Fox "hounded" out of debate

Yes, I know what you're thinking.

And you're right...I really should get a job writing headlines for the New York Post!

It's obvious that I have a rare gift for witty yet ironic wordcraft.

Anyway, good news in that the Dems figured out that letting Fox News run a Democratic debate would be like letting (all together now) "the fox watch the hen house"!

So today Harry Reid and the Nevada Dems decided they'd had enough of Fox after Fox-president Roger Ailes made some jokes that at best belittle the Democratic party candidates, and at worst play into the hands of staunch right wingers.

From Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films email:

Today, Senator Harry Reid and the Nevada Democratic Party announced they would drop a FOX-sponsored debate scheduled for August - citing FOX President Roger Ailes remarks last night that compared Barack Obama to Osama Bin Laden as the final straw.

"We hope this sets a precedent for all Democrats - that FOX should be treated as a right-wing misinformation network, not legitimized as a neutral source of news," said Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org Civic Action. "John Edwards, Harry Reid, the Nevada Democratic Party, and grassroots progressives across the nation deserve credit for standing up to Fox's right-wing agenda."

Rumblings in the 4th District

Yeah, I already did a quite lame "earthquake" joke when I posted an article about Mike Richter just over a week ago (click to see it).

But I think "rumblings" in this case simply alludes to the fact that people are very interested in going after Rep. Chris Shays' seat in the 2008 election, and I'm going to have a lot of fun covering the action!

Jim Himes, the Greenwich DTC chair, is apparently interested in getting involved in the race. He's quoted in My Left Nutmeg discussing Chris Shays' record, and Chris gets blasted so badly I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.

And if that's not good enough, Himes is also fluent in Spanish.

Eso es impresionante!

Visit MLN and read the entire post.

More Conservative hypocrisy

Does this sort of thing surprise anyone anymore? Conservative family values apparently apply to everyone OTHER than Conservatives.

In an interview with a Christian publication, ultra-right poster boy Newt Gingrich admitted he sullied the sacred bonds of holy matrimony by boning a woman other than his wife.

(((HURRRRK!!!)))

I'll give you a minute to cleanse your mouth of the vomitus that splashed up involuntarily from your stomach...

"I did not have sex with that
woman...oh, wait a minute; yes I did!"
From the Raw Story:

Potential Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich admitted in an interview with conservative Christian group Focus on the Family that he had an extramarital affair even while leading the charge to have President Clinton impeached.

"The honest answer is yes," he said according to the Associated Press. "There are times that I have fallen short of my own standards. There's certainly times when I've fallen short of God's standards."

"Gingrich argued in the interview, however, that he should not be viewed as a hypocrite for pursuing Clinton's infidelity," writes the AP.

Clinton was punished for perjury, says Gingrich, who claims that he was not "rendering judgment" on a "personal level" against Clinton.

Gingrich still remains very popular among Republicans, and finished fourth in the unscientific straw poll at last weekend's Conservative Political Action Conference, despite having not yet entered the race.

Colin smacks the Speaker

I'm a huge fan of Colin McEnroe's blog on the Hartford Courant website, called "To Wit". Colin blends equal measures of plain facts and deadly snark to brew up a firey concoction.

Here's Colin's observations about Jim Amann's "fundraising" efforts, titled Josh Groban sings the "I Will Crush You" aria from Il Schizophreno:

"...House Speaker Jim Amann has proved himself a swineish hack, using his powerful post to leverage money for the Connectiut chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which would be a lovely gesture were Amann not a $60K per annum paid fund-rasier for the society.

The latest outrage is this Josh Groban concert, although in 2005 it was Michael Bolton. What is this, the Medellin cartel of easy listening? Amann tries to wrap himself in the mantle of charity. Fine. Let him raise money for somebody who is not paying him. That's charity. This is more like being a bought-and-paid-for pol who actually dragged the MS Society into territory typically occupied by greasy construction companies and highway contractors..."

I don't know what's scarier; the blatent obviousness of Amann's "charity" shakedown, or the remote chance of me ever accidently doing something to get on Colin's bad side?

I can do something about the latter; the former is up to the Speaker.

LW: Joe Lieberman - Conservative Stooge

Senator Lieberman consoles Dick Cheney
after the Libby verdict was announced
Lieberman Watch: Joe Lieberman recently spoke on the behalf of a Bush nominee for an ambassadorship to Belgium.

