When peace activists violently attack...

Netanyahu makes statement

Prime Minister Netanyahu was in Canada meeting with Canadiam PM Stephen Harper when the events unfolded in Israel. Here's an excerpt:

I just had a conversation with President Obama and I told him that I would have to go back to Israel. We both agreed that we’d have very close consultations right now and try to reschedule our meeting to the earliest date possible. I think both Prime Minister Harper and President Obama understand that Israel has a great security problem, and I want to put it into context.

The context is that Gaza has become a base for Hamas terrorists, backed by Iran, from which they fire thousands of rockets into Israel. They’re amassing thousands more rockets to fire at our cities, at our towns, at our children. Our policy is this: we try to let in all humanitarian goods into Gaza, all peaceful commodities – food, medicine and the like. What we want to prevent coming into Gaza are rockets, missiles, explosives and war material that could be used to attack our civilians.

This is an ongoing policy and it was the one that guided our actions yesterday. We told the flotilla of ships, we said: “You can take all your cargo. Put it in our port of Ashdod. We’ll just ferret out any war materiel and the rest will go through.” We succeeded doing this peacefully with five of the six ships. The sixth ship, the largest, which had hundreds of people on it not only did not cooperate in this effort, they deliberately attacked the first soldiers that came on the ship. They were mobbed; they were clubbed; they were beaten; they were stabbed and there was even a report of gunfire.

Our soldiers had to defend themselves, defend their lives or they would have been killed, and regrettably, in this exchange at least ten people died. We regret this loss of life. We regret any of the violence that was there. I would like to wish speedy recovery to the wounded, including four of our own soldiers.

Our policy was and will continue to be that we will let humanitarian aid, any kinds of goods that are meant for peace to the civilian population in Gaza. We have no quarrel with the people of Gaza. We do have a conflict with the terrorist regime of Hamas, supported by Iran. We want to maintain a situation were we prevent weapons and raw materials from coming into Gaza. That is our main task. We’ll be talking to our friends in Canada and the United States and we will let them have the available information as we uncover it.

Thank you very much.

Five of the six ships cooperated with Israel.

One more...

Backspin has additional information and calling out media distortions

Don't Trust the Media!

When it comes to what is going on with Israel right now, everything you read or watch will have some sort of bias. Here is the truth. The flotilla consisted of "peace activists." I use quotes because if one is a peace activist, they would not ATTACK SOLDIERS. They were funded by a Turkish group with ties to Al-Qaeda.

Demonstrators Use Violence Against Israeli Navy Soldiers Attempting to Board Ship:




In the above video, Israeli Navy Commander Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom briefs the forces that were set to intercept the Gaza Flotilla.

Vice Admiral Marom, head of the Israeli Navy, instructs the troops intercepting the Gaza flotilla. He specifies how the troops must conduct themselves during their mission and how they are not to be dragged into provocations with the passengers of the ship. He states that humanitarian aid is imported into Gaza on a daily basis. In addition, the shipment of goods that the flotilla is attempting to deliver will be imported to Gaza through Israeli crossings following a security inspection.

Honest Reporting sent out a special alert earlier today. Here is information of the group behind the flotilla:

The organizations and passengers behind the Gaza flotilla have been variously described as "peace activists" and "humanitarian organizations". This could not be further from the truth. The primary objective of this flotilla was not to deliver aid packages to Gaza but to spread anti-Israel propaganda in cooperation with Gaza's Hamas rulers

Playing a central role in the flotilla is the Turkish IHH organization, which besides its legitimate philanthropic activities is also, according to the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, a supporter of radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and at least in the past, even global jihad elements.

See here and here for detailed information on the IHH.

Here are the "peaceful activists" chanting threats to the Jews.



It was no case of humanitarian efforts:

In fact, Israel offered to transfer the supplies on the flotilla to Gaza from Ashdod port through official channels, an offer that was rejected in favor of confrontation on the part of the anti-Israel activists. As flotilla organizer Greta Berlin stated: "this mission is not about delivering humanitarian supplies, it's about breaking Israel's siege."

