If I was a moron and a Tea Partier...

...he'd certainly have my vote!

While I still think the guy is a complete asshole, I have to admit that I hate him slightly less after hearing him drop the "F-bomb" during a speech before Las Vegas Republicans.



Of course Trump talks that way...he's been hanging around with Rahm Emanuel too much!

BTW, I really miss @MayorEmanuel. Those were about 1,900 of the funniest goddamn tweets I ever seen!

More on Trump's potty mouth on CNN.com.

Rosa DeLauro at the Paid Sick Days Rally

Today Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) spoke in favor of paid sick leave at a local Friendly's restaurant. Friendly's currently doesn't offer its employees any sick pay.

Introducing Rosa was John Green from Working Families of Connecticut, and Tessa Marquis, a small business owner who voluntarily provides sick pay to her employees.

Here you go, Trump

Are you happy now, Stupid?

Now how's about a little quid pro quo, Donnie?

Let's see your federal income tax returns for the last ten years. Because, as you've said, you have "nothing to hide".

Enough with the distractions, you twice-bankrupted reality-show hack!

(Que the cries from the Right: "Fake, fake, totally fake", etc. ad nauseum)

Connecticut launches new tourism website

Today Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a new state-run website tasked with spreading the word about local tourism.

CTVisit.com is a resource for both vacationers visiting the state, and "stay-cationers" who will avoid high gas prices and spend their vacation in-state.

Visit CTVisit.com to see more.

Music for Easter

JPShannonJr. plays guitar professionally, often performing at hospitals and senior centers. His choices of music are both soothing and inspirational.

You can contact him at JohnPShannonJr@gmail.com.

Happy Easter!

Earth Day

Listen, it doesn't take much to make a difference...


Maybe turn off a light or two when you're not going to be in the room for a while.

Take care of Earth. It's the only planet we have.

Sound View using Public Access TV to fight bill

Sound View using Public Access TV to fight bill - by Bob Adams


(screen image of video broadcast by Sound View Community Media, Inc.
on Milford's public access channel 77 Cablevision on 4/20/11)
Sound View Community Media, Inc. has been running an 18-minute clip (video below) of the CT Assembly Energy and Technology Committee meeting to take action on the bill from March 22nd. The footage, courtesy CT-N Connecticut Network according to the broadcast, is from the discussion and vote on HB 6460, An Act Concerning Public Access Channels.

The video is playing on the Public Access channel here in Milford, which is Cablevision channel 77. They may have preempted public access programming on the Sound View schedule to run this video repeatedly during the day.

The video, which is heavily edited, shows the discussion between Rep. Kim Fawcett (D-133) and Rep. Laura Hoydick (R-120). The video frequently stops and offers both on-screen text and voice-over commentary (see photo above). There are repeated instances of the commentary accusing Rep. Fawcett of deliberately trying to mislead her colleagues and attempting to break the law.

Sorry about the quality of the clip; I only had time to save it to VHS and upload it. (Yes, I'm on the cutting edge of the latest technology here.) Other than a single instance where I blacked out a caller ID number that appeared on the screen when my dad called (gotta love Cablevision) I did not edit or change any content of the video.



I informed Rep. Fawcett of the video, and after she viewed it she gave me this statement:

“The video Sound View Media has created and is running bolsters our position that Sound View has repeatedly, inappropriately abused both public funds and the responsibility entrusted in them through their public access television agreement with the state.

Republican and Democratic legislators from our region have been questioning Sound View's choice of programming as inappropriate for more than a decade and their continued failure to serve our communities is what initiated the original legislative action. I look forward to passing HB 6460 so that the towns of Woodbridge, Milford, Orange, Fairfield and Bridgeport can continue to strengthen public access television for all viewers.”

I haven't yet attempted to contact anyone from Sound View Media, Inc. They are welcome to comment, and I will publish any response they wish to make.

GOP passes jobs bill for seniors

Which is essentially what they did when they voted to defund Medicare.

All those old layabouts will have to give up their socialism and go out and actually find JOBS to pay for their healthcare! No more free rides, oldsters!

This way we can give even bigger tax breaks to the rich folk and the oil companies! Yay capitalism!

