Life continues to imitate art in strange and disturbing ways. Whether you’re tired of talking about it or still reeling from Glenn Beck’s “I Have a Scheme” speech, you have to wonder just who is the power pulling the self-proclaimed Rodeo Clown’s incendiary strings. Palin. Bachmann. Armey. All very visibly on hand. Heck, the wackadoo from Minnesota’s still demanding a crowd recount. CBS objectively estimated 87,000. Palin offered 100, 000. The Beckster himself suggested a “modest guesstimate” of 500,000. But trigger happy Bachmann, she of the “armed and dangerous” ammo unloading and Joseph McCarthyesque vetting of fellow members of Congress, upped her own 1 million ballpark to 1.65 mil on a cray-cray radio show the other day. Go ahead, keep dreaming. And recounting if it makes you feel better.

But did anyone else notice John Hagee sitting in the front row of the stage right behind the Beckster? Yeah, that John Hagee, the fright wing preacher who went deep under the mainstream radar after stirring up controversy by merely endorsing John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid. So now he’s re-surfaced to offer advice, guidance and credibility to Beck??? Talk about a dubious face in the crowd. So after hijacking Martin Luther King’s Dream, with such a prominent backward thinking mentor we can expect Beck to next target women, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, gays. Okay, we’re not naive, we know Beck’s not acting alone. And I’m not saying Hagee’s the puppet master; he’s probably one among a cadre of conservative thinkers and power brokers using Beck’s cache and charisma to do their cynical bidding. But to display such a polarizing, high-profile figure, takes flaunting the fright wing agenda to an astonishing new level.

Get ready, kids, there’s gonna be a whole lotta cowering under that infamous blackboard before Goldline cashes out and sends Beck home.

And by the way if you haven’t seen Elia Kazan’s 1957 classic “A Face in the Crowd, ” it’s worth a rental. This prophetic film sheds so much light on our current low-information media saturated culture it’s uncanny. And it’s an entertaining film, too with a tour de force performance by Andy Griffith.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Forget politics. Sarah Palin–and her clan–were born to star on reality TV. And that’s what they’re fixin’ to do. While filming in the small town of Homer, Sarachuda and her entourage happened upon a disgruntled voter. By the way: the so-called eye-roll is now in dispute, with those in the Palin camp denying any such intentional snark. Watch the video yourself and read more about that incident in my latest NJP video entry:
Educating Sarah: Palin Confronts Teacher Who Labeled Her ‘Worst Gov.’ | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Alaska’s Annie Oakley reportedly also caught grief from that other inexplicable “star” Kate Gosselin when the rhythmically challenged shrew took her eight kids on the road to Palin country for an episode of her reality fest. Insiders claim Kate had one of her signature snit fits when she realized the great outdoors doesn’t come with indoor plumbing!

Sarachuda’s less than fabulous week took another sour turn when former son-in-law-to-be Levi Johnston, Levi Johnston ( since they broke the engagement twice, I think the kid deserves the Mary Hartman, Mary Hartmen treatment) revealed he’s pitching yet another reality show. This one would have the prolific procreating Playgirl cover boy running for his ex-almost mama-in-law’s gig as mayor of Wasilla. Think of the cross-promotional ops.

Wonder if the quitter half-term Gov will appear. Or if Levi’s own mom, awaiting trial on drug charges will get her shot on the small screen before sashaying off the the big house.

Like I said, ditch politics and stick with TV. Really, if you promise to toss any and all presidential ambitions to the curb, America will watch your dopey shows.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I’m so weary of blogging about the Grand Pooh Bah. Really, but sometimes his insensitivity, his transparency is so glaring, I feel obligated to shine a hideous, crackly fluorescent light on it. On Tuesday’s bloviation fest, Limbag railed against extending unemployment insurance, calling hard-working American job seekers in the the midst of the worst economic plight since the Great Depression, “Welfare recipients, ” and admonishing his ditto heads and subjects in the GOP, “We can’t make hay out of this?”

