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[Toughy]

Weiner did not raise enough money for the Dem Party. Every Congressional member (both houses) is assigned a certain amount of money they must raise for the party. This is in addition to what they must raise for their own re-election. Seems Weiner was assigned $200,000 and he only raised $75,000. That is why they tossed his ass under the bus.

At least that is what I heard on (I think) the Randi Rhodes radio talk show.


Additionally his is not a corporate Dem like Pelosi and the rest of the Dem leadership. He and Greyson were the only real progressive populist members of the House. Greyson got beat in the last election and now Weiner is gone. Who are the progressives in Congress now? Please don't tell me Pelosi and Reid are progressives or any of the other leadership folks. They are all bought and owned by corporations just like the Repubs.

Frankly I would love for him to run for his seat in the Special Election and let his constituents in Queens and Brooklyn decide if he should stay or go.

[Tommi]

VA Directive Issued on Respectful Delivery of Healthcare to Transgender and Intersex Veterans

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has issued a Directive to all of its facilities establishing a policy of respectful delivery of healthcare to transgender and intersex veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system or are otherwise eligible for VA care. The Directive reiterates that under existing regulations sex reassignment surgery cannot be performed or paid for by the VA and that all other medically necessary healthcare for transgender veterans is covered, including transition-related care such as hormones and mental health services. It also indicates that all VA staff must provide care to transgender patients "without discrimination in a manner consistent with care and management of all Veteran patients."

By setting an example of how healthcare providers in both the public and private sector should be treating transgender patients, this Directive is an important first step in securing equal access for transgender and Intersex veterans, and healthcare access for transgender people generally.

Directive on www.va.gov

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Toughy

Weiner did not raise enough money for the Dem Party. Every Congressional member (both houses) is assigned a certain amount of money they must raise for the party. This is in addition to what they must raise for their own re-election. Seems Weiner was assigned $200,000 and he only raised $75,000. That is why they tossed his ass under the bus.

At least that is what I heard on (I think) the Randi Rhodes radio talk show.


Additionally his is not a corporate Dem like Pelosi and the rest of the Dem leadership. He and Greyson were the only real progressive populist members of the House. Greyson got beat in the last election and now Weiner is gone. Who are the progressives in Congress now? Please don't tell me Pelosi and Reid are progressives or any of the other leadership folks. They are all bought and owned by corporations just like the Repubs.

Frankly I would love for him to run for his seat in the Special Election and let his constituents in Queens and Brooklyn decide if he should stay or go.

There does seem to be a lot of "talk" about Weiner not exactly being loved by his House colleagues- that he never built up much "good will." The $ angle I have not heard, but I don't doubt that something could be up with that. I also don't see him as a team player and on one hand, I like that about him, yet know that this might not lend itself to being supported by other Dems in both the House and Senate. Part of politics and being a politician. Sad, but true.

The only other progressive I can think of is Kucinich who now might be un-seated by re-districting.

As much as I wanted him to be able ride this out somehow, I honestly believe he made his own mess by how he handled it from the start. It amazes me that he wasn't supported by someone on the Hill that referred him to expert consultants to guide him through this and control the damage. His shooting off his mouth for over a week with abrasive and really rather arrogant statements did not help him. But, why the hell Frank or Rangle didn't take him aside and give him refs to the consultants they have used- baffles me. Neither made any public statements about his resigning, nor any moralizing public comments. Both have had scandals that they survived. Actually, Frank said due to his past behavior, he felt he sure didn't have any right to put Weiner down.

I don't think he should join in the special election- the Dems have big fights with the \MediCare, Social security, Jobs Bills, and most important, the debt-ceiling that they need to be focused on. Weiner's mess did need to stop and I do believe he lost his effectiveness to represent his district.

As I said before, I don't think his political career is dead. If he does have a cyber sexual compulsion/addiction he needs to deal with it- for himself and his wife/family- the hell with House, one has a life outside of the House or Senate- whatever office they hold.

