Two Who Will Never Be President Announce Their Candidacy

The Republican / New Confederate / Stupid Party clown car for the 2016 nomination for President got a little more crowded today with the announcement by job killing climate change denier Carly "Snarly" Fiorina and incoherent former neurosurgeon Ben "On Meds?" Carson that they were running.  Snarly is best known for nearly running Hewlitt Packard into the ground before she was bribed by their board of directors to resign, and Ben On Meds? is known for his loopy remarks on everything from "being gay is a choice" to not supporting Federal health care initiatives "even if it worked."

As we've said before, the more the (truly) merrier.  The expansion of the clown car not only adds to the stock of crazy views that we and others can mock, but it drains the wallets of the rabid base as they donate their money to some sure losers.

BONUS:  Snarly's 21st century campaign is off to a shaky start as Mock Paper Scissors notes. Click on the link there for some step-on-a-rake hilarity.  Mwahahaha.

BONUS II:  Silver Spring Bureau Chief Brian, in the comments, directs us to excellent thumbnails of Fiorina and Carson.

Muhammad "Art Exhibit" Provokes Violence in Texas

The Islamophobic "American Freedom Defense Initiative", listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group, sponsored a contest this weekend in Garland, TX to see who could draw the most offensive a caricature of Muhammad.  Lo and behold, they achieved the desired response:  two gunmen  opened fire outside the facility, wounding a security officer before police killed them.  The president of the hate group, Pamela "Crazy Pam" Geller is notorious for her extreme positions on Islam, so much so that Norwegian mass-murderer Anders Breivik cited her in his deranged writings.  Also present at the "art exhibit" was another extremist, Dutch national Geert Wilders, who has incited hatred against Muslims in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe.

While Crazy Pam is shielded behind the First Amendment right to free speech, the event was not truly about that.  It was a calculated attempt to 1) draw attention to her narcissistic self, and 2) to provoke a violent reaction.  Two violent men took her bait and paid with their lives.  They should have ignored her, as we all should from now on.

Today's Tomorrow Cartoon

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Each panel of this cartoon captures something we've heard from the right wing in the past few days and weeks regarding the death of Freddie Gray while in Baltimore police custody, and the community's reaction.  Not surprisingly, what we've heard is predictable in its self-delusion, bigotry and ignorance.

(cartoon:  Tom Tomorrow, via DailyKos)

British Elections Forecasting

Elections in the United Kingdom this Thursday, May 7, will determine whether the Conservative government of Prime Minister David Cameron will remain in office, or whether Ed Milliband's Labour party will succeed in mustering a governing coalition.  Neither major party is expected to win an outright majority of seats in the House of Commons to allow it to govern alone; the Scottish National Party is projected to win a large bloc of seats, at the expense of Labour which has traditionally been strong in Scotland.  As is often the case in the parliamentary system, there's likely going to be a period of posturing and bargaining before anyone is able to cobble a governing coalition, if one can be formed at all (just ask Israel's Bibi "Bomb Bomb" Netanyahu, who still hasn't succeeded, and their elections were in March).

For those interested in the race, or if you're just Anglophiles like us, Five Thirty Eight has a wonderful interactive electoral map of the United Kingdom, which is updated regularly.  You can get the latest projected seat count, plus if you hover over an area on the map, it will give you the latest polling for that seat.  We also like hovering over spots on the map just to get the names of the districts ("Favorsham and Mid Kent," "Skipton and Ripon," and the seat in Wales most evocative to us Byrds fans, "Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney").  Check it out.

The One-Percenter Solution

Earlier today on Face The Nation, Rep. Paul "Lyin'" Ryan, the failed VP candidate and disciple of Social Darwinist crank Ayn Rand, said that the problem with people in poverty was that they are getting too much of that yummy welfare money, money which would presumably be better spent by America's one-percenters that pull Lyin's strings.  

“It’s really not a more money thing.  Spend the money we have more effectively. I think we need to do another round of welfare reform — not to save money, but to save lives."

