Baron Dave Romm
Post Election Thoughts
By Baron Dave Romm
Friend
me on Facebook
Mention Bartcop-E in the Friend
Request
Watch short and idiosyncratic videos on Baron Dave's You Tube Channel
The Citizen's United decision flooded the airwaves with foreign money
The Citizens United Effect: 40 percent of outside money made possible by Supreme Court ruling Sunlight Foundation 11/4/10:
The impact of Citizens United can be judged by simply following the money. The $126 million in undisclosed money represents more than a quarter of the total $450 million spent by outside groups. Add the $60 million spent by groups that were allowed to raise unlimited money, but still had to disclose, to the undisclosed money and the total amount of outside money made possible by the Citizens United ruling reaches $186 million or 40 percent of the total spent by outside groups.
The outside groups taking advantage of the Citizens United ruling are largely tilted towards the Republicans. Republican groups raising unlimited money and disclosing their donors spent $35.7 million, $11 million more than their Democratic counterparts. By a nearly six to one margin Republicans outspent the Democrats among groups that failed to disclose the source of their money ($59 million to $10 million).
(graphic) Click to see the top 20 outside groups and how they fared in the 2010 elections
This heavy partisan tilt in outside spending aided the Republicans in expanding the playing field and likely helped them exceed predictions for House seat pickups.
According to a report by Politico's Jeanne Cummings, the Republican outside groups coordinated their spending, maximizing their ability to influence the elections with a massive wave of spending. Cummings also reports that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which was at a serious monetary disadvantage to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), took an unprecedented step by disclosing their ad buy strategy to the public, thus allowing the Republican outside groups to coordinate their spending with the party committee. The party committee is forbidden to coordinate with outside groups. A new loophole in federal election laws was forged when the NRCC publicly revealed their ad strategy.
Crossroads GPS, a group associated with former Bush political director Karl Rove, spent 75 percent of their money on races where the Republican candidate won. The group spent $4.4 million, the most they spent in any race, opposing Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias in the closely fought Illinois Senate race. Giannoulias lost the race to Mark Kirk by two percentage points. GPS does not disclose their donors and could only exist in a post-Citizens United world.
The group also spent money in tight House races where Republicans have pulled off victories or appear to have won. Democratic incumbent Jim Costa looks to be headed to a defeat in California's 20th district. Crossroads GPS spent over $300,000 against Costa, who is trailing by less than three percentage points. The group spent another $300,000 against Texas Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, who lost by five points to his Republican challenger.
Post election thoughts
Yes, I'm pissed at the racist nutjobs who can't add and subtract, and the conservative news media that just let them lie and get away with it. And yes, I'm pissed at another strong Democratic series of legislative victories with yet another wimpy campaign where they didn't push how good they did.
But having lived through the Bush administration, which was a horrible combination of incompetence, pride in incompetence, pure evil, pride in being pure evil and corruption on a scale unmatched since the Reagan days, the 2010 results are merely disgusting.
Personally, I had a good day. Minnesota had no Senate race, and all the state-wide candidates I voted for won (pending outcome of the governorship). I helped the winners in most of the local races, only missing out on one of the Special School District choices (out of 2) and Soil and Water Commissioner District 2. For the latter, I mainly went with Naomi Kritzer's analysis, though I did check up on them on my own. I voted for the Charter Amendment, which passed.
Nationally, I made 2 predictions, 1 1/2 of which came true. My major prediction was that the Democratic Party would wind up with greater majorities in the House and Senate than the Republicans had after the 2002 election. I was more than right about the Senate (51 in 2003; 52 in 2011 with two pending races of which the Dem candidate is likely to win in WA), and dead wrong about the House.
However, my secondary prediction about the House races was dead on: Most (a bit under half) of the Democrats who lost were Blue Dog conservative Dems. As I said in 1994, when voters have a choice between Republicans and Republicans, they'll vote for the Republican.
