Even A Blind Squirrel…. (Updated)

…sometimes finds a nut:

"Is there a double standard here? Are Republicans -- they say, 'There's no place in our party to disparage those who have served honorably.' Well, unless you're a Democrat?" (emphasis added)

That's CNN's Jake "Tippy" Tapper posing the question to Rethuglican Rep. Will Hurd (Secession-TX), after a discussion of the remarks made about Sen. John "McAngry" McCain's military service by draft-dodging Donald "Rump" Trump, and alluding to the smear of John Kerry by Rethuglicans in 2004.

Recall that the entire Republican / New Confederate / Stupid Party had a field day mocking Secretary of State John Kerry's three Purple Hearts-winning honorable service in Vietnam during the 2004 Presidential campaign.  The scurrilous Swiftboat Veterans for Truth acted as an arm of the Rethugs in slandering Kerry's record, and the Rethugs delighted in the smear.  Remember the Purple Heart bandaids worn at the 2004 Rethuglican National Convention, and the braying wingnuts that wore them?  And the current co-front runner who thanked the Swiftboaters for attacking Kerry?  And the guy wearing those "smart" glasses?

So good for you, Tippy.  Eleven years have passed, but it's never too late to call out the hypocrisy of the right wing.

BONUS:  John Kerry weighs in on Rump's remarks.

BONUS II:  Wonkette has an amusing piece on Rump and the party of situational heroism.

A Ripoff, Franks-ly Speaking

It seems as retired General Tommy "Dumbya's Army" Franks lent his name to- - and got $100,000 from - - veterans "charity" groups that were more interested in lining their pockets with contributions than actually helping veterans. The groups, Help Hospitalized Veterans and the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes Foundation, paid Franks the big money to endorse the "charities", which according to the American Institute for Philanthopy, were ripping off contributors by only providing a very small portion of donations to the veterans.

Franks later expressed "misgivings" about the "charities" and withdrew his support. No word on whether his conscience prompted him to return the $100,000.

Swift Boat Sam Returns

UPDATE - Looks like Swift Boat Sam Fox is going to Brussels after all. The Decider used a recess appointment to name Fox ambassador to Belgium after withdrawing his nomination on March 28, hours before it would have been rejected by the Senate. Fox is a major Rebunglecan fundraiser and was a key financier of the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" smear campaign in '04. Clearly, this is part of the Decider's strategery to seek better relations with Democrats, and will have the same results for him as his Iraq strategery. In the meantime, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) says he will seek an opinion on the legality of the Decider's appointment from the GAO, adding,

"This is underhanded and an abuse of Executive authority. Sadly this behavior has become the hallmark of this administration."