Of course, Lyin's been hard at work for years in making sure that "the money we have" for poverty programs shrinks and shrinks, in order to pay for the tax loopholes that benefit his patrons.  And anyone who believes he gives a rat's behind about saving the lives of inner city residents will believe anything.

Baltimore And The Choices We've Made

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(Matt Wuerker, Politico, via gocomics.com)

In today's New York Times, Nicholas Kristof tells us that "inequality is a choice":

THE eruptions in Baltimore have been tied, in complex ways, to frustrations at American inequality, and a new measure of the economic gaps arrived earlier this year:

It turns out that the Wall Street bonus pool in 2014 was roughly twice the total annual earnings of all Americans working full time at the federal minimum wage.

You read that right: Just the annual bonuses for just the sliver of Americans who work just in finance just in New York City dwarfed the combined year-round earnings of all Americans earning the federal minimum wage.  (our emphasis)

And why is that, you say?

We as a nation have chosen to prioritize tax shelters over minimum wages, subsidies for private jets over robust services for children to break the cycle of poverty. And the political conversation is often not about free rides by corporations, but about free rides by the impoverished.

Kristof cites an upcoming book by British economist Anthony Atkinson that offers policy recommendations should we, as a nation, ever want to get serious about addressing the issues of poverty, inequality and the concentration of economic and political power in the hands of a wealthy elite.  Here are a few of Atkinson's recommendations, as summarized by Kristof:

o Trade unions should be bolstered to represent workers’ interests.

o Government should provide public-sector jobs at minimum wage to those who want them, in areas such as meals-on-wheels, elderly care, child care and so on.

o In addition to a minimum wage, there should be a framework to restrain pay at the highest levels. Atkinson cites companies that have voluntarily decreed that executive pay should be capped at 65 or 75 times the average pay in the firm.

o Every child should get a “child benefit” payment, to help keep kids out of poverty.

2016 could be a defining election in this regard, because the contrast couldn't be greater between the Republican Party's interest in protecting the wealthy few at the expense of the middle and working classes, and the Democratic Party's interest in promoting economic and social equality.  But, as Kristof concludes: "The problem isn’t inequality; the problem is us. We’re paralyzed."

There's one way to begin to end the paralysis, and that starts in November 2016.

BONUS:  Robert Reich has a good read on economic inequality and what we need to do to address it.

Letter To The Gutless Governor of Texas

"I am horrified that I have to choose between the possibility that my Governor actually believes this stuff and the possibility that my Governor doesn’t have the backbone to stand up to those who do...I am appalled that you would give credence to the nonsense mouthed by those who instead make decisions based on internet or radio shock jock driven hysteria.  Is there ANYBODY who is going to stand up to this radical nonsense that is cancer on our State and Party?"--  Former Texas Republican state legislator Todd Smith, in a letter written to wingnut Gov. Greg "Abbadabba"Abbott about his exploitation of a meme from the fever swamps of the far right that U.S. military training exercises in Texas are a "cover" for a takeover of the State.  To answer Mr. Smith's question, apparently you're a lone voice in the wilderness.

There was a time in this country where one would only hear such crackpot "theories" in a mental institution.  Now, it's the norm for so many on the paranoid, conspiracy-minded hard right, and Gov. Abbadabba and his fellow Rethuglican / New Confederate / Stupid Party leaders know better but lack the guts to confront the idiocy.

RIP Ben E. King

We've been remiss in not noting the passing of the great Ben E. King (nee Nelson) on April 30, at the age of 76.  King gained fame as a lead singer, and oftentimes songwriter, for the iconic group The Drifters on such songs as "There Goes My Baby" and "Save The Last Dance For Me."  As a solo artist, King had a number of hits, including "Spanish Harlem" and the song we're featuring today.

It's the song he's perhaps best known for, which he co-wrote with greats Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.  In our opinion, it has powerful lyrics about love and friendship, one of the loveliest melodies and the best, most evocative orchestral bridge in rock music history.  Plus he sings the hell out of it. "Stand By Me."  Never a dry eye.

Rest in peace.



