Dooley Jumps in it Again

Everybody's big, fat clown, Fred Dooley, leaped into the fray over the video of alleged minors signing recall petitions. He titled his post "Recall petition fraud? Everywhere. Democrats don't give a damn about doing this legally." Of course, as usual it wasn't true. Now that it's been discovered that the girls were actually of age, do you think Fred will recant and admit his mea culpa?

Hah!

Sounds like the time he claimed the Obama campaign was violating Wisconsin election law. Where did that post go? Zap!, down the electronic circular file.


To be fair, Fred is not the only conservative blogger to jump on this. However, he's my favorite.

Signed Petitions

Signed recall petitions for Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch today. Can't wait for this tyranny to be overthrown.

Fred Dooley for President

Could he be any worse than the group of nitwits now competing for the Republican Teabagger nomination?

"Got my stimulus package in the mail today. It contained watermelon seeds, cornbread mix, and ten coupons to KFC."

Okay. Maybe.

Veteran's Day Redux

Here is a post, reproduced, I wrote some time ago for Veteran's Day (edited somewhat).

I remember staying with Nana at her home in Appleton shortly after Grandpa's death at the age of 82. It was September 1978 or so. Nana and I were foraging through some items when I found an old uniform. I asked Nana if this was Grandpa's. She said it was his WWI uniform and beckoned to me to try it on. It was a little tight, but it fit! I was 22 at the time and pretty skinny. It was cool to know that my Grandpa and I were about the same size back in our youth. (The picture on the left is of Grandpa in his uniform around 1930.)

I spent a lot of time at my grandparents as a child. My Dad was working hard to feed a growing family (it would become five eventually). We (usually Kelly and I) would often stay with Nana and Grandpa for a week or so at a time during the summer.

I didn't mind. I loved visiting. I enjoyed puttering in the backyard with Nana, picking raspberries, blueberries, apples, pears, dodging the bees, etc. The gathered fruits would later become the filling for pies; the aroma of these just-baked pies filling the house and wafting out the backdoor to the yard where I could be found building miniature cities with hand-smoothed expressways in the gravel driveway.

I remember evenings sitting on the floor in front of Grandpa's lap. He'd peel apples. It was a wondrous experience for the grandkids, watching Grandpa maintain one - long - continuous - peel. Then he'd present slices to each of us kids from the flat side of the paring blade.

I especially liked going with Grandpa to the driving range to practice hitting golfballs. He was an excellent golfer. He had seven hole-in-ones (I've had one, using an old iron of his) and he shot a 79 at Reid Municipal Park in Appleton at the age of 79. Pretty remarkable.

I'd also go out with Grandpa on the course. I was his caddy until my teen years. I had a blast with Grandpa's old buddies and on occasion was even allowed to hit a golfball.

Even when I was finally allowed to golf, Grandpa insisted I never keep score. Nonetheless, in my adult years it's been a goal of mine to break 80. I've hit 80 six times, but have never made it past. I once needed only to bogey the last hole do break 80. It's been a source of frustration. Grandpa must have known something.

Grandpa's service for our nation consisted of being drafted in September 1918. He trained in Alabama and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1918. He never made it to Europe to actually fight in the war-to-end-all-wars and was discharged in in early 1919.

His only child, my Dad, enlisted in the Marines in January 1945 at the age of 17. He trained in the Carolinas and then transferred to California. In October 1945 he sailed from Washington; visiting Japan and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1947.

He later decided to joined the priesthood. Fortunately he changed his mind before his final vows; I'm thankful for obvious reasons.

Over the years I've tried in my own way to fill my Dad's shoes, though I've insisted I wasn't. We've clashed as Son and Dad often do. I'm sad to say that our relationship has not always been the best.

Recently, I sent an email to him asking he stop sending me any more of those thoroughly debunked anti-Obama emails that were cruising the Internet. After explaining how this latest email was false, I asked whether he had any sense and would he please stop or I would have to block his emails. I wish I had not done that.

Earlier this summer while tossing a ball around with my Son, I noticed how difficult it was to throw with any sort of pace. The distance I could throw a ball had also diminished. But I kept at it even though I knew I would be sore the next day. I thought of my Dad then. He used to set up as catcher and let me throw fastball after fastball. They were not very fast. I tried out for Little League and the first pitch I threw was hit over the centerfield fence. But Dad kept catching and encouraging.

So I keep catching and running after my Son's errant throws. I help him with his homework and I try not to take it personally when he argues with me or gets sullen, as teenagers are wont to do regardless of the generation.

I've been a fortunate person. I had the chance to know my Grandpa and had a Dad who worked and stuck around to care for his family. There are too many children missing that. Because of their efforts, I've turned out fairly all right. I have three kids now. In addition to my teenage boy, I have two beautiful daughters.

I wonder if my Dad has an old uniform lying around? Despite our differences, I bet we were about the same size once, too, in our youth.

Saturday Thoughts

On rare occasions I purchase the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel just to see what's going on. Three items from the Nov. 11 edition made enough of an impression for me to comment (And no, I'm not providing links. It was the print version. Look them up yourself.)

The Petulant David Clarke
The first was a story about a federal lawsuit filed against the sheriff of Milwaukee County, Republican Democrat David Clarke. Sgt. Rich Graber has alleged his constitutional rights were violated in the suit.

What bothers me is Graber claims Clarke went on an expletive-filled rant during a meeting with Graber. Clarke admits using profanity. Really, how long should Milwaukee put up with this clownish buffoon? Clarke is like a toddler that throws a tantrum if it doesn't get it's way, often flying to Charlie Sykes to tell his side of the story, which usually is filled with lies. And, in the business world, how long do you think a supervisor would last if the Human Resources Department discovered this sort of behavior?

