Sunday, October 31, 2010
Frank Rich: The Tea Party's Job is to 'distract attention' from people who've 'cashed in and cashed out'
Labels:
political commentary
For sure, the Republican elites found the Tea Party invaluable on the way to this Election Day. And not merely, as Huckabee has it, because they wanted its foot soldiers. What made the Tea Party most useful was that its loud populist message gave the G.O.P. just the cover it needed both to camouflage its corporate patrons and to rebrand itself as a party miraculously antithetical to the despised G.O.P. that gave us George W. Bush and record deficits only yesterday.
Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News and Wall Street Journal have been arduous in promoting and inflating Tea Party events and celebrities to this propagandistic end. The more the Tea Party looks as if it’s calling the shots in the G.O.P., the easier it is to distract attention from those who are actually calling them — namely, those who’ve cashed in and cashed out as ordinary Americans lost their jobs, homes and 401(k)’s.
Read more
Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News and Wall Street Journal have been arduous in promoting and inflating Tea Party events and celebrities to this propagandistic end. The more the Tea Party looks as if it’s calling the shots in the G.O.P., the easier it is to distract attention from those who are actually calling them — namely, those who’ve cashed in and cashed out as ordinary Americans lost their jobs, homes and 401(k)’s.
Read more
In Memoriam
Labels:
deaths,
In Memoriam,
videos
This Week with Christiane Amanpour marks the passings of actor James MacArthur, former Argentina President Néstor Kirchner, and playwright Joseph Stein. In addition, the Pentagon has released the names of ten service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
US Army SPC Ronnie J Pallares, 19, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
US Army SPC Steven L Dupont, 20, Lafayette, LA
US Army SFC Charles M Sadell, 34, Columbia, MO
US Army SSG Aracely Gonzalez O’Malley, 31, Brawley, CA
US Army SPC Thomas A Moffitt, 21, Wichita, KS
US Army PFC David R Jones Jr, 21, Saint Johnsville, NY
US Army SFC Phillip C Tanner, 43, Sheridan, WY
US Army SGT Michael D Kirspel Jr, 23, Hopatcong, NJ
US Marines LCpl Terry E Honeycutt Jr, 19, Waldorf, MD
US Army SSG Adam L Dickmyer, 26, Winston Salem, NC
How The ‘US’ Chamber Uses Its Money To Pay Pundits, Manipulate Google, And Create Fake News Outlets
The Chamber Owns Fake News Sites: As the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard reported, the Chamber owns a variety of news websites in West Virginia, Illinois, and elsewhere, while also maintaining a wire service called Legal Newsline. All of these websites posture as independently owned and objective journalism outfits, and do not disclose that they are fully owned subsidiaries of Chamber lobbyists.
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Stimulus Jobs in China?
Labels:
FactCheck.org
Republicans falsely claim that $2 billion went to employ Chinese workers.
Summary
In a bit of political payback, several Republicans are running false or misleading TV ads accusing their opponents of shipping jobs to China.
Rep. Lee Terry of Nebraska says that under President Barack Obama’s stimulus package "China gets $2 billion to build windmills" for U.S. wind farms, citing the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University. But Russ Choma, author of that report, says Chinese-owned companies received $2.6 million and manufactured three of the 4,232 wind turbines under the stimulus program.
Republican Austin Scott says Georgia Rep. Jim Marshall "sent nearly $2 billion overseas to create jobs in China." It is true that foreign-owned companies have received $2.4 billion in grants to develop wind farms in the U.S. But Choma said "more money went to creating jobs in the U.S. and Europe."
At least four other Republicans have recently aired ads that correctly say stimulus money has gone to create jobs in China — without saying how many — but then incorrectly go on to say that no jobs have been created in their district or state.
The Congressional Budget Office says the stimulus — which is now estimated to cost taxpayers $814 billion by 2019 — increased the number of people employed in the U.S. by between 1.4 million and 3.3 million through June. That includes jobs that were created in the districts of all four Republican candidates cited in our analysis below.
Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed at FactCheck.org
Summary
In a bit of political payback, several Republicans are running false or misleading TV ads accusing their opponents of shipping jobs to China.
Rep. Lee Terry of Nebraska says that under President Barack Obama’s stimulus package "China gets $2 billion to build windmills" for U.S. wind farms, citing the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University. But Russ Choma, author of that report, says Chinese-owned companies received $2.6 million and manufactured three of the 4,232 wind turbines under the stimulus program.
Republican Austin Scott says Georgia Rep. Jim Marshall "sent nearly $2 billion overseas to create jobs in China." It is true that foreign-owned companies have received $2.4 billion in grants to develop wind farms in the U.S. But Choma said "more money went to creating jobs in the U.S. and Europe."
