Helen

Helen Thomas said some not well spoken comments about Israel and is finally retiring. She Turns 90 in August and I think she is wonderful. I hate to see her going out on a bad note. I mean Israel has been doing some extra crazy shit recently but her comments were bad ... I just hate that the focus is going to be on this stupid controversy rather than her lifetime of work.

Least we not forget the legendary colbert/thomas/bush roast.

She really was a ground breaking woman in politics and in the press. She was smart, fearless, and knew how to ask a pointed question. She will be missed. At least some of her legacy will carry on.

"Thank you, Mr. President."

The Biden Effect

Honestly I often feel like Joe Biden. I am well meaning but my words and sometimes outbursts can haunt me. Regular foot in the mouth. Which is probably why I should own this shirt:
The Obama store.

From time to time

Live blogging straight from my room re the 2010 State of the Union:

• Starting out with history, I like.
• Tax jokes (curious tone)
  
• No second place (both side like that)
• The republicans do look a little bit like scolded school boys
• WHy is BAM sitting next to Fiengold? And dodd next to Burris??
• OFF SHORE DRILLING? BEGAT! CLEAN COAL?!???
• Nancy is on drugs
• Higher ed, pay back 10% of salary in public sector 20% of salary otherwise, and thenforgiven in 10 yrs!!! Just like the europeans!
• Child care tax credit. good. good.
• Oh the Laughs!
• Love Michelle, awe he embarrasses her {my mind is wedding goosh, I saw her outfit and wanted that color purple for bridesmaids dresses}
• Health, anf then talk of the FREEZE .. more snickers
• Wow, overriding senate .. pretty sure Cardin & BAM were on the other side of the fence
• Pay as you go ... i think I like
• I am getting sick of the snickering
• Calling out the supreme Court ... dang ... Alito is a b-word, he doesn't deserve those robes
• Also what is up with the neon suits?
• Publish earmarks on a website? wow
• 'you loose, I win', no isnt leadership
• Oh the jokes
• Security ... Troops out by AUgust
• SO wierd to see Spector on the democrats side ...
• Dont ask dont tell!?!!! wow, good for him.

Initial impression, I liked .. but that probably doesn't surprise you.

Court TV

SO I have been thinking more about public access to government and the judiciary. In a conference 2 years ago I watched a presentation about how day time tv court dramas have affected the common mans view of the courts. While it did help them understand they needed evidence or documentation it also gave them a false sense that minorities were represented in judgeships.

Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled on whether they should allow video of the Prop 8 fight in CA to be broadcast. In a 5-4 decision they ruled no. Justice Breyer dissented, joined by Justices Stevens, Ginsburg, and Sotomayor. I still would like to read the opinion to try and understand the logic more. I think it would be a good thing to have a more open conversation about Prop 8 and gay marriage. One where people can not hide behind bigotry but need to logically explain why they think it necessary to deprive rights from others.

Now with Twitter, facebook, blackberrys and all other social media we constantly stream, it does seem that there is a barricade in the courts. I used to think opening up courts would just turn courts into circuses but now I think it might help hold people liable for their actions/arguments.

A law student right now is doing something on his own vein. He is attempting to be the first person in line for all this term of the supreme court. (http://f11f.wordpress.com/) There is no denying social media is here, now I think the court just needs to keep up.

livid liberal lady

ya ya I know no one likes an angry feminist ... but it is so hard not to get angry sometimes. I think Justice Ginsberg said it best, 'Rich people will always have a choice' or something like that.

I understand that they needed it to pass the bill,
but the Stupak Amendment is Stupid.

If you want to see what got me really steamed:
GOP Gone Wild: Unruly Republicans Silence Women Lawmakers With Screams, Shouts, And Delay Tactics

This morning, the House began consideration of the rule for debate of the House health care bill. As the Democratic Women’s Caucus took to the microphone on the House floor to offer their arguments for how the bill would benefit women, House Republicans — led by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) — repeatedly talked over, screamed, and shouted objections. “I object, I object, I object, I object, I object,” Price interjected as Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) tried to hold the floor.

http://www.awomanisnotapreexistingcondition.com/

Let Them Eat Advil

Cast off your shackles sister suffragette!

89 years since the 19th amendment went into effect.

Makes me want to go home and watch Iron Jawed Angels.

abortion! ABORTION!

Such a dirty dirty word. Now I feel like it is akin to playing the 'penis' game. People say the word in soft murmers. People talk more freely about prostitution which isn't legal. Remember abortion is in fact legal in the United States. I got upset last week because I was reading too many depressing articles about abortion.

I guess I had gotten started by re-reading the article about the little girl in South America, whose family was excommunicated when they helped her get an abortion. The Catholic church had really tried to sweep this one under the rug. It is gross human behavior.

Then I read about how FOX refused to air the Family Guy episode where Lois contemplates getting an abortion.

After that I got a little more serious and read up a bit more about the Health Care Plan hold up about abortion. (I will not go into my thoughts about the 'death panels', that is not even worthy of debate) I wish old white men would stop worrying about my internal organs. I had read a Ginsberg quote the week before that said “There will never be a woman of means without choice anymore. That just seems to be so obvious," she explains. "So we have a policy that affects only poor women, and it can never be otherwise, and I don't know why this hasn't been said more often.” She is too right.

Followed up by terrible decision to read The Last Abortion Doctor, a great piece by Esquire magazine. I started crying. I had gotten myself so worked up. I hate all the anger out there.

I am honestly about people having the choice.

Beer Race

Obama is going to solve race relations over some brewskis.
I like this.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25604.html

Obama will drink Bud Light.

Crowley will sip Blue Moon.

And Gates will have Red Stripe..