(from the link): This week, Moyers & Company (check local listings) presents “United States of ALEC,” a report on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of America has never heard of – ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge.
The TRUE Size Of Africa – An Erroneous Map Misled Us For 500 Years!
Although featured in ‘The West Wing’, this map dishonesty is anything but fictional. The video below will give you an accurate look at the size of Africa.
(from the link): In 1982, the average federal student loan debt for a graduating senior was about $2,000 — not negligible, but a relatively modest amount (about $4,650 adjusted to 2012 dollars). By 1992, the average jumped to $9,000 ($14,500 in 2012 dollars), in 2002 to $19,000 ($24,050), and in 2012, by my estimate, to about $28,000. (That doesn’t include private loans, which have risen exponentially over the last decade.) This ascent resulted from the deregulation of loans begun in the Reagan era alongside the defunding of public entitlements. Rather than the cost of college being carried by the state — by our collective payment in taxes — it has been privatized, the cost borne by each individual. This has also created lucrative new financial markets, with high profits for Sallie Mae and other student loan holders. (Sallie Mae had been a governmental body but was privatized through the late 1990s, seeing strong profits since.)
I am pleased Rep. Cummings released the full transcripts of the testimony to the House Oversight Committee on the investigation of IRS targeting of conservatives. They confirm that the initial targeting did originate with a low-level employee in the Cincinnati office. More importantly, the release does away with Issa’s selective release of testimony which was very misleading.
The IRS ‘scandal’ Issa created will die like the other ones he made up. I don’t expect Issa or anyone else involved in witch hunts to stop, but it’s good to know the facts — the full facts. Issa will continue to waste taxpayer money — it’s what he does, and it’s what the republicans expect. Fiscal conservatives my ass!
I would like to see Issa arrested for leaking classified CIA documents, intentionally.
Exactly… Benghazi will be the whipping boy until there is once again a Con President. Facts and reality has nothing to do with a scandal it has everything to do with unreasoning partisan reasons to hate.
Kris Kobach sure is wrong a lot. He’s been wrong about immigration laws, wrong about in-state tuition laws, and now he’s wrong about voter registration laws. Why would anyone, especially Kansas voters, hire Kris Kobach to do any job.
Kobach on the peaceful protesters at his home, which he also lists as his business address.
““If we had been in the home and not been armed, I would have felt very afraid – because it took the police 15 minutes to show up,” he explained. “It’s important we recognize there’s a reason we have the Second Amendment. There are situations like this where you have a mob and you do need to be able to protect yourself.”
Wow. He’s gonna shoot the next protesters? Isnt that, um, premediation?
Or at the very least a threat?
And here’s Glen Beck on the same event, comparing the protesters to the KKK.
Like I said then – if these protesters were actually on his front porch or his yard – then they could be considered as trespassing.
But……I was told by a local policeman that in Kansas – a homeowner has to specifically tell a person to leave their property, and if that person does not leave after being told, then they could be charged with trespassing.
Is this still true – 6176?
But…..let’s think back to the many times Pro-Life supporters were protesting at Dr. George Tiller’s personal residence – and not one word of outrage from any of these Conservative Republicans about those protesters.
And – I never heard of Tiller threatening to use the Second Amendment on those protesters.
I also heard the protesters showed up at his SoS office and were told that wasn’t where he conducted the business of writing laws, that he did that on his own time and not in that office. So, they looked up on public records and found his home is listed on all types of public documents including the business of being a lawyer for hire. Probably enjoys a nice tax write-off for parts of his home expenses that way. They went to an office, a public business. No one was home, no one asked them to leave…
He is such a poor lawyer he can’t see he has no legal recourse? So he threatens bodily harm? Hmmmmm
May as well alienate a few more voters. Maybe they can waste some more time on women’s reproductive health issues since they’re unable to address JOBS or immigration reform. What a useless bunch!
I’m dubious the Congress could do anything about jobs as such, so it’s better the members don’t try, one way or the other. As to the main point, 2014 election is what is relevant.
