The Hollywood Liberal

Mobile Phones May Harm Honey Bees
The growing use of mobile telephones is behind the disappearance of honey bees and the collapse of their hives, scientists have claimed.

The Texas Schoolboarding of America
Between FoxNews and ever deteriorating school standards we are raising a whole new generation of ignoramuses.

(pic via lipstickproject at Flickr)

Congratulations, Republicans, your drive against public education has succeeded beyond your wildest dreams!

Two-thirds of the 1,000 American adults polled couldn’t name a single current justice, and just 1 percent were able to name all nine sitting justices…

…The largest proportion of respondents were able to name Clarence Thomas, at 19 percent

Of course, they were undoubtedly shown pictures and identified him as Justice Horny.

But thanks to not giving a damn about education except to the extent it leads to truly effective sex education and eliminating all that godless evolutionary theory:

More Americans could identify Michael Jackson as the composer of “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” than could identify the Bill of Rights as a body of amendments to the Constitution.

Among this group is Rand Paul, self-styled libertarian — especially the whole 14th Amendment thing as being in the Constitution, from reproductive rights to birth citizenship.

In another decade the Texas School Board standards will have us all “armed for the rapture”, yet incapable of buying the right caliber of ammo. So, mission accomplished I guess.

Of course, poorly educated responses are not just for Republicans.

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Late Late Night FDL: Pimps and Preachers
The Paul Thorn Band — Pimps and Preachers. This performance video was shot March 27/28, 2010, in Pittsburgh, PA and Charleston, WV.

The Paul Thorn Band — Pimps and Preachers.  This performance video was shot March 27/28, 2010, in Pittsburgh, PA and Charleston, WV.

What’s on your mind?

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Early Morning Swim: Keith Olbermann Interviews Ambassador Edward Peck about Israeli Flotilla Attack
Clearly, a classic anti-Semite.

NPR also interviewed Peck.

INSKEEP: Were you concerned at all, about the people you were involved with, because as I’m sure you’ve learned from reading the papers since your release, Israel has suggested that the organizers had links to Hamas and links to al-Qaida.

Ambassador PECK: I think I’d be very surprised if they didn’t make that charge. Even if it had been a boatload of clergy, you know, that’s what they have to do, that defends and explains what they’ve done, that these people were linked to Hamas and all the rest of it. It’s entirely possible that that’s the case, but that certainly was not the intent of the group.

Clearly, a classic anti-Semite.

