FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

Nothing to see here, move along

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39742328/ns/health-health_care/
More than 17,000 doctors and other health care providers have taken money from seven major drug companies to talk to other doctors about their products, a joint investigation by news organizations and non-profit groups found.

More than 380 of the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other professionals took in more than $100,000 in 2009 and 2010, according to the investigation released on Tuesday. The report said far more doctors are likely to have taken such payments, but it documented these based on information from seven drugmakers. . . .

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/10/pharmas-doctors-for-hire/
But an investigation by ProPublica uncovered hundreds of doctors on company payrolls who had been accused of professional misconduct, were disciplined by state boards or lacked credentials as researchers or specialists. . . .

How the banks have ruined our economy

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/19/AR2010101904845.html
Federal investigators are exploring whether banks and other financial firms broke U.S. law when using fraudulent court documents to foreclose on people's homes, according to sources familiar with the effort. . . .

The bell tolls: http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/10/19/administration-inches-closer-to-rule-of-law-on-foreclosure-crisis/

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/10/mortgages-which-can-legally-only-be.html

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/10/what-is-mers-and-what-role-does-it-have.html

David Brooks tries to convince us that massive campaign spending and undisclosed fundraising really don’t matter very much

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/10/19/brooks

http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/19/campaign-finance-reform-who-needs-campaign-finance-reform/

They matter: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/democrats-take-on-secret-gop-money-in-new-ad-video.php

Team Obama’s “unilateral disarmament” in fundraising

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/ben-smith-on-how-team-obama-engaged-in.html

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/obamas-money-machine-vanquished/64799/

The invisible tax cut

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026208.php

Rachel Maddow on the shifting, incoherent media narratives about what this election is supposedly all about

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026197.php

Here’s an article you won’t see in the national press

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/19/tea_party_kill_gop
We rank the five key races in which Tea Party candidates are most likely to scare away swing voters

Fair and balanced

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/matt-lauer-asks-jack-conway-if-hell-be-
Matt Lauer asks Jack Conway if he'll be bi-partisan if he's elected to the Senate

[NB: Will Rand Paul get the same question?]

We all know the “vote fraud” accusation is racially coded – but it’s rarely this obvious

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/par_for_the_course.php

Or this: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/19/911736/-NV-Sen:-GOP-attempts-to-suppress-votes

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026194.php

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/nothing_to_see_here_1.php

Joe Miller’s (R-AK) “security” detail arrested, cuffed, and detained a reporter who was asking him questions. Guess where he got them?

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/10/19/miller

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/joe-miller-security-team-were-active-duty-soldiers.php

Finally: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/19/miller_discloses_ethics_problem
In reversal, Miller admits ethics violation

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/joe-miller-admits-he-was-disciplined-for-violating-borough-ethics-policy-video.php

http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/10/19/ak-sen-miller-admits-wrongdoing-ethics-violation-as-campaign-begins-to-implode/
Miller Campaign Begins to Implode

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/19/what_should_republicans_do_in_alaska.html

It’s becoming a trend!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/goper-allen-west-has-leather-clad-security-eject-dem-tracker-video.php
GOPer Allen West Has Leather-Clad Security Eject Dem Tracker

Theocracy watch

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/sharron_angle_and_christine_od.html
Sharron Angle and Christine O'Donnell agree: No separation of church and state

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/same-old-same-old
Coons: The government shall make no establishment of religion.
O'Donnell: [dubiously] That's in the First Amendment?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/19/odonnell_first_amendment_vid
Also during the debate, O'Donnell stumbled when asked whether or not she would repeal the 14th, 16th, or 17th Amendments if elected.

"The 17th Amendment I would not repeal," she said, before asking the questioner to define the 14th and 16th amendments, adding: "I'm sorry, I didn't bring my Constitution with me."

[Alex Pareene] This after challenging her opponent's understanding of the Constitution. (Note to Constitution-worshiping Tea Party types: The amendments count as part of the document.)

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/77314

Rush "helps": http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/limbaugh-defends-odonnell-separation-of-church-and-state-not-in-the-constitution.php

Heh

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2010/10/morning-and-stuff.html
[Atrios] It seems O'Donnell is having problems gathering supporters for her rallies. Not only is she going out of state to find volunteers, she's offering to pay as well. Very grass rooty.

