'Best of TBH Politoons'
Baron Dave Romm
The Heartland Project
By Baron Dave Romm
People on opposite political sides always seem to accuse the other of the inability to see things from their perspective. But usually, these differences are based on facts and interpretation of facts. This is no longer the case. Since 1981, the right wing in this country has just lost it. The biggest political flip-flop in US history was Ronald Reagan, running for 16 years on a platform of a balanced budget, betrayed his biggest campaign promise to create massive deficits we have no recovered from. The next biggest flip-flop is happening now: George W. Bush's lies before invading Iraq and ever-changing story since those lies were exposed. He gets to spew new lies, which are largely unchallenged by a cowed media.
Cognitive Dissonance rules. Believing one lie leads to believing a whole set of lies. Two generations of blatant lies have ruined a once-proud political party: To be a Republican these days, one must believe lies and not believe the truth.
Here are a few plain truths that no Republican will ever accept. They will rant and rave and clinch their sphincter in shame while they spin more lies, but that doesn't change the facts. Political labels and fads may change, but at some point basic human decency needs to reassert itself. It's time for the Heartland of America to reclaim the high road, to reestablish the moral compass that made this country great.
It's time to return to some semblance of reality. I'm not going to list cites: These statements are simple, obvious and well documented. Anyone who wants more information can do a Google search. Ranting by the conservative news media and right-wing bloggers doesn't count.
I'm going to start this project on Bartcop-E, to get reaction and see if there are more simple truths that should be added. More on this below.
Simple Truths: The Heartland Project
A preliminary list
Some anticipated responses: Telling a Republican the truth is like telling a four year old that there is no Santa Claus: They can't accept it, and will beat their little fists furiously against the adult that brings them into the real world. The will deny, distort, whine and lie some more. The lies, for the most part, fall into three categories which seem to derive from the rhetorical responses heard on hate radio. Many on the far right have spent more time with Rush/O'Reilly/Ollie than they have with their spouses, and it shows.
Dittohead response #1: Change the subject. Preferably to Clinton.
Dittohead response #2: The "Everybody Does It" defense.
Dittohead response #3: The personal attack.
I will eventually make this a separate web page and make a larger announcement. You are, of course, free to spread the preliminary list around in e-mails or on blogs or whatever. I anticipate an outpouring of hate from the insecure right, but I can handle that (or send the threats to Homeland Security...). I figure Bartcop-E readers are practical and are just as disgusted with the direction this country is headed. So I'm asking for more simple truths.
The basic concept is to make a list of things that are politically incorrect in today's ultra-conservative environment. Simple statements of fact that are true and easily demonstrated to be true that are the exact opposite of what the Bush administration, right-wing commentators and hate radio are saying. Any additions? E-mail Baron Dave. Keep it simple, polite and perhaps a cite or two.
Thanks.
Baron Dave Romm is a conceptual artist and a noble of Ladonia who produces Shockwave Radio Theater, writes in a Live Journal demi-blog, plays with a very weird CD collection and an ever growing list of political links. Dave Romm reviews things at random for obscure web sites. You can read all his music recommendations from Bartcop-E. To receive the show as podcasts go to Shockwave Radio Theater Podcast or paste the following string in your podcast software: http://www.romm.org/podcast . All podcasts also on the Shockwave Radio audio page.
Thanks to everyone who has sent me music to play on the air. --////
TODAY!
Erin Hart
Erin Hart is sitting
in for Jay Marvin on Boulder's Progressive Talk, AM760.net
today (and maybe tomorrow), from 6am to 10am MST (8am - noon EST/7am - 11am CST/5am - 9am PST).
Streaming online at am760.net
and listen for a new contest that is AWESOME.
Immigration grabbed the streets and our hearts this weekend. How much
restriction is too much and why are employers the one who escape scrutiny?
Do you REALLY want to agree with ANYTHING espouses by Tom Tancredo?
And the Bush Administration is in full metal defense mode--Secy. Rice et al
hit the chat shows to make up for a President with zero credibility. And I
hope you were as outraged as I was about a Newsweek article about IEDs and
how the Pentagon and military bureaucrats once again through our troops into
harm's way.
Plus, we meet and greet Congressional Candidate Jay Fawcett, veteran who
will challenge Joel Hefley for his seat. Let's turn out.
And finally, get the skinny on Blue and Red campaign contributors.
Thanks for listening and check out
erinhartshow.com.
Freshly Updated!