At least four other Republicans have recently aired ads that correctly say stimulus money has gone to create jobs in China — without saying how many — but then incorrectly go on to say that no jobs have been created in their district or state.
The Congressional Budget Office says the stimulus — which is now estimated to cost taxpayers $814 billion by 2019 — increased the number of people employed in the U.S. by between 1.4 million and 3.3 million through June. That includes jobs that were created in the districts of all four Republican candidates cited in our analysis below.
Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed at FactCheck.org
The Downhill Run
Labels:
political commentary
By William Rivers Pitt
"The 2010 midterm elections go down on Tuesday, for good or ill. The pollsters, news people and bloggers have been going full bore for months covering the thing. Even the weather people have gotten into the act; word has it most of the country is going to get rained on come election day. Except for get-out-the-vote efforts, a final blizzard of campaign ads and perhaps one last scandal before the polls open, we are into the downhill run of this thing, and all that's left is the voting and the counting.... And the beatings, of course. Par for the course these days. It's hard to know what's more disturbing: the fact that Tea Party activists are beating up women in public, or the fact that acts like this are not terribly surprising anymore."
Read more
"The 2010 midterm elections go down on Tuesday, for good or ill. The pollsters, news people and bloggers have been going full bore for months covering the thing. Even the weather people have gotten into the act; word has it most of the country is going to get rained on come election day. Except for get-out-the-vote efforts, a final blizzard of campaign ads and perhaps one last scandal before the polls open, we are into the downhill run of this thing, and all that's left is the voting and the counting.... And the beatings, of course. Par for the course these days. It's hard to know what's more disturbing: the fact that Tea Party activists are beating up women in public, or the fact that acts like this are not terribly surprising anymore."
Read more
Why Having a Sister Makes You Happier
According to several recent studies, people who grow up with sisters are happier than those who don't.
Website of the Day
Labels:
website of the day
Caught dead in it. Funny tombstones from around the world.
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Labels:
recipes
Have you been looking for a fantastic recipe for easy chicken enchiladas? Look no further! This tasty recipe will satisfy your craving for chicken enchiladas in a very yummy way. Try it yourself and you’ll see what I mean.
What you’ll need:
* 2-3 lbs chopped cooked chicken
* 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped mild green chilies
* 1 onion, chopped
* Mexican gravy, see recipe below
* 4 oz.s shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* 4 oz.s shredded mild or sharp cheddar cheese
* 1 can (4 oz.) chopped black olives
* 8 corn tortillas
How to make it:
1. In mixing bowl, stir together chicken, chilies, onion and 1 cup of Mexican gravy.
2. In your slow cooker, place foil handles (see directions below).
3. Dip tortilla in Mexican gravy and lay in slow cooker.
4. Spread about 3 tablespoons of chicken filling over tortilla, and sprinkle with cheese and olives.
5. Continue layering process until the top of slow cooker has been reached. Final layer should be cheese and olive layer.
6. Pour any excess gravy over top of tortilla stack.
7. Cook on Low 4 to 6 hours or on High for 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
To make the Mexican Gravy, you’ll need:
* 1/2 stick margarine or butter (1/4 cup)
* 1/2 c. chili powder
* 1/3 c. flour
* 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
* 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
* 1/4 tsp. crushed oregano
* 3 cans (15 oz. ea.) chicken broth
* 1 can (12 oz.) tomato sauce
1. Melt margarine in saucepan.
2. In a bowl, mix together dry ingredients.
3. Slowly add dry ingredients to margarine, stirring constantly. Mixture will become crumbly.
4. Slowly add chicken broth to margarine mixture, stirring constantly.
5. Stir into tomato sauce.
To make the foil handles:
1. Tear off three 18×2-inch strips of heavy foil or use regular foil folded to double thickness.
2. Crisscross the foil strips in a spoke design and place in slow cooker to make lifting of tortilla stack easier.
Website of the Day
Labels:
website of the day
RenttheRunway.com
If you don’t want to spend a ton on a dress you’ll wear once, maybe twice, sign up (for free) at this clothing-rental site. Generally, renting a piece from a designer like Hervé Léger, Catherine Malandrino, or Tibi costs about 10 percent of the retail price, which means you can score a $1,590 cocktail dress for $150–and that includes shipping both ways and dry cleaning. (To ensure a perfect fit, you can pick two sizes.)
If you don’t want to spend a ton on a dress you’ll wear once, maybe twice, sign up (for free) at this clothing-rental site. Generally, renting a piece from a designer like Hervé Léger, Catherine Malandrino, or Tibi costs about 10 percent of the retail price, which means you can score a $1,590 cocktail dress for $150–and that includes shipping both ways and dry cleaning. (To ensure a perfect fit, you can pick two sizes.)
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Today's Quote
Labels:
Today's Quote
The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.
- Mother Teresa.