Memorial Day 2010

In honor of Memorial Day, here is Howard Schnauber's poem, My Name is Old Glory aka I am the Flag:
I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up! And see me!
I stand for peace - honor - truth and justice.
I stand for freedom
I am confident - I am arrogant
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners
My head is a little higher
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped - I am saluted - I am respected
I am revered - I am loved, and I am feared.
I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy,
the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies andjungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal
New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.
And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.
I was there.
I led my soldiers - I followed them.
I watched over them.
They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me,
and I was proud.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
my country, and when it is by those
with whom I have served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the
uncharted new frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to
be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,
When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,
And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving
mother at the graveside of her fallen son.
I am proud.
My name is Old Glory.
Dear G-d - Long may I wave.

Here is I am the Nation or as it's known during the opening ceremonies of Thunder over Louisville, Proud to be an American:
I was born on July 4, 1776 and the Declaration of Independence is my birth certificate. The bloodlines of the world run in my veins, because I offered freedom to the oppressed. I am many things, and many people. I AM THE NATION.

I am 243 million living souls...and the ghost of millions who have lived and died for me. I am Nathan Hale and Paul Revere. I stood at Lexington and fired the shot heard around the world. I am Washington, Jefferson and Molly Pitcher. I am John Paul Jones, the Green Mountain Boys, and Davey Crockett. I am Lee and Grant and Abe Lincoln.

I remember the Alamo, the Maine and Pearl Harbor. When freedom called I answered and stayed until it was over...over there. I left my heroic dead in Flanders Fields, on the roads of Corregidor, on the bleak slopes of Korea and in the steaming jungles of Vietman.

I am the Brooklyn Bridge, the wheat lands of Kansas and the granite hills of Vermont. I am the coal fields of the Virginias and the bluegrass farms in Kentucky, the Golden Gate and the Grand Canyon. I am Independence Hall, the Spirit of St. Louis...and footprints on the moon.

I am big; I sprawl from the Atlantic to the Pacific. My arms reach out to embrace Alaska and Hawaii, more than 3 million square miles throbbing with industry and technology. I am more than 2 million farms. I am forest, field, mountain and desert. I am quiet villages...and cities that never sleep. You can look at me and see Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, Babe Ruth and the World Series.

I am 170,000 schools and colleges and 260,000 churches where my people worship G-d as they think best. I am a ballot dropped into a box and an editorial in a newspaper. I am the roar of a crowd in a stadium, and the voice of a choir in a cathedral.

I am Mark Twain and Stephen Foster. I am Tom Edison, Albert Einstein and Walt Disney. I am the Wright Brothers, Will Rogers and Bob Hope. I am Henry Ford, Jonas Salk, John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. I am Neil Armstrong, Charles Yeager and Christa McAuliffe. Yes, I AM THE NATION, and these are the things that I am. I was conceived in freedom and, G-d willing, in freedom I will spend the rest of my days, PROUD TO BE AMERICAN.

Least we forget, Lee Greenwood's G-d Bless the USA

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be living here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
G-d bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
G-d bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
G-d bless the USA

Rand Paul hates Mexicans

What the heck is Rand Paul thinking? Now, he wants to electrocute Mexicans with electric fences.

Rand Paul has stated that he is in favor of building an underground electrified fence to stop immigrants coming in to America from Mexico.

Speaking to Russian television he said "Millions crossing our border without our knowledge constitutes a clear threat to our nation's security. I will work to secure our borders immediately. My plans include an underground electric fence, with helicopter stations to respond quickly to breaches of the border.

With leaders like these no wonder the Republican Party is in the toilet with Hispanic voters.

Electrified fences would ensure lots of dead bodies of women and children if they tried to cross, just the type of image that America needs in the world.

He also wants children of undocumented to no longer be considered Americans --in direct violation of the 14th Amendment.

Parks and Recreation credits

This was tweeted by one of the producers of Parks and Recreation. Nice.

Louisiana Senator David Vitter wants BP bailed out

Sorry BP but this is not going to happen. With the billions upon billions that the oil industry makes, any congressman or senator that chooses to bail out BP with taxpayer money can expect to take a hike and be voted out of office.