Dick Eats Bush
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
Jonathan Weisman: Group sues to block budget law that never passed House (Washington Post)
For anyone who took fifth-grade social studies, how legislation turns to law always seemed pretty simple: The House passes a bill, the Senate passes the same bill, and the president signs it. But last month, Washington threw all that old-fashioned civics stuff into a tizzy when President Bush signed into law a bill that never passed the House. The bill -- in this case, a major budget-cutting measure that will affect millions of Americans -- became a law because it was "certified" by the leaders of the House and Senate.
Shmuley Boteach: It Takes Two (beliefnet.com)
Masturbating might seem like a cure for loneliness, but it is no substitute for a true sexual relationship.
Interview by Michael Kress: Doris Roberts: Using Her 'Big Mouth' to Fight for Good (beliefnet.com)
Starring in a new TV movie, the 'Everybody Loves Raymond' mother speaks out on behalf of older Americans and the homeless.
Joe Openshaw: Forget blue. Think red (advocate.com)
In an open letter to the leaders of LGBT organizations, a Birmingham, Ala., resident urges a new strategy for equality: Remember the civil rights struggles of the 1960s and take the fight to the places that most need to be educated-the South and the Midwest
Lydia Marcus: Interview with Chastity Bono (afterellen.com)
During our two interviews, Bono, 37, spoke openly of how a past addiction to prescription painkillers led her to retreat from the media spotlight and contributed to the weight gain that drove her to compete on Fit Club.
Joey Guerra: Bruce Vilanch's Gay Reality (afterelton.com)
Vilanch dishes on the Oscars, John Travolta in drag, and the harsh reality of reality television.
Jeffrey Epstein: Jennifer Convertible (out.com)
Out.com Exclusive: Ms. Jennifer Tilly was down with the gays before, well, just about anyone. Here's the full interview, excerpted in the April issue of Out.
Reader Contribution
Baby Panda Pictures
I don't know if you have already run these photos, but I'm going to send
them anyway because they are so cute.
They are the 16 baby pandas that were born in China during October 2005.
Hubert's Poetry Corner
Betrayal of Baron 52
This TOP SECRET flight -
UMBRAge and honor blight!
Update From Colby
Katherine Harris
Hi,
Katherine Harris: Flip-Flop or Lie, Who's Money Is It?
Katherine and her people can't keep their stories straight .
Here is some good insight from two local columnists:
Poor Harris
What it Takes
Colby B
in Frostproof
Thanks, Colby!
Purple Gene Reviews
'Brief Encounter'
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Mostly sunny.
Dear old Dad has a new computer courtesy of cousin Joe in Pittsburgh. Technically, he's Dr. Joe - from the smarter side of the family.
No new flags.
Lecture Causes Stir at Pa. School
Morgan Spurlock
The filmmaker who ate nothing but McDonald's meals for his Oscar-nominated film, "Super Size Me," gave a profanity-laced, politically incorrect speech at a suburban Philadelphia high school, but not everyone was lovin' it.
Speaking at Hatboro-Horsham High School's first-ever health fair, Morgan Spurlock joked about the intelligence of McDonald's employees, about "retarded kids in the back wearing helmets" and teachers smoking pot in the balcony.
Most of the 700 students laughed, gave him a standing ovation and mobbed him for autographs. A speech Spurlock was to make at the school later Friday night for community members was canceled.
Spurlock said he has never had a complaint after giving similar talks at other high schools and colleges. He said he had been told shortly before his appearance not to talk about McDonald's because a board member of the Hatboro-Horsham Education Foundation, which sponsored the appearance, owns a franchise.
Morgan Spurlock
Acquiring Ryko Corp.
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group said Friday it reached a $67.5 million deal to acquire independent recording company Ryko Corp., which distributes music by artists such as The Posies, Big Star and Frank Zappa.
New York-based Warner Music is paying cash for Ryko, which was owned by a group of investors led by JPMorgan Partners.
Ryko's collection of recordings includes works by independent music stalwarts such as They Might Be Giants, The Dead Milkmen, The Flaming Lips and The Replacements.
Warner Music Group
Best Ever Song
Air Guitar
Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven the been voted the ultimate guitar solo of all time. The Jimmy Page epic beat the likes of Guns N' Roses' Paradise City and Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Child to best air guitar moment. The solo was voted for by almost 2,000 readers of Total Guitar magazine.
