The Hollywood Liberal

It’s Official: We’re All Burnt Out
The Labor Department reported Tuesday that worker productivity fell 0.9% in the second quarter. That’s the first decline in eighteen months and may be a sign that employees have finally gotten to the point where they are simply stretched too thin. The amount of hours worked rose at a faster pace in the month than actual economic output. That means that companies may no longer be able to rely on cutting costs, particularly through layoffs, to juice profits.

Early Morning Swim: Rush Limbaugh, John McCain and Marg Baker (R-FL) Worst Persons in the World
Teabaggers: still not at all racist!

Teabaggers: still not at all racist!

In an interview with Salon today, a Republican candidate for the Florida state Legislature stood by her controversial idea to arrest illegal immigrants and send them to “camps” where they can be held en masse.

“We can ship them out to the middle of the country and put up high walls and leave them there,” said Marg Baker, the middle-aged real estate broker vying for the Republican nomination in the state’s 48th district, north of Tampa.

Only a matter of time before The Quitter picks her as a “Mama Grizzly.”

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Late Late Night FDL: Texola
Eric Sardinas — Texola, at Rockpalast.

Eric Sardinas — Texola, at Rockpalast.

What’s on your mind?

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Tomorrow belongs to (even more) of us
Time is on our side, yes it is.

The trend on support for same-sex marriage from 538.com, it makes Ben Quayle giggle

While Republicans cravenly play to their base and the President and much of the Democratic Leadership cravenly stays quiet, there is some good news as pointed out at the Great Orange Satan, the social issues of the “professional left” are becoming the majority viewpoints of we mere amateurs.

Do you think gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid?
49% Yes, 51% No

Do you think gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid?
52% Yes, 46% No

So, when the average person — a non-legal scholar — is asked what they think the Constitution says they are split, but support for the belief that same sex-marriages SHOULD be a Right grows.

And it’s growing all the time. The bulk of the support comes from people thirty-five and under who favor it overwhelmingly. So even if the Democratic establishment will not lead, they will still have to get out of the way.

But hey, in the long-run, as their base dies off, the Republicans will probably still have this guy:

Yeah, suck on that one every religious organization in the country.

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Obama and Urban Crisis
James Harris and Harry Edwards discuss President Obama and the myth of post-racial society, James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” and why now is the time to repair the black community in urban cities such as Oakland.

James Harris and Harry Edwards discuss President Obama and the myth of post-racial society, James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” and why now is the time to repair the black community in urban cities such as Oakland.

Related Entries

• August 11, 2010 Reid Ruffles Republican Feathers With Jab about Hispanics
• August 11, 2010 Bickering Over Judicial Nominations

Obama’s Beach Will Be Clean, But Oil Lies Beneath Sand Nearby
The Florida Panhandle beach where the Obamas are going to spend the weekend to boost tourism in the region is indeed pristine and oil-free. Panama…

Johann Hari: When Were You Last Wrong? We Need To Change How We Think About Our Errors
Here’s a series of questions that should be fairly straightforward, but are actually excruciating. When were you last wrong? What has been your most recent…

HUFFPOST HILL – AUGUST 12TH, 2010
Gay rights activists cheered as a California judge announced that same-sex couples might enjoy the tedium of wedded-bliss as early as Wednesday. The professional left…

Alabama Sues BP Over Gulf Oil Spill
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama’s attorney general is suing BP and others over the Gulf oil spill because he says the oil company has broken too…

Marvin Ammori: White House “Speaks” on Google-Verizon Pact–Supports Wireless Net Neutrality
Time Magazine reports that the White House has “kept quiet” on the Google-Verizon pact because the FCC is dealing with net neutrality, and the FCC…

Hannity falsely claims Imam Rauf wants to “shred our Constitution”

Sean Hannity falsely claimed that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf wants to “shred our Constitution” and replace it with Sharia law. In fact, Rauf has said that the American political system, including the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, is Sharia compliant. Hannity also took Rauf’s writings out of context to paint him as “anything but moderate.”

Hannity: Rauf wants to replace Constitution with Sharia law

Hannity: “I’m not talking about shredding our Constitution and putting Sharia law as the law of the land in America, as [Rauf] is.” On the August 12 edition of his Fox News program, Hannity said that Rauf, who wants to build an Islamic cultural center near the Ground Zero site in New York and has been included in a State Department speaking tour of Muslim nations, “wants America to be Sharia-compliant.” Later, Hannity said that “I’m not talking about shredding our Constitution and putting Sharia law as the law of the land in America, as [Rauf] is.” Hannity’s comments echoed his edition of CBS’ 60 Minutes, “I wouldn’t say that the United States deserved what happened, but the United States’ policies were an accessory to the crime that happened.”

