The Snarky Political Blog

erier2003: Now that’s rapid response.

theperksofbeinganisha — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:01:18 -0400

erier2003:

Now that’s rapid response.

The scandals are falling apart

theperksofbeinganisha — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:37:20 -0400

Absent further revelations, the possible scandals that reach high enough don’t seem to include any real wrongdoing, whereas the ones that include real wrongdoing don’t reach high enough.

The House Education Committee

theperksofbeinganisha — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:46:57 -0400

theperksofbeinganisha:

Sitting in this committee meeting, I have realized the real issue in the higher education debate. Republicans think higher education is a privilege and therefore shouldn’t be made affordable. Democrats think it is a public good, and therefore should. I honestly don’t think we can find a solution with this sort of fundamemtal difference in thought.

4,127 people have been killed by guns since Newtown.

theperksofbeinganisha — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:20:19 -0400

think-progress:

And that number is growing rapidly. Just yesterday afternoon, the number was 4,099.

brilliant!

theperksofbeinganisha — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:39 -0400

brilliant!

thepoliticalfreakshow: BullMitt: Romney Tells Recent Female...

theperksofbeinganisha — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:26:37 -0400

thepoliticalfreakshow:

BullMitt: Romney Tells Recent Female Grads To Have A “Quiverfull” of Kids,” And Why It’s More Disturbing Than You Think

This week, Mitt Romney delivered an interesting commencement speech to the (very Mormon populated) Southern Virginia University’s graduating class. Sharing his secrets for “abundant living,” Romney urged the new grads to go out, get married, and procreate like crazy.

‘Get married,’ he said, and “Have a quiver full of kids if you can.”

Also, hurry. Staying single until your thirties could be a big mistake. A quiver full of kids aren’t born over night.

“Some people could marry but choose to take more time, they say, for themselves. Others plan to wait until they’re well into their 30s or 40s until they think about getting married,” he said, “They’re going to miss so much of living, I’m afraid.”

Girls, forget about establishing a career before you get married or have children. Why spend your body’s prime child-bearing years working, when you could be breast-feeding on a much smaller salary?

As Romney reminds the class of Southern Virginia University, wealth is not guaranteed. Not everybody knows how to cut corners, exploit workers, and watch the profits rise. Even fewer are born into the power necessary to accumulate wealth in America. Anybody biologically capable, however, can make a quiver full of babies.

“I don’t think God cares whether you get rich,” he warned the crowd. “I don’t think he hopes that your business will make a huge profit. I know a lot of religious people who think God will intervene to make their investments grow. Or he’ll get them a promotion. To make their business a success. But life on this earth is about learning to live in a place where God does not make everything work out for good people.”

BUT. If you find a mate and procreate, you’re all good! “Every one of you here today as a graduate can live an abundant life,” he told the students. “Every single one of you. You will not all be rich and famous and powerful, but each of you can live an eminently successful, rewarding, abundant life.”

Romney, on the other hand, will remain rich and famous and powerful. But not everybody can do that. So just shut up and get pregnant, already.

What Does “Quiverfull” Mean?

During a recent interview on the Today Show, Jim Bob Duggar blurted out, “It’s fun trying!” when asked if he and Michelle were actively seeking to have another baby. Today’s host, Savannah Guthrie responded to the mega-dad’s salacious remark with, “Jim Bob - you sly dog!”

Viewers may have come away with the impression that TLC’s “19 & Counting” celebrity parents, Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar hold very casual, perhaps even avant-garde attitudes regarding sex and sexuality.

But a quick look beneath the surface reveals that America’s most celebrated Quiverfull couple believe and espouse decidedly unhealthy ideas when it comes to sex and babymaking.

Although Jim Bob makes frequent displays of romantic affection toward his prolific wife, Michelle, which would suggest that the couple might enjoy sex for non-procreative purposes, the “biblical family values” advocates— whose “literal” interpretations of scripture inspire the Duggars to receive each and every pregnancy as an unmitigated blessing from God—also teach that the primary purpose of woman is to conceive and bear sons, i.e., “arrows” for God’s army.

