A.M. Links: Banks to Resume Foreclosing, Congress Critter Bachus Under Investigation for Insider Trading, Romney Downplays Losses to Santorum

• With a foreclosure fraud settlement all but done, U.S. banks will resume foreclosing on delinquent properties.

• The chair of the House Financial Services Committee is under investigation for insider trading. 
• Mitt Romney is only mildly worried about Rick Santorum. 
• White House to water down birth control mandate.  
• Rand Paul gave a rousing speech at CPAC yesterday. 
• The LAPD has a "war room." Because, says Chief Charlie Beck, "We are targets on our own soil."

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Comments

[RoboCain]

Team Blue War Boner:

http://hotair.com/archives/201.....itmo-open/

[Ice Nine]

They're way good with Gitmo these days too. Amazing, isn't it.

[kate]

I found a great dating bisexual site DATEBI*C'O'M. It is a serious& safe dating site for the bisexual and bi-

curious individuals to meet in a friendly and comfortable environment. It hopes that all members can make new

friends and establish romantic relationships. I have to say DATEBI*COM the best site I have ever joined so far.

They verify all members. Unlike other sites,NO scammers or fake profiles here, and you can meet many rich or mature

women as well, including celebs, famous stars.BEST OF LUCK!

[o3]

where's the link for sex w plants?

[Eduard van Haalen]

Calgary [Canada] Police apologize to pro-life activist arrested for showing abortion images

After a Calgary policeman arrested a pro-life activist Saturday over his use of graphic abortion signs, the police service has issued an apology, returned his signs, and pledged to prevent similar incidents in the future....

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ne.....e-activist

[Dendrophiliac]

Green shoots!!!

[John]

Don't worry. As soon as a Republican wins, they will come to their senses.

[The Other Kevin]

Chicago just settled a case with around 800 people who were arrested while protesting the Iraq war 9 years ago. I am still amazed at how big the anti-war movement used to be, and how fast it vanished.

[KDN]

anti-war movement

That died out in the 70's. The Iraq inspired anti-war movement was really just an anti-Bush movement.

[RoboCain]

Exactly.

But not because he was white, apparently.

[o3]

course if there had been nukes in iraq...

[Fist of Etiquette]

The chair of the House Financial Services Committee is under investigation for insider trading.

Before this, I disliked Bachus for some specific reason, but I can't remember what that was.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Nevermind, continue ignoring this comment. I was probably thinking of Senator Max Baucus. Bachus I'm sure I dislike for no extraordinary reason other than any of the standard ones for any House member.

But at least there aren't any House pages to add into the mix for Rep. Bachus election year scandal, right?

[Dionysus]

The fact that he doesn't spell his name right?

[I, Kahn O'Clast]

One can have a bacchanal ... but there's no Dionysus equivalent. You sure HE's the one misspelling the name. 🙂

[yes there is]

"but there's no Dionysus equivalent"

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Thank you. It's a "dionysia"

[alittlesense]

Ummmm...I think his name is spelled Baucus.....

[Mo]

That's Max Baucus (D-MT), a senator. The dud under investigation is Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL).

[Mo]

And my misspelling of dude is a classic case of RCz Law.

[Kharne the Betrayer]

I thought it was what you intended.

[mr simple]

Well, he did throw some killer parties.

[MNG]

There's been no let-up in the debate about the Obama administration's rule requiring most employers to provide prescription birth control to their workers without additional cost.

Here's the rub: The only truly novel part of the plan is the "no cost" bit.In fact, employers have pretty much been required to provide contraceptive coverage as part of their health plans since December 2000. That's when the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that failure to provide such coverage violates the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/healt.....-for-years

[John]

No cost. Jesus Christ how many times do we have to explain the frangibility of money to you?

Unless they are coming from the sky for free someone is paying for it, you half wit. And don't tell me it is the "insurance companies" because last I heard they didn't print their own money, yet.

[MNG]

That's a point going over your head John.

[John]

The EEOC is wrong. So what?

[MNG]

Look, up in the sky!

[John]

this issue must be really hurting Obama. You are awfully defensive about it. And you have your talking points and memes down perfect. You must have spent a lot of time getting your marching orders straight.

You don't support Obama. But you will still defend him to the death on every issue from the ATF smuggling guns to Mexico to screwing the Catholic church.

[MNG]

That's right, I called the FF thing "criminal negligence" and said days ago it is stupid to mandate insurance coverage of anything.

That's "defending to the death" in John's wacky world.

[Gus]

*scratches ass while dying of boredom*

[CrackertyAssCracker]

Refusal to accept Orwell-speak going right over your head.

[Sparky]

Interesting, for the first time I don't see the place where MNG is claiming what you seem to be raging about. I need to find my John goggles.

[Ice Nine]

how many times do we have to explain the frangibility of money to you?

Money breaks?

[MNG]

I think he meant "fungibility." Money only breaks when handled by the KomAn Fund.

[Planned Parenthood]

Nice little charity you've got there...

[o3]

hey MNG - heard on marxist maddow's show last nite that 28 states also HAVE REQUIRED (not new) the same including (gasp)...states w gop govs & legislatures.

>just like climate change where the animals didnt get the memo, the RNC also didnt get the memo out re the WAR on catholic employeers to the state GOP.

[Bee Tagger]

Being on Team Red or Blue means being right for the wrong reasons, a lot.

[Almanian]

Shorter Urine: "derp"

Thanks for returning to form, Urine.

[o3]

ur welcome, but the thanks go to comrade maddow.

[R C Dean]

At the state level, you can get out from under by being self-insured, which the states can't regulate (self-insured plans are regulated by federal ERISA).

You don't have to be very big, really, to have a viable self-insurance plan. Catholics and other mainline churches, and certainly hospitals and universities, can easily do so. And nearly always do.

So, like so much of what Maddow says, beneath the gloss of partisanship is a gaping void.

MNG, the EEOC rules don't seem to have been enforced against religious organizations until . . . wait for it . . . Obama took over.

http://online.wsj.com/article/.....89154.html

[AuH20]

MNG, you're getting a bit obsessed, buddy. The white whale isn't really out there.

[SugarFree]

I guess no one is going to get that darn doubloon.

[RoboCain]

Criminal Masterminds:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/d.....sts-563812

http://www.theage.com.au/natio.....1rb6b.html

[Brett L]

The second one is actually smart. If you don't turn yourself in when you steal a phone with kiddie porn on it, the charge will end up on you.

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Destroy the phone and move on seems more reasonable to me. Or just drop it off at the police station.

[RoboCain]

B00BIES!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....issue.html

[Sparky]

A MAY ZING! One of the hottest women around now.

[sarcasmic]

Cellulite is so hot!

[squarooticus]

Yeesh, lose the lipstick. Yikes. What is this, 1925?

[Lowdog]

Where are that woman's hips?

[gross]

beefy

[Mike M.]

Like you wouldn't hit it.

[rac3rx]

The tape didn't hold. Was I the only person who noticed the red tape at her pubes & crack? Nasty.

[Auric Demonocles]

Dear Reason,

Please get rid of your crappy mobile site redirect policy, or add the comments section to the mobile site.

Thanks,
Smartphone user who only comes for the comments and alt-text

[Fist of Etiquette]

I second that.

[db]

Turded.

[db]

Fucking autocorrect.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

More RCz Lulz in effect!

[Terr]

Agreed. The navigation to the non-mobile comments is a pain in the ass. Adding comments to mobile site would solve this problem.

[Rich]

Yep.

[Trespassers W]

FUCK yes. I have to wait 5 minutes for the full non mobile page to load just to click on the comments link.

This is partly mobile Safari's fault though--until the page fully loads, it will snap back to the top if I try to scroll down.

[Mokers]

Download an alternate browser. Ouse atomic web on the iPhone because it will identify itself as other browsers, giving me the full site with comments. It would be much easier if they just added comments to the mobile site, but maybe they are worried because people would only use the mobile site to read

[Trespassers W]

I've tried. I find other browsers marginally more annoying than Safari for different reasons. I'd have to just use Atomic for browsing reason, and that also annoys me.

[bill quoted]

thirded

[Almanian]

fisted

[Mike M.]

The Koch Brothers may be rich and powerful, but not rich and powerful enough to upgrade to a modern web site.

[Apatheist]

Using mobile Chrome or Dolphin HD clicking through from google reader I don't have this problem. But it is annoying otherwise.

[Auric Demonocles]

There are workarounds, but it'd be easier for all users if they just made a nonshitty mobile site.

[sarcasmic]

San Fran cops caught on camera beating the shit out of someone. One of the cops suffers a broken hand. My guess is he broke it while punching the guy in the head.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....spect.html

Medals will be issued shortly.

[o3]

broken hand = assult on teh popo

[Almanian the Cop]

Thanks for the medals, but I WANT MY PAID VACATION!

[o3]

Love stinks: Greenpoint sewage plant to host Valentine's Day tour

Nothing says I love you like the smell of sewage in the morning.

The Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will offer a romantic early morning tour of its Greenpoint sludge-processing facility on Feb. 14, perhaps the strangest way to show your date you care ? or subtly indicate that things aren't working out.

Put on some comfortable boots, snuggle up with your companion, and hold your breath when the plant's ruggedly handsome superintendent, Jimmy Pynn, explains how the city cleans 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater each day
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/s.....10_bk.html
_
so saint valentine's day is FOS.