I still see him running for mayor of NYC which he wanted to do, especially in light of his district possibly vanishing. Hell, he could run for the Senate in NY. There just needs to be a respite where he is out of the news and some healing. He will be back- I really believe he will. I'm sure this experience has taught him a few things.

[AtLast]

http://www.mediaite.com/online/exclu...ist-hypocrisy/

This is from the early days of this mess- it goes to issues that to me, are important. I just don't think this a cut & dried "scandal" about tweets, pics and phone sex. Yes, I think he can re-emerge in politics, but to be honest as I read more about what really transpired, I think he's manipulative and arrogant and used his political office/power in a mysogynist manner. My feelings are not just based upon this article- the tweets, etc. can be read in their entirety. I detest the GOP family values hypocrites, but, I'm not all that thrilled with Weiner's integrity either. I don't like having a progressive out of the House, but, he's a bit of a hypocrite, himself. Now I am even more sick of politicians!


Exclusive Interview: Kirsten Powers Points Out ‘Predator’ Anthony Weiner’s Misogynist Hypocrisy


Democratic political analyst Kirsten Powers is not afraid to call them as she sees them, and in a Daily Beast column Wednesday afternoon, she blasted her friend (and ex-boyfriend) Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) for “sociopathic lying,” misogyny, and predatory behavior. In an interview with Mediaite, Powers gives her take on liberal suggestions that Weiner’s resignation should hinge on the disposition of Republican scandals like David Vitter’s, and the notion that Weiner’s scandal lacks the hypocrisy of Republican sex scandals.

In her Daily Beast column, Powers spoke emotionally about being manipulated by Rep. Weiner into defending him, based on lies:

In short, he was a friend whom I cared for very much, even if I thought he had issues he needed to deal with. It was because of this friendship that I believed him when he told me last week that he had done nothing wrong. In an email to me he wrote: “Why not to call the cops: Personal account, no federal case, we don’t know yet what they got, I didn’t send it, statements on sat, sun, monday, the girl said she doesn’t know me, I don’t know her. The people I follow are all people who ask. We’ve hired a law firm but not to protect me, to put together the team to figure out how we prevent and maybe civil or criminal next steps. We don’t know where this photo came from. We have theories. Until we know for sure we open up legal hornets nest if we say.”

He knew I was going on the show Hannity, where I would use this false information to defend him in front of millions of people. I did, and I regret it.

Her strongest condemnation, though, concerns what she calls Weiner’s “predatory behavior,” calling it “classic sexual harassment.”

“We know only about the women who were responsive to his overtures,” Powers said. “The odds are very high that he struck out with many, and other women were victim to his unsolicited sex talk.”

In fact, this scandal was touched off by what we now know was an unwelcome Twitter message, featuring an underwear-shrouded erection, to Gennette Cordova, a 21 year-old Seattle college student whom Weiner admits did not solicit it. Weiner characterized the tweet as a “joke,” which many women have pointed out is exactly the kind of deluded excuse used by IRL sexual predators like this subway pervert.Cordova has maintained all along that she never had any inappropriate contact with Rep. Weiner, a fact buttressed by her real-time reaction to the photo.

While elected Democrats have begun to call for Weiner’s resignation, liberal commentators have been quick to point out the lack of such calls by Republicans surrounding scandals involving the likes of David Vitter and John Ensign. They have also pointed out that Weiner’s scandal involved no actual sex, and that Weiner, unlike some of his Republican counterparts, never campaigned as a “family values” candidate. I asked Powers if she found either argument persuasive, what she thought of Weiner’s sex chat, and how she felt about Andrew Breitbart’s involvement in the story.

Tommy Christopher: How do you view Rep. Weiner’s actions, in context with other sex scandals involving the likes of Sens. David Vitter and John Ensign?