I’ve heard republicans in the House say they don’t have immigrants in their district and feel no pressure to address immigration reform in order to achieve their number one goal: reelection. We do know they did a great job of gerry mandering after the last census so maybe none of them is in jeopardy of being reelected if they have the little “R” beside their name. It’s okay with me if republicans further alienate our country’s fastest growing demographic.
This is one time (maybe the only time) I agree with Boehner because it is both (1) a waste of time and cost to taxpayers who are paying republicans for more of their foolish conservative immorality and (2) it can’t pass either the Senate or the Veto.
I wonder if Kansans would love their children as much. Or, if they’ll just let them rot in Brownbackistan, otherwise known as the Republic of Dumbfuckistan.
Imagine, a state with more than 50% of it’s citizens caring more about the current and future well being of their children than they care about how high their taxes are. Toto, that sure isn’t how it is in Kansas anymore.
Wichita’s attempt to build a city hall was fraught with controversies.
(from the link): By the late 1880s, Wichitans had become quite proud of their growing municipality, which sported its own streetcar system, two daily newspapers, multiple railroad lines, luxury hotels, import stores and other cosmopolitan hallmarks. Despite these urbane trappings, Wichita still lacked a city office building, conducting its official business instead in an ever-changing series of rented office spaces in various buildings all over downtown, raising considerable consternation amongst the citizenry. Public opinion dictated that a fine city should have a fine city hall, and so it was decreed that a fine city hall would be built.
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
Back when he was still president an Irish reporter asks the questions that every reporter should have asked. Bush gets very defensive!
Great headliner this morning. It made me snort.
(from the link): This week, Moyers & Company (check local listings) presents “United States of ALEC,” a report on the most influential corporate-funded political force most of America has never heard of – ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge.
Link includes a preview video of the show:
http://billmoyers.com/content/united-states-of-alec-video-previews/
The TRUE Size Of Africa – An Erroneous Map Misled Us For 500 Years!
Although featured in ‘The West Wing’, this map dishonesty is anything but fictional. The video below will give you an accurate look at the size of Africa.
http://www.whydontyoutrythis.com/2013/04/the-true-size-of-africa-erroneous-map.html
(from the link): In 1982, the average federal student loan debt for a graduating senior was about $2,000 — not negligible, but a relatively modest amount (about $4,650 adjusted to 2012 dollars). By 1992, the average jumped to $9,000 ($14,500 in 2012 dollars), in 2002 to $19,000 ($24,050), and in 2012, by my estimate, to about $28,000. (That doesn’t include private loans, which have risen exponentially over the last decade.) This ascent resulted from the deregulation of loans begun in the Reagan era alongside the defunding of public entitlements. Rather than the cost of college being carried by the state — by our collective payment in taxes — it has been privatized, the cost borne by each individual. This has also created lucrative new financial markets, with high profits for Sallie Mae and other student loan holders. (Sallie Mae had been a governmental body but was privatized through the late 1990s, seeing strong profits since.)
Is there a “liberal bias” in academia?
http://www.salon.com/2013/06/18/is_there_a_liberal_bias_in_academia_partner/
I am pleased Rep. Cummings released the full transcripts of the testimony to the House Oversight Committee on the investigation of IRS targeting of conservatives. They confirm that the initial targeting did originate with a low-level employee in the Cincinnati office. More importantly, the release does away with Issa’s selective release of testimony which was very misleading.
The IRS ‘scandal’ Issa created will die like the other ones he made up. I don’t expect Issa or anyone else involved in witch hunts to stop, but it’s good to know the facts — the full facts. Issa will continue to waste taxpayer money — it’s what he does, and it’s what the republicans expect. Fiscal conservatives my ass!
I would like to see Issa arrested for leaking classified CIA documents, intentionally.
I almost forgot — BENGHAZI !!!!!!! [eye roll]
Exactly… Benghazi will be the whipping boy until there is once again a Con President. Facts and reality has nothing to do with a scandal it has everything to do with unreasoning partisan reasons to hate.
Kris Kobach sure is wrong a lot. He’s been wrong about immigration laws, wrong about in-state tuition laws, and now he’s wrong about voter registration laws. Why would anyone, especially Kansas voters, hire Kris Kobach to do any job.