I'll be around all day...

[Trespassers W]

I'll be around all day...

Regrettably.

[sarcasmic]

OZombie Bin Laden!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....flick.html

[Fist of Etiquette]

White House to water down birth control mandate.

He's going to need a big spigot.

[Sparky]

Repeat after me:

It's not my fault.
It's not my fault.
It's not my fault.

[rac3rx]

Microcosm of the drug trade right there.

[sarcasmic]

Katharine McPhee is still hot!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....shape.html

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Curvy and physically fit, now that's more like it.

[RoboCain]

Still no idea who she is.

[sarcasmic]

That doesn't make her any less fuckable.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....ikini.html

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Does that matter?

[RoboCain]

Otherwise we could start posting random High School girls. Think of the children!!

[Jerry Sandusky]

I do. All day and night. But mostly at night.

[robc]

Her entire resume, from under one picture:

The former American Idol runner-up says she is having fun filming the musical drama Smash

[FlyoverCountry]

Holy shit! He's right! There are words on that website too!

I literally didn't notice them.

Because of teh hotness.

[JW]

Vulcans have nipples!

[Fatty Bolger]

Kahngggggggg!!

[Sparky]

Unfortunately, they do not have tits.

[Nipple on right]

"Get to the choppah!"

[Bee Tagger]

With a foreclosure fraud settlement all but done, U.S. banks will resume foreclosing on delinquent properties.

Just in time for the demagoguing season!

[sarcasmic]

Chubby chaser special!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvs.....itter.html

[RoboCain]

Looks good for a tranny...

[invisible furry hand]

Thanks for the John-bait. Ice-T has kinda traded down

[MNG]

But not all Catholics share that view when it comes to birth control. In fact 98 percent of Catholic women use birth control at some point in their lifetimes. A new survey by Public Policy Polling shows that a narrow majority of Catholic voters think women employed by Catholic hospitals and universities should have access to contraceptive coverage through their health plans.

http://www.npr.org/2012/02/10/.....tive-order

[Auric Demonocles]

Catholic voters don't matter. They don't run the Church, and also are demonstrably wrong (as of right now) about their view on birth control (assuming they identify as Catholic).

[John]

Exactly. So what is 100% of them don't follow the church. That doesn't mean the church doesn't have a right to think what it wants. If 100% of them followed it, would that make the rule invalid?

IT is just liberals trying to change the subject.

[o3]

facts aint changing the subject...which the gop HAS to do now that the econ is improving
>JERBS JERDS JERBS remember

[John]

The real economy still has an 11% real unemployment rate and the lowest labor force participation rate in years. The real economy, as opposed to the one in your head, is not improving at all.

[o3]

no john, the new memo clearly line-struck out the JERBS meme & substituted the religious WAR meme. >are you not on the preferred mailing list john?

[mr simple]

I love how 8.3%, or whatever the official rate is, is now being touted as a good thing. It's 4 years after the beginning of the recession and unemployment is still at 8.3%, but that's acceptable because it's lower then it was and it's their guy in charge. Willful ignorance.

[Mo]

Part of that is due to the demographic age mix. Our population has more older people in the workforce than we did at the peak of workforce participation (1995). This would naturally lead to lower workforce participation. If you used 1995 participation rate on each age group you would end up with an adjusted workforce participation rate of 64.7%, which is higher, but not much than the actual number of 64.1%.

Demographics matter.

[Fuck you Mo]

"If you fudge the numbers using 1995 participation rate on each age group, an arbitrary date you would end up with" a leftist talking point.

[Mo]

1995 isn't arbitrary, it's what appears to be the peak of labor participation. And don't blame me for the analysis, blame First Trust's economists, who actually sell their economic analysis rather than give their opinions away. I got the link from noted left wing source, the American Spectator.

[being wrong]

"1995 isn't arbitrary, it's what appears to be the peak of labor participation"

Which is an arbitrary point to begin the discussion from.

Again, fuck you mo.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Mo, just don't reply to it. It's the noname griefer troll at it again.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

JERBS JERDS JERBS remember

Employment to population ratio still at 58% and labor participation rate still the lowest in 30 years.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Woah ho there, little man. Why do you presume it's the GOP changing the subject? Do you think that the President is so stupid that he said to his cabinet, "Eh, forcing birth control on Catholics won't matter."

The PRESIDENT is the one who changed the subject.

[Fatty Bolger]

JERBS JERDS JERBS remember

There are six million fewer jobs than there were when the recession started. How could I forget?

[Bee Tagger]

This isn't meant as a rhetorical question, but I wonder how many of that 98% confess their use of birth control at confession.

[Gus]

I wonder if "birth control" includes the rhythm method.

[John]

Thinking that doesn't mean that they think that it is okay for the government to demand stuff. And even if they do, who cares? Since when are our constitutional rights to free exercise up for a vote?

You really came armed with the talking points today. The left must realize Obama is taking it in the ass for this.

[Cranberry]

Can't get the link to open - does the poll separate out chemical or barrier forms of BC versus the use of NFP or FAM?

NFP and FAM are permitted by the RCC.

[Mo]

I never got why using NFP* and FAM are OK, but chemical and barrier aren't. It's the same thing, just using the magic of science to make it a bit easier. It would be like saying using fire to cook food is cool, but using an induction over is the devil's handywork.

* I don't trust NFP. The couple that pitched it to us as effective at pre-Cana was pregnant with her second and they had only been married two years. WTF.

[Cranberry]

I suppose it has to do with denial of desire and teaching oneself control and discipline over the flesh.

Old school Catholics lived by this stuff or had lots of kids. My grandparents had 10. My father and his closest brother were born in the same year; I guess grandpa was not very into denial of fleshly pleasures.

[Mo]

Barrier forms do plenty of denial of desire. And chemical forms require the dedication and responsibility of doing it at the same time all of the time.

My guess is that being told not to take a pill or use a rub seems a lot more reasonable than the church saying, "You can't time when you have sex." The denial of desire and control and discipline is probably an ex-post excuse created in modern times.

[nicole]

Whenever I've read pro-NFP folks on the subject, they emphasize how using these methods means they are still what they call "open to life" when they have sexytimes, because they know the failure rates are so high.

So it's really about mindset: you aren't allowed to have sex with confidence that it won't result in pregnancy, because if you do that, you are (as a man) using your woman as a sextoy, and you should both be "open to life" (I find this phrase repulsive) whenever you get it on.

It goes along with the idea that if you do use a barrier/chemical method of birth control, thus being not-"open to life," you are likely to consider a pregnancy that results from this an accident/mistake and more likely to consider abortion as a backup birth control method, because you weren't open to getting knocked up to begin with.

[Fuck you Mo]

"I never got "

No one cares, you getting it is irrelevant.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Oh boy, I see rather's off of her meds again.

[Warty]

Have you ever gone back and looked at her posts from a few years ago? It's amazing how much more insane she's gotten in her time trolling this place.

[being wrong]

I love that you think its rather.

[Warty]

I never got why using NFP* and FAM are OK, but chemical and barrier aren't.

"You are not brought upon this earth to 'get it'!"

[Gus]

*scratches ass while dying of boredom*

[CrackertyAssCracker]

99.92% have skipped church at least one sunday, just because, "aw fuckit".

Just letting you know.

[MJ]

So what?

How does that justify the administration imposing its views on the morality and utility of contraception on insurers and purchasers of insurance?

[Ice Nine]

Rand Paul gave a rousing speech at CPAC yesterday.

Riggs and Garrett Quinn need to get together and decide whether Paul was at CPAC or whether he skipped it.

[Marshall Gill]

Rand, not Ron.

[Ice Nine]

It's early.

[RoboCain]

"The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday demanding $500 million from five international beer manufacturers for the cost of health care, social services and child rehabilitation caused by chronic alcoholism on the reservation."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....blems.html

[Sparky]

Hey! That's my line...

[RoboCain]

Oh, well, that is my fault.

[So Sioux Me]

Drunk again.

[robc]

Without even looking at the list, I can already tell you Im not a fan of the five, but my response is still:

Fuck off Injuns.

That, of course, we be my response anyway, but this hits a bit too close to home for me.

[robc]

Okay, read the article. Now I get to get pedantic.

Five international beer manufacturers, you say? I count three.

ABInbev -- check
SABMiller -- check
MolsonCoors -- check
MillerCoors is a subsidiary owned by the two immediately above. It runs the American division, so isnt "international", plus its double counting anyway.
Pabst -- not a manufacturer. Pabst doesnt own a brewery, all of their beer is contract brewed (formerly by Miller, but I dont think that is the case any more).

[robc]

Good thing for Boston and Yuengling that they are only about 2-3M barrels per year.

[KDN]

I constantly forget just how small Yuengling is. It's as common as Miller where I live.

[robc]

Small? Its the largest American brewery.

[KDN]

Leading from behind!

Think the craft beer revolution in the US had something to do with the big domestic players selling out? I have to think that cut into their margins by a good amount.

[robc]

Thats a topic I could literally discuss all day...but I wont, I have some brewing to do.

I think that it is a factor. Last year, the overall beer market in the US was down about 3%, craft was up double digits.