Idiot Savant Krysta Sutterfield
This woman appears to have no other talents than to wear her toy holster around in public. She walked into a Brookfield church in 2010 (a very liberal church) openly wearing her toy, was arrested, and in a settlement after the incident, received $7,500. Now she's been arrested for loitering, prowling and resisting arrest -- armed again, of course. She must be short of money.

New Berlin Resident is Dumb
And finally, from the Letters section comes Maggie Brieske of Brookfield. She suggests new strict voting rules for recall elections. Well, only one actually, but let's not let her grammar get in the way. She suggests that only legitimate voters of both parties be allowed to vote.

I'm not sure what that means, but it apparently has something to do with the fact, she claims, the people spoke when Scott Walker was elected governor. How she is so sure of this amazes me. I voted and I certainly did not speak for Walker (another popular conservative talking point is the taxpayers voted for the boy king, but I pay taxes too).

Anyway, she is so refreshed, she claims. She writes, "It is refreshing to see someone in a public office actually walk the walk of what he promised in his campaign." Really. So that comment Walker made about "dropping the bomb" (referring to his union-busting scheme) was just a funny.

Sorry, Maggie. If Walker is recalled will you move to Illinois? Please.

Another Idiot Christian Conservative Running for Office

When, if ever, will conservatives get it. Apparently not yet in Kentucky (and the case can be made for "never" in Wisconsin). Anyway, Kentucky GOP governor hopeful, David Williams, had this to say about his opponent, Govenor Steve BeShear, sitting down and joining a Hindu religious cermony at a groundbreaking ceremony.

“I just brought to people’s attention that it’s rather odd that a governor that wouldn’t stand up for Bell County’s schools ability to say a prayer before a football game and didn’t want to call a Christmas tree a Christmas tree, he wanted to call it a holiday tree, and when he was attorney general didn’t want to post the Ten Commandments, climbed down in a pit and to do a Hindu prayer,” Williams said.

Let me repeat this again (it's been said countless times): The groundbreaking ceremony was private. It had no relation to government interference by religious groups. Saying a prayer at a public school football game, or not posting the Ten Commandments in a public building are entirely different from accepting a request to sit in on a religious celebration put on by a private firm which happens to be based in India (a largely Hindu nation).

Oh by the way, according to TPM, the plant represents a $180 million investment, and is expected to create 250 jobs in Kentucky.

Williams also suggested he was just doing his part in supporting Christianity, because you know, everyone is down on Christians these days. Except for the 2.1 billion who "claim" they are Christians, more than any other faith in the world. Those poor, downtrodden Christians.

Local Conservative Bloggers Lose Their "Black Friend"

I know this is a bit late, but the ramifications of the departure of James T. Harris on our local conservative bloggers has been overlooked.

No longer will they be able to look you in the face (or type in your face) that they are not racists because they have a black friend. I know Fred "Deep South" Dooley will be especially at a loss. But I can't help but worry about the state of others like Bruce "I'll run you over with my Lexus" Redenz, and Patrick "I eat a lot of feral cats" Dorwin. That racist statement they are all bound to make will no longer be softened by their admission of black friendliness.

Sorry, you have to meet a black person to consider him/her a friend. Just assuming Herman Cain likes you because he says he's a conservative, is not enough.

I've been thinking about this and without looking at the Badger Blogger site, I would bet their "groundbreaking coverage" of the Nazi get-together in West Allis not too long ago would consist of this, "Black thugs disrupt peaceful gathering." Just imagining.

God Does Have a Sense of Humor

From New York Magazine comes word that God has endorsed the presidential aspirations of Herman Cain, Rick Santorum and Michelle Bachman ... all at the same time. I wonder if they know?
















Meanwhile, God's punishment continues to rain down on Wisconsin in the form of that pillar of salt, Scott Walker, and his little sodomites.

AFP Members are Dicks

From Crooks and Liars: Americans for Prosperity has been plastering homes in a section of Detroit with fake eviction notices. Meant to startle a spokesman for the Koch-funded group said.

Talk up low.

What Condiment to Use

Well, I guess the only question remaining for Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) is what to put on that wiener. Will it be ketchup, mustard, relish, a combination of all three or only two ....?

[offstage whisper]

What? Not that kind of wiener? Really?

Never mind.

FleeBibler

I'm not a believer (though born Catholic, ugh) but I thought Paul Ryan fleeing the scene from a young man trying to give him a Bible and gently reminding him of the Christian ideal of caring for the poor hilarious.



h/t Crooks and Liars

If Elected ...

... would she make it through one term?

Chewbacca and the Space Needle

Yes, really ... the Media Reserach Center, run by Chewbacca's brother, L. Brent Bozell, held its inaugural Dishonors Award Ceremony highlighting, so they say, liberal bias in the media. Ann Coulter, the human Space Needle, was on hand to give the Ode to Keith Olbermann Award. Video included below. I made it through two minutes. This is what passes for humor on the conservative side. Think of a REALLY REALLY REALLY slimmed down Fred Dooley (doesn't have to be a girl) and you have a fair description of Coulter.

Leni Riefenstahl is Rolling in her Grave

As noted by fellow blogger, Perfect Impertinence, it appears that Sarah Palin may really be considering a run for the presidency. Apparently, she has had a documentary produced that will show her in a new, shining light. Her Triumph of the Will copycat, The Undefeated, is produced by "[Stephen K. Bannon], a former naval officer and ex-Goldman Sachs banker, [who] sees his documentary as the first step in Palin's effort to rebuild her image in the eyes of voters who may have soured on her, yet might reconsider if old caricatures begin to fade. The film will also appeal to staunch Palin supporters who have long celebrated her biting rhetoric and conservative populism yet know little about her record in Alaska and have perhaps written her off as presidential material."

It's going to take a lot for any documentary to obsure her regular, unscripted mishaps and weird visions of Russia.