More importantly, that makes the Progressive caucus the largest bloc of Democrats in the House. What you saw Republicans do in the last two years is what the Democrats will have to do in the next. For all the victory shouting by the racist nutjobs, the goppie margin in 2011 will be less than the Dem margin in 2009 (239/256). Not good news for the country, as we'll see asinine, tax-payer-dollar-wasting investigation after investigation.
But the precedent set by George W. will be used by Obama: Executive Orders and signing statements. The radicals will whine, but, as Jon Stewart says, "Don't they know we have videotape?"
Speaking of Jon Stewart: Count me as one of the people who hoped that the Rally To Restore Sanity would be a rah rah GOTV effort. Instead, it was a clunky but occasionally brilliant post-partisan piece of comedy and reflection. Much like Obama's attempt at a post-partisan style, I admire the attempt more than the results. What would have happened if Stewart were a bit more rah rah? Impossible to say.
I hope Democrats have learned their lesson: the radical right will never compromise, and they will never allow reality to get in the way of their corporate-driven agenda. The Democratic Party needs to come out swinging, armed with the facts and righteous indignation. Somehow, I don't think they will, but I'm ever the optimist.
I hope Republicans have learned their lesson: Association with racist nutjobs helps win elections but consigns you to hell. Somehow, I don't think they will, but I'm ever the optimist.
The Democratic Party took a very long time to kick out its racist nutjobs, but has held the moral high ground ever since Nixon's "Southern Strategy" and Reagan's catering to the moral relativist "Social Conservatives" who have done nothing but expand the federal government, drastically increase the Federal Debt, make the government more intrusive into your personal life, deny global warming and other facts in front of their eyes, and in general bear false witness at every turn.
We know what Republicans will do: They will lie
The conservative news media will never call the liars to task. It's up to us, and the few sane people left to shed light.
"Things that would have been disprovable myths in times past in
America now become conservative truths." In Christianity, this is
called "bearing false witness".
Rachel
Maddow Explores Right Wing Lying Echo Chamber
This campaign season's Pants on Fire guide Politifact.com 10/30/10. "We reserve that ruling on our Truth-O-Meter for those statements that are not only false, but ridiculously false. And the rhetoric flying around this this election cycle his included plenty of claims that fit the bill."
We know what Republicans will do: They will lie. Further, they will cheat.
Was the election fair? Remember, Republicans don't believe in democracy and conservatives don't believe in America. The end justifies the means. A few stories from election day. Watch news for follow ups, and bug your local news if they don't.
Voter fraud in MN: Republicans are always soft on crime when it's theirs.
Bogus Robocalls Still Bombarding Kansas
URGENT: Tea Party Activists Intimidate Black College Students in SC
Voter suppression reported in NC. "This is not the first complaint of dirty tricks in this election." The earlier complaint from the goppies...
Some bi-partisan sleaze: The 7 Sleaziest Sexist Moments from the 2010 Elections Alternet 11/6/10: "2010 saw a spate of sexist attacks on female candidates, leaving fewer women in congress than we've had in years. The good news? Fighting back against sexism can win women votes." See also The soft war against women salon.com 11/7/10 (click through ads).
Don't give an inch
"I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends.... That if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them." -- Adlai E. Stevenson
Racist nutjobs who can't add and subtract have done nothing except whine and lie about Obama for nearly two years... and it worked, helped by money from their Saudi overlords. Time to hold a mirror to their tactics as well as their lies.
The extremists didn't stop lying, so we must not stop telling the truth.
And loudly.
Baron Dave Romm is a conceptual artist and a noble of Ladonia who produces Shockwave Radio Theater, writes in a Live Journal demi-blog maintains a Facebook Page, 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. Podcasts of Shockwave Radio Theater. Permanent archive. A nascent collection of videos are on Baron Dave's YouTube channel. More radio programs, interviews and science fiction humor plays can be accessed on the Shockwave Radio audio page.
Thanks to everyone who has sent me music to play on the air.