KPLC-TV:

U.S. Senator David Vitter asked for unanimous consent to pass legislation that protect BP and other oil companies by limiting their financial liability for oil spills and potentially leaves taxpayers on the hook for the cost of cleaning up the damage. Vitter's request was met with objection and did not pass.

On the Senate floor, Vitter claimed that BP has said they are willing to pay more than his bill would require, but the oil corporation has been vague on their financial commitment. Under questioning from Senator Mary Landrieu last week, a BP executive committed to pay all "legitimate claims." Pressed further, the executive said BP would only pay claims it felt were "substantiated," but offered no definition or process to determine which claims meet that definition.

Vitter's bill caps a ‘responsible company's' liability at the total of their last four quarters of profit or $150 million, whichever is higher. But Vitter's bill does not designate BP as the ‘responsible' company, it simply refers back to the Oil Pollution Action of 1990, which places responsibility on the company or companies who hold the lease.

"Make no mistake, David Vitter's bill is a bailout for BP," said Louisiana Democratic Party spokesman Kevin Franck. "We don't need some convoluted equation or any of the legislative mumbo jumbo that comes out of DC to know that BP should pay for the full cost of fixing the leak and cleaning up the spill. Period," Franck said.

Anadarko, one of the smaller corporations involved in the disaster, owned 25 percent of the Deepwater Horizon rig's lease. Even though the corporation is estimated to hold $50 billion in assets, the company posted no profit last year. In fact, Anadarko lost $135 million in the last four quarters. Under Vitter's proposal, Anadarko would face no more than $150 million in liability.[...]

During his first term as a member of the House of Representatives, Vitter introduced a bill to limit the criminal liability of corporations found responsible for oil spills. Vitter's bill would have exempted oil companies from all criminal sanctions except those specifically found in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

It gets weirder...

Jake has the latest and let's just say that Rand Paul supporters are now being caught lying to the press.

Ties?

Jake uncovers some dirt on Rand's ties to big oil.

Another business to boycott

Boycott THIEL Audio Products in Lexington. This is why.

Mad Men: Rand Paul

This is awesome!



Hat tip: Jake

BP Brings People Together

Gerstein on Rand Paul

Dan Gerstein has an article published in Forbes dealing with ol' Rand. Check it out.

Rand Paul's campaign is self-exploding

Here's some more proof from Joe that Rand Paul is a racist. You can't make this stuff up, people.

As we noted earlier, Rand Paul's new campaign manager/spokesperson is Jesse Benton, the current Senior Vice President of Ron Paul's 501(c)4 lobbying organization Campaign for Liberty.

Campaign for Liberty does work throughout the country by appointing state, regional and county coordinators. These coordinators are responsible for the recruitment, training and activism of local members. Though states have a certain degree of autonomy, the national HQ has the power to fire or remove coordinators.

Joe has a photo of the Fayette County coordinator, Basil "Bazz" Childress. The photo clearly shows that he is a white supremacist. He's standing next to a women dressed in a dress that looks like the Confederate flag.

More:

He is the state chairman of the Kentucky League of the South. And the Kentucky League of the South is, as the SPLC points out, a White Supremacist Hate Group advocating a second southern secession from the Union.

The League of the South is a neo-Confederate group that advocates for a second Southern secession and a society dominated by “European Americans.” The league believes the “godly” nation it wants to form should be run by an “Anglo-Celtic” (read: white) elite that would establish a Christian theocratic state and politically dominate blacks and other minorities. Originally founded by a group that included many Southern university professors, the group lost its Ph.D.s as it became more explicitly racist. The league denounces the federal government and northern and coastal states as part of “the Empire,” a materialist and anti-religious society.

To show you how far to the right thar Rand Paul is of the Republican Party, look at Sen. Murkowski's comments on the tragic oil spill:

"I will tell you," the Alaska Republican replied, "We flew over the spill yesterday. Anybody who flies over that and sees the devastation out there in the Gulf and doesn't get angry at what has happened has no emotion. And I can see where the Secretary is coming from. Those who have polluted will be held responsible and I agree with him.

Murkowski is a Republican from Alaska.

Senator Mich McConnell talked about BP with John King on CNN:

KING: One of the things Rand Paul has said that has generated quite a bit of controversy, as you know, is he said that he found some of President Obama’s criticism of B.P. after the oil spill to be un-American. Do you agree with that?