So, craft is eating into sales, but not really that much. Yuengling (which isnt considered craft) and Sam Adams (which is) are both about 1% of the total market share. Craft in total is under 6%.

People are drinking less beer overall. Some of it is a shift from slamming a 6-pack to drinking 2 craft beers. But mostly, people are cutting back. The switch from Heavy to Light beers is part of this.

Budweiser is the 3rd or 4th biggest brand in the US. Bud Light destroys it. Bud Light overtook Bud about a decade ago and it isnt even close now.

Saw some interesting stats the other day...there are 90-100 M beer drinkers in the US (defined as 2+ per month). Of those 50M are craft beer drinkers at least occassionally (2+ per month again). So, over half of beer drinkers drink craft. The craft only drinkers (like myself) are pretty negligible. We dont show up in the data at all. However, what does show up is that there are a lot of wine/liquor drinkers who when they drink beer, only drink craft.

My take is that there are a lot of people who drink Bud Light at home but when out for dinner will upscale and have a Sam Adams or three.

[wylie]

Thats a topic I could literally discuss all day...but I wont, I have some brewing to do.

Zing!

[robc]

Yuengling is following an old school (which they are, also the oldest brewery in the US) regional brewery model. It was much more common until the Beer Wars of the 80s killed them all off.

[robc]

Okay, fun trivia question. Remember the Swedish Bikini Team? Of course you do. What brewery did it advertise for?

Im impressed if you can get this without googling.

[KDN]

I thought it was Bud Light. I was wrong, but to be fair I was 8 when they were in their heyday.

I do remember that they love guys named Habib.

[JW]

That or Coors Lite, both of which are wrong.

I'm surprised at the correct answer.

[RoboCain]

Milwaukee's Best

(no googling)

[robc]

Close, but not right.

[Konfounded Kristen]

Natty Light (no google)?

[Konfounded Kristen]

Now I googled and I be wrong. But to be fair, I wasn't not exactly the target demo for those ads, in more ways than one.

[robc]

In one major way, the ads failed ... they were meant to be a parody of the "selling beer with sex" ads that were popular at the time.

In another major way, they succeeded, as sales went up.

In a 3rd way, they failed, as they got sued over them.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Old Milwaukee.

[robc]

That was the brand. Brewery was Stroh's.

But good enough, I was going to accept either.

[robc]

In 2000, Stroh sold out, mostly to Pabst, with some brands going to Miller.

I would have to look, but Stroh might have been the last of the old regionals to sell out to the Big 4.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Woo-hoo! I would like to thank my parents, God and Ayn Rand #oxfordcommafail

[Bobarian]

Yuenling is sold as a craft beer in lots of parts of the country where it isn't a local beer.

[robc being wrong]

"Pabst -- not a manufacturer. Pabst doesnt own a brewery, all of their beer is contract brewed"

Which in no way changes the fact that they are a manufacturer.

[robc]

They dont manufacture beer.

[Pope Jimbo]

Pay em. Then with precedent established bring suit against them for the costs of a) tobacco and b) corn (or maize as they like to call it).

I'm pretty sure the costs of smoking and HFCS will get us the $500M back and bit more.

[bosty]

yeah, I've tried the "it's not my fault I'm so drunk, I was overserved by the dastardly barkeep" line before. doesn't generally work.

[Gus]

So they only drink beer? That's it? Just the beer?

[Bee Tagger]

The LAPD has a "war room." Because, says Chief Charlie Beck, "We are targets on our own soil."

Wow, taking a shot at Obama for signing NDAA. This guy's jib is cut in a pleasing way.

[John]

http://www2.starexponent.com/n.....r-1678540/

Culpepper, VA police shoot 54 year old wife and mother because she rolled up her window and tried to drive away. Not over or towards anyone, just away. He fired five shots and killed her dead. There was no outstanding warrant against her, she had never been in trouble before and no reason to believe she was armed or in any way dangerous.

The cop is taking a well deserved paid vacation for the righteous kill.

[Auric Demonocles]

Did he tell her to stop resisting?

[sarcasmic]

"I thought (the police) were supposed to protect and serve."

Now you know better.

[o3]

reports from the scene indicate the 54 yr old married woman required 2 body bags & 4 morgue workers to carry the carcass.

[John]

You are really a sick piece of shit Orin.

[o3]

oh great, now i feel othered

[Sparky]

"The officer yelled, 'Stop, stop or I'm going to shoot,'" Buchele said.

Because what other options did he have really?

[sarcasmic]

Yeah, I know. A trained police officer in a Crown Vic is no match for a 50 yr old lady in an SUV.
She would have totally dusted him.
He had no choice but to kill her to keep her from driving off and not being arrested for showing contempt of cop.

He did the right thing and deserves a medal.

[John]

And she is a long time resident of a town of about maybe 10,000. She probably would have disappeared into the crowd and been impossible to catch.

And oh by the way, her only crime appears to be telling a cop to go fuck himself and drive off. Clearly the woman was a menace and needed to be killed.

[Almanian the Cop]

AGAIN! WHERE IS MY FUCKING PAID VACATION???!!!

[John]

Work on your shooting skills dude. You have to kill someone to be in the gang. You know that.

[Ice Nine]

said the officer then fired at least five more shots as Cook pulled out of the parking lot and onto North East Street.

If you shoot someone when he is going away from you, even if he has just assaulted you, you are going to be charged with murder. If you're not a cop, that is. It appears that the reason this woman is now dead is that this little-dick cop was pissed that she rolled the window up, maybe on his arm.

[Loki]

If she rolled th window up on her arm, that's assailting a police officer. Clearly she got what she deserved.

[Pip]

"Police officials say a Town of Culpeper police officer shot and killed a woman during a physical altercation."

Cops lie.

[RoboCain]

"A California court awards the owner of a 2006 Honda Civic hybrid nearly $10,000 because her car didn't get the fuel economy it's supposed to."

http://www.wheels.ca/article/802622

[Cranberry]

She should have sued the EPA, too, for giving false estimates of fuel mileage.

Fucking vocabulary, HDIW?

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

This may provide the impetus required for a retooling of the EPA rules on calculating gas mileage, which suck.

[KDN]

That would require the EPA to admit it's wrong about something. Prognosis: Negative.

[Zeb]

I'm pretty sure that the EPA admits that it's fuel economy numbers are not what the typical driver is likely to see. It's no secret. Which is why this case is so insane. You can't just drive however you like and expect to get the ideal gas mileage. I'll be really surprised if this doesn't get overturned on appeal.

[protefeed]

This may provide the impetus required for a retooling of the EPA rules on calculating gas mileage, which suck.

They did retool them a couple years ago, I think in 2008 or 2009. The new numbers seem to comport better to real world results.

[shrike]

Right wing news org sponsored poll finds 20% of Republicans plan to vote for Obama:

http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/20-.....-to-obama/

Ron Paul would fares best at only 19%.

[o3]

related - 80% of republicans believe the earth is just 5000 yrs old & there were no ice ages or meltoffs.

[sloopyinca]

So you're saying the earth underwent massive changes in climate prior to man being here to effect it?

I'll remember to bring that up the next time you make an idiotic "man causes global warming" claim.

[o3]

which i dont do.

however climate change is historical & on-going

[shrike]

I suck blue team cock. News at 11.

[NeonCat]

But not film. Please, God, no film.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Mitt Romney is only mildly worried about Rick Santorum.

We really didn't need the alt-text this time. I think most of us would have made the connection.

[Auric Demonocles]

We always need alt-text. ALWAYS. Even when there isn't a picture.

[COXSWAIN HARDY]

Americans are more dependent on the government than ever, according to the Heritage Foundation.
Heritage's index, which looks at government disbursements from health and welfare to farm subsidies, jumped 8.1 percent in 2011....

Report: Dependence on government up 23 percent under President Obama
President Barack Obama has proved his adeptness at exploiting the vote pump: Dependence on government has increased by 23 percent under his administration, according to the Heritage Foundation 2012 Index of Dependence on Government.

More people than ever before ? 67.3 million Americans ? depend on the federal government for housing, food, income, student aid or other assistance. Consider: The nation committed more than 15 times the resources in 2010 than in 1962 to pay for people who depend on the government. More than 70 percent of the nation's spending goes to dependence programs, up from 28.3 percent in 1962 and 48.5 percent in 1990. The Index grew 8.1 percent in 2010 alone....

[AuH20]

I always find it weird when people bitch about welfare but ignore military spending

[Konfounded Kristen]

My dad was bitching about welfare the other day, and I had to point out that welfare queens are a mere drop in the bucket compared to useless bureaucrats sucking off the same teet.

[mr simple]

What does military spending have to do with dependence on government? Or do you mean we are all dependent on government because they provide national defense?

[Rev. Blue Moon]

The military is, to a certain extent, a big workfare program, and the benefits have gotten entirely obscene (look at the Post 9/11 GI Bill for a primary example).

[mr simple]

Oh, I agree and believe we could easily cut military spending in half without hurting our defense at all. I just wondered why military spending needed to be a part of the study, as AuH2O seemed to suggest.

[Kharne the Betrayer]

I have little doubt the Post 9/11 GI Bill will survive for long. It really is an obscenely sweet deal for what it takes to qualify for it.