Wow. Shouldn’t surprise us. After all, Rush is only showing the grubby Republican hand. They’d rather let American families languish, inch closer to foreclosure, bankruptcy and yes, maybe even welfare, than do the moral thing. It’s all about undermining Obama and the Dems. For those who like GOP strategist Karen Hanratty, who shrug it off as “the way it works,” claiming Republicans need not offer any actual solutions, just hold the line at their never ending No, I say shame on you. Politics as usual in a time of crisis is not only cynical it is immoral, and quite frankly un-American.

Wouldn’t vote for any of these clowns if they paid me. Of course in order to do that, they’d have to create some sort of a bogus job. And even those fake, cronyism gigs aren’t good for their bid to takeover Congress. It’ll be funny–in a tragic sort of way–to see the GOP figure out what to do with the tattered ball once it’s back in their court.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

That sour racist rant never gets old with Limbag. On Tuesday’s show he questioned “Michele My Belle–” as he likes to call the First Lady and her speech to the NAACP. She called on Blacks to “intensive their efforts” in charitable efforts. Somehow Rush decoded this as a secret call to arms to The New Black Panther Party. Really, ditto heads it would be easier to just hit your heads against the wall. Less painful.

Speaking of racially charged rants, the anti-Obama brigade over at Fox News won’t be happy until they’ve whipped the country up into some sort of race war. Read more in my latest NJP entry, featuring a riveting, cringe-worthy video segment from Tuesday’s midday misinformation fest with Megyn Kelly.

VIDEO: Fox News Flip Out Over Black Panther Voter Case | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Diggs, tweets, comments, kids. Always appreciated.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Happy 7oth Birthday, Ringo Starr! The most lovable Beatle is ageless. He looks great and is still going strong with albums and All Star tours and all those happy, peaceful Ringo vibes. His present to the world: “Every day at noon people should say, write or e-mail the words ‘peace and love.” Let’s try it. The power of the words, the peaceful, loving vibrations may just move the world in a positive direction! Worth a try.

Last year a clever filmmaker put a sardonic twist on Ringo’s peppy 1974 “The No No Song.” Anyone nostalgic for the crazy days of the Bush administration will love this send-up. I have to admit: ‘W’ gave us so much material. Maybe Jeb wouldn’t be such a disaster. Wait, did I really write that? Just thinking out loud. In the middle of the night.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.
aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, is the sort of annual gluttonous spectacle mock doc maestro Christopher Guest and his merry band of mischievous improvisers could really sink their teeth into. The hoopla surrounding the traditional fattening fest replete with a live ESPN broadcast billed as the “Super Bowl of Competitive Eating,” pushes the old “truth is stranger than fiction” axiom to the brink of parody.

Contestants–most have racked up street eat cred in various other contests including fried asparagus, clams, chicken wings and cheesecake-have nicknames like Crazy Legs, The Shredder and Eater X. And this year there was a cloud of controversy hovering over the out-sized epicurean event. A past champ, Takeru Kobayashi, who had pulled out of the event citing a contractual impasse with Major League Eating ( yeah, it’s a real league!), showed up in the crowd and after reigning champion Joey Chestnut won his fourth consecutive Mustard Belt, stormed the podium. Hauled in by the cops, he was later released sporting a “Free Kobi” t-shirt, a sign the incident was a well-planned publicity stunt.

I don’t get competitive eating. Why would anyone want to stuff their face with a week’s worth of calories in ten minutes? And why would other fools want to watch? Why are broadcasters celebrating a guy whose quick caloric intake surpasses Michael Phelps’ daily intake? Why is any of this nonsense sanctioned, especially in an era in which the First Lady has mounted a national mission against our increasingly grave obesity problem? As an aside, I should note my amazed discovery: with rare exceptions, the competitive eaters appeared to be slim and remarkably fit. They apparently train for this business. Still, you’ve got to wonder just what they do backstage after the competition is over.