UN-believable

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/mrs-clarence-thomas-phones-anita-hill.html
“Good morning, Anita Hill, it's Ginny Thomas,” it quoted from the voicemail. “I just wanted to reach across the airwaves and the years and ask you to consider something. I would love you to consider an apology sometime and some full explanation of why you did what you did with my husband. So give it some thought and certainly pray about this and come to understand why you did what you did. Okay have a good day.”

[NB: The FBI is investigating.]

The problem with instant messaging

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/fail-palin-endorses-raese-in-pennsylvania-hes-from-west-virginia.php
Palin Endorses Raese In Pennsylvania -- But He's From West Virginia

Great news, if it happens

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/19/palin_threatens_third_party.html
Palin Threatens Third Party

Glenn Beck, patron saint of the teabbaggers

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/just-what-is-glenn-beck-telling-them.html
“I would trust my life in his hands.” . . .

“I like the way he’s trying to get back to the basics of the Constitution of the United States. . .”

“He brings out facts… And he actually shows the people saying the things. It’s not like just sound bites. It’s not chopped and really edited. And he is scary because every time I watch the show, which is pretty much every day, my heart feels…and I feel like I want to do something. . . .”

“I’m frightened for him… Because of the things that he says. I think that he is stepping on some big toes.”

“He really does his research and he really lays it out to you well; a good professor.”

Does he get a cut? http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/glenn_beck_hawking_companys_survivalist_disaster_k.php
Beck Hawking Survivalist Disaster Kits

Bonus item: I don’t know, Sharron, I think this HELPS Reid’s image

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/angle-ad-reid-is-rich-and-hangs-out-with-supermodels-video.php
Angle Ad: Reid Is Rich And Hangs Out With Supermodels

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
- posted by Nick Burbules @ 7:05 AM

 
THE RACES

The new world of political fundraising: ignore the main party organizations and work in the shadows. Who masterminded such an evil plan?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/outside-groups-dominate-campaign-ad-spending-in-2010.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026186.php

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/dirty-money-dirty-lies.html

http://washingtonindependent.com/100926/a-former-gop-operative-behind-the-nexis-of-outside-spending

Who are the “Concerned Taxpayers of America”? TWO PEOPLE

http://washingtonindependent.com/100937/concerned-taxpayers-of-america-represents-exactly-two-taxpayers

Civil war in Iraq?

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/10/awakened-sunnis-returning-to-insurgency/

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/iraq-update

It never fails: the Repubs are masters of the brutal character assassination political ad – but when one of theirs gets hit, it’s tears and smelling salts. How can those bad old Dems be so MEAN?!?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/jacks_in_it_to_win_it.php
[Josh Marshall] Earlier this afternoon I noted this boffo, over-the-top ad Jack Conway just debuted against Rand Paul, calling Paul's religiosity into question. And it's hit a nerve. . . . [read on]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/18/911368/-KY-Sen:-Whats-wrong-with-the-ad
[Jonathan Chait] The ugliest, most illiberal political ad of the year . . .

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/the_conway_rorschach.php

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/conways-choice-rand-paul-is-kooky-or-extreme/64764/

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/over-200-democrats-show-what-it-looks.html

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/rand-paul-outraged-over-conways-aqua-buddha

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/democrats-play-rough-bring-on-smelling.html

Now Conway’s on the defensive: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/jack_conway_campaign_denies_ad.html

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/bow_down_to_aqua_buddha_pt2.php

KY: toughest debate of the season?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/the-nastiest-debate-of-2010-in-244-video.php

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/rand-paul-refuses-shake-hands-end-debate-j

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/rand-paul-considering-skipping-final-ky-sen-debate.php

Sharron Angle (R-NV): how can this woman be even close to electable?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/18/sharron_angle_hispanic_students
For some reason, Sharron Angle was recently speaking to Hispanic students at Rancho High School. They asked Angle why she spends so much time demonizing immigrants. Her answers, as reported by Nevada's Jon Ralston, ranged from "untrue" to "incredibly bizarre."

Here, Angle explains that the people in this blatantly race-baiting ad aren't meant to look Latino. (They may, in fact, be Canadian terrorists!) . . .