Mother Jones has more.

Here's an earlier, adoring video of our heroine for my reader's amusement.



h/t TPM

He's a Loser

For my anonymous troll. Such a sad life you must have. Here's your song -- just for you.

Paddy Mac Blog Post Title Confusing

Well, that's not unusual.

The Only Cloud Involved Exists Is In The Mind Of JoAnne Kloppenburg

Huh?

Paddy's prose has been likened to a syrupy goo, too thick for human consumption, unless you're a conservative and you don't need to listen or be able to read anyway.

Newt Gingrich Press Release

John Lithgow adds gravitas to the stumbling, bumbling, fumbling, dumbling (?) Newt Gingrich press release. Gingrich is serious. Gingrich is what America needs!

Oh my.

Rapture Day Around the Corner

Jim Stingl lampoons another Christian looney who thinks that 200 million righteous Christians are going to heaven this Saturday. It's funny.

Hope Pat McIlheran and Dad29 get to go ... Saturday.

Batshit Stupid

"I don't know where they're going to get all this money because we're running out of rich people in this country."

Rep. Michele Bachmann

Dad29 Won't Like This

Civilized society is leaving him behind.

The Difference Between Liberals and Conservatives

Conservatives cherry-pick isolated instances of bad behavior by whackos to paint a broad picture of alleged liberal malfeasance.

Liberals have to search real hard for any sign of a reasonable conservative and bemoan conservative malfeasance.

The More Things Change ...

... the more the better to reuse old tactics.

David A. Love has a great article at HuffPost Politics regarding the joint effort by conservatives to affect the vote. You think there isn't just a little racism behind this effort? Regarding James Wigderson bff Newt Gingrich, Love has this to say.

When Newt Gingrich suggested that America impose a poll test in U.S. history as a requirement for native-born citizens to vote, it was too much even for black Tea Party Congressman Allen West (R-FL). "That's going back to some times that my parents had to contend with," West said of the notion of a Jim Crow-style literacy test. "I think that we need to do a better job educating our young men and women in school, but we don't need to have a litmus test, no."

For Gingrich, who recently called Obama a "food stamp president," this is part of a pattern of racially offensive remarks, policy positions and affiliations -- against African-Americans, Latinos, Muslims and others. But Gingrich is merely a spoke in the wheel. There is nationwide effort by the Republican Party to suppress voter turnout in next year's presidential election. Devoid of any ideas to beat Obama and win over the electorate, and crippled by a roster of candidates consisting of empty suits, wingnuts and the otherwise unelectable, this is their election strategy for 2012.

As Love points out, these tactics are not dissimilar to those used by Dixiecrats in the 1960s. Read the rest of the article here.

New Paranoid To Join Badger Blogger

Orly Taitz, master of the non sequiter, is rumored to have agreed to join Badger Blogger. Taitz is known for her rather bizarre birther conspiracy theories and other weird facts regarding our president like saying he was having former gay lovers killed and that Obama's defenders should be tried in Nurenberg-like trials.

She'll fit right in with that crowd.

Who's The Sane One

I wouldn't feel safe in the company of any of these individuals.

Oh, Please Please Run

Michele Bachman is considering a bid for the presidency and has said she will make her decision sooner than later.

Please run. It would be soooo funny. Though, personally, I hope Roland Melnick runs. His conspiracy theory funnies would be so entertaining.

Conservatives: The Ironic Ideology

From Clarence Thomas, via Maureen Dowd:

When he switched from a Democrat to a conservative as a young man, he knew that he would be a hotter commodity in politics. But he also knew that it would bring him the scorn of blacks who deemed him a pawn of the white establishment -- people like Justice Thurgood Marshall, who ridiculed Clarence Thomas and others as ''goddamn black sellouts'' for benefiting from affirmative action and then denigrating it.

As Jill Abramson and Jane Mayer write in ''Strange Justice,'' Mr. Thomas himself complained in a 1987 speech that, to win acceptance in conservative ranks, ''a black was required to become a caricature of sorts, providing sideshows of anti-black quips and attacks.'' (Just as blonde conservative pundettes flash long legs and sneer at feminism.)

I can think of someone locally who epitomizes Thomas' statement. Hip Musings anyone, he of the McCain moment.

Hell Yeah, Let's Have a Poll Test

Newt Gingrich via Lawyers, Guns and Money

You know, folks often talk about immigration. I always say that to become an American citizen, immigrants ought to have to learn American history. [applause] But maybe we should also have a voting standard that says to vote, as a native born American, you should have to learn American history. [applause] You realize how many of our high school graduates because of the decay of the educational system, couldn’t pass a citizenship test.

Man, liberals would win every election for the next 200 years. No more cretins who think Christianity is our state religion. No more fools who think Jim Crow laws are legal license to discriminate ... still. No more Newt Gingrich.

Oh joy, oh bliss.

Oh, just kidding.

I Have a Fourth-Grader

When will the madness end?

Breaking News from Fred Dooley

Blogger Problems
Sorry all, there have been some problems with Blogger, the host of this blog. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon.

No shit, Sherlock.

Voter Fraud Nearly Non-Existent Nationally

Would someone please explain to me how 38 cases of alleged voter fraud (only 13 convictions) nationally between October 2002 and Septemeber 2005 (during the Bush administration) equates to a massive problem that requires extreme measures to ensure our elections are fair?

Fair for whom?

Certainly not fair for the Republican-appointed attorneys who failed to ratchet up more fraud cases.

Celebrating Six Years of Fred Dooley

It's. Been. Six. Long. Years.

“Deep South Fred,” as we on the left fondly call him, has been an unquenchable source of material. So, thirsting for more, I thought it might be fun to pay tribute, sort of. Since life and other stuff tends to get in the way, I have highlighted only those that made an impression upon me during my own five plus years of blogging. Without further ado, I give you … Fred, at his finest.