[Double D]

When many of the lads do back to back to back to back to back to back to back combat deployments, I think a general beefing up of benefits is not unreasonable.
ANd, of course you are aware that the past year has seen quite a bit of scaling back on benefits. The higher ups always try to sell this crap as "improvements." I'm a bad senior enlisted for calling it what it is. A reduction in benefits.
This stuff comes in cycles. There was TERA when I first started, and now its back again almost 20 years later.

[P Brooks]

NYT sez "Gimme yo munny, bitch!"

The United States would like details of all secret Swiss bank accounts used by Americans to evade taxes and has been negotiating with Switzerland to get the data for months. But the Swiss government has been dragging its feet.

------

Switzerland would prefer that its banks simply withhold tax on deposits and remit the money to the proper tax authorities without identifying the clients. It made such agreements with Germany and Britain, but those have been harshly criticized in Europe as inadequate and might yet fall apart.

There is no need for the United States to accept this sort of arrangement. If Switzerland stonewalls, the Justice Department can indict banks that benefit from tax evasion and seize their assets in the United States, moves that could put them out of business. At some point, the Swiss government will find that result a lot more costly than handing over information on American tax cheats.

How dare Swiss bankers adhere to their own laws, when American grannies are dying in the streets by the thousands every day?

[John]

I thought it was only NEOCON cowboys who didn't respect other country's sovereignty?

[Sparky]

And how dare those fuckers continue to be neutral. Somebody needs to bomb them, like NOW!

[o3]

hold on, syria first, then iran, lastly switzerland. mmmkay sparky?

[tarran]

Their neutrality sickens me.

[Zap Brannigan]

"what makes a man turn neutral?"

[sarcasmic]

Federal law not only supersedes the laws of the States, but those of foreign nations.

Why? Fuck you, that's why.

[Obama teh magnificent]

got that shite right bra

[Pro Libertate]

They should call our bluff.

[robc]

I wish they would. They made the mistake of opening foreign branches. With the internet, they can do all their banking from inside Swiss borders.

[robc]

Back when I lived there, I meant to get a numbered account before I left, just for the lulz.

But it requires work and shit to get set up and I never did it.

I got paid at my local post office, which are also banks. It was like direct deposit, but I didnt have an acocunt, but I would walk in on payday and the post office would hand me a wad of cash.

It was times like that that I realized I was in a foreign land.

[Ska]

I hope they do. I fucking hate FBAR filings more than my clients do.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

If Switzerland stonewalls, the Justice Department can indict banks that benefit from tax evasion and seize their assets in the United States, moves that could put them out of business.

This won't happen anytime soon. Any actions by the Obama administration in such a manner would guarantee an instant stock market plunge. No way he's going to risk that in an election year when he's trying to convince Americans that the economy is recovering, not even to pander to his populist base.

[sarcasmic]

Because, says Chief Charlie Beck, "We are have many targets on our own soil."

[COXSWAIN HARDY]

Who says manmade CO2 causes catastrophic global warming?
We enjoyed the letter to the Wall Street Journal last week from 16 scientists who said there's "no need to panic about global warming," and of course it drew a response from a warming faction of scientists saying essentially, "yes there is."
Adding some perspective to this they-said/they-said back and forth is yet another letter we saw today from Martin Hertzberg, a Stanford Ph. D., Stanford, class of 1959, who served as a research and forecasting meteorologist in the Navy, "long before the ersatz field now called 'Climate Science' was fabricated out of thin air for the main purpose of promoting the false theory that human CO2 emission was causing 'global warming/climate change/extreme weather phenomena'," as he put it.
The position of the warmists is: "?the science is clear: The world is heating up and humans are primarily responsible."
The position of the other guys is: "The lack of warming for more than a decade?indeed, the smaller-than-predicted warming over the 22 years since the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) began issuing projections?suggests that computer models have greatly exaggerated how much warming additional CO2 can cause."
And now comes Dr. Hertzberg, who says: "Weather and Climate are controlled by natural laws on a scale that is enormous compared to the scale of human activity. Those natural laws engender forces and motions in the Earth's atmosphere, its oceans, and its surface that are beyond human control. Weather and climate existed long before humans appeared on Earth, and they will continue to exist in the same way long after we are gone, either individually or collectively as the human race. ? the human emission of CO2 is totally insignificant for the Earth's weather and climate and there is not one iota of reliable evidence that proves otherwise."...

[o3]

orange county CA huh? but what's the cook county IL paper's take?

[COXSWAIN HARDY]

Try that earlier link again....

18 Staggering Charts On The Rise Of Government Dependence
Americans are more dependent on the government than ever, according to the Heritage Foundation.

Heritage's index, which looks at government disbursements from health and welfare to farm subsidies, jumped 8.1 percent in 2011....

[Fist of Etiquette]

What began as a grass roots idea following the 9/11 terrorist attacks is now a state-of-the-art real-time analysis critical response center. It's called RACR, and it's located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.

Just wait. Some day there will be a threat to Los Angeles, and the RACR unit will have only 24 hours to get the right information to the President before he has to hurry up and bomb some unnamed Middle Eastern country.

[RoboCain]

OMG! The Internet! Guns! Guns for Sale on the Internet!

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.c.....ore-105679

[Mex cartels]

What?

[Brett L]

I've purchased 2 different guns off the internet. I purchased both through the manufacturer's website, which sent me to a local dealer, who I sent my order and money to. A week later, walk in the store, flash ID, get gun.

Since I don't have a CCW (opposed to giving the sheriff my fingerprints), I have to wait for handguns anyhow. Why make 2 trips to the gun store?

[P Brooks]

"I thought (the police) were supposed to protect and serve."

Haha, sucker!

You'll served, you will.

[sarcasmic]

The protect and serve the public.

The public meaning everyone except whomever they are dealing with at any particular time.

[SW_Ohio]

"..and serve."

IT'S A COOKBOOK!

[MNG]

More than a third of the advertising tied to the presidential race has been funded by nonprofit groups that will never have to reveal their donors, suggesting that a significant portion of the 2012 elections will be wrapped in a vast cloak of secrecy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....story.html

[MNG]

When Citizens came out a LOT of people here (I checked the archives last night) argued that unlimited donations would not produce problems because disclosure would guide citizens in judging the speech.

Are those folks still for disclosure laws?

[John]

MNG if you were not so in love with ad hominem attacks, you wouldn't be so worried about no knowing who is funding those attacks. Just make an honest argument and stop attacking the source and you won't have to worry.

[China Red Army LLC]

Sounds good to us comrade john

[sarcasmic]

Just make an honest argument

Haaaaa! A liberal making an honest argument?

That's rich! Where'd you come up with that?

That's great! Will you be here all week?

Holy shit that's funny!

[John]

I will be here all week.

[MNG]

Does anyone want to guess if John was one of those many people relying on disclosure laws in defending Citizens?

[John]

Who cares who is funding the ads? Either the ads tell the truth or they don't. I don't need to know who is funding them to make the decision. You only think you need to know who is funding them because your only idea of an argument is attacking the speaker.

[sarcasmic]

But, but, but...
Koch brothers!
Big Oil!
CORE
POUR
RAY
SHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNS!!!!!!!!!

[MNG]

The "honest argument" was made by many people here at the time. It was that unlimited spending posed little worries at least in part because people would be able to identify the speaker and any obvious rent-seeking or deception that such an identification might imply.

If GE is running ads pushing a bill on the grounds it will be great for small business and stick it to large corporate cronies it would help me identify the effort at disinegenous.

[John]

Some of us are smart enough to look into something and think about it MNG. If the bill is going to destroy small business, I think I can probably figure that out on my own or someone else will be willing to point it out to me.

The only reason I would care that GE or anyone else is running the ad is if I want to be able to change the subject away from the content of the ad to the speaker. And given that, I am not surprised you consider such information vital.

[MNG]

Knowing who is pushing something politically is not a good shorthand for identifying rent seeking, likely benficiaries of a policy, and hence motivations behind it?

[John]

So what? You can be rent seeking for the right thing. I would love to see more oil drilling. Are the oil companies who push for it "rent seeking". Maybe if your definition is broad enough. But who cares? Everything benefits someone. The question is whether it is a good idea not who is saying it.

And forcing people to identify does nothing but give the other side a reason to be thugs and go try to intimidate them, which is another reason I am not surprised liberals want every ad's sponsor identified.

[MNG]

Right. So as the commenter above jokes, the fact that ads run to urge lower defense spending or maintaining current monetary policy might be funded by, say, the Chinese government, would not be useful information to know.

Check.

[sarcasmic]

Even if it was, what threat is China to us militarily?

They've got one air craft carrier with no planes.

Sure they've got a billion or so troops, but how the fuck would they get them here.

Fuck China.

[MNG]

What a way to roam from the point.

"Don;t you think knowing such an ad was put out by the Chinese military would be important information in assessing it?"

"No, because China is not really a threat to us, how would they get their troops here?"

It would have been as relevant for you to say no and start talking about your favorite tv show.

[sarcasmic]

What a way to roam from the point.

Way to prove your point irrelevant.

Our military is a bloated tool of offense, not a tool for the country's defense.

I don't care if China, Soros, or your grandmother funds a campaign to reduce it's size.

They'd all be right.