Krayeske loses in wrongful arrest suit

As reported in the Connecticut Post, long-time activist, politician and part-time troublemaker Ken Krayeske has lost his wrongful arrest suit against the Hartford Police Department.

Previously, his suit against Connecticut State Police was thrown out of court. You can read about it here.

Krayeske's suit did compel former Governor Rell to sit for a taped deposition in Florida relating to the matter.

Krayeske's legal team thought Rell's taped statements proved she did not view Krayeske as a threat when he approached her.

"But the jury bought the (Hartford police department's) public safety argument, the post-9/11 argument," Krayeske said. "If this is the country people want, expect more stories like this ... If it happens to someone who's less resourceful, they'll get squished."

It isn't very surprising, but still troubling. The cops basically admitted to having a list of people they were to arrest on sight, regardless of any lack of provocation.

Fortunately, we have a Democrat with a healthy respect for the law now residing in the governor's mansion, so I'm sure we won't have to worry about any "secret lists" going around.

I know I'll sleep easier.

Below is the interview with Ken soon after his arrest:

Generation Alzheimer's

Recently I received an email from someone at the Alzheimer's Association, who wants me to share some information her organization has about this rapidly growing epidemic among the elderly.



If you know of anyone with warning signs for Alzheimer's, or have any family members in the over-65 age group, visit http://alz-news.org/ to download a free copy of their report "Generation Alzheimer's", about the defining disease of the baby boomer's generation.

Five years

Since I started this blog five years ago this month, I'm feeling a little like a progeria kid.

It seems I've aged a decade for every year I've been doing this!

Yes, it's been a long five years, one-tenth of my life (eh, more or less) that I've devoted to this blog.

And what do I have to show for all this work? Well, that's debatable, and I'll leave that to others to decide.

But for me, it's been a great way to vent my "rage against the machine"; to heckle relatively safely from the sidelines (I've been warned by police on several occasions, but never arrested); to make my voice heard just slightly above the din of many others on a few occasions; and to have a hell of a lot of fun and meet a hell of a lot of great people in the process!

This all started for me with a comment on Jane Hamsher's blog about Hunter Thompson. Shortly after, I attended a DFA meeting in New Haven to hear Ned Lamont speak (with CT Joyce, below).



Since that moment, and my discovery that yes, we liberals DO have a voice in a world seemingly gone mad, was the impetus of this mess that's gone on for so long now.

With Kirby's help during several high-intensity moments, we've post over 2,800 articles, and countless original videos and photos. I thank Kirby for helping out during some of the most exciting times we've had here.

And I thank everyone who's helped, and everyone who's been true to the cause of progressive politics and the fight to keep our nation truly "Of the people, By the people, and For the people..."

We're far from done, and we need our voices to keep reminding people of what has to be done, but I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far and I'm (cautiously) looking forward to a brighter future!

Death Penalty Repeal Clears Judicary

(New Haven Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield/Bob Adams photo)
A bill to abolish the death penalty in Connecticut passed a significant milestone today when it was voted on to proceed out of the Judiciary Committee.

Hugh McQuaid at CT News Junkie has the story:

After less than two hours of debate Tuesday evening, the Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would prospectively abolish the death penalty in the state of Connecticut.

Committee Chairman Sen. Eric Coleman, D-Hartford, said he saw many reasons to abolish the death penalty in addition to fundamental moral objections. The state rarely executes anyone, the penalty tends to disproportionately affect minority groups and poor people, and it’s inconsistently applied depending on what jurisdiction the crime takes place in, he said.

[..]

“[Abolishing the death penalty] would put us further aligned with countries throughout the world which we have more in common with than countries we consider aggressive and regressive,” he said.

Read the entire article at CT News Junkie.

Sunday Night Movie Club II

This is the second installment of our all free indie-flick club!

This week we feature "Slacker", the milestone 1991 Richard Linklater indie hit that spawned a revolution in non-Hollywood filmmaking, and launched the then-21 year old Kevin Smith on his way to making the neo-classic film "Clerks" (1994).

It's hard to believe that this film was released 20 years ago.

While George Bush was president.

...the first one.