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Ralph Nader on Prop 14
What Ralph Nader has to say about California’s Prop 14, Rubert Murdoch’s billion-dollar disaster and reports and videos on the flotilla raid you won’t find in U.S. media. On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies. The links below open in a new window. Ralph Nader Warns Californians: Vote NO on Proposition 14 Ralph Nader, who has run for president both as an independent and as a third-party candidate, today warned against the ballot proposition promoted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reports and videos on the Gaza flotilla raid you won’t see in U.S. media: Reporting Israeli Assault Through Israel’s Eyes The Israeli spin machine claimed the activists were first trying to use non-lethal weapons including, and this is no joke, paint ball guns (funny that we did not see evidence of passengers with pained shirts but only blood soaked shirts). The respected media watch group FAIR detailed how some Western media (mis)reported of the attack on the humanitarian aid ships ‘Reporting Israeli Assault Through Israel’s Eyes: Attack on humanitarian flotilla prompts little media skepticism.’ Communication severed with flotilla media Reporters Without Borders urges the Israeli authorities to release a list of the journalists who were arrested during yesterday’s raid on the humanitarian flotilla and to say where they are being held.  There were at least 15 foreign journalists travelling with the flotilla who still cannot be reached directly. These are the names of the journalists known to have been aboard the flotilla. Some Western Media did a balanced job.  Here is Democracy Now with excellent coverage: Israelis celebrating attack on Turkish Aid Ship - infront of Turkish Embassy,Tel Aviv …And at Ben Gurion University: Caoimhe Butterly recorded a message before she was kidnapped.  She is still unaccounted for Survivors of the massacre who are released tell their stories Demonstrations in … Bethlehem: …New York: …San Francisco: Gaza aid flotilla: Israeli sabotage suspected Israel’s military may have sabotaged two boats carrying Free Gaza activists after both malfunctioned at the same time in the same way prior to the raid. Nobel-winning Elders deplore Gaza flotilla attack The Elders group of past and present world leaders, including former South African president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on Monday condemned as “completely inexcusable” the deadly Israeli attack on a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza. Can Google be held legally responsible for bad directions? “Use caution — This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.” Punch a pair of addresses into Google Maps and ask for walking directions between them, and Google will warn you of the above, noting that its walking directions are in beta. Treat Palestinians Like Jews It was an act of international terrorism, pure and simple. There can be no valid claims of self-defense on the part of Israeli commandos who attacked a ship of protesters in international waters, killing nine civilians and kidnapping more than 600 others—including 15 international reporters who were prevented from filing their stories by a nation that claims to be the beacon of democracy in the Mideast. This Country Needs a Few Good Communists The witch hunts against communists in the United States were used to silence socialists, anarchists, pacifists and all those who defied the abuses of capitalism. Those “anti-Red” actions were devastating blows to the political health of the country. Washington State’s Third Party Leaders Issue Anti-Proposition 14 Statement What does Israel fear from media coverage? Isn’t it strange how Plucky, Democratic Israel goes to such extreme lengths to prevent any media coverage of what they do, any journalistic interference with their propaganda machine, in light of the fact that—as always—They Did Absolutely Nothing Wrong? Murdoch’s Disastrous Triumph How Rupert Murdoch won the Wall Street Journal and lost billions in the process.

What Ralph Nader has to say about California’s Prop 14, Rubert Murdoch’s billion-dollar disaster and reports and videos on the flotilla raid you won’t find in U.S. media.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

The links below open in a new window.

Ralph Nader Warns Californians: Vote NO on Proposition 14
Ralph Nader, who has run for president both as an independent and as a third-party candidate, today warned against the ballot proposition promoted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Reports and videos on the Gaza flotilla raid you won’t see in U.S. media:

Reporting Israeli Assault Through Israel’s Eyes
The Israeli spin machine claimed the activists were first trying to use non-lethal weapons including, and this is no joke, paint ball guns (funny that we did not see evidence of passengers with pained shirts but only blood soaked shirts). The respected media watch group FAIR detailed how some Western media (mis)reported of the attack on the humanitarian aid ships ‘Reporting Israeli Assault Through Israel’s Eyes: Attack on humanitarian flotilla prompts little media skepticism.’

Communication severed with flotilla media
Reporters Without Borders urges the Israeli authorities to release a list of the journalists who were arrested during yesterday’s raid on the humanitarian flotilla and to say where they are being held.? There were at least 15 foreign journalists travelling with the flotilla who still cannot be reached directly.

These are the names of the journalists known to have been aboard the flotilla.

Some Western Media did a balanced job.? Here is Democracy Now with excellent coverage:

Israelis celebrating attack on Turkish Aid Ship - infront of Turkish Embassy,Tel Aviv

…And at Ben Gurion University:

Caoimhe Butterly recorded a message before she was kidnapped.? She is still unaccounted for

Survivors of the massacre who are released tell their stories

Demonstrations in … Bethlehem:

…New York:

…San Francisco:

Gaza aid flotilla: Israeli sabotage suspected
Israel’s military may have sabotaged two boats carrying Free Gaza activists after both malfunctioned at the same time in the same way prior to the raid.

Nobel-winning Elders deplore Gaza flotilla attack
The Elders group of past and present world leaders, including former South African president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, on Monday condemned as “completely inexcusable” the deadly Israeli attack on a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza.

Can Google be held legally responsible for bad directions?
“Use caution — This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.” Punch a pair of addresses into Google Maps and ask for walking directions between them, and Google will warn you of the above, noting that its walking directions are in beta.