MCCONNELL: I think the criticism of B.P. is obviously well-founded. There’s no question that B.P. or the two other companies involved in this drilling are responsible for what happened. And the government now is subjected appropriately to have questions about what its role was, and not only in approving the drill site but also in approving the spill response plan which was filed with MMS, the Mineral Management Service. So, there’s plenty of blame to go around between the government and B.P. And I don’t — I don’t — I don’t say that in any way what B.P. has done is excusable.

Jake uncovered another editorial by national disgrace Rand Paul:

Rights are abstractions. If you argue for the rights to concrete items such as health care, you must then argue that you have the right to an individual’s labor. If you maintain a right to a service, you must then obligate other individuals to provide that service.. The labor of health care ranges from that of the orderlies, the nurses, the doctors, the administrators, to the shareholders.

If you argue that healthcare providers alone are not expected to pay for everyone’s health care, then whom? The taxpayers? But who are the taxpayers? They are your neighbors. If you maintain a right to healthcare or housing, you must argue that your belief, which you call a “right,” is sufficient to send armed tax collectors to your neighbors house to expropriate that “right.”

As individuals we should argue for providing health care or housing to the needy, as a religious or ethical exhortation. But the moment we invoke the coercive power of government to provide a economic item, we must acknowledge that our religious creed is now to be imposed on disbelievers by the force of law.

Here's an excerpt from an article where Rand talks about FOX News.

Rand Paul said he wasn’t involved in several reported incidents in which crowds of Ron Paul supporters acted aggressively toward backers of other candidates and anchor Sean Hannity of Fox News Channel. “The demonstrations were spontaneous, like the 1789 Paris mob, marching to Versailles,” he said.

He added, however, that anger directed against Fox News personnel was deserved, so long as it was nonviolent.” Fox excluded Ron Paul from its recent televised forum before the Republican primary, a decision which Rand Paul says may have cost his father a couple of percentage points.

“We’re not alone in really questioning Fox's credibility,” he said. “The Democrats won't even debate on Fox anymore, since they don't consider Fox to be an objective news network.”

Rand shows that he will flip-flop on his stances:

“I think there is room for growth in the party. I think what I bring is an outside approach, but I think I bring the ability to grow the party. I look forward more to the general election when I can appeal more to the Independents and the middle than I can to the primary. Not that my beliefs will change; I think I can present Republican party beliefs in a way that appeals to Independents and to working people and to Democrats.”

Rand, please withdraw your candidacy. You are disgracing Kentucky.

James Carville slams President Barack Obama

Democratic strategist James Carville, a native of Louisiana, has slammed President Barack Obama with regards to his administration's response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

He appeared on Good Morning America on ABC this morning.

The "political stupidity is unbelievable," Democratic strategist James Carville said on "Good Morning America" today. "The president doesn't get down here in the middle of this. ... I have no idea of why they didn't seize this thing. I have no idea of why their attitude was so hands off here."[...]

But Carville said the Obama administration's response to the BP oil spill has been "lackadaisical," and that rather than place the blame on the previous administration, it should've done more to deal with BP and "inept bureaucrats," which would've in turn helped boost Obama's approval ratings.

"The president of the United States could've come down here, he could've been involved with the families of these 11 people" who died on the offshore rig, Carville said. "He could've demanded a plan in anticipation of this."

"It just looks like he's not involved in this," an angry Carville said on "GMA." "Man, you got to get down here and take control of this, put somebody in charge of this thing and get this moving. We're about to die down here."

Carville added that the Obama administration needs to launch a federal investigation into the incident that has become a major environmental disaster and a headache for the federal government.

About seven million gallons of crude oil have spilled into the Gulf in more than a month, killing sea life and other wildlife.

Jack on Countdown

Jack Conway's appearance on Countdown with Keith Olbermann was bumped last night and he will be appearing tonight instead. If you watch NCIS like myself, you can view encores at 10 PM and 1 AM.