To put it in perspective, when this film was released, Clarence Thomas was still just a pervy insignificant little circuit court judge in D.C. who spent his spare time indulging in casual sexual harassment of attorney Anita Hill...

God I'm getting old!

There is a slight catch, but nothing serious. The movie is intended for mature audiences. Oh, excuse me, it's "matoor" audiences, like the voice-over guy says. I just know he says it like "machure" when he's hanging out with his buddies having a few beers, but for fancy-schmancy Hulu.com, it's gotta be all like "matoor".

Sorry, I ain't buyin' it!

Anyway, you need to sign up for a free Hulu membership to view the film, as there is some naughty content and we can't let our youths see/hear anything naughty as it may sear their little minds and warp them for life.

So you have to fill in your email address and create a password, and place your right hand on a bible and swear that you're not under 17. God knows, there's no children out there who are smart enough to get around THAT little roadblock!

Anyway, go to Hulu.com to view the film. Reviews welcome in the comments section.

Activists protest Boehner's speech

(Photo: Christian Abraham/Connecticut Post)
Women's activists were among the protesters at the Prescott Bush Awards Dinner in Stamford. House Speaker John Boehner was the featured guest at the annual GOP fundraiser.

During last week's budget wrangling on Capitol Hill, one of the items the Republicans sought to cut was funding for Planned Parenthood. This transparent attempt to push an anti-woman social agenda was successfully defeated by House Democrats, who didn't blink when faced with the possibility of the government shutting down over the issue.

Let me just be clear about one thing. I don't believe Republicans hate women, generally.

It's more likely that Republicans only hate poor women. Women who need family planning. Women who need cancer screenings. Women who need help.

Rich women seem to get all the help they need. They have the options that money gives them. Even Bristol Palin, who was paid a quarter million dollars to be the most ironic spokeswoman imaginable, had all the options available to her. Even the option of hiring nannies to watch her illegitimate baby while she pranced through a season of a TV dance show.

Poor women don't have those options.

And the GOP has made it clear that it's war on poor women.

Deal struck at last minute

In a ridiculously dramatic move the House passed an eleventh-hour spending plan that will keep the government in business.

Really, is anyone surprised? This became more about saving face than saving money.

John Boehner will get to pick up a check in Connecticut later today, and a late-night press release by the CT GOP stated that the Prescott Bush event "will be open to media with valid credentials."

Which, of course, will rule out most bloggers, myself included.

This isn't a bad thing in my opinion. If they allowed bloggers, I might be tempted to go. Nothing could be less fun than the thought of partying with hundreds of Republicans as they wax poetic about what a great guy Ronald Reagan was!

BTW, does anyone think that Reagan would stand a chance in today's Republican party? He'd probably manage to get elected as governor of California, but there's no way he would ever rise to national prominence with his "liberal" leanings! Republicans definitely have selective memory when it comes to "Saint Ronnie".

CT is John Boehner's ATM

For a state that only receives 76 cents back out of every dollar we give the federal government, you'd think John Boehner would appreciate it.

But the treacherous fucker only wants to drop in, pick up a massive check, and then get the hell out of town as fast as possible. While the federal government is experiencing a budget disaster!

So it shouldn't surprise anyone that for the first time in the history of the CT GOP's annual Prescott Bush fundraiser, John Boehner has forbid any media from covering the event.

From The Fairfield Weekly (h/t CT Blogger):

For what appears to be the first time in its 33-year history, Connecticut Republican Party’s annual Prescott Bush Awards Dinner Saturday will be closed to the media, and the reason is because U.S. House Speaker John Boehner wants it that way.

[..]

“The Speaker’s office requested that (closing the event to the media) and we’re complying with that request,” said state Republican Chairman Chris Healy. “That’s what they wanted, and that’s what they’ll get... It’s not my decision.”

Gee whiz Chris, thanks for sticking your neck out for the CT media! I can't imagine that this won't upset some of the more prominent local journalists out there (along with a rogue blogger or two!) Just wait 'til you hold a presser for something and nobody shows up!

I can't imagine Nancy Pelosi pulling anything like that!

So Boehner will swoop in, hit our ATM, take MORE cash out of our state, and leave without even bothering to say "thank you".