Consider Romans 1:27: “And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

Quiverfull movement leader, Mary Pride, in her seminal book, The Way Home: Beyond Feminism and Back to Reality, offers the following interpretation of “the natural use of the woman” …

Since the word used for female is connected so strongly with the idea of nursing babies, whereas it has no connection at all with the idea of sexual activity, I believe that God is saying here that when women exchange their natural function of childbearing and motherliness for that which is “against nature” (that is, trying to behave sexually like a man), the men tend to abandon the natural sexual use of the women and turn to homosexuality. (pp. 27-28)

Nancy Campbell, “editress” of Above Rubies—an international Christian women’s magazine— encourages “women in their high calling as wives, mothers, and homemakers” by explaining in her book, Be Fruitful & Multiply: What the Bible Says About Having Children, that the word “woman” is a combination of the words “womb” and “man.” Woman means “womb man” or “man with a womb.”

With regard to the Romans 1:27 “natural use of the woman” passage, Campbell says, ”Women were created by God’s design to function as nourishers by nourishing life in their womb and a babe at their breast. When women deliberately turn away from their natural functions, they do it to their own detriment.” (pp. 105-107)

Sure “family values” champion, Jim Bob Duggar puts on a nice show of desiring his godly wife for more than just her ability to produce yet another arrow for his already overflowing quiver … but Jim Bob’s hermeneutics as well as his politics belie enigmatic presuppositions about the purpose of marriage, sex, and Christian wives.

Speaking in regard to Todd Akin’s recent “legitimate rape” and Paul Ryan’s rape as a “method of conception” remarks, Amanda Marcotte explains the fundamentalist mentality that, “the fact that someone can make a baby means that making babies is what she is for. … Women are among an array of objects to be used. The refrigerator is for storing food. The bookshelf is for holding books. The woman is for making babies. You no more give her a choice in the matter than you would give your refrigerator veto power over what food it holds because it didn’t like your method of shopping.”

Could another pregnancy be life-threatening for Michelle Duggar? Might it be risky for baby #20? Could another pregnancy leave their 19 already-born children motherless? Yes - of course! Is Jim Bob Duggar having fun trying to get his wife pregnant nevertheless? If making babies is Michelle’s divine purpose - if that is why God made her … why shouldn’t her husband enjoy knocking her up one more time? It’s only natural.

Jim Bob - you sly dog!

What the actual fuck.

The True Conservative: Arizona lawmakers pass bill making silver, gold legal tender

theperksofbeinganisha — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:23:18 -0400

The True Conservative: Arizona lawmakers pass bill making silver, gold legal tender:

republican101:

he Arizona Senate on Tuesday approved a measure to make gold and silver legal currency in the state, in a response to what backers said was a lack of confidence in the international monetary system.The legislation cleared the Republican-controlled Senate by an 18-10 vote after being approved by…

save us all from this new piece of idiotic legislation.

Thousands across the Country Die of Food Poisoning; Engineers Create Rectangular Potato

theperksofbeinganisha — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:09:58 -0400

WASHINGTON – Thousands of cases of fatal food poisonings have been reported across the country in the last 3 days, and the victim count is increasing at an alarming rate. Experts have traced the source of the food poisoning to a strain of potato from the food giant Monsanto. The experts say that the potato seeds were genetically mutated to grow in a more rectangular shape at the request of McDonalds, whose fries contain about 30% potato and account for more than half of the consumer demand for the crop.

“I think it’s amazing how far genetic engineering has come in the past few years. It seems like just yesterday that boneless chickens were introduced to American farms,” said Howard Finn, leading geneticist at Johns Hopkins University. “This setback is unfortunate, but I just have to say that I am really amazed at how the potatoes turned out! They are seriously perfectly rectangular, and just the right size for McDonalds’ trademark fry cutters.”

People affected by the poisoning have reported painful stomach cramps, acid reflux, and in most cases severe throat swelling leading to asphyxiation. Most of the victims had no time to get to a hospital, but doctors haven’t found a cure yet. Several car accidents as a result of the sudden deaths have been reported, and police are asking that anyone eating McDonalds’ fries allow someone else to drive.

Linda White, an angry spouse of one of the victims said about the recent events, “It really upsets me to hear people complaining about the companies making our food. My husband got to die with a full stomach, and he really enjoyed that all of the fries were the same length; he is not a victim. The true victims here are the poor companies being blamed for trying to make the world a better place with their food.”