He is among the 98% of us with law degrees who fancy themselves Constitutional Scholars. The other 2%? They know they are.
Kobach on the peaceful protesters at his home, which he also lists as his business address.
““If we had been in the home and not been armed, I would have felt very afraid – because it took the police 15 minutes to show up,” he explained. “It’s important we recognize there’s a reason we have the Second Amendment. There are situations like this where you have a mob and you do need to be able to protect yourself.”
Wow. He’s gonna shoot the next protesters? Isnt that, um, premediation?
Or at the very least a threat?
And here’s Glen Beck on the same event, comparing the protesters to the KKK.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/beck-immigrants-learned-klan-they-are-just-c
Do I need to say it?
jesus WEPT!
I posted something about this the other day.
Like I said then – if these protesters were actually on his front porch or his yard – then they could be considered as trespassing.
But……I was told by a local policeman that in Kansas – a homeowner has to specifically tell a person to leave their property, and if that person does not leave after being told, then they could be charged with trespassing.
Is this still true – 6176?
But…..let’s think back to the many times Pro-Life supporters were protesting at Dr. George Tiller’s personal residence – and not one word of outrage from any of these Conservative Republicans about those protesters.
And – I never heard of Tiller threatening to use the Second Amendment on those protesters.
indy, yes.
Kobach may be licensed as a lawyer but he has demonstrated that he certainly should not be teaching constitutional law anywhere in the US.
I agree, Bob. Heaven help the students wherever he teaches.
Kris Kobach is much like Phill Kline…..
BTW – is Phill Kline still a law professor at Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University?
Perfect placement – huh?
Kobach is no long teaching at UMKC.
I also heard the protesters showed up at his SoS office and were told that wasn’t where he conducted the business of writing laws, that he did that on his own time and not in that office. So, they looked up on public records and found his home is listed on all types of public documents including the business of being a lawyer for hire. Probably enjoys a nice tax write-off for parts of his home expenses that way. They went to an office, a public business. No one was home, no one asked them to leave…
He is such a poor lawyer he can’t see he has no legal recourse? So he threatens bodily harm? Hmmmmm
May as well alienate a few more voters. Maybe they can waste some more time on women’s reproductive health issues since they’re unable to address JOBS or immigration reform. What a useless bunch!
I’m dubious the Congress could do anything about jobs as such, so it’s better the members don’t try, one way or the other. As to the main point, 2014 election is what is relevant.
I’ve heard republicans in the House say they don’t have immigrants in their district and feel no pressure to address immigration reform in order to achieve their number one goal: reelection. We do know they did a great job of gerry mandering after the last census so maybe none of them is in jeopardy of being reelected if they have the little “R” beside their name. It’s okay with me if republicans further alienate our country’s fastest growing demographic.
This is one time (maybe the only time) I agree with Boehner because it is both (1) a waste of time and cost to taxpayers who are paying republicans for more of their foolish conservative immorality and (2) it can’t pass either the Senate or the Veto.
Wow, good on Virginians!
I wonder if Kansans would love their children as much. Or, if they’ll just let them rot in Brownbackistan, otherwise known as the Republic of Dumbfuckistan.
Imagine, a state with more than 50% of it’s citizens caring more about the current and future well being of their children than they care about how high their taxes are. Toto, that sure isn’t how it is in Kansas anymore.
http://crooksandliars.com/paul-rosenberg/virginia-child-advocates-seek-shift
Hard rock headaches
Wichita’s attempt to build a city hall was fraught with controversies.
(from the link): By the late 1880s, Wichitans had become quite proud of their growing municipality, which sported its own streetcar system, two daily newspapers, multiple railroad lines, luxury hotels, import stores and other cosmopolitan hallmarks. Despite these urbane trappings, Wichita still lacked a city office building, conducting its official business instead in an ever-changing series of rented office spaces in various buildings all over downtown, raising considerable consternation amongst the citizenry. Public opinion dictated that a fine city should have a fine city hall, and so it was decreed that a fine city hall would be built.
http://www.f5paper.com//article/hard-rock-headaches#sthash.xZxilFXm.dpuf