And here, Angle says that some members of the Hispanic Student Union look "a little more Asian" to her. She also claims that she herself is Asian. . . .

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/angle-to-latino-students-some-of-you-look-a-little-more-asian-to-me.php

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/sharron-angle-defends-her-race-baiti

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/reporter-said-she-looked-asian.html
[Digby] Let's face it --- she's a racist fundamentalist and a moron. . . [read on]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026180.php
ANGLE JUST CAN'T HELP HERSELF

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/sharron_angle_claims_new_ad_is.html

GOP front group in Nevada tells Latinos: “Don’t vote!”

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/just_coming_right_out_saying_it.php

“Freedom’s just another word. . .”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/boehner-chaired-pac-still-backs-nazi-reenacting-republican-house-candidate.php
The Republican party has all but given up on its Nazi-reenacting candidate Rich Iott. But that doesn't mean they've cut him off entirely.

The Freedom Project, chaired by House Republican Leader John Boehner, is a Political Action Committee dedicated to electing Republican candidates. And look who they still support . . .

Bonus item: The Rally to Restore Sanity . . . and Humor

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/18/rally-to-restore-sanitys-_2_n_766787.html

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Conservative Libertarian
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Rally to Restore Sanity

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
- posted by Nick Burbules @ 7:12 AM

 
GRAB THE LEASH

Domesticating the teabaggers: there’s a lot of effort now on the part of GOP pros to say that this movement is just a bunch of good, salt-of-the-earth Amurricans worried about high taxes and government spending. As amply documented here over the past few months, that’s only part of their appeal – and arguably not the primary part. But the myth is growing

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6966692n&tag=related;photovideo

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/bailouts-deficits-and-spending-oh-my

http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/17/all-together-now-the-tea-party-isnt-about-economic-insecurity/

Only the Repubs get to attack veterans without being accused of being “anti-troops”

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026168.php

Ken Buck (R-CO) running hard to catch up with the rest of the pack of conservative wackos

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/on-meet-the-press-buck-compares-being-gay-to-alcoholism.php
On Meet The Press, Ken Buck Compares Being Gay To Alcoholism

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david/ken-buck-compares-being-gay-alcoholism

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026169.php

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/colorados-gopteabagger-senate-candidate.html

Sharron Angle (R-NV) thinks you’re as stupid as she is

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/17/angle_denies_latinos_in_ad_are_latinos.html
"I think that you're misinterpreting those commercials. I'm not sure that those are Latinos in that commercial. . . .”

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026166.php

You’re under arrest?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/didnt_know_you_could_do_that.php
At a Joe Miller for Senate campaign event today in Alaska, members of Miller's private security team 'arrested' journalist Tony Hopfinger of the Alaska Dispatch. Hopfinger later told local TV news station KTUU that he was asking questions when he was told by Miller's security detail that he was under arrest and placed in handcuffs. . . .

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/drop-zone-liberty.html

The mainstream press keeps telling us the lack of disclosure for GOP fundraising is a non-issue. That’s not what the polls keep telling us

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130566194
Voters Say They Want To Know Who Funds Ads

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/chamber-commerce-water-carrier-liz-trotta-

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/graham-were-going-to-have-some-bipartisanship-on-tax-cuts-and-replacing-the-health-care-bill.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/17/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_22_n_765624.html

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
- posted by Nick Burbules @ 6:13 AM

 
SAUCE FOR THE GANDER

We should have been hearing these tea-bag friendly themes echoed a long time ago, and relentlessly

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/obama-republicans-voted-to-reward-corporations-creating-jobs-overseas.php
Obama: Republicans Voted To Reward Corporations Creating Jobs Overseas

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/16/910737/-Obama:-Republicans-love-outsourcers,-I-love-small-business
"When more things are made in America, more families make it in America."

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hope-is-on-life-support-but-its-still.html
This simple little video from my former employer, the American Federation of Government Employees, seems to have hit a nerve among Tea Partying right-wingers. It simply shows a mob populated by the likes of Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.; House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio; and RNC Chairman Michael Steele calling for the death of veteran’s benefits. . . .

[NB: Lesson #1, when you can’t raise your positives, raise your opponent’s negatives.]