Unleash The Superhero In You
Within every human being, exists an infinite supply of creativity, strength and wonder.
You are capable of more than you know.
Let me tell you about a real life Superhero I know. His name is Mike Berkson.
Mike Berkson was born a few minutes after his twin brother David, on February 4th, 1989. Shortly after birth, Mike was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Doctors told his parents that he would not be able to talk and he would never be a student in a regular classroom. By the time Mike was 3, he was not only talking up a storm but had a thirst for vocabulary. Mike sets BIG goals. Mike excels in English and History, is creative in writing short stories and has ambitions in film making.
Mike lives in a Chicago suburb and now attends high school. He loves rap music, Seinfeld reruns, movies, girls, and many other things most teenagers are interested in. Mike is unique in that he has to work around some obstacles in his day to day life that you and I will never be faced with.
Because he is confined to a wheelchair, and has limited use of his arms and legs, he is paired with someone to help him through the day so he can attend school and get the quality of education he deserves. For a few years, my friend Tim was fortunate enough to be paired with Mike and serve as Mike's aid and helper.
Ponder the things you do every day and imagine being physically unable to do them. Tim was responsible for taking notes for Mike, assisting him with eating, the bathroom, transportation and all the things that we do without thinking about.
As Tim and Mike grew closer and Tim became a member of Mike's family, Tim felt a yearning to share with the world Mike's awesome attitude, and how Mike deals with prejudices, ignorance and inconveniences despite his circumstances.
Tim was so inspired by the Superhero within Mike, that last year he set a goal to write a book about Mike and run 1,200 miles from Florida to Chicago to promote it.
Just one tiny problem...at the time, Tim could hardly run 30 minutes and in order to achieve his goals within 4 months, he would have to write the book at blazing speed AND get into the kind of physical condition to maintain a pace of running 40 miles per day for 31 straight days.
Impossible you might think? No. Remember I told you that you are more powerful than you think you are.
You see Tim had a unique source of motivation to fuel his goals. He had Mike. He had the examples from years of watching Mike display the traits of a real life Superhero. Tim had the inspiration of making a promise to an exceptional young man. Tim had the motivation of a purpose greater than himself.
Tim had the yearning to pursue a series of goals so much bigger than anything he had ever done before, that he just had to try. As a tribute to Mike, Tim had to push himself beyond anything he ever previously did, as Mike does every single day.
Some people in life believe you should only pursue goals you know you can achieve. Others believe the success lies in the growth that occurs from stretching beyond your previous wins, and that all growth is success.
How do you define success?
I interviewed Tim recently on my radio show. Tim explained how he found an endurance coach and transformed himself from a couch potato into an ultra endurance champion. Tim did not reach his goal of running 40 miles a day. You see, his plan was flawed. He made a lot of mistakes. His schedule for the run was so tight, that he did not allow himself any room for error, like weather, funding, or the hazards of running alongside traffic. His approach for raising money was limited. He had a skeleton crew of one to accompany him on the run.
He had to return home by a certain date, regardless of how far behind he was, so he had to drive the distances to catch up when he fell behind. Shortly after he started his journey, he realized he would not be able to achieve the 1,200 miles and still make it home on time. But he kept running anyways, he wanted to Keep On Keeping On. He would rather continue stretching himself than consider quitting.
Why is Tim's journey considered a success by many? Because he dared to pursue it in the first place. Because he did finish his book about Mike in record time. Because he succeeded in transforming his body into an Ultra Endurance Machine for that time. Because he DID succeed in running an average of 24 miles per day for a total of 700 miles. Because he didn't quit, even when he realized he could not reach every goal he set for himself. Because he touched the heart of a young man who looked up to him. Because he inspired a lot of people to go beyond what they previously thought they could do.
Because for a moment in time, he taped into the Superhero inside himself and unleashed more of his own potential.
Rising above circumstances like a champion inspires other people.
We must re-evaluate our perspective on what success really is.
Are you a success if you play it safe your whole life and never dare anything unless you are guaranteed victory?
When you set BIG Goals, it is important to set many smaller goals that coincide with it. Even if you fail to reach your deadline for one Goal, you will still succeed at many, and you will build your confidence to a much higher level. Give yourself empowering reasons for getting up when you feel down.
There is a Superhero inside YOU.
What Goals can you set that will inspire you to unleash it?
Keep On Keeping On.
Live Your Dreams.
Jill Koenig
Jill Koenig, the "Goal Guru" is a best selling author, coach and motivational speaker. She is an expert on the subjects of Goal Setting, Time Management and Business Success. Visit her website at: www.GoalGuru.com
You are capable of more than you know.
Let me tell you about a real life Superhero I know. His name is Mike Berkson.
