As is the case with many other Americans, I found myself paying more attention to the recent mid-term elections than any other mid-terms I can remember. I kept hearing Republican candidates insist that government spending was out of control, and if elected, they would make spending cuts “across the board.” So, we waited for some specifics on those across the board cuts. Would they cut entitlements? Would Social Security and Medicare take hits? Would veteran benefits be cut? Would salaries for U.S. military personnel be reduced? What? We never quite got the answers we were waiting for. Now the elections are over, and the GOP emerged victorious. As you can imagine, reporters are doggedly in pursuit of information about what will be cut. But the legislators are tap dancing around the question. Listen to Anderson Cooper fight the good fight to get Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-MN) to get specific about planned GOP cuts. The interview starts at 1:41.
NBC’s David Gregory had similar challenges getting S. Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint to spill the beans on planned spending cuts. And Christine Amanpour didn’t get any further in her efforts with newly minted Kentucky Senator Rand Paul to ante up on where the cuts would be made. Watch:
It is bad enough that our elected officials won't come clean about their real intentions, but it gets worse. Just this week the Republican Study Committee (don't feel bad; I've never heard of it either) recommended cutting a welfare program that could save us $2.5 billion every year. Oh, but see, there was just one problem. It turns out that this particular program, called the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) expired on September 30. I'm thinking the Study committee needs to go to detention. What do you think?
So…call me crazy, but it appears the GOP simply told many Americans what they wanted to hear – that the budget would be balanced (although all of us know this is not possible right now); that Social Security is safe, that Medicare is safe, that veterans are safe. Who or what is not safe? If we need to cut trillions, we can’t really do that by trimming the President’s security detail, watching out for overpriced Amtrak tickets and cutting Federal jobs, which would do nothing more than drive up unemployment. And we can't save much money by cutting programs that no longer exist. Is it just me, or were we just bamboozled by some disingenuous legislators?
Let’s just get this out of the way first – the goofballs alluded to in the above headline are consummate whack-job Michele Bachmann, the neocon congresswoman from Minnesota; the man without a verbal filter of any kind, RNC Chairman Michael Steele; and of course, the true face and voice of the current Republican party, entertainer Rush Limbaugh. (Bachmann and Steele are pictured at right. We've all seen enough of Rush, haven't we?)
You know everything you need to know about Rush. I’m not wasting bandwith on him. Let’s look at Michele, and I will now write the longest sentence I have ever written, a summary of Michele’s unfortunate views and positions: Michele Bachmann claims pedophiles are all gay; insists God told her (through her husband) to get a post-doctoral degree in tax law and then to run for elected office, and ultimately labels herself a “fool for Christ” and says she’s “hot for God” ; claims the current H1N1 virus is “interesting” since it happened under the watch of a Democratic president, just as it did in 1976 (although all historical records still agree the President of the U.S. in 1976 was Gerald Ford, a Republican); believes many members of Congress are anti-American; fears that the U.S. is “running out of rich people”; said in a speech on the Senate floor that carbon dioxide is a harmless gas; believes the government is trying to establish “re-education” camps for young people, to train them in the philosophy of the Democratic party; publicly referred to the late Terry Schiavo as “healthy”.
Can we all just agree that Michele Bachmann is indeed a nut? Unfortunately for the Republican party, she never stops talking. She is rapidly becoming a high profile face of the party. Aside from the time she said two lesbians blocked her from leaving a public restroom (I promise), here is one of my favorite Bachmann appearances. On Hardball with Chris Matthews Congresswoman Whackadoodle showed her full paranoia, naming Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Michelle Pelosi as “anti-American”:
One time, appearing together, Bachmann praised (?) RNC Chairman Michael Steele by declaring, “Michael Steele, you be da man.” Yes, she said that. And in fairness, Steele has almost courted that unfortunate image. Here’s a typical Steele response to a reporter’s question – this time it had to do with Republicans voting against money for a potential flu pandemic. Steele’s logic? We didn’t have any way of knowing there would be a flu pandemic, so why would we allot money for it? Evidently, Steele believes we generally know in advance when there will be a pandemic, or other national crisis:
Steele is what we call a “loose cannon.” The Republican royalty apparently did not expect Steele to be quite so controversial when they chose him, but he’s trouble. He spends a lot of time talking about things that have nothing to do with….well, with anything. Here is what he said about Michelle Obama’s inaugural gown: "I wasn't feelin' that. Didn't like the cut. All the little puff things on it -- what was that all about? She could have done a Valentino." Huh? And then there was this, in an interview with GQ Magazine: "I love to party. I love hanging out with women, sometimes more than men. You know, sit back and let your hair down type thing?" So 50 Cent,right? All of this, just as he said on CNN that he is the “de facto leader of the Republican party.” Seriously, does he believe that?
