Climate Change-the new wedge issue

MoonHowler

 

Melting Glacier in Glacier National Park: Before and After

The Washington Post:

“Climate change has become a wedge issue,” said Roger Pielke Jr., a University of Colorado professor who has written extensively on the climate debate. “It’s today’s flag-burning or today’s partial-birth-abortion issue.”

Historically, climate change has ranked near the bottom of issues that voters care about as they evaluate presidential candidates. It wasn’t a factor in 2008’s primary season or general election. The major parties’ nominees endorsed the scientific consensus and believed that the government should curb carbon emissions.

In fact, John McCain, back in 2007  clearly said to voters,

“I do agree with the majority of scientific opinion, that climate change is taking place and it’s a result of human activity, which generates greenhouse gases.” He made global warming a key element of every New Hampshire stump speech.

So what has changed?  It appears that some Republican candidates are trying to  out-conservative each other.  Others have stuck with scientific thought.  Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman have both indicated  that they  agree with the majority of scientific opinion, that climate change is taking place.   It’s a result of human activity and that green house gases are a by product of this human activity:

The nominal GOP front-runner, Mitt Romney, drew sharp fire from conservatives when he said in June that he accepts the scientific view that the planet is getting warmer and that humans are part of the reason. Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) on Thursday tweeted: “To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.”

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Sarah Palin: Say Thank you to Gloria Steinem

MoonHowler

Sarah Palin has dismissed Gloria Steinem’s brand of feminism as very passé.  Steinem has argued that Palin and Bachmann sold out the women’s movement.  Palin pretty much dismissed Steinem by saying that she was so yesterday.  Are Bachmann and Palin even feminists or do they want to be?  I would say no.  However they can reap the rewards from the feminist movement.  Perhaps that is what it was all about.

Steinem was was feted at a luncheon on Wednesday in celebration of the HBO documentary about her life, Gloria: In Her Own Words according to New York Magazine:

Steinem elaborated. “I can testify, the very same things people were telling me 30 or 40 years ago — it’s against nature, you can’t do this, my wife is not interested — all these [people] are now saying, well, feminism used to be necessary, but it’s not anymore. That is the new form of obstruction. And, of course, it’s accompanied by the other natural thing that happens if you have a big social justice movement: You make jobs for people who sell it out. So we have Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann, who are on my list of ‘the women only a man could love.'”

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Michele Bachmann Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog with the facts

MoonHowler

Poor Michele. She tries so hard and is “All Shook Up.”  She needs to fire her fact checking staff. She is living proof that “Fools Rush In.” Elvis’s birthday was January 8, 1935. He died August 16, 1977. Oh Michele, “Don’t Be Cruel! ”  You just confused the first hello with ” The Last Farewell.”  This was definitely not the day to wish The King a happy birthday. 

It’s better to make these gaffes after the primary. Then only one set of political enemies make fun of you. Now both Democrats and Republicans will have a field day at Bachmann’s expense.  I expect that Michele will want to “Make the World Go Away” after the ribbing she will get from this one.  She and her Blue Suede Shoes had better stay out of the south. 

So poor Elvis is the Honky Tonk Angel rather than the birthday boy.  Better luck next time, Michele.  And fire your fact checkers.  You will thank me later.

Rick Perry speaks ill of the Fed

MoonHowler

Rick Perry arrives in Iowa and immediately stepped in it by speaking ill of the Fed, an independent, non-political agency.  He continued his offensiveness by suggesting that Fed chairman Ben Bernanke would be treasonous if he printed more money.  He furthered his comments by saying:

“If this guy prints more money between now and the election, I dunno what y’all would do to him in Iowa but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas. Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treasonous in my opinion.”

Eeeewwwwwww….Rick Perry.  Just swagger that smart-ass mouth right on back down to Texas.  He must have had one too many corn dogs once he got off the plane to start up talk like that.   Mr. Shock Jock himself needs to learn that stuff doesn’t fly once he leaves Texas. 

Perry didn’t stop there.  He went on to say he’s running to restore military ‘respect’ for the presidency.  He should know better, as a veteran, that one doesn’t speak ill of the commander in chief while uniform.  There are clear rules about that sort of thing, speaking of treason. 

Bachmann: Straw Poll Queen

MoonHowler

It’s official.    Michele Bachmann has won the straw poll by a landslide.  That should make her the Republican candidate to take on the  Prez, right?  No.  There are miles to go before Republicans can sleep.  The Iowa dust up is but one of many. 

New faces will emerge on the scene.  Governor Rick Perry of Texas announced his candidacy Saturday afternoon.  Sarah Palin is still teasing her audiences.  Some of the folks in Iowa didn’t participate in the straw vote. 

Then there is the question of Bachmann as a mainstream candidate in a general election.  Could enough Republicans get behind Michele “Default is Ok” Bachmann to carry the standard for her party?  I can’t see the business Republicans  thinking her notions about default and the economy are valid for any candidate. 

The one thing I will defend Bachmann on, even though I think she is weird, is that she works hard and has done her homework.  People like Perry and maybe Palin will try to jump in line without doing all the work that Bachmann has done.  No one likes a line cutter.  Hopefully Bachmann will renounce those who haven’t put in the time, energy and hard work she has if they try to cut in front of her. 