[John]

No it wouldn't. I am quite sure the Chinese would be very happy to have us spend less on defense. So you are telling me that your entire opinion on something can be shaped by an Ad? Are you that stupid or do you just think everyone else is?

[MNG]

"So you are telling me that your entire opinion on something can be shaped by an Ad?"

Ads have influence, that's why people buy them.

The truth of any argument or claim in an ad is not determined by the identification of the speaker, but it does provide a shorthand for suspecting its message and motivation.

You're confusing deductive reasoning with inductive reasoning, not surprising.

[sarcasmic]

Except with things like Global Warming where the "scientists" depend on political sources for their funding, yet those political sources in no way shape or form could possibly affect the "work" that the "scientists" produce.

That's paranoid talk!

[John]

but it does provide a shorthand for changing the subject and attacking the messenger.

Fixed it for you.

What on earth does the motivation of a speaker have to do with the truth of their argument? Can't someone be acting out of self interest and still be right?

I think you honestly do think this information is vital. And that is because you made ad hominem attacks for so long you just don't know any different.

[Pip]

^^THIS^^

People for CA's prop 8 were getting harassed.

[R C Dean]

The "honest argument" was made by many people here at the time.

Maybe. I don't recall it, to tell you the truth. Some people were proposing that we get rid of all limits in exchange for full transparency, perhaps.

Mostly, the 1A fundies here were saying that requiring transparency is, itself, a chill on free speech.

[John]

I used to be in the former group. But after seeing the reaction to the gay marriage initiative in California and people being fired for giving in support of it, I know fall in the latter group. You have a right to speak without fear of intimidation. And anonymity is the only way to assure that.

[sarcasmic]

Here in Maine people have been fired for being on the politically incorrect side of the gay marriage debate as well.

Earlier this week I had an interview with Rachel Maddow's twin, and if I get the job (you'll know because I will actually have work to do and will not be posting inanities here) I must keep my yap shut on the subject or I may too lose my job to political incorrectness.

[John]

Yup. And your employer shouldn't be able to find your name in a database of undesirables.

[An unnamed source]

Are most people really swayed by the ads? My usual response it to either change the channel or yell vulgarities at the screen.

[Kharne the Betrayer]

My sister is in advertising and it's interesting to talk with her about the effaciacy of advertising. There is a crapload of sciency-looking information they use to determine how and why people respond to ads, but the deep, dark secret for them is that they have no idea what will work and why it does work if it does. It's all ex post facto rationalizations.

The Golden Example for whether people respond to advertising, for me at least, is the Soda Wars. If advertising was able to actually make people do what the advertisers wanted I'd have a Crystal Pepsi machine next to the New Coke machine in my office.

People are swayed by ads, except when they aren't swayed by ads. Anyone who claims that unfettered political advertising will ruin the election process is just complaining that they're worried their team's advertising won't be as effective as the other team's.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

If advertising was able to actually make people do what the advertisers wanted LIFE WERE FAIR AND JUST AND FULL OF RAINBOWS I'd have a Crystal Pepsi machine next to the New Coke machine in my office.

[mr simple]

Do people watch commercials anymore? I thought DVR and streaming videos took care of that. Other than sports I rarely watch anything when it comes on, and then I usually have a second game I check on or use the time to go to the bathroom or something.

[Zeb]

I don't think I was one of those people, but I'll tell you what I think anyway. I'm not opposed to disclosure laws necessarily, but I don't think that they are necessary. I think CU is good because it takes control of the political discourse out of the hands of the politicians and party establishments. I also think that consequentiality arguments about why it is bad are stupid because the decision was obviously the correct one given what the first amendment says.

[John]

Those evil Kochs. Do you really think the bunch of 1st Amendment absolutists who read this board give a fuck about your conspiracy theories and campaign secrecy?

[Bee Tagger]

This is going to make it really difficult to distract people by yelling Koch or Soros. Why won't these people think of the pundits before they engage in this kind of disgusting behavior?

[JW]

More than a third of the advertising tied to the presidential race has been funded by nonprofit groups that will never have to reveal their donors

Hmmm...perhaps you shouldn't give those ads any credence then.

Oh wait, I forgot. Brain control rays.

[Pip]

Secret ballot. Secret donations. What's your point, fuckstick?

[CrackertyAssCracker]

I'm for unlimited and anonymous advertising. So I don't give a shit.

[P Brooks]

get

[RoboCain]

NY1 Exclusive: Queens Parents Outraged Over Daughter's Gun Spelling Assignment

http://bronx.ny1.com/content/n.....assignment

[Rich]

"you're teaching them that robbing is okay because you're putting it in their homework," said Takiema Reynolds, the girl's mother.

Right, Takiema. We also teach the kids about slavery.

[RoboCain]

I think a teacher recently got in trouble for that too.

[Mainer]

"I looked at it and I seen the word 'gun' on it. The first thing I thought was 'oh no no no,' I don't want you reading it, I don't want you spelling it. I don't even want you looking at the picture," said Gillman.

Because if we pretend something doesn't exist, it will help prepare our kids to deal with life.

[RoboCain]

And there aren't any guns on TV or anything.

[Woody Allen]

I have a gub. Give me all your cash.

[COXSWAIN HARDY]

http://www.abucktocrushsopa.com
"It's a vocal minority. Because they're strident doesn't mean they're either legitimate or large in number."
?Lamar Smith, Representative Texas 21st District

http://www.abucktocrushsopa.com

That is the message that Lamar Smith has taken away from the deluge of Faxes, E-mails, and phone calls to his office over S.O.P.A. Its time for the Internet to deliver a message that even he can't ignore.

Click here to help us with our Freedom Week Money Bomb! Every Dollar helps!...

[John]

Smith was also on that list in the Washington Post of the crooks in Congress who steered earmarks to his relatives. My God is piece of garbage. He does have a primary challenger though.

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.co.....hard-mack/

[God]

"My God is piece of garbage."

And yet I continue to love you unconditionally, John.

[anon]

Thing I don't get about the whole birth control debate is why do the dems even give a fuck? Doesn't the pill cost about 160/year WITHOUT any insurance?

[o3]

forget facts like 28 states also require coverage. >its the gop's substitute JERBS JERBS JERBS meme to fund-raise.

[Night Elf Mohawk]

Forget facts like state != federal.

[o3]

but but but states are the cute lil incubators (yes i said bators) from whom the feds are learned 'member?

[Trespassers W]

LW talking point hur dur

[robc]

You know what else would make it a non-issue?

HSAs. But the progressives hate those.

[Cranberry]

It's closer to $432 if you take generics or $750 if you take brand name, without insurance.

With insurance, depending on your formulary and co-pay structure, you could pay anywhere from $70 to $180 dollars, or more if your co-pay is high for such scrips.

My friend has no insurance and doesn't make much money, so she went to Planned Parenthood and got her pills for free. PP also covered her Depo shots until her doc figured out that Depo was screwing her up big time.

So, birth control is not only readily accessible but can be free or very low cost. $36 a month is a small part of your income, even if your only partially employed. If you factor it into your budget like anything else, I don't see why it's causing such a kerfuffle.

[Cranberry]

Those figures are dollar per year, and based on my past experience and what my insurance company would currently pay, if I were taking the pill or using the ring.

[RoboCain]

Because Team Blue needs the single women vote.

[robc]

$36 per month is cheaper than most peoples cable bill. So yeah, easy to budget for.

[Kwanzaa Cake]

Poor women have the right to "free" birth control pills so they can pay their iPhone bills. To believe otherwise is a hate crime.

But, come to think of it, why should they have to pay the iPhone bills? That seems like a right, too . . .

[John]

Damn straight we should

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....biles.html

[R C Dean]

Doesn't the pill cost about 160/year WITHOUT any insurance?

Its not about contraception. Its not about access.

Its about control. Period. Full stop. And STOP RESISTING.

[cynical]

Sex is elective. For most women, the pill is about as necessary as an old man's Viagra. So, the relevant cost of non-elective pregnancy is the cost of Plan B multiplied by the number of times the typical woman can expect to be raped in a year.

[Auric Demonocles]

How dare you say women should be responsible for choosing to have sex!

[Kharne the Betrayer]

My understanding is that a woman on the pills needs to keep taking it regardless of whether she's sexually active. Plan B would be more similar to the use of Viagra, but is, according to a woman I know who has used it, is actually quite unpleasant to use. More pleasant than a pregnancy, but not something you'd want to use if you're getting laid frequently but inconsistently.

[Zeb]

Sex is elective. Sort of. In the same way that clothes that look decent or food that tastes like something you would want to eat or going to work is. Or really anything beyond what is essential to keep alive.

[Tim]

Starring NEWT GINGRICH as Commander Asshole:
SPACE 2099!
ITV Studios America and HDFilms have teamed to develop Space: 2099, a reimagining of the 1970s British sci-fi series Space: 1999 created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/0.....the-works/

[Rich]

it will be respectful of religious beliefs but will not back off from that goal

This means that during his announcement the President will sing "R-E-S-P-E-C-T".

[Tim]

R-E-L-E-C-T find out what it means to me.

[Janet Napolitano]

Don't even think about "Sock it to me!"

[Pip]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFEhmF-cSi8

[db]

I'd like to buy a vowel, Pat.