At a minimum, Steele does not display much of a sense of decorum. At the extreme, he is overtly partisan, prone to hair-trigger responses to reporters’ queries, and generally not a good team player. Some typical Steel-isms: One time, speaking to a Jewish group, he compared stem-cell research to Nazi medical experiments on Jews during the holocaust years. Oy. Another time, speaking of pending healthcare reform legislation, Steele actually joked about Senator Ted Kennedy’s brain cancer, saying the bill should probably be called the "Ted Kennedy Memorial Healthcare Bill." Ouch. There is more: In a party that does not pride itself on social change, particularly when it concerns gay issues, Steele has publicly stated that homosexuality is not a choice. On the other hand, Steele calls himself a pro-lifer, but has made comments that sound distinctly pro-choice.
The problem? Steele is not a politician, and in the Republican party’s current precarious position, they need a politician. The further problem? Steele is more focused on promoting himself than the party. He was a bad choice for the job. Nobody in the party wants to come out and say it emphatically, but in a year of particularly bad choices (Read: Sarah Palin) Steele may be among the worst.
We need at least a two party system. The competition and the ideological tug of war is a healthy construct for the democracy. People like crazy Michele Bachmann and Michael Steele should become Republican party reorganizational road kill.
And of course, I mean that in the nicest way possible. Uh huh.
One day after it was announced that the family of Eric Garner (above) will receive a $5.9 million settlement from New York City, the family has called on city officials to charge NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo with murder. Garner, who was allegedly selling illegal cigarettes, was in the midst of a minor run-in with NY cops when Pantaleo took him down with a chokehold. The coroner ruled the death a homicide, but a Grand Jury failed to indict. Now, the family wants justice. In a news conference, Garner’s mother and wife called for U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to prosecute Pantaleo. "They deserve to be prosecuted. They treated my husband like an animal," said Esaw Garner, Garner’s wife. Meanwhile, just days before the settlement was revealed, Pantaleo’s attorney reported the cop wants to rejoin the NYPD. “The unbelievable part is this has not soured him one bit on doing law enforcement,” said attorney Stuart London. This, even as Pantaleo is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for possible civil rights violations. In fact, Pantaleo still works for NYPD, albeit in a menial paper-pushing position. Garner’s case spawned nationwide demonstrations, using his last words, “I can’t breathe,” as the rallying call. Keep an eye on this case: With the current national climate of racial division, if the Justice Department fails to charge Pantaleo, the long hot summer may just boil over. In the following video, Pantaleo (in green t-shirt) can be seen essentially murdering Garner. Judge for yourself:
BIRTH CONTROL BONANZA!
Way back in 1961 when the birth control pill was introduced, no one could have predicted what would follow. Some call it a sexual revolution. It lasted quite a long time, really well into the 1980s, when HIV was first discovered in the population. Now, Oregon is leading the way with its own revolutionary legislation that will allow women to buy the pill over the counter. Women will be required to answer 20 questions to assess their health risks with the use of the pill. Actually, the country is loosening its grip on birth control in other ways. The state of Washington is expected to follow Oregon’s lead with a similar law. For the past six years, Colorado has provided free, or low-cost intrauterine devices. More controversial, however, are certain schools in Seattle that are implanting IUD’s in girls as young as sixth grade, without even consulting or informing the parents. Stay tuned, since parents are already making some angry noises about that. Meanwhile, on July 10, the Obama administration outlined firm rules for contraception coverage in employee health insurance programs. The bottom line: Most plans will now provide birth control at no cost to the insured. There are some specific compromises provided for companies that object to offering “morning after” pills, and for companies that are privately held and controlled by fewer than five people. So, are we in a second sexual revolution? Hmmm…probably not. The first one never really ended, now did it? But get this: researchers are actively working on a male birth control pill. Now THAT will likely spark a real revolution. (Click on the image above to watch a brief video on the history of birth control—Lysol…who knew)
TRUMP FATIGUE
By now, the whole world (including Mexico!) knows that NBC fired presidential hopeful Donald Trump, former host of “Celebrity Apprentice,” on June 29, after he summarily labeled Mexican immigrants killers and rapists. (Way to gather up the Latino vote, Donald). That followed Univision announcing it was severing ties with The Donald, and would not air the beauty pageants he owns. NBC won’t air them either. Meanwhile, a former Miss Holland, Linda Grandia is battling with Trump over her own pageant, Miss Multiverse. Trump claims Miss Multiverse violates his Miss Universe trademark, citing Grandia’s use of the term “Miss,” according to Page Six. As of June 29, more than 700,000 people had signed a petition urging Macy’s to disconnect from Trump, whose menswear line does a fair amount of business in the stores. Meanwhile, Trump visited Chicago and in a speech at the City Club he rattled on about how negative the perception of Chicago is throughout the country, due to the high crime rate. His solution? "You've got to stop it. You're not going to stop it by being nice. You're going to stop it by being one tough son of a bitch." Quite a platform. He then spent considerable time talking about how much he admires Rod Blagojevich, the former Governor of Illinois who is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for trying to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. Very presidential, Donald. Is it just me, or are we already tired of Donald Trump? How long until he bows out of the presidential race, as we all know he ultimately will? Donald, please, please go back to your shimmering tower in the Manhattan sky and make more YouTube videos that target your “enemies.” So entertaining. Please. Just go.