Recommended Reading
from Bruce
roger ebert's journal: All the lonely people
Lonely people have a natural affinity for the internet. It's always there waiting, patient, flexible, suitable for every mood. But there are times when the net reminds me of the definition of a bore by Meyer the hairy economist, best friend of Travis McGee: "You know what a bore is, Travis. Someone who deprives you of solitude without providing you with companionship."
Marc Dion: Can I Be Ben Franklin With You? (creators.com)
A number of years ago, doing my regular job as a reporter on a midsized daily newspaper, I had to attend a press conference for a local anti-poverty group that runs one of those heating assistance programs. I was leafing through their literature, and I noticed that to get the help with your heating bills, you had to bring proof of residence. One of the things you could bring was your cable television bill.
William Saletan: Pelosi's Triumph (slate.com)
Politicians have tried and failed for decades to enact universal health care. This time, they succeeded. In 2008, Democrats won the presidency and both houses of Congress, and by the thinnest of margins, they rammed a bill through. They weren't going to get another opportunity for a very long time. It cost them their majority, and it was worth it.
Bill Press: The American People Don't Get It (Tribune Media Services)
Even before the midterm elections, a lot of adjectives were used to describe American voters today. They are frustrated, disappointed, dissatisfied, disillusioned, and downright angry. To which, having seen the results, I would add two other adjectives. American voters are also fickle and dumb. This year's election outcome proves, once again, the wisdom of H. L. Mencken: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."
Josh Marshall: The Keith Story (talkingpointsmemo.com)
I find the Keith Olbermann story bizarre, on both sides but mainly on MSNBC's.
James Rainey: On the Media: 'Old media's' dilemma of charging for online content (Los Angeles Times)
Some experts agree that pay-to-read is an economic necessity, but the key is finding a price and billing plan that won't scare off readers.
Sandy Banks: Seeing poverty up close (latimes.com)
Joanne Gilbert has seen the effects of our tanking economy close up. Her son with the physics degree couldn't find a job. Her friend's painting firm went belly up. Her husband, a Cal State Long Beach professor, has suffered through furloughs and salary cuts. But none of that prepared the Northridge nurse for what she encountered last weekend, when she went door-to-door in Pacoima, interviewing families who had applied for Christmas baskets from the charity MEND.
Oliver Burkeman: "This column will change your life: The wit and wisdom of Mark Twain" (guardian.co.uk)
Today's happiness gurus should follow the master and learn how to laugh.
Mark Twain: not 'an' American but 'the' American (guardian.co.uk)
'All American literature comes from one book . . . called Huckleberry Finn,' Hemingway declared. The novel remains both one of the most beloved and most banned books in the US. As the first volume of Mark Twain's unexpurgated autobiography is finally published 100 years after his death, Sarah Churchwell reflects on a national icon.
Craig Fehrman: Mark Twain's Amazing Embargo (slate.com)
The brilliant brand management behind the handling of his autobiography.
Alex Pham: Music insider shatters model of digital distribution (Los Angeles Times)
The music industry may be bellyaching about how tough times are as revenue continues to sink like a rock for traditional music companies, but don't tell that to Jeff Price. From Price's vantage point as chief executive of TuneCore Inc., business couldn't be better.
Misha Berson: Irma Thomas is the Soul Queen of New Orleans (The Seattle Times)
In New Orleans, Irma Thomas is musical royalty. And fans of Big Easy music all over the world bow down to her gloriously soulful song stylings too.
Nick Duerden: "Sheryl Crow: All I wanna do … is be a mum" (guardian.co.uk)
Rock star Sheryl Crow's dream of a family fell apart when her wedding to Lance Armstrong, the cyclist, was called off - and then she learnt she had cancer. But it all helped her focus on what she really wanted
David Bruce has 39 Kindle books on Amazon.com with 250 anecdotes in each book. Each book is $1, so for $39 you can buy 9,750 anecdotes. Search for "Funniest People," "Coolest People, "Most Interesting People," "Kindest People," "Religious Anecdotes," and "Maximum Cool."
