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The Donnybrook
Friday, October 30, 2009
 
Get 'em all...

Too many in Congress are way too close to big defense corporations. This is not news. The fact that an inquiry could target as many as 30 at a time is news.

"....issues including defense lobbying and corporate influence peddling, according to a confidential House ethics committee report prepared in July."
The "Ethics" Committee has a shitty record. It is a secretive, do-nothing, excuse for the cause it is supposed to serve. Maybe this report was leaked....if so I applaud the leaker. Get 'em all. Neither party has a the moral high ground in this, which is why the "Ethics" committee never does shit. That may be a particular problem for Pelosi and Democrats:

... she promised to "drain the swamp" of corruption on Capitol Hill. Two and a half years into Pelosi's reign, more than 25 Democrats have been targeted for ethics reviews by the two ethics bodies, while just seven Republicans appeared to be under scrutiny, according to the document.
I hope that this will act as at least a temporary chilling influence on the vote-selling that Congressmen and their aides take part in regularly. But, that is probably too optimistic.

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Am I crazy...

...or does three days rest seem like enough time to come back from just about ANYTHING???

The fact that anyone would debate whether Cliff Lee should start Game 4 of the World Series this Saturday on three days rest is absurd.

OF COURSE HE SHOULD!!!

The whole goal of a baseball player's career is to play and contribute in the World Series. Cliff Lee is 31 years old, and in the prime of his career. I seriously doubt he would choose to pitch game 5 on normal rest and not be able to pitch in a potential Game 7 in New York.

Competitors compete, that's just what they do. Cliff Lee is a competitor, and I'm sure we'll be seeing him light up the Yankees again on Sunday night...

UPDATE: Well fuck me sideways. Joe Blanton will start Game 4 and Cliff Lee will start Game 5. Man, I really don't get that...

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Thursday, October 29, 2009
 
Cliff Fuckin' Lee!!!


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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
 
Twitter Can Get You Fired

Chiefs to cut Larry Johnson.

“He’s an idiot. He’s always been an idiot, going back to college. He was a jerk at Penn State, he’s been a jerk (in Kansas City), he’ll probably always be a jerk. Those guys don’t change. ... With this whole Twitter evolution and all that, these kinds of things are going to continue to be problems until policies are placed by the league — fines and different things — that prevent players from just venting after a game and saying things they regret. - NFL Director of Pro Personnel

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Advantage: NFL Owners

There are only a few superstar players who stand to benefit from an uncapped season, though just how the uncapped year would affect rookies is unclear to me. NFLPA Prez DeMarcus Smith seems to understand that the lack of a salary floor in 2010 may mean that many teams will not be spending.


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That about sums it up...

At least it's not NASCAR.


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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
 
A great poster from SportsPropaganda.com...


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This girl absolutely shreds...

Her name is Orianthi.

She was going to be the lead guitarist on Michael Jackson's comeback tour, and at 24, she's already played with Carlos Santana, Steve Vai and Prince.

I really don't dig this song (too Kelly Clarkson), but the guitar work is undeniable. Hopefully, she'll have a bright future...

"According to You" by Orianthi


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Monday, October 26, 2009
 
A House Divided...

Over the past few years, I've grown quite annoyed at the all the car and house flags espousing the whole "House Divided" angle. UNC/NC State, UNC/Duke, NC State/ECU, and on and on.

It's a funny happenstance that seems hacky now that it's been marketed to death.

However, thanks to this year's World Series matchup, I too am living in a "House Divided"!!!

I'm the big Phillies' fan, and Kerri is the big Yankees fan. This is gonna get interesting!!!

Consider this an open thread to post your World Series predictions...




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Friday, October 23, 2009
 
Is this why you Republican guys have been so bitchy since last November?

I didn't know that seeing Barack Obama elected president was actually turning you femmes into women!!!

Republican men nationwide may have experienced a drop in testosterone levels the night Barack Obama was elected president, according to the results of a small study that found another link between testosterone and men's moods.

Low testosterone levels in men are linked to increased risk of premature death.By taking multiple saliva samples from 183 young men and women on election night, researchers found that the testosterone levels of men who voted for John McCain or Robert Barr dropped sharply 40 minutes after Obama was announced the winner.

The testosterone levels of men who voted for Obama stayed the same throughout the evening. This could be significant because testosterone levels normally rise and fall throughout the day.
Look at the bright side, maybe you guys will grow breasts when Obama is re-elected in 2012!

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
 
The recognized symbol of excellence in Major League Baseball...



Congratulations to the 2009 National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies!!!

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Remember the justice of the peace in Louisiana who opposed interracial marriage?

Apparently, Louisiana's junior Senator, Republican David Vitter, can't bring himself to even comment on (much less condemn) the justice's circa-1850's view on interracial unions.

You might remember Vitter as the hypocritical Republican asswipe who got busted for banging hookers in a DC-area prostitution ring back in 2007.

He's a peach...

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
 
What a great photo...


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...and they just keep on going...

The Phils were down to their last out, trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth.

Did it matter?

Fuck no...

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Sunday, October 18, 2009
 
But the Philadelphia Baseball Team Wins When It Counts...

The fat lady has not sung as I write this, but 8-0 is a decisive lead.

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Bailout Weekend

The Redskins bail out the KC Chiefs, and and the pathetic Raiders shock the Phar-sickle Philadickrider Eagles.

