character.”

All three campaigns? I’d assume they mean everyone but Newt, since he’s the once reference here, but that can’t be right. All of these men will attack their rivals.

For the record, there are four: Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum.

“The National Organization for Marriage…announced that it would spend $250,000 to help fund primary challenges to any Republican who crosses party lines to vote for same-sex marriage in Washington state.”

When inequality is a party platform, the Bill of Rights is a roll of toilet paper: TP for the GOP.

Congratulations, Washington. I hope you have a record number of June weddings.

Here are the current serious/semi-serious Republicans still in the race:

• A multi-millionaire Capitalist, who sees Americans not as his employers, but as his employees. If he doesn’t think he’s getting good service, our country may become less populous.
• A wannabe Theocrat who lost his Pennsylvania Senate seat by the largest margin in American history, and has since moved so far to the right he’s in danger of falling off the edge of the flat earth.
• Two Narcissists: A former Speaker of the House, fined $300K for ethics violations and forced out of Congress. The other a Texas governor who believes God gifted him with stupidity and sharing it is God’s will.
• Last, but not least, a Libertarian whose place in the Republican primary is, was, and forever will be. (Brought to you by the Energizer Bunny.)

I know there are other Republican candidates. These five are all I can handle.

Appeals court upholds federal block of Oklahoma ban on Islamic law (AP)

Some of the most listened-to, bigot-encouraging, and well-off evangelical Christians are facing a Mormon presidential nominee, and they’re not taking it lying down. The Conservative, Republican, and Powerful (CRaP) elite are throwing a brain-storming party, and Mitt Romney supporters are not invited. CRaP members want a real Christian to coalesce behind; someone who doesn’t care what Jesus would do.

If the prayer-powered evangelists anoint a non-Mormon, it will most likely be Rick Santorum. He’s hardly electable, but they’ll have their Conservative Establishment Candidate to lavish with funding from REAL Christians.

Related articles

• Forget Muslims, Evangelicals have started a new crusade….. against Mormonism! (allianceforanidiotfreeamerica.wordpress.com)
• US elections 2012: evangelical Christians scramble to unite behind Rick Santorum (telegraph.co.uk)
• Social Conservative Leader Calls For Movement To ‘Coalesce Around Santorum’ (huffingtonpost.com)

Cpl. Jesse Thorsen spoke at Paul’s post-Iowa caucuses rally to give his support for the Texas congressman … .

Thorsen, 28, a reservist who preceded his appearance at the rally with an interview on CNN, was wearing his fatigues [battle dress uniform, FOX, get it right], and that is a violation of military code.

That should put an end to the story that wasn’t news to begin with. A military member violated military regulation. It doesn’t matter who he was supporting, what matters is that he put on a uniform, violating regulation by (first) supporting candidate in uniform on television, (second) speaking publicly in support of a political candidate in uniform.

Woah! Potential discipline! Bad Corporal! But evidently the reserve unit didn’t know Thorsen had broken the rules. FOX took care of that.

Whether Thorsen, who reportedly has not been on active duty since October, will face disciplinary action remains to be seen.

But Thorsen’s actions may be representative of a small but significant branch of military members, whose financial support gives Paul bragging rights.

Those [non-existent] “actions” are the reason FOX helped dig this guy’s hole (by handing him a shovel and shining a camera in his face). There haven’t been any other actions like this, and no actions no small group of Army reservists putting on uniforms to endorse Ron Paul with a public speech. (There probably will be now. Thanks again, FOX.)

According to the Defense Department directive on political activities by military members, active duty forces … may not …”speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate, or cause” or “participate in any radio, television or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against a partisan political party, candidate or cause.”

The directive also explains that non-active duty military members may participate in other political activities prohibited to active duty military members “provided the member is not in uniform and does not otherwise act in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement.” [Emphasis: Mine.]

Repeat: Corporal Thorsen was in uniform, against regs. He’s not on active duty, which means he shouldn’t have the uniform on. He wasn’t stopping to get milk on his way home.

Get over it. And Mr. Paul, maybe you should quit bragging on soldiers who won’t follow the rules. Do you want their support? Oh, wait–you do.

Read more: FOX Blats About Something That Didn’t Happen

Related articles

• Reservist Endorsing Paul: At least he didn’t go Forrest Gump! (xbradtc.wordpress.com)
• Paul Supporter Likely Violated Military Conduct Code (alternet.org)
• Army soldier rallying for Paul violated military ban on political activity (politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com)
• US Military: The dos and don’ts of the political season (waronterrornews.typepad.com)
• CNN Loses Feed With Ron Paul-Supporting Soldier, Ron Paul Fans Cry Foul (mediaite.com)

Here’s a heads-up for all of you car-smokers who let it all hang out:

• I don’t smoke.
• I have asthma.
• My biggest asthma triggers are cigarette smoke and cold air.
• In my car, I avoid cold air by using the heater.
• The vents in my car suck in your cigarette smoke.

Do you see the progression here?

You probably don’t realize you’re causing as asthma attack in the car behind you, just like I don’t realize you’re smoking until I smell it in my car. By that point, I’m already smoking your cigarette.

I believe in individual freedoms:You have the right to light up; I have the right not to.

It’s enough for me that smoking is prohibited in public buildings and most private businesses; the smokers outside tend to stay downwind. You, on the other hand blow your smoke in my face. You make me think of stronger legislation. 

P.S.  Try nicotine gum. My husband has used it for years.

Related articles

• Smoke Is Out The Window – Wind It Down (eciganywhere.wordpress.com)

The elephant starts in Iowa.

Iowa’s Republican caucus means a lot to Iowans, who get to claim “first in the nation” decision-making; it’s important to candidates, no matter where they place; and it gives the media a chance to report news and pretend-news.

None of these votes are binding (standard for our electoral college); and the Iowa caucus doesn’t end with the people voting for a nominee. Some people stick around and vote for delegates. These aren’t binding either: precinct delegates are the 1st round winners with 4 more to go. The few still standing get to cast their vote at the Big One: The 2012 Presidential Election. Or the Republican National Convention. I forget.

There are flurries of exit polls, the press divides the number of delegates by the number of Republicans who showed up to vote, multiplies that by the percentage of votes each candidate received, adds in the number of babies kissed per politician, divided by the percentage of poopy diapers (the babies, not the candidates). Voila! The media present their magic numbers, and talk themselves silly until New Hampshire.

Can you say “dog and pony show”?

Related articles

• What is the Iowa Caucus? (worldviewtonight.wordpress.com)
• Iowa Caucus: It’s Actually Totally Okay If You Haven’t The Faintest Clue About What Is Going To Happen (huffingtonpost.com)
• Don’t Be Surprised If Tomorrow’s Iowa Caucus Results Are Surprising (slog.thestranger.com)
• Iowa caucus-goers, by the numbers (politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com)