Hubert's Poetry Corner
"The Odium from Beyond"
The Weekly Poll
Current Question
The 'Conspiracy Theory... or Fact?' Edition...
"The Vietnam War was fought over a bet that Howard Hughes lost to Aristotle Onassis."
--Jerry Fletcher (Mel 'Sugar Tits' Gibson) - Conspiracy Theory
As you will see at the following website... Conspiracy Planet - The Alternative News & History Network
There's no end to the topics covered. Some are new, some not so much. Some are interesting. Some are outrageous. Some are frightening. Some are merely entertaining... but, make no mistake, each one is believed by someone, somewhere.
Do you have a favorite 'Conspiracy Theory' that you believe in, find hilarious or just would like to know more about?
Send your response to
took another day off.
responded:
From The Creator of 'Avery Ant'
Reader Suggestions
Michelle in AZ
Reader Comment
Michelle in AZ
Hi, Marty!
I hope you got a chance to take in the "Metropolis" restoration, and I thank you again for clueing me into air-date.
I'd never seen it before tonight, and was amazed not only by the technical brilliance and relevant political allegory, but by the musical score that gave refs to the expected Wagner, but also to some fine jazz and more than a hint of Belioz' "Symphonie Fantastique". I've not chased down the credits for the score; my horse Taffy has been pretty sick for the last week w/ no determinate diagnosis; spent many hrs yesterday changing out 8 liters of IV fluids. She is still off her feed/water, and just stands around as 3 more doses of sulfa due to finish later tomorrow.
She is my heart and anchor against the rapids of caregiving for my son, as well as my venturing partner into the natural and quiet world of our adjacent desert; I worry for her..
Back to "Metropolis"; I LOVED the end scene when Obama(heart) bridged hands between Pelosi(Grot) and Boehner(Joh); that scene didn't include any Tea Party that I noticed!
-michelle-
Thanks, Michelle!
Michelle & Taffy with the Superstition Mountains in the background.
Selected Readings
from that Mad Cat, JD
In The Chaos Household
Last Night
Overcast and cool.
Back On Tuesday
Keith Olbermann
MSNBC says Keith Olbermann will be back on the air Tuesday, ending his suspension for violating NBC's rules against making political donations after two shows.
MSNBC's chief executive Phil Griffin said late Sunday that after several days of deliberation, he had determined that two days off the air was "an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy."
"We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night," Griffin said in a statement.
Liberal groups had taken on Olbermann's suspension as a cause. An online petition calling for his reinstatement, run by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, had exceeded 300,000 signatures Sunday, and Michael Moore had tweeted his support. The committee's Adam Green said Griffin was repeatedly emailed updates on the petition drives.
Keith Olbermann
Journalism Vs. Opinion
'Ethics'
Keith Olbermann's suspension from MSNBC for donating to three Democratic campaigns has made his status a cause for liberals and raised questions about how long-standing rules designed to protect the integrity of news organizations fit in a new era of opinionated programming.
Olbermann was suspended indefinitely without pay Friday for violating NBC News rules about donations. MSNBC wasn't commenting on Olbermann's future Sunday after an online petition calling for his immediate reinstatement, run by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, exceeded 250,000 signatures.
The left-leaning cable network's most popular personality acknowledged donating $2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords. NBC News prohibits its employees from making political donations unless an exception is granted in advance by the network news president. In this case, Olbermann's bosses didn't know about them until being informed by a reporter.
The rules are designed to preserve the appearance of objectivity for news organizations. Cable news networks, most prominently Fox News Channel and MSNBC, have increased their popularity in recent years through prime-time programs that dispense with any notion of impartiality.
Many mainstream news organizations take these rules dead seriously. National Public Radio subjected itself to some teasing this fall when it issued a memo forbidding its personnel from attending comic Jon Stewart's rally in Washington last month, but NPR didn't want reporters seen at an event that some people could interpret as political, unless the reporters were covering it.