Treat Palestinians Like Jews
It was an act of international terrorism, pure and simple. There can be no valid claims of self-defense on the part of Israeli commandos who attacked a ship of protesters in international waters, killing nine civilians and kidnapping more than 600 others—including 15 international reporters who were prevented from filing their stories by a nation that claims to be the beacon of democracy in the Mideast.

This Country Needs a Few Good Communists
The witch hunts against communists in the United States were used to silence socialists, anarchists, pacifists and all those who defied the abuses of capitalism. Those “anti-Red” actions were devastating blows to the political health of the country.

Washington State’s Third Party Leaders Issue Anti-Proposition 14 Statement

What does Israel fear from media coverage?
Isn’t it strange how Plucky, Democratic Israel goes to such extreme lengths to prevent any media coverage of what they do, any journalistic interference with their propaganda machine, in light of the fact that—as always—They Did Absolutely Nothing Wrong?

Murdoch’s Disastrous Triumph
How Rupert Murdoch won the Wall Street Journal and lost billions in the process.

Related Entries

• June 3, 2010 Israel From 10,000 Feet
• May 31, 2010 This Country Needs a Few Good Communists

Rahm Emanuel Subpoenaed In Blagojevich Trial
CHICAGO — Lawyers for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich have subpoenaed White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel as a witness at his corruption trial, attorneys…

Robert Reich: Friday’s Job Numbers, and What They Won’t Tell Us About America’s Growing Anxious Class
When the economy is still so hard on so many, it’s important to distinguish between entrepreneurial zeal and self-employed desperation.

Joseph A. Palermo: Glenn Beck Riffs on my HuffPost Article
I’d like to point out to Glenn Beck and his Republican friends that there are indeed such things as empirical historical facts that are not “spun” or manipulated by historians although they sound quite “liberal” when acknowledged.

Questions Raised As Feds Look To Become More Intertwined With Credit Rating Agencies
Senator Al Franken’s proposed Credit Rating Agency Board will reward the most “accurate” credit rating agencies with more accounts, but the panel’s methodology for assessing…

Hannity falsely claims Romanoff “is admitting he was offered a job” to exit Senate race

Sean Hannity falsely claimed that Andrew Romanoff, who is running against incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet in Colorado’s U.S. Senate election, “is confirming just now tonight he was offered a position” if he would exit the race. In fact, Romanoff reportedly stated: “At no time was I promised a job, nor did I request [White House deputy chief of staff Jim] Messina’s assistance in obtaining one.”

Hannity falsely claims Romanoff “is confirming just now tonight he was offered” a job

Hannity: “Romanoff is admitting he was offered a job.” On the June 2 edition of his Fox News program, Sean Hannity falsely asserted that Colorado Democrat Andrew Romanoff “is confirming” that he was offered a position by the Obama administration if he would drop out of the primary race against a senate incumbent. But earlier in the show, Hannity himself said that Romanoff “insists that none of those positions were promised or guaranteed to him.” From the show:

HANNITY: Another job scandal may be hitting the White House. Now according to the AP, unnamed White House officials say they raised the possibility of a federal job with Colorado Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff in the hope that he would abandon his primary challenge against incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet.

Now Romanoff released a statement earlier this evening confirming that White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina called him in September of 2009 and mentioned three jobs that would be available to him if he dropped out. Now he insists that none of those positions were promised or guaranteed to him. Now, White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton confirmed all of this but maintains no official offer was made.

[…]

HANNITY: We got Rod Blaojevich’s trial starting. We got the admission that Clinton — “I offered him a job” — he acted, you know, on behalf of the administration. Now Romanoff is admitting he was offered a job. Do you see — you’re a former attorney, a U.S. attorney — do you see a possible violation of law?

GIULIANI: I do, and of course, and Sestak’s first description, I believe on Greta Van Susteren’s show, if I’m correct about this, was that they bribed him with a job.

HANNITY: I didn’t hear that, but he did say in his first interview that he was offered a job, it was high ranking. Now Romanoff is confirming just now tonight he was offered a position.