An Open Letter to Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson

Secretary Grayson,
I call on you to denounce Rand Paul. Racist/Anti-American/Neo-Nazi organizations are openly raising money for his senate campaign. If you truly stand for Kentucky values--and I believe you do because a number of moderate Democrats voted for you in 2007 instead of your Democratic opponent. By saying you'll help Rand in his bid for the United States Senate, you openly endorse his views, which I am sure that you don't agree with a majority of them.

You have a bright future. I still believe so despite this setback (I would have still voted for Jack in the fall regardless). I trust that you will do the right thing if you expect bipartisan support in the future.

Rand Paul does not represent Kentucky values. Nowhere close to it.

Please, Trey, do the right thing here.

If you recall: In 2007, the Kentucku Democratic Party shunned the nominee running against Richie Farmer because his views did not reflect that of the state party. the Republican Party of Kentucky should do the same thing.

I've only voted for two Republicans in my entire life (you and Farmer) and both were in 2007. Most Democrats, I would say, in the commonwealth voted as such.

I ask the same of Mitch McConnell.

It's a Rand Old Time

Dave Wiegel comments on Joe Arnold's softball interview with national disgrace Rand Paul. Listen, they aired an excerpt on last night's Countdown with Keith Olbermann from Joe's interview with Rand. I can say, with great confidence, that that was a softball interview. Joe shot back, of course. You can judge for yourself, of course.

Rand Paul: "I’m against legislating morality. I mean, I’m for having crimes and having laws against things that are violent crimes but things that are non-violent shouldn’t be against the law."


Got this via B&P and Jake:


It's a shame that extremist wingnuts think we should have "Wal-Mart Days" and not "Martin Luther King Day." What are they smoking?

Rand Paul is still a racist...

Just take a look at some of the stickers and t-shirts that were on display at the Kentucky Republican Headquarters.



Even if he doesn't say it out loud, unless he DENOUNCES these RACIST supporters, he is silently in agreement with them. The fact of the matter is that white supremacists support both Ron and Rand Paul. Just look here.

I call on Secretary of State Trey Grayson, Senator Mitch McConnell, and the chairman of the Kentucky Republican party to denounce Rand Paul.

Here's another video will Rand Paul says that Nazis would be against him. His words: "there’s nothing about Nazism that would even appeal remotely to people who like what I stand for because I’m for limited constitutional government."

Posting without comment...

It's not good when major party donors are unhappy with the president's policies.

A major pro-Israel Democratic Party campaign donor says he is unsettled by the Obama administration's Middle East policy.

"The situation is catastrophic, if you want me to put it simply," Haim Saban, an entertainment magnate, told Israel's Channel 10 news on May 13. "Look, I don’t think Obama is anti-Israel, like people think he is. His goal is to achieve peace, just like our goal is to achieve peace. The way he intends to do it may not be the way some people in Israel would like it, and especially on the right."

Saban did not go into particulars, but in another recent interview with the New Yorker magazine, he said he was not satisfied that Obama would confront Iran should it become a nuclear power.

Saban, who was interviewed at a conference of the Israel Leadership Council in Los Angeles, has been a major Democratic Party donor.[...]

Saban, who holds dual Israeli-American citizenship, has said that he exercises his political influence in support of Israel and a lasting peace in the region.

Saban is considering the purchase of Newsweek magazine, which is up for sale, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Iran is a situation that should not be taken lightly.

Peter Beinart has an interesting article, The Failure of the American Jewish Establishment, that was recently published.

In far more serious news, I thank Captain Brewster for serving America in the armed forces.

My father is a fourth-generation Episcopal minister from a blue-blooded New England family who fell in love with a Jewish girl. Rather than prescribing a religion to any of their children, my parents raised my brother, sister and me in both religions and allowed us to decide for ourselves. While not rejecting my Christian heritage, I have considered myself Jewish since shortly after my bar mitzvah.

For safety’s sake, I ordered two sets of dog tags before my deployment, one that identified me as Jewish, the other as Episcopalian. In my first three months in Iraq, while I worked in intelligence — mostly relegated to a windowless office — I wore the dog tags that said Jewish. My switch to platoon leader meant leaving the base daily and facing increased danger. The night before my new duties, I sat for close to an hour staring at each set of dog tags. I thought of the Maccabees — choosing death at the hand of the Assyrians rather than renouncing their faith. I also recalled Daniel Pearl — the Wall Street Journal reporter who had been beheaded in Pakistan, in part for being Jewish. I knew the chance of my capture was relatively low and that my dog tags would probably remain hidden under my uniform. But the idea of hiding my religious identity weighed on me heavily.