Nathan’s, Heinz and Pepto-Bismal were the sponsors. And along with the coveted Mustard Belt, they collectively forked over $20K to Mr. Chestnut for his downing 54 hot dogs and 54 buns in ten minutes. Hardly a record breaker, the champ –who sucked down 68 last year–blamed the modest showing on the weather. At 96 degrees with 65% humidity high noon on Coney Island never felt so hot.

And Eating isn’t the only Competitive Stupidity these days. Politics has become an increasing stupid spectator sport. The reigning champ has to be Sarah Palin, who has turned quitting into a profit making enterprise. For every Malaprop or nugget of misinformation, the GOP’s Annie Oakley hits the jackpot. She’s even gotten her progeny in on the act, with her eldest daughter–the chick who had the kid out of wedlock and before high school graduation–making money every time she sings the praises of abstinence. Hey, nice work if you can get it. Sarah’s Sorry Sisters in Retro Republican Thought Michele Bachmann, Jan Brewer, Sue Lowden and Sharon Angle have all placed at various Tea Party Events. Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage lead the glutted group in the Media Misinformation category.

Hey, we’re stupid with Competitive Stupid. Still, I’m looking for a category within which I could shine. If they had, for instance, Competitive Kvetching, I know I could whine and bitch my way into the big bucks. Ah, forget it. They’d never offer a big enough pay-out. How about Competitive Unsolicited Advice-giving. I know that could be my winning event. If only someone would ask. Okay, now I’ve got it. Competitive Procrastination. I’d be a sure winner. That is, of course, if I ever got around to signing up.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Chris Mathews does his pesky best to get Alabama GOP congressional candidate Rick Barber to name names, outline specifics and state his case. Without soundbites and under tough scrutiny, this character shows his true colors: a watered down blend of stupid red, white and blue. I know folks mock me when I talk about mounting the “Smart People Are Making a Comeback” movement, but really, where are they getting these candidates? Why are the only people running crazy, dumb or both?

Barber: “Chris, do you know what a metaphor is? Do you know what hyperbole is?”

Mathews: “Are you a metaphor for a guy running for office or a real candidate?”

Speaking of Repubs grasping for clues, check out Keith Olbermann’ “Special Countdown Comment” on the GOP blocking unemployment extensions in my latest NJP video entry. Video: Olbermann Blasts ‘Screw You’ Economics | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Think I may have to do something drastic. Get those petitions fired up. Design the campaign buttons and cool bumper stickers.

Think a smart girl’s got a chance?

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Okay, we know the misinforminators over at Fox News have nothing nice to say about Elena Kagan or her Supreme Court nomination. But this latest “liberal litmus test” is laughable even by Fox standards. Watch this:

Yep, everyone on the upper West Side of Manhattan is a big fat lib. But don’t take our word for it: ask the man… oops, I mean woman who walked down the street clad in an anti-Cheney t-shirt. “so there you have it.” What more evidence do you need?

Laugh until it hurts, kids. And boy this cultural stupidity really hurts.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Every time a Republican votes NO a cynic sighs. And it’s one of those been there, jaded sighs that still begs an undertone imploring the powers that be to bestow upon us a fresh crop of Mr. Smiths taking on Washington with a 21st century “for-the-people” zeal.

In the meantime, here’s one for the heartless, out-of-touch Republicans who think the answer to unemployment is “Get a job.” Instant karma can’t come fast enough for these fools. Let’s hope by November some of them will be hitting the pavement. Of course, they’ve already lined their pockets so it’s doubtful most of them will have to get by on merely a song.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Ed Schultz: “Republicans, if you love America quit voting like you hate Americans!”

Schultz, who has long been my fave among the fiery progressive pundits, lays it on the line. How can the Repubs continue to give American VOTERS the shaft? Besides being immoral, it could amount to political suicide. Think these clowns would want to extend those unemployment bennies. Yeah, the GOP are hoping things will get so bad voters will turn to their grand old leadership. Nothing but a cold-hearted, short-sighted play. And it could backfire. It will, if voters get out and act in their own interests. That, of course, is a big IF.