Why we love Rachel

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/rachel-on-chamber-of-commerce-foreign.html
Rachel on the Chamber of Commerce & foreign money in U.S. elections



Real and fake bipartisanship

http://blogs.ajc.com/cynthia-tucker/2010/10/15/obama-tried-too-hard-to-work-with-republicans
[Cynthia Tucker] The president has made some of his biggest mistakes trying to woo a GOP opposition that has committed itself to frustrating him at every turn. If he had ignored recalcitrant Republicans, for example, his health care legislation might have become law without months of damaging political drama.

In an interview last week in his West Wing office, David Axelrod, one of Obama’s closest advisers, acknowledged that the administration had been surprised by the unified Republican resistance to the president’s agenda.

“Well, I think we miscalculated,” Axelrod said . . . [read on]

More: http://mydd.com/2010/10/16/an-requited-love-for-excuses

Just a matter of time (will this become a recurring PBD segment?)

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/right-wing-threats-keep-mounting-flo
The right-wing threats keep mounting: In Florida, 'sovereign citizens' threaten law enforcement, neighbors

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/threats-against-liberal-democrats-ke

I’m sure she’ll still find a way to take credit for it if they win

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/sarah-p-comes-town
[A]pparently Sarah Palin headlined a Republican Party rally a few miles up the street from me today, and neither one of our top Republican candidates wanted to be seen with her . . .

Not sure how I feel about the Dems adopting GOP advertising strategies, even if it does feel like just desserts

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/jacks_in_it_to_win_it.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026165.php

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/17/sunday-talking-heads-october-17-2010/
ABC’s This Week: Delaware Senate Race – Christine O’Donnell (R) v Chris Coons (D). Roundtable: Meghan McCain, George Will, Terry Moran, Matthew Dowd. Then, ABC’s series, “Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s.”

CBS’ Face The Nation: Howard Dean, Former Chairman, Democratic National Committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Liz Cheney, Republican Strategist and Chairwoman, Keep America Safe, William Galston, Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy, Clinton administration and Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution.

NBC’s Meet The Press: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Then, Colorado Senate Race – Sen. Michael Bennet (D) v Ken Buck (R).

CNN’s State of the Union: Senior Adviser to the President David Axelrod. GOP response from former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, chair of the Campaign for Working Families PAC. Then, Evan Tracey of the Campaign Media Analysis Group and Michael Duffy, Assistant Managing Editor of Time.

Bonus item: Heh

http://www.samefacts.com/2010/10/uncategorized/sweet-simplicity/
[Obama] You want to go forward, what do you do? You put it your car in ‘D.’ When you go backward, what do you do? You put it in ‘R.’

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
- posted by Nick Burbules @ 7:33 AM

 
WORDS AND THINGS

“Man up”?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#39692498

http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/15/sharron-angle-latest-tea-party-candidate-to-question-manhood-of-democratic-opponent/

Rewarding bad behavior (again)

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/cnbc-says-next-wall-street-bailout-is.html
CNBC says next Wall Street bailout is coming

More: http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/krugman-on-mortgages-question-is.html

Can the Dems make the link between unaccountable campaign financing and the economy?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/dems_next_challenge_linking_se.html

The Tea Party is anti Big Government and Big Business – except, well, you know, the businesses that back them financially

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/servants-of-overlords.html

The Tea Party Caucus: meet the future of Congress

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/roid-rage-tea.html

Hmmm . . . think piece of the week: the changing role of political parties

http://washingtonindependent.com/100863/are-the-political-party-committees-becoming-irrelevant

GOP sponsors seminars around the country on “voter fraud”

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/gop_lawyers_group_that_gins_up_voter_fraud_hosting.php
The group notes on one sign-up site for a Chicago training event that the "utmost care is taken to provide instruction that stresses the protection of the constitutional right to vote and avoids any activity that would limit or discourage the right of anyone to cast a legal vote, including racial minorities." . . .