Beck: While the U.S. did not “deserve 9-11,” the U.S. was “in bed with dictators” and “that causes problems.” Talking about “why do you think they hate us in the Middle East,” Glenn Beck said: “When people said they hate us, well, did we deserve 9-11? No. But were we minding our business? No. Were we in bed with dictators and abandoned our values and principles? Yes. That causes problems.” [Glenn Beck, 4/15/10]

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Blago Jury Deadlocked On Some Counts; Haven’t Deliberated Yet On Others
The jury in Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial told the judge today that they have only come to unanimous agreement on two of the 24 charges.


Rod Blagojevich – Jury – Trial – Political corruption – James Zagel

Motion To Stay Prop 8 Ruling Denied — But Judge Delays Lifting Stay
A federal judge in California today denied a motion to stay his ruling on Proposition 8, saying he will lift the temporary stay Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. Pacific time. Judge Vaughn Walker ruled last week that Prop 8, which…


California – California Proposition 8 – Same-sex marriage – Vaughn R. Walker – Vaughn Walker

Reid Holds Small Lead in Nevada
A new Las Vegas Review Journal/Mason-Dixon poll in Nevada shows Sen. Harry Reid (D) edging challenger Sharron Angle (R), 46% to 44% with just 5% still undecided.

Key finding: 51% said Reid’s clout as the Senate majority leader is not too valuable to give up, while 45% said Nevada can’t afford to lose his influence.

Said pollster Brad Coker: “More people are saying we don’t need him there. That’s the kind of number that may foreshadow what the vote might look like when we get to the end. I think this race is more a referendum on Harry Reid than about Sharron Angle.”

Anti-Obama Democrats Faring Well
Kimberly Strassel: “Troll through the voting rolls, and you’ll find an exclusive club of three House Democrats running for re-election who voted against the more controversial pieces of the Obama agenda: the $862 billion stimulus, Mr. Obama’s $3.5 trillion budget, cap and trade and, of course, ObamaCare. Troll through the polls today, and you’ll find a near-exclusive club of three House Democrats who are beating every electoral expectation. Were history, incumbency and the economy the main factors this fall, Idaho’s Walt Minnick, Alabama’s Bobby Bright and Mississippi’s Gene Taylor would be packing up. That they aren’t is a resounding statement on a failed Obama vision.”

Flashback to 1994: Josh Kraushaar notes “of the 16 House Democrats who voted against former President Clinton on the controversial budget and assault weapons ban, every single one of them won reelection.”

McCollum Retakes Lead in Florida Primary Race
A new Tarrance Group survey in Florida confirms the findings of yesterday’s Mason-Dixon poll and shows Bill McCollum (R) has retaken the lead over Rick Scott (R) in the Republican primary for governor, 44% to 40%.

How Porn Can Help Your Relationship
The argument that porn takes away from a relationship and encourages emotional distance doesn’t do justice to the trust that can be created though honest discussions about porn.

The argument that porn takes away from a relationship and encourages emotional distance doesn't do justice to the trust that can be created though honest discussions about porn.

Evangelicals’ Stealth Mission to Sneak Jesus into Our Public Schools
Fundamentalist evangelists are hiding their religious agenda to sneak into public schools and preach to a captive audience of students.

Fundamentalist evangelists are hiding their religious agenda to sneak into public schools and preach to a captive audience of students.

DC Politicians Beware: Voters Want the Employment Crisis Fixed — If You Mess with Social Security or Deficits, You’re Toast
A new survey finds a huge majority of Americans are in agreement about our biggest problem. Obama and the Dems better listen up.

A new survey finds a huge majority of Americans are in agreement about our biggest problem. Obama and the Dems better listen up.

US Judge OK’s Confession Extracted by Threatening Suspect with Rape
Omar Ahmed Khadr, apprehended at age 15, imprisoned in Gitmo for the past 7 years awaiting trial for terrorism and war crimes.

Omar Ahmed Khadr, apprehended at age 15, imprisoned in Gitmo for the past 7 years awaiting trial for terrorism and war crimes.

Confessions Of A Class Worrier
The decline of America’s middle class can be charted directly. In the three decades after World War II, the median wage (smack in the middle) grew rapidly, right along with productivity gains. Even as late as 1980, the richest 1…


World War II – United States – Middle class – Next Economy and America – Wall Street

Why the Views of the Wall Street Journal’s Letter Writers Are Far From This World
Thoughtful debate is to be found in places other than Letters to the Editor of the Wall Street Journal where, in Friday’s edition, under the ad hominem heading “Mr. Reich’s View Seems to Be Far From This World,” the editor…



Wall Street Journal – Letter to the editor – J.P. Ruggio – Editing – United States

Can Anyone Say “Final Demand?”
The 2.4 percent GDP growth figure reported for the second quarter caused many economists to once again be surprised about the state of the economy. It seems that most had expected a higher number. Some had expected a much higher…


Economic growth – Economy – Economic – United States – Environment

ThinkFast: August 12, 2010

According to a new WSJ poll, “Just 24% express positive feelings about the Republican Party.” That number is the lowest on record in the 21-year history of the survey. “Democrats are only slightly more popular, but also near an all-time low.”