'Ethics'
Massachusetts Town Makes Peace
W.E.B. Du Bois
He's the most famous son of this quiet mountain hamlet in western Massachusetts. But until recently, people looking for signs of W.E.B. Du Bois' life and legacy in Great Barrington would have had a hard time finding them.
For decades since Du Bois' death in Ghana in 1963, the civil rights activist and scholar has drawn praise for his writings but scorn from residents upset that he joined the Communist Party, became a citizen of Ghana and often criticized the U.S. over race relations.
FBI agents and riot police guarded a park dedication to him more than 40 years ago. Efforts to name a school after him were blocked. Some residents saw him the father figure of black radicalism, and they remained conflicted over his legacy and his relationship with the largely white town he often romanticized in writings.
But now, as Great Barrington readies to celebrate its 250th birthday, supporters say Du Bois is finally getting his due.
His image will be featured in many of the town's birthday events, a portion of the River Walk has been named in his honor, and the University of Massachusetts is embarking on a major restoration project of his boyhood homesite. In each case, the recent Du Bois honors came with no resistance.
W.E.B. Du Bois
Reach Agreement With Studios
AFTRA & SAG
Two film industry unions have agreed to a proposed contract from Hollywood movie and television studios in a tentative deal that would eliminate the threat of an actors' strike for at least three years.
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild reached the agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after more than two months of negotiations.
The agreement announced early Sunday would increase benefit contributions to health and retirement funds by 10 percent, bringing the total contribution rate to 16.5. Wages would increase by 6 percent over the three-year span of the contract.
The contract also promises expanded union coverage over new media productions.
AFTRA & SAG
Producer-In-Residence At NYU
Swizz Beatz
Music producer and rapper Swizz Beatz has been named the first producer-in-residence at NYU's Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University said the appointment for the current academic year is immediate. Beatz will offer students one-on-one sessions, group lectures, songwriting critiques and mentoring.
His real name is Kasseem Dean. He is married to Alicia Keys and is a native of the South Bronx.
The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music provides professional business and artistic training toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Swizz Beatz
Visits Israel
Pamela Anderson
Former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson said Sunday she will try her powers of seduction while in Israel on an unlikely audience - ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmakers.
Anderson, an honorary director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is in Israel to participate in the local version of "Dancing with the Stars."
An anti-fur bill has been put on hold in Israel over concerns by ultra-Orthodox leaders that it could impact production of the characteristic fur hats worn by some men from Hassidic sects on holidays and other festive occasions.
To combat growing secularization of Jews to European society in the 18th century, Hassidic Jews decided that their way of dress should remain intact and not be influenced by fashion. Descendants of these communities to this day wear the black hats and coats of that period, including, at times, fur hats.
Pamela Anderson
More Collapses Possible
Pompeii
More buildings inside the ancient Roman city of Pompeii could collapse, Italy's culture minister said Sunday, a day after a 2,000-year-old house once used by gladiators disintegrated into rubble.
The collapse Saturday at one of Italy's main tourist attractions was a source of embarrassment for the government and the country. President Giorgio Napolitano said it was a "disgrace for Italy" and demanded an explanation.
Culture Minister Sandro Bondi, who went to Pompeii to survey the damage on Sunday, warned that other buildings could also fall, according to Italian news agencies.
Given the number of buildings that need restoration, further damage is virtually "inevitable," said Daniela Leone, a spokeswoman for Pompeii's archaeological superintendence.
Pompeii
Join Facebook, No Poking Allowed
British Royals
They are already regular users of Twitter and YouTube -- but now Britain's royal family is setting up its own page on Internet social networking site Facebook.
The British Monarchy page features pictures, videos, news and speeches from Queen Elizabeth II and heir to the throne Prince Charles, plus his two sons Princes William and Harry, among others.