Kirsten Powers: What I find distinctive about what happened with Anthony is that it wasn’t an affair, it wasn’t, you know, a one-time event, it was predatory behavior. And it was behavior that was done in his official capacity. He wasn’t doing this as an anonymous person. He was doing this where you have people who saw him on TV or thought he was a good Congressman or whatever going to him and saying, “Oh, you’re such a great fighter for Democrats, Congressman Weiner.” And then he was using that position to, sort of, being predatory on the internet and I can’t remember which woman said it. She said, “I just want to talk politics,” and then it started getting creepy. So he’s using his official division, he’s not doing this, as much as he wants to say it’s in a private capacity, I highly doubt these women would have been talking to him if he wasn’t a Congressman.“I can tell you as a woman who has received very inappropriate things from people who have more power than me, it’s very intimidating. “

The sending the picture to the girl, to me it’s like sexual harassment. He’s a Congressman, she’s a student. He has tons of power. She looks up to him.

I can tell you as a woman who has received very inappropriate things from people who have more power than me, it’s very intimidating. And you often don’t even tell anybody because you’re so frightened of what this person could potentially do to you. And so, there’s a kind of harassment predatory aspect to this.

TC: The thing I want to know about the discussion of Ensign and Vitter and those guys is, do you think that even belongs in this discussion? Do you think that’s sort of a non-sequitur? Do you have any objection to people bringing it up?

KP: It’s not a non-sequitur in the sense that I brought it up, actually, when I initially said he shouldn’t resign. You know, I think I did after he lied to me, but prior to me understanding how extensively he had lied in the media. So, even though he had lied to me, actually, I was kind of saying, “Whatever, you know, people lie about sex scandals.”

It’s not that Anthony Weiner shouldn’t resign because David Vitter didn’t resign, even though that it’s sort of the conclusion I think, you can draw from it. I did bring up the David Vitter thing, but I brought it up in this context. I don’t want to listen to Republicans preach about this. You know what I mean?

“…liberals are supposed to be the feminists, the ones who stand up, you know, against misogyny, against predatory behavior against women, I mean, feminists used to do that, right?”

But upon more reflection, the point just is, “Shut up, Republicans.” We’re really not interested in listening to you on this stuff. Look at your own people. You know, “get off your high horse.” And that’s what I said on Greta. I said, “Get off your soapbox. David Vitter’s a Senator. Don’t start talking to us about how…” Because we keep hearing from Republicans, “Oh, we police our own party. Oh, we don’t have people like that.” That’s the aspect that I think is what you need to respond to, to bring up David Vitter in that context.

The problem with these kind of arguments is, is that our standard? “You’re not as bad as David Vitter? You’re not as bad as John Ensign?” I mean, that’s our standard? That’s not a standard. That’s juvenile. That’s just the vicious cycle that Washington is in. “Oh, you think we’re bad? Look at them.”

No wonder Americans hate Washington. I don’t cheat on my husband because other people cheat on their husbands. I mean, that’s not, that’s not a justification.

TC: What do you think about the idea that Weiner isn’t as bad as GOP politicians in sex scandals because he doesn’t preach family values?

I think if he had an affair, that actually is a valid argument. But this isn’t about family values. This is about liberals are supposed to be the feminists, the ones who stand up, you know, against misogyny, against predatory behavior against women, I mean, feminists used to do that, right?

When he sent that picture to that girl, it was not consensual. She did not ask for that picture. I don’t understand even how people can’t see that it’s so obviously sexual harassment. It’s not sexual harassment in a legal sense, she’s not working for him, but it is a person of power, and influence, doing something that is hostile to somebody who did not ask for this. It’s just kind of confusing to me. That has nothing to do with family values, and everything to do with what kind of standards do we have for members of Congress or members of the Democratic party in terms of how they treat women? And this seems to me to be kind of what the state of values of liberals are.

“It’s not about women having sex and people find that titillating. It’s about “I’m gonna gag this woman, she’s not going to be able to breathe.””

And then, I also think that I personally found that sex chat that he had to be misogynist. I’ve had liberals tell me, ‘Oh, no, it’s just normal or whatever.’ Common, maybe. But I wouldn’t call it normal.

(Powers is referring to an explicit sex chat with a Las Vegas blackjack dealer.) TC: But people say things in dirty sexts that they would never say or do in real life.