Mike Berkson was born a few minutes after his twin brother David, on February 4th, 1989. Shortly after birth, Mike was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Doctors told his parents that he would not be able to talk and he would never be a student in a regular classroom. By the time Mike was 3, he was not only talking up a storm but had a thirst for vocabulary. Mike sets BIG goals. Mike excels in English and History, is creative in writing short stories and has ambitions in film making.
Mike lives in a Chicago suburb and now attends high school. He loves rap music, Seinfeld reruns, movies, girls, and many other things most teenagers are interested in. Mike is unique in that he has to work around some obstacles in his day to day life that you and I will never be faced with.
Because he is confined to a wheelchair, and has limited use of his arms and legs, he is paired with someone to help him through the day so he can attend school and get the quality of education he deserves. For a few years, my friend Tim was fortunate enough to be paired with Mike and serve as Mike's aid and helper.
Ponder the things you do every day and imagine being physically unable to do them. Tim was responsible for taking notes for Mike, assisting him with eating, the bathroom, transportation and all the things that we do without thinking about.
As Tim and Mike grew closer and Tim became a member of Mike's family, Tim felt a yearning to share with the world Mike's awesome attitude, and how Mike deals with prejudices, ignorance and inconveniences despite his circumstances.
Tim was so inspired by the Superhero within Mike, that last year he set a goal to write a book about Mike and run 1,200 miles from Florida to Chicago to promote it.
Just one tiny problem...at the time, Tim could hardly run 30 minutes and in order to achieve his goals within 4 months, he would have to write the book at blazing speed AND get into the kind of physical condition to maintain a pace of running 40 miles per day for 31 straight days.
Impossible you might think? No. Remember I told you that you are more powerful than you think you are.
You see Tim had a unique source of motivation to fuel his goals. He had Mike. He had the examples from years of watching Mike display the traits of a real life Superhero. Tim had the inspiration of making a promise to an exceptional young man. Tim had the motivation of a purpose greater than himself.
Tim had the yearning to pursue a series of goals so much bigger than anything he had ever done before, that he just had to try. As a tribute to Mike, Tim had to push himself beyond anything he ever previously did, as Mike does every single day.
Some people in life believe you should only pursue goals you know you can achieve. Others believe the success lies in the growth that occurs from stretching beyond your previous wins, and that all growth is success.
How do you define success?
I interviewed Tim recently on my radio show. Tim explained how he found an endurance coach and transformed himself from a couch potato into an ultra endurance champion. Tim did not reach his goal of running 40 miles a day. You see, his plan was flawed. He made a lot of mistakes. His schedule for the run was so tight, that he did not allow himself any room for error, like weather, funding, or the hazards of running alongside traffic. His approach for raising money was limited. He had a skeleton crew of one to accompany him on the run.
He had to return home by a certain date, regardless of how far behind he was, so he had to drive the distances to catch up when he fell behind. Shortly after he started his journey, he realized he would not be able to achieve the 1,200 miles and still make it home on time. But he kept running anyways, he wanted to Keep On Keeping On. He would rather continue stretching himself than consider quitting.
Why is Tim's journey considered a success by many? Because he dared to pursue it in the first place. Because he did finish his book about Mike in record time. Because he succeeded in transforming his body into an Ultra Endurance Machine for that time. Because he DID succeed in running an average of 24 miles per day for a total of 700 miles. Because he didn't quit, even when he realized he could not reach every goal he set for himself. Because he touched the heart of a young man who looked up to him. Because he inspired a lot of people to go beyond what they previously thought they could do.
Because for a moment in time, he taped into the Superhero inside himself and unleashed more of his own potential.
Rising above circumstances like a champion inspires other people.
We must re-evaluate our perspective on what success really is.
Are you a success if you play it safe your whole life and never dare anything unless you are guaranteed victory?
When you set BIG Goals, it is important to set many smaller goals that coincide with it. Even if you fail to reach your deadline for one Goal, you will still succeed at many, and you will build your confidence to a much higher level. Give yourself empowering reasons for getting up when you feel down.
There is a Superhero inside YOU.
What Goals can you set that will inspire you to unleash it?
Keep On Keeping On.
Live Your Dreams.
Jill Koenig
Jill Koenig, the "Goal Guru" is a best selling author, coach and motivational speaker. She is an expert on the subjects of Goal Setting, Time Management and Business Success. Visit her website at: www.GoalGuru.com
Here's The Joke
Labels:
Humor
On my first day working at the gas station, I watched a
senior co-worker measure the level of gasoline in the under-
ground tanks by lowering a giant measuring stick down into
them.
"What would happen if I threw a lit match into the hole?"
I joked.
"It would go out," he replied very matter-of-factly.
"Really?" I asked, surprised to hear that. "Is there a
lack of oxygen down there or some safety device that would
extinguish it before the fumes ignited?"