Total Guitar editor Stephen Lawson said: "Absolutely everyone loves to play air guitar when they hear the moment in a song where the guitarist rocks out.
Top 10 Guitar Solos
1. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
2. Van Halen - Eruption
3. Guns N' Roses - Paradise City
4. The Eagles - Hotel California
5. Metallica - Enter Sandman
6. Cream - Crossroads
7. Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
8. Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
9. Free - All Right Now
10. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Air Guitar
Actors Back Bill to Protect Likenesses
Connecticut
Actors Paul Newman, Christopher Plummer and Charles Grodin, all Connecticut residents, said they worry technology has made it possible to access their films, images and voices, and to use that material to produce another product they know nothing about.
A bill before the legislature's Judiciary Committee would forbid use of another person's "right of publicity," such as their name, voice, signature, photo, image, likeness, distinctive appearance, gestures or mannerisms, for commercial purposes without proper consent.
The Motion Picture Association of America, which represents the major film studios, opposes the bill in its current form. It fears the legislation could infringe on filmmakers' rights of expression and their ability to use old footage in their movies.
Connecticut
Inspires Video Game
'Desperate Housewives'
Walt Disney Co.'s Buena Vista Games Inc. said on Friday it plans to release a PC video game based on the popular television show "Desperate Housewives" this fall.
In the game, players take on the role of a new Wisteria Lane housewife, who can uncover or create new scandals on the seemingly idyllic street where the show takes place.
Actress Brenda Strong, who is the voice of the show's deceased narrator, Mary Alice Young, has signed on to play a similar role in the game. Negotiations are in the works with other cast members, a spokeswoman for Buena Vista Games said.
'Desperate Housewives'
White House Spring Cleaning
Pickles
Well, at least one part of the White House is heeding calls for new blood. Not only is the pastry chef quitting this week, a close look at the first lady's office shows that she has replaced her entire high command after five years in charge of the East Wing.
Laura Bush is now on her second chief of staff, Anita McBride. She is on her second projects and policy director, Sonya Medina. She is on her third press secretary, Susan Whitson. She is on her second social secretary, Lea Berman.
Whitson, who has been Bush's press secretary for a little more than a year, attributed the changes in the 20-person staff to natural turnover, not disarray or misery.
Pickles
Business Professor/Swindler
University of Southern California
A business professor at the University of Southern California was arrested on Friday by the FBI on charges of swindling students and others in a real estate fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Barry Landreth, who had taught real estate finance and development at the university, stole at least $1.5 million (860,000 pounds) in the first 10 months of 2005, telling students and other investors he would buy land in Chicago and Las Vegas and then sell it for large profits, an FBI affidavit said.
Instead, he transferred all the money into his personal account without buying the land, the FBI said.
University of Southern California
Horn Lake, Miss.
Oops
An unidentified elderly Horn Lake couple were hospitalized Thursday after police burst into their home thinking it housed a methamphetamine laboratory.
The incident occurred Wednesday about 4 a.m., said police Capt. Shannon Beshears. Beshears said it was the right address but the wrong house.
A man and a woman - both in their 80s - were injured as TACT team members secured the house although no drugs were found. There were children in the house also, but they were not awakened, Beshears said.
Beshears said the woman received a dislocated shoulder and the man received bruised ribs. Both were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, but both asked police not to identify them.
Oops
Marines Try to Recruit
Sonia Goldstein
Sonia Goldstein was flattered by the nice recruiting letter asking her to consider becoming one of "the few, the proud." But at age 78, she believes she's just a little old to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
The letter told her the corps could use her unique language skills, but also warned that life as a Marine would test her physical and mental abilities "beyond anything you've ever known."
"There I am with my walker. I can't maneuver from here to there without it," said Goldstein, who added that her only language is English.
Sonia Goldstein
New Books Diss Bush
Conservatives
Conservatives who charge resident George W. Bush has imposed a theocracy, risked US bankruptcy and fanned flames of anti-Americanism are flooding US booksellers with their irate tomes.
Leading the list of bestsellers on Amazon.com is commentator Kevin Phillips' "American Theocracy, the Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil and Borrowed Money in the 21st century."
"The rapture, end-times, and Armageddon hucksters in the US rank with any Shiite ayatollahs, and the last two presidential elections mark the transformation of the GOP into the first religious party in US history," argues Phillips, who cites messianic overtones in some of Bush's pronouncements, the mobilization of churches ahead of elections and of creationist fervor.
Conservatives
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