No tribute to Fred would be fitting without saying something about his blog, and what he claimed it would stand for … Real Debate, hence the name. Unfortunately for Fred, he kept getting in the way of real debate. Way back then, Fred advertised his blog this way:

Too often in today’s political landscape discourse is kept among those who agree. This is not a blog to promote that. We discuss ideas here, we ask that you keep your tone in check and respect those who are willing to share.

This didn’t last long. Fred has never been one to take criticism gently or gracefully. Fred's skin is so thin you can see his organs (missing two, the heart and that gray thing). Nor were his fellow travelers on the right much better. Veiled threats and racist comments the norm. Comments from leftys in opposition to something Fred had posted were often labeled “hate left” or they simply disappeared, especially if the facts portrayed did not fit Fred’s template for what was real. But, that’s not really that unusual for bloggers. Many feel ownership of their blog more strongly than others. It’s just that Fred tends to be more extreme than others.

For example, not too long ago Fred “broke the news” that the Obama campaign was violating Wisconsin election law with a campaign flyer that stated the following:

“No proof of residence? You can still register to vote if you bring an eligible voter from your municipality who shows proof of residence and affirms that you live at your address.”

Fred jumped on that (I know, hard to imagine him lifting himself) and wrote: “Sorry folks, they made that up. Here is a link to the State of Wisconsin Elections Board rules, nowhere does showing up to register with someone to vouch for you come into play. This flyer was paid or (sic) by the Democratic Party so they are obviously complicit in encouraging people to break election law. Why do Democrats keep trying to cheat? Why won’t any of the major media call them on it?

“Can you imagine the outroar if Republicans were passing fraudulent information about Wisconsin election law? Hell, they are after AG Van Hollen for daring to ask the accountability board to follow the freaking law.

The unethical Democratic Party is at it again, and they’ll continue to get away with it until enough people raise hell about this problem.”

Oh man, the horror! Fred had the Dems by the balls and even the nationally known blog, Redstate, leaped into the fray linking to Fred’s post. He was so proud.

Problem was (unfortunately for Fred, and Redstate) none of what he reported was true. In fact, Wisconsin election law stated exactly what was stated on the campaign flyer. Fred just hadn’t looked closely enough.

Most people would have admitted their mea culpa and proffered an apology. Not Fred. Instead, he zapped the post, in the process leaving Redstate with a broken link in their story. Fred has written numerous times about the inability of lefty bloggers to fail to see the hypocrisy. His view tends to be a bit myopic.

More recently, Fred discovered the joys of Twitter. Twitting away mercilessly one day he got caught by Dan Bice of the Milwauykee Journal Sentinel:

“Got my stimulus package in the mail today. It contained watermelon seeds, cornbread mix, and ten coupons to KFC.”

In Fred’s defense, this was not an original tweet. It was from an e-mail that was circulating the Intertubes. However, when called on it by Bice, Fred’s response was legendary.

Bice wrote: In an e-mail today, Dooley said he took the tweet from somebody else and re-posted it on his page. In addition, he said he did all this shortly after having gall bladder the surgery and while he was still under the influence of painkillers and anesthesia.

“In that state I didn’t notice any racial connotations. I’m from the deep south and to me that’s not a racial thing, it is a southern thing. If I had not been under the effects of anesthesia I would have likely noticed that could have been taken the wrong way and would have passed on it.”

Really? I've heard Fred speak. There's not a hint of South in his delivery. He also does the South a disservice by assuming his racial shortcomings are universal down there. Fred did state he would avoid tweeting under the influence in the future. He may be more careful tweeting, but otherwise, he's not kept his word.

There is so much more material available for anyone with the time, or the history in dealing with Fred. By the way, any personal anecdotes are welcome on the comment section.

One last thing from me and then a final sally forth by Mr. Humor, John Foust.

I wrote a post during the presidential election about Bill Ayers. At the same time, Fred was creating a list of lefty bloggers who had failed to write quickly enough about the travails of then Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. In jest, I suggested I was upset that I had not been included in the list. Fred corrected that ommission by singling me out for instead writing a “defense” of Ayers.

I pointed out to Fred in an e-mail that the post was in no way a defense of Ayers (I had previously been banned from his site). I wrote that I had been commenting on Ayer’s op-ed in the New York Times. And, I admitted that I agreed with Ayer’s assessment that the guilt-by-association tactics of the right regarding some closer connection with Obama was dishonest. That’s not a defense, its agreement with a point he made. In fact, I further wrote that I was troubled by some of Ayer’s explanations for illegal actions he took.

For Fred, though, this wasn’t enough. His reply was classic Fred.

Yes Tim when you attack those who would dare to bring him up you are defending.

Yes, but Fred, that’s not … never mind.

Anyway, in conclusion, here is that quote from John Foust that captures the darkness that is Fred Dooley.

“Too often in today’s political landscape discourse is kept among those who agree. This is not a blog to promote that. We discuss ideas here, we ask that you keep your tone in check and respect those who are willing to share. Entire posts and their comments will be tossed down the memory hole when we really screw up. Hatred and character assassination are heartily approved when they’re directed at anyone who disagrees with me, but I’ll zap anything that points out I’m easily fooled”



cross-posted at Whallah

Bristol Palin Lands Reality TV Show

While her mother continues to lose grip on reality.

Good grief. It is pathetic this woman gets so much attention. It reinforces my decision never to watch television ... it's all mind-numbingly stupid.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I/we miss you.

Taps for Final WWI Veteran

News of the last WWI veteran's passing at the astounding age of 110 brought back memories of my grandfather and a post I wrote for Veterans' Day in 2008. Additionally, my father was a WWII vet. He's now 84, and was recently flown to Washington D.C. to see the WWII Memorial and to be honored for his service. They're getting up in years, too. Here is that post reproduced.