"No," my co-worker continued. "The force from the explosion
would blow out the match."
senior co-worker measure the level of gasoline in the under-
ground tanks by lowering a giant measuring stick down into
them.
"What would happen if I threw a lit match into the hole?"
I joked.
"It would go out," he replied very matter-of-factly.
"Really?" I asked, surprised to hear that. "Is there a
lack of oxygen down there or some safety device that would
extinguish it before the fumes ignited?"
"No," my co-worker continued. "The force from the explosion
would blow out the match."
Slow Cooker New York Style Cheesecake
Labels:
recipes
Use this simple cheesecake recipe to make an easy to make cheesecake that will astound you with flavor. It's a cheesecake New York recipe that is the authentic recipe for plain cheesecake. Try this quick easy slow cooker recipe for dessert tonight.
Serves: 8
Ingredients
* 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
* 1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 3 tablespoons flour
* 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel
* 3 eggs
* Premade baked crust
Instructions
1. With electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, flour and grated peels until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until fluffy.
2. Pour into baked crust in Bread 'n Cake Bake pan; cover. Set inside Crock-Pot.
3. Cover and cook on high setting for 2 l/2 to 3 hours.
4. Remove pan and uncover. Allow to cool, then unmold on serving plate. Serve well chilled; if desired, top with strawberries.
5. Note: this cheesecake may be prepared without the crust if the pan is generously greased and floured.
Serves: 8
Ingredients
* 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
* 1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 3 tablespoons flour
* 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel
* 3 eggs
* Premade baked crust
Instructions
1. With electric mixer, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, flour and grated peels until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until fluffy.
2. Pour into baked crust in Bread 'n Cake Bake pan; cover. Set inside Crock-Pot.
3. Cover and cook on high setting for 2 l/2 to 3 hours.
4. Remove pan and uncover. Allow to cool, then unmold on serving plate. Serve well chilled; if desired, top with strawberries.
5. Note: this cheesecake may be prepared without the crust if the pan is generously greased and floured.
Italian Pizza Bake
Labels:
recipes
Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:40 min
makes:2 servings
1/3 cup Bisquick Heart Smart® mix
2 tablespoons fat-free egg product or 1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup diced green or yellow bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup cut-up cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup diced tomatoes with Italian-style herbs, drained (from 14.5-oz can)
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. In small bowl, stir Bisquick mix, egg product, water and garlic powder; spread in pan.
2. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook bell pepper and onion over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in chicken, tomatoes and Italian seasoning; cook until hot. Spoon over batter. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until golden brown; loosen from sides.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.
John Boehner: GOP 'Not Looking for Compromise' If They Take the House
Two more years of gridlock promised by Repubs.
House Minority Leader John Boehner vowed Wednesday that Republicans will not "compromise on our principles" if they win the majority.
A GOP House could still be up against a Democratic Senate as well as President Barack Obama in the White House. Some analysts predict that divided government will lead to more compromise, but in an interview with Sean Hannity on the conservative's radio show, Boehner said that wouldn't necessarily be the case.
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Health Care Spin -- Again
Labels:
FactCheck.org
Wild new claims top off a major campaign to discredit the law with misrepresentations.
As the election draws near, some conservative groups are making ever-wilder claims about the new health care law:
* An elderly man in a Crossroads GPS ad makes the death-panel-esque claim that the law "threatens our lives."
* The 60 Plus Association has a World War II veteran evoking the Normandy invasion and claiming that "your freedoms will be chipped away," unless the legislation is repealed.
* The American Action Network made the false statement that "jail time" would be the punishment for not having insurance, when the law in fact forbids any criminal penalties.
In addition, we continue to see claims from the Republican side that the law creates "government-run" health care, or will cause a steep rise in premiums for typical families, or will give health insurance to illegal immigrants, or will lead to widespread cuts in Medicare benefits. As we've written before, none of that is true. We also see claims that the law allows tax dollars to be used to fund abortions, despite specific language in the law forbidding that.
Misrepresenting the health care law has been perhaps the single most dominant theme of attack ads by GOP candidates, party groups and independent conservative organizations. A record estimated $4 billion is being spent on both sides in this midterm election, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And from our observations, a large part of that is being spent to discredit the health care legislation and the Democrats who voted for it. In this article we wrap up all this health care spin, examining both the latest claims and those that have been repeated most often.
Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed on at FactCheck.org
Summary
As the election draws near, some conservative groups are making ever-wilder claims about the new health care law:
* An elderly man in a Crossroads GPS ad makes the death-panel-esque claim that the law "threatens our lives."
* The 60 Plus Association has a World War II veteran evoking the Normandy invasion and claiming that "your freedoms will be chipped away," unless the legislation is repealed.
* The American Action Network made the false statement that "jail time" would be the punishment for not having insurance, when the law in fact forbids any criminal penalties.