Ms. White was one of the many family members of the deceased invited to a press conference held by Ron McDonald, founder and CEO of McDonalds. At the conference, McDonald announced that in light of the recent events, the company will be giving out its new 100% meatless burger to any family members of the victims with a doctor’s note confirming their relationship to the deceased. The move is estimated to set the company back about $100,000, a figure that Monsanto has generously agreed to match in funds for research and development of water-free ice. “Our companies are working closely together in order to bring the people of America more food at lower costs,” announced McDonald at the conference.

“It’s so good to see that these companies really care about their customers. My son has been really struggling to eat at the school cafeteria because the salad bar options just don’t taste very good. It felt great to be able to bring him something he could really eat,” reported Dean Paul, a parent who has been struggling to find meals after his wife passed away yesterday from the food poisoning. “I just can’t help but feel indebted to these wonderful people at McDonalds and Monsanto who go so far out of their way just to help out a guy like me.”

Some people are less optimistic about the future of the food industry. Phillip Fry explained to one of our reporters, “You just can’t find any good food anymore. I miss when anchovy pizza was made with real cheese. I really hope we keep some real food around in the future.”

Mr. Fry’s opinion was not shared by most of the people that our reporters talked to. Most, like Ms. White, are just happy to see that their favorite restaurants will still be serving plenty of food in the times to come. Official reports from Monsanto estimate that the rectangular potato will be re-introduced in about a month, when consumers can expect to see the product in every fast food restaurant in America.

By: Wesley Fullmer

50 Reasons You Despised George W. Bush's Presidency: A Reminder on the Day of His Presidential Library Dedication

theperksofbeinganisha — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:09:02 -0400

50 Reasons You Despised George W. Bush's Presidency: A Reminder on the Day of His Presidential Library Dedication:

He’s one of the worst presidents ever.

theperksofbeinganisha: darrynek: “Our Education System” i...

theperksofbeinganisha — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:25:50 -0400

theperksofbeinganisha:

darrynek:

“Our Education System”

i really wish i could find out who made this picture and credit them for it because it’s honestly spot on

Good god, I hate the education system. I mean, they give absolutely two shits about the students and only care about the tests, the tests which are watered down so that teachers can get the money…teachers on tenure basically giving two shits about the students, because they get paid either way. Why can’t we see and conduct education for what it is. Education is how we’re supposed to get ahead in lives. It’s supposed to get us a better job and we’re supposed to become passionate about something because of education. We are supposed to want to do better with our lives because of education. Instead, we go to school and hate it because the teachers don’t care and we have to take these tests all the damn time. And you get treated like “just another student”, not looking at your needs, at your strengths, or your weaknesses. I love learning, but it is definitely not because of school. School would have beat it out of me if I had let it.

kristinastewartcolbert: buzzfeedpolitics: The market plummeted...

theperksofbeinganisha — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:49:40 -0400

kristinastewartcolbert:

buzzfeedpolitics:

The market plummeted momentarily due to this tweet from AP’s twitter account after they were hacked.

Great fucking job, hackers.

theperksofbeinganisha: proudblackconservative: stfuconservative...

theperksofbeinganisha — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:14:50 -0400

theperksofbeinganisha:

proudblackconservative:

stfuconservatives:

christyherself:

liberalsarecool:

The GOP logic: all threats must be dealt with after they happen.

OMG. YES. This is exactly what I’ve been trying to express to those conservatives on FB.

This is the argument I am perpetually having with pro-gun people.

The DNC logic: Super-regulating everything will help solve problems rather than creating new ones, such as a host of law-abiding citizens finding it difficult to posses the same weapon their enemies have in order to protect themselves and their families.

Because not regulating them at all is working so well for them and their families, right?

Recall All Republicans: sandandglass: The Republican Party:A party that dislikes government...

theperksofbeinganisha — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:13:45 -0400

Recall All Republicans: sandandglass: The Republican Party:A party that dislikes government...:

sandandglass:

The Republican Party:

A party that dislikes government so much it spends billions of dollars on elections so that it can gain power in order to subsequently undermine and disestablish the very institution it fought so hard to gain control of. It’s a party that is a…

"I’m sorry that you suffered a tragedy, but you know what? Deal with it, and don’t force me to lose..."

theperksofbeinganisha — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:24:50 -0400

“I’m sorry that you suffered a tragedy, but you know what? Deal with it, and don’t force me to lose my liberty, which is a greater tragedy than your loss. I’m sick and tired of seeing these victims trotted out, given rides on Air Force One and hauled into the Senate… I would stand in front of them and tell them, ‘go to hell.’”