The debate: who were the winners and losers?

MoonHowler

This is quite a debate.  Gingrich called the questions asked by Chris Wallace, ‘Mickey Mouse questions.’  Is it fair for the press to take their own talking points to grill the candidates about said talking points?  So far, I can spot some winners. 

If you had to pull 4 to move ahead and 4 to stay back, just based on debate performance, who would you allow to advance to the next level?

 Michele Bachmann?  Herman Cain?  Newt Gingrich?    Jon Huntsmand?  Ron Paul?  Tim Pawlenty?  Mitt Romney?     Rick Santorum?

Pray Away the Gay?

MoonHowler

Michele Bachmann’s husband Doctor Marcus Bachmann has come under fire for using what is known as reparative therapy in his Christian psychology clinic in Minneapolis.   Reparative therapy supposedly converts gay men into straight men via prayer.  There is little scientific evidence that this method of ‘therapy’ creates permanent change. 

According to the Huffington Post:

MINNEAPOLIS — The husband of Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann says counselors at his family’s Christian clinics are not focused on converting homosexuals to heterosexuality through prayer.

Marcus Bachmann told the Star Tribune in a report published Friday that his Minnesota clinics “don’t have an agenda or a philosophy of trying to change someone.”

Bachmann’s comments follow the release of a gay activist’s undercover video that appears to show one of the clinics’ counselors offering reparative therapy to help him become heterosexual. The video produced by gay advocacy group Truth Wins Out was first aired Monday by ABC News.

Marcus Bachman, whose business has collected government funding from Medicaid-backed programs, says counselors follow the wishes of patients and don’t force any treatment.Read More

Tom Petty orders Bachmann Campaign to cease and desist

MoonHowler

Musician Tom Petty has complained to the Michelle Bachmann campaign about his song “American Girl” being used at her presidential run kick off.  He is in the process of getting a cease and desist order.  He had a similar issue with the Bush campaign over the song “I Won’t Back Down.” 

 

At what point does an artist stop having control over where his or her music is played?  I am not sure Petty has a leg to stand on if the campaign owns the recording.  Could he come along and tell a club they cannot play the same recording as dance music?  What about some kid with a boom box? What if Bachmann tells Tom Petty to stick it? 

If a person is in the business of  selling recordings of their music, then they have to expect it to be played. 

Tom Petty is living up to his name.   This is about as Petty as it gets. 

Republican presidential candidates expected to sign SBA Pledge

MoonHowler

Americanindependent.com:

Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty have signed on to the Susan B. Anthony List’s 2012 Pro-life Presidential Leadership Pledge. The presidential candidates have pledged to roll back abortion rights in four key areas, and the duo join three other presidential contenders: Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum. Bachmann went after fellow presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Sunday for not signing the pledge and not committing to “ending the practice of abortion.”

 The candidates pledged to appoint anti-abortion judges, to appoint anti-abortion cabinet members, to defund Planned Parenthood and to sign a bill banning abortion after 20 weeks gestation.

Bachmann went after Mitt Romney for not signing the pledge.

So there is a litmus test now for presidential appointments, cabinet members, and I would assume Supreme Court Justices?  I guess its official now.  What about the 50% (at least) of us who are pro-choice?  

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Too Vanilla?????

MoonHowler

Last Friday, commentator Bill O’Reilly declared Tim Pawlenty was ‘too vanilla.’  He meant that Pawlenty was not an entertainer and lacked charisma.  The former Minnesota governor says he isn’t running to be “comedian-in-chief.”

According to FoxNews.com:

Tim Pawlenty may be nice, but he’s not willing to be anybody’s fool. So says the former Minnesota governor and 2012 presidential candidate, who blasted claims by Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly that he is too “vanilla” to be president.  

“Is he playing the race card on me?” Pawlenty jokingly asked on “Fox News Sunday” before getting serious. 

“I’m not running for comedian- in-chief, or entertainer-in-chief. If people want that, they should go to the ball park or Broadway play or a Las Vegas show. … Being strong is not the same as being loud. … So, if you want the clown-in-chief, vote for somebody else. That’s not me.”

Interesting comments from both O’Reilly and Pawlenty.   Is it really necessary to have great charisma?  Remember Al Gore being compared to a wooden Indian?  It was seen to be his downfall at the time.  What does a candidate need?  Is Pawlenty lacking personality or entertainment factor and is it really necessary to light up crowds?  Do ideas even count any more?  

The guy seems to be thoughtful and have some solid plans and policy platforms–some that just won’t fit on the head of a sound byte.  Some of us find that very refreshing.   7 candidates will put in an appearance at the New Hampshire debates tonight.  How will vanilla stack up against the flavor of the month?   Odd choice of words after 2 weeks of Weinergate.  I think O’Reilly did Pawlenty a big favor, considering the timing. 

Those who want to sample the flavors can turn in to CNN tonight at 8 pm.

Newt’s Peeps Split

MoonHowler

Washington Post:

Less than a month after one of the most calamitous political launchesin recent memory, former House speaker Newt Gingrich’s campaign for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination imploded on Thursday, when its top officials quit en masse.