BONUS: Here's Tracy Chapman's gorgeous version of the song from two weeks ago:

Cures For "Hillary Anxiety"

Michael Tomasky diagnoses an ailment suffered by some progressives, known as "Hillary anxiety," and offers some cures:

So this isn’t about love. It’s about a deal between Clinton and liberals. It’s strictly business, and it’s about work. The work of maintaining Democratic control of the White House and keeping the loony right at bay for another four or eight years. The work of trying to move the country forward to a post-supply side economic paradigm. And, yeah, the work of electing our first woman president.

If you don’t love Hillary, let me offer you two things to love:

1. A liberal majority on the Supreme Court for the next 30, 40 years. ['nuff said -snip]

2. A coming civil war in the Republican Party, and the hope/prayer of a little moderation on its part. When a party loses two consecutive presidential elections, the losses can be chalked up to the appearance of a charismatic candidate and, then, the powers of his incumbency. But three; that’s when people have to start looking hard in the mirror. 

This all should be self-evident except to the most ideologically head- in- the- ass purists on the left.  We love Bernie Sanders.  He'll do good things in the primaries, notably raising and pounding on issues of economic inequality and a host of other topics favoring, and favored by, progressives.  But, he'll never take the nomination from Hillary Clinton.

So, if you have "Hillary anxiety," keep repeating "liberal majority on the Supreme Court," and "keep the loony right at bay" until the anxiety passes.

Smack Down Tweet of the Week

Arrogant, deranged Sen. Tom "Ear to Ear" Cotton (Wingnut - AR) must have thought it was a good idea to send some childish tweets to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif challenging him to a debate on the Constitution in a belligerent, "I'm-the-tough-guy" tone, while mocking the Foreign Minister for not serving in Iran's military in its war with Iraq war in the early '80s.  Zarif's single retort was masterful in it's smack down and cordiality at the same time, something beyond the capability of the Metternich of the Ozarks:

Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need. Congrats on Ur new born. May U and Ur family enjoy him in peace .@SenTomCotton

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 30, 2015

Weekend Soul Twofer

To get us started on the weekend, it's Philadelphia vs. Chicago soul, circa the 1970's.  Two of the most successful vocal groups of that era were Chicago's Chi-Lites and Philadelphia's Delfonics. The Chi-Lites had several hits (including another favorite, 1971's "Have You Seen Her"), but today in our inter-city competition, we're going with "Oh Girl" (1972).  Philadelphia's Delfonics have a worthy competitor in "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" from 1970.  Enjoy your weekend.

Justice Cartoon of the Day

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It's way too early to proclaim justice has been done, but it's a starting point.  Kudos to State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who acted quickly after a determination of homicide by the coroner's office.

(cartoon:  Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press, via GoComics.com)

Walker And Christie Feeling The Heat

Billionaire Koch-brothers-endorsed Republican Gov. Scott "Koch Head" Walker (R-Kochland) is engaging in the "nothing to see here, move along" strategy when it comes to answering questions about the criminal investigations into his 2012 recall campaign operations:

Two career prosecutors--one a Republican, one a Democrat--just called Scott Walker a liar, and not a single national newspaper took notice.

The comments came after Walker, an unannounced candidate for president, used an appearance on an Iowa radio show to publicly attack a bipartisan criminal investigation into his campaign as a "political witch hunt" with the aim of "trying to intimidate people."

The Special Prosecutor leading the probe, Francis Schmitz--a Republican who voted for Walker in 2012--fired back, stating, "these recent allegations are patently false."

"His description of the investigation as a 'political witch hunt' is offensive when he knows that the investigation was authorized by a bipartisan group of judges and is directed by a Republican Special Prosecutor appointed at the request of a bipartisan group of district attorneys," Schmitz said.  [snip]

The current criminal investigation into Walker involves serious allegations that the governor and his campaign disregarded the state's campaign finance laws during the 2012 recall elections.

Or, 

As former Milwaukee District Attorney E Michael McCann told the Center for Media and Democracy: "If you've got the facts on your side, fight on the facts. If you've got the law on your side, fight on the law. If you've got neither, fight the DA."