KP: I used to be of that point of view, but the more I’ve read about porn and the brain and the way it operates, it’s very hard to disconnect the two things. Once you start thinking about women that way, it’s not really that surprising that he thought that he could send a picture of his penis to somebody. It’s all kind of intertwined, and…

TC: So do you think the dirty talk, out of context, might not be so bad, but when you fit it together with everything else, is that what aggravates it?

KP: No. I think that any context about gagging a woman with your penis is something that I think is unhelpful to women. And I know that everybody says I’m a prude and… because I’m anti-porn, I’m a prude, and all that kind of stuff. But I’ve seen a lot of research, there are a lot of feminists who feel this way. This is not about the texts, this is just misogynist. This is just, you don’t need, the hardcore porn industry sells this to men.

It’s not about women having sex and people find that titillating. It’s about “I’m gonna gag this woman, she’s not going to be able to breathe.”

That’s what hardcore porn is about. I think that I just have a completely different perspective on it, than a lot of people do, but I really do believe that it’s misogynist. I don’t think, unless you think about women that way, I mean, why would you fantasize about something like that?

Do you want a leader who… I mean, if that was the only thing he did, then should he resign? I guess not. I don’t think he should be reelected. But that’s not the only thing he did. We have a whole pattern here of an attitude towards women that’s extremely troubling. And then, we have the… sociopathic lying. It’s not like your standard kind of… you know, I did an interview this morning with Curtis Sliwa, and he said, ‘Oh, Kirsten, you worked in politics, you know they’re all crazy. How does this compare to that?’

Yeah, exactly. They’re all nuts. But this is so far beyond like what you would expect.

TC: What do you think about Andrew Breitbart’s role in all of this?

KP: I think that there was a time, a pre-Breitbart stage when he (Rep. Weiner) would have gotten away with it. And I think it’s a very sad commentary on the media that they are very diligent in writing a front-page story about John McCain maybe possibly could have maybe had an affair that he didn’t have, but that John Edwards, they just have no interest in it. Maybe in this situation, it would have just, he could have gotten away with blaming a right-wing conspiracy and everybody would just be on their way, so that’s all the Republican’s fault. So I think it’s just another sad commentary on the media.

[Mister Bent]

Perhaps it was always a mistake to ever believe that those in public office could be held to a higher standard. Even if we could somehow have this expectation, then to what, or whose values were we basing those standards - some Christian ideal of morality? I think that's allowed politicians to hide behind being "church going" for decades, when that has often been shown to be really only so much facade.

We acknowledge that public figures - whether they be politicians, actors, or royalty - are human and subject to human frailties. I think we are in an age in which we have little choice but to be more accepting of that truth. But then a new line needs to be drawn regarding what is acceptable behavior, and when it is time for someone to go. The problem for Anthony Weiner isn't merely his "cheating" and inappropriate contact with women - as misogynist, predatory, and just plain creepy as it was - but what it says about his judgment. I'm not so concerned about the "morals" of the thing, as I am his ability to recognize his own fucked up behavior - including the sexist, predatory nature of it. Further, a lot of his behavior, including the expired tags and inspection on his personal vehicle, speak to an "above it all" mentality. It is dangerous when politicians thing rules and laws are only made to govern the "people" and that they themselves are no longer of the people. This, to me, is the deep seated sickness within our political system.

[UofMfan]

I don´t know what is worst, what he said or the comments on the article here.


“They have set fires because they signal others, they have set fires to keep warm, and they have set fires in order to divert law enforcement agents and agencies from them,” McCain said. “The answer to that part of the problem is to get a secure border."

Am I the only one who sees what is wrong with this statement, just from a "logical" point of view?

[dreadgeek]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

I don´t know what is worst, what he said or the comments on the article here.


“They have set fires because they signal others, they have set fires to keep warm, and they have set fires in order to divert law enforcement agents and agencies from them,” McCain said. “The answer to that part of the problem is to get a secure border."