Rand Paul is a Coward

Rand Paul, following what could be called a humiliating week, has decided to be a coward and cancel his appearance this Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press with David Gregory.

His excuse? "Exhaustion."

We know the real reason? He's a coward and is afraid he will further damage his campaign. Too little, too late. The damage is done.

U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul, following a difficult week of controversial interviews, has canceled an appearance Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Paul, who won the Republican primary Tuesday, said in an interview that he is "exhausted" and needs to spend time with his family because his son is being confirmed at church.

"I'm getting feedback from my homestead that I need to be going to my middle son's confirmation," he said. "The exhaustion of the whole campaign and everything, probably has something to do with it, but there definitely is my son's confirmation and that is at least part of it."[...]

Press" executive producer Betsy Fischer said they tried to get Paul to reconsider but hadn't heard back from him.

"We tried to impress upon them that this is a big deal," Fischer told the Post. "The only other two people to cancel have been Louis Farrakhan and Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia."

When asked if he was gun-shy after an interview earlier in the week on NBC's sister network, MSNBC, that put him in the center of a controversy over civil rights, Paul said, "For people to be dishonest about you is tough to take."

A coward, indeed.

Mongiardo's final blast

Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo sent a final email blast to his campaign supporters. You can find it at Page One. One thing is clear: Daniel Mongiardo has had a very hard time coming to terms with endorsing Jack Conway. Nowhere in the blast does it acknowledge that Jack Conway has won the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate. He didn't endorse Jack during his concession.

Jack Conway's statement on Rand's BP comments

Jack Conway made a statement relating to Rand Paul's BP comments:

"Rand Paul apparently has a deeply held conviction that corporations should be allowed to do what they see fit without oversight or accountability. He even goes so far as to say that that criticizing corporations when they hurt taxpayers and working families - as in the case of the massive BP oil disaster - is 'un-American.'

"As Attorney General, I've seen how corporations can take advantage of consumers - whether it's oil companies that gouge Kentucky customers after a series of storms or pharmaceutical companies that commit Medicaid fraud. I have a deeply held conviction that we need a senator who will hold companies accountable. We have enough senators in Washington who are looking out for what's best for corporations. My sole focus will be looking out for Kentucky's taxpayers and families."

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

I saw this today. According to the Kentucky Republican candidate for Senate, Rand Paul, the president criticizing BP for the oil spill is un-American. So, according to Rand Paul, businesses should choose who to serve and who not to serve for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And free speech is un-American. What is this, the stone age? Or colonial times? What decade is Rand Paul living in?!?

Kentucky's Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul criticized President Barack Obama's handling of the Gulf oil spill Friday as putting "his boot heel on the throat of BP" and "really un-American."

Paul's defense of the oil company came during an interview in which he tried to explain his controversial take on civil rights law, an issue that has overtaken his campaign since his victory in Tuesday's GOP primary.

"What I don't like from the president's administration is this sort of, 'I'll put my boot heel on the throat of BP,'" Rand said in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America." "I think that sounds really un-American in his criticism of business."[...]

"And I think it's part of this sort of blame-game society in the sense that it's always got to be somebody's fault instead of the fact that maybe sometimes accidents happen," Paul said.

For starters, Rand, President Bush's administration was very lax in their regulations. This is how this oil spill happened.

On the recent mining accident in the state of Kentucky:

"We had a mining accident that was very tragic. ... Then we come in and it's always someone's fault. Maybe sometimes accidents happen," he said.

Expect Rand coverage from folks like Joe, Jake, and myself all year long.

Donate to Jack Conway's campaign. I cannot stress that enough.

Joe Graviss files for Secretary of State

Joe Graviss has filed to run for Secretary of State.