Drive safe. Play nice. think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The gentleman from Washington scores a few points. And gains some friends.

“Ask yourself: when is the last time that Rush Limbaugh missed a meal.” Want fries with that toxic tongue, Rush?

Over at CNN, the former only game in town cable giant is going down that easy, sleazy street. Yep, just signed Eliot “the Luv Gov” Spitzer to co-host an 8 pm talk show. Guess the honchos figured to fight Bill O, they had to go for broke. Not a classy move and one I fear won’t solve the outlet’s woes. Read more in my NJP piece.
Spitzer’s Prize: CNN Takes Easy, Sleazy Way Into Ratings Race | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Please tweet, digg & comment. There are also a slew of other great writers and articles. So spend a little time on the site. No extra charge!

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Americans are already lagging behind academically. As if those new Texas text book revisions weren’t enough to set us even further back, Glenn Beck wants in. Yep, that crazy-spewing, money-making one man propaganda machine thinks the public school system should be abolished. That’s right, do away with one of the cornerstones of America’s promise of opportunity and advancement. Why? Well, the Beckster says “from dawn until dusk we’re being indoctrinated.” All that socialist mumbo jumbo, I guess, filling little ears with wacky concepts about absurd things like evolution and slavery.

What’s the gasbag propose in it stead? Nothing. Well, maybe private school vouchers so people like Pat Robertson and Tony Perkins can “indoctrinate” kids the right way. Or home schooling. Yeah, prop the kids up in front of the wireless and let them suck up all the wisdom and conspiracy theories from this paranoid, shrieking misinforminator.

Time to kick the Beckster out of class. No remediation will help. For you, Glenn, school is out. Forever!

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Joe Barton is ready for his Reality TV moment. After the sorry Texas blowhard apologized to BP for having to pay for all the decades” worth of havoc it has wreaked on the Gulf Coast, the congressional fool apologized for the apology. Sort of. The guy was full of more contradictions than Kelly Bensimon, the cuckoo-for cocoa puffs-dingbat from “The Real Housewives of NYC.” Kelly managed to re-frame her blatant breakdown on Scary Island a “breakthrough” Maybe the “shakedown” Barton so infamously referred to was really a “shake-through.” Make that a shake threw, as in “after he stopped spewing his crude nonsense I threw my no-cal double chocolate shake in his elfin face.”

Sources tell RG Bravo has tapped Barton to star in a new show, “The Evil Reject Cookie Elves of Capitol Hill.” Meanwhile, Joe, Ernie Keebler called; he wants his Fudge Swirl recipe back.

By the way, no one parodies the “Housewife” franchise quite like Jimmy Fallon and his late night crew. Except, of course, the ladies themselves. Check this out:

Okay, so who’s “Lydia?” Caroline Manzo or Harvey Fierstein. Could she be their love child?

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

At least the “small people” can laugh at the BP buffoons and the GOP apologists hellbent on protecting the incompetent, insensitive greed machine. If Joe Barton didn’t exist, Jon Stewart would have invented him. And then he could crumple him up and toss him in the old bit bin. For now, let’s hope the Repubs do the right thing and toss this sorry excuse for a congressman out of his committee leadership gig.

Wish Barton would just hit the road with those other two useless Joes Lieberman and Wilson. As 3 Joes Who Gotta Go they could sing the same sorry songs.

Couldn’t shake me down to buy a ticket to that show.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Here’s the difference between Fox News and MSNBC: the former is a fright wing propaganda machine that will say anything to discredit President Obama–even defend BP–the latter is a a legit, left leaning network that will call out the President and Democrats. This montage–courtesy of Media matters for America and culled from recent Fox News misinformation fests–shows the network sinking faster and deeper than the disastrous Gulf Spill.