A POWERFUL STATEMENT FROM TYLENOL
Just as the U.S. Supreme Court was about to announce its ruling on marriage equality, and right when social issues such as surrogacy, blended families and adoption are at the forefront of the cultural conversation, Tylenol offers some perspective. In its new commercial, Tylenol makes a powerful statement about what comprises an American family. A sincere tip of my blogger’s hat to the powers that be at Johnson and Johnson, the parent company that makes and distributes Tylenol, for its forward thinking message, and validation of what we already know – there are all kinds of families. And each one is as real and as loving as any other. Please watch the video below and then pass it on. Click on the image above to hear director Dustin Lance Black explain how Tylenol’s “How We Family” project came to be.
BEWARE THE SANTORUM
I’m sorry to say, “Here we go again.” Rick Santorum is running for President of the United States. Is there really an American who can picture Rick Santorum in the White House? About his current plan to run, Santorum told an interviewer recently, “America loves an underdog. Being underestimated has given me a lot of latitude.” Ugh. Santorum reportedly has a supportive organization called Patriot Voices, which is about 150,000 strong. That’s 150,000 people in a country of about 316 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau 2013 figures. So, while it is unlikely Santorum has a snowball’s chance in hell of becoming the nominee, much less winning the election, we will still have to be subjected to his ongoing tirade against…well, almost everything. Remember, Santorum is the guy who actually said pornography causes brain damage, and who pledges to make it a focus issue of his campaign. Santorum is also the guy who once described contraception as "a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be." He has also compared marriage equality to polygamy; called Obama a snob for wanting all Americans to have an opportunity to go to college; curses “radical feminism” for moms not being at home, where presumably he believes they should be; likened homosexuality to “man on dog” sex. But it is Santorum’s consistently exclusionary and judgmental views on socio-political and economic issues that did him in in 2012 and will likely do so again. Still, ready yourself, because Rick Santorum will be all up in your business for the next couple of years. And yes, you can surely expect to see those God-awful 1973 sweater vests in an an array of colors.
GERSHWIN ON BROADWAY!
If you are in NYC or planning to be there, do yourself a great favor and go to see An American in Paris. Gershwin labeled his creation a “rhapsodic ballet.” Technically it is a “symphonic poem,” which simply stated, is a composition played in one long movement, and one that tells a story through music. I can’t think of a better description of An American in Paris than that…except maybe “rhapsodic ballet.” Indeed a seriously Broadway-worthy troupe of dancers brings this piece to life, eight times a week at the Palace Theatre. If you have seen the movie a thousand times, as I have, it’s tough to get the image of Gene Kelly, the master, out of your mind as you watch this production. But Robert Fairchild holds his own in the iconic role of Jerry Mulligan, the American soldier who falls for the elegant French girl, Lise, remarkably danced by Leanne Cope. It doesn’t hurt that Cope bears an uncanny resemblance to Leslie Caron, the movie’s Lise. Gershwin fits Broadway like a hand in a kid leather glove. As striking as this production is, just three years ago Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess was one of the best Broadway productions I had ever seen. I now add An American in Paris to my short list. Amazingly, it was written in 1928 and now, 87 years later it still evokes universal themes. Take a minute and 46 seconds and get lost in the artistry:
STILL JAMES TAYLOR
If the words “Sweet Baby James” conjure memories of the 1970s, listen up. Our unofficial crooner laureate, James Taylor, has a new studio album of all new songs, his first in 13 years. Taylor, whose hits include “Fire and Rain,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Country Road,” among dozens of others, has survived and realized commercial success by staying true to his poetic and melodic roots, through the rock era, through disco, through hip hop and all the other genres of the past half century. In fact, his first recorded song was 54 years ago. At 67, this is the first time Taylor has ever had an album debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts. Even if you don’t remember the cool 70s glamour of Taylor’s marriage to singer Carly Simon, or his career-long rhapsodic partnership with Carole King, the new album is fully representative of the gentle-spirited storyteller at his seasoned best. Oh, and that cello you hear now and then? Yes, that’s Yo Yo Ma. Listen::
WHEN ART MEETS ART
Crooner Tony Bennett, who is wise enough and musically powerful enough to get away with calling the great American songbook “classical music,” has had some very cool collaborations over the years. Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, Aretha, Willy Nelson, Streisand, McCartney, Stevie Wonder, just to name a few. But now he seems to have met his tuneful match in none other than Lady Gaga. Listen, art is art. It doesn’t matter that Bennett was born when Calvin Coolidge was President, and Gage entered fully 60 years later. And it doesn’t matter that Bennett’s style is sheer class and smooth sophistication, while nobody dares try to categorize Gaga. What matters is that they have finally found each other and nobody wins bigger than you and me in this lyrical coupling. See for yourself:
Paul Greenberg is a journalist who has been ranting about one thing or another for decades. This blog will be populated by musings about issues, events, people and movements that are important to him...and hopefully to you.