Graviss owns eight McDonald’s restaurants in central Kentucky and currently serves on the Council for Postsecondary Education. Graviss, according to the Council’s Web site, has served on various boards and commissions throughout central Kentucky. He unsuccessfully challenged state Senator Julian Carroll in 2004 for the state senate seat that includes Franklin, Woodford, Anderson and Fayette counties.

Graviss said Thursday that he decided to run for the position because Grayson was term limited.

“I’ve been trying to break into politics for a long time,” Graviss said. “I think I bring a lot of common sense and business sense. This is a great opportunity. It’s an open seat.”

No Republicans have filed yet to raise money for the position. The Secretary of State is the state’s top election official.

In the same article, Robert Farmer has filed to run for Commissioner of Agriculture.

Robert Farmer, an entertainer from Louisville, filed a letter with the Registry of Election Finance on April 22 saying he intends to start raising money to run for the state’s top agriculture post.

Richie Farmer, the former University of Kentucky basketball stand out and possible Republican gubernatorial candidate, can not seek the job again because he, too, has served two consecutive terms.

Robert Farmer is a Democrat. No Republicans have filed yet for the position. Robert Farmer was not immediately available for comment. But according to his Web site, he is a comic and public speaker who bases some of his comedy off the Farmer’s Almanac.

KY GOP nominates racist candidate

This comes via Jake and it's about the Kentucky Republican nominee for the United States Senate, a guy by the name Rand Paul.

Here are some excerpts from his letter headlined “Distinction blurred between private, public property”:

A recent Daily News editorial supported the Federal Fair Housing Act. At first glance, who could object to preventing discrimination in housing? Most citizens would agree that it is wrong to deny taxpayer-financed, “public” housing to anyone based on the color of their skin or the number of children in the household.

But the Daily News ignores, as does the Fair Housing Act, the distinction between private and public property. Should it be prohibited for public, taxpayer-financed institutions such as schools to reject someone based on an individual’s beliefs or attributes? Most certainly. Should it be prohibited for private entities such as a church, bed and breakfast or retirement neighborhood that doesn’t want noisy children? Absolutely not.

Decisions concerning private property and associations should in a free society be unhindered. As a consequence, some associations will discriminate.

-SNIP-

A free society will abide unofficial, private discrimination – even when that means allowing hate-filled groups to exclude people based on the color of their skin.

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine talked Rand on MSNBC:


Jack Conway made these comments:

“Rand Paul has this tendency to get in public or get on national cable shows and feel like he wants to give me a lecture on constitutional law,” said Conway. “I’m the attorney general of Kentucky. He didn’t go to law school. I did. I don’t need a lecture on Constitutional law from Rand Paul or Sarah Palin.”

I didn't have a chance to watch it but here's Jack Conway's speech from Tuesday night:

NBC unveils 2010-2011 schedule

MONDAY
8 PM: Chuck
9 PM: THE EVENT
10 PM: CHASE

TUESDAY
8 PM: The Biggest Loser
10 PM: Parenthood

WEDNESDAY
8 PM: UNDERCOVERS
9 PM: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
10 PM: LAW & ORDER: LOS ANGELES

THURSDAY
8 PM: Community
8:30 PM: 30 Rock
9 PM: The Office
9:30 PM: OUTSOURCED
10 PM: LOVE BITES

FRIDAY
8 PM: Who Do You Think You Are?/SCHOOL PRIDE
9 PM: Dateline NBC
10 PM: OUTLAW

SATURDAY
Encore programming

SUNDAY (FALL)
7 PM: Football Night in America
8:15 PM: NBC Sunday Night Football

SUNDAY (beginning March 2011)
7 PM: Dateline NBC
8 PM: Minute to Win It
9 PM: The Celebrity Apprentice

Appearing at some point during the season are the following comedies: Perfect Couples, Friends With Benefits, and The Paul Reiser Show. Dramas that have been picked up include Harry's Law and The Cape.

Please, I beg you...

When you cast your vote for Senate on Tuesday, please vote for either Jack Conway or Trey Grayson depending on which party you are registered as.

Iron Man 3 in 2013

Hollywood Reporter:

Heated expectations for the opening gave us knots in our subject, a relieved Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige conceded Sunday.