Am I the only one who sees what is wrong with this statement, just from a "logical" point of view?

This just gets worse and worse. This kind of rhetoric should seriously give every American of conscience a moment of pause. This isn't a short step to "all Latinos are <insert stereotypes here>" this IS that rhetoric. Let me exhort everyone to go and Google and look up Nazi propaganda. Spend an afternoon with the subject and then see if you don't see very, very disturbing parallels. McCain walks right up to blaming undocumented immigrants with the weather.

Cheers
Aj

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by dreadgeek

This just gets worse and worse. This kind of rhetoric should seriously give every American of conscience a moment of pause. This isn't a short step to "all Latinos are <insert stereotypes here>" this IS that rhetoric. Let me exhort everyone to go and Google and look up Nazi propaganda. Spend an afternoon with the subject and then see if you don't see very, very disturbing parallels. McCain walks right up to blaming undocumented immigrants with the weather.

Cheers
Aj

Along with the very historical political documentation of US rhetoric from the Chinese Exclusionary Acts to Enemy Alien Acts.

[Nat]

This dude robbed a bank for a buck in the hopes of getting health care in prison

As if conjured up by a presidential speechwriter to star in an anecdote about America’s dysfunctional health insurance system, James Verone, an unemployed 59-year-old with a bad back, a sore foot and an undiagnosed growth on his chest, limped into a bank in Gastonia, N.C., this month and handed the teller a note, explaining that this was an unarmed robbery, but she’d better turn over $1 and call the cops. That, he figured, would be enough to get himself arrested and sent to prison for a few years, where he could take advantage of the free medical care.

Just to make sure that no one was confused about his intentions, Mr. Verone made sure to let the teller know that he would be sitting on a couch in the bank, waiting for the police. Before he set out for the bank that morning, he also mailed a letter explaining his scheme to a local newspaper, The Gaston Gazette.

“When you receive this a bank robbery will have been committed by me. This robbery is being committed by me for one dollar,” the letter read. “I am of sound mind but not so much sound body.”

In a television interview last week with a local news station, WCNC, Mr. Verone explained that he was hoping for a three-year sentence, which would give him a place to live and free health care until he was old enough to collect a Social Security check and buy a condo on the beach. “I’m sort of a logical person and that was my logic, what I came up with,” he said.

According to Diane Turbyfill, a Gazette journalist who also interviewed Mr. Verone, there was one flaw in his cunning plan. “Because he only demanded $1, he was charged with larceny from a person,” not bank robbery, Ms. Turbyfill wrote. “Still a felony, the count doesn’t carry as much jail time as bank robbery.”

.

[Nat]

Southwest Pilot Accidentally Broadcasts Misogynistic, Homophobic Rant

A Southwest Airlines pilot has been suspended after he accidentally broadcast his conversation about the "fags" and "grannies" that he works with as flight attendants...Because of a stuck headset microphone, this unnamed Southwest pilot, broadcast his thoughts about the "gays," "grannies," and "grandes" (which we can only imagine to mean overweight ladies) that comprise the crew of flight attendants he works with in Chicago... Instead of the conversation remaining private—he seems to be talking to a fellow pilot in the cockpit—the audio went out over the air traffic control frequency and every other plane in the Houston area...

The guy wasn't finished though. He goes on to complain that he never gets to go out with his co-workers, and the one time he did go out with two "chicks" from work, neither of them wanted to sleep with him. The audacity! He then shares his thoughts on how ugly the women who work in Houston are...

The pilots of other planes in the area quickly made it known that they weren't responsible for the broadcast. But the FAA was notified and they figured out who the culprit was, and Southwest announced that it had suspended the pilot after learning of the incident in March. He's since been allowed to return to his job, though, following some "diversity education," the airline said in a statement today.