At least 16 of the former lawmaker’s advisers, including all of his senior campaign aides, departed the fledgling operation in a major and potentially devastating shake-up. Those who left included Gingrich’s campaign manager, his spokesman, top political strategists and key operatives from crucial GOP primary states. Former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue (R), who was Gingrich’s national campaign co-chairman, also defected, to the presidential campaign of former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty (R), where a close political aide to the ex-governor is the campaign manager.

Does this mean that Newt will drop out or will he hire new people?  Is he a has-been?  Newt stumbled coming out of the gate with his social engineering remark.  He apparently was too moderate for the GOP. 

His staff and he apparently had a falling out over his decision for him and his wife Callista to cruise the Greek Islands.  They felt he needed to tend to getting elected. 

Newt certainly seems to be the most cerebral of the candidates with lots of experience under his belt.  I would hate to see him drop out, even with his flaws, he is a cut above many.

Palin: Ignorant and proud of it

MoonHowler

LA Times:

“He who warned, uh, the British that they weren’t gonna be takin’ away our arms, uh, by ringing those bells, and um, makin’ sure as he’s riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed.”

Sarah Palin and her family visited the Old North Church and apparently wanted to dazzle her fans with her knowledge of American history.  The above is Sarah Palin’s version of Paul Revere’s ride.  I guess they don’t have history books in Alaska because she sure is off the mark.  

 

Sarah Palin now tells us she didn’t mess up.  From USA Today:

Sarah Palin defended her account of Paul Revere and his midnight ride, insisting that his warning essentially represented a message to the British that the revolutionaries weren’t going to back down.

“I didn’t mess up,” the potential GOP presidential candidate said this morning on Fox News Sunday. “I answered candidly and I know my American history.”

It really isn’t that Palin doesn’t know squat about the American Revolution.  If she were president she would have an entire staff of educated people around her to make up for her woeful ignornance.  It is, however, her arrogance and inability and unwillingness  to do something about these weaknesses that makes her an unfit candidate. 

Sarah Palin Plans Rolling Thunder Appearance

MoonHowler

Memorial Day Weekend is the annual Rolling Thunder weekend.  Thousands of veterans on motorcycles come roaring in to the Washington, DC to let America know that they have not forgotten those who didn’t come home–first from Vietnam and now from other more recent wars.  Crowds line the streets to cheer these warriors on.

Sarah Palin has ann0unced that she will be joining Rolling Thunder. 

Tell me its not true.   The Rolling Thunder website makes no mention of a Palin appearance.

TBD:

This year, the annual bike tour – a Memorial Day weekend staple – will welcome Sarah Palin, who will use the event to kick off a Northeast bus tour, the New York Times reports.

It’s unclear whether or not Palin – the former governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate – will speak at the event.

Keep an eye out for her bus; it’s hard to miss. A blue monstrosity, it features the Constitution and the words “One Nation” on the side. A geographic interpretation of the United States in on the back of the bus (pretty much to scale, give or take Hawaii’s rather cozy relationshipwith California), with Palin information mixed in. On the bright side, it’s a step up from her last bus, which was really just a giant Sarah Palin billboard with wheels.

How dare she!  In the first place, what does she have to do with Rolling Thunder?  She obviously isn’t a Vietnam Vet.  Was she invited to join them or did she intrude?  For the rest of her trip, Palin won’t share where she is going or when she will be there.  Why the secrecy? 

Saints preserve us.  Is this how she will ride into town?

   All of this fanfare must be for only one reason–Presidential Run. 

Is it ego or blind ambition or money that is motivating this woman?

 

 

 

 

Now where is that big blue monstrosity?  It gets better.  One Nation bus?

             

Freedom Works tries to topple Mitt Romney

MoonHowler

From the Huffington Post:

WASHINGTON – A top goal of the nation’s most influential national Tea Party group is to stop Mitt Romney from winning the Republican nomination for president.

Interviews with top officials at FreedomWorks, a Washington-based organizing hub for Tea Party activists around the country, revealed that much of their thinking about the 2012 election revolves around derailing the former Massachusetts governor.

“Romney has a record and we don’t really like it that much,” said Adam Brandon, the group’s communications director

So if Romney is the front runner, then who does the Tea Party want to put in there?  Does Palin’s hour long video have anything to do with this plan?

If the Republicans want to hold on to their party, it seems to me that they need to tell the Tea Party who runs things.

I am just not sure I understand all this.  Does someone want to enlighten us all?

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The Newtster: Urinated inside the family circle? No Way!

MoonHowler

Ewwwwwwww!  Jon Stewart is right.  What is the impolite way of saying that?

Newtster has fully shot himself in the foot.  No Sister Souljah momentfor the Newtster.

Will Newt be forgiven or did he drink the proverbial hemlock of politics.  It seems he is making himself hard to be like d by everyone.   Actually, Newt was able to wrestle the limelight away from Arnold.  That’s quite an accomplishment.  Any time political stupidity steals tawdry sex’s thunder, it must be real stupid political stupidity.