According to a new Pew Research poll, only one-third of Americans know that the Troubled Asset Relief Program was passed under President George W. Bush. Almost half (47 percent) responded that TARP was passed under President Obama, and 19 percent admitted they did not know who was president when it passed.

Referring to Robert Gibbs as “Bozo the Spokesman,” Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) yesterday called for the embattled White House spokesperson to be fired. “I don’t think he should resign, I think he should be fired. He’s done a miserable job,” Grayson said on MSNBC.

U.S. military officials are starting to build “a case to minimize the planned withdrawal of some troops from Afghanistan starting next summer.” Top U.S. commander in Afghanistan Gen. David Petraeus is taking steps to make the argument that a “rapid withdrawal” would be unwise, while expert officers in the field “have begun quietly telling administration officials that they need time to get their work done.”

Iraqi army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Babakar Zebari, the country’s most senior military official, warned yesterday that the full withdrawal of U.S. forces at the end of next year may be premature. Zebari said his troops will not be “

The Dow fell 265 points yesterday as investors registered concern about a renewed recession. “Investors’ gloom deepened a day after the Federal Reserve said it would begin buying government bonds as a way to stimulate the economy. News of slower industrial growth in China and a disappointing economic indicator in Japan helped send stocks plunging first in Asia, then in Europe.”

“About 340,000 of the 4.3 million babies born in the United States in 2008 — or 8 percent — had at least one parent who was an illegal immigrant,” according to a new study by the Pew Hispanic Center. About 85 percent of the undocumented immigrant parents are Hispanic.

The U.S. Senate will return from summer recess Thursday for a rare and brief mid-August session to pass a $600 million border security bill and a resolution honoring the late Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK). But “don’t expect to see Senators flying back to Washington or on the Senate floor,” as the measures will be passed by unanimous consent agreement or voice vote which does not require their attendance.

While Tea Party candidates like Rand Paul (R-KY) “tout their anti-establishment credentials,” “much of their financial clout comes from veteran Republicans” like Dick Armey, Sarah Palin, and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC). The president of Armey’s FreedomWorks called the Tea Party “a hostile takeover of the Republican Party” and reported training 50 Tea party activists last weekend to help to “reshape” the party.

And finally: Last night’s episode of “Top Chef” featured House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as a guest judge. Calling herself a long-time “foodie,” Pelosi said, “As speaker, any meeting that we have, our motto is ‘first we eat.’” She later criticized a dish for being “too salty” and praised one team for its “al dente” angel hair, which she said is a hard feat to achieve.

ThinkProgress is hiring! Details here.

McCain Promises He Won?t Work With Democrats On Immigration If He Is Re-Elected

It has been well-documented that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has changed his position on various issues for political expediency — particularly on immigration. Once a champion of bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform, McCain drifted far right during his primary run for president in 2008 and then flipped back once he secured the nomination.

Now that he’s in a primary fight to save his U.S. Senate job, McCain is back courting the right wing in Arizona on immigration, for example, latching onto far right positions on border security that he previously shunned and embracing the radical call to repeal the 14th Amendment. Today on a local Arizona radio show, McCain went a bit further, promising a caller that he will never work with Democrats on immigration reform:

CALLER: I would like to ask Sen. McCain if he will make a promise on the air now that if we reelect him, he will not reach across the aisle, especially with Lindsey Graham, for comprehensive immigration reform. Will you not do that for the time you’re in office.

MCCAIN: Yes ma’am. … I am promising that I will try to address the issue of immigration in a way that is best for the United States of America.

Listen here:

McCain also used to publicly pride himself as a champion of bipartisanship. Here he is in July 2008 trying to be president:

But let me just finally say, Americans need trust and confidence in their government. The most important thing I would do, the most important of all, is what I have done all the years I’ve been in the Congress. I’d reach across the aisle to the Democrats, and I’d say, “Let’s go work together.”

And just last March, McCain attacked the Obama administration for allegedly not working with the minority party:

So there’s never been any genuine outreach on the part of this administration to work in a bipartisan fashion. As you mentioned, I’ve been involved in bipartisan issues. It is not there. And it is compounded by the fundamental fact that America is a right-of-center nation, and this administration is governing from the left.

First, the senior Arizona senator abandoned comprehensive immigration reform, and now bipartisanship. Looks like the same old John McCain.