[NB: Uh-huh]

More: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/lawyers_group_with_close_ties_to_rnc_features_para.php

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/pajamas_media_launches_anti-voter_fraud_effort.php

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/hans_von_spakovsky_im_not_working_mark_kirk_campai.php

We knew the health care law would get tested in the courts eventually. Now it starts

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/health-care-judge-skeptical-of-obamas-unprecedented-law.php

Libertarian claptrap

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026145.php

The GOP tries to make the fringe seem normal

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/not_a_nazi_dresser_but.php
[Josh Marshall] Okay, first we had a Tea Partier who was coven-curious. Then we had one in Ohio who likes dressing up in an SS uniform and going out in the forest and pretending he's a Nazi named Reinhardt. Now NBC has found another one down in South Florida who's been hanging out with a motorcycle gang called the Outlaws who are involved in drug running, arson and murder. But hey, who's judging. . . . [read on]

Looks like that “hicky” ad turned out to be a game-changer in W. Va. after all – but not in the way the GOP wanted

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/poll-dem-manchin-leads-by-10-points-in-wv-sen.php

Ken Buck (R-CO): in trouble for failing to prosecute rape case?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/ken-buck-faces-political-pressure-in-co-for-declining-to-prosecute-05-rape-case.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/12/ken-buck-refused-rape-victim-case-audio_n_758890.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/15/910390/-CO-Sen:-Victim-in-2005-rape-case-says-Bucks-refusal-to-prosecute-based-on-stereotypes

The hate billboard – not new, but more extreme than ever

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/2010/10/the-best-worst-crazy-anti-obama-and-one-pro-obama-billboards.php

It’s just a matter of time. . .

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/14/man-detained-waving-meat-cleaver-murray-supporters/
Man arrested for waving meat cleaver at Murray supporters

More: http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/tides-foundation-becks-advertisers-st

You heard that Sharron Angle raised $14 million – but you didn’t hear how much she SPENT

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/sharron-angles-employment-program/64681/

Fox News, fundraising arm of the GOP

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/report-odonnell-tells-gopers-ive-got-sean-hannity-in-my-back-pocket.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026138.php

How they do it: http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201010150054
"Fox News is now essentially a PAC; they're a political action committee"

http://mediamatters.org/columns/201010150055

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026157.php

Oh, Fox News wants another terror attack (on Obama’s watch) so, so badly

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/fox_news_five_minute_terrorist_attack_video_1.php
In the space of about five minutes this morning, Fox News turned a shutdown of the Brooklyn Bridge over a suspicious flashlight into an international terrorist threat before dismissing the whole thing like it never happened. It's a classic example of Fox News fear-mongering -- in this case, based on Fox's own fear-mongery "scoop" that's been a central narrative of the network's broadcast day.

Here's what actually happened . . .

Fox News continues to shovel anti-Muslim propaganda

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/brian-kilmeade-sez-not-all-muslims-a

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/15/brian_kilmeade_all_terrorists_are_muslim

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026155.php

We have Michael Moore, they have. . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/tpm-fact-check-new-conservative-anti-spending-flick-plays-real-loose-with-facts.php

Bonus item: The Cult of Personality

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/behold_the_reality_of_sarah_palin.php
"I'd rather be doing this than in some stuffy old political office. I'd rather be out here bein' free," proclaims former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in between footage of her snowshoeing, four wheeling, fishing and watching two grizzly bear cubs fight. . . . [watch]

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7xnvXMHxGE



***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
- posted by Nick Burbules @ 8:20 AM

 
DO OVER!

Another massive WikiLeaks document dump coming, this time about Iraq. What to expect

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/10/superbombs-and-secret-jails-what-to-look-for-in-wikileaks-iraq-docs/

What. A. Bastard.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/13/AR2010101307173.html
The man that Dick Cheney accidentally shot says the former vice president never apologized. . . [read on]

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/14/cheney_whittington_best_friends
Media got Cheney face-shooting story wrong: The man Dick Cheney shot in the face was more seriously injured than reported, and the two were not "old friends" . . . [read on]

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026118.php

The Repubs say nobody cares about the issue of campaign finance disclosure. They’re wrong

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/chamber-of-whores.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/yes_voters_do_care_about.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/14/910403/-Guess-what-The-voters-DO-care-about-whos-selling-campaign-lies-to-them

http://washingtonindependent.com/100684/american-crossroads-says-dnc-attacks-are-aiding-its-fundraising

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/14/910384/-Chamber-continues-to-refuse-to-disclose

Poll: http://mydd.com/2010/10/15/poll

But they’re right about the media: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-is-media-dismissing-chamber.html
[Eric Boehlert] The Beltway press coverage of the still-unfolding U.S. Chamber of Commerce story continues to be quite timid and overly deferential toward the powerful, pro-business lobbying group. . . . [read on]

How bad is the foreclosure mess?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-time-for-jail-terms.html
It's Time For Jail Terms

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/foreclosure-mess

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/wall-street-blames-foreclosure-problems.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/14/AR2010101404388.html

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/10/14/democrats-foreclosure-fraud-not-technical-errors-regulatory-and-criminal-action-warranted/

The media yawns: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/foreclosure-fraud-evidence-increases-

What will Obama do about DADT?