I sent off an email to family members asking if they could make it Saturday for Abby's 8th birthday and was reminded that today was November 11th, Veteran's Day. It was cause for memories.

I remember staying with Nana at her home in Appleton shortly after Grandpa's death at the age of 82. It was September 1978 or so. Nana and I were foraging through some items when I found an old uniform. I asked Nana if this was Grandpa's. She said it was his WWI uniform and beckoned to me to try it on. It was a little tight, but it fit! I was 22 at the time and pretty skinny. It was cool to know that my Grandpa and I were about the same size back in our youth. (The picture on the left is of Grandpa in his uniform around 1930.)

I spent a lot of time at my grandparents as a child. My Dad was working hard to feed a growing family (it would become five eventually). We (usually Kelly and I) would often stay with Nana and Grandpa for a week or so at a time during the summer.

I didn't mind. I loved visiting. I enjoyed puttering in the backyard with Nana, picking raspberries, blueberries, apples, pears, dodging the bees, etc. The gathered fruits would later become the filling for pies; the aroma of these just-baked pies filling the house and wafting out the backdoor to the yard where I could be found building miniature cities with hand-smoothed expressways in the gravel driveway.

I remember evenings sitting on the floor in front of Grandpa's lap. He'd peel apples. It was a wondrous experience for the grandkids, watching Grandpa maintain one - long - continuous - peel. Then he'd present slices to each of us kids from the flat side of the paring blade.

I especially liked going with Grandpa to the driving range to practice hitting golfballs. He was an excellent golfer. He had seven hole-in-ones (I've had one, using an old iron of his) and he shot a 79 at Reid Municipal Park in Appleton at the age of 79. Pretty remarkable.

I'd also go out with Grandpa on the course. I was his caddy until my teen years. I had a blast with Grandpa's old buddies and on occasion was even allowed to hit a golfball.

Even when I was finally allowed to golf, Grandpa insisted I never keep score. Nonetheless, in my adult years it's been a goal of mine to break 80. I've hit 80 six times, but have never made it past. I once needed only to bogey the last hole do break 80. It's been a source of frustration. Grandpa must have known something.

Grandpa's service for our nation consisted of being drafted in September 1918. He trained in Alabama and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1918. He never made it to Europe to actually fight in the war-to-end-all-wars and was discharged in in early 1919.

His only child, my Dad, enlisted in the Marines in January 1945 at the age of 17. He trained in the Carolinas and then transferred to California. In October 1945 he sailed from Washington; visiting Japan and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1947.

He later decided to joined the priesthood. Fortunately he changed his mind before his final vows; I'm thankful for obvious reasons.

Over the years I've tried in my own way to fill my Dad's shoes, though I've insisted I wasn't. We've clashed as Son and Dad often do. I'm sad to say that our relationship has not always been the best.

Recently, I sent an email to him asking he stop sending me any more of those thoroughly debunked anti-Obama emails that were cruising the Internet. After explaining how this latest email was false, I asked whether he had any sense and would he please stop or I would have to block his emails. I wish I had not done that.

Earlier this summer while tossing a ball around with my Son, I noticed how difficult it was to throw with any sort of pace. The distance I could throw a ball had also diminished. But I kept at it even though I knew I would be sore the next day. I thought of my Dad then. He used to set up as catcher and let me throw fastball after fastball. They were not very fast. I tried out for Little League and the first pitch I threw was hit over the centerfield fence. But Dad kept catching and encouraging.

So I keep catching and running after my Son's errant throws. I help him with his homework and I try not to take it personally when he argues with me or gets sullen, as teenagers are wont to do regardless of the generation.

I've been a fortunate person. I had the chance to know my Grandpa and had a Dad who worked and stuck around to care for his family. There are too many children missing that. Because of their efforts, I've turned out fairly all right. I have three kids now. In addition to my teenage boy, I have two beautiful daughters, a wonderful wife, a home -- a great family.

I wonder if my Dad has an old uniform lying around? Despite our differences, I bet we were about the same size once, too, in our youth.

Man of Action

David Koch, billionaire misanthrope, says that President Obama really didn't do anything regarding the death of Osama bin Laden. "All that Obama did was say 'yea' or 'nay,' Koch said.

Later, Koch was heard to say he would have wrestled Osama to the ground and bit his ears off. I'm a man of action. That's why I pour millions into groups like Americans for Penury and (local laughing stock) MacGyver Institute to undermine democracy and make this country fit for decent people like me and my brother.

Unfortunately, It's the Law

It's reported in the Journal Sentinel that 18 nuns' votes have been disallowed because their absentee ballots did not have witness signatures. Okay. This does dound a bit extreme; they're nuns for jeebus sake.

Still, the law is the law. I have read of at least one Teabagger blog (Real Debate) who disagrees with this decision. I thought Teabaggers were for the law and for order.

A Way To Cure Teabagger Anger

Fred Dooley and Peter DiGaudio might want to check into this.

Little Difference

Glad bin Laden is dead. He was evil. However, the visceral reactions from some remind me that differences are often only skin deep. Take this from Chris of the third incarnation of Spotted Horse.

And yes it would have been cool if they cut off his head and stuck it on a pole in the middle of the White House lawn or in front of the Freedom Tower in NYC.

Change Chris' life history and have him raised in jihadi atmosphere and who do you think would be severing heads and celebrating mass murder? It's really sad. Someday we must find a way to overcome our deathly urges.

More Badger Blogger Funnies

It's late in the evening ... at that time I sometimes cannot help myself. Flew back to Badger Blogger to see if the nutcases had anything more to say and was rewarded with these two gems coming in a post about the death of bin Laden. First, Patrick Dorwin, feral cat lover and occasional Folkbum commenter (nothing ever to say, though):

I sleep peacefully at night, because our brave military stand ready to defend us all. I thank God for them, as I lay my head down to sleep.