"But what untied those knots was watching the film with a paying audience," Feige added. "It really was an indication to us that they're still with us for this ride."

A franchise three-quel is expected to hit multiplexes sometime in 2013.

"We do have a contract with Robert Downey Jr. to do it, and it will come after 'The Avengers,' " Feige confirmed.

Paramount is set to unspool "Avengers" -- an ensemble superhero actioner featuring "Iron Man" and other Marvel characters -- on May 4, 2012.

Exclusive Interview with Will Leitch

Danielle Solzman: Will, thanks for taking the time out for an interview with The Kentucky Democrat. How are you doing today?
Will Leitch: I am well, thank you.

DS: Now for the reason you are here, what can you tell readers about the new book, Are We Winning? Why they should buy it?
WL: Well, I hope it's funny and occasionally moving and isn't like any other book about this subject that people usually read.

DS: How does Brooklyn differ from Mattoon, Illinois?
WL: There are more people in a three block radius in Brooklyn than there are in all of Mattoon. So it's quite a bit different.

DS: One of your earliest claims to fame was appearing on Win Ben Stein's Money. Did you win his money?
WL: I did not. It was not a pleasant experience. He and Jimmy Kimmel, his co-host at the time, were nice, though.

DS: How did Deadspin come about?
WL: I pitched Gawker Media on the idea, and for some reason, they went along with it. I hope their instinct was proven correct.

DS: You stepped down back in 2008, right? Why was that?
WL: I was ready for a different challenge, and it was clear the site was headed in a different direction. Not better, not worse, just different.

DS: Why is it that I never heard of Deadspin until March 1, 2006? Which reminds me, how did you discover Lazy Tuesday? Kentucky Sports Radio, right?
WL: I think that's where I saw it, yes. And sorry you hadn't heard of it before then: We didn't have much of an advertising budget.

DS: How many times have you watched it since it came out?
WL: Twice? Three times maybe. Three times sounds right.

DS: Remember that time I accused you of being a Cubs fan? I'm glad I was wrong. I feel guilty of accusing you as such.
WL: You are forgiven.

DS: Were you always a Cards fan?
WL: Yes. I can't imagine anything else. It makes me sad to think of me cheering for someone else.

DS: I'm sure October 2006 was a fun feeling compared to the two years before. Shocking the experts was fun. Hell, MLB even was plugging the Mets as the 2006 NLCS winners. I still have that graphic somewhere.
WL: It was really quite great.

DS: We are one month into the 2010 Major League Baseball season. Brad Penny is looking red hot. Are you liking that acquisition right now?
WL: I am, quite a bit. Plus, I like baseball players that are in worse shape than me.

DS: Between Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, Chris Carpenter, and Adam Wainwright, who wins the National League Cy Young?
WL: Gotta think Halladay. He just torched my Cards again. I'm pretty tired of losing to the Phillies, by the way.

DS: Buzz Bissinger criticized you during a 2008 episode of Costas Now. Why?
WL: I think he thought I represented the entire Internet. I don't.

DS: Was it awkward to be sitting next to him during the special that aired soon after the 2008 All Star Game?
WL: Only when he put his hand on my leg. (He did not actually do this.)

DS: Jeff Labrecque of Entertainment Weekly gave it an A- in the May 7, 2010 issue. That has to feel good, right?
WL: Definitely. I grew up reading Entertainment Weekly, and to be reviewed by them was a real thrill.

DS: Did you ever date a Cubs fan?
WL: Yes. It didn't end well.

DS: What ended up happening?
WL: She murdered my whole family. (She did not actually do this.)

DS: Where were you during the Steve Bartman catch and what was your initial reaction?
WL: I was very, very happy, watching the game at a bar below my apartment, to see that the Cubs weren't going to the World Series.

DS: Thanks again for joining us. Anything else that you would like to add? Other than buy your book and the Chicago Cubs will never win a World Series.
WL: Both of those things sum it up quite well.

Brad Meltzer says to Call Your Mother

Brad Meltzer's new book is titled Heroes for My Son

Disgusting...

Take a moment to read this. While doing so, think of an entire ecosystem that is being destroyed. Hat tip to writer-director Adam McKay. Yes, that one.