Wonder when Joe Barton, the clueless GOP congressman who had the audacity to call the BP $20 billion dollar reparation fund a “Shakedown” will sign on as a Faux News analyst. Maybe when the voters kick his sorry ass to the curb.

In case you hadn’t heard, all the “small people,” as the tone-deaf BP chair calls everyone suffering in the region–and by extension all concerned citizens– are not buying the spin. The more they talk, the deeper they dig their holes. Their crooked karma would be amusing if it wasn’t so tragic. If only.

Read more in my NJP piece: Fox Sinks Into BP Hole; MSNBC Rises | NEWS JUNKIE POST
Diggs, tweets & comments always appreciated.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Maybe it’s not the elephant dung after all. The explanation for that “suspicious” South Carolina primary may be a simple case of dopey voter logic. James Clyburn, the state’s seemingly only sane and noble pol and White House press secretary Robert Gibbs publicly cast doubt on the election of dubious Democratic Senate candidate Alvin Greene, an unemployed military vet with nary a political pedigree or visible campaign not to mention a pending felony Internet porn charge.

“You can smell the elephant dung,” Clyburn told candy Crowley last Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

But while that colorful description may be among my favorite political one-liners, the GOP may not be behind Alvin Greene’s unlikely nomination. And faulty voting machines may not be the culprit either.
The offenders may be the voters themselves. As one foolish voter admitted, “I voted for him because he sounded like the singer Al Green.”

Hey if you can vote for the guy you’d most like to have a beer with, why not cast a vote for a dude whose name sounds like an old pop star.

Wonder if Alvin Greene can carry a tune. Or even do Karaoke. Let’s hope Rev. Al prays only the informed bother to come out to vote next time.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Yeah I was outraged when I read yesterday that BP “operators” are actually writing “Blah, blah, blah,” as they enter comments and complaints in the oil giant’s computer data base of questions and gripes. The fact that some of these people are openly admitting such callous behaviour speaks volumes. About the culture of corporate greed and indifference within which we seem to be destined to sink deeper than the depths of the seemingly endless Gulf oil spill.
Read more–and WATCH a short MUST SEE film about the folks suffering on the front lines–in my NJP piece.

Video: Anyone Still Buying BP’s Spin? | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Tweets, Diggs, comments always appreciated.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

California’s GOP candidate for U.S. Senate is a real hair raiser. Guess she forgot the had on an open mic. Where did the hapless former Hewlett-Packard CEO think she was? I find it annoying to swat away make-up people and guys futzing with wires attached to my clothes at home, too

You can read more on my NJP entry: Fiorina Unfiltered | NEWS JUNKIE POST

Can’t wait to see what she says next. She’s a keeper. For entertainment purposes only. I mean, do you really want to see this woman in the United States Senate?

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Just watch. He’s genius.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I usually cringe when ABC invites Liz Cheney to take part in the “This Week” round table. But Sunday’s edition had Liz squirming a bit as liberal blogosphere grande dame Arianna Huffingtton called out the Bush-Cheney cronyism that led to the lax regulations that, no doubt, contributed to the the BP Gulf mess. Back and forth the two went, with Cheney audaciously claiming the exceptions to curb regulation came during the Obama administration. Huh? Really, the right wing water-carrier who snared every gig she ever got through her daddy, Dick, insisted regs were not “dismantled during the Bush-Cheney years.”

Listen to her. she accuses Obama of “dithering.”Wow! No shame. No emotion. No nothin’.

And she whipped out the victim card, lamenting, “I heard Bush-Cheney was responsible for the break-up of Al and Tipper Gore.” Yeah, everything is always Bush’s fault. Huh? Hasn’t the fright wing been blaming Obama from day one. Last I checked, Bush-Cheney had eight years; Obama a little over one. To clean up the elephants’ mess.

Oh, and Bush-Cheney wasn’t about cronyism. Well, at least as far as Liz is concerned, it was all about nepotism.

Watch Arianna’s expressions. Priceless.

Drive safe. Play nice. Think peace.

aba

Bookmark It

Hide Sites