You've got to be kidding me. I can picture Patrick at the side of his bed, kneeling and saying this prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the military my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the military someone's soul to take." Then milk and cookies.

Meanwhile, erstwhile human, PCD, had this to say about Judge Russell Stamper's concerns about the way bin Laden was taken out.

Hey, if he loves OBL so much, throw him in after the terrorist. A bullet to the head is optional.

Classy.

Badger Blogger Commenter Forgot One Thing

This is a comment from someone regarding President Obama's release of his long-form birth certificate. (unedited)

It seemed right to question BHO's place of birth because at his core he just seems, well, so foreign, so removed, so non-patriotic. Nothing he's done since inauguration lessens the gut feeling that there's just something not right about him as Commander in Chief. It's not really the lack of experience that has me uneasy (although its a serious flaw in him) it's just that nagging feeling I have that he just doesn't love America and doesn't at all mind our descent into third world status. Does he look in awe at a Grand Canyon sunset and thank the stars above he was born an American? Isn't that what was missing in today's press conference. "I was born in Hawaii and thank God I'm an American." "I'm so proud to be an American." It's my not ever hearing this from him that makes me uneasy and suspicious...

My gosh, what a load of tripe. Let me make it easier for anonymous and answer its questions, from its darkest corner of its mind.

It seemed so right to question the President's place of birth. (cause he's black).

Does he look in awe at sunsets? (cause you know, he's black)

He doesn't love America. (he's black)

He doesn't mind our descent to third world status. (because he's black)

He seems so non-patriotic. (black thing)

Conservatives have gotten so good at not admitting the truth that they can't even be honest with themselves.

Banned Again

Well, Fred Dooley of Real Debate (THAT is debatable) has blocked me again. I suppose asking how his watermelons were growing was a little mean. But hey, I was responding to another of his gems labeled under the "hate left" moniker and couldn't help myself.

Seriously, anyone who comes up with the excuse he was under the influence of doctor-provided drugs when he released a tweet regarding the stimulus package containing watermelon seeds, fried chicken, etc., really needs to look closely at himself.

By the way, one of Fred's favorite tactics is to call someone a hypocrite if that person does not spend equal time on something that is dear to Fred's heart, like misbehaving lefties. In that light, I don't recall his acting too upset over the picture of President Obama's head superimposed over a baby chimp. Hmmm. Must have been on drugs again, Fred.

Come on, Fred. Admit it. You're a closet racist. Why not come out of the closet?

If you do respond, I won't ban you. I'm not afraid of reading your nonsense.

Birther Nonsense Addressed by Priebus

You have got to be kidding me. President Obama decides to finally tackle these morons who continue to claim his illegitmacy for being president. It's true that many Republicans have distanced themselves from this, but Reince Priebus' comment the other day in response to Obama's speech was priceless. He called the issue a distraction, but then had this to say:

"The president ought to spend his time getting serious about repairing our economy," he said.

Really?

Obama has been trying to engage the right and everyone on the serious issues, but Republican refusal to shut down the numbskulls in their party has been the cause of the real distraction and why we find our economy floundering yet.

What a fucking moron.

Boycott Letters Missing the Point

I have read where unions are asking businesses in southeast Wisconsin to support workers' rights by displaying signs in their windows. The problem is if a business decides not to post the sign, the letter says, the business might be boycotted.

This is not the way to win hearts and minds. It is wrong.

Walker and his cohorts will be out soon enough. However, the momentum they build with every stupid comment and/or act will be marginally negated with actions such as these by union members. Don't do it!

Lee A. (Taz) Rich

A friend of mine was buried Tuesday in West Bend. Lee Rich was killed when the motorcycle he was riding was hit by an inattentive driver who ran a stop sign while talking on her cell phone.

I met Lee back when I was in 7th grade, 42 years ago. I was friends with his younger brother, Russ, and so I would go to their home and listen to albums, especially the Beatles, which was Lee's favorite group.

Lee had a temper. Most of Russ' friends would walk softly around Lee to ensure they did not become targets of his wrath. Consequently I didn't get to know Lee very well during my youth.

I would see him at family get-togethers and camping trips, but not much else. But there was one thing that was apparent to me as the years went by ... Lee was changing.

Lee became sober 19 years ago. He joined A.R.M (Association Recovering Motorcyclists) thirteen years ago and was active in that group until the end of life.

How did I know this?

Well, first, I have to admit that I was stunned when I saw the huge turnout at the funeral home. Like I said, I did not know what Lee had been up to, but there were a lot of people, much more that I thought would appear, who obviously thought highly of Lee. Highly enough to come and honor his life on a sad, dreary day.

After speaking with members of Lee's family and other mutual friends of mine, I spoke to a number of members of his other family. I did not know that Lee was active in sponsoring those who were tring to get clean. One woman, in tears, said Lee was responsble for her son's five years of sobriety. That without Lee, her son might have died too young. This refrain was repeated over and over. I'm sad to say I did not know Lee at all.

Afterword, I was off by myself thinking of what I had heard and I realized that I hoped that someday when I pass on it might be said I had done much good, just like it was said of Lee.

My condolences to all Lee's family members. The world is a lesser place without Lee.

More Teabagger Racism

The Motley Cow is my favorite place to go for examples of teabagger racism. This guy on the Youtube is classic. Kind of reminds me of local homophobe, dad29.

???

Oh, well ... the YouTube stayed up for a while. Here's the link.

Teabagger Racists

via Motley Cow and Crooks and Liars ...

Those wacky Republican Teabaggers. Marilyn Davenport, a Southern California Tea Party activist thought it funny to pass on a picture of a family of chimps with President Obama's face superimposed over the baby chimp.

