Stories to Watch: 9/30/11

Went out and saw a show last night, which was fun. But man, was it ever windy. And cold. Outside sucked. Inside with beer was great. Now here's the news...


US-born al Qaeda figure Anwar al-Awlaki is killed by a drone strike in Yemen. Both Glenn Greenwald and Ron Paul aren't fans of the move, while the rightwing blogosphere seems split. At least one wingnut makes an ill-advised parallel that suggests they aren't aware that Hitler committed suicide.


Steve Benen uses al-Awlaki's death to point out that President Obama has had a substantial winning streak when it comes to foreign policy.


Why I hate pundits, example 3,462,091,483-A: Michael Kinsley argues that Chris Christie can't be president because "he is just too fat." And Michael Kinsley is just too shallow.


Contrary to lazy reporting, Warren Buffett did not oppose the Buffet Rule.


Alabama is enjoying success in their efforts to produce some of the nation's stupidest kids.


Finally, Sarah Palin's coquettishness continues. Sooner or later, the media will wise up and stop taking her calls.

Related articles

• The Killing of Anwar al-Awlaki: Was the Drone Strike Legal? (swampland.time.com)
• Ron Paul Condemns Obama Admin For 'Assassinating' U.S. Born Anwar al-Awlaki (mediaite.com)
• American Citizen Anwar al-Awlaki Assassinated in Yemen (news.firedoglake.com)
• Al Qaeda Leader Anwar Al-Awlaki Killed in Yemen (littlegreenfootballs.com)

Stories to Watch: 3/20/11

Dark, cold, dingy, rainy day here -- in other words, spring. I don't have to go out and shovel rain though, so I'll take it. Now here's the news...


Libya isn't likely to be a protracted action, but it's worth noting that it is war and, like every other war we've been in in my lifetime, it's without a formal declaration of war. Liberals in congress ask what's up with that. Meanwhile, John McCain -- who throughout his congressional career has never voted against military action -- thinks President Obama waited too long. No declaration of war = unconstitutional. No vote by the UN Security Council = illegal. This war may still be unconstitutional, but it's apparently become way too legal for John McCain's liking. Then again, no matter what Obama did, McCain would be against it. His sore-loserism requires no less.


Things in Syria aren't so great either.


Nor Bahrain.


Nor Yemen.


Where things stand at the nuke plant in Fukushima Prefecture at the moment.


Finally, with the economy still in recovery and still high unemployment, House Republicans focus on the things that really matter -- like voting to affirm that "In God We Trust" is our national motto. That whole "E Pluribus Unum" thing reeks of collectivist socialism, I guess. The next time a Republican tells you the party is focused on jobs, grab your sides, fall to the floor, and laugh like a lunatic.

Stories to Watch: 2/14/11

Freakin' heatwave up here. The snow is just melting like crazy, as temperatures hit the forty-degree neighborhood. This may sound good, but it's not. The streets and sidewalks are soaked, while it gets down to eighteen at night. This means ice everywhere. A real mess -- and a dangerous one at that. Now here's the news...


In an attempt to appease Republicans, President Obama offers an awful budget proposal. Of course, Republicans reject is as the worst thing ever -- before they could possibly even have read it. How many times does something like this have to happen before someone at the White House gets the obvious message -- the GOP will always refuse to be satisfied with the things they demand? Go ahead and do whatever the fuck you want, because -- even if you try to meet them halfway -- Republicans are going to whine just as loudly no matter what,


Speaking of Republicans whining: Fox News is appalled that Ron Paul libertarians weren't grovelingly respectful of Cheney and Rumsfeld.


The McCain Virus spreads to Iran and Yemen.


Greg Sargent uncovers a closet commie -- GOP Rep. Leonard Lance of New Jersey.


Andy Breitbart has trouble.


Jeff Sessions is a clown.


Finally, a breakdown of what the Obama budget would mean, agency by agency.