Nice how the 'skins got a safety to punctuate the loss. And demoralized their so-called starter. As a Dallas fan, I love the Dan Snyder era!

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Saturday, October 17, 2009
 
House Cleaning, Ignored...

I would love to see Dems oust Chairman Rangel and guys like Visclosky (D) of Indiana. But I am not holding my breath. Opportunity lost. Disappointing, but not surprising...

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Friday, October 16, 2009
 
More Wingnut Whining to Come...

Now that the judge in the case Brian noted earlier is under fire, expect whining from the usual sources on the right. While we brace for the onslaught of whining from the right, let's thank TPM for the investigative journalism tradition they are keeping alive.

Keith Bardwell, a white justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish in the southeastern part of the state, refused to issue a marriage license earlier this month to Beth Humphrey, who is white, and Terence McKay, who is black.
The all-knowing judge decided that this couple should not have kids and thus, denied the marriage license. Perhaps he's afraid it will be the next Obama. Perhaps he's just a fucktard. Perhaps both.

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Growing the Force May Be Harder than Anticipated
So where is the funding for increasing the size of the Army going?

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Thursday, October 15, 2009
 

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Only in Louisiana...

That is one seriously crazy state...

Interracial couple denied marriage license in La.

A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.

"I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house," Bardwell said. "My main concern is for the children."

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer."

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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
 
Prepare for the Whine-fest...

As the principal bidder for the pathetic Rams assesses his chance of having an ownership bid approved, he makes the rational business decision to dump his windbag liability of a "partner". Limbaugh is simply a bigger negative than he, his money, and public persona are an asset. Thus he is dropped from the group seeking to buy the Rams. He will scream left-wing media conspiracy and it will resonate with his current listeners, who would - and do - believe him no matter what he says. You made your bed Limbaugh. Lie in it, bitch. Let your aging demographically declining fans comfort you now. You will be associated with the rock-bottom point for the GOP for all time. No doubt we have yet to reach that point, but our country is the worse for you having been what you are, and what you have spawned, that much is clear.

Additional Whine-fest Item: Creationists will be whining, too.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
 
Oh, she's such a badass!!!

Kerri knocked it out of the park this weekend, finishing the Chicago Marathon in 4 hours and 56 minutes!

Here's a great shot of her before the race with the twins, who happily got up early to see her off...



...and here is the triumphant warrior still smiling immediately after finishing the race...



...and of course, a good shot of us in the heart of Chicago, a city I had no idea was so friggin beautiful...


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Unbeknown to most

Brian used to be in a hardcore band from Upstate (he's disguised himself with a beard and glasses here though...)

Snapcase - Typecast Modulator


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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
 
It's time for a big shout-out to my chick...

Kerri will be running the Chicago Marathon in a matter of four short days!!!

She's an absolutely kick-ass runner and the twins and I are endlessly proud of her.

This one goes out to you, gorgeous!

"A Girl Like You" by The Smithereens

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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
 
What the hell do they know about healthcare???

Michael Steele is right! What do a bunch of doctors know about healthcare?!?!

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele took a shot at the American Medical Association (AMA) on Monday, saying the organization doesn't have "credibility" on healthcare reform.

"The AMA is — does not have the credibility on this healthcare issue, as they would like to project," Steele said on "Fox and Friends" Monday morning.
Keep talking, Michael. You rule...

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Sunday, October 4, 2009
 
Alienating the Middle

By firing up the base. Some Republicans, like Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, see the problems that can cause and are reacting:

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of South Carolina said party leaders need to call out “birthers” and other conspiracy theorists on the right. “Say, ‘You’re crazy.’

“Those familiar with McCain’s thinking say he has expressed serious concern about the direction of the party and is actively seeking out and supporting candidates who can broaden the party’s reach. In McCain’s case, that means backing conservative pragmatists and moderates.”
David Brooks, Republican columnist with the NYT notes that “The rise of Beck, Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and the rest has correlated almost perfectly with the decline of the GOP. But it’s not because the talk jocks have real power. It’s because they have illusory power, because Republicans hear the media mythology and fall for it every time.”

I don't think, however, that a critical mass of Republicans will reject the populist birther-teabagging-Palin-Beck-Limbaugh wing anytime soon. 2010 will likely bring more Repubs to the House - unless the 2010 elections defy historical trends in a big way. That will be seen a progress for the nutbag right and will make it hard for more moderate Repubs like McCain, Graham, Collins, and Snow to sway the party as a whole.

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Friday, October 2, 2009
 
Rooting against America...

Apparently, it's all the rage in conservative circles.

Kos puts it perfectly: "America, fuck yeah!" has become "Fuck America, Yeah!"

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Caribou Barbie's book cover revealed...

...and it looks awfully familiar...





Yup, this is what she quit her job for, dont'cha know!

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The Daily Show teaches protestors how to get their voices heard...

Apparently, all you really need is the backing of a major cable news network!


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Thursday, October 1, 2009
 
Pivot Points

The Talking Heads, along with several other bands, changed the musical agenda in rock in the late '70's to early '80's.


The Clash also had a huge effect on the change in music in that era.

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3 years and counting...

The Phils celebrated their 3rd NL East championship in as many years in style as they included the dearly departed Harry Kalas in the festivities...


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