Meanwhile, the Bridgegate scandal involving Gov. Chris "Krispykreme" Christie (R-Toast) and his closest staff  has taken an ominous turn for the Narcissist from Newark:

Gov. Chris Christie's high-school buddy and former Port Authority of New York and New Jersey appointee, David Wildstein, has pleaded guilty to plotting to create a 2013 traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge as political payback against a Christie opponent.

But Wildstein isn't the only fish in the net:

In addition, Bill Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Bridget Anne Kelly, a former deputy chief of staff to Mr. Christie have been indicted by Paul J. Fishman, the United States attorney for New Jersey. Those indictments include "multiple counts of conspiracy to commit fraud, including 'knowingly converting and intentionally misapplying property of an organization receiving federal benefits.'" You can read the full indictment here.

Krispykreme's continuing to employ the Sgt. Shultz (his mustachioed Doppelganger) defense, which should in and of itself disqualify him from further consideration as a presidential candidate.

(Image:  Walker and Christie - "If we end up sharing a cell, I get the bottom bunk.")

The Death of Freddie Gray, Cont'd.

In a dramatic announcement this morning, six Baltimore police officers were charged in the death of 25 year-old Freddie Gray last month.  The most serious of the charges -- second degree murder -- was filed against Officer Caesar Goodson, Jr. who drove the police van.  The others, including a police lieutenant and a sergeant, are facing charges ranging from involuntary manslaughter and second degree assault to misconduct in office.

State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said that the charges were filed after the coroner's office officially ruled Gray's death a homicide.  The local Fraternal Order of Police chapter immediately called for an independent special prosecutor, which Mosby quickly -- and correctly -- rebuffed.

Streets in West Baltimore have been calm the last three nights, after local community leaders called for restraint and calm.  After Attorney Mosby's announcement of the charges, residents of the neighborhood that saw violence and looting last Monday night were expressing relief and satisfaction that charges against the police were lodged.

BONUS:  If anyone thinks Mosby has an anti-cop bias, they should take it up with her parents, a grandparent, aunts and uncles, all of whom are cops.

(photo:  ABC News.  State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announcing charges against police)

Democrats Introduce The Raise The Wage Act

Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) will introduce the Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the Federal minimum wage to $12 by 2020.  Jared Bernstein outlines the main components:

1) Raise the minimum wage in increments to $12 an hour by 2020.
The Raise the Wage Act would raise the federal minimum wage $0.75 in 2016 to $8.00 an hour and raise it an additional $1 per year for the next four years.  The Economic Policy Institute estimates that 37.7 million workers would benefit from the cumulative five-year increase.  As shown in the infographic above, the family of the average person in this group relies on the earner for more than half of its total income.

2) Tie minimum wage increases to increases in the median wage after 2020.
Historically, inflation has eroded the value of the minimum wage between legislated increases.  The Raise the Wage Act would prevent future erosion by indexing the minimum wage to the median wage after the full phase-in.

Past proposals would have indexed the minimum wage to inflation instead of the median wage, but prominent minimum wage analyst Arindrajit Dube offers a compelling rationale for why the median is appropriate.  Keeping the minimum-to-median ratio around 50 percent, which this proposal would do, would put it “in line with the international average and with the U.S. historical average during the 1960s and 1970s.”

3) Gradually eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers.
In many states, tipped workers (for example, waiters and waitresses) currently have a minimum base wage of only $2.13 an hour.  These workers are still supposed to make the regular minimum – employers are required to make up the difference if adding tips to the base wage doesn’t get a tipped worker all the way there – but this requirement is difficult to enforce in practice.

Republicans and their Koch-supported minions are expected to use the same shop-worn excuses for why this shouldn't happen (and given the makeup of Congress, it won't), but it should be one of the main issues Democrats at every level should run on in 2016.  It's one of those bright line issues that separate the party of the 1-per-centers from the party that's fighting for the middle and working classes.  It's also a political winner since, as Bernstein notes, 75 percent of Americans support raising the minimum wage even higher than this proposal, including 53 percent of Republicans.  Democrats would be smart to promote it at every opportunity.