In addition, we continue to see claims from the Republican side that the law creates "government-run" health care, or will cause a steep rise in premiums for typical families, or will give health insurance to illegal immigrants, or will lead to widespread cuts in Medicare benefits. As we've written before, none of that is true. We also see claims that the law allows tax dollars to be used to fund abortions, despite specific language in the law forbidding that.
Misrepresenting the health care law has been perhaps the single most dominant theme of attack ads by GOP candidates, party groups and independent conservative organizations. A record estimated $4 billion is being spent on both sides in this midterm election, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And from our observations, a large part of that is being spent to discredit the health care legislation and the Democrats who voted for it. In this article we wrap up all this health care spin, examining both the latest claims and those that have been repeated most often.
Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed on at FactCheck.org
Mom Killed Baby Over FarmVille
A 22-year-old mother in Jacksonville, Florida, has pleaded guilty to killing her baby because his crying interrupted her game of FarmVille. Alexandra V. Tobias shook the baby to death. She copped to second-degree murder and could face life in prison.
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Bee Brains Can Outsmart Computers
A new study shows that bees are experts at solving the "traveling salesman" problem.
The Supreme Court Sold Out Our Democracy -- How to Fight the Corporate Takeover of Our Elections
Historian Thom Hartmann discusses the history of corruption that led up to the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling.
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My new favorite thing
Labels:
Beth,
favorite things
Action Item: It's time to drop Fox
What has Glenn Beck's response been to the revelation that his false and paranoid attacks on the Tides Foundation inspired viewer Byron Williams to target Tides employees for death?
Doubling down.
Beck dedicated his Friday night Fox News show to yet another extended attack on the Tides Foundation, accusing the progressive institution of subverting churches, turning children against their parents and spreading "anti-human" theories.
A week ago we told you the story of Williams, who was incited by the conspiracy theories of right-wing media figures to try and assassinate employees of the progressive Tides Foundation and the ACLU. The same lies and smears that Williams said "blew my mind" go on every day at Fox.
Instead of recognizing the danger and taking appropriate action, Fox News is allowing and encouraging Beck's violent rhetoric, abdicating the responsibility the public expects of a powerful broadcaster. That is why targeting Glenn Beck's advertisers is no longer enough -- we need to hold the entire network accountable.
Tell major advertisers it's time to drop Fox.
Thanks to the help of dedicated people like you, hundreds of sponsors have refused to advertise on Beck's program -- but Fox still stands behind Beck. News Corp. claims the lost ad dollars from Beck simply move to other shows.
On Friday, Drummond Pike, the founder and CEO of the Tides Foundation, issued an impassioned call for advertisers to leave Fox News entirely or be complicit in their promotion of Beck's anti-government extremism and unhinged conspiracy-mongering. Pike noted:
"Businesses that pay to broadcast commercials on Fox News are subsidizing Glenn Beck's television show by continuing to pump money into the network. It has become clear that the only way to stop supporting Beck is to stop supporting Fox News.
"I respectfully request that you bring this matter of your company's sponsorship of hate speech leading to violence to the attention of your fellow directors as soon as possible. I believe no responsible company should advertise on Fox News due to its recent and on-going deplorable conduct."
We agree. That is why, along with People For the American Way, we're launching a new campaign to get Fox's major advertisers to stop supporting the network and its promotion of a climate of fear and suspicion that could lead to another Oklahoma City.
Fox News provides Beck a platform for rhetoric and lies that have real, and potentially deadly, consequences. Whether they realize it or not, these sponsors support it with their advertising dollars -- and they need to hear from you that funding Fox and Beck is wrong.
Click here to see a list of major Fox News sponsors and demand they stop supporting Fox and Beck with their dollars.
Tell major advertisers it's time to drop Fox.
Thanks again for your support.
David Brock
Founder
Media Matters for America
Doubling down.
Beck dedicated his Friday night Fox News show to yet another extended attack on the Tides Foundation, accusing the progressive institution of subverting churches, turning children against their parents and spreading "anti-human" theories.
A week ago we told you the story of Williams, who was incited by the conspiracy theories of right-wing media figures to try and assassinate employees of the progressive Tides Foundation and the ACLU. The same lies and smears that Williams said "blew my mind" go on every day at Fox.
Instead of recognizing the danger and taking appropriate action, Fox News is allowing and encouraging Beck's violent rhetoric, abdicating the responsibility the public expects of a powerful broadcaster. That is why targeting Glenn Beck's advertisers is no longer enough -- we need to hold the entire network accountable.
Tell major advertisers it's time to drop Fox.
Thanks to the help of dedicated people like you, hundreds of sponsors have refused to advertise on Beck's program -- but Fox still stands behind Beck. News Corp. claims the lost ad dollars from Beck simply move to other shows.