Weekly Standard: “Obama admin offered Romanoff job to get out of Colorado Senate race.” In a June 2 Weekly Standard article titled “AP: Obama Admin Offered Romanoff Job to Get out of Colorado Senate Race,” John McCormack wrote: “As much as the White House might want to claim that Romanoff was merely offered an unpaid White House internship or a spot on an unpaid advisory board, the Denver Post reported that Romanoff had specifically been offered a job to head USAID. If true, that would appear to be a quid pro quo in violation of the law.”

Romanoff: “At no time was I promised a job”

Romanoff: “At no time was I promised a job, nor did I request Mr. Messina’s assistance in obtaining one.” According to the Associated Press, Romanoff said in a statement that the White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina contacted him and “suggested three positions that might be available to me were I not pursuing the Senate race” but that Messina “could not guarantee my appointment to any of these positions.” Romanoff also reportedly stated: “At no time was I promised a job, nor did I request Mr. Messina’s assistance in obtaining one.”

White House: “[N]o job was ever offered.” According to the AP article, White House official Bill Burton said: “Mr. Romanoff was recommended to the White House from Democrats in Colorado for a position in the administration. … There were some initial conversations with him, but no job was ever offered.”

Report: Somali Man Arrested Sunday Not Linked To Terrorism Warning
The Somali man arrested Sunday after the Mexico City-bound Aeromexico plane he was on was diverted to Montreal is not linked to a Homeland Security terrorism warning on the US-Mexico border, Newsweek reports. Meanwhile, the man is reportedly now being questioned by the Department of Homeland Security.



United States - Homeland Security Department - Mexico City - Terrorism - Newsweek

Presented By:

Gov. Sanford Sides Against Own Ex-Staffer On Haley Affair Claim
Mark Sanford, who has survived a historically brazen sex scandal to remain in office as governor of South Carolina, today came out in defense of gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley — a longtime political ally — over the claim of an inappropriate physical relationship by blogger and former Sanford spokesman Will Folks.


Nikki Haley - Mark Sanford - South Carolina - Governor - Will Folks

USS Liberty survivor among crewmembers of aid ships abducted by Israel
Author’s note: You’ll only see this on the bartblog. I won’t touch anything that is critical of Israel on my Examiner page. All hell breaks loose for a writer in any media publication who does that. Even people in liberal talk radio have been defending Israel today. After reading numerous reports in Greek, Italian, Turkish, Irish […]

Campbell Back On Air
After pulling his ads due to limited resources, Tom Campbell (R) will be back on television Friday with a commercial that says he’s the only Republican capable of beating Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) in the fall.

Says Campbell: “I’m Tom Campbell and I don’t have millions of dollars of personal wealth to use in my U.S. Senate campaign. But I do have something that neither of my opponents can offer: the Los Angeles Times announced a poll that shows me beating Sen. Barbara Boxer by seven points.”

Haley Accuses Rival of Latest Charge
South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley (R) accused rival Andre Bauer (R) of being “behind a last-minute attack, raising questions about her marital fidelity in an effort to undermine her campaign,” the Columbia State reports.

“Haley’s campaign denied the claims and said the allegation is proof of how low rival campaigns will go to undermine her candidacy.”

Angle Leads in Race to Face Reid
A new Suffolk University poll in Nevada shows Sharon Angle (R) leading the Republican primary for U.S. Senate with 33%, followed by Danny Tarkanian (R) at 26% and Sue Lowden (R) at 25%.

Along with a recent PPP survey, this is a the second poll to show Angle is now the frontrunner heading into the primary.

The winner will face Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) in the fall.

Romanoff Sought Administration Job
In a statement this morning, the White House says Coloardo U.S. Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff (D) had applied for an administration position during the Presidential transition and White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina called to follow up to see if he was still interested or, as had been reported, whether he was running for U.S. Senate.

Romanoff claimed last night he was offered one of three jobs to drop his primary challenge to Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO).