Nugland

The Shrill One explains why I’ve been kinda’ bummed out lately in a new must-read blog post. Let’s hope that his hopes are not in vain.

So, the wingnut rump of the Republican party seems to want to expel all the old-school Republicans, and they like to call them RINOs (Republicans In Name Only).

What should people call the non-RINO Republicans? Well, according to my friend Mark Best, the answer is:

BLOND PIGs

Bullies, Liars, Obstructionists and Nuts Driving the Party Into the Grave.

Nicely done, says I.

It appears that he’s worried about ‘distractions’, and would like it if all the people like me who assumed that all the secret stuff that Bush & Co. did would eventually see the light of day would, like, chill.

Um, fuck that. Seriously, fuck that.

The following appears in all-caps for emphasis:

THE TRUTH IS NEVER A DISTRACTION. IT IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO.

Realism might return when, what should we call it? False-ism? is exposed.

People like me will be happy to put the Bush administration policies behind us only when they are exposed, punished if that is required, and explicitly disavowed by the current administration if they are found to be illegal, immoral, dishonest, or stupid. Or all four. Until then, they need to be paid attention to.

Let’s just call it Bacon Flu and be done with it.

Everyone loves bacon, right?

But I had’ta:

If you want a clearer picture of what’s at stake as we careen towards potential economic oblivion, click here. It’s long-ish, but not too wonk-ish. If you aren’t ready for some really bad news, skip that and go to Cute Overload instead.

What are they going to learn from this?

That Olbermann’s approach was great for ratings, not just annoying cranky old conservatives. Their coverage will probably tank. That’ll learn ‘em.

KO and Maddow will still have an hour each to let MSNBC know that there are viewers to be had.

Joe Lieberman just claimed that he is a Democrat. And he just did it again, actually. I was watching his Senate campaign, and he lost the Democratic primary. Then he wasn’t a Democrat anymore. Now he is again? Nah.

Joe Lieberman, Aaron Headly (me) doesn’t think you’re a Democrat, he thinks you are a sad little colossal jerk.

Elvis Mitchell is all the man James Lipton would be if he (James Lipton) spent more time in the sun. (Or, to quote a friend, ‘out-doors’.)

-A

Me (and Paul Krugman, based on my reading of Krugman’s position) agree with Mike freakin’ Huckabee on economic stimulus. The Huckster complained about the Bush stimulus package at the debate last night, saying (I’m paraphrasing here) “OK, so we borrow $150 Billion from the Chinese so that a bunch of Americans can buy stuff made in China; how does that help?”

He then said something to the effect of “let’s build some highways. Let’s spend that money here.”

That’s been my point almost exactly (I referenced bridges and New Orleans, but we’re on the same wavelength.)

I ain’t switching, but that’s some ballsy shit from a Republican.

Again, stop with the music cues. One violin stab,TOPS. Just turn off the sound for one TV ad, and then watch said ad. You will learn about the damage music cues can do to narrative.

…I just want to point out that Mr. Woods calmly left the field well behind him today in the “Fed-Ex” cup and, oh yeah, also won the tournament.

He seemed — perhaps for the first time in his professional career — relaxed. I wish him more such tournaments. Maybe, when he’s my age, he’ll have to struggle to win, but he’s got at least a dozen years until then. In the mean time, I hope to watch him smile more often.

Bush will nominate one yahoo after another, then stand back and claim that the Democrats aren’t playing fair when they shoot down one after another.

There will be plenty of Washington “insider” pundits that will echo Bush’s claims.

Bush won’t care that his Justice Department has no leader ’cause he doesn’t want the J.D. to do a thing right now.

Just sayin’.

From Talking Points Memo | Reax to Gonzo Resignation
My favorite as well:

And my favorite, from Rep. Rahm Emmanuel (D-IL): “Alberto Gonzales is the first Attorney General who thought the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth were three different things.”

Indeed.

I watched “Dead Man’s Shoes” last night, and (this is only a spoiler if you aren’t familiar with how everyone seems to end their ‘tragic’ movies) was annoyed by the death of the protagonist at the end.

I don’t need a ‘happy’ ending, I just hate endings that seem cheap. I wish people who make films would get over the whole Shakespeare thing and come up with something more original, or at least more honest. Why go to all the trouble of getting your ‘tragic’ character all the way to the end of the movie and then leave the viewer saying “I didn’t see that one coming — NOT!”