On Friday, Drummond Pike, the founder and CEO of the Tides Foundation, issued an impassioned call for advertisers to leave Fox News entirely or be complicit in their promotion of Beck's anti-government extremism and unhinged conspiracy-mongering. Pike noted:
"Businesses that pay to broadcast commercials on Fox News are subsidizing Glenn Beck's television show by continuing to pump money into the network. It has become clear that the only way to stop supporting Beck is to stop supporting Fox News.
"I respectfully request that you bring this matter of your company's sponsorship of hate speech leading to violence to the attention of your fellow directors as soon as possible. I believe no responsible company should advertise on Fox News due to its recent and on-going deplorable conduct."
We agree. That is why, along with People For the American Way, we're launching a new campaign to get Fox's major advertisers to stop supporting the network and its promotion of a climate of fear and suspicion that could lead to another Oklahoma City.
Fox News provides Beck a platform for rhetoric and lies that have real, and potentially deadly, consequences. Whether they realize it or not, these sponsors support it with their advertising dollars -- and they need to hear from you that funding Fox and Beck is wrong.
Click here to see a list of major Fox News sponsors and demand they stop supporting Fox and Beck with their dollars.
Tell major advertisers it's time to drop Fox.
Thanks again for your support.
David Brock
Founder
Media Matters for America
Friday, October 29, 2010
Website of the Day
Labels:
website of the day
Earlier this month, Joe Posnanski posted his 32 best broadcasting calls to Sports Illustrated's web site.
You'll hear Howard Cosell on Foreman vs. Frazier ("Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!! Down goes Frazier!!!") and Chic Anderson on Secretariat's 22-pound heart ("Secretariat is widening now! He is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!"). Jack Buck and Vin Scully tie for fifth with their different takes on Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series dinger and Al Michaels's career-defining, real-time response to what became known as the U.S. hockey team's 1980 "Miracle on Ice"—“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”— takes the top spot. Our favorite? Bill King's reaction to Oakland's infamous "Holy Roller"/"Immaculate Reception" play and/or fumble against the San Diego Chargers. "The most zany, unbelievable, absolutely impossible dream of a play!" King said, in his amazement. "Madden is on the field. He wants to know if it’s real.... There’s nothing real in the world anymore!”
You'll hear Howard Cosell on Foreman vs. Frazier ("Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!! Down goes Frazier!!!") and Chic Anderson on Secretariat's 22-pound heart ("Secretariat is widening now! He is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!"). Jack Buck and Vin Scully tie for fifth with their different takes on Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series dinger and Al Michaels's career-defining, real-time response to what became known as the U.S. hockey team's 1980 "Miracle on Ice"—“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”— takes the top spot. Our favorite? Bill King's reaction to Oakland's infamous "Holy Roller"/"Immaculate Reception" play and/or fumble against the San Diego Chargers. "The most zany, unbelievable, absolutely impossible dream of a play!" King said, in his amazement. "Madden is on the field. He wants to know if it’s real.... There’s nothing real in the world anymore!”
The Perfect Storm That Threatens American Democracy
The top one-tenth of one percent of Americans now earn as much as the bottom 120 million of us.
READ MORE
READ MORE
Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole
Labels:
recipes
If you are looking for an extremely easy meal, then this casserole is for you! This hash brown casserole recipe only uses 5 ingredients. All you have to do is set-it and forget-it!
Ingredients
* 2 pounds frozen hash browns
* 12 ounces evaporated milk
* 1 can cheddar cheese soup
* 1 can cream of mushroom, chicken, or celery soup
* 1 can french fried onions, divided
Instructions
1. Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Add soups and milk; whisk until smooth.
3. Stir in potatoes and half the onions, until well mixed.
4. Sprinkle with remaining onions.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH 3-1/2 hours or LOW 6-7 hours. Serve warm.
Ingredients
* 2 pounds frozen hash browns
* 12 ounces evaporated milk
* 1 can cheddar cheese soup
* 1 can cream of mushroom, chicken, or celery soup
* 1 can french fried onions, divided
Instructions
1. Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Add soups and milk; whisk until smooth.
3. Stir in potatoes and half the onions, until well mixed.
4. Sprinkle with remaining onions.
5. Cover and cook on HIGH 3-1/2 hours or LOW 6-7 hours. Serve warm.
Whiskey Beef Stew
Labels:
recipes
Serves: 8
Cooking Time: 2 hr 30 min
Ingredients
* 1 1/2 - 2 pounds braising steak
* 2 onions
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons chili sauce
* 2 measures (jiggers) Jack Daniels bourbon (more if desired)
* 1 pint beef stock
* 4 ounces plain flour
* salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Chop the onions and place with the paprika, garlic and cooking oil in a large saucepan on a low heat.