Davenport had this to say when contacted by phone, "Oh, come on! Everybody who knows me knows that I am not a racist. It was a joke. I have friends who are black. Besides, I only sent it to a few people--mostly people I didn't think would be upset with it."

Revealing. I like the line about sending it only to a few friends who wouldn't probably be upset. Presumably the racist friends.

A GOP official contacted by Crooks and Liars said it was unbelievable the email was passed along. "It's much more racist than the watermelon email," the official said.

Watermelon email?

Oh yeah, I remember that. It occurred not too long ago in our little SE Wisconsin backyard. Remember this?

"Got my stimulus package in the mail today. It contained watermelon seeds, cornbread mix, and ten coupons to KFC."

You're right. It was good old Fred Dooley, author of the humorously named blog Real Debate who was the guilty party. He passed that on and fortunately for us, Dan Bice of the Journal Sentinel caught his faux pas.

Dooley had this to say when contacted by Bice for comment. He explained he had recently had gall bladder surgery. "In that state I didn't notice any racial connotations. I'm from the deep South and to me that's not a racial thing, it is a Southern thing. If I had not been under the effects of anesthesia I would have likely noticed that could have been taken the wrong way and would have passed on it."

Really?

Dooley's explanation sounds suspiciously like Davenport's. Must be in the Teabagger Manual for dealing with the media when their racist underpinnings are exposed.

The Daily Double

Two things today. First, I heard Charlie Sykes speaking with Bob Spindel (hope I spelled your name correctly, Bob) about ... you guessed it ... voter fraud. Bob was huffing and puffing that he would not be silenced, and of course this was a "breathtaking" story in the mind of Sykes. There is more to the story, but the central, real fact is there is no f*cking voter fraud. In fact, if one were to take all the innocent voter mistakes made the last twenty years, along with the miscast votes of a couple of idiots, the total would not be enough to turn the election in Justice Prosser's favor (if the weird Brookfield vote thingy had not occurred).

***

I've been meaning to get to this for a while, but life got in the way. Anyway, just before the elction I received two voter guides from Americans for Piggishness Prosperity. I'm not sure how I got them ... it was probably just a mass mailer, but you never know, they might have been sent as a little jab. So, the Prosser mailer had these statements:

Justice Prosser has stood up for the Second Amendment, guaranteeing that Wisconsin citizens have the right to defend themselves against criminals.

Justice Prosser stood up against criminal defense lawyers.

Justice Prosser has time and time again protected our law enforcement against defense attorneys and criminals who make unreasonable demands that weaken the fight against crime.

What a load of crap. First of all, last I looked everyone had the right to defend themselves against criminals. The Second Amendment simply states that the right to own arms shall not be abridged. Secondly, unless the Constitution has been changed and I missed it, defense lawyers are pretty important seeing how every citizen has the right to council. Unlike Peter DiGaudio and most conservatives I know, I believe in the constitutional right of innocence before guilt.

I suspect Justice Prosser does too.

The Elderly Taste So Good

I just couldn't resist, especially since our very own wingnut, Paul Ryan, is featured. The latest Tom Tomorrow cartoon. Caution: For serious folks only. Click on toon to enlarge (I think).

Commenter at Illusory Tenant is ...

... frigging hilarious. And so true. Read on Jim Bouman's comment regarding Kathy Nickolaus and repugs in general.

Nickolaus is just a small cog in the Republican machine in Waukesha County. The County Executive, the DA, The Sheriff, the County Clerk, Clerk of Courts, Register of Deeds, and the County Treasurer control hundreds and hundreds of patronage jobs in the Courthouse.

They're Republicans, they're dull normal, devoid of imagination, cautious, clubby, (country clubby, to be sure) moss-backed, "You scratch my mossback, I'll scratch yours"; they're bad tippers; they're devoid of imagination; they have backyard shrines to the Gipper.

The boldest thing any of 'em do is to abandon their mainline congregations when they start having to listen to liberal female ministers preach about social justice, forcing them to find solace and affirmation at mega-churches that reinforce their small-mindedness.

They are not so schemingly evil that they would actually cook up a plan to steal an election.

They're dullards. Their greatest collective achievement is that they cover for each other. This time they slipped up. They'll ease Nickolaus out of the picture and replace her with a someone who will be a virtual clone, lacking only Kathy's "flub".

I'm still laughing.

Jeff Wagner Confuses Talking Points

Listening briefly to J-J-Jeff Wagner this afternoon, was struck by his inability to get his talking points right. He was speaking about the listening session and noted that working people were complaining they couldn't make it during the day (referring to unionists). Shortly afterword these same people were referred to as whiners.

I'm stunned that his opinion their being thugs didn't make it into the monoloque (though it might have, I turned off the radio).

Remember this talking point that never enters into anything Jeff says, "I lost to Jim Doyle!" It must be hard to take.

Peter DiGaudio ... Nutcase

I tried posting this at his website, but apparently I'm blocked (after over a year of not blogging). Anyway, he accuses my friend Chris Liebenthal of being the troll leaving nasty messages on his site. He says that if it is true that someone is posing as Chris, he will exonerate him.

So, in the wingnut world, one is guilty until proven innocent.

According to Charlie Sykes ...

... it's only a flagrant act of democracy when the result is favorable to bellicose troglodytes conservatives. Today he is claiming that the union thugs in Madison are responsible for Supreme Court Justice (nice ring to it) Kloppenburg's victory because they voted overwhelmingly for her.

Humph. I wonder what the result would be if his math was applied to conservative strongholds in the city of Waukesha and Washington county?

Getting Pregnant Helps

It's been reported that Bristol Palin, daughter of whiner-extraordinaire Sarah Palin, received $262,500 for her work promoting teen pregnancy abstinence for The Candies Foundation. A Foundation spokesperson said, "We know Ms. Palin's work has had a positive effect on creating awareness about teen pregnancy."