--------------

Then today Southwest released this:

We are committed and dedicated to maintaining the highest standard of ethics in the industry; in fact we’ve built our Company’s reputation on the Golden Rule: treating others as you would like to be treated, with concern, care and respect. The actions of this Pilot are, without question, inconsistent with the professional behavior and overall respect that we require from our Employees. The Pilot in question has been reprimanded, receiving a suspension without pay for a length of time. Prior to being reinstated, he underwent additional diversity education to reinforce the Company's expectations for all Employees to demonstrate respect for others. The pilot is remorseful and has formally apologized to both FAA Controllers and his base Leadership. Southwest’s Flight Operations Leadership has also sent an apology to Southwest Flight Attendants and his fellow Pilots.

[UofMfan]

Blagojevich GUILTY: Jury Convicts Rod Blagojevich On 17 Of 20 Counts.

[Gentle Tiger]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Blagojevich GUILTY: Jury Convicts Rod Blagojevich On 17 Of 20 Counts.

And the humbling process begins...

[Kobi]

The rating agencies have already announced they will cut the USA borrowing instrument ratings if they default on 30 billion in short term loans due on August 4th.

It is estimated 40% of all spending is borrowed at this time.

http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-p-de...165217811.html

[AtLast]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_888692.html

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Friday that invoking the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which states that federal debts "shall not be questioned," to continue paying government obligations is a strategy worth considering should a debt-ceiling deal remain elusive.

In late May, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner read directly from the 14th Amendment to a crowd of reporters, emphasizing the clause "shall not be questioned." And rank-and-file Senate Democrats are increasingly looking to the 14th Amendment as a way out of the debt-ceiling impasse, as HuffPost reported on Tuesday.

When asked about the Constitution's 14th Amendment during a conference call with reporters, Schumer, who leads Senate Democrats' communications effort, said, "It's certainly worth exploring."

But he warned the amendment would probably not come into play during the current debate over the government's congressionally imposed debt limit. "It needs a little more exploration and study," he said. "It's probably not ripe to pursue at this time, because it hasn't had that study and you wouldn't want to just go ahead and issue the debt and have one of the courts reverse it."

Legal scholars, however, argue that the courts couldn’t get involved because no party would have standing to sue. In order to have standing, a plaintiff needs to demonstrate that they have been harmed. Only Congress would have a plausible complaint, and the Senate would not agree to go along with such a suit.

Individual members of Congress, however, may be able to gain standing and challenge the president. But it is difficult to imagine that the current Supreme Court, one of the most pro-business in the past century, would hand down a ruling that dramatically harms Wall Street.

Schumer said that the next time the debt ceiling needs to be raised, the 14th Amendment option would get a close look. "It's something worth looking at for the next time around, but I don't think it's had enough fermentation -- examination, to employ at this time."

[Corkey]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/...165829939.html


Obama asks SCOTUS for stay for Mexican National

[UofMfan]

DADT Repeal: Court Orders Immediate Halt To Gay Military Ban

[Toughy]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

DADT Repeal: Court Orders Immediate Halt To Gay Military Ban

I hope Holder/Obama obide by the 9th Court ruling. Just stop enforcing it, certify with the Joint Chiefs the military is ready and be done with it....NOW....TODAY.

It's a matter of leadership in the military. The leaders must lead.

[Corkey]

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-puts-med...031442907.html

Obama just put SSN and Medicare on the table. I know how I feel about it, he just lost my vote.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Corkey

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-puts-med...031442907.html

Obama just put SSN and Medicare on the table. I know how I feel about it, he just lost my vote.

Damn! Is this directly related to disability benefits via SS? That is the area of SS benefits that I think there should not be any cuts, period! I think that some of the other changes in retirement like means-testing isn't a bad thing, but to cut disabled people, especially aging disabled people is just wrong.

What the hell else will he cave in on? I think he should call the GOP's bluff and get the revenue end of this via people that make millions. The tax codes are so skewed toward them, it makes me sick. I don't believe that the GOP will allow default- they would be losing a lot in their bid for the presidency next year. This has gotten so rotten- and it will not end until/unless more Dems are elected to Congress. And I believe the GOP hates Obama so much that they would do anything to win in 2012.

[UofMfan]

The News of the World is Closing Down!