Very nice.

BTW I'm a bit ashamed of my use of the phrase "treacherous fucker" to describe our esteemed Speaker of the House.

Normally I try to refrain from saying things like "treacherous fucker" to describe anyone, even if they happen to be a genuine "treacherous fucker".

I apologize to anyone I may have inadvertently offended with my use of the term "treacherous fucker" when referring to John Boehner, Speaker of the House.

(Gee, I hope I don't make him cry!)

And where's my goddamn Pulitzer already?

FRIDAY UPDATE: As of 2PM, there's still a major holding pattern on the budget because that treacherous fucker hates women so much he wants them all to die from cancer! He'd rather shut down the government than let women get cancer screenings. Because he thinks women are dirty and unclean and deserve anything bad that happens to them for tempting him to deviate from the path of righteousness and purity. Or something like that.

Clarifying the AG requirements

A bill (HB-6342) to help sort out the requirements for the state Attorney General's office has recently been referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary. They will take up the bill in hearings on Tuesday, according to Capitol Watch blog.

The pertinent text of the bill is "To clarify that a qualification for election to the Office of the Attorney General be admission to the bar of this state for a continuous period of at least ten years immediately prior to taking office." The bill also deletes the section that specifies "...of at least ten years' active practice at" law.

Of course, the interpretation of the law last year led to a court battle that ultimately ended Susan Bysiewicz's run for Attorney General. The issue was whether Susan had been "actively" engaged in the practice of law while she was Secretary of State.

So, by making these changes, hopefully we won't see any more confusion about the qualifications for the office of AG.

Is it just me...

...or is this painfully uncomfortable to watch?

Listen, I'll be the first to admit that I may possess a tiny bit of what you might call "anti-Lieberman bias"...

...but this horrendous spectacle actually made me cringe so fucking hard I nearly snapped my collarbone!

Winning ugly

Congrats to the UConn Huskies for winning another national championship, even though the game was so poorly played that it appeared both teams wanted to lose badly.

Butler must have wanted it worse.

At the half, the announcer said it was the lowest scoring first half in a final since 1946. At the end of the game they said it was the lowest winning score since 1949.

At about eight minutes into the game we began ridiculing both teams. Every missed hoop and turnover was cause to creatively insult the team. We eventually had to get a thesaurus to come up with new adjectives to describe the level of sucklitude that was pouring out of my TV screen.

Which, by the way, is an old-style standard definition tube TV. My friend casually complained about it for the first few minutes, but after the game he thanked me for sparing him the visual immediacy of watching a game that bad in high definition!

It would've been like watching "Gigli" in 3-D!

(Hey it's a Bennifer reference! How often do you see those anymore?)

I guess when you win, you win. But for the announcers to have to go back seven decades to find a championship team that did worse than you is kind of amazing.

And boy, the 1940s must have been one shitty decade for NCAA hoops, huh?

Wisconsin recall gaining speed

"One down, seven to go!"

That's the rallying cry of Wisconsin Democrats who have gained enough signatures to force a recall election for State Sen. Dan Kapanke. Kapanke supported the anti-union bill that's currently being contested in the Wisonsin courts.

(Dan Kapanke / Tribune file photo)
Wisconsin Democrats have begun recall petitions for 16 Republicans, but as far as I know, they need at least 8 to be recalled in order to break their majority.

From the LaCrosse Tribune:

Recall organizer Pat Scheller said volunteers have gathered more than the 15,588 signatures needed and that they plan to take them to Madison after a noon rally today at La Crosse City Hall.

It is expected to be the first completed of 19 active recall efforts registered between Feb. 24 and March 2 against 16 senators.

Kapanke did not return messages Thursday, but has said the recall is “part of the process.”

Well, that "process" is about to bite you and your fellow GOPers right on the ass. DKos polls indicate that any generic Democrat wins easily over Kapanke.

Looks like there's not going to be any more "hanky Kapanke" in Wisconsin!

(groan...why did I do that? I don't even know if Kapanke rhymes with "hanky")

And if you're not already, be sure to follow my friend @MelissaRyan on Twitter for on-the-spot coverage...are you still in WI, Melissa?