Of course they would say that. To disavow her would mean $262,500 was spent in vain.

Still, of the 1,000 teens surveyed independently (so the Foundation claims) I wonder how many were minorities. Truly, what sort of impression do you think Palin makes on Inner-City girls? My guess would be zero.

I've Fallen and I Need Some Cash

James O'Keefe, infamous video yarn spinner, is sounding more and more like a Christian televangelist these days ... claiming hardship and begging for money. I'm surprised the Koch brothers haven't waded in.

Greed or Just Stupid?

Today just 400 Americans have the same wealth as half of all Americans combined.

And somehow, teabaggers think this is alright.

Send Me the Money. Amen!

I finished reading the piece in Forbes about Tim Phillips, head of Americans for Prosperity (thx Motley Cow), was disgusted, but thinking there was really nothing I could do, turned off the computer and started looking at the mail I had received. Got to love Christians like Phillips and the clowns who sent me this latest attempt at screwing me for money. This isn't even clever ....

Dear Jesus,

We pray that you will bless someone in this home spiritually, physically & financially. And please dear Lord, bless the one whose hands open this letter. Make good changes in this one's life and give them the desires of their heart. We pray over and bless this letter in your holy name. Amen.

Inside, I'm impressed to find a paper Bible Faith Prayer Rug. They say it is being placed in my care to be used immediately and then passed on to someone else who needs a blessing. Good grief.

Best of all, if I return the rug in the postage-paid envelope provided (how generous) I also have the opportunity to ask that St. Matthews pray to God to bless me with money (any amount). Of course, it's suggested that I provide a seed gift (any amount).

Christians that are most vociferous about the Christain faith, those who wear in on their sleeves so all can see their piousness (and those silly fish decals on cars) are the people I disdain most. Tim Phillips is one of these types of people as well as most SE Wisconsin conservative bloggers.

At least Islam promises something a little more fun.


Which reminds me before I post this about something Cal Thomas, one of my favorite fire-breathers, wrote a bit ago. He was writing about the increasing level of hate speech permeating politics. Specifically, he thought comparing conservatives to Nazis was uncalled for ... after all, he said (paraphrasing), when JFK was shot by Oswald, a Communist, we didn't blame liberals.

Really? Apparently, it's only hate speech if it's true.

Backtracking Again

The Journal Sentinel's backtracking is complete. In today's editorial they heap shame on Republican efforts to "save the house by burning it down". The editorial board finally admits these efforts are extreme. And yet, they have the audacity to say Senate Democrats should not have fled the state; that their move set a precedent for similar actions by future Republicans.

Two things: If the Democrats had not left, the JS would not have needed to backtrack, looking foolish while doing so.

Oh darn.

And, I somehow doubt there will ever be an issue appoaching the severity and extremism of the calculated moves by the current herd of right-wingers which would cause future conservatives to scatter. What? They're going to get huffy if the wealthy are asked to pay a bit more to help the state? Let's see those hordes of wealthy people come crashing down on the Capital. Both the Repugs and their rich constituency would be laughing stocks.

You Know You're a Conservative ...

... if you think driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit in the far right late on Capital Drive is acceptable. And then, you cut right in front of the car in the center lane, causing that person to brake to avoid a collision. And then, you do the same thing again while moving to the left lane. The best part is, you do all this without signaling and when you finally settle into the left turn only lane and must stop because there is a red light, at that moment only do you decide to alert your fellow citizens to your intentions and turn your blinker on.

It's just another of the many freedoms conservatives want back in their lives ... the freedom to be an ass and the hell with everyone else.

Lying Liars

Goebbels would have been proud of Charlie last week. No, I am not comparing Charlie to Nazis, I am simply stating a well-known fact that the techniques that Goebbels used have been studied and found effective by right-wing talk radio.

Lie enough and it will become believable. Unless contradicted, of course by your own flagship radio station.

All morning (I think it was Friday) Charlie went on ad nauseum about the "threatening" manner of the hard-working citizen protesters. He even brought on one of his junior sidekicks, Brian Fraley (himself well-versed in the techniques of lying) to offer an "eye-witness" account of the terrible anxiety being caused to state capital workers.

Funny. About 5:00 pm I turned back to WTMJ in time to hear John Nichols answer a question asked by the drive-time host. "Was the atmosphere agly?" he was asked. (Nothing like a leading question.) "No," he relied. In fact the gathering was very peaceful and so very like Wisconsin, he added. They were even polite, saying excuse and pardon me.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

You Know You're a Conservative ...

... if you think it's perfectly all right to drive down the road at 45 mph while shoveling food into your mouth.

I saw this the other day. How this woman made it safely to her destination is beyond me.

Teabaggers Converge on Madison

... no procreation ensues.

Last Saturday a small group of fleshy teabaggers traveled into enemy territory to confront hard-working Wisconsin citizens exercising their democratic right to be heard outside the state capital. Dismayed that their lows of protest could not be heard, they resorted to another tactic, one that really freaked out those assembled in prtest of Scott Walker's draconian measures.

As one, teabaggers began shedding clothing. Naked to the elements, they slipped to the ground and, well, slurping ensued. "It was kind of weird," one protestor said. Another wished that teabaggers would confine their activities to bedrooms, but then they have always been hypocritical about their rights as opposed to others.

Anyway, it was reported that at the conclusion of this weird teabag ritual, and after grunts of satisfaction, teabag males motioned to their compliant women to get to their feet, clothe and together they walked off the capital grounds.

They had succeeded, temporarily, in getting the crowd to silence. One protester said as the teabbgers left, "I'm almost ready to give into Walker. I'm not sure I could stand that again."