- Bob Davis (via kristinastewartcolbert)

This is what a Republican thinks is okay to say to the parents of the children who were killed at Sandy Hook.

(via recall-all-republicans)

what the actual fuck.

Photo

theperksofbeinganisha — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:00:38 -0400

thepoliticalfreakshow: The Immigration Deal: Everything You...

theperksofbeinganisha — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:52:32 -0400

thepoliticalfreakshow:

The Immigration Deal: Everything You Need To Know About The Senate’s Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill

After months of initial negotiations, the Senate gang of eight released a comprehensive immigration reform bill that creates a 13-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. In addition to creating a long path to citizenship, the legislation adds new powers for the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen enforcement, attempts to clear the backlogs of people waiting for visas, and expands E-Verify. Here are the essential details about the legislation:

13-year path to citizenship: After DHS sets its enforcement goals, undocumented immigrants who have been here since before December 31, 2011 can apply for registered provisional immigrant status. If they pass the background check and pay a fine ($500 up front), this status allows them to work lawfully in the U.S. After 10 years, those with provisional status are eligible for permanent status. Three years later, they can finally apply for citizenship. Over the course of the 10-year period undocumented immigrants will pay $2,000 in fines plus taxes, and must demonstrate knowledge of civics and English.

Expedited path to citizenship for DREAMers and farmworkers: Both DREAMers and agriculture workers would receive green cards within five years, and DREAMers are eligible for citizenship immediately after.

Border security goals trigger legalization: DHS will have an additional billion more for border enforcement. The bill sets a goal of adding 100 percent “eyes on the border” and deterring 90 percent of entries at certain high-risk southwestern border areas. If the goal is not met within five years, this is where the Border Commission of state governors would step in to recommend action. Undocumented immigrants cannot obtain provisional legal status until DHS creates a strategy to achieve 90 percent effectiveness.

Deportations halted: The bill immediately halts deportations for immigrants who have been here since before December 31, 2011 and have not committed any serious crimes. It also allows those who have been deported but would be eligible for the new path to re-enter the country. Since 2000, 3.3 million people have been deported and deportations reached a record high during the Obama administration.

Mandatory E-Verify for all employers: The bill requires businesses implement E-Verify and check the legal immigration status of workers they hire.

Clears the 4.7 million in the backlogs: DHS will seek to clear the backlogs of people waiting for green cards. Certain family eligibility for visas will be eliminated, like siblings of U.S. citizens, but it also expands opportunities for spouses and minor children by exempting them from the cap on visas.

Increases visas for skilled workers and protections for non-agricultural workers: Under the bill, visas for high-skilled workers would increase 69 percent to 110,000. The bill also creates a new W-visa that allows low-skilled, non-agricultural workers to look for new employment without having their visa revoked and self-petition for permanent residency.

No protections for same-sex families: The bill excludes same-sex families from expanded protections for minor children and spouses. A straight married couple can petition for their spouses to arrive, but the Defense of Marriage Act prevents gay couples from having those same rights.

that last part seems unnecessary. but a good summary of what they came out with

conservawhat: Fuckin disgusting this is so wrong.

theperksofbeinganisha — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:10:25 -0400

conservawhat:

Fuckin disgusting

this is so wrong.

GOP Senator Takes a Drink of Water

theperksofbeinganisha — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:06:37 -0400

WASHINGTON— After President Obama gave his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Marco Rubio, a relatively unknown Republican from Florida, decided to take a drink of water on camera.

He was under the impression the country had not been subjected to enough speeches for a day, so he decided to give a rebuttal to this President’s address. This is a long-standing tradition, sources confirmed. In order to waste more of our time he took a 10 second drink of water on camera.

“I mean, couldn’t he have just waited a few minutes? Those few seconds seemed like the longest moments of my life. I just wanted to get back to normalcy after the first speech,” said Ron Barber (D— AZ)

The nation exploded with internet memes and jokes about Rubio, all with the same message: who does this guy think he is? He’s not the president (who already wasted enough of our time), but in his 15 minutes of fame, he decided to drink water. Smart move. It was easy to liken him to a child with absolutely no patience.