But Facebook users hoping to "poke" the queen, become her Facebook friend or post comments on her status updates will be left disappointed.
The monarchy has created a page on the hugely popular site, rather than a personal profile, meaning that its Facebook followers will merely receive updates on new postings through their news feed.
British Royals
Special Greeting For Benny
'Kiss-In'
Pope Benedict XVI strongly defended traditional families and the rights of the unborn Sunday, directly attacking Spanish laws that allow gay marriage, fast-track divorce and easier access to abortions as he dedicated Barcelona's iconic basilica, the Sagrada Familia.
It was the second time in as many days that Benedict had criticized the policies of Spain's Socialist government and called for Europe as a whole to rediscover Christian teachings and apply them to everyday life.
As he headed to the basilica, about 200 gays and lesbians staged a 'kiss-in' to protest his visit and church policies that consider homosexual acts "intrinsically disordered." Later, a few hundred women marched to protest their second-class status in the church and the Vatican's opposition to birth control.
Benedict has focused much of his pontificate on trying to fight secular trends in the West such as the legal recognition of same-sex unions. He has visited Spain twice and has a third trip planned next year, an indication he sees this once staunchly Roman Catholic country as a battleground for the future of the faithful in Europe.
'Kiss-In'
New Browser
RockMelt
The Web has changed a lot since Marc Andreessen revolutionized the Internet with the introduction of his Netscape browser in the mid-1990s. That's why he's betting people are ready to try a different Web-surfing technique on a new browser called RockMelt.
The browser, available for the first time Monday, is built on the premise that most online activity today revolves around socializing on Facebook, searching on Google, tweeting on Twitter and monitoring a handful of favorite websites. It tries to minimize the need to roam from one website to the next by corralling all vital information and favorite services in panes and drop-down windows.
Andreessen didn't develop the RockMelt browser the way he did Netscape, whose early popularity waned as Microsoft Corp. bundled its Internet Explorer browser with the Windows operating system.
RockMelt only works if you have a Facebook account. That restriction still gives RockMelt plenty of room to grow, given Facebook has more than 500 million users.
RockMelt
Canadian Lottery Winners
Violet and Allen Large
An elderly Canadian couple have become beloved instant stars after winning more than 11 million dollars on the lottery -- and then quietly giving almost all of it away.
Violet and Allen Large, who live in a modest home in Lower Turo, Nova Scotia, scooped the jackpot in July.
But believing they already had everything they needed, they have been distributing the cash among charities, keeping only about 200,000 dollars in case of a rainy day.
The couple drew up a list of worthy causes, starting with their families and then adding hospitals, fire services, churches, cemeteries and charity groups, and sending off checks in the mail.
Violet and Allen Large
Weekend Box Office
`Megamind'
Will Ferrell's animated super-villain comedy "Megamind" debuted as the No. 1 movie with $47.7 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Along with the voices of Brad Pitt, Tina Fey and Jonah Hill, the DreamWorks Animation release has Ferrell's title character hatching a scheme to fill the void in his life after he finally defeats his superhero nemesis.
Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis' road-trip comedy, "Due Date," opened at a strong No. 2 with $33.5 million. The Warner Bros. romp features the two stars as mismatched traveling companions who hit the highway from Atlanta to Los Angeles.
Tyler Perry's drama "For Colored Girls," whose ensemble cast features Janet Jackson and Whoopi Goldberg, premiered solidly in third-place with $20.1 million. The Lionsgate release is based on Ntozake Shange's play "for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf."
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Megamind," $47.7 million.
2. "Due Date," $33.5 million.
3. "For Colored Girls," $20.1 million.
4. "Red," $8.9 million.
5. "Saw 3D," $8.2 million.
6. "Paranormal Activity 2," $7.3 million.
7. "Jackass 3D," $5.1 million.
8. "Hereafter," $4.02 million.
9. "Secretariat," $4 million.
10. "The Social Network," $3.6 million.
`Megamind'
| CURRENT MOON lunar phases |