[P Brooks]

I think it has been linked a couple of times already, but I just got around to reading that NYT thing about our woefully inadequate and outdated Constitution. I especially liked the part about the "parsimonious" granting of rights. Because all rights are granted by the State, and no "right" not specifically spelled out can be considered to exist.

[John]

Ginsburg's statement really makes you think Gingrich has a point when he wants to haul these assholes before Congress to explain themselves. If she doesn't like the US Constitution, get off the Court.

[RoboCain]

We would lose half the judges in the country.

[John]

You say that like it would be a bad thing.

[RoboCain]

Actually, I didn't.

[CrackertyAssCracker]

Ya. I know there is no momentum behind it, but If I were in Congress, I'd vote to impeach/remove from office any federal judge who comes out and says they think the constitution sucks. Don't need a subpoena. Don't need to hear anything more.

[AuH20]

That's where the comments I just posted came from!

I read it last night too.

[Execubot AuH20]

It really pisses me off how, now, everyone goes, "But the ammendment process is HARD!" in response to any new right and/or government power.

At least the people of the early 20th century had the decency to realize they needed an amendment for income tax. Now, they would just try to get the courts to enact it.

[Brett L]

"But the ammendment process is HARD!"

That's the fucking point. (I know you get this goldwater.) It is supposed to be resistant to fads. 18/21 show why.

[cynical]

Also to promote peace and social cohesion by ensuring that the vast majority of people are on board with any changes to the deal.

[RoboCain]

But is it available in West Virginia?

http://jezebel.com/5883616/a-h.....our-cousin

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Given that the relative genetic risk of sleeping with your cousin is less than the genetic risks of pregnancy over 40, I no longer see it as that big of a deal. That said, I don't have any cousins that are hot enough to warrant the social outcast status.

[RoboCain]

But then maybe you wouldn't have kissed your sister...

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

That wasn't me dammit, it was that whiner, Luke.

[Execubot AuH20]

But will it get them off their tractors?

[Auric DeMNG]

Yes, but it won't get them out of their TRACTOR PULLLZ

[AuH20]

Dude, I think the new comments system has allowed the NY Times to go full on retard. To wit:

This country could learn a lot from foreign countries if it chose to set aside its xenophobic stupidity, narcissism and fear of learning from others.

Canada has a much financial regulatory system that protects citizens from the criminal banksters.
Canada, England and Japan all have much better rational healthcare systems.
Canada prohibits political bribery while America institutionalizes it.
Germany - a much smaller country than the US - produces six times the solar electricity than the USA does.
Average fuel economy in Europe and Japan is much higher than in the USA.
Organized religion has little or no influence in the politics of almost all industrialized politics, except for the United States.
Guns are severely restricted in most countries, except for the United States of Ballistics.
No other country equates money with speech.
No other country has an electoral college allows 18th century geographic math to supersede majority votes.
No other country affords disproportionate political power to hillbilly Senators who tend to have special personal relationships with the Lord and Savior.

Our Constitution is broken.

We should listen to Thomas Jefferson; a new American constitution is at least 19 years overdue.

And...

Look at what our constitution has created: a society where I am less free than in most other developed countries. If I cannot leave my home without worrying about being shot, if I cannot lose my job without worrying that my children will die for lack of health care, if I cannot exercise my right to free speech without knowing that any corporation with more money has more free speech than I do, I am not free. I am a serf, a peasant, a slave to the rich and powerful who run this country for their own benefit.

[John]

We can scrap a document written by the greatest political class since ancient Athens and replace it with a document written by the current political class. What could possibly go wrong?

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

I don't know about you guys, but the South African Constitution looks pretty good.

[anon]

Hey, Republican Rome was pretty good too. For about ... wait, 200 years?

I see a coincidence.

[Constantinople]

Us too

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Woefully ignorant and illiterate

[RoboCain]

Imho, the NYT went full retard years ago.

[o3]

years ago? like when they became a paid site?

[Trespassers W]

LW talking point hur dur

[anon]

If I cannot leave my home without worrying about being shot, if I cannot lose my job without worrying that my children will die for lack of health care,

Tony posting on NYT obviously.

[MJ]

"if I cannot exercise my right to free speech without knowing that any corporation with more money has more free speech than I do"

So anyone having more resources with which to exercise their rights is a denial of your rights? Do these people give a moment's thought to what they are expressing? Even if you accepted the premise, how do you remedy this without inverting the concept of freedom of speech? You cannot make resources even by giving everyone money. The only way is to restrict spending on speech to what the poorest of the poor can afford, practically nothing.

[Rich]

In fact 98 percent of Catholic women use birth control at some point in their lifetimes.

And last night I heard some MSM weenie claim 99% of women use birth control at some point. This just seems incredible to me. Would any of the female commentariat kindly weigh in?

[John]

I think that counts their boyfriends using condoms. I seriously doubt 98% of women go on the pill at some point.

[Rich]

Oh, "use birth control".

"Not tonight, Honey, I have a headache."

Thanks, John.

[John]

And also the Catholic Church recognizes a form of birth control, the natural method, as in not having sex when you are ovulating. It is not 100% effective. But it is birth control. And a lot of Catholics use it.

My God is that figure a load of horse shit.

[RoboCain]

Aren't more women than that lesbians?

[John]

That is a great point. Isn't it supposed to be like 5% of the population. And at least one or two percent are committed celibates for whatever reason.

That is just a bullshit figure that came out of someone's ass.

[Bobarian]

Another form of BC

[Rich]

Strangely phrased, but excellent point.

[SugarFree]

Few lesbians never have some sort of hetero experience. And hormonal birth control is also used by even celibate and lesbian women to regulate the menstrual cycle.

[Rich]

to regulate the menstrual cycle

Again with the "use birth control". Obama should ask "Why does the Catholic Church hate regular menstrual cycles?"

[RoboCain]

And why does he hate bicycles, and motorcycles? If the government is going to pay for sex safety equipment, why should I have to by my own helmet?

[SugarFree]

Are you saying you need to wear a helmet on the bus?

[RoboCain]

What's a bus?

[o3]

actually they were reporting on CATHOLIC women speaking at a CATHOLIC conference. >face it, the people who buy this substitute meme are kunckle-dragging flat-earthers

[Trespassers W]

LW talking point hur dur

[R C Dean]

When they say "birth control", does that include the "rhythm method"? Because that one's OK by the Pope.

[RoboCain]

Maybe it would work if they elected a black pope.

[Cranberry]

I took the pill for about a year and a half, and used the ring for 4 months. Neither experience was pleasant, the hormones and the side effects were not worth the supposed benefit of low-risk of pregnancy sex. The pill may work best by suppressing libido and turning women into raging psychopaths that no man would want anyway, unless they're into crazy-sex all the time.

I was raised Catholic, drifted away during the college years and early career days, and returned in recent years. The issue of using birth control was personal for me and made during the rebellion years away from religion. After a bad breakup I vowed no sex until I found a husband, so using BC was a non-issue. After marriage we did FAM and counted on breast feeding to control fertility. BTW, breast feeding, when done 100%, no supplementation, for about 18 months, works well as BC. But of course, you have to have a kid and be willing to commit to it.

Either way, each of my kids is spaced roughly 2 years apart, no pill needed. And no more psycho, sex-loathing me.

[nicole]

Also, Cranberry's experience is just about the polar opposite of mine. I wouldn't stop taking the pill even if I wasn't getting laid like ever, because it means no PMS (and no period), no crazy hormonal issues changing during my "cycle," etc. And there is zero libido suppression issue, though I know everyone's MMV on that one.

[nicole]

99% seems like a lot, but I don't know any women other than full-on lesbians who haven't been on the pill (or ring or IUD) at some point in their lives. Even the crunchiest girls that I knew back in college were using something other than just condoms. Condoms have a WAYYYYYY higher failure rate than the pill, if the pill is taken properly.

That said, I don't know like, any religious people.

[RoboCain]

Is "conscience of a liberal" oxymoronic, or just regular moronic?

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.c.....-collapse/

[o3]

no just a kenyan conscious remember

[P Brooks]

I am not free. I am a serf, a peasant, a slave to the rich and powerful who run this country for their own benefit.

"If only I had a better class of masters!"

[RoboCain]

This.

[AuH20]

Jezebel's comment of the day, everybody!

Can we just split the country up into two parts? Those people who would really like to live in a country without universal healthcare, where abortions are illegal, where gay people can't marry, and whatever other lame ultra-conservative notions are popular, can go live there, and the rest of us can live in the other one. Santorum, Romney, and the rest of 'em can duke it out for president of "Craptastic USA" and we can watch it on t.v. like a reality show or something. It's a huge country; we have the room to divvy it up. The only problem I can see would be the large influx of refugees from "Craptastic USA" to "Reasonable USA" once people start to realize that actually *living* under their own ideals kind of sucks.

Both will be statist hellholes, of course. Also, I feel with a looser regulatory state, the Jesusland segment will have a better economy.

[robc]

The problem is, things arent as clear cut as some think. There are really only subtle difference between most red and blue states.

[robc]

Now, if we could do it Neil Stephenson style and divide it down to the HOA level.

[RoboCain]

HOA?