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/obama-faces-a-critical-decision-on-dont-ask-dont-tell/64497/

http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/14/obama-says-he-cant-issue-executive-order-ending-dadt/

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/10/did-president-just-lie-to-mtv-about.html

DOJ intervenes: http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/its-official-doj-wants-stay-of-log.html

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/reports_doj_will_ask_for_stay_of_dadt_injunction_p.php

The GOP agenda, if they take control: shut down the government, impeach Obama

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/14/910368/-GOP-Takeover:-The-loonies-have-a-plan

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/the_latest_in_conservative_direct_mail_impeach_obama.php

The leaves are falling and it is time to talk about voter suppression (again)

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/mark_kirks_voter_integrity_program_connected_to_il_gop_national_efforts.php

Harry Reid lets Sharron Angle off the hook

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/14/reid_angle_debate
Over and over, Reid lapsed into Capitol Hill-speak, referring to legislation and relying on terminology that few voters have ever heard of. . . . [read on]

More: http://www.slate.com/id/2271188

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/reid-and-angle-face-off-in-heated-and-only-debate.php

In case you’ve been wondering what former wrestler (and Minnesota governor) Jesse Ventura thinks about Linda McMahon’s candidacy in CT

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/ventura-wouldnt-vote-for-mcmahon----because-shes-in-a-political-party-video.php

GOP candidate tries to explain he wasn’t wearing a NAZI uniform, he was wearing an SS uniform (which is even worse)

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/sigh_--_tough_ground_to_run_on.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026130.php

“Sleaziest ad of the year”

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/sleaziest_ad_of_the_year.php

But don't miss this one from CANADA: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/14/best_negative_ad_ever.html

Well THAT didn’t work

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/14/joe_miller_ethics
[Joe Miller, R-AK] Tea Partier's 'no comment' policy backfires

One more stated position Rand Paul has to say he didn’t really mean

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/rand-paul-backtracks-on-national-sales-tax-plan.php

Christine O’Donnell’s ugly gay-baiting

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/did_chris_coons_really_spend_53000_on_a_mens_fashi.php

Jan Brewer too: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/brewer-consultants-apologize-for-posting-docs-that-insinuate-goddard-is-gay.php

The kind of people they are

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/colorado_billboard_shows_obama_as_terrorist_gangst.php
Colorado Billboard Shows Obama As Terrorist, Gangster, Bandito And Gay Man

The new breed of Republican pols (hint: policy doesn’t matter)

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/politics-entertainment

Heh

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/report-gopers-begging-haley-barbour-not-to-run-for-president.php
According to Politico's Mike Allen, "a handful of well-known Republicans" will reach out to Gov. Haley Barbour (R) and "urge him, for the good of his party, to run for chairman of the Republican National Committee rather than the party's nomination for president, as he currently plans." . . . [read on]

Bonus item: Oh, my

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/because_we_need_comic_relief.php
Rich Whitney is the Green party candidate for governor in Illinois this year. But there's been a small matter of a typo . . . Whitney's name is set to appear as "Rich Whitey". . . .