“Obama doesn’t want America to believe that we’re exceptional,” Schlafly said. “He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That’s his attitude.” - See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-obama-intentionally-bringing-ebola-make-america-more-africa#sthash.JpvIa7hO.dpuf
“Obama doesn’t want America to believe that we’re exceptional,” Schlafly said. “He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That’s his attitude.” - See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-obama-intentionally-bringing-ebola-make-america-more-africa#sthash.JpvIa7hO.dpuf"Obama doesn't want America to believe that we're exceptional. He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too."
“Obama doesn’t want America to believe that we’re exceptional,” Schlafly said. “He wants us to be just like everybody else, and if Africa is suffering from Ebola, we ought to join the group and be suffering from it, too. That’s his attitude.” - See more at: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/phyllis-schlafly-obama-intentionally-bringing-ebola-make-america-more-africa#sthash.JpvIa7hO.d
"But what if ... I mean, there are times, I’m sure, someone has, in the history of this land, used a cigarette against a police officer --maybe chucked it at him, pushed it at him." FOX network's Elisabeth Hasselback, commenting on possible reasons the arresting officer asked Sandra Bland to extinguish a cigarette she was smoking in her car when he stopped for for a traffic violation. Bland was later found dead in her cell. “I’d love that. Because she really is somebody who knows what’s happening and she’s a special person, she’s really a special person and I think people know that.” Donald Trump, discussing the possibility of hiring Sarah Palin for a position in his administration if he is elected President of the United States. "Donald Trump means never having to say you're sorry." CNN's Don Lemon He’s a war hero ’cause he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.” Donald Trump, offering his assessment of Senator John McCain, who was shot down in a bombing mission in North Vietname, and served six years in a prison camp. "One man traded 2 legs for the freedom of the other to trade 2 balls for 2 boobs." Director Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights") expressing his opinion about Caitlyn Jenner winning the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs. Berg was comparing Jenner with a disabled war veteran. "You know there are three branches of our government: the Supreme Court and the legislative branch and you have the people. The people and their ability to vote." Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, who perhaps needs a civics lesson? "The Confederate flag is a symbol of my heritage, and that heritage has nothing to do with racism or hate." Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, commenting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the display of the Confederate flag. "Sometimes it can become even morally necessary, precisely when it comes to subtracting the weaker spouse, or small children, from more serious wounds caused by intimidation and violence, humiliation and exploitation." Pope Francis, on divorce. "These people sat in there and waited their turn to be shot. That's just sad. Somebody in there with a means of self-defense could've stopped this." South Carolina state Rep. Bill Chumley (R), apparently advocating for increased access to guns inside of the state's churches.
“We’re not cured of it. And it’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say nigger in public. That’s not the measure of whether racism still exists or not.” President Obama, in a recent, controversial podcast.
"You know, the great thing about the state of Iowa is, I'm pretty sure you all define gun control the same way we do in Texas -- hitting what you aim at." Presidential candidate Ted Cruz, speaking at an Iowa town hall, three days after the Charleston shootings.
"Just like niggers, Jews are always thinking about the fact that they are Jewish. The other issue is that they network. If we could somehow turn every Jew blue for 24 hours, I think there would be a mass awakening, because people would be able to see plainly what is going on." Alleged mass murder Dylan Roof, in the "manifesto" that was uncovered after the Charleston shootings.
As is the case with many other Americans, I found myself paying more attention to the recent mid-term elections than any other mid-terms I can remember. I kept hearing Republican candidates insist that government spending was out of control, and if elected, they would make spending cuts “across the board.” So, we waited for some specifics on those across the board cuts. Would they cut entitlements? Would Social Security and Medicare take hits? Would veteran benefits be cut? Would salaries for U.S. military personnel be reduced? What? We never quite got the answers we were waiting for. Now the elections are over, and the GOP emerged victorious. As you can imagine, reporters are doggedly in pursuit of information about what will be cut. But the legislators are tap dancing around the question. Listen to Anderson Cooper fight the good fight to get Rep. Michelle Bachman (R-MN) to get specific about planned GOP cuts. The interview starts at 1:41.
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