[SugarFree]

Homosexual Order of Aryans

[Alack]

Most people use the term "Libertarian", but I've heard this one as well

[robc]

In Snow Crash, governments were private entities, generally organized on neighborhood levels .. ie, the Homeowners Association.

They were all gated and provided security. There were a number of national chain neighborhoods, your fellow citizens were scattered about.

[Ska]

I really hope I'm not the only one here who has played Shadowrun.

[Brett L]

I'm all about the clade system.

[RoboCain]

Why do you hate the turtles?

[cynical]

Meh. I like the phyles in the Diamond Age. Partisanship is already practically a form of tribalism. We might as well make it official.

Let Republicans live under Republican rules, let Democrats live under Democrat rules, let Libertarians live under Libertarian rules, let Muslim fundamentalists live under Sharia law. Only when problems cross tribal boundaries should something like a state get involved, and based on rules that the tribes agree on.

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Is there some kind of study out there that defines how many different opposing viewpoints the average person can imagine in their head? Why are we cursed with the general populace only being able to picture left vs right, instead of having any level of nuance whatsoever?

[Atanarjuat]

One thing I never had to explain to my kid was good guys versus bad guys. Left/right, us/them, it all breaks down to my tribe/your tribe.

[Zeb]

That is what always really annoys me about things like that quote form Jezebel. For example, except that they both have the term "conservative" attached to them, I don't see at all why what gets called "economic conservatism" goes along with "social conservatism". Or why legislating morality when it comes to sex is bad, but when it comes to feeding the poor or whatever, it is good (or vice versa). Fuckers.

[sarcasmic]

"Political tags ? such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth ? are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire. The former are idealists acting from highest motives for the greatest good of the greatest number. The latter are surly curmudgeons, suspicious and lacking in altruism. But they are more comfortable neighbors than the other sort."

-Heinlein's Lazarus Long

[RoboCain]

As far as Jezebel comments go, it sounds quite reasonable.

[Ice Nine]

I feel with a looser regulatory state, the Jesusland segment will have a better economy.

This would clearly be a job for Occupy Jesusland by the Leftylanders.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

They did this with the "Jesusland" graphic eight years ago. There really is nothing new under the sun.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

The only problem I can see would be the large influx of refugees from "Craptastic USA" to "Reasonable USA" once people start to realize that actually *living* under their own ideals kind of sucks.

LMAO--yeah, and in the real world, sugar-tits, the trend of the last 40 years has been people moving from high-tax states like Cali, New York, and Massachusetts to low-tax, low cost of living havens like Nevada, Florida, Washington, Colorado, Vermont, and New Hampshire, and completely distorting the economic and political climate with the same bullshit policies they escaped from.

[Zeb]

And Europe is working out really well right now too. That this is the time for the big push to be more like Europe seems especially silly. "We need more green energy subsidies, look how well it worked for Spain."

[JW]

"The only problem I can see would be the large influx of refugees from "Craptastic USA" "Reasonable USA" to "Reasonable USA" "Craptastic USA" once people start to realize that actually *living* under their own ideals kind of sucks."

Hey, lookee there. It works both ways.

[Zeb]

I think it works even without your modifications.

[John]

The Rand Paul speech was epic. Do you hate rich people or just ones who don't give to your campaign?

That is just great. That was a great speech by any measure.

[Fist of Etiquette]

It ended well. He didn't say his old man was the leader referenced in his speech, though.

[John]

Made it a better speech. Made it about something more than just the current GOP race.

[romulus augustus]

Rand's old man is running for something? I heard on at least two networks this morning that "the three candidates for the GOP nomination were going to speak at CPAC today." Didn't hear any mention of Ron Paul.
Rumors are that he wasn't invited because of fears he would win the straw poll at CPAC. True? Or did RP turn down the invite in order to campaign?

[me myself and I]

Can we just split the country up into two parts?

NeoConfederate slime.

[P Brooks]

Can we just split the country up into two parts?

Address your complaints to:

Lincoln, A
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC

[Underpants Gnome]

^

[Execubot AuH20]

Here's the thing I don't understand: The last two big decisions Obama has made, birth control and Keystone, he has made to shore up support of core parts of his base (enviromentalists, feminists) while sacrificing groups that have, in the past, broken right and screwed the Dems (unions, Catholics). What the fuck is the dude thinking?

[John]

I think it is a reflection of his isolation. I don't think he had any clue how much of a backlash this would cause. Remember, Obama doesn't ever speak to or work with Republicans. He is just surrounded by his staff of toadies. As far as Keystone goes, I think he figured the Unions have nowhere else to go.

[Teamsters]

Obama might want to review our endorsements during the 80's.

[Pip]

My take is Michelle told him to do it.

[Ken Shultz]

What the fuck is the dude thinking?

The simplest explanation is that he doesn't know what he's doing.

Most of the justifications you hear for what Obama is doing come from the media. They're projecting their logic onto what he's doing--but just because a system of logic can be projected onto someone like that, doesn't mean he did it for those reasons.

If the man doesn't know well enough not to hurt himself in an election year with swing voter Catholics, then the reasonable assumption isn't that he must have some grander strategy...

The reasonable assumption is that the president is so incompetent, he doesn't even know what's in his own best interest--much less the nation's.

[John]

^^This^^ His only experience before going to the Senate in 06 was as a Chicago machine politician. In Chicago, you just do what you want and tell the voters to go fuck themselves. He is apparently not bright enough to understand America is not Chicago, at least not yet.

[Ken Shultz]

His real world experience was as a community organizer and as a college professor teaching...well...community organizing more or less.

He'd be great working for some non-profit somewhere. Where your strategy consists of finding ways to get people to make sacrifices for some charitable cause.

But the last thing this county needs right now is a Community Organizer in Chief. Holy smokes, he didn't have anybody in his administration with private industry experience for three years! Somebody that's accustomed to working within market conditions--forget about it! They're all either career bureaucrats or academics.

I wouldn't hire any of them to manage a fast food franchise.

[John]

And he is totally incapable of understanding or convincing the other side of anything. His media toadies say that is because the Republicans are just crazy and racist. But that is bullshit. You can't tell me he couldn't have come up with a health care plan that would have bought off a few of the RINOs in the Senate. He doesn't have to get a majority of Republicans, just enough to make it look like he is not just shoving shit down the country's throat. And he can't do it. It is an utterly incompetent politician and statesman.

[Kharne the Betrayer]

When you can't get the Maine sisters to go along with your plan, you're screwed.

[Auric Demonocles]

Wasn't he actually a lecturer?

[Pip]

No. That's what he is right now.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

He certainly wasn't a professor. That involves actually publishing something other than a self-aggrandizing autobiography.

[Ken Shultz]

It's hard for a lot of people to imagine that a president could be smart enough to get himself elected--but still not know what he's doing.

But sometimes the emperor just has no freakin' clothes on! Sometimes presidents do the stupid stuff they do because they're stupid.

[John]

He was a front man. He never did anything except be an acceptible black man, talk platitudes and have the banks collapse in September of 2008. People forget McCain was up 5 points coming out of August. It wasn't until the bank collapse and McCain's idiotic suspension of his campaign and support for TARP that Obama pulled ahead. Obama truly is an accidental President.

[CrackertyAssCracker]

Ya. Mccain kind of out-stupided him with the whole TARP deal. I'm not sure he could have won anyways, due to Bush's shadow, but he guaranteed a loss with that TARP crap.

[cynical]

"It's hard for a lot of people to imagine that a president could be smart enough to get himself elected--but still not know what he's doing."

Who says he was? The media was pretty much doing the heavy lifting there.

[Neu Mejican]

Or, perhaps the explanation is that he makes the decision he thinks* is right, even though he knows it may hurt him politically. In other words, a principled decision that has political costs may not be a sign of incompetence.

*this in no way is meant to be construed as an endorsement of any particular decision.

[John]

That could be. But if that were true, why has he thrown so many of his promises over board? Didn't he think GUTMO was wrong back in 2008? Didn't he think we should get out of Iraq ASAP? He seems to have no problem in sacrificing other principles when it is politically popular. So I find it hard to believe he is being principled here. Sorry, he previous behavior deprives him of the benefit of the doubt.

[Neu Mejican]

Those seem like odd examples.

[John]

Why? Those are things that had he done, would have entailed enormous political cost. And they are also things that he seemed to truly believe during the campaign. If he really govern by principle rather than political expediency, why would he not have done those things?

[Ken Shultz]

Or, perhaps the explanation is that he makes the decision he thinks* is right, even though he knows it may hurt him politically.

That would be plausible if he did that sort of thing consistently--and did it when we were farther away from an election year, too.

If, on the other hand, he bungles things consistently, for instance, always caves to his union comrades? Then I have a hard time believing he was doing this out of the goodness' of his heart...

I'm not saying his idea of what's right doesn't impact any of his decisions--I think that's a big part of what's behind ObamaCare. I just think that when you combine that often misguided idea about what's right and wrong--and add the fact that he doesn't know what he's doing?

You get a lot of situations where some well intentioned fool does foolish sometimes well intentioned things for foolish reasons.

Whatever problems there are associated with people who work for Catholic institutions not having adequate access to reproductive health products and services? I assure you, they haven't yet reached crisis proportions. And yet the president just went and created a personal crisis for himself and his own reelection...