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
- posted by Nick Burbules @ 7:00 AM

 
OBAMA 2.0

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/nyt-mag-interview-here-comes-obama-20.php

Chamber of Commerce: if we disclose our corporate donors, the Obama admin might punish them!

http://washingtonindependent.com/100628/josten-defends-chambers-refusal-to-disclose-donors

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/chambers-plutocrats-clutch-their-pearls.html
“We're under no obligation as any organization or association in the United States is, to divulge who its members are, who its contributors are. We are under legal obligations to account and have an accounting method that ensures that in our accounts that funds or any aspect of money that comes from a foreign source is not in any way utilized in any political sense. We ensure that we do that...” [read on]

http://www.samefacts.com/2010/10/corruption-in-washington/the-u-s-chambers-non-us-funders/
[Mark Kleiman] The skilled flacks of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – no doubt the best that foreign money can buy – have largely succeeded in obfuscating the issue about the relationship between the Chamber’s $75 million smear campaign against Democrats and the Chamber’s overseas contributors. . . . [read on]

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/10/13/gibbs
[Glenn Greenwald] But even regarding the White House's legitimate arguments about disclosure, there is some major hypocrisy taking place. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs has been leading the charge against the Chamber, citing what he called "the spirit of disclosure" . . .

But what makes it so infuriating to watch Gibbs make this argument is that Gibbs himself -- back in 2003 and 2004 -- was heavily involved in exactly the same kind of anonymous-funded negative campaign the Chamber is running now. . . [read on]

New details: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/13/chamber-foreign-funded-media/
Chamber Receives At Least $885,000 From Over 80 Foreign Companies In Disclosed Donations Alone

Remember back when the Repubs were all FOR donor disclosure?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/13/how-the-gop-went-from-48-_n_760962.html

More about the big foreclosure scandal

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/trouble-bankster-land
[Felix Salmon] This is where things get positively evil. . . .

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/10/12/foreclosure-crisis-may-well-be-catastrophic-in-any-case/
“Catastrophic”

More: http://crooksandliars.com/brad-reed/atlas-shrugged-after-he-stole-your-house

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/13/every-state-to-participat_n_761066.html

Immigrants don’t make unemployment worse

http://washingtonindependent.com/100538/do-immigrants-hurt-employment-for-americans

Immigrants don’t increase crime

http://washingtonindependent.com/93243/debunking-border-safety-myths

Immigrants don’t hurt the environment

http://washingtonindependent.com/100597/report-immigrants-do-not-kill-the-environment

We’ve known for years that polling uses landlines and not cell phones, and this might skew the results (pro-GOP). Have we reached the tipping point of cell phone usage, where this is now a serious distortion?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/this_could_be_big.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/13/is_cell_phone_bias_skewing_polls.html

For the GOP, “voter fraud” means “suppressing minority votes”

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/illinois_democrat_mark_kirks_voter_integrity_effor.php

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/groups_want_backers_of_voter_fraud_billboards_disc.php

Well, now we know why he doesn’t want to answer any more “personal” questions

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/he_should_fit_right_in.php
[Joe Miller, R-AK] Got busted for using government property as part of his plan to unseat the state GOP party chairman back in 2008 while he was part time city attorney for Fairbanks North Star Borough. There's also something weird in the story about his using multiple staffers' computers for whatever he was trying to do . . .

Christine O’Donnell’s debating style

http://www.salon.com/news/christine_odonnell/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/10/13/odonnell_coons_debate_delaware
“He’s a Marxist!”

I’d like to use a Life Line, Regis. Can I “phone a friend”?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/christine-odonnells-confused-debate-night-candidate-asks-for-hint-on-recent-scotus-cases.php
The debate moderator Nancy Karibjanian of Delaware First Media asked O'Donnell to talk about a recent high court opinion she disagreed with. The Republican, who defeated Rep. Mike Castle in a primary last month, paused. . . .

Missing the big story

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/sharron-angle-raised-14-millio.html
Sharron Angle raised $14 million in 3rd quarter

[NB: WRONG! Angle didn’t “raise” $14 million. National groups threw that much money into her campaign to unseat Harry Reid, Senate majority leader because it’s obvious they want his scalp.]

Ah, the question GOPers don’t want to answer: is Sarah Palin qualified to be President? Which cup of poison do you drink?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/do-gopers-think-palin-is-qualified-to-be-president-maybe.php

Big Thinker

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/pat-sajak-should-public-employees-always-be-allowed-to-vote.php
Pat Sajak: Should Public Employees Always Be Allowed To Vote?

Bonus item: Jon Stewart says the things to Eric Cantor you wish you could

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/stewart-schools-cantor-conservatives-only-limit-govt-to-the-sht-they-want-to-do-video.php

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
- posted by Nick Burbules @ 6:39 AM