2. Place the flour, salt and pepper in a bowl.
3. Cube the steak, and cover in the flour.
4. Brown in a hot pan with a little oil and add to the onions when they have softened.
5. Add the beef stock, slowly at first and stirring all the time to avoid lumps forming.
6. Add the rest of the ingredients.
7. Cover and allow to simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
8. Garnish with fresh copped green herbs.
Cooking Time: 2 hr 30 min
Ingredients
* 1 1/2 - 2 pounds braising steak
* 2 onions
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 tablespoons paprika
* 2 tablespoons chili sauce
* 2 measures (jiggers) Jack Daniels bourbon (more if desired)
* 1 pint beef stock
* 4 ounces plain flour
* salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Chop the onions and place with the paprika, garlic and cooking oil in a large saucepan on a low heat.
2. Place the flour, salt and pepper in a bowl.
3. Cube the steak, and cover in the flour.
4. Brown in a hot pan with a little oil and add to the onions when they have softened.
5. Add the beef stock, slowly at first and stirring all the time to avoid lumps forming.
6. Add the rest of the ingredients.
7. Cover and allow to simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
8. Garnish with fresh copped green herbs.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Today's Quote
Labels:
Today's Quote
“I think, therefore I am.”
René Descartes (1596–1650)
French philosopher and mathematician
Make-A-Wish Patient Grants Wish to Family Who Lost Child
Labels:
human interest
A.J. Basila had died before he could receive a wish from the Make-a-Wish Foundation. So another patient, Megan Millman, gave her wish to his family.
Your medical questions answered
Labels:
Humor
Q: Doctor, I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn.
And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient
mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken.
Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).
And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine,
that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more
of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one.
If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
AND.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health.
It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn.
And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient
mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken.
Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).
And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine,
that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more
of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one.
If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
AND.....
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health.
It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Most Dangerous Halloween Candy
Some 35 million kids will go trick-or-treating this weekend, but it's some goodies that might prove most frightening (fattening).
WikiLeaks Exposes Rumsfeld's Lies
Recent revelations by WikiLeaks show how top American leaders lied knowingly to the American public, to American troops, and to the world. Ellen Knickmeyer, the former Baghdad bureau chief for The Washington Post, on the carnage she saw in Iraq.
Read more
Read more
Don't Settle Yourself Short
Labels:
Weekly Savings Tip
"Settle your debt for pennies! We'll make your debt disappear!" The struggling economy over the past few years has left many floundering in credit card debt. And from it all, companies have sprung up claiming to be able to get you out of debt—seemingly in the blink of an eye. But don't let yourself be fooled. Settling can end up costing you in the long run. Before you jump at the chance to lessen your debt, make sure you know the facts.
There is NO guarantee. Settlement companies cannot always convince the credit card companies to settle.
Don't hand over money upfront. Beginning October 27, 2010, debt settlement companies cannot charge or collect a fee from you until your debt is settled or reduced.
Make sure you do your research. You don't want to do business with a company that's best known for its customer complaints. You are giving them money that could ultimately go toward your debt, so you should be satisfied with the services. Before you agree to anything, make sure you know:
Consider your options. Debt settlement companies are not your only way out. Talk to your credit card company, or contact a credit counselor; there are free services out there that can help.
For more information from the Federal Trade Commission on debt settlement companies, click here. And for more debt resources and tools, click here.
Visit www.feedthepig.org for more money-saving tips.
There is NO guarantee. Settlement companies cannot always convince the credit card companies to settle.
Don't hand over money upfront. Beginning October 27, 2010, debt settlement companies cannot charge or collect a fee from you until your debt is settled or reduced.
Make sure you do your research. You don't want to do business with a company that's best known for its customer complaints. You are giving them money that could ultimately go toward your debt, so you should be satisfied with the services. Before you agree to anything, make sure you know:
- Fees and Terms
- How long before a settlement offer is made to each creditor
- How much you need to save before they will make a settlement offer to each creditor
- Possible consequences, should the settlement company ask you to stop making payments to your creditors
Consider your options. Debt settlement companies are not your only way out. Talk to your credit card company, or contact a credit counselor; there are free services out there that can help.
For more information from the Federal Trade Commission on debt settlement companies, click here. And for more debt resources and tools, click here.
Visit www.feedthepig.org for more money-saving tips.
Buttermilk Pumpkin Pancakes
Labels:
recipes
Pumpkin for breakfast? Why not? When you have pumpkin recipes like these simple, tasty buttermilk pumpkin pancakes, no time is the wrong time for pumpkin!
Ingredients
* 3 cups flour
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1 quart buttermilk
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin (Libby's or similar)
Instructions
1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Place ladlesful onto skillet and cook until bubbles begin to form on the surface.
3. Slide spatula underneath and flip pancakes over, cooking other side until nicely browned. Makes around 2 dozen pancakes, depending upon how big you make them.
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