If he did that to himself out of a well intentioned attempt to do the right thing, then that's just further evidence that his misguided good intentions often get us in more trouble than they're worth.

...easily avoidable trouble! If the man's ignorance and foolishness are so bad that he can't see what's wrong with ObamaCare--because of his good intentions? Then he's grossly incompetent. If his ObamaCare makes healthcare cost more, sics the IRS on poor people who can't afford to buy health insurance, and makes healthcare less accessible to average people? Then his good intentions don't count for shit in my book.

I think we'd get better results if we depended on people for healthcare who are only in it for the money.

[Neu Mejican]

I am not arguing that Obama isn't incompetent. I was pointing out that the criteria for competence being used here is related to its impact on his re-electability. There is a lot of talk about principle 'round these parts. And yet, people seem very willing to equate political saavy with virtue. And to assume that Obama values re-election over everything else (something I seriously doubt).

[Fatty Bolger]

So he's not just pandering to the idiots - he is an idiot. You could be right, though it doesn't make him look any better.

[Brett L]

Has he ever had to run for re-election before? He might not understand how to keep a job for a second term.

[Mancaveman]

It's possible that he feels it's more important to implement his agenda than to get re-elected. Not likely, but it is possible.

Also, I firmly believe that he truly thought that with enough government intervention he could, in a matter of four years, change the country from a petroleum-based economy to a green/solar economy. He is incredibly naive.

[Old Mexican]

Re: Execubot AuH2O,

The last two big decisions Obama has made, birth control and Keystone, he has made to shore up support of core parts of his base (enviromentalists, feminists) while sacrificing groups that have, in the past, broken right and screwed the Dems (unions, Catholics). What the fuck is the dude thinking?

Never ascribe to evil what can be reasonably imputed to mere stupidity.

[Zeb]

Always a good thing to keep in mind when talking about politicians.

[Ken Shultz]

With a foreclosure fraud settlement all but done, U.S. banks will resume foreclosing on delinquent properties.

The sooner, the better. That's the biggest obstacle slowing down the recovery, right there...

Although the settlement, as I understand it, makes the banks write down an awful lot of loans--as if the point of that settlement were to make people's mortgage payments lower?

I can't wait to see the Obama Administration kicked to the curb.

[Ken Shultz]

'cause the way to make the banks loan again--and get the economy moving again--is to extract $25 billion in concessions from the banks' bottom line?

Who other than Obama and his Obama-lama-ding-dong supporters think like that?

[Troy]

...cause the way to make the banks loan again--and get the economy moving again--is to extract $25 billion in concessions from the banks' bottom line?

So, arguendo, if these particular 25 billion dollars came from the feds in the first place, wouldn't that be a wash? Banks get to look like they've been spanked. Our incompetent in chief can say he did something.

[Troy]

I am assuming this 25 billion is going back to the feds and not some of sort for those on whose behalf the feds are suing. Any actual damages to any particular individual that may have been "harmed" are going to be small.

[Zeb]

I think that $20 of the 25 billion is to go directly to loan modifications and principle reductions.

Where the fuck is my free money?

[Monty]

My thinking is that some Banks are so far underwater that they cannot show all the losses on their books. I cant see any real market clearing happening just more under the radar bailouts and slow bleeding of the housing market.

[Monty]

and the float on 25 billion going to the proper crony and polls pockets.

[P Brooks]

NYT am disappoint

Even in the ultrapolarized atmosphere of Capitol Hill, it should be possible to secure broad bipartisan agreement on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, the 1994 law at the center of the nation's efforts to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The law's renewal has strong backing from law enforcement and groups that work with victims, and earlier reauthorizations of the law, in 2000 and 2005, passed Congress with strong support from both sides of the aisle.

------

The bill includes smart improvements aimed, for example, at encouraging effective enforcement of protective orders and reducing the national backlog of untested rape kits. The Republican opposition seems driven largely by an antigay, anti-immigrant agenda.

Silly me. I was sort of hoping it had something to do with a reluctance to federalize every fucking form of interpersonal behavior.

[John]

The Republicans are actually stopping some bullshit bill? All right who kidnapped the Republicans in Congress?

[RoboCain]

The VAWA costs around $1.6 Billion a year, and there isn't a shred of evidence it has reduced violence against women. And no one really knows exactly where all that money goes, but some of it has been demonstrated as being used to lobby for more money (which is illegal).

The backlog of untested rape kits is almost entirely from claims that turned out to be bullshit.

[R C Dean]

There's also a ton of rape kits lying around from women who have elected not to file a complaint with the po-po. Nobody's testing those, nor should they.

[Fatty Bolger]

The Republican opposition seems driven largely by an antigay, anti-immigrant agenda.

How could something named the "Violence Against Women Act" have anything to do with an "antigay, anti-immigration agenda?"

[Gus]

On Tuesday night, a student at University of Colorado Denver was arrested by Secret Service for trying to throw glitter at Mitt Romney. Now sources are telling Colorado Peak Politics that the "glitter bomber" worked for the Colorado state Senate Democrats. This session.

The student in question, Peter Smith, faces up to 6 months in prison for "creating a disturbance, throwing a missile and an unlawful act on school property," according to Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson.

Our sources are saying he was fired by the Senate Democrats either yesterday or today.

Glitter bombing has become a tool of liberal gay rights activists who somehow in their deluded minds think that throwing glitter at politicians will change their views on gay marriage.

Just as Occupy Denver thought defecating on public property would reduce income inequality, liberal activists seem to think drawing unflattering attention to themselves will do something other than just embarrass themselves.

http://www.coloradopeakpolitic.....orado-dems

[John]

Glitter in your eyes can actually cause harm. And instead of arresting the guy, I would just once like to see some politician fight back and kick the guy's ass right then and there. Not hurt him, just punch a couple of times and kick his butt off the stage. If they can attack the politician, why can't the politician fight back?

[stupid question]

How do you kick someone's ass or punch someone without hurting them?

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Read as "Permanently injure".

The amount of deliberate misunderstanding around here is baffling.

[stupid question]

Sorry. but saying i'm gonna punch you and not hurt you is damn stupid thing to say.

[CrackertyAssCracker]

OK. Can we compromise on just a Bitch Slap then?

[o3]

id respect romeny moar if he had punched him in the nose

[Neu Mejican]

A punch in the eye can actually cause harm.

[Fatty Bolger]

Good point. You could hurt your knuckles, or even sprain your wrist a little.

[tarran]

something like this?

[Mongo]

They intentionally avoid using the tiny glitter and use the larger ones in case it gets into the eyes.

The glitter-guy (who lives in my city) was aware of eye injury and, in fact, when Newkular-T got glittered in a book signing here, he thanked the activists for not using the tiny glitter.

[MJ]

"If they can attack the politician, why can't the politician fight back?"

Part of the reason is that the media will treat that politician (especially a GOPer) as if he were a mad dog mauling a six year old. There is not any good way for a pol to deal with that kind of childish behavior except to grin and bear it, I

[RoboCain]

Why don't they glitter at Obama, and see what happens? He is also against gay marriage.

[Rev. Blue Moon]

Oh come on, Obama can't be against gays: Identity Politics TELLZ ME SO!

[Scruffy Nerfherder]

Not necessary, he already sparkles.

[Pip]

So do vampires in sunlight.

[MJ]

If you mean by "glitter" you mean burst into flames as real fictional vamps are supposed to.

[Bobarian]

He's a vampire?!?

[rac3rx]

Why do I find the fairies flinging glitter to be utterly hilarious?

[Zeb]

What I want to know is why the fuck does Mittens have Secret Service protection? He doesn't hold any federal office. And he can damn well afford his own security. It is just taxpayers subsidizing a political campaign.

[MJ]

By definition, throwing stuff at a stranger (even if said is a public figure) constitutes an assault in most jurisdictions.

[P Brooks]

It's hard for a lot of people to imagine that a president could be smart enough to get himself elected--but still not know what he's doing.

Most politicians have no demonstrable aptitude other than an ability to win elections.

[Ken Shultz]

And I'm not sure Obama is even good at that!

He didn't really win against McCain--he won by running against the Darth Cheney Administration at a time when the economy was going to hell in a hand basket. ...and even with that, he only won 53% of the vote.

If he wins reelection, I'll buy that he's great at winning elections.

[P Brooks]

GUTMO

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mongo]

Marines use a flag with the SS lightnin' bolts in Afghanystan.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.co.....go-020912/

[o3]

maybe better than pissing on dead taliban

[Zeb]

Probably better than pissing on dead taliban on video, anyway.

[Trespassers W]

LW talking point hur dur

[affenkopfs]

Fox news cancels Freedom watch.

[Old Mexican]

We already know since yesterday.

[Old Mexican]

The chair of the House Financial Services Committee is under investigation for insider trading.

That is, a member of Congress is being investigated for a phony-baloney "crime" totally made up by members of Congress to harass successful people.

[invisible furry hand]

In that photo, what does Mitt's finger smell of?

[o3]

santorium

[Eduard van Haalen]

Calgary [Canada] Police apologize to pro-life activist arrested for showing abortion images

After a Calgary policeman arrested a pro-life activist Saturday over his use of graphic abortion signs, the police service has issued an apology, returned his signs, and pledged to prevent similar incidents in the future....

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ne.....e-activist