Stories to Watch: 9/11/13

Following the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Pat Robertson joined Jerry Falwell in blaming "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way" -- and not the actual terrorists -- for the tragedy. They quickly became two of the most hated people in America (this side of Osama Bin Laden, anyway) for immediately politicizing an unthinkable tragedy. You probably won't be surprised to learn that Pat Robertson learned nothing from that experience.


The medical examiner in the Trayvon Martin case says that prosecutors deliberately botched the trial of George Zimmerman for Martin's murder. State prosecutors, the Sanford PD, and the medical examiners office were all biased agains Martin, says Dr. Shiping Bao. "Their general attitude was that [Trayvon Martin] got what he deserved."


Ted Cruz demonstrates what everyone but the most gullible already knows; when the GOP brags about how they're the party of the civil rights movement, they're pushing hilariously ridiculous BS.


Republicans can also stop complaining about the "nanny state" now.


A Tea Party rally for "Justice for Benghazi" draws a crowd numbering in the tens of ones, but not quite ten of ten. Stick a fork in it, this conspiracy theory is done. As went Solyndra and "Fast and Furious," so goes BENGHAZI!!


The recall elections in Colorado weren't anything like a regular election. The normal vote-by-mail procedures were out the window and the number of polling places was reduced. Turnout was enemic. Anyone thinking they see a hint of how Colorado will go in 2014 is probably deluded.


John Boehner is technically "Republican leadership" on paper, but that's where the leadership ends.


Finally, food waste contributes greatly to global warming. If food waste was a country, it'd be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases.


[cartoon via Truthdig]