“Have you ever seen a man drink water on camera, while staring directly at you?” said Scott Jones, 37, of Portland, Oregon. “It makes you extremely uncomfortable.”

“He’s a politician. He’s not human. That drink of water was just a ploy to keep us watching. And the only thing I really wanted to watch that night was the new episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills…not the Fool from Washington,” added Jones.

It is important to remember, however, that Rubio said nothing of importance. He spoke briefly about education, Social Security, and natural gas.The little he said about everything, though, made him very thirsty. Every, single word was overshadowed by that drink of water.

Politicians have been making it a habit to do arbitrary acts when they are in the spotlight. The presidential debates in October, for example, were merely a spectacle. The list ranges from overdramatic eye-rolling, the uncontrollable exclaiming of words such as “malarkey” and phrases that quickly turned into soundbites. They spoke very little to policy. Even when they did talk about policy, it was quickly followed by something that became internet worthy. Is anyone else reminded of the moment presidential candidate Mitt Romney was trying to tell us his plan for a balanced budget, and the next thing we knew, he was about killing Big Bird. And, of course, that is what the American public took from that. It is about who put on the best show. A drink of water was just the next step.

Let’s not forget the theatrical use of filibusters, especially in light of Rand Paul’s “epic” filibuster. 16 hours, nonstop, speaking about everything from kitchen recipes to bombing, but it wasn’t what he said that mattered. It was for the media coverage and the cheering internet.

“I think it is time to remind politicians that Washington DC is not Hollywood. When we said we wanted actions, not words, we meant we wanted political actions. We did not on-camera stunts,” said Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood.

“We want to know what his party is going to do to help the people. But, next time, could he not tell us when American Idol is supposed to be on? Especially if he’s just going to waste time?” added Richards.

Brinnstigator's Arena: "Things and Stuff"

theperksofbeinganisha — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:44:13 -0400

Brinnstigator's Arena: "Things and Stuff":

theperksofbeinganisha:

brinnstigator77:

So basically, the gay society ‘says’ “Fuck you all if you don’t agree with us.” They expect us to change our moral beliefs and grounds so they can do whatever the fuck they want because they want more ‘freedoms’ and more ‘rights’. You want more ‘freedoms’ and ‘rights’? Europe is open for that. I…

I’d just like to ask….when you say that the gay community says “fuck you all if you don’t agree with us”, isn’t that what most of the straight community is saying to them? Sure you’re free to disagree with them, as I’m free to disagree with you, but there is a fundamental difference. You aren’t being oppressed. They are. As for freedoms, don’t we pride ourselves for being the “land of the free”? Or did I miss the memo that we sent that title to Europe? And I am SO SICK of this whole Christian nation thing. If you think “don’t kill” and “don’t steal” are purely Christian ideals, you’re completely wrong. If not, there’s this glorious thing called the separation of church and state. We are no less built on Christian ideals than we are on a moral code of conduct that everyone adheres to. People came to America for religious freedom. So, I’m not sure where and how this became a Christian nation.

The gay community is violent? Please explain to me then why our straight presidential nominee beat up a guy for being gay? Why people, today, are being arrested because they want to stay with their partners while in the hospital? Why gay people are scared to come out of the closet because they live in a state where their sexual orientation can get them fired?

You say that you don’t hate the gay community, but I’m not seeing it. You’re actively seeking to strip them of rights that you have. So, please, if you know so much about being hated and judged, stop doing it. That doesn’t help anyone.

todaysdocument: ourpresidents: The Death of FDR On April 12,...

theperksofbeinganisha — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:25:53 -0400

todaysdocument:

ourpresidents:

The Death of FDR

On April 12, 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 63, President of the United States serving his fourth term, died of a cerebral hemorrhage in his cottage at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation.

Vice President Harry S. Truman took the oath of office as President at 7:09 P.M., in the Cabinet Room in the White House. Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone of the Supreme Court administered the oath.

Shown here is the White House Stenographer’s Diary on the day of FDR’s death.

-from the FDR Library

Be sure to see Truman’s reaction in his post-script on a letter to his sister-in-law written the same day.