"Sam Fox represents what America is all about," he said, "and that's why he will be, when confirmed, an extraordinary ambassador."

Sam Fox is also an extreme right-wing supporter who financed the "Swift-Boat Veterans For Truth", the 527-group that slandered John Kerry's heroic military record, while simultaneously ignoring President Chimpy's equally heroic service in the Champagne Squadron of the Texas Air-National Guard, where he bravely ingested gallons of Jack Daniels and snorted mounds of Peruvian Flake while not showing up for his one weekend a month.

Sam Fox is obviously a generous man who deserves to be ambassador. Why, he even selflessly gave $10,500 to Senator Lieberman the day AFTER the November election. Sam's equally generous wife ALSO donated $10,500 to Joe on the same day.

Wow, what a terrific couple of Americans.

No wonder Joe gave Mr. Fox such a glowing endorsement. He recognizes the man's generosity.

(Note: The excellent Joe Lieberman watchdog blog "LieberWatch" has been fairly quiet lately, so I've decided to reactivate my periodic "Lieberman Watch" series. Hopefully we'll see LieberWatch continue its good work in the future.)

Jane & Marcy wrap up the Libby trial

The video blogging provided by PoliticsTV.Com has been nothing short of phenomenal; and Fire Dog Lake's coverage of the trial, especially the videos by Jane Hamsher and Marcy Wheeler, have been detailed yet understandable. Plus, the videos have really brought out the drama from the trial; the lack of cameras in the courtroom has provided an opportunity for vbloggers to become part of the must-read coverage of the trial.

All things must end, and the "Plame House" gang will be heading back to their various home bases. Well done!

Professors urge indie investigation in Amero case

Outraged over the apparent railroading of Julie Amero in the classroom porn case, a group of computer science professors are stating their support of an independent investigation in the case. From WTNH.com:

(Hartford-AP) _ Nearly 30 Connecticut computer science professors have signed a letter urging an independent investigation in the case of a Norwich substitute teacher convicted of exposing her students to pornography on a classroom computer.

The professors from eight Connecticut colleges and universities took out an ad in Tuesday's Hartford Courant. They wrote on behalf of Julie Amero, a 40-year-old Windham resident with no prior criminal record convicted in January of four counts of risk of injury to a minor.

[...]

While prosecutors insist she is guilty, some experts believe that the lewd images were caused by unseen spyware and adware programs, which critics call one of the top scourges of the Internet.

The 28 professors who signed the letter want an independent investigator brought in to look at the case, and they want Amero's sentencing delayed until that investigation is complete. Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane won't say whether that's a possibility.

Did I ever mention how much Fox News sucks?

Screen cap from Fox News via News Corpse Blog.

Why does Rupert Murdoch hate America so goddamned much?

Whatever it is we did to make him so angry, can we just apologize and maybe make him Queen of Australia or something?

Joe Courtney on the Libby verdict

Rep. Courtney Statement on I. 'Scooter' Libby Verdict

WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Joe Courtney released today the following statement in response to the I. 'Scooter' Libby verdict:

"The jury verdict today emphatically confirms and condemns the pattern of deception and misinformation that has characterized the Bush-Cheney Administration over the last six years - particularly its handling of the war in Iraq. Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald deserves the gratitude of all Americans for his fearless pursuit of the facts and justice -even into the inner workings of the highest offices in the land."

The former aide to Vice-President Dick Cheney was found guilty today on four out of five counts of obstruction of justice and perjury relating to testimony Libby provided to a grand jury during the investigation of the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Guilty Guilty Not Guilty Guilty Guilty

Four outta five ain't too bad, eh?

The wheels of justice don't always turn quickly, and sometimes they don't turn at all; but today Dick Cheney's number one co-conspirator I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby was found guilty of obstruction, false statement, and perjury charges.

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald stated after the verdict, "It's sad that we had a situation where a high-level official, a person who worked in the office of vice president, obstructed justice and lied under oath, and we wish that had not happened but it did."

Fire Dog Lake has been closely following the developing situation. Jane, Marcy, Christy, and the entire FDL community has maintained a high level of journalistic quality and delivered the facts with humor and consistancy. I'm sure there's gonna be a huge party at the DC headquarters of Fire Dog Lake called "Plame House" tonight!

Well done, and congratulations!